8 Hours in Amsterdam
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November 23, 2020
If you fly to Europe on Delta, you usually have a layover in Amsterdam or Paris. In the past, I’ve had 5-6 hour layovers in Amsterdam, but felt too anxious to risk it and leave the airport. What a huge mistake! It’s so incredibly quick and easy. Not to mention that literally everyone speaks English there. More than any other language from what I’ve seen. Even all the signs and advertisements in the airport are in English! This time, on my way to Venice with my best friend Claudia, we had 8 hours in Amsterdam. Definitely enough time to explore. We actually picked that flight on purpose so we could squeeze in a little mini visit. And I’m so glad we did.
Our flight landed in Amsterdam at around 5:30am. We were at the KLM sky lounge by 6 and got our new boarding passes for our next flight printed. We freshened up in the bathroom and at around 6:30am we started our journey to the city center. The first step was to find a baggage locker. We made sure we found one out in the main area of the airport – after we went through passport control. We locked our bags up for 7 euros (for up to 24 hours – not a bad deal!) and then went to go buy a train ticket to Amsterdam Centraal. We had no idea if this was the right one, but I mean, you have to assume, right? Don’t worry, it was the right place to go. It was 30 euros for two round trip tickets in first class. Even though no one checked our tickets on the way there. At 7:35am our train left the station. Three stops and just 17 minutes later, we were in Amsterdam Centraal. So quick!
Before we got there, we googled the best breakfast in Amsterdam. A lot of the places didn’t open until 8 or 9, so we just took our time getting to the city. It was really cold when we first got there – good thing I had my SHAGBOMB! This thing totally saved me on this trip! Luckily it did warm up as the sun came up; it got up to around 60 Fahrenheit. Anyway, we made a stop to get coffee right across from the train station at a coffee shop called Prins Heerlijk. After our much-needed coffee fuel-up, we walked around the city to explore. The canal right outside the coffee shop was so cute. Just look at the colorful buildings!
After we walked up an appetite, we discovered that one of the breakfast places we found on Google was just .1 miles away – definitely went to the right place! We walked over and the little breakfast shop, called Omelegg, was so cute! We both ordered the scramblicious–cheesy scrambled eggs on a croissant–and it came out so fast. Claudia and I both agreed that it was the best scrambled eggs we had ever had!
While we ate, we finally booked our Airbnb for Split, Croatia, which was in just 2 days (oops! #notaplanner) and Googled some more things to do. There was a museum within walking distance, so we decided to check it out. We were done around 9:30am, but just sat and talked until 10am, when the museum opened. On our walk over, we were along another canal full of bicycles and people. Classic Amsterdam! It was so cool that we got to see that iconic site during our 8 hours in Amsterdam.
The museum that we went to was called Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder. It was this old huge house built in 1660. In the 17th century, there was a huge protestant revolution in Amsterdam, so it wasn’t accepted to be Catholic. People would turn their homes into churches so they could hold mass in private. This particular house/church was made a museum in the 1800s, so you know it’s old! It was really incredible to see such an old house in such pristine condition. They made us wear these shoe covers to explore, which helps keep everything clean and beautiful. Everything was so small. The ceilings were low too – in the home at least; they definitely weren’t in the church part. And the stairs were super steep.
Do you see that the bed is basically in a little cubby hole?! There was another one that had like cupboard doors instead of curtains. No thank you. After the tour, which was just 10 euros each and came with a little audio guide, we checked out the gift shop, a cool fashion gallery space upstairs, and the cafe. Sadly the cafe was closed, but it was super cute!
We left the museum at 11am and walked around a little bit before heading back to the train station. We caught the 11:22 train back to the airport and it was a straight shot with no stops that took just 13 minutes. I will definitely go into the city every time I have at least 3 or 4 hours in Amsterdam. It really didn’t take long at all! We were in the lounge (protip: get a Chase Sapphire Reserve card and you get a free Priority Pass membership – score!) about half an hour later and chilled there for a couple hours until we headed over to our gate at 1:30pm. We couldn’t believe that we grabbed coffee, went out for breakfast, walked around the streets along the classic Amsterdam canals, and visited a huge, exquisite museum all on a layover. We totally could have done even more during our 8 hours in Amsterdam. Next stop: Venice.
September 20, 2017 @ 7:24 am
Amsterdam must a cool city!! Love reading your impressions xxx
http://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2017/09/ontrend-pearls.html
September 20, 2017 @ 3:22 pm
It was awesome! I can’t wait to go back!
September 20, 2017 @ 7:29 am
Love this! I never took advantage of a layover before, but now I want to! Definitely go to try this out! Amsterdam sounds amazing!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
September 20, 2017 @ 3:22 pm
Seriously!! I’m totally going to do this more often now that I know how doable it is!
September 20, 2017 @ 7:54 am
Lovely photos, I wish to visit Amsterdam someday soon, I have never been there!
https://lartoffashion.com/easing-autumn-longchamp/
September 20, 2017 @ 3:21 pm
It was seriously so cool! I can’t wait to go back and do some more exploring!
September 20, 2017 @ 10:56 pm
This is amazing! You got to see so much – that’s so exciting! I have to get there one day!
Kileen
cute & little
September 21, 2017 @ 9:55 am
I know!! It was awesome! You really do; I can’t wait to go back and do some more exploring! <3
September 21, 2017 @ 7:56 am
Looks like you had some much fun in just 8 hours! I love that fuzzy sweater too!
September 21, 2017 @ 9:54 am
We really did! Totally making this mini-trip thing happen more often! 🙂
September 21, 2017 @ 11:51 am
In love with your hair! What products do you use?
That bomber looks super cozy and soft, I need it!
xx
Iliana | http://www.sophisticatedfashionista.com
September 21, 2017 @ 12:12 pm
Pinning this for future reference! Also love your coat <3
September 21, 2017 @ 4:43 pm
Thank you!! It’s been sooo cozy!
September 21, 2017 @ 10:05 pm
Amsterdam looks like such a great place to visit and explore! That’s so cool that you can experience that during a layover. It’s like a little bonus trip 🙂
September 22, 2017 @ 1:58 pm
Omg yes! A bonus trip for sure! It was so fun 🙂
September 21, 2017 @ 10:41 pm
I love that jacket you were wearing! The material looks so comfy hehe. You sounded like you had a wonderful time! Amsterdam is def on my list
With love, Jenn https://www.jubilantdose.com/
September 22, 2017 @ 1:59 pm
SOOO cozy! I love it! We really did have an awesome time <3
September 21, 2017 @ 11:54 pm
Everything was so beautiful! I would never want to leave
-xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
September 22, 2017 @ 2:00 pm
It was gorgeous! I loved all the colorful buildings and the awesome history there!
September 22, 2017 @ 12:36 am
Amsterdam is such a beautiful city. Heard there are more bikes than people in this place. Lovely photos by the way, and a really cute sweater!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
September 22, 2017 @ 2:01 pm
There were sooo many bikes! It was a really cool city, I’ll definitely go back to do some more exploring. Thank you!! <3
September 22, 2017 @ 10:19 am
I love that you got the opportunity to do so much in such a small amount of time. That layover allowed a fun trip in the middle of your actual trip, and you’re so lucky because of it! I am dying to travel – anywhere, really! I hope I get to visit Amsterdam someday!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:55 pm
We really did get to do so much! I hope you get to make it over there! Traveling is seriously the best <3
September 22, 2017 @ 10:37 am
What a perfect way to add seeing Amsterdam into your trip! It looks so beautiful there. I would never think of exploring during a layover, and will have to remember to do this on my next trip!
Rachael
September 22, 2017 @ 1:54 pm
Yes! It worked out so perfectly! I will totally do this again <3
September 22, 2017 @ 10:54 am
That is the cutest jacket ever!!!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:53 pm
Isn’t it fab!? I love it!
September 22, 2017 @ 11:05 am
Take me there!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:53 pm
It was great!! 🙂
September 22, 2017 @ 11:07 am
Ah! Amsterdam looks amazing! Dying to go!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:50 pm
It was! I can’t wait to go back and explore some more!
September 22, 2017 @ 11:21 am
This looks like so much fun!!! I wish I could visit someday!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:49 pm
I hope you get to! It was really cool!
September 22, 2017 @ 11:25 am
Loving your travels! Can’t wait to experience Europe!
xoxo brandi
http://www.BrandiSoileau.com
September 22, 2017 @ 1:49 pm
Thank you! It’s so fun!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
This looked like the best time!!!!! Love your photos! They are stunning!!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:49 pm
Thank you so much! It was the perfect mini-trip!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:42 pm
what a whirlwind of a trip!
September 22, 2017 @ 1:49 pm
It was! But so fun! 🙂
September 23, 2017 @ 2:46 am
What great photos! and I love your jacket
September 25, 2017 @ 8:38 pm
Thanks lady!! 🙂
September 23, 2017 @ 10:27 pm
That jacket is so fun!! So many great photos; it looks like an amazing time!
September 25, 2017 @ 8:38 pm
Right!? It’s sooo comfy too!! It was, thank you! <3
September 24, 2017 @ 2:13 pm
I love Amsterdam! It’s such a pretty city!
Liz
http://Www.lizzieinlace.com
September 25, 2017 @ 8:37 pm
Isn’t it!? I thought it was beautiful!
September 25, 2017 @ 1:10 am
I’ve always wanted to visit! Looks awesome!
September 25, 2017 @ 8:37 pm
It was really cool! I’m ready to go back and see more!! 🙂
September 25, 2017 @ 5:26 pm
What an incredible experience! I’m dying to visit Amsterdam!
September 25, 2017 @ 8:37 pm
It was amazing!! I’m so glad we took the opportunity to explore! <3
September 25, 2017 @ 6:02 pm
Amsterdam is one of my all time favorite cities over there. It is truly amazing. Looks like you had so much fun!
xo,
Steph
@trendyinindy || trendyinindy.com
September 25, 2017 @ 8:36 pm
We really did! I loved what I saw and can’t wait to go back! 🙂
September 25, 2017 @ 8:49 pm
Wow, so amazing!
September 26, 2017 @ 12:55 pm
It really was! 🙂
September 25, 2017 @ 9:04 pm
So so fun!!! This is on my bucket list for sure!
September 26, 2017 @ 12:55 pm
It was amazing!! 🙂
September 25, 2017 @ 9:22 pm
I’ve always wanted to go to Amsterdam! I hope to make it there next year.
September 26, 2017 @ 12:56 pm
I really want to go back! I had so much fun! 🙂 Hopefully you get to make the trip <3
September 25, 2017 @ 10:06 pm
We definitely agree with you!! Such an amazing city that can’t be missed even if just for a few hours.
September 26, 2017 @ 12:56 pm
Absolutely! <3
September 25, 2017 @ 10:11 pm
Amsterdam has been on my travel wish list! It looks like you are having a great time!
September 26, 2017 @ 12:56 pm
We had sooo much fun!! It was such a cool city from what we got to see!
September 25, 2017 @ 10:35 pm
girl, that fuzzy coat is a dream! Need to add it to my fall wardrobe!
September 26, 2017 @ 12:57 pm
Isn’t it!? I love it!!
September 26, 2017 @ 4:57 pm
What a gorgeous city! I’d love to visit someday
September 26, 2017 @ 5:12 pm
It really was so pretty!!
September 27, 2017 @ 10:08 am
Love this, lady! It sounds like you had an amazing layover. That museum sounds like it was SO interesting to visit!! I always enjoy following along your travels.
Molly // Miss Molly Moon
September 27, 2017 @ 2:56 pm
It was such a fun stop! Aww yay, thank you! That makes me so happy!! 🙂
September 27, 2017 @ 2:01 pm
Now I have to go here! This looks amazing…and that sweater your wearing is beautiful!
September 27, 2017 @ 2:55 pm
It was so cool! I definitely can’t wait to go back! 🙂 Thank you <3
September 27, 2017 @ 8:35 pm
Girl, do you know how to time manage or what! I always had layovers in Amsterdam when I studied abroad in Florence, and never once did I think to leave the airport! Such a genius idea, and an amazing use of your down time. It looks like you covered so much, and you were only there for 8 hours. Next time I’m there, I’m totally going to follow suit. P.S. Your jacket is absolutely amazing!
xoxo Bryanna
September 28, 2017 @ 1:39 pm
Thank you!! I’ve always been nervous to try it, but this time we went for it and I’m so glad we did! It was perfect 🙂
October 3, 2017 @ 8:36 am
This is my favourite city! I’ve lived there for 2 years and I can guarantee that it is outstanding! Although 8 hours seems too little, you made most of the time. Are you inclined to go back for more?
October 3, 2017 @ 2:56 pm
Oh awesome!! Omg yes, I would DEFINITELY love to go back. I’m so glad I got the little taste of the city that I did, but I know there’s sooo much more to see! 🙂
May 19, 2018 @ 12:55 pm
Do you need a visa prior to go out or can we buy it at the airport
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