Last weekend I escaped the rain and drizzle that swept across the British Isles to sunny Amsterdam. Here are my highlights.
Markets
There are markets all over Amsterdam dedicated to all sorts of things. We visited the Bloemenmarkt which is one long, line of huts selling seeds, bulbs, flowers, potted plants and a load of floral paraphernalia.
Hundreds of different varieties of tulip bulbs
Blubs and bulbs and more bulbs!
Unusual packaging for tulip bulbs
Some unusual plants for sale
We also visited the foodie Farmer’s Market which takes place on Saturday mornings in the Jordaan area. It was very similar to British farmer’s markets to be honest. A lovely range of stalls to amble through and set in a child’s park so they can play while you shop.
Easter Stollen at 10 Euros a loaf!
So many wonderfully fresh mushrooms
These cakey, bread balls were made from dried apricots, figs, spelt flour and seeds
Heineken
I haven’t drunk this ubiquitous beer since I was at University. The Dutch founders acquired and built their first breweries here in 1864. One of them is now a brilliant museum and interactive experience. It takes you right through the development of the brand and the way the beer is made with many lovely interactive exhibits. It’s been well thought through to appeal to little ones and adults alike.
Heineken - a phenomenal long-standing brand
Cheese
I am a big cheese fan and could not resist visiting every cheese shop we came across – much to the annoyance and rolling eyes of my girls. Having said that, they were keen to sample the many flavours of Gouda on offer using their pocket money to invest in a smokey, sausage shaped one which lasted all of one day at home!
Smoked Paprika Gouda
So many different varieties
Pesto Gouda
papabubble sweet shop
This tiny little sweet shop in Jordaan has a little row of stairs with cushions where you can informally perch and watch the kitchen preparing sweets. We got three just in time for passionfruit and raspberry preparation and I can tell you that even Willi Wonka would take his hat off to these guys. Such a stunning level of detail goes into these sweets and they even sell off the ends that are too big to be used for charity! A must visit.
Raspberry and Passionfruit
Papabubble selection box
keukenhof
If you are planning to visit Amsterdam in Spring, Summer and maybe early Autumn, allow some time for the wonderful flower gardens of Keukenhof. We got there first thing in the morning and got to see the lovely displays without too many crowds. There were wonderful displays and exhibits of roses and orchids which brought back wonderful memories of my flower shop days.
Beautiful baby pink tulip planting
Hyacynths as far as the eye could see
Orchid art
Pancakes
There are many pancake restaurants in Amsterdam to suit all budgets. We couldn’t leave without sampling the finest from The Pancake Bakery which is a tiny little place on Prinsengracht. We queued for about half an hour to get in but it was worth the wait. The staff are lovely and there is a huge range of sweet and savoury. We had a Norwegian (smoked salmon and cream cheese), a Masai (mixed vegetables and cheese) and an Indonesian (vegetables with a satay sauce on a bed of beansprouts). They were enormous and very filling.
Superb value at The Pancake Bakery on Prinsengracht
We also devoured (and spent far too much money on) Poffertjes – Little blini sized pancakes served with melted butter and a dusting of icing sugar. Too, too good!
Poffertjes at 5 euros for ten!
It was such a lovely weekend full of ambling and eating. The perfect break.
Gorgeous pictures! You found the best spots in Amsterdam!
Thank you x
Lovely post then only thing I would aside aside from the Van Gogh and Reijks museum would a a Grachten boat ride! but culinarily you got it!
Thank you. I would agree on the boat ride but I didn’t get any good pics as it was the one day it drizzled!
Yummmy! Have wanted to go there for a long time, but now I know what to eat:)
Hellooooo Mrs! Thank you for stopping by on my blog. You would LOVE it there!
Beautiful photos, Urvashi. I’ve never been to Amsterdam. I’d like to go sometime.
Thanks 🙂 It’s a lovely city. Very amicable people but also very expensive!
It all looks fabulous.Thanks for this
You’re welcome!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed my beautiful adopted city. It is a great time of year to come, and also when we get the good weather. It can be expensive to eat, but there are also some great, cheap places to go as well. I am happy to give some tips, if you come back.
we will definitely come back so I’ll be calling on you for your foodie tour guide services!!
Gorgeous photos Urvashi! Brought me right back to Keukenhof and the pancakes 🙂
Thanks lovely x
Urvashi, what beautiful photographs. Your post, makes me want to visit Holland, and Amsterdam again. I lived in southern Holland for several weeks, during the transition of winter to spring many years ago. When I visited Amsterdam, I loved the vibe the city had, it reminded me of Dublin. I spent days just walking around the city, amazed, by the beauty of the street stalls, the flowers, the canals, and the herbal shops. I came back with endless natural preparations, a huge whole gouda (how I managed to get that back to the UK, I just don’t know, as it was soooooooo heavy) and good memories.
I especially liked visiting the Corrie Ten Boom, house, a short train ride from the city centre. It really brought alive to me, just how people were prepared to help others, in the war. As well as the remarkable conditions of the hiding places, were people lived.
Great post. Have a super day.
Nics
Thank you Nicky x