Experience Amsterdam's golden-age canals, world-class museums, and vibrant neighborhoods without missing a thing. This guide covers iconic landmarks, local food culture, cycling routes, and the best day trips from the city.
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Iconic Museums & Culture
Visit the Rijksmuseum
The museum holds over 8,000 works including Rembrandt's Night Watch. Book timed-entry tickets at least 3 days ahead, and arrive right at opening (9 AM) to beat crowds in the Gallery of Honour.
Explore the Van Gogh Museum
Houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's work — over 200 paintings and 500 drawings. Friday evenings the museum stays open until 9 PM with a quieter atmosphere and occasional live music.
Tour the Anne Frank House
Tickets release online exactly 6 weeks in advance and sell out within minutes. Set a calendar reminder and log in right at the release time. The visit takes about 60-90 minutes.
See contemporary art at Stedelijk Museum
Check out NDSM Wharf street art and galleries
A free ferry from Central Station takes 15 minutes to reach this former shipyard turned creative hub. Visit on a weekend when pop-up markets and food trucks cluster around the area.
Canals & Historic Landmarks
Take a canal boat tour through the Grachtengordel
The UNESCO-listed canal ring has over 100 km of waterways. Smaller open-boat operators (12-person max) offer a more intimate experience than the large tour boats and can pass under lower bridges.
Walk along Herengracht and the Golden Bend
Visit the Royal Palace on Dam Square
Explore the Begijnhof courtyard
This hidden medieval courtyard dates to 1346 and contains one of Amsterdam's only two wooden houses. Entry is free but the gate closes at 5 PM. Speak quietly — residents still live here.
Photograph the Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug) at night
Over 1,200 lights illuminate this 1691 drawbridge after sunset. The view from Kerkstraat bridge looking toward the Skinny Bridge is the classic shot.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Wander through the Jordaan district
Originally a working-class area, the Jordaan is now packed with independent galleries, vintage shops, and brown cafes. Monday mornings feature the Noordermarkt organic farmers' market — arrive before 10 AM for the best selection.
Browse the Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp
Running over 260 stalls across 500 meters, this is Amsterdam's largest outdoor market. It operates Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The surrounding streets have some of the city's best Indonesian and Surinamese restaurants.
Discover the Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes)
Stroll through Vondelpark
Visit Oud-West for local cafe culture
The Foodhallen, housed in a renovated tram depot, has over 20 food stalls under one roof. Less touristy than the city center, with better prices on drinks and meals.
Dutch Food & Drink
Try raw herring (haring) from a street stall
Eaten with chopped onions and pickles, herring season starts in June with the Hollandse Nieuwe. Ask for it Amsterdam style — held by the tail and eaten in bites. Stalls near Central Station and Albert Cuyp Market are the most popular.
Eat a fresh stroopwafel at a street market
The warm ones made on-site at Albert Cuyp or Noordermarkt are dramatically better than packaged versions. The caramel syrup should be gooey and warm when you bite in — eat it immediately.
Have a rijsttafel (Indonesian rice table) dinner
This Dutch-Indonesian tradition involves 15-25 small dishes served with rice. A full rijsttafel for two typically costs 35-50 euros per person. The Indische Buurt neighborhood east of the center has the most authentic options.
Sample Dutch cheese at a kaaswinkel
Order bitterballen at a brown cafe
These crispy deep-fried beef ragout balls are served with mustard and are the go-to bar snack. A proper brown cafe (bruine kroeg) will have dark wood interiors, worn rugs, and a century of character.
Drink a local craft beer at a brouwerij
Amsterdam has over 30 craft breweries. Brewery tours with tastings typically run 15-20 euros and last about 90 minutes. The eastern docklands area has a growing cluster of taprooms.
Cycling & Parks
Rent a bike and ride along the Amstel River
The route south from the city center along the Amstel to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is about 12 km one way and mostly flat. Rental shops charge 10-15 euros per day — avoid the ones directly outside Central Station where prices are highest.
Cycle through Amsterdamse Bos
This 1,000-hectare park is three times the size of Central Park. Rent a bike at the main entrance and ride the 8 km loop trail past the rowing course and goat farm. Free entry year-round.
Visit the Hortus Botanicus garden
Watch sunset from A'DAM Tower Lookout
The rooftop observation deck is 20 floors up with 360-degree views. The Over the Edge swing costs extra but sends you swinging over the side of the building. Golden hour timing varies by season.
Day Trips from Amsterdam
Visit Zaanse Schans windmills
This open-air museum with working windmills is a 20-minute train ride from Central Station. Arrive before 10 AM to avoid tour bus crowds. The site itself is free to walk around — individual windmill entries cost 4-5 euros each.
See the tulip fields at Keukenhof (spring only)
Open mid-March to mid-May, the park displays roughly 7 million bulbs across 32 hectares. Weekday mornings have the thinnest crowds. Combo tickets with bus transport from Schiphol save time and hassle.
Explore Haarlem's Grote Markt and Frans Hals Museum
Just 15 minutes by train, Haarlem has the charm of Amsterdam without the crowds. The Saturday market on Grote Markt is one of the Netherlands' largest. The Frans Hals Museum houses major Dutch Golden Age paintings.
Take the ferry to Marken or Volendam fishing villages
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book the Anne Frank House in advance?
Tickets release online 6 weeks ahead and sell out within hours so set a calendar reminder and book the moment they drop. There are no walk-up tickets available. Time slots start at 9:00; the 9:00-10:00 slots sell out first but the 16:00-17:00 slots are less frantic.
How do I get from Schiphol Airport to central Amsterdam?
Direct trains depart every 10-15 minutes and reach Amsterdam Centraal in 15 minutes for 5.60 EUR with an OV-chipkaart. A taxi costs 40-50 EUR for the same trip. The train runs from 06:00 to 00:30, with night buses covering the gap for 5 EUR.
Is Amsterdam bike-friendly for tourists?
Amsterdam has 800 km of dedicated bike lanes and cycling is the fastest way around the city. Rental shops charge 10-15 EUR per day for a standard Dutch bike. Stay out of tram tracks (wheels get stuck), ride on the right, and use hand signals since locals cycle aggressively and expect you to know the rules.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Two to three days covers the major museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank House), canal exploration, and a neighborhood like the Jordaan or De Pijp. Four days adds time for a day trip to Zaanse Schans windmills, Haarlem, or Keukenhof (spring only). The city is compact enough that you rarely need public transit.
What is the I amsterdam City Card worth?
The 72-hour card costs 100 EUR and includes free entry to 70+ museums, unlimited GVB transit, and a canal cruise. If you plan to visit the Rijksmuseum (22.50 EUR), Van Gogh Museum (20 EUR), and Stedelijk Museum (22.50 EUR) those three alone total 65 EUR, making the card worthwhile with transit included.