Amsterdam is perhaps most famed for its former industrial buildings alongside canals, Red Light District, and relaxed legal guidelines on marijuana consumption, however that doesn’t imply its checklist of points of interest and actions doesn’t cease there. There are a whole lot of issues to do in Amsterdam, from visiting the Anne Frank Museum to taking day journeys to see tulip fields and windmills.
Amsterdam isn’t simply one other get together metropolis, which you’ll quickly uncover with strolling excursions of this picturesque metropolis and points of interest just like the Vincent Van Gogh Museum. In reality, there are such a lot of issues to do in Amsterdam that we struggled to slim it down to simply these high 34. Before you even take into consideration the place to keep in Amsterdam or guide flights, it’s good to have a look at which issues in Amsterdam you’d like to do. Your pursuits will dictate which neighborhood it’s greatest to keep in.
In this information, we’ll offer you all of the inspiration and logistics you want to take pleasure in visiting ‘Dam’. Whether you want historical past, partying, or art work, Amsterdam has not less than 20 points of interest to squeeze into your itinerary. It’s protected to say that this well-known canal metropolis has many methods up its sleeve.
1. Rijksmuseum
If you continue to marvel why Amsterdam is such a cultural hotspot, go to the Rijksmuseum. This Nineteenth-century museum homes a number of the most beneficial Dutch Golden Age work, together with Rembrandt’s Night Watch. It is an artwork lover’s paradise and is equally alluring for these with an appreciation for historical past and tradition.
You can simply spend a couple of hours wandering the exhibition halls of the Rijksmuseum. And if you’d like an indoor exercise in Amsterdam, this is among the greatest issues to do on a wet day.
2. Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum has the world’s most in depth assortment of Van Gogh’s works, and if that’s not an indication of Amsterdam being a cultural hub, who is aware of what’s? Van Gogh is a globally acknowledged artist; whether or not you might be an artwork lover or not, this can be a bucket checklist expertise. You should purchase tickets on-line or on arrival and rapidly spend a complete afternoon strolling between famed portray after portray.
It isn’t simply art work; there are letters and displays on Van Gogh’s private life. The museum is a extremely intimate perception into the artist and his creations. Grab your tickets now..
3. Vondelpark
Looking for sunny day actions in Amsterdam? Vondelpark is among the metropolis’s main choices and the very best free issues to do. The park dates again to the Nineteenth century and boasts an enormous open-air theater. It is a low-maintenance exercise, too, with a youngsters’s park supreme for touring households to go to early in the morning to let youngsters run off steam. There are additionally scenic ponds and picnic areas to sit with a takeout espresso and lunch.
Vondelpark is a stupendous place to go to in Amsterdam and an actual alternative to unwind and calm down.
4. Our Lord in the Attic Museum
Our Lord in the Attic Museum is named Ons Lieve Heer Op in Dutch. This Seventeenth-century canal home has a barely uncommon identify, however you ought to be in a position to guess what the museum is about. It affords audio excursions of a secret – and mysteriously ornate – Catholic church hidden on the high of a canal home. Our Lord in the Attic Museum was a private place for secret worship throughout a interval of historical past the place there was no freedom of faith. And the earlier house owners used their hidden church to proceed their spiritual duties.
An uncommon however heartwarming ode to religion, this distinctive historic attraction is a should when visiting Amsterdam.
5. Eye Film Museum
The Eye Film Museum is principally cinematic heaven. It has the whole lot from overseas to Dutch museums and paperwork the evolution of movie and fictional worlds. Set alongside the waterside throughout on the northern facet of town, you’ll have to catch a ferry to attain this museum from behind Central Station. Even this provides to the dramatic attraction, and the Eye Film Museum feels suitably tucked away in its personal little world throughout the water.
The colourful and fascinating displays showcase posters, film clips, and extra. They are like slightly time capsule devoted explicitly to the film world.
6. Bike Tour
You can’t go to Amsterdam and not take a motorbike tour. Amsterdam is perhaps town of canals, nevertheless it’s additionally town of bikes. If you’ve tried to stroll down the road or cross the highway, you’ll perceive that the eco-friendly stance truly borders on hazardous pedestrians. And it isn’t an Amsterdam expertise till you’ve been yelled at by not less than one bicycle owner for by chance reducing them off. So, in case you can’t beat them, be a part of them. Experiencing Amsterdam from two wheels is among the most traditional and conventional methods to sightsee town.
You can guide loads of completely different biking excursions of Amsterdam on-line, and as Amsterdam is a remarkably flat metropolis, you’ll haven’t any points maintaining.
7. Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is the place to head in Amsterdam for contemporary art work. Its abbreviation stands for the Modern Contemporary Museum Amsterdam, and it showcases an enormous vary of items, spanning from Dali and Banksy works to native artists. Art fans will love this attraction, however equally, the sheer vary of what Moco Museum covers renders it entertaining for artwork newbies and extra basic vacationers. The reality you’ll be able to see Banksy’s art work is a draw for most individuals. And the whole lot from road artwork to modern items will depart you scratching your head.
While solely small, the Moco Museum can simply entertain you for an hour or two. It is a massively underrated attraction, and we suggest it when visiting Amsterdam.
8. Windmill Day Trip
Another vastly in style factor in Amsterdam is a day journey to the windmills. Windmills had been traditionally used for water administration in Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. However, these days, they’re additionally a profound supply of inexperienced power, utilizing wind turbine buildings to assist with electrical energy. There are over 10,000 operational windmills in the Netherlands, an enormous proportion of that are round Amsterdam. These are famed for his or her conventional design – chunky picket buildings.
Molen Van Sloten is a well-liked day journey from town middle, and it’s a working windmill and barrel-making museum. Zaanse Schans is one other widespread selection. It is reachable independently by bus in beneath 40 minutes – an enormous bonus.
9. Food Tour
Taking a meals tour is a should when visiting Amsterdam. Indulgence is an important attribute of town, and the tradition encourages not solely artwork and liberal attitudes to hashish but additionally glorious delicacies. The metropolis middle has meals halls, the place you’ll be able to strive the whole lot from stroopwafels to Indonesian delicacies. The choices are significantly beneficiant, and essentially the most organized and time-efficient approach to expertise them is on a guided meals tour.
You can simply guide a meals tour on-line, which can take you round designated tasting hotspots.
10. Visit the Flower Markets
The flower markets are a large spotlight of visiting Amsterdam. Flower buying and selling has been a significant a part of Amsterdam’s economic system for hundreds of years – wait till you hear about tulips in our subsequent part. Flower markets are the modern-day hive of this conventional buying and selling, and you should buy dozens of various vegetation. Bloemenmarkt (a floating flower market established in 1862) and Stins Flowermarket are the very best markets.
If you drive to Amsterdam or journey by way of public transport, you’ll be able to convey some residence. If you might be flying, you’ll seemingly discover this too difficult, however you’ll be able to nonetheless go to for the aesthetic and expertise.
11. Day Trip to the Tulip Fields
The tulip fields round Amsterdam are actually well-known. You’ve seemingly seen footage of the Dutch tulips on Instagram or in journey magazines. The peak tulip season is from April to May, after which you’ll see many tulips in flower retailers and markets from December till May. Amsterdam is understood for its tulips due to deep cultural and historic ties to the flower, which rose so excessive in the Seventeenth century that bulbs had been traded akin to inventory on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. They had been value greater than gold and bought at a ridiculously excessive worth that solely essentially the most elite and rich might afford.
It is simple to see the tulips in case you go to on the proper time of 12 months. You can take a day journey to Bollenstreek or guide an organized tour.
12. Oude Kerk Amsterdam
Oude Kerk is an enormous deal. Amsterdam’s first church and oldest constructing, Oude Kerk, dates again to the Middle Ages. The 14th-century church is now a functioning Calvinist place of worship that recurrently hosts spiritual and cultural occasions. However, it’s additionally a sought-after vacationer attraction. In 2016, Oude Kerk was partially transformed right into a museum. Since then, it has hosted a group of artwork displays. Visitors can admire the artwork in its distinctive, historic setting.
Oude Kerk is among the most budget-friendly but historic issues to do in Amsterdam. And if you’d like an inspiring exercise in Amsterdam, we suggest visiting.
13. Rent a SUP
If you don’t fancy the canal tour or free ferry, why not hire a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and go alone? This is a extra unorthodox factor to do in Amsterdam, however who cares? Life is about journey, proper? You can hire an SUP from all around the metropolis in completely different shops and water sports activities facilities, particularly round Amsteldijk. Rent a stand-up paddleboard for a couple of hours and take it to the water. You have 165 canals at your disposal, greatest skilled from the water.
Get prepared. It is about to get energetic and thrilling. If you haven’t gone paddle boarding earlier than, know that there’s a excessive chance you might be coming off sooner or later. So you’ll want to be carrying appropriate garments for a fast swim. A water-resistant digital camera can also be an excellent shout.
14. Design Your Own Chocolate Bar
Have you ever questioned in regards to the technique of designing chocolate bars? This weird area of interest expertise is a should for anybody with a candy tooth. You can create your personal chocolate bar at a lot of Amsterdam’s chocolate shops and points of interest – sure, there are a number of. Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore and the Chocolate Company are two fundamental choices. Amsterdam is famed for Milka and Droste chocolate, and chocolate is particularly made across the western harbor space of town.
Dutch chocolate is famously easy tasting thanks to the alkaline therapy that it makes use of in the chocolate-making course of. So head down to one of many shops and test it out.
15. The National Maritime Museum
Next up is the National Maritime Museum. This interactive museum is scenically set alongside the waterfront in a former storehouse. It introduces you to Amsterdam’s naval and ocean historical past. As a canal metropolis, it received’t shock you that Amsterdam has a lot maritime historical past to inform. You also can rise up shut to a reproduction of an 18th-century service provider ship, which helps to convey the tales to life.
The National Maritime Museum is massively interactive and nice enjoyable to go to. There are even digital voyages you could take. Its entrance charge is modest, too, making it one of many cheaper issues to do in Amsterdam.
16. Smoke Some Weed
Depending in your beliefs and values, it’s your decision to smoke some weed or strive an area cake – aka desserts full of marijuana – when visiting Amsterdam. The metropolis is legendary for its liberal tackle this pure drug, and it’s a huge motive for the floods of vacationers that go to every year. If you do resolve to dabble, hold in thoughts that Amsterdam’s weed is notoriously robust. It is greatest to keep protected with a bunch of trusted pals. Specific lodging may additionally have strict guidelines towards marijuana consumption, so verify that forward of time.
If you need to take a sober strategy to studying extra about Amsterdam’s marijuana, you’ll be able to go to the Hash Marijuana & Hemp Museum. Self-designated because the world’s first museum devoted to the hashish plant, it takes you thru the historical past and tales round weed, even showcasing a dwell backyard.
17. Visit Chinatown
Every good metropolis has a fair higher Chinatown – we don’t make the foundations; that is only a reality of life. Amsterdam isn’t any completely different, and its Chinatown is an absolute hub of Asian delicacies. If you like Asian delicacies, then you might have to cease by. While it’s referred to as Chinatown, it contains Malaysian, Thai, and Indonesian eating places and cafes, in addition to Chinese. This means you might have hundreds of scrumptious dishes and specialties at your fingertips. And that’s earlier than you even take into consideration the eclectic retailers and aesthetic decorations strung alongside these slim canal streets.
If you might be in search of an inexpensive meal or one thing to do in Amsterdam, visiting Chinatown needs to be in your checklist. Whether you decide pad Thai or Indonesian meals, you’ll have a tasty time.
18. Have a Beach Day
A seashore day? From Amsterdam? Yes, you’ll be able to completely take pleasure in a seashore day when visiting Amsterdam. And that is exactly why you must take not less than a couple of days to see town– Amsterdam has unbelievable day journeys. Zandvoort aan Zee is the closest seashore to town and is definitely accessible by way of Central Station. Zandvoort Beach is gorgeous, with lengthy golden sands and laidback bars and eating places lining its promenade. Fun and light-hearted, it’s the place to head on a sunny day in Amsterdam.
It takes lower than an hour to attain by way of sprinter practice. You could be sunbathing at Zandvoort in no time.
19. NEMO Science Museum
This is among the coolest science museums you’ll ever see. The constructing is formed like an precise boat, designed so it juts out over the waterfront – wanting like an actual boat taking to the water. The edgy traits proceed indoors, too, with interactive displays and a baptism-of-fire-style immersion into the whole lot science-related. The museum spans dramatic five-floor displays, with shade and wow-factor displays at each flip.
If you need an indoor exercise in Amsterdam, undoubtedly go to the NEMO Science Museum. Similarly, you must word this in case you see town with children.
20. Europe’s Highest Swing
How does Europe’s highest swing sound to you? A’DAM Lookout is arguably the very best place to take pleasure in overlooking Amsterdam. The remark deck has a panoramic viewpoint, and you may admire the UNESCO-listed canals from a vantage level you could possibly by no means obtain at floor degree. As such a flat metropolis, A’DAM Lookout ticks a massively wanted field. And on that remark deck, you’ll be able to take issues one step additional with the very best swing in Europe – which hangs 100 meters above the bottom and swings you over Amsterdam.
Is it courageous or silly? We’ll allow you to resolve. But whether or not you watch different individuals undertake the swing or have a go your self, A’DAM Lookout is a should if you go to Amsterdam.
21. Dam Square
Dam Square is gorgeous, particularly on a sunny day. The sq. has a central location and a wealthy historical past. Even in case you simply go to feed the pigeons, it’s a must-add to your Amsterdam itinerary. The ambiance is unparalleled, and you may take pleasure in views of a number of the most notable buildings in town. It is a cultural hub and hosts common occasions. At Christmas particularly, visiting this Square is a should.
Add this sq. to the checklist if you’d like free actions in Amsterdam. It takes simply minutes to respect, making it itinerary filler amongst extra time-demanding points of interest.
22. Stedelijk Museum
Stedelijk Museum is an acquired style, to say the least. The trendy artwork museum is among the most uncommon and bizarrely collections of art work, with items akin to big pigs and partitions of Arabic typography describing the influence of abusive relationships. If you fancy an summary look into the fashionable artwork world, the museum is ideal. Arrive prepared to problem the whole lot you beforehand considered artwork in Amsterdam.
Fun and whacky, this museum is among the high museums in Amsterdam for anybody craving quirky points of interest and inventive inspiration.
23. Torture Museum
This museum is each bit as horrific because it sounds. If you need an perception into the historic strategies of torture used in Amsterdam, that is the very best place for you. Gory, grotesque, and painfully detailed, it’s a particular kick for anybody who likes horror-related points of interest. The museum showcases over 40 completely different torture units and strategies that date again to the Middle Ages.
While the museum is unquestionably not for the faint of coronary heart, it is a fascinating and spine-shivering historic attraction in Amsterdam. If you might be bored of the run-of-the-mill historical past museums in main European cities, this attraction will shake issues up.
24. Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience is a should when visiting Amsterdam. The attraction is a working brewery creating craft beer and providing tasting room experiences and excursions that final about an hour. As one of many world’s most well-known beers, it’s a fascinating expertise getting behind the scenes on the Heineken brewery. And this can be a high main exercise if you go to town, conveniently positioned simply south of town middle.
25. Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Few museums cowl the influence of World War II in such a uncooked approach because the Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam. The Museum of WWII Resistance paperwork town’s wrestle towards Nazi invasion and the timeline of the battle. Precious displays and artifacts showcase the expertise with photographs, movies, and private objects belonging to these impacted.
Many individuals know the historical past of the conflict. Still, this museum offers a way more intimate perception into the ordeal. You’ll be taught all about what life was like beneath occupation and the actual individuals behind the statistics. This museum is ideally mixed with a go to to Anne Frank’s House.
26. Canal Cruise
A canal cruise is definitely one of many main issues in Amsterdam – you might be in town of canals, in spite of everything. Amsterdam has 165 canals in whole, all simply prepared and ready to be explored from the water. You can drift serenely together with an audio or guided tour expertise, admiring the historic buildings and Amsterdam’s distinctive surroundings.
There are so many tour operators in Amsterdam providing canal cruises. We’d suggest simply going to the part of the canal simply earlier than Amsterdam Central Station and asking charges the place you see the boats moored.
If you need to be actually sneaky, there’s additionally a free ferry service you could catch. This is a superb, budget-friendly choice to see the canals in Amsterdam.
27. Sex Museum
A museum devoted to intercourse is unquestionably on model when it comes to visiting Amsterdam. The Sex Museum is the world’s first and oldest museum totally devoted to documenting the historical past and nature of intercourse. There are erotic sculptures and pictures, in addition to the historical past of the intercourse business in Amsterdam.
Set in a Seventeenth-century constructing, the Sex Museum is hilariously misplaced on its busy Amsterdam road. And in case you fancy a giggle but additionally a severe look into town’s perspective and tradition behind intercourse, this museum is a best choice to your itinerary.
28. Damrak
Damrak is a piece of the canal the place you’ll discover rows of moored canal boats prepared to embark on excursions. However, additionally it is the place you’ll discover a social media-famous shot of a row of canal buildings. The row of canal home after canal home are all terraced and joined right into a – seemingly – endless row. The shade scheme is very photogenic, with deep blues, reds, and yellows. And if you’d like a picture-perfect shot of Amsterdam’s buildings, Damrak is the place to go.
This is a free exercise in Amsterdam, mixed with taking a canal boat tour or heading to the central practice station.
29. Nine Streets
Nine Streets is the district acknowledged by UNESCO as Amsterdam’s canal district. ‘ This close-knit row of canal streets is the city’s most aesthetic and consultant part. It is the place most individuals go to snap iconic canal photographs. This district is the postcard picture of Amsterdam’s canal scene.
You can go to to snap your photographs and luxuriate in strolling the canal banks. There are over 250 retailers in this district, so take your time, window procuring or procuring if you want. And there are cafes and museums to dip in and out of. A self-guided tour of ‘De 9 Straatjes’ solely takes half-hour to an hour however is an unmissable exercise in Amsterdam.
30. Filmhallen Art House Cinema
Filmhallen Art House Cinema is uniquely positioned in an outdated tram depot. It is on the outskirts of town middle, in the Amsterdam Oud-West district, a brief stroll away from De 9 Straatjes. If you fancy a laidback exercise in Amsterdam, visiting the cinema is the perfect wet day or low-energy exercise. And the tram depot setting makes it much more engaging. Filmhallen is the place to head to the cinema in novelty model.
31. Red Light District
When you speak to anybody who has visited Amsterdam, they’ll have a narrative or an opinion on Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Whatever your ideas on legalized intercourse work, this district is an attention-grabbing cultural phenomenon. It is in style amongst all vacationers, and the principle draw is simply strolling down the 2 streets, that are cut up by a canal and illuminated in mushy crimson lighting. It is alleged to date again to the 14th century. However, it established itself in the Seventeenth century – so it’s as a lot historic as something seedy.
You can stroll by way of the district or go to the Sex Museum in its southern nook. Many excursions additionally run by way of the Red Light District, providing informative strolling excursions and insider particulars.
32. Royal Palace Amsterdam
The Royal Palace Amsterdam is among the main metropolis points of interest and has been a royal residence since 1808. When it isn’t in use, it’s open to the general public to take pleasure in with a guided tour or audio tour and has a number of exhibitions to take pleasure in. You’ll have to adhere to strict guidelines – that is the house of the Netherlands’ royal household – however you’ll get an perception into royal life in alternate to your abiding by the foundations.
If you have an interest in politics or the royal household, this can be a lovely place to go to. The grandeur of the structure can also be splendid, and historical past lovers can respect all the data you get on guided excursions.
33. Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank Museum is among the hottest issues to do in town middle. This industrial constructing is the place Anne and her household hid in the key annex throughout the Nazi occupation in central Amsterdam. The household and their pals lasted 25 months in secrecy, solely being found in 1944 once they had been tragically transported to focus camps – after which solely Otto, Anne’s father, survived.
At the museum, you’ll be able to stroll by way of the annex the place the group lived and consider all their possessions as they’d have been displayed. There are additionally extracts and quick movies taken from Anne’s Diary. The attraction is harrowing however completely important when visiting Amsterdam.
34. Houseboat Museum
Ever questioned what life on a houseboat is like? Well, step aboard this 1914 freighter convert and test it out. This museum lets vacationers expertise being onboard one of many traditional canal boats and be taught extra about this conventional life-style. Canal boats are central to Amsterdam’s historical past and tradition. With 165 canals in town, you’ll see a lot of them from an outsider’s perspective. This is a novel alternative to see the approach to life from an inside perspective.
Visiting Amsterdam: FAQs
So, you now know exactly what you must add to your Amsterdam itinerary. But how do you slim issues down? You’ll in all probability have to be cutthroat except you might have limitless time in Amsterdam. These are the very best FAQs to allow you to finalize your selections and decide your dream itinerary.
Is it value going to Amsterdam for 3 days?
With three days in Amsterdam, you’ll be able to go to a handful of nice points of interest and style town properly. You’ll seemingly give you the option to take a canal tour and go to the Anne Frank House, the Red Light District, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. If that floats your boat, you may also take pleasure in an evening out and town’s weed tradition.
What shouldn’t be missed in Amsterdam?
You mustn’t miss visiting the Anne Frank Museum or a canal tour in Amsterdam. These two actions are the highest actions to do in Amsterdam and actually pivotal elements of town’s identification.
What is Amsterdam is legendary for?
Amsterdam is legendary for being a liberal metropolis, sex-positive and marijuana optimistic, with a lot of creatives and hyperlinks to the world-renowned Vincent Van Gogh. It additionally has a lot of World War II historical past, as an example, on the Anne Frank Museum.
Is 2 days sufficient to see Amsterdam?
You’ll be hard-pushed to see the very best of Amsterdam in simply two days. You can squeeze in 3-4 points of interest, just like the Anne Frank Museum, Royal Palace, and Red Light District. However, you’ll miss out on the ‘authentic’ Amsterdam and really feel rushed. Remember that in case you fly to Amsterdam, you’ll additionally lose a substantial chunk of this time simply touring between the airport and permitting further time at safety.
To Conclude
Amsterdam is full of distinctive actions and issues to do, whether or not you need to fill your historical past bucket or embrace your interior flower aesthetic with a go to to its floral markets. The metropolis is a stupendous weekend getaway, and it’s straightforward to see why it’s thought of one of many greatest European metropolis getaways. You can admire Van Gogh’s art work or cruise down a sedate canal. There’s simply a lot at your fingertips when visiting Amsterdam.
Now you’ve bought your itinerary nailed, you’ll be able to buy groceries to your boutique lodge or fun-loving hostel keep – take pleasure in your journey. For extra day journey concepts, you’ll be able to take a look at our information on the greatest journeys you’ll be able to take from Amsterdam, which is superb in case you keep in town longer than a couple of days. And if you’d like additional inspiration on visiting the Netherlands, take a look at our information right here.