During a recent Twitter travel chat, I connected with fellow bloggers and travellers and learned that many would love to go exploring by themselves but lack confidence. I get it! Solo travelling can be completely overwhelming. The thought of going somewhere new without knowing anyone and spending most of your time by yourself is daunting.
But there is hope! To get some travel confidence, I love to introduce you to the prototype experience. They are sort of a “try before you buy” concept. The idea is to experience an event on a small-scale execution. Prototype experiences reduce also stress and risks, as you try something out for a short time before fully committing to it. This is for you to find out if you actually like solo travelling or not. And the prototype is exactly what it is…it is not perfect. Therefore it is allowed to fail or succeed and for you to learn and improve along the way.
So for your first solo travel, a prototype experience could be a city break. Why not, for example, consider a long weekend in Amsterdam?
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A Long Weekend In Amsterdam
Amsterdam is currently THE hottest place to visit. It is safe and there’s lots to do. Art museums, pretty canals, and interesting architecture will keep your mind occupied for days!
I do have to say, that Amsterdam didn’t charm me much at first and it took some time for the spark to catch my interest. Once it did, I saw Amsterdam’s uniqueness unfold in front of me. A huge part of me connecting with the city, was through a fantastic start to the day. Amsterdam is not only a pancake paradise, but it offers many safe spaces for your first-time solo exploring.
Treasure Trove For Pancakes
One thing is for sure: Amsterdam is breakfast heaven if you – like me – LOVE pancakes. Imagine pancakes in every form, with every filling and topping you could imagine – and they also come in every price range.
The Pancake Bakery (Prinsengracht) renowned for being the “best pancake place in town” doesn’t disappoint. The Dutch version of a pancake is basically a French crepe that comes with a lot of toppings. I decided on an English-themed pancake topped with William Pears, ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce at a hefty price of 15€ (£12). It was delicious and the fact I had ice cream and whipped cream before lunchtime was just so unreal (but soooooooooo good)
The density of pancake houses in Amsterdam works out every two meters. On another morning, I tried Pancakes Amsterdam which has three branches across town. I fell in love with their American pancake stack which I ordered twice. My first time included maple syrup and whipped cream whilst on my second visit I had my pancakes with chocolate and coconut flakes. At a price of 9€ (£6.50), these were absolutely amazing and I would say this is definitely the best breakfast deal in Amsterdam.
Get Lost in the Amsterdam Canals
After a filling breakfast, you should head out and get completely lost. I can guarantee you, Amsterdam offers plenty of opportunities for you to immersive yourself and lose track of time. One area is the canal labyrinth. Once you look closer, the canals reveal unique features with an irresistible charm and character. You can easily walk around for hours and clock in your 10k daily steps. The canals have beautiful bridges, small sideways and very pretty houses. Every bridge is photogenic. The small streets are quiet and peaceful and the wharf houses are all built individually with unique features and details. And you never know, you may stumble across a cute café or local restaurant?
The city is very easy to navigate around and even if you end up off the beaten tracks, you never get totally lost thanks to the regular structure and the three main Grachts of the city structure. It’s also refreshing how quiet Amsterdam is. I found the city less stressful than London. Due to the narrow canal streets, there’s barely any traffic.
It is a peaceful atmosphere with the occasional soft sound of swashing water. During my stay, I heard an ambulance or police car maybe once or twice. The town is still packed with visitors but it is moderate and you don’t get pushed around. You can still walk into a restaurant without queuing endlessly or if you have to, it’s not that long of a wait. Nothing really disturbs you, the canals are also regularly cleaned and as they are artificial and filled with fresh water the city doesn’t smell at all.
Try a Solo Dining Experience
The highlight of your long weekend in Amsterdam should be an intimate dining experience. Keep your eyes open for the many local restaurants nestled away in the canal labyrinth. I know what you may be thinking: dining experiences are out of my comfort zone. There will be couples only. People will judge me. This might be a tourist trap.
Trust me, solo dining is completely normal in Amsterdam. When I discovered De Belhamel (Brouwersgracht) I was sceptic, too. But the French Michelin-guided restaurant was extremely accommodating to solo diners and I learned that many locals come here regularly for their solo dinners.
I’m usually super picky with food and I would normally not touch any of the vegetables served, but the restaurant served high cuisine so I could rely on the top-notch quality of the food. What can I say, I had an incredible night!
I chose fresh homemade gnocchi, with vegetables, fresh mushrooms and roasted cherry tomatoes with a light basil pesto sauce. It was divine and at 23€ (£20) an amazing culinary experience. The intimate atmosphere and ambient of a 1920’s salon further contributed to an unforgettable evening.
The Novelty of Tourist Attractions
What would a long weekend in Amsterdam be without visiting some of its tourist attractions? I understand most travellers seek unique experiences outside of the centre, but as a first-time solo traveller, you’re not there yet! This prototype experience for Amsterdam is allowed to have some cheesy tourist indulgence. Plus it can feel less lonely when you get absorbed in the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist area.
Every capital city has those touristy areas and Amsterdam makes no exception. A hot spot is the area around the Rijksmuseum. Even though the museum itself is a bit bland and overpriced, do go in and experience Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The rest of the art collection stretches over two floors and showcases local and Dutch paintings.
Do spend some time around the Rijksmuseum and soak up its buzzing atmosphere. Outside is one of the famous IAmsterdam signs which makes for a cheesy Instagram picture opportunity. The pool is used in winter as an ice rink for skating. Nearby is the Van Gogh art museum, which is hugely popular so do book a ticket in advance. I, unfortunately, didn’t, so this is something for me to do the next time I’ll spend a long weekend in Amsterdam.
Notice the Local Quirks
One part of exploring and experiencing a place is by engaging with locals. The Dutch are friendly and often speak perfect English and German. Communication should come easy, especially with Amsterdam being so cosmopolitan and its relaxed international flair. But, there’s one quirk, which may seem very odd. The Dutch stare a lot. And I mean they do it heavily and without any shame.
Staring raises any female solo traveller’s alert and you should always be aware when out and about. However, I checked with a Dutch colleague and she confirmed, that staring is a “Dutch” thing and very common. It is often harmless with no further intentions or judgment, but be prepared.
Another thing which I noticed, is that the Dutch love their mobile independence. Amsterdam is known for its rich cycling culture but there are equally as many motorbikes and scooters on the roads – and unfortunately on the pavement! More than once I found a Vespa cutting me off on the pavement and nearly running me over. It seems they can use cycling lanes too, which is very strange to watch and to experience.
Open Boat Tour To Explore Amsterdam’s Canals
Your long weekend in Amsterdam wouldn’t be final without a boat tour. You’ve already roamed the canals from a street perspective but now it is time to experience the water view. Most tours start in the area around the central station and last for around 1h, which I find can be a bit short. There’s so much to see when you’re on the water streets and the experience should last just a bit longer. Some boats are roofed and offer afternoon tea. Other tours are bespoke and specialised. You can rent a boat at 15 EUR (£12) per person and have unlimited drinks (popular with stag and hen-dos) or if you want to preserve the water quality join a sustainability tour with PlasticWhale.
FAQs About Your Amsterdam Long Weekend
I understand this is quite a lengthy post and you may have some quick questions about an Amsterdam long weekend trip. You can, of course, always come back to any section of my post and read in more detail what you’d need for your trip. If you have questions or need help, please get in touch and I’m happy to assist.
Is Amsterdam solo travel friendly?
A long weekend in Amsterdam would make an ideal first-time solo travel prototype experience. Amsterdam is not only safe, but offers enough entertainment, art, culture and shopping opportunities to keep you engaged. The city is easy to navigate around by foot (or bike if you’re brave enough!). Over time, your confidence will grow and you will feel comfortable exploring outside the touristy space. In the end it is all a learning and even indulging in touristy experiences can be fun and enjoyable.
Is a Travel Prototype allowed to fail?
Of course it is! Travel is all about learning what works for you and what doesn’t. For now I wouldn’t worry too much though. Do enjoy every minute of your time and put no pressure on yourself. The beauty of a prototype experience is, that it is only for a short time. It can give you safety and room to take risks without making huge commitments. At the end of your long weekend in Amsterdam, do reflect and use your findings for your next solo trip. Who knows, maybe you’ve gained already so much confidence and would go on a solo hike next? Whatever it is you’re going to do, I’m sure it’ll make for a great solo travel story!
Thanks for reading. If you’d like to support my blog & research you can do so via Buy Me a Coffee.
Till next time,
Carolin
Interested in my other solo city trips?
9 Comments
Becks
28 January 2022 at 11:45 pmI love the idea of having a tester weekend before embarking on a big solo travel trip! Also a great way to learn what you might need to pack or can leave at home because you didn’t need it.
Also, so funny you mention about the staring…I was in Amsterdam, sat on the canalside for over half an hour on the phone to a friend and someone opposite stared at me the whole time…I thought maybe I had something on my face but now I feel better about it! Unless I did actually have something on my face…
Melanie
10 October 2022 at 10:48 pmThis is a great idea. A long weekend is a great way to test the waters and experience some solo time, and Amsterdam seems like a great place to do it. Dining solo can be intimidating at first, but it’s so nice when you are treated so well as in your experience. The most memorable part of my visit to Amsterdam was the Anne Frank House and I recommend that to first-time visitors.
Barry
11 October 2022 at 12:14 amThe staring comment is very interesting. I can’t say I noticed it but then I wasn’t really looking – I must watch out for it next time.
I totally understand the Vespa almost hitting you on the pavement. I often heard a cycle bell ring to warn to get out of the way … and then realised I was on the right pavement, and they should be giving way to me!
Amsterdam is the only city I know where you have more chance of being knocked down by a bike than a car (maybe Copenhagen rivals that though!).
Good idea to use Amsterdam as a launchpad for single travel experimenting. It is probably a safe bet as a starter.
Pam
11 October 2022 at 3:23 pmA tester weekend is a great idea. The only thing that really trips me when I travel solo is eating alone. It’s easy to feel anxious about it, but it is a really unique experience that people don’t embrace much. I also find that getting completely lost is a feeling of freedom when you solo travel. You have no agenda, you don’t have anyone else telling you what you can do – a great introduction to traveling solo!
Emma
17 October 2022 at 3:57 amI usually tell people to start with a trip close to home for their first solo travel experience. I can see why Amsterdam fits the bill for many things. It’s an easy city to get around, has a lot to do and I never felt self conscious eating out alone. I wasn’t completely in love with Amsterdam though, maybe like you I just need to give it another shot
Ibti
17 October 2022 at 9:07 amMy first solo trip 7 years ago was in Antwerp which is very similar to Amsterdam. There was so much to see and do that I didn’t see the time fly by and hardly noticed anyone. I even took photos of myself using my tripod 😄 I remember feeling nervous when I had to sit somewhere and eat and did contemplate getting a takeaway meal and eating it in my hotel room but decided to brave my fear and sat in a lovely terrace and people watched. It was one of my best getaways and definitely not my last solo trip!
Fizz
19 October 2022 at 8:49 pmLove this! Especially knowing that solo dining isn’t weird in Amsterdam; that’s often my least favourite part of solo travel. And the info about staring is definitely very useful. I think that would set off alarm bells in any woman, especially from England where we’re more discreet! Thanks for such a great post with insider knowledge.
Renee
22 October 2022 at 4:12 pmI love Amsterdam and fell in love with its foodie culture too, even had pancakes at The Pancake Bakery (Prinsengracht). I agree, it’s a great city for solo travellers. It’s walkable with a ton of great museums and nothing beats getting lost in the pretty canals. Plus, within 30 minutes by train you can easily be in another Dutch city. Oh yes, perfect for solo travellers.
JoJo Hall
4 December 2022 at 2:37 amThis is a great post to give anyone that bit of confidence to solo travel. Amsterdam seems like a great place to solo travel to, whether it’s your first time solo traveling or if you’re more experienced at traveling alone. Amsterdam has so many beautiful things about it that make it a prime place to travel to. I’d love to solo travel here for myself!