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Heading to the Dutch capital? You probably already know this city doesn’t hold back. Here's how we did it.

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First thing on our agenda was hitting the cultural highlight: Vondelpark. Biking is definitely the way to go. It was the perfect spot to chill, have a drink, enjoy the sun, and maybe even share a joint. Amsterdam’s love for cannabis is pretty legendary, with heaps of coffeeshops around. Some of the top spots are Grey Area, Katsu Coffeeshop, Paradox, and La Tertulia. These places have a cosy, laid-back vibe, welcoming both smokers and non-smokers. And if you’re in the mood for something fun, Coffeeshop Tyson is definitely worth a visit. We tried the red velvet ear-shaped edible coated in white chocolate, and it was that good.

 

The first time I went to Amsterdam, I was with a group of friends and we stayed in a hostel right in the heart of the Red Light District. Not exactly the cutest part of the city, lots of drunk people, a bit trashed and yeah, it smelled exactly how you'd expect. One night we ended up at Casa Rosso and it was definitely a funny and unforgettable night. Nothing was left to the imagination. People having sex on stage with a banana show thrown in for good measure. We also spent three days partying at Dekmantel, one of the biggest and most respected techno festivals in the world. It started out as this tiny underground event, and now it's blown up. As always, the lineup was top-tier. And playing the closing set at Amsterdamse Bos on Sunday is a huge honour for DJs. The music wrapped up by 10 pm each night and we caught the bus home. To top it off, Amsterdam was hosting one of the biggest gay events in the world at the same time. We missed the Saturday canal parade, but it looked awesome. When we got back from the festival, the whole city was absolutely trashed.

 

My most recent trip was a whole different vibe. I stayed with family friends, way out of the hustle and bustle, and it was so much nicer. Peaceful, quiet, and just a totally different side of Amsterdam. Plus their house was unreal. You’ve got to cruise the canals. It’s such a cool way to see the city from another perspective. One night my family friends took me into the city on their boat, and we had pre-drinks on the canal. So cool. Uber could never compete with this.

 

And omg, Febo is a total game changer. It’s fast food in a vending machine, no lines or waiting. Such a great experience especially after a night of drinking. What's good? The kroket, no doubt. I don’t care if it’s not your thing, just get it. I promise, you won’t regret it. Also while we’re talking food, you must try the stroopwafels, they're thin waffles with gooey caramel filling. They’re that good. Amsterdam knows its way around a sweet treat. And also try Poffertjes, fluffy mini pancakes with icing sugar that are straight-up heaven.

 

Space cakes are a big thing especially among tourists. If you do try one start small. As for magic truffles, they’ve taken off in the Netherlands. I didn’t get to try them but my friends did and they said it was awesome. Make sure you’re with a good crew, maybe have a sober mate on standby. Here’s a guide for spacecake doses I found online:

• 5 to 10 g: Low dose, might not feel much if your tolerance is high.

• 10 to 20 g: Medium dose, stronger for first-timers.

• 20 to 30 g: High dose.

• More than 30g: Peak experience. ​​​​