Welcome to my ultimate Amsterdam travel itinerary! In this guide, I share my top tips and recommendations for a 3-day trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands. I share a mix of food, culture, history, and architecture to pack into your next trip to the city. I also include tips on transportation within the city and the best time of year to visit. 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

3-Day Amsterdam Travel Itinerary

Planning to stay in Amsterdam for just one day?

Here's the perfect itinerary to make the most of it!

This route includes a city walk, a visit to one of the main museums, and suggestions for a canal cruise.

Food recommendations are conveniently placed along the route, so you won't have to search through long lists to find the right spot.

As a former city guide, I've included interesting information about the attractions and the city, along with some useful tips.

What's Inside:
- Must-See attractions & Hidden gems
- Enjoy breakfast, lunch, street food, and dinner along the route
- Attractions include links to Google Maps and further reading
- Be in the right place at the right time with our scheduled route

Food suggestions range from picnicking on the grass to dining at a seafood restaurant, ensuring options for every preference and budget.

Important Tips:
- Book in advance: Secure tickets for popular attractions early to avoid disappointment.
- Bring a raincoat to stay dry in Amsterdam's unpredictable weather.

Note: This guide does not include recommendations for the Red Light District or coffee shops. 
The perfect day starts at 9:00 AM

1 perfect day in Amsterdam

Here's a complete guide to make the most of your trip to Amsterdam. 

This includes: activities, places to see, parks, streets, markets, coffees, restaurants, museums and nightlife. 

AMSTERDAM - 3 day itinerary 

This guide is your ticket to experiencing the best of Amsterdam without spending a dime. Whether you're a budget-conscious traveler or simply looking for unique experiences, this curated list of free activities ensures an unforgettable adventure in one of Europe's most captivating cities.

Free things to do Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam, the vibrant capital of the Netherlands! Over the next five days, immerse yourself in this charming city's rich culture, stunning architecture, and unique atmosphere. Get ready to journey through iconic landmarks, picturesque canals, world-class museums, and delightful culinary experiences. Let's explore Amsterdam. 

Amsterdam in 5 days 

Whether you're into architecture, history, art, good food, or pretty cities, Amsterdam is a perfect destination! Here's everything you need to know to plan your visit to the capital of the Netherlands. 

On this guide, you’ll get: 
- the major sights with notes on what’s worth seeing and if they need advanced booking 
- an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot
- recommendations on typical dishes to order
- 9 sights and spots to check out in Amsterdam
- 5 first-rate museums, including which to prioritize based on time and interest
- 8 restaurants at varying price points, 2 breakfast places, and 4 great bars (some known for their apple pie!) 
- 3 accommodation options for different price points

Netherlands

🇳🇱 4 Days in Amsterdam Masterlist 

Hello, fellow traveler! Thank you for choosing my shop to help you have a fantastic trip to Amsterdam. It is my favorite city in Europe. This is where I healed parts of my soul and got to go deeper inside my mind. I saw some amazing things and can't wait to go back!

This board is how I spent three days in this stunning city! It also includes recommendations on spots I wanted to try but didn't get to. 

I plan on traveling back to Amsterdam in September of 2023, so since you get this guide for life, you will get access to all of my new updates!

You can email me any feedback regarding my itinerary or if you want to connect! 

Please be safe on your travels and tag Ma I'm Fine in your adventures!

xoxo
lex 

INCLUDES 

> Where to sleep | 3

> Where to eat | 10

> What to do | 10 

> Where to party | 5 

> Transportation  

> Weather 

> Episode 

CONNECT 

Email | contact@maimfine.com
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3 Days | Amsterdam, Netherlands  

Dive into why Amsterdam is known as the charming, beautiful, and welcoming place that it is with details on getting there, 15 activities and 9 must-try foods (and where to find them!). Easily turn this into a three-day trip to Amsterdam or pick and choose what speaks to you! 

Amsterdam Must-Do's (Food and Sights Edition)

Mom and daughter euro trip ✈️🧳💃

Places I visited in Amsterdam 🌷🇳🇱🛶

Amsterdam 

Get ready to dive into the enchanting wonderland that is Amsterdam! Nestled within a web of dreamy canals, this city is like a cultural treasure chest waiting for you to pop it open. 

Despite its charmingly compact size, Amsterdam packs a punch big enough to keep your senses tingling for a thrilling 3-day escapade. So, buckle up for the ride of a lifetime!

If you're a rookie voyager about to set sail on your maiden Amsterdam escapade, look no further. This guide is your golden ticket, overflowing with magical places to explore, lip-smacking local treats, and Instagram-worthy spots that'll make your friends jealous.

With this guide, you can expect:

- Interactive map to navigate you to each spot 
- Insights to popular attractions  
- Local recommendations on places to dine and wine
- BONUS guides

Amsterdam awaits, and the adventure begins now! 🚲🌷✨

3 days in Amsterdam 

Holland’s capital is a charming city famous for its canals and Dutch culture including bicycles, windmills, tulips, and of course the red light district. It was a city I was only in for a few days and while I was there KNEW I had to come back. It’s a city I could imagine living in and can see myself revisiting over and over! 💐🌷🍃🚨🚲

Buckle up and get your walking shoes ready! Amsterdam awaits, a city that thrums with a vibrant energy. 
Canals lined with charming gabled houses whisper tales of a rich history. 
Museums brim with artistic genius, from the delicate brushstrokes of Van Gogh to the poignant story of Anne Frank.

Within its grand museums and iconic landmarks lie stories waiting to be unraveled.  Wander through royal palaces, marvel at artistic masterpieces, or get lost in the delightful chaos of a bustling street market.  London is a feast for the senses, a city that will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you with memories that linger long after you depart.

But Amsterdam isn't just a museum under the open sky. Around every corner, tempting aromas of stroopwafel waft from cafes, and friendly faces invite you to join the lively buzz of a bustling square. So, open your heart to adventure, and let Amsterdam surprise you with its unique blend of history, culture, and joie de vivre.

Amsterdam, Nederland

Amsterdam, the city with energy: A Complete Travel Guide


Amsterdam, the Venice of the North, is a city of endless charm and vibrant culture. Its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and lively neighborhoods offer a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern dynamism.

Amsterdam is the first stop for many incoming (and departing) international flights so you may find yourself with a long layover and want to get out of the airport and explore. 

In this guide we’ll share everything you need to know about a layover in Amsterdam. 

How do I get from the airport to the city center?
The train is a quick and convenient way to arrive in the city center in less than 20 minutes. You can even use your contactless debit card, credit card or mobile phone to pay and not worry about messing around with the ticket machines. Just tap and go. Each way costs about 5 euros per person making it relatively affordable too considering how much it can cost to get to and from the airport in other major European cities like London and Paris. 

Where do I store my luggage? 
If you have bags or suitcases you’d like to store while you’re out exploring you can use luggage lockers or the baggage storage area. There are 5 luggage lockers after security that cost 8 euros a day. The lockers are 40x40 cm and have a depth of 70 cm. 

You can leave bags in a locker close to your departure gate before leaving the secure area or take them to baggage storage on level -1, between Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2. Hand baggage (max size 55x35x25cm) costs 6 euros a piece per day. You can also store larger luggage here for an additional fee. You can view the map on the Schipol website and search “locker” to find the luggage lockers after security or search “storage” to see where the baggage storage before security is located. Additional information on luggage storage can be found on the Schipol Airport website.

What can I do on my long layover?
There’s a lot you can do near Amsterdam Centraal. 
- Take photos at the row houses.
- Take a boat tour for a unique perspective of Amsterdam from it’s iconic canals. The Our Lord in the Attic Museum is a lesser known spot just around the corner from where many of the boat tours leave. 
- Visit Amsterdam’s oldest building, Oude Kerk Amsterdam,  which was a church but is now used for concerts and cultural events. It’s located in the middle of the Red Light District.
- If you’re looking for free sites, check out the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. It’s free to visit and just only a 5 minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal. 
- Do some shopping on Damrak Avenue and grab souvenirs like cheese (many of the stores offer free samples!) and other Dutch goods. HEMA is a cute store worth checking out for affordable and often practical souvenirs as well. 
- At Dam Square you’ll find the ornate Royal Palace Amsterdam and The New Church. 
- One of the best ways to enjoy Amsterdam is admiring the picture perfect canals. If you want to go inside a canal house and see what it was like back in 1620, check out the Museum House Bartolotti. 
- If you want to visit the Anne Frank House be sure to reserve your tickets two months in advance! 

How long do I need for a long layover?
We wouldn’t recommend leaving the airport if you have less than a 6 hour layover. If you’ve been to Amsterdam before and are familiar with the airport, public transportation, and the city you can maybe get away with leaving on a shorter layover, but for first time visitors you want to make sure you give yourself enough time. 

Seven hours or more would be ideal. Remember, if you’re traveling internationally and this is your first stop in Europe, you’ll need to go through customs and immigration and if it’s your last stop before leaving Europe you’ll need to go through immigration after security when leaving. The lines for immigration can be quite long in Europe so always give yourself plenty of time and stay up to date on current conditions at security. 

What can I do if my layover is under 6 hours?
If you have a short layover there are a lot of shopping options in the Schipol airport. Pre-security you can find local stores like the grocery store Albert Heijn or the department store HEMA for local souvenirs or shops like Bloem and Fleurtiek for tulips and bulbs. 

Also, before security check out the Panorama Terrace for plane spotting and tour a KLM Fokker 100 plane too! 

Just because you can’t make it into the city doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the artwork from the Dutch masters. After security the Rijksmuseum Schiphol has a small collection of art from the middle ages to now straight from the Rijksmuseum. It even has its own gift shop. 

You can also visit the Airport Library with books by Dutch authors in different languages, music, and other cultural displays.

Do I need a visa to leave the airport on my layover?
That depends on what country your passport is from. As of now US citizens do not need a visa to visit the Netherlands. Starting in 2025 US citizens (and other countries) will need an 8 euro ETIAS travel authorization. That official date for when that will be rolled out has not been announced, but you can check this site for updates. 

Europe

Amsterdam Layover Guide

Hello, I am Ann, and I love traveling. This is my first travel guide and I decided to start with Amsterdam. I have been to this city more than once and discovered something new and special for myself each time. So I decided to share this with you.

Amsterdam, Netherland 🇳🇱 (and places nearby)

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Amsterdam - a perfect 3 day itinerary 

Dam Square

Home to the Royal Palace, plan on making a quick stop at Dam Square! This is a pinnacle square in Amsterdam but also definitely caters to tourists. While there isn't much to look at, there are some cute restaurants and bars in the surrounding area. However, you can also take a tour of the palace to learn more about the Dutch monarchy. 

Originally the location of the Amstel river dam that the city was named after! You'll likely pass through here while exploring the city, but make sure to see it at least once! 

Visit the bustling heart of the city, home to the Royal Palace and the National Monument. It’s a vibrant area full of life and history.

The heart of Amsterdam, Dam Square is a bustling hub of activity surrounded by historic buildings, including the iconic Royal Palace. 

The Royal Palace, proudly standing on the square since the 17th century, brings a bit of royal history to this famous Dutch landmark.

Start your Amsterdam adventure at Dam Square, the city's central hub.

Dam Square

About Dam Square

What people say

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