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Amsterdam packs a lot into a small space. In a single day you can walk along 17th-century canals, stand in front of Rembrandt and Van Gogh paintings, browse a street market and end the evening in a cozy brown cafe. The center is compact and flat, so you can see most of it on foot or by bike, and it is an easy first stop on a longer Europe trip.
The classic sights
1. Take a canal cruise
The ring of canals built during the Dutch Golden Age is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and seeing it from the water is the best introduction to the city. Cruises leave from near Centraal Station, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House. Daytime cruises are great for photos of the narrow, leaning canal houses, while evening cruises show off the bridges lit up at night. Smaller open boats feel more personal than the big glass-topped ones, and they can squeeze into the narrower canals. You can compare and book canal cruises in Amsterdam ahead of time.
2. Visit the Rijksmuseum
The national museum of the Netherlands is home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and a huge collection of Dutch art, ship models, Delftware and dollhouses. Plan at least half a day. The building itself is a landmark, and you can walk or cycle through the passage that runs right under it. The museum gardens are free to visit.
3. See the Van Gogh Museum
A few minutes' walk away on Museumplein, the Van Gogh Museum holds the world's largest collection of his work, including Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters and many self-portraits, along with his letters. Entry is by timed ticket booked online, and popular slots sell out, so book before you go. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and other Amsterdam tickets can all be booked online.
4. Tour the Anne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II is one of the most moving places in Europe. You walk through the secret annex behind the movable bookcase. Tickets are sold online only, they are released a few weeks in advance and they go fast. Check the official website for when new tickets come out and book the moment you know your dates. Do not plan on getting in by just showing up.
5. Walk around Dam Square and the Royal Palace
Dam Square is the busy heart of the old city. The Royal Palace, built as the city hall in the 17th century, is open to visitors on many days when it is not being used by the royal family. Next door is the Nieuwe Kerk, which hosts exhibitions. From here it is a short walk to almost everything in the center.
Neighborhoods to explore
The Jordaan
Once a working-class district, the Jordaan is now one of the prettiest parts of Amsterdam: quiet canals, houseboats, small galleries, courtyard gardens and cafes. Come on a Monday morning for the Noordermarkt flea market or on Saturday for the farmers market at the same square.
The Nine Streets
The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) are a set of short lanes crossing the main canals between the Jordaan and the center. They are full of independent shops, vintage stores and coffee spots. It is one of the best places in the city for an aimless stroll.
De Pijp
South of the center, De Pijp has a younger, more local feel. Its main attraction is the Albert Cuyp Market, a long street market open most days except Sunday, where you can try a fresh stroopwafel, raw herring with onions (a Dutch classic) and cheese. The surrounding streets are packed with restaurants from all over the world.
Amsterdam Noord
Just across the IJ river from Centraal Station, Noord is the city's creative side. Free ferries for pedestrians and bikes leave from behind the station around the clock. Head to NDSM, a former shipyard turned into street art, studios and waterside restaurants, or to A'DAM Lookout for views over the city. The EYE Film Museum is right at the ferry landing.
Free and cheap things to do
Amsterdam is not a cheap city, but some of its best experiences cost nothing:
- Walk the canal ring. The Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht are beautiful at any time of day, and especially at dusk.
- Visit the Begijnhof. A hidden courtyard of historic houses around a garden, once home to a community of religious women. Enter quietly, as people still live there.
- Relax in Vondelpark. The city's biggest park is perfect for a picnic, people-watching and, in summer, free open-air performances.
- Ride the free ferries across the IJ for river views.
- See the Rijksmuseum gardens and the wide lawns of Museumplein.
- Browse the markets: Albert Cuyp, Noordermarkt and the floating Bloemenmarkt flower market on the Singel canal.
If you plan to visit many museums, look at the city card or a museum pass. Check what each includes and add up the entry prices you would pay anyway before buying, since a pass only saves money if you use it a lot.
Getting around Amsterdam
On foot and by tram
The center is small enough to walk, and trams cover the rest of the city. Buy a day or multi-day public transport ticket if you plan to ride often, or tap in and out with a contactless bank card. Always check in and out when you board and leave a tram, or you may be charged the maximum fare.
By bike
Cycling is how locals get around, and renting a bike is easy. If you are not used to busy bike traffic, start in a quiet area like Vondelpark. Use hand signals, ride on the right, lock your bike to something solid and never stop in the middle of a bike lane. Even if you do not ride, watch out for bikes: the red-paved lanes are for cyclists, not pedestrians.
From the airport
Schiphol Airport is close to the city, and direct trains to Amsterdam Centraal run frequently from the station right under the terminal. It is usually the fastest and cheapest way in. If you land late, have lots of luggage or travel as a group, you can book a private airport transfer instead.
Easy day trips from Amsterdam
Zaanse Schans
A short train or bus ride north, Zaanse Schans is an open-air village of historic wooden houses and working windmills. It is touristy, but it is the easiest way to see Dutch windmills up close. Go early in the day to beat the tour buses.
Haarlem
Only a short train ride west, Haarlem is a relaxed small city with a grand market square, the huge St. Bavo church and the Frans Hals Museum. It makes a calm contrast to busy Amsterdam, and some travelers choose to stay there.
Keukenhof (spring only)
The world-famous flower gardens are open for only a few weeks each spring, roughly from late March to mid-May, when millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths bloom. Check the exact dates for your year and book tickets ahead. The flower fields around the gardens are just as beautiful, and you can rent bikes nearby to ride through them.
Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague
The Netherlands is small, and trains are frequent. Utrecht has canals with wharves at water level and a soaring cathedral tower. Rotterdam is all bold modern architecture. The Hague has the Mauritshuis museum, home of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, and the beach at Scheveningen. Each one is an easy day out.
When to visit Amsterdam
- April to May: tulip season, longer days and King's Day on April 27, when the whole city turns orange and becomes one giant street party. Hotels fill up and get more expensive around King's Day, so book early.
- June to August: the warmest weather and long evenings, but also the biggest crowds and the highest hotel prices.
- September: often still mild, with fewer crowds than summer. One of the best months to go.
- October to March: cold, gray and often rainy, but cheaper and much less crowded. In winter, the Amsterdam Light Festival fills the canals with light art, and cozy cafes feel at their best.
Weather changes fast at any time of year, so pack a rain jacket. For the cheapest flights, see our guide to the cheapest time to fly to Europe.
Planning your trip
Flights from the US
Amsterdam's Schiphol is one of Europe's biggest hubs, with nonstop flights from many US cities. Compare fares from New York to Amsterdam, Boston to Amsterdam, Chicago to Amsterdam and Los Angeles to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is also a great starting point for a longer trip: our multi-city flight search lets you fly into Amsterdam and home from another city, and our guide to traveling around Europe cheaply covers the trains and budget flights in between.
Where to stay
Staying inside or near the canal ring puts you within walking distance of the main sights, but it costs the most. De Pijp, Oud-West and Noord are often cheaper and still well connected by tram or ferry. Remember to add the city tax when you compare prices, because it is added on top of the room rate. Compare hotels in Amsterdam and see more ideas on our Amsterdam things to do page.
Do you need a car?
No. Parking in the center is very expensive and the streets are made for bikes and trams. A car only makes sense if you want to explore the countryside beyond the train network. If so, pick it up on your way out of the city: compare car rental in Amsterdam.
Before you go
Entry rules for visitors to Europe can change, including new entry and exit systems for travelers from outside the EU. Check the current requirements for US citizens before you travel, and book timed tickets for the big museums as soon as your dates are set.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
- Three days is enough to see the main museums, take a canal cruise and explore the Jordaan and De Pijp. Add a day or two for day trips to Haarlem, Zaanse Schans or, in spring, Keukenhof.
- Do you need to book the Anne Frank House in advance?
- Yes. Tickets are sold online only, they are released a few weeks ahead and they sell out quickly. Check the official website and book as soon as you know your dates.
- What is the best month to visit Amsterdam?
- April and May for tulips and King's Day, and September for milder weather with fewer crowds. Summer is the busiest and most expensive time, and winter is the cheapest.
- Is Amsterdam walkable?
- Yes. The center is compact and flat, so you can walk between most sights. Trams, free ferries and rental bikes cover the rest of the city.