Amsterdam surprised us. Leigh was convinced she was walking into a wall of marijuana smoke — everyone stoned, stumbling through the streets. In reality? Amsterdam is every bit the beautiful city you see on the postcards.
Now, fair warning: be careful in the bakeries and markets. Some items come with “special ingredients” that aren’t always advertised, and yes, you’ll catch a whiff of legal marijuana walking down the street. But the city is absolutely not the drug den that first-timers might expect. Far from it.
A Free and Friendly City
Amsterdam is a very free, open, and friendly place. A lot of things happen here that would raise eyebrows elsewhere in the world, but the Dutch have figured out how to make it all work. The people are welcoming, the canals are gorgeous, and the food is outstanding.
The beer? Even better.
Stroopwafels & Street Food
You haven’t lived until you’ve had a fresh stroopwafel in Amsterdam. We found Firma Stroop — they’ve been making them since 1921, and the variety is unbelievable. Caramel, pistachio, oreo, raspberry… we may have sampled more than a few.
Evenings on the Canals
Amsterdam at dusk is something else. The canal houses light up, the tour boats drift past, and you realize why this city has been inspiring people for centuries. Find a café table by the water, order a glass of wine, and just take it all in.
Good Company
We arrived from Dublin via Aer Lingus and spent a few days exploring the city. Amsterdam deserves a longer visit next time — there’s so much more to see beyond the city center. But for a first impression? Hard to beat.