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Amsterdam is a wonderful city with a lot to offer. There’s so much great stuff to see and do it can be tempting to rush from one place to the next.
Don’t!
Some of the most beautiful parts of Amsterdam are the canals and buildings. Wander, look, appreciate the uniqueness that makes Amsterdam such a vibrant city!
Table of Contents
21+ Things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Check out the top 21+ things to do in Amsterdam.
Albert Cuyp Market
The Albert Cuyp Market is a street market in Amsterdam. It offers shopping, food, and entertainment.
Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- The Market is closed on Sundays.
- Grab a bite to eat while you’re there!
Anne Frank House
In 1942, with the Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, the Franks and another family lived cloistered in the “Secret Annexe” of an old office building.
If you haven’t read DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL by Anne Frank, do it before your trip to Amsterdam. Then visit the Anne Frank house.
Time Needed: 2 hours
Normal Price: € 10,50
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- You must purchase your ticket online AND choose the time you’ll visit.
- Tickets pretty much always sell out. 80% of tickets are made available for purchase 2 months in advance. The remaining 20% are sold day of.
- If you’re planning your trip more than 2 months in advance, buy your tickets then. If not, you’ll want to get up early and get online to book tickets day of.
Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is a group of historic buildings that used to be a women’s community.
It’s a serene place to visit and wander around.
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Most of the buildings are now private residences.
Bloemenmarkt (Amsterdam Flower Market)
Bloemenmarkt is the world’s only floating flower market!
Time Needed: 30 to 45 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Be careful about buying plants and seeds if you’ll be traveling to another country. Many countries have restrictions on a lot of plants and seeds (not just cannabis, either).
- Although the flower market is open-air, those with strong seasonal allergies might want to take an allergy pill before they go.
A Canal Boat Tour
There are a lot of boat tours available in Amsterdam at a variety of prices.
The best ones are going to be smaller and offer a guide instead of a recorded speech. Those Dam Boat Guys are a perfect example of what you want in a canal tour.
However, if you purchase an iAmsterdam Card, there are a few different tour options included with the card. And who doesn’t like free?
Time Needed: 2 hours
Normal Price: € 27,50
iAmsterdam Card Price: free options available
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Dam Square
Dam Square is surrounded by shops, restaurants, hotels, and attractions.
There are often events and activities being held in the square. Be sure to check out the (not-pictured and slightly phallic) National Monument at the south side.
Time Needed: 15 to 30 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
De Oude Kerk (The Old Church)
The Old Church is the oldest building in Amsterdam and is located in the Red Light District. Today, it is a contemporary museum.
Time Needed: 60 to 90 minutes
Normal Price: €15
iAmsterdam Card Price: €3
Itineraries: 3-day
De Wallen (Red Light District)
Can you visit Amsterdam without a trip to the Red Light District? Yes, yes you can. In fact, it’s argued that sex workers shouldn’t be gawked at like objects.
However, Amsterdam’s Red Light District is extremely popular and most people want to see it. I recommend you go – conditionally. Go but remember the people working there are just that: people. Go to see the district as a whole, the lighting, the buildings. Don’t go to gawk at the sex workers.
You have two options – a daytime trip or a nighttime trip (or both if you have time). It’s a very different place during the day than it is at night.
Time Needed: 30+ minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Don’t take pictures of sex workers (unless they’ve consented & you’ve paid them).
- A purple light means transgendered.
- As of Jan 1, 2020 tours of the Red Light District have been banned.
Eye Filmmuseum
The Eye Film Museum is a film archive and museum. It has a huge collection of over 800,000 items (37,000 film titles, 60,000 posters, 700,000 photographs and 20,000 books).
Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
Normal Price: € 11
iAmsterdam Card Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- For an additional fee (and the time), you can watch a film screening.
I amsterdam Letters
The I amsterdam letters used to be permanently exhibited at Museumplein, but that is no longer the case.
Two sets of (smaller) I amsterdam letters have been permanently set up at Schiphol Airport and Sloterplas. If you’re traveling through the airport, be sure to check them out. Otherwise, you’ll have to decide if you want to go and see one of these sets of letters.
The original (very large) I amsterdam letters are sometimes placed at temporary locations around Amsterdam. See if they’re set up during your trip!
Time Needed: 5 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day*, 3-day*
MOCO Museum
The MOCO Museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It’s very now-focused and includes a lot of pop culture and interactive elements.
Time Needed: 90 minutes
Normal Price: € 16,50
iAmsterdam Card Price: 25% discount
Itineraries: 1-day*, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- The MOCO Museum does not accept cash.
Munttroren (Mint Tower)
Munttoren was built starting in 1470 as part of the medieval city wall. In the 1670s it was used to store (and the produce) coins leading to its current name.
Time Needed: 5 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
NDSM
NDSM is a cool area of Amsterdam Nord. There’s tons to do there including a beach, shops, restaurants, and more!
Time Needed: 90+ minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- It’s easy & free to get. to NDSM. Take the GVB Ferry from behind Central Station. It runs every 2-4 times per hour.
Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic Church)
Once a house with a Catholic Church on the top floor, Our Lord in the Attic is now a museum.
Time Needed: 60 to 90 minutes
Normal Price: € 12,50
iAmsterdam Card Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Pathé Tuschinski Theater
The Pathé Tuschinski Theater is a stunning space.
If you’re a theater lover, consider seeing a show. But my recommendation is to just take the audio tour of the building!
Time Needed: 45 minutes
Normal Price: € 10
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- The audio tour is excellent but you can skip it and just wander around for a few minutes if time or money is tight.
Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square)
Rembrandtplein is a great spot in Amsterdam. Check out the statues, do some people-watching, or grab a bite to eat here.
Time Needed: 10 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- If you have some extra time check out the nearby Rembrandt House Museum (not on the itineraries)
- This neighborhood has some great nightlife.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is dedicated to Dutch art & history. It’s a massive museum with over 1 million objects!
Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours
Normal Price: € 20
iAmsterdam Card Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day*, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Be sure to take a stroll around the grounds while you’re there!
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is not the residence of the Royals. It is usually open to the public, except during Royal events.
Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
Normal Price: € 10
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Spinoza Monument
This is a monument to Baruch Spinoza, a 17th Century philosopher.
Time Needed: 5 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Read the nearby plaque for more information about Spinoza.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum has the most extensive collection of Van Gogh’s works anywhere in the world. It’s a stunning museum!
Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours
Normal Price: € 19
iAmsterdam Card Price: free *MUST book a time in. advance
Itineraries: 1-day*, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Book a time in advance!
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s largest public park. Grab some take out, bring a picnic, take a wander around the park. It’s a nice break from being a tourist!
Time Needed: 60 to 90 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Westergas
Westergas are former gasworks buildings that have been converted into hip, cultural event spots. There are shops, restaurants, event spaces, and more.
Time Needed: 60+ minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Suggested Itineraries for Amsterdam
Before you begin sightseeing in Amsterdam, find out if the traveling ‘I AMSTERDAM’ letters are set up somewhere. Ask your hotel, search Instagram, spend 5 minutes looking for them!
Hopefully, you’ll be able to see them conveniently near something else on your list!
If the large, traveling letters aren’t set up somewhere you’ll have to decide if you want to see the ones at the airport or the lake.
1-Day in Amsterdam Itinerary
It’s so hard to choose what to do if you only have one day in Amsterdam. There is so much to see but these are the things you definitely don’t want to miss.
Total Normal Price: €64,50 (MOCO) / €68 (Rijks) / €67 (Van Gogh)
Total iAmsterdam Card Price: €97,90 (MOCO) / €85,50 (Rijks) / €85,50 (Van Gogh) (includes €65 for a 24-hour card)
- Choose a Museum: MOCO (16,50 / 12,40), Van Gogh (19 / 0), or Rijks (20 / 0)
- Rembrandtplein (free)
- De Wallen / Red Light District (free)
- Dam Square (free)
- Royal Palace (10)
- Anne Frank House (10,50)
- Canal Boat Tour (27,50 / 0)
- I Amsterdam Letters* (free)
I would highly recommend you walk as much as possible on your day in Amsterdam. The beauty of Amsterdam is seen best on foot when you can stop to admire the canals and buildings as often as you’d like.
If you breeze through something on the itinerary quickly, I’d suggest visiting another museum. All three museums on the list are amazing!
3-Days in Amsterdam Itinerary
A three-day itinerary of Amsterdam includes all the things you’d do in one day (although not on the same day) plus some more!
Total Normal Price: € 152
Total Amsterdam Card Price: € 151 (includes €105 for a 72-hour card)
Day 1:
- Spinoza Monument (free)
- Rembrandtplein (free)
- Pathé Tuschinkski Theater (10)
- Munttoren (free)
- Begijnof (free)
- Anne Frank House (10,50)
- Dam Square (free)
- Royal Palace (10)
- Canal Boat Tour (27,50 / 0)
Day 2:
- The Red Light District (free)
- The Old Church (15 / 3)
- Our Lord in the Attic Church (12,50 / 0)
- Westergas (free)
- Eye Film Museum (11 / 0)
- NDSM (free)
Day 3:
Day three is heavy on the museums (because they’re all in such close proximity to each other). Split them up by heading over to the park or markets in between!
- Flower Market (free)
- Albert Cuyp Market (free)
- Rijksmuseum (20 / 0)
- MOCO (16,50 / 12,40)
- Van Gogh Museum (19 / 0)
- Vondelpark (free)
- I Amsterdam letters* (free)
Have More Time?
If you have more than 3 days in Amsterdam, check out some more of the museums in the city or take a day trip to:
Buy an iAmsterdam Card?
Every place on this list gave you two prices: normal and with an iAmsterdam Card.
The iAmsterdam Card includes:
- Free entry to over 70 museums
- Free public transport
- Discounts at restaurants, attractions, and concerts
- and much more!
The Amsterdam Card might not be best for you, but the only way to know is if you check it out.
Things to Know About Amsterdam, Netherlands
All the things you need to know to make your time in Amsterdam easy!
Money in Amsterdam
The Netherlands uses the Euro.
Tipping is not expected in Amsterdam. You can leave any extra change (or just round up the bill when you pay), but only tip extra for truly exceptional service.
Language in Amsterdam
The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch.
English is spoken (conversationally or better) by most of Amsterdam. In fact, most residents will speak a third or fourth language as well!
How to Get Around Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a very walkable city.
Don’t feel like walking? The public transportation system is excellent (and free of charge with an iAmsterdam card.
Things to Eat in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has some fabulous food. Don’t be overwhelmed by it, try whatever seems tasty to you. BUT, here are two things you should definitely try to have!
Stroopwafel
A Stroopwafel is two very thin waffle-wafers with a sticky, sweet spread in between.
You can buy packaged stroopwafels as a great souvenir to bring back for friends and family, but that’s not what you should be eating in Amsterdam.
Make sure you try a hot and fresh stroopwafel from a street vendor. Yum!
Broodje Haring
Herring (Haring in Dutch) is served by street vendors all over the city. It’s raw (kind of – it’s partially cured). If eating little (kind of) raw fish isn’t your thing, most vendors will offer Broodje Haring.
Broodje Haring is a raw herring sandwich. The herring is served in a crispy bread roll with pickles and onions.
Enjoy Amsterdam!
Amsterdam is a great city! Even if you only have a few days, you can still see all of the highlights.
Ready for more? Check out 15+ Fantastic Things to Do in Brussels, Belgium next.
Have you been to Amsterdam? What was your favorite thing in the city? Let me know in the comments below!
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