Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most overtouristed cities—but it’s also so much more than the crowds in the city center suggest. On this episode of Unpacked—part of Afar’s ongoing Off the Tourist Trail series—host Aislyn Greene is joined by journalist Blane Bachelor, who moved to Amsterdam during the pandemic and has spent years navigating life as a resident. She shares how to experience the real Amsterdam—the neighborhoods, restaurants, and rhythms that exist just beyond the tourist-packed city center. In this episode, you’ll learn • Why Amsterdam’s overtourism problem is really concentrated in just a few city-center neighborhoods—and how to avoid them • The best neighborhoods to stay in, including the artsy Noord and the very-Dutch Oost • When to visit for fewer crowds: the Amsterdam Light Festival in November and King’s Day in April • How to experience the Red Light District (De Wallen) thoughtfully and with historical context • The unwritten rules of cycling in Amsterdam—and why this is not the place to shake off the cobwebs • Where locals actually eat and drink, including a 17th-century gilded unicorn and a cash-only Dutch bar Episode chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:30 Amsterdam's overtourism problem 12:00 Best neighborhoods to stay in: Oost and Noord 15:00 Best times to visit 21:00 Where to stay: hotels vs. Airbnb 24:30 First-timer tips for the Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum 29:00 Navigating the Red Light District (De Wallen) 40:30 Dutch culture: directness, English fluency, and learning a few words 43:00 Cycling in Amsterdam: rules, etiquette, and survival tips Resources • Read Blaine’s Amsterdam Off the Beaten Path story on afar.com • Follow Blaine’s Dutch adventures on Instagram • Check out our Iceland and England Off the Tourist Trail episodes Where to Stay • Rosewood Amsterdam — The last hotel to be built in Amsterdam due to overtourism restrictions • Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht — Playful Dutch-designed interiors; canal-view rooms feel like you’re on the water • The Hoxton, Amsterdam — Two locations; the Eastern Docklands outpost is a local favorite • Hotel Arena — In Oost; known for its exceptional weekend brunch buffet What to Do • Anne Frank House — Book immediately; tickets drop every Tuesday at 10 AM Amsterdam time, six weeks out • Rijksmuseum — Check for evening hours for a slightly less hectic visit • Prostitution Information Centre (De Wallen) — A thoughtful entry point into De Wallen’s history and culture • Vintage salon boat canal tours — Go small and guided; avoid the large party “buses” • Amsterdam Light Festival — November–January; illuminated art along the canals • King’s Day (Koningsdag) — April 27; street markets, orange everything, genuinely local vibe • Free ferries from Amsterdam Centraal to Noord — Walk or ride your bike on; no ticket needed • Tulip fields near Keukenhof — View from the field edges in spring; don’t walk into the flowers • SAIL Amsterdam 2030 — The world’s largest maritime event, returning in 2030 Stay Connected • Sign up for Behind the Mic, our podcast newsletter with episode news and behind-the-scenes details. • Also from Afar: View From Afar (the future of travel) and Travel Tales (first-person travel stories). Unpacked by Afar is part of Airwave Media’s podcast network. To advertise, contact advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beyond the Canals: An Insider’s Guide to Amsterdam’s Real Neighborhoods

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Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most overtouristed cities—but it’s also so much more than the crowds in the city center suggest. On this episode of Unpacked—part of Afar’s ongoing Off the Tourist Trail series—host Aislyn Greene is joined by journalist Blane Bachelor, who moved to Amsterdam during the pandemic and has spent years navigating life as a resident. She shares how to experience the real Amsterdam—the neighborhoods, restaurants, and rhythms that exist just beyond the tourist-packed city center.     In this episode, you’ll learn  •       Why Amsterdam’s overtourism problem is really concentrated in just a few city-center neighborhoods—and how to avoid them  •       The best neighborhoods to stay in, including the artsy Noord and the very-Dutch Oost  •       When to visit for fewer crowds: the Amsterdam Light Festival in November and King’s Day in April  •       How to experience the Red Light District (De Wallen) thoughtfully and with historical context  •       The unwritten rules of cycling in Amsterdam—and why this is not the place to shake off the cobwebs  •       Where locals actually eat and drink, including a 17th-century gilded unicorn and a cash-only Dutch bar     Episode chapters  00:00 Introduction  04:30 Amsterdam's overtourism problem  12:00 Best neighborhoods to stay in: Oost and Noord  15:00 Best times to visit  21:00 Where to stay: hotels vs. Airbnb  24:30 First-timer tips for the Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum  29:00 Navigating the Red Light District (De Wallen)  40:30 Dutch culture: directness, English fluency, and learning a few words  43:00 Cycling in Amsterdam: rules, etiquette, and survival tips       Resources  •       Read Blaine’s Amsterdam Off the Beaten Path story on afar.com  •       Follow Blaine’s Dutch adventures on Instagram  •       Check out our Iceland and England Off the Tourist Trail episodes     Where to Stay  •       Rosewood Amsterdam — The last hotel to be built in Amsterdam due to overtourism restrictions  •       Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht — Playful Dutch-designed interiors; canal-view rooms feel like you’re on the water  •       The Hoxton, Amsterdam — Two locations; the Eastern Docklands outpost is a local favorite  •       Hotel Arena — In Oost; known for its exceptional weekend brunch buffet     What to Do  •       Anne Frank House — Book immediately; tickets drop every Tuesday at 10 AM Amsterdam time, six weeks out  •       Rijksmuseum — Check for evening hours for a slightly less hectic visit  •       Prostitution Information Centre (De Wallen) — A thoughtful entry point into De Wallen’s history and culture  •       Vintage salon boat canal tours — Go small and guided; avoid the large party “buses”  •       Amsterdam Light Festival — November–January; illuminated art along the canals  •       King’s Day (Koningsdag) — April 27; street markets, orange everything, genuinely local vibe  •       Free ferries from Amsterdam Centraal to Noord — Walk or ride your bike on; no ticket needed  •       Tulip fields near Keukenhof — View from the field edges in spring; don’t walk into the flowers  •       SAIL Amsterdam 2030 — The world’s largest maritime event, returning in 2030     Stay Connected  •       Sign up for Behind the Mic, our podcast newsletter with episode news and behind-the-scenes details.  •       Also from Afar: View From Afar (the future of travel) and Travel Tales (first-person travel stories).     Unpacked by Afar is part of Airwave Media’s podcast network. To advertise, contact advertising@airwavemedia.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unpacked by Afar is your weekly guide to where to go, how to travel, and everything worth unpacking in between. Each week, host Aislyn Greene and the Afar team travel the world and dig into the big questions behind every great trip, from the best new hotels and national parks to traveling more responsibly. Some weeks we follow a story through music, food, and culture. Others we tackle a tricky topic, share our favorite destinations, or help you plan where to go next. Because the travel world is complicated. We're here to help you unpack it.

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