AWAY FROM THE WAFFLE WAVERS

In the centre of Amsterdam – however lovely – it is hard to avoid the waffle waving Insta-crowds, TikTok-queus and kamikaze bikes. Fortunately there are some very good alternatives if you are looking for an authentic Dutch experience. Like the township of Weesp: an independent little city just a 12 minute train ride outside of Amsterdam.

The same as Amsterdam, but blessfully different

Weesp (pronounced ‘waisp’) became an official part of the Amsterdam municipality after a referendum held in 2022. It falls under the Amsterdam council and mayor, and the Weesper townfolk have the same relaxed and humorous attitude as the Amsterdammers.

A REAL Dutch town at a 12 minute
train ride from Amsterdam

Weesp has a river, a small harbour and canals lined with 17th-century gabled houses. Plus some drawbridges and a beer brewery in a neogothic church! Just like Amsterdam centre, but with a couple of big-ass windmills thrown in for good measure.

Weesp feels like Amsterdam, but much more compact and less touristy. This makes it an excellent alternative destination, where you can experience the real Dutch life in an Amsterdamesque setting. Including the taste of typical local food, like raw herring, fried cod, a meat ragout croquette or a cheese-and-beer tasting. We have the same highlights as Amsterdam, but without the crazy stuff.

For me as a tour guide Amsterdam is Disneyfied

I say ‘we’ because I live in Weesp. Born in this region, studied in Amsterdam, worked as a tour guide out of Amsterdam, had my first office as a freelance copywriter in Weesp and – after a 25 year stint in France – have now returned to Weesp. Since I’m quite happy here and also love to be a guide, I’ve decided to share my new home with people from abroad. Not the modern ‘disneyfied’ Amsterdam, but the Amsterdam of yore. The Amsterdam I used to love, and that I have found again in the burrough of Weesp.

Would you like me to take you away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam and show you how the Dutch really live? Contact me and we’ll create a custom itinerary for you.

Oh, you still absolutely definitively want to taste some stroopwafels? Okay. We’ll go Dutch and share a packet from the local HEMA. Almost as good, for a fraction of the price.

And that is exactly the way the stingy Dutch like them!