Amsterdam-The Hague

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Travel Amsterdam-The Hague

Amsterdam is known for its unique mix of history, culture, and liberal spirit. Its canal ring is UNESCO-listed with 17th-century golden age architecture.
My purpose of this trip was to go to my first Mirchifest in August 2025, which is the Ultimate Desi music festival in The Hague, but I couldn’t go and not explore all that Amsterdam has to offer. A quick, affordable 4-day trip packed with adventure.
Daytime temperatures in August reach a comfortable 21-22°C, with nighttime temperatures cooling down to 12-15°C. The temperature is perfect to walk around Amsterdam in the day; however, pack a light jumper or hoodie for the evenings it can feel a little cool.

Hotel Overview: Hotel CC

  • Hotel: Hotel CC
  • Star Rating: 3-star budget-friendly
  • Location: Amsterdam City Centre
  • Distance from Airport: Approx 16-minute train
  • Date of Visit: August 2025
  • Travel Style: budget-friendly, friends, solo travel
  • Best For: Friends, families, and solo travellers, budget-conscious
  • Approximate Cost: 3-day stay in July 2026, 2 adults: approx £913 total per room (Cost via Booking.com)
  • Flight Time from the UK: Approx 1 hour
  • Located in central Amsterdam
  • Walking distance from Amsterdam Central
  • Perfect location for sightseeing on foot
  • Budget-friendly and 24-hour front desk
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Getting to Amsterdam

There are multiple options for travelling to the Netherlands: you can drive, take the Eurostar, or fly. I have a nerdy love for planes, so I will always pick that. Many UK airports fly direct to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), such as London Heathrow, Gatwick, Liverpool, London City, Edinburgh, and many more, served by airlines like British Airways, easyJet, KLM & Ryanair. The flight time from London is approximately 50 minutes.

Once you arrive at Amsterdam Airport, make your way to the train station at the airport. From here, you can tap your contactless (just like London) and get the train to Amsterdam Central (about 16 mins, direct). It’s the quickest and cheapest way to get to the city centre.

We picked a hotel that was within walking distance and in a central location to avoid needing to get taxis. Amsterdam has a strong cycle culture, so be careful when you're walking around.

Getting to Amsterdam

There are multiple options for travelling to the Netherlands: you can drive, take the Eurostar, or fly. I have a nerdy love for planes, so I will always pick that. Many UK airports fly direct to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), such as London Heathrow, Gatwick, Liverpool, London City, Edinburgh, and many more, served by airlines like British Airways, easyJet, KLM & Ryanair. The flight time from London is approximately 50 minutes.

Once you arrive at Amsterdam Airport, make your way to the train station at the airport. From here, you can tap your contactless (just like London) and get the train to Amsterdam Central (about 16 mins, direct). It’s the quickest and cheapest way to get to the city centre.

We picked a hotel that was within walking distance and in a central location to avoid needing to get taxis. Amsterdam has a strong cycle culture, so be careful when you're walking around.

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First Impressions of the Hotel & Room

The hotel is located on a cobblestone street; it is definitely in a central location. The hotel website does come with a warning of noise and elevators only available for the first 5 floors. Our room was on the main strip, and we didn’t find the noise disturbing, but we may have been exhausted from the 27,000 steps we did in one day.

Our room was small but perfect for staying 2 nights. You are not in the room for long, so cheap and cheerful it is. Note the hotel doesn't provide toiletries, so bring your own.

Because of its location, breakfast, lunch & dinner are easily available. We didn't book anywhere in advance; my best tip is to walk around and see what you are feeling. Down the canals, there are many breakfast stops, perfect for breakfast outside.

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amsterdam & the hague 2025

Things to Do During the Day & Night

Anne Frank Museum:
You can't visit Amsterdam and not go to the Anne Frank Museum. Book in advance as tickets sell out quickly. If you do miss out, you can get tickets on Tuesday morning, as they release a selected number of tickets.

Canal Cruise:

  • Perfect way to see Amsterdam
  • Affordable, ranging from £15-£35 depending on your preference
  • Water is calm and flat, making it suitable for those who get motion sickness
  • Our canal cruise came with drinks

Red Light District:

  • The best time to go is after the sun sets
  • Plenty of people in the area, including police, so it feels safe

And just like that, we are off to The Hague (Den Haag). Also famed for being the International City of Peace & Justice.

House of Rituals:

  • Flagship concept store
  • Features a body spa, mind spa, brain and meditation massages, and LED light therapy
  • On-site restaurant serving Arabic-Asian cuisine
  • Great if you are a Rituals fan

Cheeky Treat in Amsterdam:

  • Famous cookie shop
  • Sell only one type of cookie
  • Can be a queue, but moves fast

Don't forget to try their Stroopwafels and Dutch chips.

Getting to The Hague

A direct train from Amsterdam Central to Den Haag takes around 40 minutes. They have double-decker trains, which is a fun experience. Again, getting the train is much more cost-effective and time-saving. Taxis can be expensive.

The train journey is scenic, and depending on the time of year, you may even see the famous Tulip fields.

Staying in The Hague

We wanted a hotel that was close to the train station and Zuiderpark, where Mirchifest is held. We landed with Mecure Den Haag, which, since our stay, is now called TRIBE Den Haag Centraal. The hotel is within walking distance of Den Haag Central station, a 15-minute taxi to Zuiderpark, and a few minutes walk from the town centre & De Passage.

The hotel is clean & comfortable with a 4-star rating, exactly what you need during a festival.

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Things to Do During the Day

De Passage

  • 9-minute walk from the hotel
  • Grand, glass-roofed shopping centre
  • Great for shopping lovers
  • Baby version of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Binnenhof Viewpoint

  • 4-minute walk from De Passage
  • Great viewpoint to see Den Haag
  • Free, no ticket or booking needed
  • The higher up you get it feels wobbly in the wind
  • Lots of stairs - great for the gluteus maximus

Best Restaurants & Bars in Malta

  • Hotel: Bagel & Beans Spui
  • Perfect spot for breakfast or lunch
  • Fresh bagels
  • Gluten-free and vegetarian options available
  • Hotel: Salsa Shop
  • 2-minute walk to the train station, 6-minute walk from the hotel
  • Fresh Mexican food
  • Gluten-free option available
  • Eat in or take away – I recommend eating in

Final Thoughts

Amsterdam is beautiful and definitely worth a visit. It is so close to London with easy travel routes, so a few days will be enough. There is a sense of calm living, canal life, and beautiful architecture.

Be prepared to do lots of walking, so bring comfortable shoes. Don't forget to try the Stro
The Hague was nice, but if I wasn't going to the music festival, I probably wouldn't go back; there isn’t much to do there. For both cities, I would recommend walking around. You will bump into little shops, cafes, and restaurants that you will miss otherwise.

Gallery of Our Amsterdam The Hague
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