Amsterdam is a quaint-sized city with over 200 canals. Everything is within walking distance, but don’t worry; trams, bikes, and a metro are available. The city is centered around the central station and gradually moves out in rings.
Discover the centuries-old townhomes lining the canals. The best way to see so much is by foot or boat.
If you plan on visiting multiple museums while visiting Amsterdam, an I Am Amsterdam city card may be the right choice to get admission discounts. This pass does not include the Anne Frank House and The Van Gogh Museum this tickets are sold separately from the I AM Amsterdam city card . The city is packed with museums for people of all ages and interests.
Book your tickets three months in advance to visit the Anne Frank House and The Van Gogh Museum! I know it is far out, but these tickets sell out quickly. If it’s on your bucket list, book it!
Transportation is easy to use in Amsterdam as well. Gone are the days when you had to buy tram or metro passes. Pack a contactless touch credit card with no foreign fees, and you are all set. It’s that quick and straightforward. When you hop on a tram, there is an area to tap your card; the same applies on the metro. Make sure to use the same credit card when tapping in and out; otherwise, the transaction will not be complete, and your card will be charged a whole day’s fare.
When crossing the streets in Amsterdam, use extra caution; bikers have their lane and rules.
Don’t be confused by Cafes and Coffee Shops; these two things mean different things in Amsterdam. A cafe serves coffee, while a Coffee Shop is where a person can purchase marijuana.
Top 5 sites to see
- Discover the visual masterpieces of Van Gogh
- Discover the beautiful city of Amsterdam by foot or bike along the cobblestone walkways
- Learn about where Anne Frank and her family lived during WW2
- See the city’s iconic bridges and waterfront homes on a classic boat ride through the canals
- Eat some local cheese
Day 1
For the first day in Amsterdam, start in the Centrum; this is the central point of Amsterdam where sections of the city branch off.
Amsterdam Centraal Station
Take in all the hustle and bustle around the Central Station. You most likely started your journey here if you came from the airport. This is the central station in Amsterdam. View the Noord and Eye Fillmuseum on the station’s south side. Make sure to walk in the tunnel and view the Delft- blue tile mural on the left side of the station.
The 9 Streets ( De 9 Straatjes)
From here, stroll to The 9 Streets ( De 9 Straatjes) in the De Jordaan area. This road spans over four canals and is one of the chic, quaint areas locals like hanging out in. There are many independent cafes and boutiques along the route. While you are here, take in the views of the stunning buildings and canals.
Anne Frank House
Visit the location where “The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank” was written. Tour the secret annex the family hid in during World War II. Walking through the Anne Frank House, you will see the living quarters and the original diary and explore the doorway concealed behind a bookcase. This home is one of the most visited places in Amsterdam. If you plan on visiting, you can purchase tickets online; Tickets can NOT be purchased at the door. Tickets sell out fast; you can buy tickets up to three months in advance online. Be prepared to store jackets and larger backpacks when you walk in. They are not allowed through the Museum.
Ouden Bocht (or the Golden Bend)
Located on Herengracht, a few canals over from the Anne Frank house. You can find a small street here with vendors selling tulips and small tourist nicknacks.
Damrak
Damrak is a road running from Amsterdam Centraal to Dam Square. This road has many tourist attractions but has so much beauty and history packed in. We traveled in the middle of November, and the Christmas lights were shining bright along this road. You will find many shops, restaurants, theaters, and museums here.
The Dancing houses
The dancing houses are a series of crooked houses that look like they are toppling over one another. You can also see the Oudekerksplein Tower in the background. This is located on Damrak, right next to the pancake house. There are more than one cluster of dancing houses in Amsterdam. To see the other locations of dancing houses we found, click here.
Dam Square
A pedestrian-only area joined the New church on one side and the Royal Palace on the other. This is one of the busiest areas in the city. Here, you will find street performances and crowd gatherings. This was not my favorite area, so we quickly passed through it. The buildings were grand to see, though.
Day 2
On this day, we made our way to the Museumplein, a stunning square that holds the country’s most famous museums. This area is more luxurious and open compared to the city center.
Van Gogh Museum
Visit the home of the Starry Night and Sunflowers. See the Famous Dutch artist’s work in his own Museum. Tickets are available online to purchase up to three months in advance, be aware this tickets do sell out fast. Days fill up fast, so be sure to buy ahead of time.
Rijksmuseum
Discover the rich culture and arts of the Dutch in this Museum. Spend time taking in the painting of The Night Watch.
Vondelpark
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the largest park in Amsterdam. Here, you can find open-air music in the summer, A place to run or ride bikes or take in the view of the countryside cottage feel of the area.
Dehallen
Hungry for dinner? Check out the food hall located inside the dehallen.. There are a few gluten-free options to pick from here. This hall also has a movie theater and a few shops and hotels. Dehallen is an excellent spot to check out how the locals live.
The dancing house
Located in the Waterlooplien area across from the National Opera and Ballet House. Along the canal, you will find crooked historic houses that date back to the 17th century; you can’t miss these crooked homes. Many people call them the dancing houses.
Canal ride
If you were traveling in the spring or summer, I would recommend booking a canal cruise with this company for a canal ride. Due to the timing of our trip and the cold, rainy weather, many companies were not offering rides. We took a short ride with Lovers. It was not personable, but you still learn some history about Amsterdam while cruising through the canals.
Day 3
Red Light District
No visit to Amsterdam is complete without seeing the infamous Red Light District. Please read up on the Do’s and Don’ts when visiting this area. No Pictures are allowed. The more popular road in the Red Light District is Oudezijds. The Red Light district is more than just one road; it is an area in Amsterdam.
Thirsty? Make a stop at In’t Aepjen, Amsterdam’s oldest bar, where sailors used to trade monkeys for beer.
Walk past the Oude Accijnhuis (Old Tax Collector’s Office) in the Red Light District, where merchants would go to trade goods in the 1600s.
Staalmeestersburg
It is known for being one of the prettiest bridges in Amsterdam. I agree, and if you get there when the sun sets, it is the perfect golden hour.
NDSM
To get to NDSM, hop aboard a free ferry across the street from the central station. Ferries leave every few minutes during the daytime. Check the schedule online to plan out your trip. Once across the waterway, visit the Eye Film Museum and discover the local Art and culture. Walk through Street markets or bike through the countryside. Check out the A’Dam lookout for a fantastic view of Amsterdam as well.
Hidden Gems in Amsterdam
Devour local cheeses and bring them home (vacuum-packed cheeses can travel home!). You won’t regret getting home some of this delicious cheese. Henri Willig
Another cheese to try is Old Amsterdam. It is sold in the United States, but fresh cheese always tastes better when you are in the country where it is made.
Want to see a Windmill but don’t want to leave the city? De Otter Windmill is the place to go. It’s a little outside the city past Jordan, maybe a 30-minute walk, and faster by tram.
That’s an even better idea! Want to have a beer and see a windmill? Head over to the De Gooyer, next to the Brouwerij ’t IJ. Skip the crowded tours at the Heineken Brewery and head to a small craft brewery with fewer crowds and a better view.
Visit the De Beurs Passage, a shopping strip off of Damrak. Take in the beautiful tile work of the nautical-themed alleyway. This is a crossing between two busy roads. Make sure to take it.
Our Lord in the Attic
Hidden within a canal house on Oudezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam, you will find Our Lord in the Attic. Created in the 1800s, when Catholics were not about to worship publicly, a church was formed in an attic where mass occurred. Today, the church is a museum open to all visiting.
Dewaag is a medieval castle in the city’s center, the oldest non-religious building in Amsterdam.
Tiny houses are no more. You may see another blog post saying four tiny houses are placed in a wall on Westerstraat. This has recently been covered up as of 2023.
