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 listing of sights 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 sights just like the Vincent Van Gogh Museum. In truth, there are such a lot of issues to do in Amsterdam that we struggled to slender it down to simply these prime 34. Before you even take into consideration the place to keep in Amsterdam or ebook 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 get pleasure from visiting ‘Dam’. Whether you want historical past, partying, or paintings, Amsterdam has at the least 20 sights to squeeze into your itinerary. It’s secure to say that this well-known canal metropolis has many methods up its sleeve.
1. Rijksmuseum
If you continue to surprise why Amsterdam is such a cultural hotspot, go to the Rijksmuseum. This Nineteenth-century museum homes a few of the most precious 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 need 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’re an artwork lover or not, it is a bucket listing expertise. You should buy tickets on-line or on arrival and shortly spend a complete afternoon strolling between famed portray after portray.
It isn’t simply paintings; 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 unlimited open-air theater. It is a low-maintenance exercise, too, with a kids’s park perfect for touring households to go to early in the morning to let kids run off steam. There are additionally scenic ponds and picnic areas to sit with a takeout espresso and lunch.
Vondelpark is an attractive place to go to in Amsterdam and an actual alternative to unwind and loosen up.
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 title, however you have to be in a position to guess what the museum is about. It gives audio excursions of a secret – and mysteriously ornate – Catholic church hidden on the prime 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 homeowners 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 mainly cinematic heaven. It has all the pieces from international to Dutch museums and paperwork the evolution of movie and fictional worlds. Set alongside the waterside throughout on the northern aspect of town, you’ll have to catch a ferry to attain this museum from behind Central Station. Even this provides to the dramatic enchantment, 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 street, you’ll perceive that the eco-friendly stance really borders on hazardous pedestrians. And it isn’t an Amsterdam expertise till you’ve been yelled at by at the least one bicycle owner for by accident chopping them off. So, should you can’t beat them, be part of them. Experiencing Amsterdam from two wheels is among the most traditional and conventional methods to sightsee town.
You can ebook loads of completely different biking excursions of Amsterdam on-line, and as Amsterdam is a remarkably flat metropolis, you’ll don’t have any points maintaining.
7. Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is the place to head in Amsterdam for contemporary paintings. Its abbreviation stands for the Modern Contemporary Museum Amsterdam, and it showcases an unlimited 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 truth you may see Banksy’s paintings is a draw for most individuals. And all the pieces from avenue 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 massively fashionable 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 vitality, utilizing wind turbine constructions to assist with electrical energy. There are over 10,000 operational windmills in the Netherlands, an unlimited proportion of that are round Amsterdam. These are famed for his or her conventional design – chunky wood constructions.
Molen Van Sloten is a well-liked day journey from town heart, and it’s a working windmill and barrel-making museum. Zaanse Schans is one other frequent alternative. It is reachable independently by bus in underneath 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 in addition wonderful delicacies. The metropolis heart has meals halls, the place you may strive all the pieces from stroopwafels to Indonesian delicacies. The choices are significantly beneficiant, and probably the most organized and time-efficient means to expertise them is on a guided meals tour.
You can simply ebook a meals tour on-line, which can take you round designated tasting hotspots.
10. Visit the Flower Markets
The flower markets are an enormous 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 purchase dozens of various crops. 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 may carry some house. If you’re flying, you’ll doubtless discover this too difficult, however you may 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 doubtless 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 thought 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 offered at a ridiculously excessive worth that solely probably the most elite and rich might afford.
It is simple to see the tulips should you go to on the proper time of yr. You can take a day journey to Bollenstreek or ebook 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 often 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 need 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 lease 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 lease an SUP from everywhere in 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 lively and thrilling. If you haven’t gone paddle boarding earlier than, know that there’s a excessive chance you’re coming off sooner or later. So you’ll want to be carrying appropriate garments for a fast swim. A water-proof digital camera can also be an ideal shout.
14. Design Your Own Chocolate Bar
Have you ever puzzled concerning the means 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 lots of Amsterdam’s chocolate shops and sights – 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 clean tasting thanks to the alkaline remedy 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 may also rise up shut to a reproduction of an 18th-century service provider ship, which helps to carry the tales to life.
The National Maritime Museum is massively interactive and nice enjoyable to go to. There are even digital voyages which you could take. Its entrance price 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 crammed with marijuana – when visiting Amsterdam. The metropolis is legendary for its liberal tackle this pure drug, and it’s a large motive for the floods of vacationers that go to every year. If you do resolve to dabble, maintain in thoughts that Amsterdam’s weed is notoriously robust. It is greatest to keep secure with a bunch of trusted mates. Specific lodging may also have strict guidelines in opposition to marijuana consumption, so verify that forward of time.
If you need to take a sober strategy to studying extra about Amsterdam’s marijuana, you may 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 truth of life. Amsterdam isn’t any completely different, and its Chinatown is an absolute hub of Asian delicacies. If you’re keen on Asian delicacies, then you might have to cease by. While it’s known 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 slender canal streets.
If you’re on the lookout for an affordable meal or one thing to do in Amsterdam, visiting Chinatown must be in your listing. Whether you choose pad Thai or Indonesian meals, you’ll have a tasty time.
18. Have a Beach Day
A seaside day? From Amsterdam? Yes, you may completely get pleasure from a seaside day when visiting Amsterdam. And that is exactly why you must take at the least a couple of days to see town– Amsterdam has improbable day journeys. Zandvoort aan Zee is the closest seaside to town and is well 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 will 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 – trying 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 all the pieces 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, positively go to the NEMO Science Museum. Similarly, you must observe this should 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 get pleasure from overlooking Amsterdam. The commentary deck has a panoramic viewpoint, and you’ll admire the UNESCO-listed canals from a vantage level you can by no means obtain at floor degree. As such a flat metropolis, A’DAM Lookout ticks a massively wanted field. And on that commentary deck, you may take issues one step additional with the 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 folks undertake the swing or have a go your self, A’DAM Lookout is a should whenever you go to Amsterdam.
21. Dam Square
Dam Square is beautiful, particularly on a sunny day. The sq. has a central location and a wealthy historical past. Even should you simply go to feed the pigeons, it’s a must-add to your Amsterdam itinerary. The environment is unparalleled, and you’ll get pleasure from views of a few 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 listing if you need free actions in Amsterdam. It takes simply minutes to respect, making it itinerary filler amongst extra time-demanding sights.
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 paintings, with items comparable 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 all the pieces you beforehand thought of artwork in Amsterdam.
Fun and whacky, this museum is among the prime museums in Amsterdam for anybody craving quirky sights and artistic 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, ugly, and painfully detailed, it’s a particular kick for anybody who likes horror-related sights. The museum showcases over 40 completely different torture units and strategies that date again to the Middle Ages.
While the museum is certainly not for the faint of coronary heart, it is a fascinating and spine-shivering historic attraction in Amsterdam. If you’re 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 it is a prime main exercise whenever you go to town, conveniently positioned simply south of town heart.
25. Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Few museums cowl the influence of World War II in such a uncooked means because the Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam. The Museum of WWII Resistance paperwork town’s battle in opposition to Nazi invasion and the timeline of the battle. Precious displays and artifacts showcase the expertise with photographs, movies, and private gadgets belonging to these impacted.
Many folks know the historical past of the warfare. Still, this museum gives a way more intimate perception into the ordeal. You’ll be taught all about what life was like underneath occupation and the true folks behind the statistics. This museum is ideally mixed with a go to to Anne Frank’s House.
26. Canal Cruise
A canal cruise is well one of many main issues in Amsterdam – you’re in town of canals, in any case. Amsterdam has 165 canals in complete, 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 which you could catch. This is a good, budget-friendly possibility to see the canals in Amsterdam.
27. Sex Museum
A museum devoted to intercourse is certainly on model when it comes to visiting Amsterdam. The Sex Museum is the world’s first and oldest museum solely 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 avenue. And should you fancy a giggle but in addition 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, it’s also 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 – unending row. The shade scheme is extremely photogenic, with deep blues, reds, and yellows. And if you need 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 buying or buying 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 previous tram depot. It is on the outskirts of town heart, 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 best wet day or low-energy exercise. And the tram depot setting makes it much more attractive. 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 may 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 fashionable amongst all vacationers, and the primary draw is simply strolling down the 2 streets, that are cut up by a canal and illuminated in mushy crimson lighting. It is claimed 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 sights and has been a royal residence since 1808. When it isn’t in use, it’s open to the general public to get pleasure from with a guided tour or audio tour and has a number of exhibitions to get pleasure from. 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 change to your abiding by the foundations.
If you have an interest in politics or the royal household, it is a stunning place to go to. The grandeur of the structure can also be splendid, and historical past lovers can respect all the knowledge you get on guided excursions.
33. Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank Museum is among the hottest issues to do in town heart. 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 mates lasted 25 months in secrecy, solely being found in 1944 after they had been tragically transported to focus camps – after which solely Otto, Anne’s father, survived.
At the museum, you may stroll by way of the annex the place the group lived and look at all their possessions as they’d have been displayed. There are additionally extracts and brief movies taken from Anne’s Diary. The attraction is harrowing however completely important when visiting Amsterdam.
34. Houseboat Museum
Ever puzzled 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 way of life. Canal boats are central to Amsterdam’s historical past and tradition. With 165 canals in town, you’ll see lots of them from an outsider’s perspective. This is a novel alternative to see the life-style from an inside perspective.
Visiting Amsterdam: FAQs
So, you now know exactly what you must add to your Amsterdam itinerary. But how do you slender issues down? You’ll most likely have to be cutthroat until you might have limitless time in Amsterdam. These are the very best FAQs to aid you finalize your selections and choose your dream itinerary.
Is it value going to Amsterdam for 3 days?
With three days in Amsterdam, you may go to a handful of nice sights and style town effectively. You’ll doubtless have 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 get pleasure from an evening out and town’s weed tradition.
What shouldn’t be missed in Amsterdam?
You shouldn’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 components 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 illustration, 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 sights, 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 should you fly to Amsterdam, you’ll additionally lose a substantial chunk of this time simply touring between the airport and permitting additional time at safety.
To Conclude
Amsterdam is filled with distinctive actions and issues to do, whether or not you need to fill your historical past bucket or embrace your inside flower aesthetic with a go to to its floral markets. The metropolis is an attractive 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 paintings or cruise down a sedate canal. There’s simply a lot at your fingertips when visiting Amsterdam.
Now you’ve obtained your itinerary nailed, you may buy groceries to your boutique resort or fun-loving hostel keep – get pleasure from your journey. For extra day journey concepts, you may try our information on the greatest journeys you may take from Amsterdam, which is superb should you keep in town longer than a couple of days. And if you need additional inspiration on visiting the Netherlands, try our information right here.
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