Five reasons why Amsterdam is perfect for first time solo travellers

So you’re thinking about solo travelling for the first time? Firstly, congratulations! You’re about to embark on a journey like no other. Solo travel is the most liberating way of connecting with your authentic self. But the big question is where to take that first solo trip? Let me share with you why Amsterdam is a great choice.

Amsterdam was in fact my first ever solo travel destination right at the start of my divorce. For me it’s the perfect city break destination. It’s vibrant, diverse, picturesque and wonderfully unique. If you want somewhere that is easy and safe to explore, with a welcoming and exciting atmosphere, Amsterdam is the perfect solo travel destination for you!

Let’s dive in to five reasons why you should choose Amsterdam as you first solo travel destination!

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Amsterdam is easy to explore

Exploring a new city alone for the first time needs to be as stress free as possible! Therefore going to a place that’s easy to explore with a good transport network is a must. Amsterdam is perfect for this. A train from Amsterdam Schipol airport will take you straight to the city centre, where you can then hop on a tram that will get you to anywhere in the city. Travel tip: You can purchase tram tickets at Amsterdam Centraal train station using the blue and yellow kiosks. You can also purchase tickets directly on the tram but it is card only.

If you’re like me and love to walk around a new city, aimlessly wandering and soaking in all the surroundings, then Amsterdam is for you. It has to be one of the most walkable cities I’ve been to. The vast network of picture perfect canals, lined with those iconic renaissance buildings, are best seen on foot. There are several free walking tours you can enjoy too with Free Walking Tours Amsterdam book here.

Of course, you can always travel like a local and hire a bicycle. Did you know there are more bicycles in Amsterdam than people? If you love to cycle, I absolutely recommend hiring a bicycle for your visit to Amsterdam. With dedicated cycle lanes separate to vehicles, complete with a unique traffic light system, cycling around Amsterdam is a breeze.

I also enjoyed a spontaneous canal cruise and would highly recommend if you want to see Amsterdam from a different point of view. I booked on the day with Flagship Amsterdam where I enjoyed a drink on board together with a tour guide sharing great facts about the city. There are lots of canal cruise tour operators to choose from in Amsterdam, with many kiosks scattered around the city with information.

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Amsterdam Offers something for everyone

Amsterdam has so much to see and do that you will be spoiled for choice. It certainly lives up to its name as being one of the most colourful cities in the world. From art galleries to museums, street markets to boutique shops, a vibrant bar and cafe culture, Amsterdam has it all. The city offers many must see attractions, including the world famous Anne Frank house. Get Your Guide offers a great selection of tours in Amsterdam, from walking tours, canal cruises, food tours and even day trips out of they city. Top tip: Book to see Anne Frank’s house ahead of your trip to avoid disappointment.

For art enthusiasts, a trip to the Rijksmuseum is a must! It holds some of the most world renowned paintings, including Rembrandt’s masterpiece ‘The Night Watch’. The Museum quarter / Vondelpark area has some of the best art galleries in the world. The Van Gogh Museum has the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings on display under one roof and was my personal favourite.

If you love to shop, then a visit to the De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets) is a must. This area is lined with various boutique, vintage and designer shops. Amsterdam truly is a shopper’s dream. Be sure to visit the The Albert Cuyp Market which is largest street market in the Netherlands. Selling everything from shoes and luggage, to fresh vegetables and cheese. You can also find typical Dutch treats here, like raw herring and freshly made stroopwafels.

If you are a foodie or into cafe culture, you truly will be spoilt for choice in Amsterdam. No matter where you go, the city is full of cafés, restaurants, and cozy bars. My favorite area for cafes and independent eateries was Di Pijp, which is fast becoming one of Amsterdam’s trendiest areas. There are plenty of options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets too. If you want to sample Dutch cuisine, Café-Restaurant 't Heemelrijck in De Pijp is a good choice and I would recommend trying Stamppot, a traditional dutch stew.

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Amsterdam is a safe city for solo travelers

Amsterdam is known as being one of the safest cities for female solo travelers. I never once felt intimated or unsafe during my time in Amsterdam as a woman travelling alone. Don’t let the stag do culture put you off! It’s easy enough to avoid if you stay away from the infamous red light area at night. The De Wallen (red light) district comes alive at night, with many people spilling out into the street from the bars and nightclubs into the early hours. If you are curious to see the red light area, I would recommend you go and see it in the day time instead. Walking alone at night in Amsterdam is quite safe as all the main streets are well lit and easy to navigate. The canal bridges are lit up at night and are quite magical to see. It’s always best to stay in populated areas when you can at night when travelling alone. If you don’t feel comfortable walking alone at night, the tram services operates up until 12.30am and there are always staff on board. Like with any new city, use your common sense and remain vigilant. Make sure to keep personal possessions hidden away securely, don’t flash your cash and never leave anything valuable in your back pockets.

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English is well spoken in Amsterdam

If English is your first language and you’re worried about facing language barriers, you have nothing to fear with Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination and English has almost become the first language there. I never had any issues communicating or speaking to locals during my visit. I also never had anybody speak to me in Dutch. Shop signs and food menus are always written in English too. You’ll have no problem asking someone for directions if you need and all transport information is written in English. It’s always nice to try and learn some basic expressions when travelling to a new country as the locals will always appreciate it, but don’t let not knowing a language stop you from travelling completely.

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Amsterdam has ways to help you visit on a budget

If you are looking to travel somewhere on a budget for your first solo trip, there are ways to save when visiting Amsterdam. There are a great selection of hostels in Amsterdam which is always the best way to travel affordably. If however you prefer to stay in a hotel, avoid booking in the town centre as these are typically more expensive than those in the outer areas of the city. I stayed at Hotel Cornelisz which was perfectly situated in the museum quarter and very affordable.

I would highly recommend investing in an ‘I am Amsterdam’ card for your visit. It offers access to more than 70 museums, city-wide public transport, canal cruises and bicycle rental. The main benefits are that you get to skip lines, save money and get exclusive discounts at restaurants, attractions and concerts. You can get a card to cover you starting from 24 hours at the cost of 65 euros, up to 120 hours at a cost of 130 euros. There is a dedicated tourist information centre near the Rijksmuseum where you can purchase a card, or you can buy online in advance.

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Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope you agree that Amsterdam makes for a great solo travel destination and that you’ve been inspired to take that first solo trip. As always drop your questions in the comments or send me a direct message on my Instagram.

Official Get Your Guide partner

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