Top 10 Things to Do in Amsterdam

Are you planning a trip to Amsterdam? But with lots of travel guides and information about this city, you may be wondering where to begin and which experiences are truly worth your time. Let me help you summarize the amazing things I did when I came to this city. Here are some of the best things to do in Amsterdam based on my personal experience.

At first, I’ll give you some quick tips to keep in mind when you plan a trip to Amsterdam:

• Getting around: Amsterdam’s city center is not too large, so walking is the best way to experience its beauties. Bicycles are popular and cost-effective, but you should only rent one if you feel confident, as the cycling traffic here can be quite complicated. Alternatively, you can travel by public transport, such as tram, metro, or bus. If you plan to visit multiple attractions, the Amsterdam Card may be a better option than regular tickets. Tourists often choose between GVB tickets and the Amsterdam Card.
• Accommodation: Hostels are a common and affordable option. If you prefer more privacy, budget hotels during the low season range from €50 to €80 per night. Booking early and staying outside the city center can help you save significantly.
• Connectivity: You can purchase a SIM card or eSIM at the airport or at stores of T-Mobile Netherlands, VodafoneZiggo, or KPN. You should download offline maps in advance in case you lose internet access.
• Payment: Almost all places accept international cards and contactless payments, so cash is rarely used here.
• What to wear: The weather is usually cool and can be windy or rainy, so it’s best to dress in layers and wear comfortable, waterproof shoes.
• Tap water: Dutch tap water is the highest quality in Europe. I suggest bringing a reusable bottle to use the city’s many “Tap Water” points (you can find on Google Maps).

Quick overview

If you only have a short time in the city, you might want a simple plan instead of picking random places. I found it much easier to follow a simple route, so here’s how I would spend one day in Amsterdam.

If you plan to visit several attractions, you can check the latest Amsterdam Card prices here before comparing the options.

Keukenhof

Keukenhof is a famous flower garden that many people visit from Amsterdam for the day. The garden is about 32 hectares big, and every year more than seven million flower bulbs are planted here. This makes it one of the most colorful spring landscapes in the Netherlands.

A lot of people don’t know that Keukenhof is only open for about eight weeks each year, usually from mid-March to mid-May. Mid-April to early May is usually the best time to see tulips in full bloom, but this can change a little depending on the weather.

• Time needed: 2 – 4 hours.
• Ticket price: ~ €20 (adult).
• Opening season: Mid-March to mid-May only.
• Best time to visit: Mid-April to early May for peak tulip bloom.
• Useful tip: Visit early in the morning or after 15:00 to avoid the biggest crowds.
• Location: About 40 km from Amsterdam.
• How to get there: Direct buses from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol or organized tours from Amsterdam.
• What to expect: Over 7 million flowers, including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.
• Best visiting strategy: Combine the visit with nearby tulip fields for the best spring photography.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is home to and showcases the works and archives of the Dutch genius painter, Vincent van Gogh, as well as those of his contemporaries. For an art lover like me, visiting this place felt like stepping into the inner world of a genius. The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, depending on the season and schedule, so make sure you check the exact opening hours before your visit. Tickets are sold online in designated time slots, and I recommend that you book in advance to avoid them selling out.

• Collection size: 200+ paintings, 500 drawings, 700+ letters from Van Gogh.
• Must-see works: Sunflowers, The Bedroom, Wheatfield with Crows.
• Time needed: 1.5 – 2 hours.
• Ticket price: ~ €22.
• Useful tip: The museum is extremely popular. You should book timed-entry tickets online.
• Best visiting strategy: Visit this museum early morning, then go to Rijksmuseum nearby.

Canal Cruise

Taking a cruise through Amsterdam’s winding canals is something I think you should definitely do. This is where you’ll find a very different side of Amsterdam, far from the noise and bustle of Europe. It’s more profound and poetic. If you want to find peace and heal your soul, this is the place to go. Most canal cruise tours come with audio guides in multiple languages that tell you about Amsterdam’s history and interesting stories along the way. I suggest that you buy your tickets ahead of time during the busy season, which runs from April to September.

• Average price: €15
• Duration: 60 – 75 minutes
• Best time: Evening cruise for city lights.
• Why it’s worth it: You can see the historic canal houses and bridges from the water.
• Tip: Choose smaller boats instead of big tourist boats

Johan Cruyff Arena

As a huge football fan, I couldn’t miss going to Johan Cruyff Arena, the home stadium of AFC Ajax, the Dutch football club that has won the UEFA Champions League four times. You can take a stadium tour to see behind the scenes, such as the players’ tunnel and the dressing rooms that lead to the field. You can really feel the excitement in the stands if you go when Ajax is playing in the Eredivisie or the UEFA Champions League. The stadium is also home to concerts by big-name international artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, in addition to football games.

• Time it will take: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Ticket price: ~ €20 for the stadium tour
• Location: About 15 minutes by metro from the center of Amsterdam
• Opened in 1996, when it was called the Amsterdam Arena.
• Home team: AFC Ajax
• Number of seats: about 55,000

Tip: You can still take the stadium tour and see the locker rooms, tunnel, and pitch side even if there isn’t a football game.

The best way to visit is to take the metro from Amsterdam Central Station to Bijlmer Arena station and then shop at stores nearby.

Dam Square

You will almost certainly walk through this square at least once while you are in Amsterdam because it is right in the middle of the city. A dam was built on the Amstel River in the 13th century. Over time, this area grew into both the administrative and commercial center of Amsterdam. It can be thought of as the city’s “birthplace.” Sometimes, the best thing to do here is nothing at all. Just pick a seat, sit still, and watch. You will be able to see the rhythm of Amsterdam change from its historic roots to modern life right in front of you.

• Time needed: 30 – 60 minutes
• Ticket price: Free (public square)
• Location: In the historic center of Amsterdam, about 10 minutes walk from Central Station
• Useful tip: The square can get very crowded during the day, so visiting early in the morning is more pleasant.
• What to see: Royal Palace of Amsterdam, National Monument
• Best visiting strategy: Stop here while exploring the city center and then walk to nearby shopping streets like Kalverstraat or the canal area

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is home to Dutch masterpieces. The museum was 800 years of Dutch history, with more than 8,000 works by the greatest Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh.

• Time needed: 3 to 5 hours
• Ticket price: €25
• Opening hours: Open daily 9:00 to 17:00
• Location: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam
• Best Time to Visit: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the quietest, while mid-afternoon (11:00 – 15:00) is usually the busiest.
• Ticket Strategy: Book online in advance as slots sell out, especially during peak seasons. Children under 18 get in for free.
• Beat the Crowds: Arrive right at 9:00 and head straight to the top floor to work your way down through the Gallery of Honour.
• Hidden Gems: Don’t miss the stunning Cuypers Library or the Asian Pavilion.
  

Heineken Experience

It’s a tour that tells the story of how this famous Dutch beer brand came to be and grew over the years. You will learn about the brewing process, look into the brand’s past, and finish your visit with a cold glass of Heineken right in its hometown.

• Time needed: 1 – 1.5 hours
• Ticket price: €23
• What the ticket includes: Interactive brewery tour, Beer tasting, and 2 free beers at the end
• Best time to visit: Late afternoon or evening
• Who should visit: Beer lovers, Groups of friends

Bloemenmarkt

If you loved the bright flowers at Keukenhof and want to take some home as souvenirs, be sure to go to Bloemenmarkt, the floating flower market in the center of Amsterdam. You can buy tulip bulbs and other flowers that are famous in the Netherlands here as gifts. Please keep in mind that customs may check fresh flowers and plant bulbs for pests and diseases, depending on the rules of the country you are going to. So, before you buy them, you should ask the seller if you can take them with you when you travel and look up the customs rules for the country you will be arriving in to make sure they won’t be taken away at the airport.

• Time needed: 20 – 40 minutes
• Ticket price: Free entry
• Location: Along the Singel canal in the center of Amsterdam
• Opened: 1862 and known as the world’s only floating flower market
• What to see: Flower stalls selling tulip bulbs, souvenirs, and fresh flowers
• Useful tip: Many visitors buy tulip bulbs here, but check import rules if you plan to bring them back to your country
• Best visiting strategy: Visit while walking between Dam Square and the Nine Streets shopping area

Anne Frank House

The Diary of a Young Girl is a book that tells the story of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis during World War II. If you like books, you probably know about it. Those pages talk about more than just fear and hardship. They also talk about dreams, faith, and how a young soul grows up in the dark of war. Compared to the lively Amsterdam outside, this place is a quiet place where each visitor can face their own thoughts.

• Time needed: 1 – 1.5 hours
• Ticket price: ~ €16 for adults
• Important tip: Tickets are only sold online and usually sell out weeks in advance, especially in summer
• Best time to visit: After 18:00 (crowds smaller) and Early morning slots.
• What visitors often don’t know: The original diary of Anne Frank is displayed inside the museum
• Nearby places: After visiting, you can walk 5 minutes to: Jordaan neighborhood, Canal area around Prinsengracht
• Who should visit: History lovers, First-time visitors

Walking

Amsterdam might not be the best place for people who are always in a hurry. The city is big enough to keep tourists busy for a long time, but small enough that you can walk to every part of it. If you get off the busy main streets, you’ll see boats slowly floating down the canals, flower pots by the doors, and bicycles leaning against the bridges. Take a leisurely walk through Jordaan in the morning, sipping on a cup of hot coffee as you cross the small bridges that connect the canals. At that moment, it will seem like Amsterdam has quietly come together in front of you.

Amsterdam Cuisine

As someone who really loves food, I can’t help but try the local food. Picture yourself sitting by the canal, eating a warm stroopwafel filled with melting caramel, tasting herring the way the Dutch do, or holding a plate of Patat with a lot of mayonnaise on top as you walk through the streets. In the evening, have a cold glass of Heineken, some crispy bitterballen, and a slice of apple pie with cinnamon on top to end the day. It’s simple but very satisfying. The food in Amsterdam isn’t very fancy, but that’s what I love about the city: its simple, rustic style.

Still not satisfied? Check out our Amsterdam tourist attractions map

Amsterdam in numbers

Useful FAQ

Read more: Common mistakes tourists make