Suggested itineraries
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
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 Museum Square, 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 Leidse Square. If you have any energy left you could shop till you drop in Amsterdam’s popular 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
Get up early and visit the Ann Frank House to beat the crowds. You could also visit the Historic Museum of Amsterdam to get a beautiful overview of everything Dutch. Then you could head to the Begijnhof. This is a quiet, religious building, home to Amsterdam’s oldest chapel. After lunch you could rent a bike and look at the canals. You could navigate through some of Amsterdam’s most famous neighborhoods like the Plantage and the Jordaan neighborhood. If you’d prefer not to use a bike, you could visit the Waterloo Square. This is Amsterdam’s coziest market. A few blocks away you’ll find the Jewish Museum, Rembrandt’s House and the Willet-Holthuysen Canal Museum. If you find you like these, you could also visit the Heineken Experience and get started on a wonderful night out early. For a delicious evening meal, head for the Pijp, close to the Sarphatipark. Or, for a more typically Dutch atmosphere, visit one of the bars on the Westerstreet 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 Leidse Square that play live music at night. If you’d like your evening to be a little more chic, the Concert Hall at the Museum Square and the Music Theater at the Waterloo Square make great choices. These are two of the best cultural hotspots in the world.
Three days in Amsterdam
If you have three days to spend in Amsterdam, use the extra day to do the things you didn’t 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 in the Attic Museum. It’s hidden 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 Cuypstreet. For those of you who would like to go out at night, a visit to the Regulierdwarsstreet might be worthwhile. This street is home to Europe’s most exciting gay bars; or you could go to the Odeon, which is situated in an old mansion and is a well-known hotspot for dancing and indulging.
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 Europe’s largest 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, Alkmaar’s cheese market is perfect; Volendam is a gorgeous fisherman’s village 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.
