EAT, DRINK, EXPLORE: AMSTERDAM

BEST FOOD TO EAT IN AMSTERDAM

You’ll be craving apple pie (appeltaart) long after you’ve returned home from studying abroad in Amsterdam. That’s because it’s not your grandmother’s apple pie (unless she’s Dutch of course). Same concept, but an entirely different experience. While American apple pie use a thin, rolled-out pastry crust on the top and bottom, Dutch apple pie features a crust made with eggs, butter, brown sugar, and flour, that resembles a cake more than a pie. Between that crust lies a delicious combination of apples, raisins, walnuts, lemon and orange zest, and an intricate combination of cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, coriander, and anise called speculasskruiden. Yum!

Top Cultural Foods To Try in Amsterdam

Here are some of the top traditional foods to try while you're studying in Amsterdam:

• Bitterballen: Bitterballen are small, deep-fried balls with a savory, meaty filling, often served with mustard for dipping. Trying them with a cold Dutch beer is a perfect way to experience the local pub culture!
• Kibbeling: Amsterdam's street food scene is amazing, and you will definitely want to try Kibbeling. These are battered and deep-fried chunks of white fish, typically cod, served with a delicious dipping sauce. They are the perfect warm and crispy snack to grab from a street vendor while exploring the city!
• Stroopwafels: A Stroopwafel is a thin, crispy waffle-like cookie with a gooey caramel syrup filling in the middle. Locals love to place them over a hot cup of coffee or tea to warm up the caramel. You’ll have to try one fresh from a market stall! 

BEST DRINK IN AMSTERDAM

Nothing goes better with a slice of appeltaart than a koffie verkeerd. Literally translated as “wrong coffee,” koffie verkeerd is a hot drink composed of half milk and half coffee. (Traditional Dutch coffee contains a small dollop of milk, known as wolkje.) To make wrong coffee, milk is brought to a boil and poured on top of brewed or instant coffee. It’s enjoyed throughout the day in Amsterdam at local cafes.

Top Cultural Drinks To Try in Amsterdam

Here are some of the top traditional drinks to try while you're studying in Amsterdam:

• Jenever: Jenever is a traditional juniper-flavored spirit that is the original precursor to gin. It is a deeply cultural drink with a long history, and you can find it in old tasting rooms or in modern cocktails served in the city.
• Koffie Verkeerd: This drink literally translates to "wrong coffee," but it is a coffee with a large amount of milk. This makes it more like a latte, which is where the name comes from. It’s an extremely common cafe order among locals, and you’ll find it in any Amsterdam cafe.
• Buttermilk (Karnemelk): This might sound strange, but buttermilk, or Karnemelk, is a very popular beverage among locals. It has a slightly sour taste, and trying a cold glass of Karnemelk is a great way to experience a traditional part of Dutch culture! 

BEST PLACE TO EXPLORE IN AMSTERDAM

Head to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park in Haarlem and discover flora and fauna that is unique even to the Netherlands. Spend a peaceful afternoon walking the shores of the North Sea, birdwatching for some of the 100 species, or strolling through preserves looking for Highland cattle, Shetland ponies, deer, hedgehogs, rabbits and fox. The park is just 40 minutes from Amsterdam via public train or bus and worth every minute of the journey.

Top Cultural Attractions to Visit in Amsterdam

Here are some of the top cultural attractions to visit while you're studying in Amsterdam:

• Rijksmuseum: Explore the national museum of the Netherlands! The Rijksmuseum houses an incredible collection of art and history, including iconic works from the Dutch Golden Age like Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. It’s a must-see for anyone who wants to explore the city’s art and history scenes.
• Rembrandt House Museum: Instead of just seeing Rembrandt's paintings in a gallery, you can actually step into his world! This museum is featured in the real house where the famous artist lived and worked. The rooms have been meticulously restored, giving you a more intimate look at his life and work.
• Van Gogh Museum: This museum is dedicated to the life and work of the famous Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. It holds the largest collection of his paintings and drawings in the world. Here, you’ll enjoy a fascinating look into his artistic journey and his many famous works. 

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