My plane landed at the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 5 pm and that meant my first Amsterdam trip began! I want to say right now that there will be no information about Red Lights district, about weed smoking, and time wasting in night clubs. I was fond of the spirit of ‘old’ Amsterdam, art and herring. Sorry, that’s true, I love food and food loves me <3!
I rent a very very nice apartment (a private room) in Diemen (6 km from the center of Amsterdam). When I would like to rent apartment I usually use AirBnb (no ads!). My hosts were a nice middle-aged couple of locals.
When I left the airport, I found a special “bus”, where tourists can buy several-days tickets for public transport for Amsterdam and its regions. For more info check this. I bought 3-days ticket.
I got to my station in Diemen by train, where my host picked me up (instead I had to walk with all my stuff about 7-8 min). That day I have already activated my ticket, so it could work 72 hours since “opening time”. By the way, I had no information how it could work. Probably, the video below could be helpful for you.
My first day was done, because that evening I spent getting acquainted with the hosts, exploring my room, small shopping for my dinner (there was Jumbo in 2 min away home) and going to sleep, because next days should be busy enough! If you are interested in here is my plan for all days in Amsterdam:
- 1st day: airport – “check in” – shopping (dinner) – bed
- 2nd day: Rijksmuseum – lunch (restaurant with traditional Dutch meals) – Moco Museum (Banksy exhibition) – sandwiches with herring (omg BEST in my life) – night cheese&wine boat tour.
- 3d day: Zaanse Schans visiting
By the way, I wanted to find this one, but could not! If you are lucky one, leave a comment and tell me about! 🙂
- 4th: check-out – car renting – and another country-destination!
Traveling by public transport was a great experience for me! To be honest, I like by car the most. But when you can trust the schedules and plan your day properly, it is a big new opportunity to see any city as if you are local! For my convenience in Amsterdam also I used different apps: GVB and 9292.
Amsterdam is more than you can imagine. Just throw back some guides advising you to visit Red Lights district and weed shop, because Netherlands is an unique country with its hidden places to find just for yourself. I wish you not to get lost in the tourist-chinese crowd, and just explore your own Amsterdam or any other city in the world.