Living in a small country like Belgium allows me to travel abroad easily, as everything is relatively nearby. Our neighbouring country, the Netherlands, is, for that reason, a fun destination. By train, I’m in Amsterdam in less than two hours.
I decided to do a little trip around the Netherlands by train. From Antwerp to Amsterdam, to The Hague, to Rotterdam, back home to Antwerp. 4 nights and 5 days.
Table of contents
48 hours in Amsterdam
Arriving for day 1
My first stop on the trip was Amsterdam. At around 10:50 am, I arrived by train at the Amsterdam Zuid station. It’s a business district that sometimes provides excellent street photography opportunities.
So for a bit I strolled around the neighbourhood, looking for any opportunities. However, it seemed like a quiet period, as not many people were present. I then continued my walk to the city center.
My hotel, No. 377 House, was near the Rijksmuseum. I headed in that direction to see if I could check in already, or at least leave my bag there.
On my way, I passed through the beautiful Vondelpark, a massive park in Amsterdam.
I could already check in. I took a quick shower while my phone was charging. Then I headed out again for some more street photography. Passing the homo monument, looking for photo opportunities, and passing the Dam for pigeon feeding photo opportunities.
Rijksmuseum and evening walk in Amsterdam
I then headed for the Rijkmuseum, because I had a ticket reserved for 3 pm.
It’s essential to make reservations in advance for the Rijksmuseum, so if you want to visit, be sure to head to the website and reserve your spot.
Anyway, after my visit, I roamed around Amsterdam some more to do street photography, with plenty of photo opportunities presenting themselves.
I ended the day with ramen noodles at Umamoi Ramen near the Leidse plein.
Day 2 in Amsterdam: Van Gogh and FOAM
In the morning, I went for coffee and a fantastic ham and cheese croissant at Bakery Simon Meijsen. From there, I visited the Van Gogh Museum—another popular place to visit in Amsterdam.
The Van Gogh is very popular, so make sure to book your visit in advance!
From the Van Gogh Museum, I walked around a bit until I reached the FOAM museum (Foto Amsterdam). There were some interesting exhibitions from Ajamu X, the Curiel Sisters, and the Ondergedoken Camera.
Anyway, it was nearly lunchtime at that time, so I strolled around again to De Deli near Artis to have a pulled pork sandwich. And then a bit further to the Brouwerij ‘t IJ for a beer.
World Press Photography exhibition
With another detour, I arrived at the Dam again. It’s a square where lots of people gather. And there’s a flock of pigeons always there. Perfect to make photos of people feeding them or of kids making them fly up.
Sitting there, I spotted the Nieuwe Kerk, an old church that now hosts the World Press Photography exhibitions. I decided to go in and have a look.
Cheesecake, fish& chips, and breakfast
From there, I went to the hotel to relax for a minute. On my way there, I passed by The Cheesecake Project and decided to have a piece. After my short hotel stop, I wandered around again to the restaurant De Bazel for a delicious fish & Chips.
After another night in Amsterdam, I checked out of my hotel room, went to Screaming Beans for a coffee and a cinnamon roll, and then headed to the Central Station to take the train to The Hague.
More things to do in Amsterdam
Ofcourse, I only did a small part of all the things Amsterdam has to offer. For me, it was essential to visit a few museums, to relax, and to do some street photography. But you’re priorities might differ.
Museums and places to visit in Amsterdam
- Eye Filmmuseum: exhibitions and movie screenings
- Anne Frank Huis: the house where Anne Frank went into hiding
- De Nieuwe Kerk: This historic church on Dam Square hosts a diverse range of exhibitions and cultural events.
- Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam: A grand 17th-century palace, it’s one of the Dutch Royal House’s official residences and open to visitors.
- Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder: Discover a hidden 17th-century Catholic church concealed within a canal house.
- NEMO Science Museum: This interactive, ship-shaped museum makes learning about science and technology engaging for all ages.
- Het Scheepvaartmuseum: Explore Dutch maritime history in a former naval storehouse, featuring a replica East Indiaman.
- Museum Rembrandthuis: Visit the meticulously restored former home and studio of the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn.
- H’ART Museum: This collaborative art institution showcases international exhibitions from renowned museums worldwide.
- Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam: Dedicated to photography, Foam presents dynamic exhibitions from established and emerging artists.
- Huis Marseille, Museum voor Fotografie: The first photography museum in the Netherlands, housed in a beautiful canal-side mansion.
- Rijksmuseum: Home to an unparalleled collection of Dutch masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
- Van Gogh Museum: Houses the most extensive collection of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings and drawings, providing an in-depth look at his artistic journey.
- Vondelpark: Amsterdam’s largest and most famous city park, perfect for relaxation and recreation.
- Canal cruise: Experience Amsterdam’s iconic waterways from a unique perspective, admiring historic gabled houses.
- Red Light District: Amsterdam’s oldest neighborhood, known for legal prostitution alongside historic architecture and lively streets.
- Damrak: This bustling avenue connects Centraal Station to Dam Square, offering a mix of striking architecture and stunning views of the canals.
- Dam Square: The historic heart of Amsterdam, surrounded by major landmarks and a vibrant hub of activity.
- De Negen Straatjes: A charming labyrinth of streets filled with unique boutiques, vintage shops, and cozy cafes.
- Bloemenmarkt: The world’s only floating flower market, offering a vibrant array of flowers and bulbs.
- The Canals: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Amsterdam’s intricate canal network is a defining feature of its picturesque charm.
24 hours in The Hague
My time in The Hague was a bit too short, also, because I was already tired from my time in Amsterdam, if I’m honest. But I did try to make the best of it.
It started with a lunch at Bartine when I arrived in The Hague. It’s a coffee and lunch spot I can recommend, as it was all delicious.
Near the Binnenhof is a tall tower that you can visit for free. It’s nice to go up and have a vantage point over the entire city.
Then I continued to my hotel: Kobalt. It’s a cosy boutique hotel I enjoyed staying at a lot. From there, I continued to the Photography Museum. There were great exhibitions on:
- Lucas Foglia with Constant Bloom about migration
- Randa Mirza with BEIRUTOPIA
- Moerwijk Forever
After some more roaming around the city, I ended up for dinner at Dexsels. It’s kind of a tapas/food-sharing restaurant. I recommend the Tuna tartar, Kung Pao cauliflower, and pork belly.
More things to do in The Hague
I should return to The Hague, as there is so much more to do.
- Antique and Book Market every Thursday and Saturday: Find unique antiques, curiosities, and books at this charming outdoor market
- Voorhout Monumentaal sculpture walk: An open-air exhibition of contemporary sculptures along the historic Lange Voorhout.
- Fotomuseum Den Haag: Diverse historical and contemporary photography exhibitions.
- De Mesdag Collectie: Hendrik Willem Mesdag’s former home, featuring a notable collection of 19th-century art.
- Haags Historisch Museum: The Hague’s rich history through engaging exhibits.
- Mauritshuis: Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, including “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” in this intimate museum.
48 hours in Rotterdam
Day 1 in Rotterdam
Upon arrival in Rotterdam, I roamed around for a bit, but then headed to my hotel to drop off my backpack. I couldn’t check in just yet, but leaving my bag there was no problem.
For the rest of the day, I walked around the Erasmus Bridge, the Markthal, the new surf pool installed in the city, and the city center in general.
Then for dinner I had some dumplings at Uncle Wang’s in the Markthal. Tummy full, I left for the Battle of the Bands in the city center. Although I didn’t understand the evening’s schedule, I soon left again. Getting ice cream at De Ijssalon along the way.
Day 2: Rotterdam Unlimited and museums
At the start of day 2, I headed to Harvest, a great breakfast bar I can highly recommend. Though go early, as it’s crowded.
Next, I visited the Depot Van Museum Boijmans en Beuningen, a large art depot open to the public. The building alone is fascinating to look at. Make reservations for a museum for this visit.
Then it was time for Rotterdam Unlimited. It’s this big Carnaval event in the city. And there’s a big crowd to watch every year. For the entire afternoon, you can see floats drive through the city with all types of music and Carnaval dresses.
From there on, I had poffertjes (a Dutch delicacy) at the Markthal and went to the new Fenix museum. It’s a beautiful art museum worth your time. It features a fascinating construction on the roof that you can visit, offering a unique vantage point over the city’s skyline.
From there, it was time to end my trip to the Netherlands again. I collected my bag at the hotel, had a last dinner at Burger Trut near the Central station, and took a train home. Exhausted, happy, and inspired by this trip.
More things to do in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a city that has so much to offer, so if you’re looking to do more in Rotterdam:
- Euromast Tower: The city’s iconic observation tower offers panoramic views of Rotterdam’s skyline and harbor.
- Markthal: This stunning architectural marvel is an indoor food market that also features apartments.
- Cube Houses: These distinctive, tilted, cube-shaped houses represent the city’s innovative architecture.
- Erasmus Bridge: An elegant cable-stayed bridge, it is a key symbol of modern Rotterdam.
- Delfshaven: This historic part of the city is known for having survived the 1940 bombing.
- Fenix Museum: Housed in a restored warehouse, the museum tells powerful stories of migration and human resilience.
- Depot Van Museum Boijmans en Beuningen: The world’s first publicly accessible art depot, it provides a behind-the-scenes look at the collection.
- Feyenoord Museum: The museum in De Kuip stadium explores the history of Rotterdam’s beloved football club.
- Nederlands Fotomuseum: The Dutch photography collection features a diverse range of historical and contemporary works.
- Maritiem Museum Rotterdam: The museum is dedicated to the history of the port of Rotterdam and the country’s maritime past.
- Kunsthal Rotterdam: This striking building hosts a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions.
- Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam: A fascinating collection of natural history, including skeletons and taxidermy, is on display here.
My street photography lessons and experiences of this trip
Five days and four nights provided me with plenty of time to try things and learn. So ofcourse I got some lessons and reminders for myself regarding street photography.
1. Phase out the ‘should I make it’ and try to make it an instinct
There were many times when I wasn’t sure whether to take the photo. It’s a thought I need to bend. Just take the picture. Go for it; if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. It’s better to have an imperfect photo than no photo
With the couple looking at the view, I hesitated for a second before taking the photo. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take it. With the man in red, I had the proper thought: “Just make the photo even if you don’t like the composition just yet”.
2. Just ask, people usually don’t mind
If you see a scene and there’s no way to capture it without disturbing the scene, just ask the people involved. Ask if it’s okay to take the picture. Chances are, they say yes. Often, they don’t mind. You might even make a connection and have them follow you (so you can send them the picture)
3. Back-button focus is a game-changer
I only got into back-button focus this year. I was reluctant to accept the benefits. It seems I couldn’t understand the benefits. However, after attending a workshop, I did try it seriously. And it’s a great addition to my skill set now.
I don’t think I could have made photos like this one without it.
4. Keep your ears open and camera ready
While walking around, keep your ears open and your camera within easy reach. I was taking the train from Amsterdam to The Hague. Upon arriving at the train station, I saw some people dressed for Tomorrowland.
Then I heard loud applause and cheers. Instantly, I knew it had to be related to the Tomorrowland people, so I headed to the noise and started snapping photos. There was a special TML train, with people finding their seats, and some individuals dressed up in the theme.
5. Insects are part of the streets, too
While walking around Amsterdam, I noticed they have so many flowers on their porches. This means there are also many insects. And then it clicked for me, why can’t I do some (macro) street photography about them?
So, what are your (street photography) experiences for Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam?