Amsterdam may be most famed for its former industrial buildings alongside canals, Pink Gentle District, and relaxed legal guidelines on marijuana consumption, however that doesn’t imply its record of sights and actions doesn’t cease there. There are tons of 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 occasion metropolis, which you’ll quickly uncover with strolling excursions of this picturesque metropolis and sights just like the Vincent Van Gogh Museum. Actually, there are such a lot of issues to do in Amsterdam that we struggled to slim it down to simply these high 34. Earlier than you even take into consideration the place to remain in Amsterdam or e book flights, it’s good to take a look at which issues in Amsterdam you’d love to do. Your pursuits will dictate which neighborhood it’s greatest to remain in.

On this information, we’ll provide you with all of the inspiration and logistics it’s worthwhile to get pleasure from visiting ‘Dam’. Whether or not you want historical past, partying, or art work, Amsterdam has at the very least 20 sights to squeeze into your itinerary. It’s secure to say that this well-known canal metropolis has many tips up its sleeve.

1. Rijksmuseum

For those who nonetheless surprise why Amsterdam is such a cultural hotspot, go to the Rijksmuseum. This Nineteenth-century museum homes among the Most worthy Dutch Golden Age work, together with Rembrandt’s Night time Watch. It’s an artwork lover’s paradise and is equally alluring for these with an appreciation for historical past and tradition.

You’ll be able to 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 likely one of 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, it is a bucket record expertise. You should buy 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. Seize your tickets now..

3. Vondelpark

On the lookout for sunny day actions in Amsterdam? Vondelpark is likely one of the metropolis’s main choices and one of the best free issues to do. The park dates again to the Nineteenth century and boasts an enormous open-air theater. It’s a low-maintenance exercise, too, with a youngsters’s park ultimate for touring households to go to early within the morning to let youngsters run off steam. There are additionally scenic ponds and picnic areas to take a seat with a takeout espresso and lunch.

Vondelpark is a stupendous place to go to in Amsterdam and an actual alternative to unwind and loosen up.

4. Our Lord within the Attic Museum

Our Lord within the Attic Museum is named Ons Lieve Heer Op in Dutch. This Seventeenth-century canal home has a barely uncommon title, however you need to have the ability to guess what the museum is about. It gives audio excursions of a secret – and mysteriously ornate – Catholic church hidden on the high of a canal home. Our Lord within 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 Movie Museum

The Eye Movie Museum is mainly cinematic heaven. It has every thing from international to Dutch museums and paperwork the evolution of movie and fictional worlds. Set alongside the waterside throughout on the northern aspect of the town, you’ll must catch a ferry to succeed in this museum from behind Central Station. Even this provides to the dramatic enchantment, and the Eye Movie Museum feels suitably tucked away in its personal little world throughout the water.

The colourful and interesting displays showcase posters, film clips, and extra. They’re like slightly time capsule devoted explicitly to the film world.

6. Bike Tour

You’ll be able to’t go to Amsterdam and not take a motorbike tour. Amsterdam may be the town of canals, but it surely’s additionally the town of bikes. For those who’ve tried to stroll down the road or cross the street, 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 at the very least one bicycle owner for by accident reducing them off. So, for those who can’t beat them, be a part of them. Experiencing Amsterdam from two wheels is likely one of the most traditional and conventional methods to sightsee the town.

You’ll be able to e book 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 move in Amsterdam for contemporary art work. Its abbreviation stands for the Fashionable Modern Museum Amsterdam, and it showcases an enormous vary of items, spanning from Dali and Banksy works to native artists. Artwork lovers will love this attraction, however equally, the sheer vary of what Moco Museum covers renders it entertaining for artwork newbies and extra normal vacationers. The very fact you possibly can see Banksy’s art work is a draw for most individuals. And every thing from road artwork to modern items will depart you scratching your head.

Whereas solely small, the Moco Museum can simply entertain you for an hour or two. It’s a massively underrated attraction, and we advocate it when visiting Amsterdam.

8. Windmill Day Journey

One other vastly common factor in Amsterdam is a day journey to the windmills. Windmills have been traditionally used for water administration in Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. Nonetheless, these days, they’re additionally a profound supply of inexperienced vitality, utilizing wind turbine buildings to assist with electrical energy. There are over 10,000 operational windmills within 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 the town middle, and it’s a working windmill and barrel-making museum. Zaanse Schans is one other widespread selection. It’s reachable independently by bus in below 40 minutes – an enormous bonus.

9. Meals Tour

Taking a meals tour is a should when visiting Amsterdam. Indulgence is an important attribute of the town, and the tradition encourages not solely artwork and liberal attitudes to hashish but in addition glorious delicacies. The town middle has meals halls, the place you possibly can strive every thing from stroopwafels to Indonesian delicacies. The choices are severely beneficiant, and probably the most organized and time-efficient approach to expertise them is on a guided meals tour.

You’ll be able to simply e book a meals tour on-line, which is able to take you round designated tasting hotspots.

10. Go to 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 financial 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 crops. Bloemenmarkt (a floating flower market established in 1862) and Stins Flowermarket are one of the best markets.

For those who drive to Amsterdam or journey through public transport, you possibly can carry some house. If you’re flying, you’ll doubtless discover this too tough, however you possibly can nonetheless go to for the aesthetic and expertise.

11. Day Journey to the Tulip Fields

The tulip fields round Amsterdam are actually well-known. You’ve doubtless seen photos of the Dutch tulips on Instagram or in journey magazines. The height tulip season is from April to Could, after which you’ll see many tulips in flower outlets and markets from December till Could. Amsterdam is understood for its tulips because of deep cultural and historic ties to the flower, which rose so excessive within the Seventeenth century that bulbs have been traded akin to inventory on the Amsterdam Inventory Trade. They have been value greater than gold and bought at a ridiculously excessive value that solely probably the most elite and rich may afford.

It’s simple to see the tulips for those who go to on the proper time of yr. You’ll be able to take a day journey to Bollenstreek or e book an organized tour.

12. Oude Kerk Amsterdam

Oude Kerk is a giant deal. Amsterdam’s first church and oldest constructing, Oude Kerk, dates again to the Center Ages. The 14th-century church is now a functioning Calvinist place of worship that often hosts spiritual and cultural occasions. Nonetheless, 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 set of artwork displays. Guests can admire the artwork in its distinctive, historic setting.

Oude Kerk is likely one of the most budget-friendly but historic issues to do in Amsterdam. And if you’d like an inspiring exercise in Amsterdam, we advocate visiting.

13. Lease a SUP

For those who don’t fancy the canal tour or free ferry, why not hire a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and go alone? This can be a extra unorthodox factor to do in Amsterdam, however who cares? Life is about journey, proper? You’ll be able to hire an SUP from all around the metropolis in numerous shops and water sports activities facilities, particularly round Amsteldijk. Lease a stand-up paddleboard for a couple of hours and take it to the water. You’ve got 165 canals at your disposal, greatest skilled from the water.

Prepare. It’s about to get energetic and thrilling. For those who haven’t gone paddle boarding earlier than, know that there’s a excessive probability you might be coming off in some unspecified time in the future. So that you’ll should be sporting appropriate garments for a fast swim. A water-resistant digicam can also be an ideal shout.

14. Design Your Personal Chocolate Bar

Have you ever ever puzzled concerning the strategy of designing chocolate bars? This weird area of interest expertise is a should for anybody with a candy tooth. You’ll be able to create your personal chocolate bar at a lot of Amsterdam’s chocolate shops and sights – sure, there are a number of. Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore and the Chocolate Firm are two important choices. Amsterdam is famed for Milka and Droste chocolate, and chocolate is particularly made across the western harbor space of the town.

Dutch chocolate is famously clean tasting because of the alkaline therapy that it makes use of within the chocolate-making course of. So head all the way down to one of many shops and test it out.

15. The Nationwide Maritime Museum

Subsequent up is the Nationwide 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 gained’t shock you that Amsterdam has a lot maritime historical past to inform. You may also stand up near a reproduction of an 18th-century service provider ship, which helps to carry the tales to life.

The Nationwide Maritime Museum is massively interactive and nice enjoyable to go to. There are even digital voyages that you could take. Its entrance charge is modest, too, making it one of many cheaper issues to do in Amsterdam.

16. Smoke Some Weed

Relying in your beliefs and values, you could wish to smoke some weed or strive an area cake – aka desserts crammed with marijuana – when visiting Amsterdam. The town is known for its liberal tackle this pure drug, and it’s a huge purpose for the floods of vacationers that go to annually. For those who do determine to dabble, take into account that Amsterdam’s weed is notoriously sturdy. It’s best to remain secure with a bunch of trusted pals. Particular lodging may also have strict guidelines towards marijuana consumption, so verify that forward of time.

If you wish to take a sober strategy to studying extra about Amsterdam’s marijuana, you possibly can 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 stay backyard.

17. Go to Chinatown

Each good metropolis has an excellent 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. For those who love Asian delicacies, then you need to cease by. Whereas it’s known as Chinatown, it contains Malaysian, Thai, and Indonesian eating places and cafes, in addition to Chinese language. This implies you might have 1000’s of scrumptious dishes and specialties at your fingertips. And that’s earlier than you even take into consideration the eclectic outlets and aesthetic decorations strung alongside these slim canal streets.

If you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive meal or one thing to do in Amsterdam, visiting Chinatown needs to be in your record. Whether or not you decide pad Thai or Indonesian meals, you’ll have a tasty time.

18. Have a Seashore Day

A seaside day? From Amsterdam? Sure, you possibly can completely get pleasure from a seaside day when visiting Amsterdam. And that is exactly why you need to take at the very least a couple of days to see the town– Amsterdam has implausible day journeys. Zandvoort aan Zee is the closest seaside to the town and is well accessible through Central Station. Zandvoort Seashore is gorgeous, with lengthy golden sands and laidback bars and eating places lining its promenade. Enjoyable and light-hearted, it’s the place to move on a sunny day in Amsterdam.

It takes lower than an hour to succeed in through sprinter practice. You may be sunbathing at Zandvoort very quickly.

19. NEMO Science Museum

This is likely one of 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 every thing science-related. The museum spans dramatic five-floor displays, with colour and wow-factor displays at each flip.

If you’d like an indoor exercise in Amsterdam, undoubtedly go to the NEMO Science Museum. Equally, you need to word this for those who see the town with youngsters.

20. Europe’s Highest Swing

How does Europe’s highest swing sound to you? A’DAM Lookout is arguably one of the best place to get pleasure from overlooking Amsterdam. The remark deck has a panoramic viewpoint, and you’ll admire the UNESCO-listed canals from a vantage level you might 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 possibly can 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 determine. However 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 Sq.

Dam Sq. is gorgeous, particularly on a sunny day. The sq. has a central location and a wealthy historical past. Even for those who 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 among the most notable buildings within the metropolis. It’s a cultural hub and hosts common occasions. At Christmas particularly, visiting this Sq. is a should.

Add this sq. to the record if you’d like free actions in Amsterdam. It takes simply minutes to understand, making it an excellent 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 likely one of the most uncommon and bizarrely collections of art work, with items corresponding to large pigs and partitions of Arabic typography describing the affect of abusive relationships. For those who fancy an summary look into the trendy artwork world, the museum is ideal. Arrive able to problem every thing you beforehand considered artwork in Amsterdam.

Enjoyable and whacky, this museum is likely one of the high museums in Amsterdam for anybody craving quirky sights and inventive inspiration.

23. Torture Museum

This museum is each bit as horrific because it sounds. If you’d like an perception into the historic strategies of torture utilized in Amsterdam, that is one of the best place for you. Gory, grotesque, 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 methods that date again to the Center Ages.

Whereas the museum is unquestionably not for the faint of coronary heart, it is an interesting 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 Expertise

The Heineken Expertise 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 high main exercise whenever you go to the town, conveniently positioned simply south of the town middle.

25. Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam

Few museums cowl the affect of World Struggle II in such a uncooked means because the Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam. The Museum of WWII Resistance paperwork the town’s battle towards Nazi invasion and the timeline of the battle. Treasured displays and artifacts showcase the expertise with images, movies, and private objects belonging to these impacted.

Many individuals know the historical past of the warfare. Nonetheless, this museum supplies a way more intimate perception into the ordeal. You’ll be taught all about what life was like below occupation and the true folks behind the statistics. This museum is ideally mixed with a go to to Anne Frank’s Home.

26. Canal Cruise

A canal cruise is well one of many main issues in Amsterdam – you might be within the metropolis of canals, in any case. Amsterdam has 165 canals in whole, all simply prepared and ready to be explored from the water. You’ll be able to drift serenely together with an audio or guided tour expertise, admiring the historic buildings and Amsterdam’s distinctive surroundings.

There are such a lot of tour operators in Amsterdam providing canal cruises. We’d advocate 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 wish to be actually sneaky, there’s additionally a free ferry service that you could catch. This can be a nice, budget-friendly choice to see the canals in Amsterdam.

27. Intercourse Museum

A museum devoted to intercourse is unquestionably on model in the case of visiting Amsterdam. The Intercourse Museum is the world’s first and oldest museum fully 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 trade in Amsterdam.

Set in a Seventeenth-century constructing, the Intercourse Museum is hilariously misplaced on its busy Amsterdam road. And for those who fancy a giggle but in addition a critical look into the town’s angle 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 able to embark on excursions. Nonetheless, 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 colour scheme is extremely 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 can be a free exercise in Amsterdam, mixed with taking a canal boat tour or heading to the central practice station.

29. 9 Streets

9 Streets is the district acknowledged by UNESCO as Amsterdam’s canal district. ‘ This close-knit row of canal streets is the town’s most aesthetic and consultant part. It’s the place most individuals go to snap iconic canal photographs. This district is the postcard picture of Amsterdam’s canal scene.

You’ll be able to go to to snap your images and luxuriate in strolling the canal banks. There are over 250 outlets on this district, so take your time, window buying or buying if you want. And there are cafes and museums to dip out and in 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 Artwork Home Cinema

Filmhallen Artwork Home Cinema is uniquely positioned in an outdated tram depot. It’s on the outskirts of the town middle, within the Amsterdam Oud-West district, a brief stroll away from De 9 Straatjes. For those who 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 move to the cinema in novelty model.

31. Pink Gentle District

While you speak to anybody who has visited Amsterdam, they may have a narrative or an opinion on Amsterdam’s Pink Gentle District. No matter your ideas on legalized intercourse work, this district is an fascinating cultural phenomenon. It’s common amongst all vacationers, and the principle draw is simply strolling down the 2 streets, that are cut up by a canal and illuminated in smooth pink lighting. It’s stated thus far again to the 14th century. Nonetheless, it established itself within the Seventeenth century – so it’s as a lot historic as something seedy.

You’ll be able to stroll by means of the district or go to the Intercourse Museum in its southern nook. Many excursions additionally run by means of the Pink Gentle District, providing informative strolling excursions and insider particulars.

32. Royal Palace Amsterdam

The Royal Palace Amsterdam is likely one of 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 stick 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’re all for 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 recognize all the data you get on guided excursions.

33. Anne Frank Home

The Anne Frank Museum is likely one of the hottest issues to do within the metropolis middle. This industrial constructing is the place Anne and her household hid within the secret annex in the course of the Nazi occupation in central Amsterdam. The household and their pals lasted 25 months in secrecy, solely being found in 1944 once they have been tragically transported to focus camps – after which solely Otto, Anne’s father, survived.

On the museum, you possibly can stroll by means of the annex the place the group lived and examine all their possessions as they might 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? Properly, 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 within the metropolis, you’ll see a lot of them from an outsider’s perspective. This can be a distinctive alternative to see the life-style from an inside perspective.

Visiting Amsterdam: FAQs

So, you now know exactly what you need to add to your Amsterdam itinerary. However how do you slim issues down? You’ll in all probability must be cutthroat except you might have limitless time in Amsterdam. These are one of the best FAQs that can assist you finalize your selections and decide your dream itinerary.

Is it value going to Amsterdam for 3 days?

With three days in Amsterdam, you possibly can go to a handful of nice sights and style the town effectively. You’ll doubtless have the ability to take a canal tour and go to the Anne Frank Home, the Pink Gentle District, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. If that floats your boat, you may as well get pleasure from an evening out and the 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 the town’s identification.

What’s Amsterdam is known for?

Amsterdam is known for being a liberal metropolis, sex-positive and marijuana constructive, with a lot of creatives and hyperlinks to the world-renowned Vincent Van Gogh. It additionally has a lot of World Struggle 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 one of the best of Amsterdam in simply two days. You’ll be able to squeeze in 3-4 sights, just like the Anne Frank Museum, Royal Palace, and Pink Gentle District. Nonetheless, you’ll miss out on the ‘genuine’ Amsterdam and really feel rushed. Keep in mind that for those who 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 full of distinctive actions and issues to do, whether or not you wish to fill your historical past bucket or embrace your interior flower aesthetic with a go to to its floral markets. The town is a stupendous weekend getaway, and it’s simple to see why it’s thought of one of many greatest European metropolis getaways. You’ll be able to 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 acquired your itinerary nailed, you possibly can buy groceries to your boutique resort or fun-loving hostel keep – get pleasure from your journey. For extra day journey concepts, you possibly can take a look at our information on the greatest journeys you possibly can take from Amsterdam, which is superb for those who keep within the metropolis 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.