"Bitterballen, pea soup and chips with satay sauce" Amsterdam by aaaarrgh


Amsterdam Travel Guide: 12,428 reviews and 20,142 photos

In 2005 I spent a wonderful three days in Amsterdam, staying in an old barge on the Prinsengracht canal.

Thanks to the helpful and informative Dutch VT'ers in the Amsterdam forum, I set out determined to sample some of the Netherlands snacks. So I returned from my trip addicted to bitterballen, and chips with satay sauce, yum, dribble. Washed down with excellent beer, of course.

Back again...

For my second visit to Amsterdam in 2012 we rented a lovely apartment, again overlooking the Prinsengracht with a view of the Westerkerk clock tower. The weather was not typical at all, very cold, the day before we arrived there were people skating on the frozen canals!! However, it was still mild enough to wander the streets, on foot and by bike...

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Canal boats and canal life. Laid back. Nice beer. Everyone speaks excellent English.
  • Cons:Long queues for the popular tourist sights. The risk of being run-down by a cyclist.
  • In a nutshell:A watery, friendly city to enjoy at a slow pace
  • Last visit to Amsterdam: Feb 2012
  • Intro Updated Feb 23, 2012
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Reviews (17)

Comments (14)

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  • craic's Profile Photo
    craic Dec 8, 2007 at 6:27 PM Report Abuse

    ferocious urinals

  • pieter_jan_v's Profile Photo
    pieter_jan_v Sep 24, 2006 at 9:45 PM Report Abuse

    Just let me know, when you are around again. I have to explore De KAS too. Just recently I helped a guy who was looking for it to celebrate his wedding anniversary there. PJ

  • jo104's Profile Photo
    jo104 Sep 20, 2006 at 8:56 AM Report Abuse

    Great Dam pages I think I have a pic of the Gasthuys black cat, can you remember where that urinal was it will be great to add to my Dutch toilet collection :-) hope you are keeping well

  • mariaschmidt's Profile Photo
    mariaschmidt Feb 16, 2006 at 1:18 AM Report Abuse

    Thank you for your Amsterdam tips I will try them when I am there at the beginning of March - bye Mary

  • Niekie's Profile Photo
    Niekie Feb 10, 2006 at 5:51 AM Report Abuse

    Great to see an Amsterdam page that is different from the usual crappy stuff. I really enjoyed reading your tips. You give an excellent description of Amsterdams admosphere.

  • sourbugger's Profile Photo
    sourbugger Oct 1, 2005 at 4:01 PM Report Abuse

    i'm impressed - very good tips here

  • La_Holandesa's Profile Photo
    La_Holandesa Sep 20, 2005 at 4:37 AM Report Abuse

    Hii Sean! yeah, people of A'dam are incredibly generous ....and very nice, aren't they( hehehe I am born in amsterdam hahah) I REALLY LOVE ur a'dam page! wowie the gift wrap paper on the .., i think its no box of chocolate too. veel groetjes Anita

  • Jonathan_C's Profile Photo
    Jonathan_C Sep 20, 2005 at 4:15 AM Report Abuse

    What a great collection of tips for the artistic cyclist! Now I can't wait to visit Amsterdam myself.

  • stevezero's Profile Photo
    stevezero Aug 6, 2005 at 7:16 AM Report Abuse

    Patat met satay sause - heerlijk!

  • Jenniflower's Profile Photo
    Jenniflower Aug 2, 2005 at 4:35 PM Report Abuse

    PLans have changed, we are going to Amsterdam in 3 weeks now!! :) We are staying next to the River Amstel, thanks for some lovely tips, esp the arty ones ;)

aaaarrgh

“Expect the worst and you will always be pleasantly surprised”

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