A Solo Traveller’s First Impressions of Amsterdam (Plus Key Attractions & Tips)

I visited Amsterdam as a solo traveller from August 10-13, 2024.

Amsterdam is one of those places that can’t help but induce romantic wanderlust. Imagine gliding down the canals, savouring those delicious desserts…

And though I’d done no research beforehand, it did miraculously turn out to be quite the idealistic trip.

General Impressions

It’s so pretty

Amsterdam is a gorgeous city, and the people know it.

Walk around in the summer, and you’ll pass the famous canal bridges, the beautifully decorated bikes, the blossoming baskets, and the boathouses bopping on the water.

My friend told me the government spends a great deal of effort in keeping the area around the Jordaan pristine and picturesque, and it definitely shows.

There are so many people

Of course, there are crowds of people in main traffic areas in all cities, but the crowds of Amsterdam hit different.

In the summer, everyone is out and about, especially along the canals. They dangle their feet over the water, they stroll leisurely with a “dog” (i.e. hot dog) or ice cream in their hands, and they seem to have no purpose beyond enjoying the sunshine. It’s an energy quite unlike other cities I’ve gone to.

Glass skyscrapers and modern condos

Amsterdam sits at a unique point in its modern history, with neighbourhoods old and new divided by the Central Station port, though easily accessible from both sides by ferries.

When I first exited the train station to the ferry side, I was surprised. The skyline before me was modern… insanely modern. Think skycrapers and stadium-size museums and townhouses that all look exactly the same. It reminded me more of Toronto’s harbourfront than the whimsical, lopsided architecture of postcard Amsterdam.

I learned later that this modern district is Noord (for “North Holland”), a very up-and-coming urban area. My hostel, The Bunk, is located here, and whenever I went back late, the streets would be almost deserted. That’s how new it is.

Exit the train station on the other side, however, and you’ll see the traditional Europeans motifs.

Housing trivia

According to my tour guide friend, the traditional houses in Amsterdam are lopsided for 2 reasons:

The foundation wasn’t deep and/or strong enough, so they tilted sideways over time. The city was built on marshland, after all.
Moving large furniture upstairs through narrow stairways isn’t possible, so people used pulleys to lift it up from the outside. That would be disastrous with a perfectly straight building front, thus houses were purposely tilted on a forward angle to accommodate this.

In summary, lopsided buildings to the side were accidents. Lopsided buildings to the front were intentional.

Above some doorways, there are also carved plaques. In the olden days, those plaques served as our version of directories. They told people what service they provided. If you needed a tailor, you’d look for the plaque showing an image of a tailor.

The Dutch ancestors also got creative with taxes. When the Dutch government started charging property taxes based on how wide the front of your building was, everyone started building deep. When the people wanted more space but didn’t want to pay more taxes, they curved the front instead. It was a sign of prosperity and social stature the wider your building front was.

(There’s even a furniture company that custom makes furniture according to the degree of tilt or curve in your house, though the name of said company is unbeknownst to me.)

It’s expensive

Consider this: my 7-day IsarCard for unlimited public transport in Munich cost me 21.10 EUR. My 3-day GVB unlimited transport ticket in Amsterdam cost me nearly the same, at 21 EUR. I think I did make it worth it in the end, but since Amsterdam is so walkable, I’d advise travellers to just pay as you go if you’re going to be footing it or biking a lot.

When I told my friend I’d be in the city, she said, “Thank goodness you’re only here for 3 days. Amsterdam is so expensive.” And it is.

The prices are crazy here compared to the rest of the cities I’ve stayed in. Eating out feels like cutting off an arm and a leg. (Ok, not that dramatic, but you get the idea.) Property prices are so high that the most expensive canal houses are almost exclusively for corporate businesses now.

Finding budget accommodation in Amsterdam isn’t impossible, but their idea of “budget” is closer to “full price” anywhere else. On the other hand, my hostel did come with some cool perks, so I won’t complain.

Pancake shops and hummus

Pancakes and hummus galore. Everywhere I turned, there seemed to be another pancake restaurant or hummus bar. Don’t ask me why; there just are.

Note: This first photo below is from Berlin, but it felt appropriate to include here…

Male urinals… only?

If you search Google Maps for “Amsterdam public toilet,” you’ll find an abundance of male urinal options… but apparently no women-only toilets. Granted, I haven’t gone to any of these male urinals to confirm or deny this, but a quick review online shows they are the open kind with no locked-door mechanism. They’re not closed to women, per se, but I personally would feel safer with a friend guarding the entrance for me (and a proper sit-down toilet).

Otherwise, you can still use the toilets in establishments and transit stations — probably for a fee, unless you know the place already and can walk in confidently without arousing suspicion.

When in doubt, find a library. Library washrooms are always free.

Here’s a cool article I found on the matter: Why are there no public bathrooms in the Netherlands? | DutchReview.

It’s so English-friendly

Everyone can speak English in Amsterdam. For the weary English-speaking traveller, this is such a relief.

Bikes before people

There’s a joke that the Jordaan has 3 layers: mud, bikes, and water.

Each person has an average of 2 bikes to their name, with many of those bikes ending up in the canal by drunkenness, romantic dispute, training — you name it.

The general hierarchy goes as follows: bikes > people > cars.

The lesson: Don’t expect bikers to stop for you; they will run you over before braking.

Amsterdam has one of the most comprehensive bike lane systems in Europe, which, for visitors unfamiliar with this — like me — can prove to be dangerous. Make a habit of checking left and right thoroughly before you step off that sidewalk.

It’s truly a waterside life

The residents of Amsterdam live by the water, and it shows in their culture and customs. From boat parties to cruises to paddle boarding, everything they do is connected to the water.

Attractions & Tips

OBA Oosterdok - Public Library

The OBA library is easily the coolest library I’ve seen so far. It’s huge, modern, and harbours an impressive array of workstations, media studios, theatres, an entire kids’ floor, a café (where I found free discount minicards like in hostels!), and a whole restaurant/cafeteria top floor, with a terrace that opens up onto an amazing view of the city.

Come here for peace and quiet (or the free toilets).

Sea Palace

Sea Palace is a floating Chinese restaurant on the River IJ. The story is that this Sea Palace was a copy of the original one in Hong Kong. On its way to maintenance, the Hong Kong one sank, and Sea Palace Amsterdam became the sole bearer of its glory.

The prices for main dishes are expensive, but the dim sum is affordable. The façade is entirely photo-worthy even if you don’t eat here. Locals say the food is amazing, though.

NEMO Science Museum

Go for the free viewing platform at the top. It’s surprisingly large and features lots of fountains and cascading waterfalls — a good playground for the kids (and adults).

Nationale Opera & Ballet

Unfortunately, August is when ballet companies are off season, so there weren’t any performances when I went. But go see a show here if you can. Ballet enthusiasts will love it, if only to see what the theatre voted the Ugliest Building in Amsterdam for 7 years looks like (I say this with love).

Foodhallen

The food court here is absolute heaven for foodies, but be prepared to empty your wallet for this. It’s an expensive place.

Right outside the food court is the main lobby where local artists and independent sellers also set up shop during the day.

Vondelpark

A massive park on the west end, Vondelpark is the perfect place to grab a picnic blanket and enjoy the fading rays of the sun. There are pavilions, restaurants, and ponds all around this green space.

Tram 2 Line

No need to look any further than the Tram 2 line for a scenic tour of Amsterdam, all for the price of one fare. The tram passes by some of the most famous bridges and canals in the city, and with the 1.50-hour window on the fare, you can hop on and off as much as you’d like. If you have an unlimited fare pass, then the world’s your oyster.

Red Light District

If you want to get to know this city from all angles, go for a walk through the Red Light District at night. I actually forgot about this infamous area until someone reminded me of it, and my curiosity piqued.

Luckily, I had a local to bring me around. People tell me it’s generally a safe place, but if you’re a solo female, I recommend partnering up for ease of mind.

The women in the windows (i.e. full-length glass doors) are clad in bodysuits and heels, waving to the crowds passing by. Well, some of them are. It seemed to me that these women were such veterans in their field that, at this point, they didn’t really care anymore. One of them was just playing on her phone while lounged on a chair. I took care not to stare too much.

Even in my discretion I noticed that the women all fit the same archetype: voluptuous curves, thick lips, hearty thighs. At first I thought they were chosen like this, but after reading this article, I learned many of these women undergo involuntary plastic surgery.

A gentle reminder that sex workers are people, and sex work is a business (not a kind business, but the transaction is there). Please treat them with respect. The sex industry is laced with dark avenues those of us on the outside can’t conceive. As always, a city is made up not just of its shiny bits but also its dark ones.

Furthermore, the Red Light District is way more than just sex. There’s an abundance of homey Chinese restaurants, breakfast cafes, dessert shops, and photo-worthy spots condensed in the criss-cross maze of this neighbourhood. In the mornings, it’s just like any other area — a calm, quaint place for eggs and toast.

Canal Cruise

Go at night. I repeat, go at night!

Nighttime is the time to get a look at Amsterdam from the water. I recommend hopping on a cruise around 10 PM (or whenever your cruise provider’s last round is) for optimal chances of a private tour. It was so refreshing to really talk to the tour guide and skipper (driver) without the pressure of feeling like just another tourist. I’m sure they also appreciated the downtime to let loose and talk like themselves.

Flagship Amsterdam is a great option for their open-air boats and onboard bar.

Tip: Test out your camera’s night mode settings before hitting the water — those bridges go by fast! Also, make sure to bring some spare bills to tip your cruise team (if you feel like it).

Eye Filmmuseum

The Eye is a super modern film museum on the Noord side of Amsterdam, right next to the port. The architecture alone is pretty impressive, though I only went around to see the restaurant.

A’DAM Lookout

On the ferry ride across the port, nothing stands out more than the view of people swinging over the edge of this skyscraper.

The rooftop is the lookout, and there’s a funky light show in the elevator on the rides up and down. The swing is a separate fee from the lookout itself, but it’s worth the extra 8 EUR.

Fear not. It’s actually very tame. The steel-enforced swing has no shaking, no increasing arcs. You swing leisurely with a partner for 1 minute, enjoying the sky-high view, and then they bring you down. If you’re a party of 3, one of you can go again for free.

The lookout is a surprisingly chill place to while away the hours, with a mini-bar, beanbags, a larger-than-life horse statue for you to take a photo on, and a VR fly-over-Amsterdam experience you can pay for.

For a tourist attraction that costs 26 EUR, the A’DAM Lookout is well worth it.

Tip: Buy your ticket online for a discount.

Below photos by Rob and Alice.

Bonus: Live Mapping

Here’s something I discovered accidentally with Find My on iPhone. If you connect a compatible device to it (Airpods, for example), the app will actually create a whole map of where you’ve been (assuming the device stays with you the entire time).

Hilariously, these weren’t actually my Airpods; they were my friend’s. Somehow the Airpods connected to my phone when we met up, and it documented our entire day together.

Amsterdam is a thought-provoking city. It displays its mixture of old and new, good and questionable, in plain sight — no shame allowed.

With some experience travelling solo now, I’ve learned to avoid the usual tourist attractions (you probably don’t need to go up every radio tower in the world). Even then, Amsterdam cut a hole in my wallet. Nevertheless, the experience was absolutely worth it for the city’s local beauty. Now that I’ve seen it in the summer, perhaps it’s time to go back for winter…

*All photos by Lonely Girl, Lonely World unless otherwise specified.