By İrem Naz Duymuş (AMER/III) & Eda Emekoğlu (AMER/III)
nazduymus@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
eda.emekoglu@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
Reporting from many miles above the ground—somewhere between Bergamo and Paris—I find myself reflecting on the past month. It has been a month of living in a different country, discovering new places and forming new friendships. Transformative would not be an overstatement, and honestly, I can’t even begin to imagine what the rest of this journey holds.
One of the cities that left the strongest impression on me was Amsterdam. Interestingly, people often say that Amsterdam resembles my hometown. After spending years in what is referred to as “the Amsterdam of Türkiye,” experiencing the original felt strangely familiar—yet undeniably different in ways I hadn’t expected. With tulip season just around the corner, I thought it might be the perfect time to share a short guide for those planning a visit.
First things first: location matters. Staying somewhere central will make your life significantly easier. Amsterdam is a highly walkable city, but a small warning—do not fully trust Google Maps when it comes to timing. It seems to calculate routes based on the walking speed of the tallest people on Earth. I am not exaggerating.
If you plan to use public transportation, make sure to tap your card both when entering and exiting. Otherwise, you might end up paying the full fare for the entire network (around 30–35 euros), as I accidentally did. The good news? You can file a request to get your money back—fingers crossed.
Another thing you’ll immediately notice: people are incredibly stylish. Effortlessly so. They also come across as genuinely polite, with a very good command of English, which makes everything feel easier and more welcoming. Overall, there is a certain lightness to them—happy, and easygoing.
Food-wise, the city is a melting pot. You can easily find cuisines from all over the world. If you want to try traditional Dutch dishes, there are plenty of restaurants in the city center. Fish and chips are also widely available—while it may not rival the UK’s version, they are still worth trying.
And then, there is dessert. The apple pie at Winkel 43 is nothing short of a masterpiece. Truly—worth every bite. And while you are in Amsterdam, you should try a freshly made stroopwafel, served warm. Crispy on the outside, soft and caramel-filled on the inside—it is easily one of the most satisfying sweet treats you can find in the city.
For coffee, Back to Black is a lovely spot to sit down and recharge. However, a small (and slightly controversial) tip: you might want to go for milk-based coffees rather than a straight espresso—unless you’re feeling adventurous enough to challenge Italian standards. My Italian friends were not satisfied.
If you love jazz, you’ll feel right at home—there’s always a cozy spot with live music waiting around the corner. Jazz Café Alto is often mentioned as the go-to spot, but you need to be there right at 8:30 p.m. if you want to get in. If not, don’t worry—there are several great alternatives along the same street. Another place I discovered was The Stones—a lively pub with live jazz, incredibly friendly (and Turkish!) bartenders, and even a pool table. If you happen to go, feel free to say hi from me.
For art lovers, the Rijksmuseum is an absolute must. It is vast and can easily take up to five hours to fully explore—depending, of course, on your pace. Also, The Van Gogh Museum is very impressive, with its interactive elements and thoughtfully curated exhibitions. And if you need a break, the café inside is a perfect place to recharge before diving back in.
I hope to return someday to discover even more hidden corners. If you visit any of the spots I recommended, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
