Hey there, two full days in Amsterdam is exactly enough to fall hard for this city and not enough to get sick of bikes ringing at you. I do this trip every year when I need water, gables and that chill Dutch vibe. Here’s my perfect little weekend.

Day 1 – Arrive, drop the bag, start pedaling
I usually take the train straight from the airport to Centraal, takes 15 minutes and you’re right in the middle of the madness. My go-to stay is a tiny canal house hotel in the Jordaan, creaky stairs, view of bikes stacked three high, perfect. First move after check-in: rent a bike. Black one, no flashy colors, back brake only, the real deal.

I ride west first, along Prinsengracht, past all the leaning houses that look drunk. Stop at the Noordermarkt for a warm stroopwafel from the guy in the little van. Caramel still dripping, I burn my fingers every single time and don’t care. Then I just cruise. De Pijp for the market smells, Vondelpark to watch dogs chase ducks, then loop back through the Nine Streets because the little shops are too cute.

Lunch is herring from a street stall. Raw, onions, pickles on a tiny paper plate, eaten standing up like a local. Feels weird the first time, then you’re hooked.

Afternoon – Anne Frank House. I always book the 3pm slot months ahead, quieter than morning. Walking through those steep stairs and seeing the annex hits hard every time, no matter how many times I’ve done it. You come out silent, need a bit of air after. I ride slow along the canals, sun bouncing off the water, let it sink in.

Evening – brown café time. My favorite is called Café de Wetering, tiny, dark wood, old guys playing cards. I order a jenever (the old kind, not the sweet one) and a beer to chase it, sit in the corner and watch the light disappear. Later, bitterballen and another round. Then a slow ride home, bike lights reflecting in the water, city feels like a postcard but better.

Day 2 – More bikes, more quiet spots
Breakfast at a place called Bakers & Roasters, big plates, strong coffee, you’ll need it. Then early ride to the east side, cross the big bridge to Amsterdam Noord. Everyone skips this part, but the old warehouses and houseboats are gorgeous, plus there’s a café built inside a greenhouse right on the water. Sit there with coffee, watch ferries come and go, feels like you found a secret.

Back over the bridge, quick stop at the flower market even if it’s touristy, the colors are insane. Then I park the bike and walk the Red Light District in daylight, way less crazy, more interesting. Lunch is fries with peanut sauce from a hole-in-the-wall near Spui, eaten on a bench while pigeons fight for crumbs.

Afternoon – Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh depending on mood. I usually pick Van Gogh because the crowds are smaller in the afternoon and those sunflowers make me stupid happy. Two hours max, then I’m back on the bike, ride along the Amstel river out of the center a bit, wind in the face, houses get bigger, sky gets huge.

Last evening – foodhallen if I want noisy and fun, or just back to another brown café in Jordaan where they know me now. One last stroopwafel for the road, then I drop the bike and catch the night train out, already missing the bells and the water.

Short weekend, big love. Amsterdam always pulls me back.

See you on the next one,
Kohl