The picturesque city of canals, tulips and windmills is one of the most fascinating and popular destinations in Europe, welcoming millions of tourists from all over the world every year.
Known as the Venice of the North, it is a tangle of canals overlooked by incredible and colorful buildings, the city is a true jewel to explore on foot or by bicycle. Every corner is so picturesque that it will leave you enchanted. If you know how to listen to my advice I guarantee you will fall in love with it at first sight!
Inside this guide you will find:
🗓️Best Time to visit
🚊Transportations
🏨 Where to stay (the best accommodation for your needs)
🏛️What to visit (all the monuments and attractions not to be missed)
☕️cafés
🍽️restaurants (for all types of pockets)
🍹cocktail bar and nightlife
🎭activities
✨unusual places
📌1,3 and 6 day itineraries
🎒excursions around Amsterdam.
And lots of other information and advice that will help you better plan your stay...
Happy reading!👀
The best time to go to Amsterdam is spring or early autumn.
In particular the months of March, May, September and October. In this period there is good weather, it rains less and there are not many tourists. Furthermore, the prices are acceptable.
In spring it is traditional to pay homage to the flowering of tulips, while in winter the squares dress up for Christmas and Saint Nicholas.
If you are looking for places to admire tulips blooming, take a look at this guide!
Amsterdam is a small city where it is easy to get around on foot or by bicycle. But it also has an excellent public transport system and interesting tourist cards that allow you to save on the cost of transport. You can travel on trams, buses and trainsMetro, managed by the city's main operator (GVB), or you can explore the city like real locals: by bicycle.
Most of Amsterdam's tourist attractions are concentrated in the center of Amsterdam which I recommend you explore on foot or by bike. To visit some attractions much further from the center I recommend you use the subway or tram, which extensively connect the suburban area of Amsterdam.
To visit Amsterdam the options available to you are:
•Bicycle: with which you can get anywhere, price starting from €5 per day.
I recommend StarBikes Rental (the place where we rented the bikes)! We rented 2 bikes for 4 days for the price of €50 and left another €50 as a deposit!
•daily passes: which include transport such as metro, buses and trams at the price of €8 (1 Day), €13.50 (2 Days), €19 (3 Days).
If in addition to transport you also want to save on attractions, then I recommend purchasing the Amsterdam City Card, which includes free or discounted entry to attractions and free use of public transport for its entire duration.
To get from the airport to central Amsterdam you have several options:
•by train: at the airport you can take a train that leaves every 15 minutes for the center of Amsterdam for the price of €6.
•by bus: which you can always take at the airport for the price of €7.
•by taxi:much more expensive. Prices start from €30 for a journey lasting 20 minutes.
Tip: the buses are always almost full of people and take longer to arrive. I advise you to take the Sprinter train (much more comfortable) and get off at the nearest stop according to your needs!
Where to stay in Amsterdam?
When it comes to hotels to stay in, Amsterdam offers you plenty of choice. Remember that the demand for hotels in Amsterdam is always very high, I advise you to book well in advance. Amsterdam is divided into seven districts and I'm here to recommend the best neighborhoods to stay in.
Binnenstad is the best neighborhood for first-time visitors to Amsterdam, i.e. the city centre. In a short time it will be possible to reach the main attractions and it is also convenient for nightlife, as it is close to the red light district. It's not a
Convenient area for families as it is very noisy at night! The neighborhood near Jordaan, despite being located near the center, is less chaotic and less invaded by tourists! It could be a great alternative to the downtown neighborhood. The Museumkwartier, or museum district, is the ideal area for those looking for art and culture. You can walk among museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the MOCO Museum of Modern Art. This is a perfect area for families with children! The De Pijp neighborhood (also known as the Latin Quarter) is the liveliest neighborhood loved by young people, perfect for those who want to get away from the tourist areas and save some money on the hotel.
Now I have drawn up a list of hostels, bed and breakfasts and hotels suitable for every budget and need. Obviously they are the ones with the most positive reviews and the most recommended!
A city like Amsterdam has a lot to offer. Once you arrive you will be spoiled for choice on things to do and see. But what are the attractions and monuments that you absolutely must not miss?
The Oude Kerk (Old Church) was built in 1302 and is the oldest building in the city. The church was initially a wooden chapel, which grew over the years to become a Gothic Basilica.
Due to its location,its history and its beautiful interior, the Oude Kerk is the most beautiful temple in the whole city.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Dam Square (400m, 7min). Metro stop: Central Station, lines 51,52,53 and 54.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 12£-reduced price £7. Included in the Amsterdam City Card
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Outside the church if you look carefully on the ground you can find this sculpture. But what is it? This marble sculpture represents a hand caressing the breast and is a tribute to the workers of Amsterdam's red light district.
The Rijksmuseum is one of the most important museum in Amsterdam and the whole of Holland.
With the largest collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, it attracts around two million visitors a year. If you're passionate about art,you shouldn't miss it, and if you're not interested in it, you should still give it a chance! It is located in the Museum Quartier ,where you can also find other important museum such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Moco Museum and the Stedelijk Museum.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Van Gogh Museum (350m, 5min). Tram stop: Hobbemastraat, lines 2 and 5.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 22,50£, free entry up to 18 years. Included in the Amsterdam City Card
The Koninklijk Paleis is located on Dam Square in the center of Amsterdam. The structure originally housed the City's Town Hall, but was then converted in 1808 by Louis Bonaparte into the Royal Palace. Today the Royal Palace is no longer the official seat of the Dutch monarchy but is used by the royal family only for solemn holidays and state visits. At that time it was the largest administrative building in Europe and the inhabitants of the city were so proud of it that they nicknamed it "the eighth wonder of the world".
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Anna Frank House (800m, 10min). Tram stop: Dam, lines 4,9,16,24 and 25.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 12,50£-reduced price 9£.Free entry with Museum Card and under 18.
Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House is one of the most important attraction in the city's history. Anne Frank and her family lived hidden here during the Nazi invasion in the Second World War.
It is a visit capable of moving its visitors,not to be missed if you are in Amsterdam!
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Dam Square (600m, 8min). Tram stop: Westermarkt, lines 13 and 17.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 16£-reduced price 7£ and 1£ for under 9.
The tickets can be purchased exclusively on the official website well in advance.
In the Museum Quartier you can find the Van Gogh Museum, the second most visited museum in Amsterdam, with over 2 million visitors a year. Inside the museum you will find more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and hundreds of letters from the artist.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Rijksmuseum (350m, 5min). Tram stop: Hobbemastraat, lines 2 and 5.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 22£, free entry for under 18.
Also in the museum quartier is the Stedelijk Museum, located right next to the Van Gogh Museum. The Stedelijk is the city's museum of modern art and design and is also one of the most important in the country.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Van Gogh Museum (200m, 2min). Tram stop: Hobbemastraat, lines 2 and 5.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 22,50£-reduced price 10£.Free entry for under 18 and with Amsterdam City Card.
A popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam, located on Dam Square, is the Madame Tussauds Museum. The Museum is present in many cities around the world as it is part of a chain of museum sharing the same basic idea, that of exhibiting a series of life-size wax reproductions of famous people of the present and past.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Koninklijk Palais (200m, 2min). Tram stop: Dam, lines 4,9,16,24 and 25.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 23,50£-reduced price 19,50£.Free entry for under 3.
The Moco Museum is an independent museum located in Amsterdam and Barcelona, dedicated to the display of modern and contemporary art. The museum was founded with the mission of attracting a broader, younger audience and making art accessible to the public.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Van Gogh Museum (200m, 2min). Tram stop: Hobbemastraat, lines 2 and 5.
🎟️Ticket cost:full price 21,95£-reduced price 18,95£, free entry with Amsterdam City Card and for under 6.
The NEMO Science Museum is the most important science exhibition center in Holland.It is a perfect place to visit with the family, here you can carry out scientific experiments and see interactive exhibitions on the force of gravity, magnetism and many other phenomena newspapers, which may surprise you.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Central Station (1 Km, 12min). Metro stop: Central Station, lines 51,52,53 and 54.
🎟️Ticket cost:full price 17,50£, free entry with Amsterdam City Card and Museum Pass and for under 3.
The red light district is located in the center of Amsterdam.You can recognize it thanks to the large amount of neon and red lights that adorn its shop windows.
It is the most frequented neighborhood by tourists, who reach it attracted by the charm of the forbidden. Being one of the most tourist areas of the city and with important attractions,a visit to the most transgressive neighborhood of Amsterdam is inevitable!
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Oude Kerk (150m, 2min). Metro stop: Central Station, lines 51,52,53 and 54.
The Bloemenmarkt, in operation since 1862, is the only floating flower market in the world. Here you can find many flowers and plants. I recommend buying tulip bubls!
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Koninklijk Palais (800m, 10min). Tram stop: Koningsplein, line 2.
Heineken Experience is an interactive exhibition dedicated to the history and world of Heineken beer.The museum is set up in the factory of the brand's first distillery, created in 1867 and during its visit you can learn everything about the beer manufacturing process and the history of the Heineken family.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Rijksmuseum (500m, 6min). Tram stop: Heinekenplein, lines 4 and 24.
🎟️Ticket cost: adult full price 23£, 25% discount with Amsterdam City Card
A viewing platform located on the top floor of the Amsterdam Tower "A'DAM". Climb to the top and give yourself the unique experience of admiring the city at 360 degrees,where you can't miss a ride on the highest swings in Europe!
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Central Station (1km, 10min). Bus stop: Buiksloterweg, line 38.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 16,50£-reduced 10,50£
Vondelpark is the largest park in Amsterdam and the inhabitant's favorite place for walking, cycling, playing sports, eating or relaxing in one of its terrace bars.
It is located a short walk from the museum quartier and if you visit it in summer it is very likely to participate in some outdoor shows!
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Van Gogh Museum (1 km, 14min). Tram stop: Overtoom, line 3.
A museum dedicated to the world of microbes, located next to the Artis Zoo. It offers an interactive experience that allows you to discover the invisible universe of microbes that surround us.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 17,50€-reduced price 10€.
A museum located in an authentic houseboat, offering an interesting insight into life on a houseboat in Amsterdam's canals.
🎟️Ticket cost: full price 9,50€-reduced price 5€
Right in the Foodhallen market you can taste the famous Bitterballen and Deballenbar is one of the most renowned places to taste these delights! We paid €6 for a portion of 6 croquettes..
Keukenhof,also known as the Garden of Europe, is one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the world. The park covers an area of 32 hectares and is one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands. During the 8 weeks it is open the park is frequented by almost a million people, mostly foreign tourists.
📍37 km from Amsterdam
👣How to get there: Take the train to the airport from Amsterdam Centraal, then take the Keukenhof Express Bus.
🎟️Ticket cost: see the prices in the link I attached. I advise you to purchase the ticket complete with transport and entrance to the garden.
An unmissable visit if you are in Amsterdam is the village of windmills and cheese. Here everything is less hectic and you can enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere among colorful houses and windmills!
📍 12 km from Amsterdam.
👣How to get there: Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandam.
🎟️Ticket cost: if you decide to visit it independently the price is only £5 for the train ticket.Prices depend on your visits to the various museums that you can find during your visit to the village.
Tips:I recommend you absolutely visit the Zaans Museum and the Wooden Shoes Museum.
If you prefer to get around by taking part in an organized tour, consult the link
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Advice: come here in spring! Don't do like us who came in December... rain, wind and we all got completely wet.
The most beautiful excursion you could do is Giethoorn, a beautiful Dutch town famous for having no roads but only canals, so to get around you don't use cars but boats.Here is where time seems to have stopped, among meadows, bridges in wood and nineteenth-century farms.
📍113 km from Amsterdam.
👣How to get there: being too far from Amsterdam I recommend you take part in a guided tour, where transport is included. Check the link to see the prices and what the tour consists of.
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Itineraries
1 Day Itinerary
📍Koninklijk Palais (Royal Palace)
📍Van Gogh Museum
📍Rijksmuseum
📍Anna Frank House
📍Evening cruise on the canals
📍Red Light District
3 Days Itinerary
Day 1
📍Oude Kerk
📍Anna Frank House
📍Koninklijk Palais
📍Madame Tussauds
📍Red Light District
Day 2
📍Bloemenmarkt
📍Rijksmuseum
📍Van Gogh Museum
📍Moco Museum
📍Evening cruise on the canals
Day 3
📍Stedelijk Museum
📍Vondelpark
📍NEMO Science Museum
📍A'DAM Lookout
📍Heineken Experience
6 Days Itinerary
Day 1
Oude Kerk, Singel 7, Body Worlds,Anna Frank House, A'DAM Lookout, Red Light District.
Day 2
Dam Square, Koninklijk Palais, Madame Tussauds,Foodhallen,Evening cruise on the canals.
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Moco Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Vondelpark.
Day 5
Keukenhof Flowers Garden
Day 6
Zaandam and Zansee Schans
Useful Tips
1.Be careful not to mistake a pedestrian path for a cycle path! Cyclists are everywhere in Amsterdam and if you don't want to be knocked over or for the cyclist to brake,putting those behind at risk,be very careful!
2.Bottled water is not cheap in Amsterdam and can cost up to 2,50 euros per bottle.So I advice you to bring a water bottle with you and fill it from the drinking water fountains in the city.
3.If you visit the Red Light District, you must not photograph sex workers, because it is disrespectful towards them.Plus you can get a hefty fine!
4.In Amsterdam, using cannabis is legal, but only in spaces such as coffee shops.Don't buy weed,hashish or anything else from drug dealers and don't smoke on the street.It's totally illegal!
5.The weather is unstable and if you don't want to find yourself in the rain at any moment don't forget to bring an umbrella!
I hope I have helped you organize your trip to Amsterdam and I thank you for supporting my work 👩🏽💻For any information do not hesitate to contact me on my Instagram profile.Tag us in the photos you take - we'd love to see your experience!
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