Best and worst things about Amsterdam

Every city has its perks and flaws and Amsterdam is no exception. When a Dutchie says they’re from the Netherlands when they’re abroad, the first response they’ll get will 99.99% of the time be “oh, Amsterdam!”. And that’s a good thing. Or is it?

Source: Matt Rubens

The canals are filled with bikes

Which isn’t so strange, as the go-to vehicle when people are drunk are bikes, and there are more of them than people. There isn’t really a shortage of canals, either. But you can’t deny the canals are beautiful and make awesome postcards.

Every neighborhood has its own culture

You can travel around Amsterdam for hours on end and see so many different cultures.

There’s de Pijp, where the memory of André Hazes is still present, De Jordaan with its

rich history, and then there’s the red light district that we’ve all heard of.

There are more souvenirs shops than you can count

Especially in the city center you’ll stumble upon a lot of those over packed shops. Every shop sells the same knick knacks, of course.

All sorts of food are available, everywhere!

If you’re in the mood for some Indian food, Chinese food, Surinamese food… basically any kind of food, there are a lot of places to choose from in Amsterdam. Of course there is a Febo on every street where you can always get a nice frikandel or kroket.

Source: Nick D.

The tourists try their best to ride a bike

And fail. But it’s so admirable that they don’t give up.

There is always something to do, no matter the time

Whether it’s daytime and you’re relaxing ‘het Vondelpark’ with friends and a Frisbee, evening and you’re standing in line for the Anne Frank museum, or nighttime and you’re at Paradiso listening to live music, there is always something to do and people to meet!

Source: Massimo Catarinella

Those beautiful mansions with those awful stairs

The mansions at the canals are truly beautiful, but if you live on the second floor – let alone the top floor – you’ll wish the buildings had elevators. Carrying groceries up those stairs is a real hassle and trying to make your way upstairs when you’ve had something to drink is just a disaster.

Source: Lennart Tange

That one day a year when everything is orange

Dutchies like to go crazy every once in awhile (ok, maybe twice in a while) and the King’s birthday might be the best opportunity for that. We dress in orange or red-white-blue and we paint flags on our faces just to dance and sing to our favorite Dutch songs.

When the sun comes out, everyone does

Even if it’s just 15 degrees Celsius. The terraces will be packed and everyone will be like “oh the weather is so nice today, didn’t even bring a jacket!” Which they regret, almost instantly.

Amsterdam gay parade

Ever seen a parade on water? Every year, boats ‘parade’ the Amsterdam Canals for Gay Pride, and it’s such a colorful sight to see! The party people have decorated their boats, each boat plays music and everyone else is standing on the sidelines, watching as the boats float by.

Source: Alf van Beem

Weighing the pro’s and con’s of Amsterdam shows that there is much to love and a bit to complain – but that doesn’t make us enjoy it any less!