Exploring Your New City as an Intern in Amsterdam

If you want to experience life at a slower pace, there’s nowhere better than Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a little different to your typically busy capital city. Where other cities feature gridlocked streets and noisy traffic jams, bicycles are the Dutch vehicle of choice. Not only is the air cleaner and the streets clearer; you’ll have more space to picnic, meet friends, or simply relax and watch the world go by. 

In fact, Amsterdam is world-famous for its relaxed and easy-going culture. But it also offers all the amenities of a modern capital. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars and cafés here too. Plus, the demographics of the city veer towards the younger side, which means there’s plenty of trendy neighborhoods for you to sink your teeth into.

But if you’re just starting out in Amsterdam, and you’re looking to discover the best hotspots and cultural experiences in town, look no further. 

We know that starting out in a new city can be daunting. You’ll be wondering what to do and where to start. That’s why we’ve put together the definitive guide to exploring Amsterdam.

So read on and discover exactly what awaits you in this glorious and historic city!

When you first touch down in Amsterdam, you’ll soon be impressed by the Dutch sense of time-keeping. Everything is precisely ordered and planned months in advance; so you’ll never want to be late for appointments or public transport links. 

If you’re a Beyond intern, you’ve likely arranged for us to pick you up from the airport and whisk you to your accommodation. So getting out of the airport will be stress-free. But if you need to make your own way, your first task will be navigating the Dutch public transport system. 

Fortunately, Schiphol Airport has fantastic transport links to Amsterdam, so purchase an Amsterdam Travel Ticket and hop on the train or a bus. This ticket gives you unlimited use of the train and bus to and from Schiphol; as well as all trams, metros and buses in the city centre for up to 24 hours. If you’re navigating around the city, it’s a life-saver.

After your flight, you’ll likely be eager to get your first taste of Dutch food. Grab a bite to eat at the airport before being picked up; or wait to head out to a restaurant in the evening. The choice is yours. 

The first thing to know about Dutch cuisine is that there isn’t much of it. But what they do have is typically straightforward and simple. Raw herring (Hollandse Nieuwe), caught in the North Sea, is a famous snack here; served with chopped raw onions and gherkins – it’s available practically everywhere you go. The best time to taste it is between May and July, when the herring is at its sweetest.

Fans of pastries and sweet treats will want to sample some stroopwafel; two cookie-style waffles held together by sweet and sticky syrup (the ‘stroop’). You can buy these everywhere, even in local supermarkets, but the Lanskroon Bakery in the center of Amsterdam has the best selection anywhere in the country.

The Dutch make up for their relative lack of home-grown dishes with an amazing selection of international food. Drawing upon their trading links and colonial history, particularly from the Dutch East Indies, food culture today in Amsterdam is modern, cosmopolitan – and delicious!

Start out by trying some Indonesian Rijsttafel, a mixture of sweet and spicy dishes with rice; this dish was designed to combine as many Indonesian sauces and meats as possible into a single meal. After, try some Turkish hummus; you’ll find it all over the city due to an influx of Turkish immigrants in the 1960s and ‘70s. 

In fact, Amsterdam’s rich history means there are plenty of international dishes to mix and match. Sample as much as possible in your time here; from street stalls to cafés and restaurants, there’s always something new to try.

When you’re in Amsterdam, you’ll want to seek out the attractions that make the city unique. Amsterdam has a long history of creativity and design, stretching all the way back to the Golden Era of the 17^th century. So the simplest way to begin your immersion in the city is by taking a walk along Amsterdam’s amazing historic waterways. 

The three main canals form concentric circles around the city, and they’re dotted with over 1500 monumental buildings. In fact, the canals themselves are a UNESCO World Heritage site; so get out there and find out exactly why Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the North. 

As you walk along, see if you can spot any bicycles bobbing in the water. This is a form of pollution peculiar to Amsterdam; every year, between 12,000 and 15,000 discarded bicycles are pulled out of the canal. This is known as ‘bike fishing’!

While strolling along the canals, you’ll want to make a few stops along the way. If you’re interested in history and art, head to the borough of Amsterdam South. Welcome to Museumplein (Museum Square), home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum; as well as the concert hall Concertgebouw. All of these are worthy experiences, so take your pick; or spend the day seeing them all. 

The Rijksmuseum has a million objects on display, covering almost a thousand years of history. The Van Gogh Museum, as you might expect, is the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world; and is the most-visited museum in the Netherlands. And the Stedelijk Museum houses modern and contemporary art masterpieces, including the work of Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. 

On the right day, you’ll also find festivals and celebrations taking place in the square. It’s a bustling cultural hub, and the perfect place to soak up some atmosphere. 

Of course, Amsterdam is made up of more than just attractions; living here is a cultural experience too. To get a sense of Amsterdam’s urban regeneration, pay a visit to NDSM Wharf. The former shipyard has been converted into a cultural hotspot; and there’s a thriving artistic community, with plenty of bars and restaurants to explore. 

Try Neef Louis to find a collection of vintage Dutch furniture and interior design treasures. Or grab a coffee as you soak up the sun in the Noorderlicht Café, a converted greenhouse. One of the most unique cafés in the city, it’s situated right at the waterfront for some fantastic views. Or dine on the legendary Veronicaschip, home to a 1960s pirate radio station! Take in the views of the surrounding wharf as you eat on deck; then head below for music and dancing!

There’s one aspect of Dutch cultural life that you haven’t yet explored: cycling. The world’s second most bike-friendly city, Amsterdam is packed full of cyclists, and you’re about to join them. You can rent a basic bike for around €10 a day, which is a good investment if you’d like to whiz around the city; and you can find cheaper prices if you rent for a longer period. 

Cycling in Amsterdam can initially be intimidating – and even chaotic. The Dutch are pros at cycling, which means they’ll often appear from nowhere and ignore red lights. And you might hear an annoyed “Ja, Hallo!” if you do something wrong. So keep in mind that the Dutch have a couple of unwritten cycling rules that you’ll definitely want to follow.

First, don’t hesitate. Stopping suddenly is the most dangerous thing you can do; so if you’ve made a decision, stick to it. Secondly (and relatedly), pay constant attention to your surroundings. Read the road and keep an eye on what everyone else is doing. Dutch cyclists don’t tend to indicate where they’re going; instead, you’ll need to rely on subtle indications such as which way they’re leaning and where they’re looking. The Dutch read body language to get a sense of what’s going on around them; it’s a vital skill as you navigate the fast-paced roads of Amsterdam.

If it’s tricky at first, don’t worry: by the time you leave the city, you’ll be weaving through the streets with the best of them.

These are just a few examples of the highlights awaiting you. The beauty of Amsterdam is that there’s always more to uncover; and once you’re done with the city, you can start making your way out to nearby villages and natural beauty spots. 

But if you’re ever looking for specific guidance or hotspot recommendations, our local community team is on hand to offer 24/7 support. Starting out in a new city can be overwhelming; fortunately, we know exactly where to start.

So if Amsterdam sounds like the place for you, why not read a bit more about our Amsterdam-based internships? Or if you’re ready to jump into this varied and vibrant city, contact us and start planning your program!