Having had a few requests for trip advice for fans coming to the Netherlands, I thought I’d put a little something together and make myself useful for a change. I have 3 main sections here – general travel advice, food and drink and things to do. The Netherlands is a great, and underrated place, and I hope everyone comes and has a great time.
Travel basics
First off, the Dutch love a rule and they’re a picky bunch at times. At present, you should have a year left before your passport expires and whilst most people don’t care about that, the Dutch do. Family members of mine have been turned away at the airport despite having more than 6 months left (but less than 12 months) on their passport. I’m sure it won’t happen to everyone, but just a heads up.
Schipol airport is also a mess at the minute due to strikes. Be prepared to wait a while to have your passport checked after you land. Also, when you return home via Schipol, security queues are a nightmare. Arrive early. Loads of stuff isn’t open at the airport either at different times, food and drink wise, so be prepared for that too.
There are also issues around baggage getting from the plane to the carousel and it is a long process due to strikes. If you can travel just with hand luggage I would, and if your airline offer you to put your hand luggage in the hold for no extra cost, I’d say no too.
Finally, when you get out and into the main part of the airport there’s a train station built under the airport. Go to a yellow ticket machine and if you’re here for a few days get an OV chipkaart. You have to pay €10 for the card but it will have some money on it when you get it. You can top it up and it makes travel cheaper. If you’re here for more than 2 days, I’d get one as a day pass without the card is 7 euro. It works on all trains, trams and busses across the Netherlands.
Drinking
The good stuff – drinking. The Dutch love a beer and if you’re into it, craft beer is popular. Most bars will have a big bottle and can selection, beyond what they offer on draft. There’s also plenty of cider options generally speaking, but in bottles. The Dutch cider is called Apple Bandit although there are others (Bear Cider for example) but are less widely available.
The big name beers will be on draft in most places but I’d suggest trying some local beers because they’re class. You’ll have to ask for a large though if you want a pint. Most places will just give you a half.
Food
Food options aren’t the most varied in the Netherlands and the Dutch food, is drinking food. Loads of places will do you bowls of cheese and other snacks if you ask. The best stuff is bitterballen (meat and gravy in breadcrumbs), gahaktballen (massive Dutch meatballs) and frikandel which is Dutch hotdogs.
Things to do
“Things to do” is pretty broad I must admit. Mainly because travelling around is super easy and not expensive. If you’re staying for a few days, The Hague, Haarlem, Utrecht, Leiden and Delft are great towns/cities and very easy on the eye. If anyone wants advice or info on any of these places, just send me a DM on twitter.
As the Netherlands is so small, none of these places are more than an hour from each other and are very walkable when you’re there. The Hague is much more than the justice courts! It’s by the beach and there’s a load of beach bars which are great. Utrecht is a student city so it’s fairly cheap by Dutch standards and is a lot of fun. Leiden, Delft and Haarlem are smaller but classic dutch places. Windmills, big squares, and canals everywhere.
If you’re into it, Haarlem is home to what I think are the best two breweries in the Netherlands. Jopen is brewed in the town and their bar is in a converted Church (search Jopen Kerk to find it so you don’t go to an industrial estate and to the bar!). Plus the Ultje brewery is based there and has a cafe with all it’s drinks on draft. Haarlem is 15 mins from Amsterdam on the train.
Amsterdam
On the basis that most will stay in Amsterdam I’d recommend:
A boat trip around the city. Don’t use the ones by the central station, as they’re expensive. Look elsewhere for pickup locations and it’ll be cheaper. A bit of googling will give you a lot of options. Most will give you a great tour of the city by water and you’ll be able to take your own food and drink on. It’s a great way to see the city.
Aside from the obvious “attractions” I’d suggest going to Westerpark. You can walk or cycle easily. Boris bikes are easily accessible and also can be paid for using the OV Chipkaart. There’s some lovely bars and breweries there.
On the streets around it and heading back to the city centre, there are some hipster sort of areas with loads of Brown Bars. These are the Dutch equivalent of the American dive bar. Loads of wood everywhere, cheap and cheerful and often cash only. I’ll not make too many specific suggestions as there’s so many options, but I would visit Bier Fabreik. It’s a place which just does chicken and chips pretty much (it’s immense) but also is a microbrewery and has lush beers.
Aside from the obvious, there’s also some great stuff to do. If you’re interested, the Anne Frank house is fascinating and moving (you’ll have to book) and the Esher museum/gallery is also good. My best tip is to stray from the beaten path a little and explore the squares a little further from the centre. Between floating markets and bars on barges, you will have a great time.
Rotterdam
For the match day or those staying in Rotterdam, my best advice is walk from the train station for about 10 mins and then start looking for a bar! Mainly business stuff or chains in that immediate area. If you walk to the river near the famous Erasmus bridge, there’s loads of nice places nearby with mini harbours and often bars right on the water plus some boat bars if they’re open.
The best eating and drinking area, and where I’m heading on match day is called Witte de Withstraat. Pedestrianised, loads of great options and some great streets/squares off it too.
The 23 tram will take you to the stadium from the central station although there are others on different lines from elsewhere which can also get you there. There’s a train station literally next to the ground so once you get to De Kuip you’ll be fine. The tram stop is called “Stadion Feijenoord” and the main train stop is called “Rotterdam Stadion”.
A word of warning, from my best research, there is only 1 train back to Amsterdam directly from the ground after the match – 11.19pm. From central Rotterdam back to Amsterdam there are night trains every hour, on the hour, starting at 1am. Tram 23 runs from the stadium into the city centre every 20 minutes until midnight. After that, it’s 5.23 am!
Final tip
My final piece of advice around the game itself is that on my previous visits to the ground for Feyenoord games, they have Feyenoord tokens to buy things which you have to purchase when you’re there, instead of cash or card bars. I don’t know if this will be in operation on Tuesday, but bare it in mind. They also have normal beer, 2% beer and 0% beer but it’s not abundantly clear which is which! Make sure you’re getting the good stuff!
Enjoy the trip, and I hope to meet some of you out there. Keep an eye out for the Coleman Had A Dream flag! Any issues when you’re out here, feel free to send us a DM on Twitter. Dai