Amsterdam Long Weekend March 2023

This was our first visit back to Amsterdam since 2019, in fact it was my first time travelling outside the UK since all the madness of 2020. It was so nice to be in an airport, on a plane and back to exploring one of my favourite places in the world. Amsterdam is my happy place, I feel so calm when I am there. We had never visited in March before, I did miss the tree’s being lush and green, but Amsterdam is pretty no matter the time of year, or the weather.

It is safe to say it we picked the coldest week, it snowed for 2 days, and we had temperatures as low as -4. I just used it as an excuse to stop for more warm drinks and yummy pastries. My friends opened up a Vegan café 2 years ago, and to say I was excited to visit was an understatement. The café is called Margo’s (named after Margo, the owner) and is 100% Vegan. Margo bakes everything each morning, all the pastries, bread and cookies, she is so talented. You have to pop by if you are ever in Amsterdam, even if you are not Vegan, the food is delicious, the BEST croissants, and cakes you will ever try. After 11.30 they have fresh sandwiches and toasties plus coffee, tea and matcha all day long. I am so proud of them and what they have achieved, the café is a delight, and they have built such a lovely, friendly community.

If you have read any of my other Amsterdam Diaries over the years, you will know that I just enjoy exploring, finding new areas to walk in and take photos of all the beautiful buildings and streets. Amsterdam is simply the most extraordinary place to visit, it is charming, pretty, and so easy to explore on foot. Despite the snow and cold temperatures, we were lucky that March was a quiet time of year to visit.

I have eaten at The Vegan Junk Food Bar a few times and always enjoyed it, I had never been to the Reguliersdwarsstraat location and I think this might be my new favourite. I had the kebab and John had the bacon, cheeseburger and chips, delicious, highly recommend. Good-sized portions, friendly staff and very reasonable price.

Spotting the flower bikes that are dotted throughout the city is a fun thing to do, there are not as many as they used to be. They are created by a Dutch man called Warren who started by decorating his wife’s bike, you can see some of his work on his Instagram & his story is inspiring and sad in equal measure.

I have already written a post about where we stayed this time, so if you want to read that, just click here. We usually stay at the same hotel, but decided to try somewhere that has been on my bucket list for a while, it was a treat. I have a few more photos to share, as well as some café and restaurant recommendations, so keep can eye out for that post.

If you have visited Amsterdam, let me know what you love about this City.

Amsterdam Travel Photo Diary Part 2

Crooked Amsterdam Canal Houses

Amsterdam Canal Houses

Amsterdam Travel Photos

Lovely Cafe in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Church

Amsterdam Amstel Canal

Cheese in Amsterdam

Amsterdam the city of bikes

Amsterdam Cafe

Amsterdam The Netherlands

Amsterdam Gin & Tonic

Amsterdam House Boats

Canal Amsterdam

Blooms

Canal Houses in Amsterdam

Mid Morning Tea Break

I could walk up & down the canals in Amsterdam all day & night, they’re so pretty. The canal houses that line them are beautiful and historical. They are all different and are frozen in time, I love them. A few of them are open as museums & one of the best ones I have been in it the Museum Van Loon which has the cutest cafe in the garden where you can sit, relax & it feels like you’re in the countryside.

I’m embarrassed to say I have been to Amsterdam 3 times now & I am yet to ride a bike there, I’m terrible at riding a bike & fear that I may cause myself an injury. I always joke to my husband that we should hire a tandem. I think next time we go I will have to bite the bullet and hire one late at night when the streets are quiet and I can practise. It looks so much fun and you can cover a lot of ground which means I could see more of the city whilst feeling more like a local. Have you ever hired a bike in Amsterdam, if so let me know how you found it.

Oh & if you have time you need to stop by the Poezenboot (Cat Boat). It’s quite a site, especially if you are a cat lover & opposite the catboat there is a cafe called Greenwoods that does the nicest breakfast, they even have Vegan options. It does get very busy but I guarantee it’s worth the wait.

If you do visit the city you must go and have a walk around the streets & canals at night. The bridges are all lit with small lights & even the trees have fairy lights. It feels really romantic & magical.

To see part 1 of my Amsterdam photo diary click here