Amsterdam Walking Tours City Guide
Welcome to Amsterdam—one of the most bicycle and pedestrian-friendly cities in the world!
Amsterdammers are known to be quite intense in the bike lanes, and I can’t stress this enough—Cycling through the city isn’t for faint-of-heart or distracted visitors. If you do opt to cycle here, be sure to stay to the right side of the fietspad (bike lane) and be prepared for the fast locals to whiz by. Watch out, or you’re sure to receive some aggressive bells ringing or even get cussed out by a local.
I love to show my friends and family around with a special guided bike tour, but for tourists and new arrivals to Amsterdam, I highly recommend starting off your journey with a slower pace and exploring Amsterdam’s awesome neighborhoods on foot. This way, you’re able to take time and soak up all the details, check out hidden details, easily window shop, and randomly pop into a cafe or boutique without crashing your bike or getting in the way of any locals. It’s a win-win for everyone!
As a freelance creative who often works from home, stepping outside for fresh air and a little movement is a daily must. Whether it’s for a work project, during my travels, or just for fun, I love to grab my camera and explore by foot. In fact, going for photo walks in Amsterdam has always been a hobby of mine. Walking gives my mind time to slow down, relax, and gently brainstorm.
In today’s overstimulated world, walking gives me the chance to I absorb the often overlooked details, stop to view Amsterdam’s colorful sidewalk gardens up close, or enjoy the scenery and people watch. During the pandemic and subsequent lockdown in Amsterdam, my photo talks became a ritual I looked forward to every day! Plus, walking is a great socially distanced activity for this weird time we’re living in.
What are your favorite areas to walk and wander in Amsterdam? I’m always curious to discover new places! Let me know in the comments below and follow along with my Amsterdam journey on Instagram.
© Monique Wijnbrands / Saltystock
© Monique Wijnbrands / Saltystock
© Monique Wijnbrands / Saltystock
As Amsterdam takes on new forms, my City Guides are always evolving!
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