Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam & First Night Out
I flew from Finland to the Netherlands, and the trip took just about two hours—flying really is the fastest way to hop between countries in Europe.
I arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport around 8 p.m. Getting into the city is super easy since there’s a direct train from the airport. The yellow ticket machines at the station are simple to use even for first-timers, and I quickly bought a ticket to Amsterdam Central.
For this trip, I stayed at Y Hostel—two nights cost around $120.
As expected, Amsterdam is expensive, but the price still shocked me.
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The hostel itself is truly “just a place to sleep.”
No real workspaces, barely any lounge areas, and no lockers, so you really need to keep an eye on your valuables. Still, for a city-center hostel, this price is considered on the cheaper end.
When you look at the map around Amsterdam Central Station, you might wonder how to reach the north side since a river sits between the station and the hostel area. The secret: free ferries! They run constantly and are used by both locals and tourists—super convenient.
I reached my hostel around 9 p.m., dropped my bags, and headed back into the city.
My first meal in Amsterdam was at the famous Manneken Pis Damrak, known for its incredible hand-cut fries.
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Even the small size is huge, I barely finished it. For light eaters, sharing a small portion is ideal. I chose the truffle sauce, which turned out to be absolutely perfect.
After filling up, I went straight back to the hostel to rest. For anyone with more energy, Amsterdam is lively even at night, so an evening walk can be great.
Day 2: Canal Strolls, Surinamese Cuisine, and Amsterdam at Night
I planned to meet a friend who lives in the Netherlands around noon, so I spent the morning wandering around on my own.
The architecture is unmistakably Dutch, tall, narrow buildings with character—which makes simply walking around incredibly fun. That said, prices are undeniably high. Still, I found a cute Miffy spoon (Miffy is a classic Dutch character) and bought it as a souvenir. There are Miffy items everywhere, so it’s fun to browse while strolling.
At noon, I met up with my friend, and we walked along Amsterdam’s canals. I was surprised to learn that the long, narrow boats floating on the water are actually houses. On weekends, the canals get crowded with people strolling around, giving the whole area a relaxed, cozy vibe.
The water isn’t exactly clear, but the contrast between the canals and the old buildings is part of Amsterdam’s charm.
Anne Frank House
Seeing the exterior surprised me, it looks very modern. Apparently, the original house is protected inside a newer outer building. I didn’t go inside since I didn’t have the time or motivation, so I just viewed it from the outside.
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Afterward, we stopped by a nearby bar for some local beer. I forgot the name, but it was delicious.
If you have extra time, the Heineken Experience is a popular interactive brewery museum where you can enjoy tastings.
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Before we knew it, it was time to head to the restaurant my friend had booked.
Surinamese Dinner: Warung Spang Makandra
We had dinner at Warung Spang Makandra, a well-known Surinamese restaurant. Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America, has a unique cuisine influenced by African, Indian, Chinese, and Indonesian flavors.
We arrived around 5 p.m., and the place was already packed.
I ordered nasi rames and roti. The dishes weren’t spicy, more on the sweet side, and had a distinctive, addictive flavor. Weekends definitely require a reservation.
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More Dutch Snacks
After dinner, I tried a few more Dutch treats:
- Stroopwafel
Thin, crispy, sugary, and extremely sweet. If you’re not into sweets, definitely share.
- Broodje kroket
From the self-serve vending machines at FEBO. Like a creamy croquette in bread—cheap and perfect for a quick bite.
Red Light District at Night
Around 8 p.m., we walked to the Red Light District.
It was insanely crowded—high density of both tourists and locals. Even many women visit together, so it feels surprisingly approachable.
Women stand behind glass doors wearing lingerie, and men negotiate prices right there. Once a deal is made, a curtain closes. Honestly, I think you’d need a few drinks before attempting that—watching people negotiate was wild.
We also visited the “Peep show”, a tiny 30-second adult-themed exhibit that costs €2. Lots of female tourists go in casually, it’s more funny than shocking.
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After a bit more wandering, I said goodbye to my friend and returned to the hostel. Day 2 ended there.
Day 3: Amsterdam → Rotterdam & the Original Kapsalon
On Day 3, I left Amsterdam and took a FlixBus to Rotterdam.
By train it costs around €20, by bus only €10, so buses are great for budget travelers.
In Rotterdam, I stayed at Hotel Rotterdam, which cost only $17 per night—unbelievably cheap compared to Amsterdam. The hotel had a workspace, was clean, and felt comfortable overall.
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When I arrived, one of the roommates was furious because his bag had gone missing… which was a little scary. But aside from that, the stay was pleasant.
I visited Rotterdam mainly to meet the same friend again, since he actually lives here.
Kapsalon: Rotterdam’s Local Junk Food Legend
After checking in around 3 p.m. and doing a bit of work, I met up with my friend for dinner at Jaffa Shoarma.
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This is where I finally tried Kapsalon, a Rotterdam-born comfort food.
It’s a glorious pile of:
- french fries
- döner kebab meat
- melted cheese
- salad
- garlic sauce + sambal
Originally, it was a special custom order by a regular customer, and it eventually became an official menu item that spread nationwide.
As you can guess from the ingredients, the calories are dangerous.
Definitely not recommended for anyone on a diet.
Rotterdam Safety
Rotterdam is often said to be rougher than Amsterdam.
Walking at night, I saw people yelling randomly and kids crashing electric bikes, so… I can’t say the rumors are wrong.
After dinner and drinks with my friend, I headed straight back and went to sleep.
Final Thoughts
This short Netherlands trip—from Finland to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, was filled with memorable moments: the lively nights in Amsterdam, peaceful canal walks, discovering Surinamese food, and tasting the original Rotterdam Kapsalon.
Amsterdam blends classic European scenery with its own unique culture, making even a casual stroll exciting. But the accommodation prices hit hard, so I had to hold back a little on spending.
Rotterdam, on the other hand, felt more local and gritty, in a good way. It was fascinating to see how different the two cities can be despite being in the same country.
Reuniting with my friend, exploring together, and sharing meals made this trip particularly special.
Next stop: Belgium
