Exploring and Eating in Zaandam. A Cheaper Alternative to Amsterdam

I eat in and explore the Dutch city of Zaandam and explain why I chose to stay there as opposed to Amsterdam. I showcase my hotel (easyHotel Amsterdam Zaandam) and mention the benefits of the Zaandam Railway Station and how fast and easy it is to travel to Amsterdam. Then I check out and eat at Street Market Rozengracht before I explore the historical home of Peter the Great (Czaar Peterhuisje). After that, I examine the beautiful architecture of the city and the landmark Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam. Finally, I give a brief review of a Dutch McDonald’s and my favorite coffeeshop (De Koffiezaak Hermitage) in Zaandam.
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[@brianjustinmcneely]

Great video and great editing! I am shocked that this does not have more views!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@rx2440]

I've proudly lived my entire life in Zaandam! It definitely is worth the visit. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Jamesnu]

Nice! Yeah, I'm really glad I got to spend some good time in Zaandam and not just Amsterdam, because it was such a nice place!

[@Fyy256]

Is it safe to walk back from train station at late night if I stay here I stand of Amsterdam? Do you have tulips there?

[@rx2440]

@@Fyy256 I would consider it safe, yes. Most hotels are close to the train station too, so that should not be a problem! Of course, like everywhere, use common sense. :) Regarding the tulips, they are usually not around Amsterdam or Zaandam. For that, you should go more to the province of Zuid-Holland around The Hague and Leiden, or the Keukenhof (a flower exhibition). Hope that helps!!

[@kevin7151]

Nice segment James. I worked for a Dutch global firm for about 10 years from 2004. Spent a great deal of time in Amsterdam and The Hague. Seafood was always good. Dutch people are very nice, sincere but very direct. Quite frankly, I like that a great deal. Many things to see and a wonderful culture to explore and see. My life is better given these specific travels. Stay well.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Absolutely! While my time was far more limited in the Netherlands, I agree. It's a wonderful country with so much to offer!

[@farmecologist3395]

Great video! We will be visiting Amsterdam in July '23 and we have the same idea you did. Glad to see our idea of staying in Zaandam and taking the train over will work out just fine.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy your trip! Zaandam is definitely a great base to explore Amsterdam from.

[@cynthnyabols3359]

I have so many random facts in my head ... But a place to the tid bit is great! It looks like a cartoon. 😍

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, it's such a unique looking city!

[@peggy-jaynejordaan1959]

Geweldig om Zaandam weer te zien video dit kanaal.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@markies74]

The Zaanse Schans is also very close to Zaandam. Only a few minutes by train and a 10 min walk and you can see all the windmills. I am from Zaandam and it is very nice to see how you liked it overhere.

[@Jamesnu]

Absolutely! I took a trip to Zaanse Schans as well and really enjoyed it there. The whole area is beautiful!

[@jessicayates6828]

How far by train?

[@markies74]

@@jessicayates6828 from Zaandam Station to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station is 5 minutes. From there it is a 10 minute walk to Zaanse Schans.

[@s_przybylowicz]

That one area looks like you're in a land of delightful little dollhouses!

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, it was a magical place!

[@judemahandog2575]

Thank you for this review! You're a lifesaver! I can't find a decent hotel in Amsterdam within my budget. Looking forward to more of your videos :)

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! I had the same problem until I found out about Zaandam. It's so easy to get to Amsterdam from there. Plus, it's much quieter in Zaandam at night, which made getting a good night's sleep not that much of a challenge as opposed to Amsterdam, where some sections can get pretty loud.

[@rachfish]

Even though this video is several months old, I had to comment on the loempia. I knew immediately what they were as my former sister-in-law is Filipino. Hers usually came with minced pork or small shrimp. 😋

[@Jamesnu]

Nice! It was really tasty!

[@2Wheels_NYC]

Looks beautiful, definitely on my list!

[@Jamesnu]

It's definitely a unique place to visit!

[@tomahern8967]

Looks like an amazing place! I guess their McDonald’s taste the same as ours! Keep up the good work!

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, it was very impressive looking! The McDonald's was interesting. I sometimes like trying restaurants that I'm used to in the US and seeing how they compare abroad.

[@justaguyonyoutube1184]

How did they compare?

[@MariskaArbeidsdeskundige]

I was born here and never saw that as a benefit. It is an industrial city, blue colar, small. Interesting for tourist is the Zaanse Schans. The good thing is, a a part from inflation, there are no tourist prices. Happy to see that you liked it. The Dam, where you saw the statue of Peter, has some nice restaurants.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for the comment! I really enjoyed Zaandam and I even got to go to Zaanse Schans later in my trip, which I also really liked!

[@brodypilcher3643]

Man that place did look very nice…I had to stop and do a goog search about Peter the great😅…good job buddy

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! It's such a unique and special looking place. Yeah, my extent of knowledge on Peter the Great was only hearing his name in the past.

[@iamcharlemagne]

Awesome video! I will be staying in Zaandam next month. Do you have a recommendation on which public transportation card to get for a 6 day visit?

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I got the anonymous ov-chipkaart and that worked well for me. I was there for about 2 weeks.

[@ambtenaar]

You tried some real dutch street food staples in Zaandam. You can find these foods at almost all dutch produce markets. Glad you liked them!

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, they were great! I especially loved that kibbeling! I really ate well on my trip!

[@jaffarabidi]

Last month I was there, I love this town. Lived in easy hotel, such a great time there. Will be back soon IA

[@Jamesnu]

@@jaffarabidi Awesome! Yeah, it's a great place for sure!

[@DiDi-qu7eo]

What a cool looking town!

[@Jamesnu]

It's a really neat place!

[@luizfelipemaavelar]

loved the tip!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@dannystarre-fn4hd]

thanks for visiting my hometown

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! I really had a great time there!

[@BMACTX]

Great review! 👍🏼

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@denisedoos4667]

What a nice video, you stepped out of the comfortzone of only seeing the Inntel hotel area and visited the former home of Czaar Peter the great 😉 Whenever staying in Zaandam again and when you are interested, drop me a line and I'll get you a bicycle and show you some other interesting places(not just the Zaanse schans, that's at 20 minutes on bicycle.) Again, nice video!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! That's very kind of you!

[@Fyy256]

After Watch your video I decided to stay at zaandam too. Is it safe to walk from Zaandam train station to hotel after a day trip to Amsterdam in late night?

[@Jamesnu]

I believe so. I always felt safe there no matter the time of the day.

[@TuckerSP2011]

I think I would enjoy Zaandam more than Amsterdam. Its calmer, clean and the architecture is so enjoyable.

[@Jamesnu]

It's definitely a place worth visiting!

[@sunnybeachwalks4k2022]

I’ve been here before, love it there, I spent a few months there and amsterdam ❤ are you going to have more videos in Amsterdam

[@Jamesnu]

Nice! Yeah, both are beautiful places and I had such a great time there! Yeah, I should have about two more videos with Amsterdam, but there will be a lot of NYC stuff in between.

[@sunnybeachwalks4k2022]

@@Jamesnu I checked your channel and I saw your Amsterdam videos I’ve not seen before, I’m watching them now! I have been to amsterdam/ Holland over 10 times and Rotterdam, The Hague, Maastricht. Love the channel keep up the great work !

[@Jamesnu]

@@sunnybeachwalks4k2022 Thank you! Yeah, I've been spreading those videos out since most seem to watch me for my NYC stuff. Indeed! There are so many beautiful places in that country. I can see why you've returned! I definitely want to go back and see some of the other cities outside of Amsterdam.

[@sunnybeachwalks4k2022]

@@Jamesnu yeah I’m from London we used to drive to Holland all the time, now I live in spain 💕

[@Jamesnu]

@@sunnybeachwalks4k2022 Nice! Well, Spain is a great country too! It's probably my favorite place for food!

[@hanifmadras7016]

Wonderful

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching!

[@borispeper6981]

Every time we go to the Netherlands, first thing we hit is the Kibbeling- car. 😋

[@Jamesnu]

Nice! Yeah, that was so good! I wish there was Kibbeling in NYC.

[@borispeper6981]

@@Jamesnu Maybe it is yours to bring Kibbeling to NYC?!

[@Jamesnu]

@Boris Peper Haha! Well, I know people here would really enjoy it if they tried it.

[@KEMET1971]

That building is surprisingly small considering Tsar Peter was very tall ... about six feet eight inches.

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed! It was tiny! I wasn't expecting it to be that small.

[@traveladdict4884]

If only the room had an alarm clock?? What year did you film this?

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, that would've helped, but my phone was a decent alternative. I filmed this in October of 2022.

[@petraboontjes4703]

I was born in Amsterdam but i have lived in Zaandam for 29 years. Still prefer Amsterdam although Zaandam is lovely as well.

[@Jamesnu]

Nice! Yeah, it's great that Zaandam is so close to Amsterdam.

[@catalinaayerbe9717]

Hello I know your trip was almost a year ago but can you please let me know how much cost the train ticket from zaandam to Amsterdam central? Thanks for the nice video

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! I remember it didn't cost very much. I think it was around $3 US dollars for a ticket.

[@johnmc6090]

I would suggest buying 1st class tickets as the trains can get really busy at times ,but not many Dutch people bother sitting in the 1st class sections even though it's only a couple euro difference in price ,you'll be pretty guaranteed a seat on every train😉

[@Pressplay_Media_EU]

Loempia I remember in Purmerend. *_Purmerend is mijn allerliefste stad van het Nederland en ik wil wonen daar wel gewoon. het is mijn Destiny om in Purmerend te leven gewoon_* . or at least visit often

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching!

[@richardgelber2740]

Was there any fish in the market?

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, there were a couple of fish sellers. Everything there looked really good! I really enjoy checking out markets like it and seeing what local producers have on offer.

[@ichbinlot8100]

because of this video..i will choose zaandam..

[@Jamesnu]

It's a great place!

[@jessicayates6828]

What month did you go?

[@Jamesnu]

I went there in October. It was really nice!

[@FoodMaster64]

Can you like teleport these food here to NYC. 😂 I'm getting hungry here.

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! I wish! I didn't expect that I would enjoy the food as much as I did.

[@TheWallynl]

Im from zaandam ❤

[@Jamesnu]

Nice! It's a beautiful place!

[@NoahEats]

They don't have a restroom around?

[@Jamesnu]

Maybe they do, but I knew it wouldn't have been too difficult to go back up to my room for it.

[@MariskaArbeidsdeskundige]

@@Jamesnu @ store Hema on the top floor is a restaurant. On the square with the statue of Peter, you can you use the restroom of the restaurants. Sometimes the ask for 50ct.

[@zoroschild]

Next time go to poelenburg

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep it in mind for next time.

[@blablaruc9414]

u need an alarm clock? what abt the alarm on ur phone?:-p

[@Jamesnu]

I just like being able to quickly look at the time while I'm in bed without having to reach for my phone. It's not really about the alarm.

[@sellingtowinselling3876]

Alarm clock? is this 1970?

[@Jamesnu]

I don't like having to open up my phone when I'm in bed to check the time. A clock is a standard hotel offering and out of the hundreds of hotels that I've stayed at, this was one of the only ones that didn't have a clock.

[@sellingtowinselling3876]

Ill get u a watch for christmas mate.i enjoyed the vid cheers

[@Jamesnu]

@@sellingtowinselling3876 Haha! Thank you!

[@malindahicks4292]

They Could've named it van damme😎😄

[@Jamesnu]

Haha!!😄

[@davidfinley7392]

Lumpia is Filipino

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed.

[@N33M00]

stop panning every shot thx :)

[@Jamesnu]

I'll keep that in mind.

[@pattydemnicki8711]

1 euro = $1.09 US

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed.

[@pattydemnicki8711]

@@Jamesnu i had to Google it 😆 I pray you have a safe travel! God bless you and your family including pets 🙏

[@TagusMan]

Dutch architecture is so hit and miss. That hotel is a striking building but wouldn't call it beautiful. Putting a modern twist on anything usually means taking something beautiful and making it ugly af. Old school is the best school.

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough.