---

Sometimes a new city becomes a new favorite. And sometimes, the city just doesn’t connect with us like others do. Amsterdam, we decided, is not really our scene. We truly enjoyed many of the places we visited in the city, but we just didn’t connect with Amsterdam itself.

Part of it was the sheer busyness- the constant rush of a large city combined with the dizzying flow of cyclists who seemed to appear from every direction. We also found that many of the shops catered to Amsterdam’s more pragmatic approach to legal industries like marijuana and prostitution, which gave some areas a very specific vibe. And then there was that slightly awkward moment when we accidently wandered into a side street in the Red Light District.

That said, there’s no denying the city’s beauty. We loved the elegant canal-side architecture, the unexpected places of refuge tucked between bustling streets, and the bursts of color from tulips spilling out of every market stall. Amsterdam might not have been our favorite city overall, but it certainly had moments of joy and interest worth remembering.

A Day in Amsterdam

1. Train Station
2. Canal Ring
3. Floating Flower Market
4. Lunch at Pancakes
5. Our Lord in the Attic
6. Elephant Parade Exhibit
7. Anne Frank House

---

Train Station

Our visit to Amsterdam began where it does for many travelers: at the central train station. But calling it simply a “train station” feels almost inadequate for such an impressive building. With its blend of Gothic and Renaissance Revival elements, Amsterdam Centraal is an architectural gem in its own right.

The station was designed by Pierre Cuypers, the same architect behind the Rijksmuseum, the national museum that houses some of the most famous works by Dutch masters. That shared design sensibility is easy to spot, giving the station a sense of grandeur that feels more like a civic monument than a transit hub.

As a first impression, the station makes a powerful statement. Each day it welcomes thousands of visitors into the city, setting the tone with a mix of beauty, history, and sheer scale — an unforgettable gateway into Amsterdam.

---

Canal Ring

After dropping our bags at a luggage storage service near the station, we set off for the most visited and iconic part of the city — the Canal Ring. This was exactly what we had imagined when we thought of Amsterdam.

Known as the Grachtengordel, the Canal Ring is a series of concentric canals lined with elegant townhouses. These canals were intentionally constructed in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, both to accommodate the city’s rapidly growing population and to showcase its immense wealth. Trade was thriving, influence was expanding, and Amsterdam wanted its prosperity to be visible.

The canal houses themselves are works of art. Their elaborate gables, narrow facades, and carefully detailed exteriors reflect the confidence of a city at the height of its power. Because homes were taxed based on the width of their frontage, many were built tall and slender rather than wide — a clever architectural solution that resulted in the distinctive skyline we admire today.

In 2010, the Canal Ring was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing not only its beauty but its innovative urban planning. Centuries after its creation, it remains one of the most defining and beloved features of Amsterdam — a place where history and daily life still flow side by side.

---

Floating Flower Market

Our next stop was the floating flower market, known as the Bloemenmarkt. Rows of tethered houseboats overflow with colorful blooms and carefully packaged bulbs, creating a visual feast of petals and possibility. It’s the kind of place where you can’t help but slow your pace, wandering from stall to stall, admiring the sheer variety of shapes, colors, and fragrances.

The market was first established in 1862, when flower traders would sail into the city and dock along the canal to sell their goods directly from their boats. While the stalls today are no longer technically floating — they’ve become a more permanent extension of the street — the tradition remains. There’s still something uniquely charming about browsing flowers along the water in a city so defined by its canals.

For visitors from the United States or Canada, it’s worth noting that bulbs and flowers must be certified for agricultural export if you plan to take them home. Certified bulbs are clearly marked and kept in a designated section. Without proper certification, they may be confiscated upon arrival — a disappointing end to what would otherwise be a lovely souvenir.

Even if you don’t purchase a single bulb, wandering the Bloemenmarkt is an experience in itself — a colorful reminder of just how deeply flowers are woven into Dutch culture.

---

Lunch at Pancakes

When lunchtime rolled around, we knew exactly where we were headed — one of the many Pancakes restaurants scattered throughout the city. This popular local chain serves both traditional Dutch pancakes and familiar American-style stacks, making it an easy win when traveling with kids. Pancakes are something our daughter not only understands but enthusiastically approves of, no matter the country.

She happily ordered a classic American stack with syrup, fluffy and comforting. We, on the other hand, opted for the traditional Dutch version. These pancakes are thin and wide, almost crêpe-like, but heartier — crisped along the edges and topped with generous savory ingredients. Ours came layered with rich flavors that made every bite feel indulgent without being heavy.

It was one of those simple travel meals that sticks with you. Familiar for one of us, new for the others — and somehow one of the best pancakes I’ve ever had.

---

Our Lord in the Attic

After lunch, we set off to visit one of Amsterdam’s most remarkable hidden gems — Our Lord in the Attic (Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder). I first learned about this place from my blogging friend Hannah of Travelling Han, and ever since reading her post, it had been firmly planted on my Amsterdam list.

In the 17th century, Amsterdam’s city council was officially Protestant and had outlawed public Catholic worship. Former Catholic churches were stripped of iconography and repurposed for Protestant services. Yet unlike some parts of Europe at the time, Amsterdam practiced a quiet form of tolerance. As long as Catholics worshiped discreetly and did not draw attention, authorities often looked the other way.

In 1663, a wealthy Catholic merchant named Jan Hartman purchased this canal house and transformed its upper floors into a hidden church. His wealth and standing in the community likely afforded him a certain degree of protection. Visitors today begin the tour walking through the family’s richly decorated living quarters. The house itself reveals Hartman’s prosperity — ornate furnishings, period details, and views over the canal in the oldest part of the city. Room by room, you learn about the family who lived here while quietly sheltering an entire faith community above their heads.

For children visiting the museum, small ladybugs are hidden throughout the house as a scavenger hunt. At the end of the tour, they report how many they found and receive a small prize. It’s a thoughtful touch that adds a bit of lightness to a place layered with serious history.

Then comes the climb upward.

At the very top of the narrow canal house, tucked beneath the rafters, you suddenly emerge into a fully realized church sanctuary spanning the top three floors. It is breathtaking — intimate, ornate, and completely unexpected. The altar gleams softly in the filtered light. Cabinets filled with religious items could be closed quickly if needed. Even the modest organ is positioned carefully within the space. Everything was designed so that the church could disappear at a moment’s notice.

There was even a quiet social hierarchy within the sanctuary. Boxed seats near the front were reserved for wealthier members of the congregation, while others sat in simple chairs placed along the upper level. Even in hiding, society carried its structures with it.

Standing there, in a church built to be invisible, was a powerful reminder of resilience. Faith practiced quietly. Community preserved in secret. A hidden space that has survived centuries to tell its story.

We absolutely loved seeing this hidden church of Amsterdam. It was beautiful and interesting, and definitely the most unique church we’ve seen.

If you are going to visit Our Lord in the Attic, here are some things to know.

• TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased online before, or when you arrive at the museum
  • € 16,95/adult, € 7,50/ youth age 5-17
  • get your tickets online at Our Lord in the Attic website
• OPENING HOURS: The museum is open every day of the week, except for holidays. Because it is a functioning church, it may be closed while they hold mass. Check their website beforehand for operating hours during your visit.
• ACCESSBILITY: Visitors will go through a canal house with a lot of narrow, winding stairs. With that in mind, it is not suitable for those with limited mobility.

---

Elephant Parade Exhibit

As we continued wandering, we happened upon something completely unexpected — the Elephant Parade art exhibit. Brightly painted elephants stood scattered across the square, each one uniquely designed and full of personality. Some were bold and modern, others delicate and whimsical, but all of them seemed to invite you to pause and look a little closer.

Elephant Parade is part of a global art initiative that raises awareness and funds for elephant conservation. Artists from around the world create hand-painted elephant sculptures, which travel from city to city in open-air exhibitions. After each parade, many of the pieces are auctioned to support projects that protect these gentle giants.

For a moment, the busy city square felt lighter. Children ran from elephant to elephant. Adults slowed down to read the plaques and admire the creativity. It was one of those delightful travel surprises — a reminder that art, compassion, and community can meet you right in the middle of an ordinary afternoon.

Soon the elephants will move on to another city, but for now, Amsterdam was their temporary home — and we were lucky enough to stumble into their parade.

---

Anne Frank House

Our last stop in Amsterdam was a visit to the Anne Frank House. Of everything we saw in the city, this was the most important and the most moving.

It was actually our daughter who insisted that we visit. After reading about Anne and her family, she felt a deep connection to her story and wanted to see where it had happened. There was something incredibly meaningful about following her lead into such a significant place.

During the Holocaust, the lives of Jewish families across Europe were under constant threat. The Frank family, along with another Jewish family, found temporary refuge in a hidden apartment — the now-famous Secret Annex — tucked above an office building and concealed behind a movable bookcase. For two years they lived in that small, confined space. Friends on the outside risked their own safety to bring food, supplies, and even schoolbooks. Inside those walls, life continued in whispers, in routines, in fragile hope.

Anne had always wanted to be a writer. When the family first went into hiding and gathered their few belongings, the first thing she packed was her diary. In that small notebook she poured out her thoughts, fears, frustrations, and dreams. She wrote about the tension of living in hiding, the fear of discovery, and her hope that one day they would be free again.

But they were discovered. The entire group was arrested and sent to concentration camps. Otto Frank, Anne’s father, was the only one who survived. After the war, one of the helpers who had preserved Anne’s diary returned it to him. Otto made sure his daughter’s words were published.

Since then, The Diary of Anne Frank has become one of the most widely read books in the world, translated into more than 70 languages. Its significance has only grown with time — not just as a historical document, but as the voice of a young girl whose humanity continues to reach across generations.

Walking through the Secret Annex is a deeply emotional experience. The steep stairs. The narrow rooms. The worn floors. That too-small space that once held so much fear — and so much hope. Seeing Anne’s diary, the actual pages she filled with her handwriting, makes everything feel heartbreakingly real.

I also deeply appreciated that the museum offers a child-friendly version of the audio guide. It tells Anne’s story honestly but in a way that is age-appropriate, allowing younger visitors to engage with the history without being overwhelmed by the full horror of it. It was a thoughtful touch that allowed our daughter to process what she was seeing in a meaningful way.

The Anne Frank House is an essential part of Amsterdam’s story — and certainly one of its most difficult chapters. In a city known for its beauty and canals, this simple canal house may be its most important landmark. Not because of what it displays, but because of what it remembers.

Here are some things to know about visiting the Anne Frank House:

• TICKETS: Tickets for the Anne Frank House are released six weeks in advance, for visits during a specific week. They go on sale on Tuesdays mornings and usually sell out quickly- often within hours- so book as soon as they’re available.
  • € 16.00/adult, € 7.00/ youth age 10-17, € 1.00/ child under 10
  • There is timed entry, you can get in line 15 minutes before you assigned time.
• ACCESSIBILITY: There are steep stairs within the house, it may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.
• AUDIO GUIDES: Audio guides are provided in many different languages. There is an adult audio guide that offers more detailed information. There is also an audio guide for children that tells the story, but in a more age appropriate way.
• PHOTOGRAPHY: There are no pictures allowed while in the Anne Frank House.

---

Travel is deeply personal, and sometimes a place simply doesn’t click the way you expect it to — and that’s okay. While Amsterdam may not have been a city we personally fell in love with, we are still grateful for the meaningful places we experienced there. Walking the canal ring, visiting hidden gems like Our Lord in the Attic, and especially standing inside the Anne Frank House gave us moments we will never forget.

I can absolutely understand why so many travelers adore Amsterdam. If you’re drawn to postcard-perfect canals, layered history, world-class museums, and an energy that is entirely its own, Amsterdam might be exactly your kind of destination.

For us, it was a city of powerful places more than a city we felt at home in — and sometimes that, too, is worth the journey.

Thanks for coming along on this visit to Amsterdam. May your words be filled with hope and your baskets be full of flowers.

---

Follow along for more adventures near and far!

---