When most people think of the most romantic city in the world, the top places that spring to mind are Paris, Barcelona, Venice and even, Athens. Amsterdam is not often at the top of that list.
But Amsterdam is a truly romantic city and a lot of fun 4 two. It has more canals than Venice, it has around 1,200 bridges and the city is surrounded by nature and parks, with more than 1,2 million trees where you can enjoy a picnic with your loved one. In this blog my fun 4 two Amsterdam best ways to explore this city: by foot, on a bike, by boat, with public transport and by private bike taxi.
1: Fun 4 two Amsterdam Tip: Exploring by foot
picture by: liam mcgarr
The heart of Amsterdam, including the old city and the main canals, are small and best explored by just strolling around. You can see everything easily this way, stopping when you want, appreciating the small details. You can walk certain streets over and over and see and discover new things every time. The best time to explore the city on foot is early in the morning, especially on a Sunday, before the rest of the city wakes up. Sunset is also a magical time in Amsterdam and exploring the city after night is extremely safe to do. isn’t that a fun 4 two Amsterdam great tip?
The best places to explore on foot include the parks, the canal belt, alongside the Amstel river and the Jordaan district – an expansion of the city completed in the 1600s with tiny, beautiful houses. What better way to discover Amsterdam than walking hand in hand with your partner? If you want to see the city come alive in front of your eyes be sure to book a walking tour with a guide that will provide you insight into some historical sites. LEt’s now explore another fun 4 two Amstredam tip…
2th Fun 4 two Amsterdam Tip: by bike
Amsterdam is home to 1.2million bicycles and 863,000 people – meaning that every person that lives here owns more than one bike! Immerse yourself with your lover in the local culture by seeing the city by bicycle. With a variety of bicycle paths, it is easy to explore the city by bike but with so much two-wheel traffic it can get a bit dangerous! It is thus recommended to do a bicycle tour of Amsterdam, where you can learn about the city and see the best spots in the city easily. This fun 4 two Amsterdam tip also allows you to see some of the highlights that lie outside the centre – be sure to buy a picnic so you can stop and relax on the way as a couple.
When exploring Amsterdam by bicycle, be sure to avoid early morning rush hour and around 5 pm when the locals will be commuting home from work by bicycle. Be sure to check out our best cycling route in Amsterdam city here. If you want to see the Dutch countryside, take the ferry to the North and see the windmills, rivers, lush, lavish fields of green grass and forests of elm trees. Enjoy your bike ride with this fun 4 two Amsterdam bike tip.
Fun 4 two Amsterdam tip: If you want to hire a bicycle, check out Mac Bike. They might not be the cheapest but their bikes are of good quality and extremely reliable.
3th Fun 4 two Amsterdam Tip: See Amsterdam from the canals
Imagine seeing the city of Amsterdam from 1 metre below street level. See the city as you have never seen it before as the houses stretch skywards above you. Relax with a drink with your partner, as you tuck together in a cute little silent boat and enjoy into delicious Dutch cheeses and nuts – the perfect honeymoon experience in Amsterdam or the ideal place to propose!
The best time to do a boat tour of Amsterdam is early in the morning when the water is still and quiet or around sunset. Be sure to book a tour of at least 90 minutes if you really want to enjoy and appreciate the experience. Head underneath the seven bridges of the city, hear some romantic love stories of the city and discover the small canals – the perfect activity to do as a couple in Amsterdam! in my opinion, this is a must fun 4 two Amsterdam tip.
4th Fun 4 two Amsterdam Tip: Using the public transport
The public transportation system in the Netherlands is very well organised. There are trains, trams, metros and busses. The public transport is easy to use and one top-up card allows you to use any form of transport to get to wherever you want, easily and quickly. Public transport also allows you to stay at a cheaper hotel outside of the city, but you can easily get into Amsterdam within 20-30 minutes. Exploring the city by tram is also a quintessential local experience in the Netherlands! this is a cheap and truly local fun 4 two Amsterdam tip.
My favourite tramlines are 2, 4 and 14 all starting at the central train station. See all tramlines here.
5th Fun 4 two Amsterdam Tip: Bike Taxis in Amsterdam
The ultimate romantic experience – be chauffeured around the city in a bike taxi! Explore the city with your partner as the driver provides some details of things you will see along the way. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the journey! A bike taxi can even be quicker (and of course cheaper) than a normal taxi as this small city is not easy to explore by car. See our recommended bicycle taxi tours here. Somethinge unique for Amsterdam and the last Fun 4 two Amsterdam Tip.
If you want to explore further afield to see windmills, cheese factories and clog farms, then hire a private car. Nedcar is our preferred supplier for private car rentals, they have great rates and offer a fantastic service. For tips and tricks and things to see and do, be sure to visit my “Day Trips from Amsterdam” page.
With Love Rocco
