Discover the 15 best things to do in Amsterdam. The Dutch capital has many attractions for the whole family, so read on and take note of our tips.
1. Taking a cruise along Amsterdam’s canals: a boat trip along Amsterdam’s canals is an incredible way to explore the city. You can opt for day and night cruises and see the main sites of the Dutch capital from another perspective.
2. Visit the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam: this is the largest museum in Holland and houses works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. So if you like art and history, don’t miss it.
3. Enter the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam: it is dedicated to the famous Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh. It has the largest collection of his works, including some of his most famous paintings, letters, sketches and materials.
4. Visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam: this is a museum located in the house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Second World War. Anne Frank’s diary, one of the most famous books in the world, is a good read before visiting to better understand the story.
5. Walk around Amsterdam’s Vondelpark: it’s the largest park in Amsterdam and a great place to relax, walk, cycle or have a picnic. During the summer, there is a special program with open-air concerts.
6. Tour the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam: Take a tour of the former Heineken brewery, with tastings and fun activities. The site also offers visitors a tour of the brand’s history, brewing process and culture.
7. Cycling in Amsterdam: one of the best ways to get to know Amsterdam is by bike, as the city is known for its cycle paths and cycling infrastructure. So take advantage of this and take a tour of the main tourist attractions.
8. Walk around the Jordaan district in Amsterdam: is one of the best known and most charming in Amsterdam, due to its narrow streets, canals, cafés, restaurants, art galleries and stores. It’s a great place to stroll around and immerse yourself in local life.
9. Visit the Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam: this is Europe’s largest street market, located in the De Pijp district. There you’ll find a wide variety of products such as fresh fruit, cheese, clothes, souvenirs and much more. It’s also a great place to try Dutch cuisine.
10. Visit the Begijnhof in Amsterdam: this is one of the oldest places in Amsterdam. It is an enclosed courtyard that was home to a community of women in the 14th century. Today, it is a quiet refuge in the city center, with historic houses and a chapel.
11. Explore the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam: this is Holland’s leading museum of modern and contemporary art, with works by artists such as Van Gogh, Mondrian and Kandinsky. It’s well worth a visit.
12. Visit the A’DAM Lookout in Amsterdam: this is an observatory with an incredible panoramic view of Amsterdam. There is a swing that extends over the edge of the building. A great option for those who enjoy adventure.
13. Take a day trip to Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam: another option is to take a day trip to places close to the Dutch capital, such as the windmills of Zaanse Schans, the picturesque city of Haarlem or the flower fields at Keukenhof. This way, you can visit traditional Dutch houses and cheese and clog factories.
14. Enjoy Amsterdam’s Dam Square: this is the central square in the heart of the city. There, you can visit the Royal Palace, the New Church and take the opportunity to visit Amsterdam’s traditional stores, cafés, restaurants and markets.
15. Walking along De Negen Straatjes in Amsterdam: this is a set of nine streets in Amsterdam. It has stores, restaurants, cafés and galleries, making it perfect for shopping and exploring more of the city.
How to save on tours in Amsterdam?
To see the main sights of Amsterdam on a budget, we have a very good tip for you: always buy tickets online, as this saves you time and money. To secure your tickets in advance and online, from the comfort of your own home, we recommend that you use this Amsterdam Tickets Website, which is the one we use on all our trips.
We’ve traveled a lot and used several companies to buy our tickets, but since we met this one, we haven’t changed. It’s a guarantee of the best price on all the main tours not only in Amsterdam, but all over the world.
The platform is very secure and well known: just log on and see for yourself. By buying your tickets, you won’t waste any time during your trip waiting in long lines or running the risk of finding sold-out tickets.
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!
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!