Amsterdam travel guide

Your local guide to Amsterdam

13 years living here. Real tips, not tourist traps.

My name is Anastasia, and I live in the Netherlands since 2013. In this guide, I’ll inspire you to visit Amsterdam, discover hidden gems, and help you plan your trip.

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Latest from the blog

Check my new articles, guides and tips for your trip to Amsterdam.

  • From Amsterdam to Zandvoort beach: travel by train, bus, car

    From Amsterdam to Zandvoort beach: travel by train, bus, car

    Zandvoort aan Zee is a beach town on the North Sea coast, 40 km from Amsterdam. It is often called Amsterdam’s beach. Despite the distance, you can reach it in just 30 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal. 🚆…

  • Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam: take a tour or travel on your own?

    Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam: take a tour or travel on your own?

    Zaanse Schans, a typically Dutch village with the green houses (people actually still live there) and windmills, is located just outside Amsterdam. It’s easy to travel to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam on your own. But if you want to visit…

  • Amsterdam with kids: fun family things to do

    Amsterdam with kids: fun family things to do

    Planning a trip to Amsterdam with kids? We believe that traveling with children should be comfortable, exciting, and enjoyable. The city offers a variety of fantastic family-friendly attractions and activities. Here are the top 13 local’s favorite things to do…

  • Final Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort 2026: dates & tickets

    Final Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort 2026: dates & tickets

    Ready for the Dutch Grand Prix in 2026? Save the date! Race week is here! This is the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, running 21-23 August. Got a free evening or a rest day between sessions? Amsterdam and Haarlem…

  • Van Gogh tickets are sold out: how to visit museum?

    Van Gogh tickets are sold out: how to visit museum?

    The Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam attracts millions of visitors every year. Demand for tickets exceeds capacity, and a few years ago the decision was taken to only sell tickets online. In 2026, you need to pre-book them in advance,…

  • Amsterdam canal cruise prices 2026: which one to book?

    Amsterdam canal cruise prices 2026: which one to book?

    Most Amsterdam canal cruises cost €15,50 – €25 per person. Special cruises with food, drinks or private boats range from €30 to €150+. In this guide, I’ll compare prices, explain which cruises are worth the extra money, and share my…

  • Is pre-booking required for Amsterdam museums?

    Is pre-booking required for Amsterdam museums?

    Are there any museums in Amsterdam that would you recommend pre-booking tickets for? We hear this question a lot from travelers. While most of us want to keep our plans flexible, the answer is yes, many of Amsterdam’s most popular…

  • Day trip to Efteling from Amsterdam

    Day trip to Efteling from Amsterdam

    Efteling is the most visited attraction in the Netherlands – and one of the best day trips you can do from Amsterdam with kids. The park is 110 km away, about 2 hours by public transport or 1 hour 15…

  • How to book Anne Frank house tickets

    How to book Anne Frank house tickets

    Anne Frank House tickets must be booked online in advance, since they’re never sold at the door. Tickets go on sale every Tuesday at 10:00 AM (Amsterdam time) for the entire week six weeks later, and they sell out fast.…

  • Best things to do in Amsterdam: a local’s guide

    Best things to do in Amsterdam: a local’s guide

    Planning a trip to Amsterdam and wondering which places are truly worth visiting? I’ve collected my favourite museums, neighbourhoods, markets, cafés, hidden gems, and things to do in Amsterdam. My name is Anastasia Dudina, and I’m the person behind the…