Check out our 1 day in Amsterdam itinerary. Although this is the minimum amount of time you should spend in the city, you can still get a lot out of it. So check out our tips and enjoy.
Morning: Red Light District, Dam Square and Royal Palace
One of Amsterdam’s most famous landmarks is the Red Light District, which you’ve probably heard of. So our tip is to start your tour there. Even during the day, you can get to know the place well, get an idea of how it works and what the atmosphere is like there. In fact, many of the coffee shops are already open and you’ll be able to visit them too.
Despite its fame, the place is full of tourists, families, couples and all kinds of people. So you can rest assured that it’s a walk for different types of people and age groups. Amsterdam’s Red Light District is very close to Centraal Station, where trains arrive from the airport and other countries. That’s why we recommend it as your first stop.
Next stop: Dam Square in Amsterdam, where the Royal Palace is located, another important tourist attraction. The square is also home to Madame Tussauds Museum and De Bijenkorf, the largest department store in the Netherlands. You can take one of these two tours – shopping or visiting the museum, whichever suits your vibe. Just remember that they both take longer.
The nice thing is that you can visit the Royal Palace, which has beautiful architecture and was recently renovated. Around Dam Square, there are several nice bars, restaurants and cafés where you can have lunch.
Afternoon: canal boat trip, Albert Cuyp market and Heineken Brewery
If you only want to visit Dam Square, you can also take a boat trip along the city’s famous canals. If that’s not your thing, you can take the opportunity to go shopping in Amsterdam or visit a museum, for example. The city is full of museums.
Then go to Albert Cuyp, Amsterdam’s most famous street market. It’s located in De Pijp, a typically Dutch neighborhood that is one of the coolest and hippest in the city. Just strolling through the canal-lined streets is well worth the trip. At the market, you’ll find everything from food, fruit and fresh fish to electronics.
But be warned. Albert Cuyp is not open on Sundays. If your day in Amsterdam falls on this date, replace this tour with one of the main museums in Amsterdam, for example.
Very close to the market is the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam, which is the brand’s brewery where you can learn all about the production process and taste the beer at the end of the tour. Do it if you have time, because it’s a really cool experience. It lasts about two hours and children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian of legal age.
Evening: Museumplein and the I Amsterdam sign
The Museumplein in Amsterdam is the square where the city’s three main museums are located: the Van Gogh, the Stedelijk and the Rijksmuseum. You’ll also find the famous I Amsterdam sign, where everyone who visits the city has to take at least one photo.
In this one-day itinerary, it’s difficult to visit these museums because of the time, but you can substitute a boat trip, if you prefer, to visit one of them. Remember that they are all very large and take time to visit, so think about whether it’s worth it.
Save money on your trip to Amsterdam:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Amsterdam cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Amsterdam tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Amsterdam. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
