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5 Unique Experiences To Try In Amsterdam

While there are so many fun things to see and do in Amsterdam there are some experiences that are out of the ordinary. Here are 5 unique experiences you might want to try on your next visit to Amsterdam. 

5 Unique Experiences To Try In Amsterdam

  • Have high tea in the smallest house in Amsterdam
  • Chill at the xtra cold icebar
  • Dine in the dark
  • Fish for plastic on a canal tour
  • Check out the fluorescent museum

Have High Tea In The Smallest House In Amsterdam

Enjoy an afternoon tea in the smallest house in Amsterdam, at just 2 metres wide and 5 metres deep. On the second floor of this house, is a tea room that can fit up to five people and offers breakfast, lunch or an afternoon tea. Since space is limited, booking in advance is recommended.

Chill At The Xtra Cold Ice Bar

Chill out at Amsterdam’s xtra cold ice bar, where everything in it is made from ice and the temperature reaches -10°C. For this bar, you’ll need to be prepared and bring warm clothing, but if not, they’ll be able to provide you with some. The entrance fee includes three drinks which are served in ice glasses.

Dine In The Dark

Experience an unusual dining setting with ctaste in complete darkness. This restaurant looks normal from the outside, but inside is the total opposite. Here, you will feel a completely different tasting, hearing, smelling and communication experience. 

Fish For Plastic On A Canal Tour

Take a tour of Amsterdam’s canal with Plastic Whale and help mother nature by fishing out plastic! This environmentally-friendly boat tour lasts 2 hours and allows you to learn about Amsterdam’s history and architecture, while you fish out plastic from the water with a fishing net.

Check Out The Fluorescent Museum

Enjoy Amsterdam’s first museum devoted to fluorescence, the Electric Ladyland. The ‘museum’ is located in a small basement, presenting art, minerals and manufactured items that fluoresce under ultraviolet light. 

 

If you happen to need a convenient laundry and dry cleaning service in Amsterdam, Laundryheap can take care of all of your laundry needs.


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Why You Should Visit Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a picturesque city filled with many things to see and do. If you’re debating whether you should visit Amsterdam or not, here are a few reasons why you should.

Why You Should Visit Amsterdam

  • The canals
  • Architecture
  • Cycling Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Art And History

The Canals

Amsterdam is known for it’s beautiful canals. We see photos of these everywhere on the internet and it’s even better to experience it in person. If you didn’t know already, Amsterdam is actually made up of almost 200 different canals going through the city and the canal belt was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 2011. The entire city is actually below sea level and is built on a swap which is why there are so many canals. 

Architecture

Since the city was built on a swap and surrounded by canals, the houses are uniquely structured- tall, narrow and crooked. The history behind the reason why they were built this way is because residents were taxed on the width of the houses, hence why they’re all tall and narrow. These classic Amsterdam houses are historical and picturesque, and can be found in almost every street in Amsterdam.

Cycling

Experience the cycling lifestyle in this beautiful city. A bike is the main transportation used in Amsterdam, whether that’s going to work, on dates or going to the market. In fact, it is said that there are more bikes than people! If you want to explore the city, hiring a bike is the best way get around. 

Food 

Amsterdam has an internationally diverse selection of food. It is particular good for Indonesian cuisines and Surinamese food. If you’ve never heard of or know little about Suriname,  it is a former Dutch colony in South America that is now an independent country. That’s something new for you to try out! There’s also the traditional dutch food such as Bitterballen, a deep fried meatball, Poffertjes, baby fluffy pancakes, Stroopwafel, a thin waffle, and cheese! 

Art and History

Amsterdam is filled with much art and history. Van Gogh and Rembrandt were two famous artists who have museums that house many of their previous works. There are also other museums showcasing years of history such as the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum. 

The city is filled with so much culture and history, and you’ll probably love the lifestyle there on your visit.

If or when you do decide to visit Amsterdam, don’t worry about getting your clothes cleaned. You can book a collection with Laundryheap and have your items cleaned and delivered to your hotel or Airbnb within 24 hours.

If you’ve visited Amsterdam before and absolutely fell in love with city, let us know in the comments what you love about the city.


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Things To Do In Amsterdam With The Kids

If you are planning a family trip to Amsterdam with your kids, there are many activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Things To Do In Amsterdam With The Kids

  • Canal Boat Tour

Take your kids to experience the beautiful Amsterdam canals by booking a canal cruise tour. You can choose to book a ‘hop on and hop off’ tour that allows you to visit several of the city’s’ main attractions or rent a pedal boat and take a self-guided leisurely tour as a family.

  • A’dam lookout

Enjoy a panoramic view of Amsterdam at A’dam lookout observation deck. You’ll see everything in the city, from the historical centre to the port to the canals and get to experience an interactive exhibition of the culture and history of Amsterdam. If you or anyone in your family is a real thrill seeker, you can get the chance to go on Europe’s highest swing located on the sky deck.

  • Kinderkookcafe

Get your kids to become a chef for the day at the Kinderkookkafé (Kids Cook Café) where they will be able to make pancakes, pizza, cookies and more. It’s a fun cooking cafe for kids ages 2-12 years old. For kids ages 8-12, they will be able to cook and serve you a 3-course meal.

  • Hortus Botanicus

Take your kids to see the city’s botanical garden, Hortus Botanicus, that features rare plants, trees, exotic flowers and more!

  • The Artis Royal Zoo

Less than a 5 min walk away from the botanical gardens is the Artis Royal Zoo, where you can take your kids to get close to the animals. This zoo features a small planetarium, nocturnal animal house, zoological museum, insectarium, butterfly pavilion, aquarium, petting zoo and a playground.

  • Museums 

Visit some of Amsterdam’s famous attractions like the Van Gogh museum, the Anne Frank house or Rijksmuseum. There are also several free museums such as the Amsterdam museum or NEMO Science museum. 

  • Parks

Amsterdam has beautiful parks situated around the city, some of the most popular ones include Vondelpark, Amstelpark and Oosterpark. Within these parks are playgrounds, splash pools, ponds and other activities that your kids can enjoy. It is, overall, a great location to spend time with the family.

There are also other various free activities in Amsterdam that you can do with your kids, such as visiting a goat farm where you’ll get a chance to feed the goats or taking a free ferry ride.

Whatever activities you decide to do on your trip with your kids, one thing for sure is that you don’t have to worry about doing the laundry if your kids’ clothes get dirty. With Laundryheap, you can book a collection and have your items cleaned and delivered to your hotel or Airbnb within 24 hours.


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10 Free Things To Do In Amsterdam

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam and want to make the most out of your trip without spending too much, here are 10 free things you can do in Amsterdam.

10 Free Things To Do In Amsterdam

  • Amsterdam Walking Tour

Learn about the history and modern-day Amsterdam through a free 3-hour Amsterdam walking tour to see the top attractions in the city including the canals, Anne Frank House and more. The tour starts at the National Monument in Dam Square and usually ends by Anne Frank House.

  • Ferry Ride

Take a free ferry ride behind central station to the North of Amsterdam crossing the river Ij (pronounced “eye”) and enjoy the Amsterdam waterfront view. The ferries can be found behind central station and you can choose from 3 different routes. Buiksloterweg, where you can explore the EYE Filmmuseum & Tolhuistuin, IJplein to visit a more residential area with shops, and NDSM Wharf, for multi-disciplinary festivals, performances, exhibitions, dance parties and a wide range of other events.

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  • Vondelpark

Enjoy nature and take a stroll through Vondelpark, located in the heart of Amsterdam. Though not different from other parks, with many open green spaces, flower beds and a lake, it’s a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

  • Rijksmuseum Garden

Although the Rijksmuseum requires an entrance fee, you’re free to roam around the beautiful garden. You can see beautiful flower beds as well as a collection of statues and sculptures.

  • Goat Farm at the Amsterdamse Bos

Visit the goat farm situated in the heart of Amsterdamse Bos and feed the goats. You can also see other farm animals like lambs, chickens, pigs, cows and horses. The farm features a kiddie pool, a river and biking and hiking trails.

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  • Stadsarchief (Amsterdam City Archives)

Check out Amsterdam’s collection of rich history and treasures, protected in the basement of the historic De Bazel building. It showcases historical documents, archaeological artefacts and contains many maps, drawings and pictures, a library and extensive audio, film and photo archives. 

  • NEMO Science Museum

Visit the 5- floor NEMO science museum an enjoy the playful hands-on experience of learning. NEMO also has an accessible sloping rooftop that is open to the public, where you can see a view of Amsterdam city centre as well as learn about generating power from elements through the ‘energitica’ exhibition.

  • Gassan Diamond Tour

Take a tour at Gassan’s factory of Diamonds where you can watch the entire process and craftsmanship of how diamonds are transformed, while a guide tells you about the process.

  • Poezenboot

If you love cats, you will want to visit Poezenboot. It’s a boat that shelters up to 50 cats up for adoption. It’s free to go and check out but donations are welcome.

  • Amsterdam’s Chinatown

Roam the streets of Amsterdam’s china town and while you’re there, check out the amazing Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple and it’s lavish interior.

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If on your visit you require a reliable laundry service, Laundryheap will be able to do the job for you. We offer laundry, dry cleaning and ironing and will collect and deliver your items within 24 hours. 


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8 Things Expats Should Know Before Moving To Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a beautiful city with amazing architecture and serene canals. If you’re planning to move to Amsterdam, here are a few things you should know and some tip to prepare yourself.

8 Thins Expats Should Know Before Moving To Amsterdam

  • It rains A LOT 

The weather in Amsterdam is dull most of the time and the sun rarely comes out. So be prepared for regular gloomy weather consisting of rainy days and wind. It’s best to always bring around an umbrella to prepare for unexpected rain.

Don’t let the weather stop your plans though. One thing for sure is that the rain doesn’t stop locals from biking around, as long as they have a raincoat or umbrella, they’re good to go.

  • Get used to cycling!

There are more bikes in Amsterdam than there are people! Cycling is the main form of transportation. You’ll notice that although there are cars to be found, the city is not entirely car-friendly. Besides everyone uses a bike to get from point A to B, no matter what the occasion is.

  • Beware of bike thieves

The crime rate is very low in Amsterdam, except for bike theft. It’s common to be in a situation where you will own a few bikes in a year because your bikes get stolen, just ask the locals! Thieves will also steal just your bike wheel or bike seat. So, it’s best not to own such an expensive bike and make sure you have good bike locks. 

  • Housing isn’t the best

Living in Amsterdam is very pricey due to the growing population of expats and because of this, it can be difficult to find a place to rent. With such a big population for a small city, chances are you might find a place you actually like, only to find out that many other people are interested in it too and have given in their documents. In addition, housing properties will come unfurnished and you should expect to buy all the appliances you need, including the floor!

  • Credit cards aren’t well supported

Just know that credit cards are useless in Amsterdam (or in the Netherlands in general) when going to local supermarkets, museums or eateries. You can use debit cards that use the Maestro, Cirrus or Plus system. Otherwise, you must always carry around either cash or use a dutch maestro card.

  • Learn some Dutch

Most locals speak fluent English, but it isn’t their native language. The TV channels, signs, everything, is in Dutch. Although it can be easy to communicate by speaking English, you’ll feel more a part of the local community if you learned how to speak Dutch. It will help expand your social circle with the locals, rather than other expats or foreigners.

  • Work life balance is important

Dutch people value their personal time and so the work culture is incredibly healthy and balances out well with personal life. It’s normal for parents to take a day off work to focus on quality time with their families or work part-time. Companies are also flexible in terms of letting you work from home because of family obligations or commute problems.

  • Shops close early

In general, most shops close by 5 and supermarkets by 9pm, so you’ll have to run errands between 9-5 during workdays and 11-3 during the weekend. If you need to go to the bank or you have government appointments, you’ll have to go between 9-5. This is isn’t so much of a big deal since you can take a day off from work to run errands.

These are only some things to be prepared for when moving to Amsterdam. Despite a few negatives, there many more positive aspects to living in Amsterdam.

If you’re in need of a reliable laundry and dry cleaning service in Amsterdam, Laundryheap will happily collect, clean and deliver your clothes within 24 hours.


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5 Useful Apps For Expats In Amsterdam

Living as an expat anywhere in the world can start off as a bit of a struggle. If you’re a new expat in Amsterdam, here are some apps that will help you out in your day-to-day activities. 

5 Useful Apps For Expats In Amsterdam

For getting around Amsterdam or anywhere else in the Netherlands, this app helps you to plan journeys on all public transport. The app will provide real-time information so you can check arrival times and it also stores frequently used locations so you don’t have to keep re-entering the same locations. Available on iOS and Android.

If you’re often using the dutch railway, this app will show you real-time train departure and arrival times. Easily plan your route by checking the timetable of any station and get a summary of planned works and disruptions. Available on iOS and Android.

A convenient way to do grocery shopping from the comfort of your own home. Picnic is the cheapest online supermarket that offers a huge range of products all at your fingertips and includes free next day delivery. Available on iOS and Android.

Want food delivered to you instead of having to cook? This app allows you to easily order any cuisine you want from restaurants that are in your local area. You can view the menu and simply choose what meal you want to eat. You also get the option to pick-up your food. Available on iOS and Android.

For days where you don’t feel like doing the laundry or just don’t have the time for it, Laundryheap will collect, clean and deliver your laundry within 24 hours. They’ll also iron already cleaned laundry and they offer dry-cleaning services too. Download the app on iOS or Android.