From the picturesque streets, winding canals, Baroque style houses and world-renowned museums, Amsterdam is truly a city everyone should visit. It is one of our favorite places to visit and every time we go back, we fall more and more in love with its beauty. Between the biking, architecture, museums, history, and restaurant selection, there is something for every traveler. In this Amsterdam travel guide, I will share with you all the top activities to do, things to see, best restaurants, and so much more!
I have only arrived in Amsterdam by train and the main train station is centrally located, which makes it even easier. If you arrive by train, you’ll be coming into “Amsterdam Centraal” and from here you can hop on a tram to your hotel or grab a taxi. You can book your train tickets here.
If you are flying into Amsterdam, the airport is located 18km from the city center. You can simply order an Uber / taxi which will take you about 15-20 minutes or get on public transportation and arrive in downtown Amsterdam in about 20 minutes.
One of my favorite things about Amsterdam is that it is a city you can visit year-round and admire the beauty of every season. In the winter, it offers Christmas markets, beautiful lights, holiday decor and a joy in the atmosphere. In the spring, the flowers are starting to bloom, the weather starts to warm up and wandering the city is more enjoyable compared to its cold months. Everything is amazing in the summer, right?! And Amsterdam is no exception. You can never go wrong with visiting in the summer. And in the fall, the leaves are starting to change, you’ll get cooler days and crisp nights. Overall, every season in Amsterdam is a reason to visit!
Amsterdam is a city where you can stay as long as you’d like and find something new to do every day. On the other hand, you can stop through for a day or two and get a general feel for the city.
Because Amsterdam is such a beautiful city and has so much to offer, I suggest a minimum of 2 nights. Each time I have been, we spent 3-4 nights and found it was a good amount of time. Staying 4 nights allowed us time to see everything we wanted, take our time strolling through the city and try so many amazing restaurants. You will also want to consider how many museums you’d like to visit, because that will be time consuming in itself! Later on, I will get into all the amazing museums in Amsterdam!
Below is my list of hotel recommendations based on location, reviews and value for your money. During our last trip to Amsterdam, we stayed at Tribe Hotel and can highly recommend it. The hotel itself was clean and modern, and the staff was great. Additionally, it is located right outside of the main train line.
Get lost in the streets: Sometimes one of the best ways to explore a new city is just by wandering the streets, getting lost, and having no intentions on where you want to go. I always stumble upon things I wouldn’t have otherwise. You won’t run out of canals to see, bridges to walk across, and Baroque style houses to admire while in Amsterdam.
Boat ride through the canals: By far one of the most popular things to do while visiting! With 165 canals in the city, it is one of the best ways to see Amsterdam and makes for a unique experience. They offer many different types of boat cruises and rentals depending on what you are looking for. I have done 3 different types of boat rides in Amsterdam.
1. First, there is a boat rental, where you can rent out a small motorboat for a few hours and see the canals at your own pace.
2. Second, an enclosed boat cruise that offers wine, beer, and cheeses with a guide who tells you about the city, history and canals. We booked this one, but there are several to choose from.
3. Lastly, we did a fun pancake boat cruise that was an all you can eat pancake breakfast. This one does not go through the canals and wasn’t my personal favorite of the three, but a unique experience in itself. I think this would be a great activity if you have kids!
*Note: They also have hop on, hop off tours so you can see the city at your own pace!
Rent a bike: Do as the locals do and rent a bike! One of the best and most popular ways to get around the city.
Visit the Heineken Museum: A fun activity for all the beer lovers! This would be something fun to do on a rainy day if you’re in need of an indoor activity. You can book your tickets here in advance.
Visit the Bloemenmarkt (flower market): A beautiful flower market that sits on houseboats on the canal, making it unlike any other market. As I’m sure you already know, tulips are the symbol of the Netherlands and at this market you will find a wide variety of colors and kinds.
Visit the Albert Cuyp Market: A farmers market with all different types of vendors. You can find food, flowers, souvenirs, clothes and more.
Go vintage shopping: There are so many cool vintage shops throughout Amsterdam. I stumbled upon many while roaming around the city. I had a great find from AVC Amsterdam Vintage Clothing (a Burberry jacket) and found it to reasonably priced.
Walk / shop around the Dam Square: In the Dam Square, you’ll find the Royal Palace, many shops, stores, and touristy things like Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Take a picture in front of the “iamsterdam” sign: Be sure to snap a picture of the infamous “iamsterdam” while visiting!
Walk around Central Station (see the Damrak waterfront): The Central Station itself is a beautiful building worth seeing. Additionally, it offers a nice area to walk around! The Damrak waterfront is one of my favorite places to admire and snap some pictures! (See picture below).
Pluk Amsterdam: A cute and trendy breakfast cafe with pastries, cappuccinos and more!
The Avocado Show: If you’re looking for a fun and trendy brunch spot, this is it. Avocado everything, cute Instagramable inside, and a fun atmosphere.
Little Collins: We came here for breakfast on our first day and the food was amazing!
Zero Zero: If you need a mid-day snack / lunch, check out Zero Zero! They have delicious sandwiches made with homemade sourdough bread!
Box Sociaal: This little restaurant was one I stumbled upon on Instagram, and I am glad I did! The food was absolutely a 10/10 and the service was great. However, it is a small restaurant, so I suggest making reservations ahead of time. They also have a breakfast menu that looks delicious!
Meatless District: I found this restaurant when looking for vegan / vegetarian options for my mom and we absolutely loved it. I am not vegan or vegetarian but really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. I would definitely come here again!
De Kas: This restaurant was by far our coolest and most unique dining experience. The restaurant is situated in their very own greenhouse which makes for a fun atmosphere. It is located a bit out of the city (about 15-20 minutes by Uber), but well worth it. Their menu is always changing based on what’s in season and they offer a multitude of courses. Additionally, it is a Michelin Star restaurant, so it is a bit more expensive. However, for the dining experience, food quality and service, I think it is definitely worth it. Be sure to make a reservation a few weeks in advance.
nNea Pizza: Make a reservation in advance, as this place is popular and small on the inside, but WOW! It is some of our favorite pizza we have ever had!
Namche: If you’re in the mood for some good, authentic Indian food, check out this restaurant!
The Chupitos Club: Asian / Fusion cuisine with a trendy interior, lively atmosphere and great food.
De Margaritabar: Such a cool dinner spot, with amazing Mexican food and cocktails!
So much of Amsterdam can be seen on foot, or by renting a bike! It’s a very walkable and pedestrian friendly city. Their excellent public transportation system makes navigating the city effortless, whether you’re traveling from one end of the city to another, or simply seeking a break from walking.
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I think the pictures, restaurants, landmarks, and canals speak for themselves! Amsterdam is a MUST visit city and truly a bucket list destination. Like I mentioned previously, it has something for every type of traveler. It’s a city that you could spend a week in and not run out of things to do. On the other hand, you can stop in for a few days and really get a feel for the beauty it has to offer. We have visited so many countries and cities within Europe, and Amsterdam still ranks as one of my absolute favorites. And after your visit, you’ll see why! Please feel free to reach out to me on IG @_juliatravels if you have any additional questions. I am happy to help answer any questions you may have.
If you’re heading anywhere else in Europe, be sure to check out my long list of other travel guides! One of the times we went to Amsterdam, we paired it with a few days in Paris beforehand! From Paris to Amsterdam is only a four-hour train ride and a great way to see two of the most popular cities in Europe! You can check out my Paris travel guide below.
If you’re like me and need help keeping all of your travel plans and itinerary organized, be sure to check out my travel journal that I designed for just this reason! It’s how I plan every single trip and keep organized. It has everything you need from a packing list, a page for your accommodation info, travel itinerary, budgeting on your trip, journaling each day and more!
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