Amsterdam and Rotterdam

A football weekend in the Netherlands had been on our list for ages. The plan was simple: fly over, enjoy a Feyenoord match, catch AZ Alkmaar the next day, and soak up the atmosphere that makes Dutch football so iconic. However, thanks to their progress in European competitions, both fixtures were rescheduled, leaving us with a weekend suddenly free of live football. Thankfully, we had already booked the Ajax stadium tour in Amsterdam, and with a bit of quick thinking, we added the Feyenoord stadium tour in Rotterdam. If you can’t get to a match, a stadium tour is the next best thing, right?

We headed straight to Rotterdam from Schiphol Airport, hopping on a train that took just over 30 minutes. Once we arrived at Rotterdam Centraal, we stored our bags in the luggage lockers tucked beneath platform 16. They’re hidden behind an unassuming door, but well signposted and easy to use. From there, Tram 3 towards Beverwaard was our route to De Kuip. you just need to tap your debit card on the scanner next to the door when you get on and when your alight the tram.

The 20‑minute tram ride gave us a great first look at Rotterdam, a sleek, modern city shaped by water, striking architecture, and a sense of constant reinvention. The Stadion Feyenoord stop drops you almost directly outside the stadium, and after a quick browse in the club shop, we joined our tour group and stepped inside the legendary De Kuip.

The stadium is full of character, atmospheric, and steeped in history. Even without a match on, you can almost feel the roar of the Feyenoord supporters echoing around the stands. Our guide was engaging and clearly passionate, making the two‑hour tour feel relaxed and immersive. We had plenty of time to explore, take photos, and absorb the club’s story.

One of the highlights was the tunnel. It’s decorated with murals celebrating Feyenoord’s trophies and the musicians who have performed at the stadium. Emerging from the tunnel up the steep concrete steps felt dramatic, just watch your footing as you climb.

After the tour, we headed back into Rotterdam to visit two of its most iconic landmarks: the Cube Houses and the Markthal. The Cube Houses are a fascinating architectural experiment, almost like a Dutch cousin to Newcastle’s Byker Wall, but with a surreal, geometric twist. The Markthal, meanwhile, is a feast for the senses. Its curved ceiling is covered in a vibrant mural that changes over time, and the hall itself is packed with food stalls offering everything from Dutch classics to international dishes. It’s the kind of place where you could easily lose an hour just wandering around.

Monday was our Amsterdam day, starting with the Ajax stadium tour at the Johan Cruijff Arena. We’d booked a double deal that included a canal boat tour later in the afternoon, so it made sense to pair the two. Travelling from Zaandam, we took a direct train to Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena and then used the number 54 metro to head back into the city later.

As soon as you step out of the station, the stadium dominates the skyline. It looks like a giant steampunk spaceship, industrial, futuristic, and unmistakably unique. The walk to the entrance takes about five minutes, with the stadium looming overhead the entire way.

The tour itself is unguided, so after signing in, we followed the small Cruyff‑themed signs that lead you through the key areas. One of the most surprising features is that the pitch isn’t at ground level, it sits several storeys up, with a car park beneath it. Walking through the tunnel and up the steps to the pitch gives you a real sense of scale. Inside, the stadium feels compact despite its size, and it’s easy to imagine the atmosphere during an Ajax match.

While we enjoyed the tour, it was noticeably shorter and less personal than the Feyenoord experience. You can explore at your own pace, which is great, but it lacks the warmth and depth of a guided tour. Still, we popped into the club shop, despite the ongoing building work, and picked up the obligatory keyring.

We flew from Newcastle to Amsterdam, with both flights taking less than an hour. For accommodation, we chose Zaandam, a small town just outside the city. Zaandam has undergone a regeneration project that blends modern design with traditional Dutch architectural styles. The central hotel, famous for its stacked‑house façade, is a magnet for social media photos.

We stayed at the Zaan Hotel, conveniently located about 200 yards from the railway station. It was a comfortable base with plenty of amenities nearby. The town itself is quirky and visually interesting, though a little rough around the edges. The trains, however, were excellent: frequent, clean, and incredibly easy to navigate, making travel to Amsterdam and beyond straightforward.

Our weekend in Amsterdam and Rotterdam turned out to be a brilliant trip, even without the football matches we’d originally planned. We spent hours wandering through Amsterdam’s canals, dodging cyclists and trams, and marvelling at the tiny cars parked precariously beside the water. The area around the station is a bit rough, but a short walk takes you into the heart of the canal district, where you’ll find endless food options, shops, and sights.

We indulged in Dutch fries, stroopwafels, and a slice of apple pie and a cup of tea in a glass (?) from a surprisingly quiet Winkel Café. We skipped the viral food spots with long queues; there are plenty of great alternatives without the wait. The canal boat tour was a welcome break for our legs and offered a relaxing way to see the city from a different angle.

Despite missing out on live football, the Ajax and Feyenoord stadium tours made the trip memorable. We’re already planning our return, hopefully next time with a matchday atmosphere thrown in.