What to do in Amsterdam over a long Weekend?
My wife and I spent a long weekend in this infinitely walkable city, capturing its charm through a photography-focused lens. This was my third visit to Amsterdam, yet seeing the city through my camera gave me a different perspective. Our trip began with a boat tour of Amsterdam's Canal District, a perfect way to admire the city's architecture and culture.
Touring Amsterdam's Canal District by Boat
Amsterdam’s canal system is truly one-of-a-kind. With over 1,500 bridges and 60 miles of canals connecting 90 islands, the city’s waterways are as impressive as they are beautiful. What sets Amsterdam's canals apart, besides the concentric ring design, is the city's dedication to green spaces. Throughout Amsterdam, you see how both planners and residents have prioritized greenery alongside the waterways.
Walking through the Canal District, we enjoyed the facades of the classic Amsterdam row houses with their distinct bell, neck, and step gables. Fun fact: due to a tax once levied based on the width of a home, most houses here are narrow and deep, creating a charmingly unique architectural landscape. We found ourselves playing a game of spotting the "narrowest house in Amsterdam," as each turn revealed a new contender!
If Amsterdam's canal charm resonates with you, explore our collection of vintage wall art and specifically our Amsterdam Canal Vintage Wall Art inspired by this journey. Our vintage wall decor aims to capture the essence of this historic city.
Discovering the Historic Charm of Damrak Street
One of my favorite places in Amsterdam is Damrak. Damrak is a street in Amsterdam with a long history. The Damrak was originally called “De Walvisbaai,” which means “Whale Bay.” It was a bay where fishermen would load their boats with fish they had caught. In the 18th century, the Damrak became a shopping street.
The area became popular because of its proximity to the harbor, and many warehouses were built there. It is the most famous street for nightlife and has some of the best clubs and bars in the city. It also has a lot of shops for tourists to explore. Guarding the entrance to Damrak, are the “Dancing Houses” on the Amstel river. They were coined “stilt houses” because the canal was so muddy; homes had to be built on stilts. Over time, the homes sunk into the mud, so most of the canal houses in Amsterdam are tilted and leaning forward!
Sampling Local Cuisine: Dutch Pancakes and More
When we weren't admiring the canals or Amsterdam's architecture, we were on a mission to experience authentic local cuisine. We enjoyed fresh seafood at John Dory, a cozy spot in the Canal District, and indulged in a multi-course Indonesian feast at Blue Pepper. But our real culinary quest? Finding the best Dutch pancakes ("Pannenkoeken") in the city! I fondly remembered these thin, crispy, and delectable pancakes from previous visits, so we were determined to find the best Pannenkoeken Amsterdam has to offer.
While a single weekend isn't nearly enough to crown a winner, we loved every moment of our taste-testing journey. Each pancake stop offered a delightful twist on this Dutch classic.
Inspired by Amsterdam: Art for the Traveler's Home
Our weekend in Amsterdam left us inspired to create more cityscape prints, capturing the romance of its canals, the historic Damrak houses, and even a nod to those delicious Dutch pancakes. Our travel prints are a perfect way to bring a bit of Amsterdam’s timeless beauty into your home.
