Amsterdam: My Canal City That Feels Like a Fairy Tale

Where Your Ship Docks

Most cruise ships berth at the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal on Piet Heinkade 27, an absolutely prime location just a 10-minute stroll from Centraal Station — you're instantly in the heart of the city. Fair warning though: I've heard rumblings that this terminal might close in the future due to overtourism concerns, so enjoy this convenience while it lasts. When the main terminal is full, ships use the VCK Waterland Terminal as overflow, but they provide shuttle buses to Sloterdijk Station so you're not stranded. Some itineraries also sail into IJmuiden at the Felison Terminals, which requires a scenic 2–3 hour journey up the canal to Amsterdam proper — longer transit but gorgeous views.

Getting Around Amsterdam

Everything in Amsterdam is flat, bike-friendly, and perfectly set up for exploring on foot or by canal boat. Here's how I navigate:

From Schiphol Airport: If you're flying in before or after your cruise, the train connection is brilliant — just 18 minutes to Centraal Station with about 5 trains per hour. So much easier than fighting airport taxi queues.

From IJmuiden: Bus 382 runs every half hour and takes 41 minutes to Sloterdijk Station. The day pass is €21, which feels steep but covers unlimited rides if you're hopping around the city all day.

Public Transit: Amsterdam's trams and buses use a chip card system. A 1-hour ticket runs €2.60, or grab a day pass for €7 — absolutely worth it if you're museum-hopping. Critical detail they don't tell you: you MUST check in AND check out or you'll get fined. I learned that the expensive way on my first visit.

Canal Cruises: This is non-negotiable — you haven't experienced Amsterdam until you've floated through those canals. Boats depart constantly from locations near Centraal Station, typically around €15. It's the best €15 you'll spend in the city, giving you perspectives on those narrow canal houses and bridges you simply can't get from street level.

Taxis: From the airport expect to pay around €60. Honestly, the train is faster and a fraction of the price unless you've got mobility concerns or mountains of luggage.

• Dam Square/Anne Frank House: 15–20 minute walk roughly 11 football fields, 40 blue whales in a row, or 880 emperor penguins forming an improbable tower or quick tram
• Van Gogh/Rijksmuseum: Tram to Museumplein (15 minutes)
• Albert Cuyp Market: 25 minutes by tram or walk approximately 15 football fields, 54 blue whales end-to-end, or 1,188 emperor penguins balancing like a questionable Jenga game

What I Never Miss in Amsterdam

Anne Frank Museum: I can't emphasize this enough — book your tickets online months in advance. They release slots on a rolling schedule and they vanish within minutes. The queues for walk-ups stretch forever and often don't even get in. This museum deserves every bit of attention you can give it.

Canal Cruises: Already mentioned above, but truly essential. Some of my favorite travel memories are floating under those impossibly narrow bridges at sunset.

Zaanse Schans: A short trip from the city center brings you to historic windmills and traditional Dutch workshops. It's touristy, yes, but also genuinely charming if you go early before the tour buses arrive.

Volendam & Marken: These fishing villages maintain their old-world character beautifully. Catch buses 110, 111, or 118 from Centraal Station for a half-day escape from city crowds.

Keukenhof: If you're visiting in spring (late March through mid-May), this is one of the world's most spectacular flower gardens. The tulip fields surrounding it are equally breathtaking — rent a bike and get lost among the rainbow rows.

Rijksmuseum: The Night Watch alone justifies the admission. Give yourself at least two hours to wander through the Golden Age masterpieces.

Shopping Like a Local

Kalverstraat is Amsterdam's longest shopping boulevard, stretching from Dam Square all the way to Muntplein. You'll find all the usual international chains here — perfect for replacing forgotten items or picking up mainstream souvenirs.

For upscale fashion, PC Hooftstraat is where Amsterdam's well-heeled residents browse designer boutiques. Window shopping here is entertainment in itself.

Nieuwe Spiegelstraat specializes in antiques and vintage finds. Even if you're not buying, the shop windows are like mini museums of Dutch design history.

The Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt) is a floating market near Heiligeweg — the only one of its kind in the world. Perfect for tulip bulbs to take home, though check your country's agricultural import rules before you buy.

Store Hours: This catches visitors off guard — most shops open Monday from 1–6pm only, then Tuesday through Friday from 9 or 10am until 6pm. Saturdays they close at 5pm. Plan your shopping accordingly or you'll find yourself staring at closed doors.

Food That Tells Amsterdam's Story

Amsterdam's colonial history means Indonesian cuisine is everywhere and absolutely worth trying — it's been woven into Dutch food culture for generations.

The quintessential Dutch street food is kroket — a deep-fried roll stuffed with creamy beef or veal ragout. Grab one from an automaat (wall vending machine) for the full local experience. They're dangerously addictive.

Raw herring from a street stand is a rite of passage. Hold it by the tail, tip your head back, and take a bite. It's briny, silky, and surprisingly delicious with the chopped onions they serve alongside. I was skeptical until I tried it — now I seek out herring stands on every visit.

Important: Many smaller shops and restaurants still prefer cash over cards, despite the Netherlands being generally cashless-friendly. I always keep €20–50 in cash for those charming neighborhood spots that wave away credit cards.

Practical Details I Wish I'd Known Earlier

Currency: Euros are used throughout Amsterdam. Interestingly, cash transactions round to the nearest 5 cents since the 1- and 2-cent coins aren't really in circulation anymore. Card transactions show exact amounts.

Language: English is phenomenally widespread — I've rarely encountered a situation where I couldn't communicate easily. The Dutch switch to English so seamlessly it's almost startling.

WiFi: The cruise terminals offer free WiFi, which is handy for last-minute bookings or checking museum hours before you disembark.

Safety: Amsterdam is generally very safe, but pickpockets work the trains and tourist hotspots like any major European city. Keep your belongings secure on crowded trams and in busy areas around Centraal Station.

King's Day (April 27): If your cruise happens to visit on or around this date, you're in for an unforgettable spectacle. The entire city turns into one massive street party, everyone wears orange, and impromptu flea markets pop up everywhere. It's chaotic, joyful, and utterly Dutch. Book accommodations early if you're staying overnight — the whole country descends on Amsterdam.

My Essential Amsterdam Tips

Book Anne Frank House months ahead at annefrank.org — they release timed tickets on a rolling basis and sell out immediately. This cannot be overstated.

Remember to check out on trams and buses. Seriously. The fine for forgetting is painful and the ticket inspectors show no mercy to confused tourists.

Take at least one canal cruise — it's the single best way to understand why Amsterdam looks the way it does and how those canal houses were built.

Carry cash for smaller establishments, even though cards work almost everywhere else in the city.

Watch for bikes — they have right of way and they will not slow down for wandering pedestrians. The bike lanes are painted red for a reason.

Positively Framed Word of Warning

The joyful chaos of bikes and trams is Amsterdam's charming heartbeat — embrace the flow and you'll feel like a local in no time.

Amsterdam Gallery