What to see in Amsterdam in 1 - 3 days?
Amsterdam is also known as "the Venice of the North", since one of the main attractions of the city are its canals and its houseboats, it also attracts visitors for its tourist offer, its delicious gastronomy and its cultural and monumental heritage.
In this city you can enjoy the picturesque Red Light District, discover the Jordaan Quarter, explore its canals and numerous bridges with a bicycle until you get to know its main museums such as the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum. All this makes Amsterdam a different and very attractive city for tourists.
In this guide we will tell you everything you need to know before planning your trip to Amsterdam.
How to plan my visit to Amsterdam?
At Yoorney we have local tour guides who offer you the best selection of guided tours, free tours and excursions in Amsterdam and in other cities around the world.
The best way to discover a city!
Perhaps you don't know where to start creating your travel itinerary to Amsterdam. It is normal, since you still do not know the city. Because going with a professional guide is not the same as doing it on your own, that's why Yoorney's tours will make you feel like one more local.
Why visit Amsterdam?
If you have in mind going to the capital of the Netherlands, do you want to know the essential places to visit in Amsterdam?
The origin of this city dates back to the 12th century, when a dam was built on the Amstel river. This made the town that settled in that place receive the name of Amsterdam.
This city houses a rich history and a very important legacy. It was one of the most prominent ports in northern Europe, it founded its own bank, it became a refuge for intellectuals from the wars in Europe such as Spinoza, Descartes or Rembrandt and with the Second World War the terrible persecutions of the Jewish people began, giving place to the story of Anne Frank, among others.
We recommend that you visit this city in the months of April, May and October where temperatures are moderate and there will not be such a mass tourism.
These are the essential places to see and visit in Amsterdam in 3 days (or a weekend getaway). Take note!
12 essential places to see and do in Amsterdam
1. Canals of Amsterdam
Much of the territory of the Netherlands is at sea level or even below sea level, which is why the Netherlands is full of dikes and canals that keep these lands free from flooding.
This Dutch city has approximately 100 kilometers of canals and more than 1.000 bridges. So it is not surprising that many call Amsterdam "The Venice of the North".
When you think about your trip to Amsterdam, surely the first thing that comes to mind is walking through these beautiful canals, crossing the characteristic bridges with millions of bicycles tied to their railings. These canals, for many of the inhabitants of Amsterdam, are also their homes, since there are more than 2000 houseboats, where many families live.
In the canal system that the city has, there is a ring or belt, called the Grachtengordel, made up of the three most important canals in Amsterdam, Prinsengracht, Keizersgratch and Herengracht, although the Singel canal is the fourth canal in contention and also one of the most important. This belt was designed during the 17th century with the intention of coping with the increase in population that the city was suffering at that time and today it delimits the historic center of Amsterdam.
If you dare, you can explore these canals on a bicycle or also taking a boat trip, which offers a beautiful perspective of the city.
Yoorney Tips! A visit through the canals by boat is an essential experience, which is why we suggest you this cruise through the canals of Amsterdam to get to know the city by navigating its different bridges.
2. Flouting houses
One of the things that most attracts the attention of tourists when they walk through the canals of the city, are the large number of floating houses that are in them.
This arose as a result of the Second World War, with the lack of housing and, on the contrary, the large number of cargo ships that were left over after the modernization of the Dutch fleet and that, therefore, were free to be converted into the homes of many families.
The idea of living in one of these floating houses may seem interesting, but you have to know that there is not a single free space left to be able to buy a boat and anchor it in a canal, in this case you could only buy or rent one of the ones that already exist. they are parked In addition, although the price of these houseboats is cheaper compared to the rest of the houses, it also implies a high cost for their maintenance, with periodic reviews, taxes, insurance or even payments for being able to be parked in these channels. .In short, although it may seem simple, maintaining this type of housing has its complications.
3. Dam Square
Dam Square is the most important square in the city and one of the most lively and lively.
This square can be considered the origin of Amsterdam, since the city was created around it. Here you can stop to watch the bustle of the city from one of the terraces of the many bars that are in the area, even if your visit to Amsterdam coincides with a certain date, surely many of the events that are organized will take place in this emblematic meeting point.
What to see and do in Dam Square?
National Monument: right in the center of the square, stands out an obelisk with no less than 22 meters high. This monument remembers the fallen soldiers in the Second World War.
Royal Palace: with its neoclassical style and standing out among the rest of the buildings in the square, you will find the Royal Palace. This 17th century construction is currently one of the four official palaces of the kings of the Netherlands and is used to celebrate some of the official ceremonies, which is why it can sometimes be closed to the public.
The New Church or Nieuwe Kerk: this 15th century church with its impressive stained glass windows and pointed arches, is one of the most important buildings in Amsterdam, where royal weddings and coronations of Dutch monarchs have been held. Currently, it also hosts important art exhibitions.
4. The Flower Market
On the banks of the Singel canal, is one of the most important attractions of Amsterdam, the Flower Market or Bloemenmarkt.
This market dates back to 1883, when a large number of boats loaded with plants and flowers arrived every day to sell.
Today it is almost imperceptible that it is a floating market, because the flower stalls are located on very well fixed platforms, but even so, the walk through this market is just as magical as before, since the Dutch have great passion for the flowers and many come to buy them in this historic market.
At Bloemenmarkt you can buy tulips of a wide variety of colors, all kinds of garden tools and of course tulip seeds and bulbs to take away and plant at home. This place is a pleasure for the senses!
5. Oude Kerk
This is the oldest building in Amsterdam, the Oude Kerk or old church is located in the old part of the city, specifically in the heart of the Red Light District, it was consecrated in 1306 and has a Gothic-style façade that impacts everyone who sees it. go.
Inside, its stained glass windows, its main organ and the medieval wooden vault stand out, which is considered the largest in Europe and is also decorated with paintings from the 15th century.
6. Coffee Shops
Based on their name, these places may seem like simple cafeterias, but nothing is further from the truth, here the protagonist is not coffee but marijuana and hashish. Of course the sale and consumption of this type of products is legalized, what is not allowed is smoking tobacco, nor the sale and consumption of "hard drugs" and they do not sell alcoholic beverages either.
In coffee shops you can consume marijuana or hashish in millions of ways, from smoking it, either in the typical "laughing cigarette" that they even sell already rolled, in water pipes, or you can also take it in infusions, muffins and all kinds of cupcakes. Of course, there is also the possibility of simply entering to enjoy a good juice or coffee, without the need to consume any type of drug.
It is true that these places and this type of tourism are being increasingly pressured by neighboring countries, which is why today there are only about 150 coffee shops left of the almost 1000 that existed more than 10 years ago. Some of the best coffee shops are: Dampkring Coffeeshop, Paradox Coffeeshop, Barney's Coffeeshop, Abraxas Coffeeshop, Popeye Coffeeshop and Green Place Coffeeshop.
7. The red light district
This emblematic neighborhood of Amsterdam is located in the heart of the city and is almost a must-see. Who travels to Amsterdam and doesn't visit the Red Light District?
This place does not leave anyone indifferent and arouses curiosity about how it works, since in it you will find some Coffee Shops, numerous Sex shops, red neon lights and a multitude of glass cabinets or shop windows where many women offer prostitution services.
If this is the first time you hear about this place, you may think that it is a dangerous place, where anything goes. But the reality is completely different, prostitution in the Netherlands has been legal since 1911, Amsterdam is only one of the thirteen cities in the Netherlands where prostitution is legalized, in addition the women who offer these services pay taxes, health checks are carried out They even have their own unions. All this activity is regulated and monitored, and it also has a long history, since the first showcases appeared in the 17th century.
8. Begijnhof
This is one of the most characteristic corners of Amsterdam, this beautiful garden is like a small oasis of tranquility and peace, which contrasts with the nearby and lively Spui Square.
It is the inner courtyard of an old beguinage in the 14th century, surrounded by beautiful buildings that have a great history.
What to see and do in the Begijnhof?
- Het Houten Huis: located at number 34, this is the oldest house in Amsterdam and also one of the only two wooden houses that still stand in the city, as they were banned in 1521 due to the danger of fire .
- Begijnhof Chapel: this chapel hidden behind the appearance of being two normal houses in the neighborhood, is considered the first clandestine church in Amsterdam where Catholics could pray while escaping persecution.
9. Spui
The Plaza Spui is a perfect place to walk quietly, have a coffee or enjoy a good book. But above all, it is the perfect place to buy works of art and books.
In this square you will find some of the most important bookstores in Amsterdam, such as Selexzyz-Scheltema, which is the largest in the city. In addition, every week they have markets, on Fridays the sale of books predominates, you can find second-hand books and even in English and Spanish, in the case of Sundays, artistic works are sold.
In addition to the markets, in this square you can see a statue known as Het Lieverdje, which is the emblem of the place and represents the youth of Amsterdam.
10. Heineken Experience
The visit of this museum located in the old and first distillery of the world-renowned Heineken beer, is a most entertaining experience.
Here you will be able to learn interactively about the production process, going through the huge cauldrons that were used in the past, touching the ingredients that are used, even feeling like one more bottle on the way they make until they reach the consumer in a 4D tour.
One of the parts most awaited by tourists is the end, since it is about the tasting.
11. Museum
In Amsterdam there is much more than canals, bicycles and coffee shops. In this city you can enjoy some of the best museums in the Netherlands and delve into the most cultural side of the city.
- Anne Frank House Museum: Anne Frank or Annelies Marie Frank was born in 1929 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. His parents, Otto and Edith Frank, were Jewish, and when the Nazis come to power in Germany, the family decides to emigrate to the Netherlands. They were one of the families persecuted during World War II, so to protect themselves they hid in the back of the building where Anne Frank's father had a warehouse, but they were betrayed and sent to concentration camps. During the visit you will be able to contemplate the perfectly recreated place where all these events occurred and learn more about this horrible story thanks to the pages of Anne Frank's personal diary.
- Rijksmuseum or National Museum: this museum houses the largest collection of works from the Dutch Golden Age and is the most important museum in Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general. It has around seven million works, highlighting Night Watch by Rembrandt, The Milkmaid by Johannes Verneer and The Merry Drinker by Frans Hals.
- Van Gogh Museum: this museum contains a wide collection of the Dutch painter Van Gogh and is the second most visited museum in the city. Some of the works that stand out are The Chamber of Arles, The Potato Eaters and The Sunflowers. Also on the first floor there is a tour where you can learn more about the history of Vincent Van Gogh through the paintings.
Other museums that you can visit are: the Stedelijk Museum, with works of modern and contemporary art from Holland, Rembrandthuis, the house of the Museum of Sex in Holland, the first in the world dedicated to this theme and the Museum of Erotic Art, which is located in the Red Light District.
12. Vondelpark
It is a public park with 47 hectares, where both locals and tourists enjoy disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of the city.
It is undoubtedly the most famous park in Amsterdam, here you can walk or cycle through it, do some sport, or even spend an afternoon having a picnic on one of its green esplanades.
Some of the most interesting points in the park are the statue of the poet Vondel, the Groot Melkhuis with a children's playground or the historic Pavilion with its restaurant Vertigo, which has an incredible terrace to enjoy in summer.
Where to eat in Amsterdam?
5 places to eat in Amsterdam
- Rob Wigboldus Vishandel: a small three-table establishment in a narrow alleyway off the touristy Damrak avenue, this fishmonger serves excellent herring (Broodje haring) sandwiches for around €3. Other options include smoked eel sandwiches, Dutch prawns and fried white fish.
- De Blauwe Hollander: this is a perfect place to taste some of the most typical dishes of Dutch cuisine. You can go for lunch and try some Dutch tapas like meatballs or sausages, but the ideal is to go for dinner and try stamppot or erwtensoep.
- Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx: this establishment is almost legendary. It is a small place that serves the best fries in Amsterdam, but it does not have tables to sit down, you can only order to go. You may find long queues but it will surely be worth the wait.
- Van Kerkwijk: this restaurant is located in the heart of the old town and is one of the best in Amsterdam in terms of quality/price. It is a very cozy place and has a very varied menu of homemade dishes that changes weekly with meats, cheeses, cod, soups and cakes. The price is usually 25 euros per person and the place is always full, so you may have to wait a bit to be served, since they do not accept reservations.
- Henri Willig Cheese: there are Henri Willig Cheese stores scattered throughout the city, in any of them you can buy very good quality Dutch cheeses, trying them beforehand, they even show you the production process as if it were almost a museum. These establishments offer cheese tastings accompanied by a good glass of wine.
10 typical dishes of Amsterdam
- Bitterballen: more than a typical dish, it is the quintessential snack that you will find in all Dutch pubs. They are breaded minced meat balls, something like a kind of round croquette, they are very crunchy and are usually accompanied by sauces to spread them.
- Patat: an essential of the street stalls in Amsterdam. It does not require much explanation because they are simply fried potatoes, they are usually served in a paper cone and with a lot of sauce, yes, there is a wide variety of sauces.
- Broodje haring: another classic to buy in the many stalls that you will find around the city. It's made with raw salt-cured herring, sliced gherkins and chopped onions inside soft white buns, sort of like a raw herring sandwich.
- Stamppot: the typical dish of traditional and homemade food in Holland. It is prepared with potatoes with mashed vegetables as a puree, it usually includes sauerkraut, carrots, onions and of course a huge sausage.
- Cheeses: a classic in Amsterdam and in general throughout the Netherlands. Some of the most typical cheeses are Gouda, Geitenkaas or Maasdammer.
- Erwtensoep: it is a very simple soup but perfect for a cold or rainy day. Its star ingredient is peas and it is cooked over low heat with pork, carrots, onion, leeks and celery.
- Tompouce: it is a typical cake from the Netherlands similar to millefeuille. It consists of two rectangular sheets of puff pastry filled with abundant cream and is usually covered with a pink or orange cream, depending on the occasion.
- Stroopwafel: One of the most delicious sweets you will taste in Holland. Basically they are two very thin waffles joined by a layer of sweet caramel. It is very tasty when bought hot in a street market or in a bakery.
- Poffertjes: Made from a deep-fried dough, poffertjes look like little pancakes, but are much sweeter. Unlike pancakes, poffertjes are often flipped before one side is fully cooked, providing a softer batter inside. They are little clouds of happiness!
- Snacks in vending machines: as you can see, this is not a dish in itself, but it is certainly one of the most characteristic and original options in the city. This is the Dutch chain FEBO, in each of its stores you will find plenty of hot food vending machines. From croquettes, which is the most famous dish, to soufflés and other traditional Dutch foods. Prices vary from 1 to 3 euros and they are open until late, which makes these places the perfect option to end a night out, and go to sleep with a full belly.
Amsterdam with children
Nemo Science Museum
A visit to the Nemo Science Museum is a perfect activity to do as a family, especially with children 6 years of age or older.
In this museum you will find five floors where you can carry out all kinds of experiments and scientific activities, a fun way to bring science closer to the little ones, they will feel like real scientists!
A family activity to laugh and have very good memories. Every time we go we repeat!
Visit Amsterdam in a bakfiet
A comfortable and very dutch way to get around the city with children. It is a bicycle with a small front drawer where your children can sit and enjoy the ride.
These Bakfiet can be rented throughout the city and also cycling in Amsterdam is very safe, since the entire city has lanes for the circulation of bicycles and the rest of the vehicles are totally used to them. It will be an original and fun experience while you get to know Amsterdam!
Take a canal cruise
A classic of Amsterdam are its canals, so one of the plans that you should not miss to do with children is a cruise through all these characteristic canals.
There are some companies like Blueboat that have this type of cruise fully adapted and focused on children, they even offer interactive games during the tour.
Children's parks
Amsterdam has more than 30 parks and most have playgrounds where children can have endless fun. Some of these parks are:
- Oosterpark: this is where Dutch families usually go for barbecues or picnics, it has a small water park and is very close to the Tropenmusseum, which in summer holds a program of children's activities.
- Flevopark: this park is a little further from the center but it is very well connected and you can get there by tram without any problem. This park has two very interesting areas, Flevoparkbad where there are some public pools with fun water games and Jeugdland, with a small farm and zip lines. A most complete park.
- Amsterdamse Bos: it is a forest with more than 1.000 hectares, due to its large size, the ideal is to explore it by bicycle. It is located on the outskirts of the city, so you will have to get there by metro or by train (both allow you to get on a bicycle). Once there you will find all kinds of activities, it has a playground with mazes, circuits among the trees, even a small farm where you can see some pony, horses and bottle-feed the goats.
Madame Tussauds
The wax museum is an entertaining activity to do as a family. Surely the little ones will love being able to take photos with some of their favorite characters, such as the Hulk and other superheroes, Shrek or even ET.
Of course, you will also find wax figures of singers, athletes, movie stars, artists, members of the royal family and much more. All this variety makes a visit to Madame Tussauds perfect for all audiences, the whole family will undoubtedly have a fun time and then you will have millions of photos to share.
Pet-friendly Amsterdam
Dog parks in Amsterdam
Restaurants in Amsterdam to go with dogs
Canal Cruise
- Swissôtel Amsterdam (4*)
- ibis Amsterdam Centre (3*)
- NH City Centre Amsterdam (4*)
- Moxy Amsterdam Houthavens (4*)
- NH Amsterdam Caransa (4*)
Accessible Amsterdam
Adapted tourism is not a pending issue in Amsterdam.
We were able to experience it first hand and here are some of our favorite adapted and accessible sites:
- Transportation: the city has adapted transport, as a first option, you can access it by public transport accessible from the Schipol airport, once in the city, even if you find cobbled streets in the historic center, you can cycle along the bike path, use the tram or request an adapted taxi, even if you want to navigate the channels there are companies that have a lifting platform.
- Attractions: it is true that the pavement in the city has quite a few irregularities, which makes moving around in a wheelchair somewhat uncomfortable, and although there are no steep slopes, there is some elevation on the bridges that cross the canals. The vast majority of attractions to visit in Amsterdam are easily accessible and many are also adapted with ramps, elevators and additional information. For example, museums also tend to have adapted access and, in addition, they regularly offer special guided tours aimed at all the senses, such as smell, touch or hearing.
- Tourist buses: They are an accessible means of traveling around the city, they have a retractable ramp and space for a person in a wheelchair.
Nocturnal Amsterdam
Enjoy the night life of Amsterdam. The city hides a multitude of corners with a special charm to have a good time in good company and where you can walk, have a drink and toast.
These are some of our favorite places to party in Amsterdam!
Beer lovers in Amsterdam
An emblem of the city of Amsterdam, they are without a doubt, the "Bruin Cafes" are places very similar to the classic pubs, with dark interiors, wooden walls and a cozy atmosphere. In them you can not only drink and enjoy the different types of local beer they serve, they also offer menus where you can try typical Scottish food.
You can't leave Amsterdam without having a good beer! Also in this selection you will find some of the most unique Bruin Cafes in the city:
- Cafe de Sluyswacht: this is a historic building dating from 1695 and was frequented by Rembrandt himself.
- In 't Aepjen: is located in one of the oldest buildings in the city, it has been in business since 1519. "In't Aepjen" literally means "In the monkeys", this name was used from the age of gold from the Dutch Empire, when returning sailors from colonies like Indonesia found themselves short of guilders and offered their new pets as payment, literally paying their bills in monkeys.
- De Druif: It is a historical bar from the year 1566. In the past, De Druif used to be a distillery, you can still see inside, the barrels of alcohol that line the walls behind the bar. In addition, this place was a boarding cafe where sailors registered to board one of the ships of the Dutch East India Company.
- Wynand Fockink: although this liquor distillery dates back to 1679 and has changed hands many times over the years, it has managed to retain its authentic atmosphere. Wynand Fockink offers a huge selection of wines and spirits.
- Cafe De Dokter: this is the smallest bar in Amsterdam with just a few square meters and has been operating since 1798. It is called that because in its beginnings it was frequented by doctors and medical students from the nearby university. This place has a unique decoration and atmosphere, always with jazz music in the background.
Cocktails in Amsterdam
For those who prefer cocktails, in this city there are many places where you can have a drink. Some of these places are: Mystique Bar, Tales & Spirits, Snappers Resto-Bar, Vesper Bar, Regular & Jack, Door 74, HPS, Porem, Feijoa and Nova.
Live music in Amsterdam
Prague has a number of venues where you can enjoy the best live music. These are some places that you will love to visit: The Waterhole, which offers live rock music, pool tables and cheap beers, especially at happy hour, Bimhuis, this place plays a very important role for jazz music in the city, OCCII, Paradiso, is one of the most popular rock clubs in Amsterdam, Maloe Melo, is the perfect place for lovers of blues and North Sea Jazz Club, which is one of the most legendary places to enjoy a jazz show in Europe.
Amsterdam nightclubs
In Amsterdam there are plenty of clubs, if you are looking for one to party, in this city there are many options depending on the musical style that you like the most.
Here are some of the most famous nightclubs in the city: Melkweg, this nightclub is located in an old factory and was an important point in the city during the countercultural movement of the 70s, it also has a very varied program, from concerts in direct to artistic exhibitions, Escape, perfect for lovers of house, electro, techno and pop music, Air Amsterdam, in this place you can enjoy nights of Hip Hop and R&B music, Club Nyx, this lgbt disco has three floors where you can enjoy of different musical styles, but without a doubt the most striking thing is that it has a mixing desk in the bathroom area on the top floor and Chicago Social Club, which has a bar and a nightclub with house and techno music.
How to get to Amsterdam?
How to get to Amsterdam by plane
The most common option is by plane. The most important airport in the Netherlands is the Amsterdam Airport - Schiphol (AMS) from which the main companies such as KLM, Vueling, Delta, British Airways, Iberia, Easyjet operate. There are several alternatives to go to the airport from buses, trains, suburban trains or private transfers. Other options to arrive by plane are the airports of Rotterdam and Eindhoven.
How to get to Amsterdam by car
It all depends on the origin, if you decide to travel to Amsterdam by car from Spain it will be quite an adventure. You can make stops in cities like Paris, Lyon, Antwerp, San Sebastián, Bordeaux or Brussels.
How to get to Amsterdam by train
If you choose to do it by bus, you can get from the different European capitals to Amsterdam Central Station, which receives the vast majority of international buses such as Alsa or Eurolines. From Spain the journey will take more than 24 hours.
How to get around Amsterdam
- Meter
- Bus
- Bikes
- Cab
- Trolley car
- Transport
20 most beautiful towns to visit in Amsterdam
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Madurodam
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Volendam
- Zaanse Schans
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Marken
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Roterdam
- Utrecht
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La haya
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Bruges
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Hoorn
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Edam
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Haarlem
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Giethoorn
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Monnickedam
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Leiden
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Alkmaar
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Naarden
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Gouda
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Enkhuizen
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Lisse
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Muiden
Amsterdam Overview
GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS FROM AMSTERDAMTulips Wooden clogs and shoes Delft pottery Miniature houses in Amsterdam Cheeses |
WHERE TO GO RUNNING IN AMSTERDAMFlevopark Diemerpark and Nesciobrug Noorderpark Vondelpark |
AMSTERDAM CULTURE DIARY |
WHERE TO SLEEP IN AMSTERDAM |
SHOPPING IN AMSTERDAMBloemenmark Kalverstraat Spiegelkwartier By Negen Straatjes House of Bonneterie Magna square Albert Cuyp Market |
AMSTERDAM TOUR GUIDES |
How to see the interactive map of Amsterdam?
We have differentiated by colors the sections that we recommend.
| The best way to see and visit Amsterdam: Take a free tour |
