Whether you’ll be spending one, two, three or more days in Amsterdam, this energetic city has plenty to offer to keep you busy. We’d like to share our recommendations with you to give you a clear idea of what the city can offer you.
One day in Amsterdam
1Stromma Cruise
Amsterdam is all the more spectacular seen from the water. The #1 Canal Cruise in Amsterdam takes you to many of the city’s highlights ...
After ten years of rebuilding, renovation and restoration, the Rijksmuseum has opened its doors again. For the first time in history the museum underwent a complete transformation of both ...
The Van Gogh Museum has the world’s largest collection of paintings, drawings, and letters by famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. This influential artist likely needs no ...
If you have one day to spend in Amsterdam, you could start with a tour of the canals by tourist boat. This will give you a general impression of the city. After the tour you could take a tour of the historic canal-side houses to experience the atmosphere and beautiful architecture of the Amsterdam in the Golden Century. You could grab a bite to eat and have a drink in one of the many characteristically Dutch pubs, or perhaps you’d like to try the local Dutch cuisine: fries and mayonnaise.
After lunch you could visit the Museumplein, where you’ll find the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum - two of the best museums in the world. Having admired the beautiful art exhibited at these museums, you’ll feel revived after a relaxed visit to the nearby Vondelpark or a drink at the Leidseplein. If you have any energy left you could shop till you drop in Amsterdampopular shopping area which stretches from the Leidsestraat to the Kalverstraat.
Should you be in the mood for a delicious evening dinner afterwards, you could head towards Chinatown where you could visit one of the excellent Thai or Chinese restaurants this part of the city is renowned for. After finishing a wonderful meal, you could visit the Red Light District at night to explore this thrilling part of the city. The Red Light District and its atmosphere are considered among the most exciting places Europe has to offer. End this incredible day by visiting the numerous bars and clubs and finishing your day in style.
Two days in Amsterdam
4Anne Frank House
Anne Frank is one of Amsterdam’s most well known former residents. The Anne Frank House at Prinsengracht 263 in ...
Hidden behind an inconspicuous door on the Spui, you'll find the 14th-century Begijnhof. The historic courtyard was once the site of a religious group of ...
The former Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam, a national monument and listed in the European Route of Industrial Heritage, offers some 3000 square metres of ...
Get up early and visit the Anne Frank House to beat the crowds. You could also visit the Amsterdam Museum to get a beautiful overview of everything Dutch. Then you could head to the Begijnhof. This is a quiet, religious building, home to Amsterdamoldest chapel. After lunch you could rent a bike and look at the canals. You could navigate through some of Amsterdam most famous neighborhoods like the Plantage and the Jordaan neighborhood.
For a delicious evening meal, head for de Pijp, close to the Sarphatipark. Or, for a more typically Dutch atmosphere, visit one of the bars on the Westerstraat in the Jordaan neighborhood. For a fun, enjoyable evening, you could have some drinks at the local bar. You could also explore the places around the Leidseplein that play live music at night. If you’d like your evening to be a little more chic, the Concert Hall at the Museumplein and the Music Theater at the Waterlooplein make great choices. These are two of the best cultural hotspots in the world.
Three days in Amsterdam
7Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk Museum is an international institution in Amsterdam dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design. The Museum aims to provide a home for ...
Het Scheepvaartmuseum, the National Maritime Museum, shows how our culture has been shaped by the sea. Stimulating, interactive exhibitions allow visitors to explore 500 years of ...
If you have three days to spend in Amsterdam, use the extra day to do the things you didṉt find the time to do on days one and two. You could also do a tour by foot. Would you rather visit more museums? We strongly recommend the Catholic Our Dear Lord. Ithidden in the attic of an old mansion. The Maritime Museum is an excellent choice for sailing enthusiasts. If you still have a bike at your disposal, take the ferry behind the Central Station to North Amsterdam to discover windmills, dikes and numerous delightful Dutch villages at a short distance from the city.
If you are more of a city dweller you could choose to relax a little bit and explore your favorite neighborhood some more. If you’d like to buy any last-minute souvenirs you could get them at the Flowermarket or at the large outdoor market in the Albert Cuypstraat. For those of you who would like to go out at night, a visit to the Regulierdwarsstraat might be worthwhile. This street is home to Europe most lovely gay bars.
If you have more than three days
If you have more time to spend in Amsterdam it is definitely worthwhile to visit cities outside of Amsterdam. Haarlem is a smaller, more scenic version of Amsterdam and it is home to Holland's most beautiful cathedral. Rotterdam is a breeding ground for modern architecture and boasts one of Europelargest sea ports. History enthusiasts will adore the museums and palaces of The Hague. Towards the south you’ll find Utrecht, an amicable university city with picturesque canals and a relaxed atmosphere. Finally, if you are looking for that quintessentially Dutch village atmosphere: the cheese market in Alkmaar is perfect; Volendam is a gorgeous fishermanvillage and there are splendid windmills waiting to be admired in the Zaanse Schans. All these cities are a short train ride away from Amsterdam and make for perfect day trips.