Amsterdam

EAT, DRINK AND PLAY IN AMSTERDAM IN 48 HOURS

With its bikes, lovely canals and narrow brick buildings, Amsterdam is one of the sweetest cities in Europe and one that begs for return visits.

Amsterdam is small and best viewed by foot or bicycle. For destinations beyond Centraal and the canal district, the trams are easy and one-hour tickets can be purchased on board.

The city is best reached from the airport via a taxi (15-20 minutes, assumes no traffic) or by train (20 minutes).

We’ve enclosed below our top tips to eat, drink and plan in Amsterdam in 48 hours, or more!

EAT

The Avocado Show An instagram-able brunch spot that serves avocado in every dish. Service can be slow so go early or plan to wait.

Café Binnenvisser- Cozy and trendy wine bar in Amsterdam west. A Limited dinner menu but the food is delicious!

Coba Finding authentic Mexican is a tough task in Europe. This place comes pretty close and has a great ambience and creative cocktails. A must visit!

Foodhallen A sprawling indoor food market with good options for brunch, lunch, or afternoon drinks.

Gs -A really nice place. The name says it all, this is an awesome brunch spot with a massive Bloody Mary selection and innovative takes on the classic eggs benedict.

Henri Willig Cheese Try (and bring home!) Dutch cheese and mustard.

Lantjil & De Tijger The best Indonesian food in a hip, busy setting. Indonesia was a former Dutch colony and today Amsterdam has some of the best food outside of Indonesia. Try one of the nasi plates or a rice table.

The Pancake Bakery All the sweet and savoury Dutch pancakes (a larger cousin of the French crepe) you could want at a historic location in Joordan.

Restaurant C A high-end, trendy restaurant with a tasting menu prepared at varying degrees of Celcius. Service a little slow but food is delicious.

Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx The very best french fries.

Winkel 43 Incredible Dutch apple pie. The hype is real!

DRINK

Brouwerij 't IJ A brewery and beer garden serving organic beers next to a windmill.

Coffeeshop Paradox Chill spot in Joordan.

Easy Times Coffeeshop Clean coffeeshop serving dry herb and overlooking a canal. Try the carmelo.

Oedipus Brewing Craft beers and a great (eclectic) vibe, what more do you need?

Pilsvogel Lively pub and beer garden in Gerard Douplein Square in De Pijp.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest Dutch craft beer pub in Joordan with over 50 local brews on tap.

PLAY

Albert Cuypmarkt A street market in De Pijp. It’s on every day except Sundays.

Anne Frank House

Canal Cruise We highly recommend this. Choose the self-operated boats or hire a skipper. We enjoyed our 90 minute cruise and tour with Those Dam Boat Guys.

Jordaan The poshy part of town. Spend time strolling through it’s charming streets.

Katten Kabinet Feline friends, check out this quirky museum in an old town house devoted to cat artwork. Say hello to the kitties in reception.

Rijksmuseum The Netherlands Museum with art dating back to the Middle Ages. Works by Vermeer and Rembrandt can be found here.

Sarphatipark A small but sweet park in De Pijp.

Shopping It’s fantastic. A few of our favorites include:

De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets) for vintage and designer boutiques.

Juulry Cute jewelry shop in De Pijp.

O My Bag A sustainable and fair-labor leather company that produces beautiful bags in De Pijp.

Restored on Haarlemmerdijk.

Sneaker District One of a kind sneakers

Tikal Alternative jewelry boutique in Joordan.

Zenza Global home goods in Centraal.

Stedelijk Museum Contemporary art housed within a grand old building.

Van Gogh Museum Best museum in Amsterdam.

Vondelpark Rent a bike and cruise around.

STAY

We recommend De Pijp. Amsterdam’s coolest neighborhood, this former working class hood retains its bohemian vibe. It’s a 20 minute walk into Centraal and far enough from the tourist crowds that it feels authentic.

We also love the Joordan neighborhood, which is a bit pricier but worth the cost for being close to everything.

Hotel Arena Gorgeous hotel property next to Oosterpark. Great bar on-site.

Amsterdam

LOCATIONS NEARBY

Prague

Prague is a fairy tale. The City of a Hundred Spires is home to an ancient castle on a hill, a magical clock tower, absinthe and a storied history of famous astronomers.

From the airport, one option is to take the Airport Express bus to the Prague Main Station and then walk 10-15 minutes into the Old Town. The bus takes about 35 minutes and runs from 6:30am to 10:00pm every 30 minutes. Alternatively, a cab or Uber will take 20-25 minutes.

The euro is not widely used in the Czech Republic. Upon arrival take out Czech crowns (also known as krones).

EAT

Ferdinanda Traditional Czech cuisine and beer in a cozy setting in Mala Strana. Recommended by a friend

Mansson’s Bakery Delicious Danish bakery just north of Old Town.

Las Adelitas When you need a break from the local cuisine, check out this friendly, authentic Mexican spot for delicious tacos & margs.

Piknik Park An Italian enoteca located on a quiet side street in Mala Strana. Outdoor seating, live music, great pizza and wine!

DRINK

The Czechs invented the Pilsner in 1842 and there is no better spot to try this light, golden-colored beer than straight from the source. Ask for a Pilsner Urquell, the original Bohemian beer. If you needed any more convincing, beer is literally cheaper than water here.

Double Trouble This cassic “cave-bar” and underground nightclub is a great spot to start the night.

Fat Cat Brewery & Pub Hip, contemporary bar and restaurant serving local brews in Old Town.

Hemingway Bar Cocktails.

Mecca Dance club for deep-house and techno lovers.

Strahov Monastery Brewery Beer has been brewed on this site near the Prague Castle since the medieval ages, but the current building dates back to the 17th century. Recommended by a friend.

PLAY

Charles Bridge This 15th century bridge connects the heart of the city and is lined with statutes of saints, artists, performers and musicians.

John Lennon Wall This colorful memorial pays homage to John Lennon and his ideals of peace and free speech.

Karlstejn Castle This beautiful, gothic castle was founded in 1348 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV. It is an easy half day trip by train from Prague, and one of the most admired castles in Bohemia.

Mala Strana Prague’s Lesser Town is slightly less touristy than Old Town but just as magical. This neighborhood lines the left river bank and is just south of the Castle. Several good pubs and restaurants are located here.

Old Town Square A must visit.

The Powder Tower One of the original city gates to the Old Town, this gothic tower’s construction began in the fifteenth century.

Prague Castle largest castle (area) in the world dating back to the 9th century.

Prague Astronomical Clock This 600 year old clock face is the heart and soul of the Old Town and puts on a show every hour.

Day trips

Terezín Take a day trip one hour outside the city to this former ghetto, concentration camp and Gestapo prison. A sobering but educational experience to learn about the Czech-Jewish history, World War II, and the Holocaust.

STAY

Stay near the Old Town or Mala Strana to be within walking distance of the main sites and nightlife. Mala Strana is perhaps a bit less touristy and quieter in the evening. We, however, enjoyed the four star Hotel Caruso, just north of the Old Town Square.

Prague

panorama view of Prague

Old Town Square Prague with tourists

horse and carriage Old Town Prague

Charles Bridge Prague at night

street art Prague

LOCATIONS NEARBY

Rome

Ciao Roma! All roads lead to this city layered with thousands of years of history, with sites stacked upon each other dating back to ancient times, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and now modernity. While Rome is a well beaten path on the tourist trail, it’s large and cosmopolitan enough that the crowds are easily escaped. Come for the romantic, winding streets, gelato and incredible food and wine scene, and unbeatable shopping.

Rome has two airports, Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino) which most major airlines use, and Ciampino Airport which is favored by European budget airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair. While Fiumicino is the farther, about 30 miles outside the city, it’s fairly easy to take the Leonardo Express train from the airport direct to Roma Termini station in central Rome. Alternatively, a cab will run a flat rate of around €50, no more. Without traffic the trip takes approximately 30 minutes.

If you are arriving in or departing Rome by train, Termini is the most popular station. Florence is an easy 90 minute direct train and tickets are €30 one-way. Buy online in advance via ItaliaRail.

Go during the off or shoulder seasons to avoid large tourist crowds and unbeatable heat during the summer months. We loved Roma in October!

EAT

Frigidarium This tiny gelateria serves each cup or cone in dipped, melted chocolate. Go late after dinner or past lunch time, as there is always a line!

Gelateria Della Palma This grand gelato shop is two blocks north of the Pantheon and boasts 150 different flavors. Pay at the till before ordering at the bar.

La Tavernaccia While this modern taverna is a bit out of the way and looks like an Italian restaurant straight out of a New Jersey strip mall (and sounds a bit like one - American tourists trek from all over Rome to come here), the food is really, really good, the wine list is excellent and its very affordable. Book in advance.

Pizzeria da Baffeto The best pizza in Rome, with a cracker thin crust. While it looks small on the outside, this two-story pizzeria is always bustling. Well worth the 10 minute wait for a table.

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina This famed deli, eatery and restaurant has a few “shops” all on the same street. We had lunch in the tiny Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria dining room (a square table that seats eight). The wine, bread, cheese and pasta were fantastic. Book in advance.

Supplizio While the humble Roman Suppli is not as well known as its Sicilian arancini ball cousin, it’s just as delicious. This casual eatery is dedicated to the suppli. Pop in for an aperitif and snack before dinner; the cacio e pepe Suppli is a must-try!

DRINK

Alembic Cute, eclectic spot in Trastevere that hosts a €10 “aperitivo buffet” in early evening. The art on the walls is available for purchase.

Caffè Camerino There are a few in the city, but this espresso bar just north of the Jewish Ghetto is perfect for a pit stop.

Il Goccetto A cozy wine bar in the historic center popping with locals in the evenings. Stop by for a glass, bottle or a night cap.

La Boutique del Limoncello A family-owned shop featuring homemade limoncello in a variety of flavors - strawberry, pistachio, banana and more.

Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà A tiny hole-in-the-wall dive bar in Trastevere with a friendly crowd.

Open Baladin This craft beer bar in the Jewish Quarter serves up a long list of burgers and pub grub for those who need a break from pizza and pasta.

PLAY

Ancient Rome Despite being a modern city, Rome’s ancient ruins are incredibly well preserved. Visit the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Palatine all on the same pass. Hot tip: the Colosseum line is notoriously long. Purchase your Roman Forum and Colosseum pass at the Forum to beat the crowds later at the Colosseum. On your way to the ancient ruins, walk past the incredibly large Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland).

Castel Sant'Angelo Not as well known as the Ancient Rome ruins or Vatican City, make time for Rome’s very own castle.

Jewish Quarter Trendy part of the city with good shopping, cafes and restaurants.

Pantheon This former temple to the Roman Gods was converted into a church in the 7th century.

Piazza Navona Large, touristy plaza dating back to the first century.

Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini’s Capuchin Crypt For those with a strong stomach, and who want to see something totally unique, for €8 you can visit the Bone Church of Rome. Beneath this church lies a crypt featuring an art installation constructed with the bones of thousands of skeletons.

Spanish Steps

Trastevere Referred to by the locals as the last-standing, truly authentic Roman neighborhood. This trendy locale is excellent for self guided walks, photography and people watching.

Trevi Fountain An epic work of sculpture, the Fountain is always filled with tourists but worth seeing. Go early! Make a wish and toss in a euro or two.

The Vatican and Saint Peter’s Square No visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the world’s smallest country. Book evening tickets to avoid the large crowds.

STAY

We love the Jewish Quarter and the neighborhood just next door, the area that stretches just west of it along the River Tiber up to the Museo di arte sacra San Giovanni dei Fiorentini. We stayed in this two bedroom AirBnb which was the perfect launch pad for walking to all of the sites.

For a more local experience, consider staying in the lovely Trastevere neighborhood. It will be a bit further from the main sites but an excellent place for dinner and going out in the evening.

LOCATIONS NEARBY

Rome