Ahhh, a city full of life, colour and culture. Picture this, warm dusted poffertjes in hand, bicycles whizzing past and crooked narrow houses that line the canals. You feel welcomed with every open window bursting with flowers and the golden scent of fresh stroopwafels drifting amongst the city. Whether you’re just passing through, or staying for a while, here are the best things to do in Amsterdam.
1. Visit Anne Frank house
One of the most visited museums in the Netherlands attracting over 1 million visitors a year! Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to the life of Anne Frank who was a young Jewish girl when World War II began. Her family moved to the Netherlands to escape the growing antisemitism in Nazi Germany. In 1942, Anne and her family and four other Jewish people went into hiding in a secret annex. During their two years of hiding, Anne kept a detailed diary about her time there. Inside you can see her original diary and photographs and personal items of those in hiding. For those who have been before, you will know this is in popular demand! You must book weeks in advance to secure your spot – so don’t sleep on this!
2. Explore a tulip farm (seasonal)
If you’re in Amsterdam during spring – visiting a tulip farm is a must! Picture this, lush green gardens bursting with every colour you could imagine – and yes, this is perfect for the ‘gram! Over 7 million flower bulbs are planted every year for this magnificent spring event! Perhaps an Amsterdam for Easter trip is on the cards?
3. Experience the Van Gogh Museum
If you want something to spark your creativity then the Van Gogh Museum is the place to Gogh (pun intended). Perhaps you’re thinking, “not another museum”. But this is so much more. You will walk through the mind of an artistic genius and experience the emotional journey behind the brushstrokes as Van Gogh suffered serious mental illness, which even led to him cutting off one of his ears. He actually only sold one painting in his lifetime, despite creating over 2,000 artworks in just over a decade.
Image source:Hongbin / unsplash
4. Relax in Vondelpark
Vondelpark located just 3.7km out of the city centre is Amsterdam’s most famous and largest park! Perhaps grab some Edam cheese and graze, whilst you watch how the locals live. There are over 4km of scenic trails to explore, so hire a bike and soak in the city’s rhythm.
5. Visit the Bloemenmarkt
Visit the world’s only floating flower market! This is a unique experience along the Singel canal, and the tradition started way back in 1862! Amsterdam was a hub for flower trading in the 19th century, and the waterways made it easy to deliver stock. These days, stalls still sell fresh flowers, but the focus is more on flower bulbs, gift items, and Dutch-themed souvenirs.
Image source:Ari Dinar / unsplash
6. Visit the Rijksmuseum
Also known as the National Museum of the Netherlands – this is not one to miss! The Rijksmuseum holds an extraordinary collection of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces – with famous works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals. Even the Gothic-Renaissance building is jaw dropping – so don’t forget your camera! Make sure you give yourself enough time to soak up 800 years of Dutch art and history.
7. Wander through the Cheese museum
Located right near the Anne Frank House, learn about the dutch cheese making tradition, which has been around for longer than you could say “cheese!”. The Cheese Museum even offers cheese tasting (which is obviously the best part), from creamy Goudas to tangy Edams. They have interactive exhibits which take you from cow to table. An excellent experience to add to your Amsterdam itinerary!
8. See the famous Red Light District
We all knew this was coming, however, let me tell you a few things you perhaps didn’t know. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Amsterdam, dating back to the 14th century. At the time, Amsterdam was an important trade hub, so sailors and workers needed a place to stay and spend their wages. In 1988, the Dutch government passed a law to regulate prostitution, to ensure the safety of workers.
In recent years, there have been proposals to move the prostitution workers to a new area to reduce commercialisation of the area and allow for better control and monitoring of the sex trade. As of now, the red light district remains as it was. If you visit the area, be respectful – sex work in Amsterdam is treated as a legitimate profession and taking photos of the sex workers is prohibited. This district is bustling at night time with pubs and live music venues to dance clubs.
9. Take a canal cruise
This is one of the most popular activities in Amsterdam (which is exactly why it’s an add on experience for our Contiki trips) – and let me tell you why! Amsterdam has over 100 kilometers of canals, which are UNESCO World Heritage-listed. These canals date back to the 17th century and were built during the Dutch Golden Age as part of a massive urban expansion. So take a leisurely cruise along Amsterdam’s famous canals, and get up close and personal with those crooked canal houses, see the charming bridges and gawk at the expensive houseboats.
Image source:Contiki
10. Visit during King’s Day
Every year on 27th April, Dutch people celebrate King’s Day, the biggest national event in the Netherlands, honoring the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. The entire country transforms into a vibrant festival, with street-wide flea markets, open-air concerts, and a contagious party atmosphere. The national colour, orange, representing the House of Orange and the Dutch royal family, dominates the scene. In Amsterdam, the canals overflow with orange, as boats become floating parties and the city erupts in joyful celebration.
11. Retail therapy
The Nine Streets is one of the most charming and stylish areas in central Amsterdam, located within the UNESCO-listed canal belt, just a short walk from Dam Square. It’s all you could imagine for a bit of retail therapy – bookstores, boutiques, vintage stores, art galleries and hip cafes and brunch spots. This area feels less touristy – you might even come across some hidden gems!
12. Cycle through the city like a local
If you really want to live like the locals – then hire a bike! Did you know that the Netherlands has a population of at least 17 million, but there are 22.8 million bicycles. This means there are more bicycles than people! You don’t want to stand out like a sore thumb, so here’s a few important road rules – ride on the right side of the bike lane so others can pass, bikes are not allowed on the sidewalks and always ride in the designated bike lane.
13. Eat your way through a chocolate museum
Ahhh yes, another museum… but this time – for your tastebuds. The Cacao Museum provides an immersive bean-to-bar experience, meaning you get to learn about the history of cacao, from its ancient roots in Central and South America. You get to see the whole process of roasting, grinding and mixing. Oh, and the best part – you get to taste it! They also have special workshops such as praline making and chocolate painting – where you use chocolate as a canvas to create edible art!
14. Ice sculpture and light festivals
Perhaps you’re visiting over Christmas or New Years – never fear, the winter vibes are here. Imagine sipping a hot chocolate (or a mulled wine, whatever floats your boat) whilst the Christmas markets consume the streets. One of the most magical annual events is the Art Below Zero Ice Sculpture Festival which usually runs from December to March. During this time, Amsterdam also holds its annual light festival which transforms the canals into an open-air art gallery with stunning light installations. Amsterdam during winter time should be added to your bucket list!
15. Take a walking tour
A guided walking tour of Amsterdam is one of the best ways to see the vibrant city at your own pace. They will take you through the maze of the historic canals, iconic monuments, and all the places that a bus or boat cannot reach. Locals will provide you with the best kept secrets and a fresh perspective of the city. There are also a lot of free options, and most require a booking online.
So, whether you are drawn to the rich history, vibrant art scene or the charming canals – there is something for everyone in Amsterdam!
