Amsterdam is known for many things: beautiful canals, world-class museums, and legalized drugs and prostitution. To be honest, the city is all of those things. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and the starting point for all sorts of European adventures. In this guide, I’ll cover the best things to do in Amsterdam and my tips for visiting this one-of-a-kind city.
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Best Things to Do Amsterdam
Visit the Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum is a well-organized museum that showcases the artist’s work and tells the story of his (tragic) life. Vincent Van Gogh grew up in the Netherlands and gradually developed a personal style of painting that has influenced artists around the world.
The museum is organized chronologically and shows off key paintings from each era of Van Gogh’s work like the iconic “Bedroom in Arles” and the ominous “Wheatfield with Crows” painted shortly before his death. Alongside Van Gogh’s paintings, you’ll see works by artists that influenced him like the impressionist works of Monet and Degas.
The museum is a manageable size, but you’ll need to get timed tickets in advance if you want to visit (€25.00). I recommend looking for tickets about two weeks in advance to get your preferred entry time. Make sure to book through the official museum website. The audioguide is great and can be purchased in advance or at the museum (€3.75).
Amsterdam has a lot of museums! Read below for some other options to visit.
Go on a Canal Cruise
This might seem like an obvious pick, but I really think no trip to Amsterdam is complete without hopping in a canal boat. It’s such a beautiful way to see the city! You’ll see all types of watercraft from high-capacity sightseeing boats all the way down to tiny rental boats. I think the best option is in the middle: a small group boat tour.
I went for an evening cruise with Amsterdam Boat Adventures, and it was wonderful! We started our voyage on the Amstel River, where our captain pointed out sights like the famous “Dancing Houses.” Being in a smaller boat meant we could enjoy some conversation along the way. And we squeezed through some really small canals as we made our way along the western canal belt and back. Highly recommended.
Tour the Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam) is an official residence of the Dutch royal family used on important occasions. Architecturally, it was actually built as Amsterdam’s city hall in 1655. But in 1808, the newly ascended King Louis Bonaparte (brother of Emperor Napoleon) made it his royal palace.
For me, the highlight was the incredible Citizen’s Hall with soaring vaulted ceilings and an impressive set of 17th century maps inlaid in the marble floor. It really takes you back to Amsterdam’s golden age of exploration. You’ll also see finely decorated rooms used for official state visits, including the balcony where new monarchs greet the public gathered in Dam Square. (The last time was in 2013 when King Willem-Alexander was inaugurated.) Make sure to stop by the tragically beautiful Tribunal where city magistrates used to decide whether to sentence criminals with the death penalty.
Tickets to the Royal Palace are €13.50 and include a free audioguide. I’d stick to the highlights tour unless you’re really interested in the furniture. There’s a free coat check for small backpacks and jackets.
Explore the Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is like a hidden sanctuary that feels far away from the busy streets on either side. Located close to Spui Square, this collection of homes around a central courtyard was a home for beguines. These women were a bit like nuns, unmarried and devoted to a prayerful life in their enclosed community.
Today, visitors are welcome to enjoy the beautiful architecture and landscaping of the Begijnhof. The highlight is the English Reformed Church, a simple chapel where some of the Pilgrims who came to America likely stopped to worship in 1608. Across the pathway is a low-profile chapel where the Catholic beguines moved their church during the Reformation in 1671.
When visiting the Begijnhof, be respectful of the private homes around. You may also be asked wait outside the entrance if the area becomes too crowded.
Go on an Amsterdam Food Tour
I feel like I always recommend going on food tours, but I was surprised how much I loved the Amsterdam food tour I did. The Netherlands has a history of trade and exploration that lead to some unique food combinations.
I went with Adam & Eve Food Tours, and our entertaining guide gave us a perfect introduction to famous Dutch foods of Amsterdam. We started off with an awesome and educational cheese tasting. Dutch cheese is so underrated, and did you know we’re all pronouncing “Gouda” wrong?
After that, our tour continued with some delicious Dutch treats like stroopwafels and Flemish fries. Along the way, we learned about the history of Amsterdam’s canals and narrow houses. Our tour ended at a cozy “brown cafe” with a steadying glass of Dutch gin called jenever. 10/10 introduction to Amsterdam!
Take a Peek at the Red Light District
Okay we’ve all heard of the Red Light District, right? Amsterdam has a long history of tolerating sex work, and you can’t help but be fascinated by a place that has properly legalized it.
Visitors are welcome to walk through and see the sex workers in their famous red-lighted windows. Just keep you phone and camera put away. The Red Light District is also a hub for coffeeshops that sell cannabis, especially famous tourist outposts like The Bulldog.
If you’re interested in all the area’s various offerings, you’ll unfortunately have to read some else’s blog. If, on the other hand, you’re merely looking for an excuse to stroll into the Red Light District, I can recommend stopping by the Oude Kerk. It’s Amsterdam’s oldest building and has really lovely gothic architecture.
Drink at an Old-School Brown Cafe
Despite the unusual name, a brown cafe is basically Amsterdam’s version of a classic pub. They’re called brown cafes because they used to be filled with people smoking tobacco and staining the walls. Nowadays, you can’t smoke inside. Brown cafes are the perfect place for a beer, a few snacks, or maybe a glass of Dutch gin called jenever. My favorite is Cafe De Sluyswacht, a tiny place right next to a canal near Waterlooplein. But there are many options around Amsterdam, especially in the historic Jordaan neighborhood. A few I can recommend are Cafe de Prins, Cafe ‘t Smalle, and Cafe Hegeraad.
Visit the Dutch Resistance Museum
The Netherlands was deeply affected by World War II, and the Dutch Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum) is a place to learn about this era. The German army invaded in May 1940, and Amsterdam in particular struggled under Nazi occupation until the very end of the war. Some Dutch residents joined the Nazis while others worked against them in secret. Many Jewish residents were sent to concentration camps and became victims of the Holocaust.
The Dutch Resistance Museum is highly interactive and brings elements of this difficult time to life. Near the beginning, you’ll see an imposing wall of filing cabinets that illustrates the way Amsterdam’s Jewish residents were required to register with the government. Later there’s an area highlighting the impossible choice many had to make: report and be sent to the labor camps, attempt to flee the Nazis, or go into hiding. I also appreciated the interactive exhibit where you can experience the process of making fake ID documents.
Tickets to the Dutch Resistance Museum are €17.50. There’s a free audioguide you can pick up on-site.
Take a Day Trip
Amazingly convenient rail and bus systems mean you can reach almost anywhere in the Netherlands as a day trip from Amsterdam. I recommend using the NS app to check your options for times and prices. (More on the app below.)
I did a day trip to Edam, Volendam, and Marken that’s outlined in the Rick Steves Amsterdam Guide. It was an easy and fun way to see a charming corner of North Holland. We took the bus from Amsterdam Noord Station to Edam in the morning. I loved checking out the cheese museum (The Story of Edam Cheese) and sampling some of the famous cheese.
After Edam, we took a bus to touristy Volendam before hopping on the ferry to Marken. The tiny fishing village of Marken is basically only in existence because of tourism, but it still feels lived in. We strolled around the colorful houses and learned about traditional life at the Marker Museum. It was like a totally different world from Amsterdam.
Of course, there are many other options for day trips from Amsterdam. You could see the lovely town of Delft or visit the political center of the Netherlands in The Hague, for example.
Visit More Museums
Art Museums
Art fans have two other museums to check out at the Museumplein. The most popular is the Rijksmuseum, the national art museum of the Netherlands. It has a big collection that includes masterpieces from Golden Age artists like Rembrandt . (I skipped the Rijksmuseum because I was planning to see paintings by the Dutch masters at the Mauritshuis in The Hague.)
The other option is the Stedelijk Museum, a world-class museum of modern and contemporary art.
Anne Frank House
Perhaps Amsterdam’s most famous resident, Anne Frank spent two years hiding from the Nazis in a secret room while Amsterdam was occupied during World War II. This secret annex is now part of a museum. Tickets to the Anne Frank House are very in-demand, so make sure to buy them well in advance. They go on sale Tuesdays at 10:00 am local time, 6 weeks in advance (€16.50). Did I get tickets? Well…no. But you probably should.
Getting Around Amsterdam
Airport Transportation
The fastest way to get from Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport to the city center is by train. Head downstairs from terminal to find the train station. The train to Amsterdam Centraal Station takes about 25 min. and costs only €5.50. From there you can walk or take the tram to your hotel. Both the train and the tram accept payment by contactless credit card, just be sure to “tap in” and “tap out” with the same card.
If you’re not staying close to Amsterdam Centraal, another convenient option is the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397. It makes a handful of stops including Museumplein and Leidseplein. And you won’t have to squeeze on to the tram with your luggage. You can catch the bus outside of the arrivals hall at platform B17 (under the bridge). It costs €6.50 and gets to Leidseplein in about 30 min.
Taxi and Uber are both options as well. You won’t save much time and you definitely won’t save money. Figure around €40-60 depending on your destination.
Trams
Amsterdam’s city center is very walkable, but the trams are helpful for connecting places on the outer edges and saving a few steps. I’ve used the tram to get to Museumplein and to the Jewish Cultural Quarter, for example. The easiest way to navigate trams is using Google Maps, which will tell you where to get on and which tram to take. Just “tap in” with a contactless card (or phone pay) and make sure to “tap out” before you get off. Journeys within the city center are only €2-3 and are capped at a €10,50 daily maximum.
Metro
Believe it or not, the Dutch managed to put a metro system underneath all the canals of Amsterdam. The metro is situationally useful for getting to Centraal Station or to Amsterdam Noord. Trust Google Maps to let you know when it’s worth heading down to the metro instead of taking a tram. You’ll see a blue “M” by the stop name. Contactless payments work the same way paying for the metro, just “tap in” and “tap out” at the gates.
Bicycle
Amsterdam has incredibly good bike infrastructure, and usually bicycles are the fastest way to get from point to point. But it takes some time to understand the traffic patterns and get comfortable. Personally, I wasn’t staying in Amsterdam long enough to bother with figuring it out. If you’re feeling adventurous though, bike rentals are widely available. Ask at your hotel to find one nearby. And make sure to lock up your bike any time you step away from it.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
- Canal Belt and Jordaan – If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, you can’t beat the experience of staying in the beautiful historic areas of the Canal Belt (Grachtengordel) or the Jordaan. Both areas are ideally located, and the only drawback is the generally high cost of accommodations.
- Old Center – The Old Center around the Red Light District/De Wallen is the most central area for sightseeing but lacks some of the charm of the Canal Belt and Jordaan to the west. You’ll find some convenient big box hotels in this area.
- Museum Quarter and De Pijp – For a good compromise of location, character, and affordable price, try looking around the Museum Quarter or the neighborhood of De Pijp.
- Nord, Oost, and Beyond – If the cost of accommodations in Amsterdam is breaking your budget, try looking at areas outside the center. You’ll only have a short commute by metro or tram to reach most sightseeing.
Note that short-term rentals like AirBnB are highly regulated in Amsterdam. You are unlikely to find a legitimate option for your stay.
More Tips for Visiting Amsterdam
- Pedestrian safety – The biggest danger in Amsterdam are the bicycles silently speeding through intersections. Make sure to look both ways and always avoid walking in the pink bike lanes. (One tour guide joked that the reason they’re pink is because of all the tourists who’ve been run over.)
- Credit is king – Credit cards work nearly everywhere in Amsterdam. I took out some cash and ended up taking half of my Euros back home.
- Advance tickets needed – FYI, you really need to get advance tickets if you’re planning to visit the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, or the Rijksmuseum.
- Free lockers – Many museums around Amsterdam have free lockers for storing backpacks and other small bags. Just don’t bring your big luggage.
- Coffee vs. “coffeeshop” – In Amsterdam, a “coffeeshop” is generally a business that sells marijuana and cannabis products. If you want actual coffee, look for a cafe or a business with just “coffee” in the name.
- Albert Heijn grocery stores – These ubiquitous stores are your friend for getting drinks, snacks, and any random items you may need. Look for the blue “ah” logo.
- Get the NS Trains app – If you’re taking trains outside of Amsterdam, the easiest way to see your options and select tickets is the NS app. You can use contactless payment for all trains staying in the Netherlands, but sometimes buying advance tickets is cheaper.
