✅ 2 or 3 days in Amsterdam: a perfect itinerary
Amsterdam is the perfect city for a weekend or extended three-day visit. Most visitors take the typical city trip. In this article, you will find all the practical tips and insider secrets you need to know about the city.
Most importantly, I recommend the top attractions in the city. But it’s also important to plan the details right, such as the hotel, some excellent restaurants and the opportunity to get a discount here and there.
Transportation tips for Amsterdam
Before we start with the itinerary, we should definitely talk about the means of transportation.
🚇 The public transportation system in Amsterdam is designed with convenience in mind. The GVB ticket, a versatile travel pass, is the key to all buses and trams in the city. For more detailed information, see my article on the subject (link below). I recommend buying the ticket in advance to save time when you arrive in Amsterdam.
For a comprehensive understanding of public transport in Amsterdam, I strongly suggest reading the article. It is important to know that although taxis are allowed, they are usually not allowed to be hailed on the street due to the regulations for the city centre.
👍 Therefore, public transport is the best option for getting around the city centre.
Article on public transportation
Recommended accommodation in Amsterdam
There are so many options in the city. Of course, the best way to find your dream accommodation in Amsterdam is to use Booking.com. From bed and breakfasts to hotels in boathouses, you can find very original, elegant or grand boutique hotels in Amsterdam.
🏨 I have compiled a list of 10 hotels that I highly recommend for Amsterdam. These are always safe. If you want to save yourself the time of searching on the internet, choosing one of these 10 accommodations might be an excellent decision.
How do I prepare for the trip?
A very important question: Time is limited and you want to make the most of it:
When visiting Amsterdam, be sure to follow these important rules:
🥐 Start the day energized: by booking a hotel with breakfast included. This convenient option ensures you’ll be prepared and ready to make the most of your time in Amsterdam!
🗺️ City map: Take a city map with you, which you can usually get at the hotel reception. Getting lost is annoying and costs valuable time. Locals can quickly help you if you show them where you want to go on the map.
🍽️ Food: It’s always a good idea to know a good restaurant before you arrive. You can save a selection on Google Maps. You can also surf the internet and have a great culinary experience in the city.
👟 Wear sturdy shoes: Walking is an essential part of visiting Amsterdam.
🫡 Be nice to everyone: Some locals may be annoyed by the large number of tourists in the city, which is typical for Amsterdam or any other big city. By keeping calm and treating hotel staff, bartenders and everyone else with respect, you can help maintain a positive relationship between tourists and locals.
🧳 Pack your bag carefully: Remember that it can be warm during the day and very cold at night in Amsterdam. Pack only the essentials, but bring an oversized jacket if you’re feeling cold. Cover your ears with earmuffs, a scarf, or a hat. It can also be very windy.
Arrive in Amsterdam well rested and ready to explore. Plan for enough spending money for restaurant visits where you can recharge for the next activity, and book tickets in advance for the main attractions you want to see. This way, you will be well prepared to make the most of your time in the city!
Online-tickets for attractions
Let’s start with the perfect itinerary for 2 or 3 days!
Day 1: Explore the heart of Amsterdam
The first day could be the most exhausting, so it’s best to arrive the day before so you can start the day relaxed. It’s a good idea to have breakfast at the hotel so you don’t waste time looking for a restaurant. In Amsterdam, the day starts early. Breakfast is sometimes served as early as 7 am. Now, let’s take a look at some of the things you can do on the first day!
➡️ Start with a canal cruise
The perfect way to discover the city. It is the most authentic Amsterdam experience you can have. It’s not for nothing that the city is called the Venice of the North. But it is also the most affordable and easiest way to discover the city and its architecture and to get a natural feel for what Amsterdam is like.
🛥️ The boats pass some of Amsterdam’s most important attractions, and you will experience the energy of the city right at the beginning of the day. Absolutely recommended!
➡️ Lunch at a local café
In some countries, brunch is actually a typical lunch. In Amsterdam, I recommend visiting a typical Amsterdam brown café, where pancakes are served. Delicious and adapted to mass tourism (not too salty or too sweet), you will probably love these pancakes.
An excellent restaurant can be found next to the Amsterdam Lovers Canal Cruise: Dutch Pancake Masters.
📍 Here is the exact address : Damrak 44, 1012 LK Amsterdam
➡️ Visit the Anne Frank House
It is an experience. Visiting the Anne Frank House may be a duty, but it is also exciting and fascinating. It is a part of history that no one should ever forget.
The queues used to be long and often no tickets are available. Plan your trip in advance and buy tickets online in advance. There is no other option. There are no tickets available on site.
The Anne Frank House is located in the heart of Amsterdam, near a canal, so you can come in advance and stroll along the canal a bit. Get ready for one of the most remarkable museums you’ve ever seen.
If you can’t buy tickets to the Anne Frank House, you can also book a guided tour. It’s exciting and inexpensive. However, the tours do not include a visit to the Anne Frank House.
➡️ Enjoy a dinner with a view of the canals
The first and perhaps most important day is over. We tried to create a comprehensive program and have now immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of the city of canals.
Now it’s time for dinner, by a canal! In winter, it’s cozy and relaxing; in summer, you can enjoy your meal on a lovely terrace overlooking the canal.
Here are two recommendations of a different kind:
📍 Restaurant 1 (Bild): Amsterdam Lookout – Overhoeksplein 5
📍 Restaurant 2: New Dutch Amsterdam – Prinsengracht 60-62
Day 2: Culture and art in Amsterdam
On the second day, we will combine culture and nightlife. Both are important for getting to know the city.
➡️ Explore the Van Gogh Museum
Immerse yourself in the life and works of Vincent van Gogh in this museum. The visit takes quite a while. The building itself is magnificent inside and out. Inside, you will find all of Vincent Van Gogh’s most important paintings.
It is one of the most visited and well-known museums in the world. Be sure to get your tickets in advance to avoid queues. In summer, you should book in advance as the museum often sells out.
➡️ Lunch in the museum district
Enjoy the surroundings. There are many museums, cultural and art galleries, and thousands of tourists interested in this topic. It is a unique place with so many museums in one place. But of course, don’t forget that it’s lunchtime!
Why not go on a culinary adventure? Amsterdam offers a wide selection of Indian cuisine.
📍 One such gem is Anjappar Amsterdam, a Chettinad restaurant in India, located at 134H, Van Baerlestraat, 1071 BD Amsterdam. It’s a chance to broaden your culinary horizons.
➡️ Stop by the Moco Museum
I deliberately chose this museum because it appeals to the interests of many visitors.
Regardless of its popularity, the Rijksmuseum can become a bit boring for most visitors over time.
The Moco Museum, on the other hand, is a museum of modern art. Its success is growing steadily and it has now opened a branch in Barcelona and other cities around the world.
➡️ Immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s nightlife
Now that we have seen a lot of Amsterdam, we also have to discover the Red Light District. As the name suggests, it is not the friendliest neighbourhood for children. Please only go there with other adults. Nowadays you can still find many prostitutes in this neighbourhood, but it has become a tourist attraction, with many bars and clubs in the area.
All in all, a walk through the streets of the neighbourhood is an interesting experience. The atmosphere is great and it is the authentic Amsterdam as you would imagine it. The bars in the red light district are truly international and offer a wide selection of drinks for all tastes.
🍹 So, are you coming for a drink in one of the bars?
Day 3: Discovering Amsterdam’s hidden treasures (optional day)
As mentioned, the third day is optional. The first two days allow enough time to see the main attractions of Amsterdam. After the exertion of all that activity, it might be a good idea to take it easy on this last day.
➡️ Visit to the Albert Cuyp Market
This is a market like you’ve never seen before. You can find everything here: food, antiques and unique items. It’s worth a visit. It’s a great atmosphere to start the day, and many locals come here too.
➡️ Walk along the Amstel
A relaxing walk along the river, where you can take lots of photos and visit the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge).
➡️ The 9 Straatjes
The famous shopping street in Amsterdam! It’s also a very good idea to just stroll through the city, even if you’re not in the mood to shop. Here you will not only find the typical clothing brands such as H&M or Zara, but also authentic souvenir shops or Dutch stores that you have never heard of.
Maybe you’ll find a really beautiful piece here that you can take home as a souvenir from Amsterdam.
Things you shouldn’t do in Amsterdam
After giving you lots of tips on the best cultural attractions in Amsterdam, here are a few tips on things not to do in the city.
These tips are mainly based on common sense. It is important for all tourists to follow these simple rules as they contribute to a pleasant and safe experience for everyone.
🚲 Walking on bike paths: Amsterdam has a large number of bike paths, so tourists can easily end up on them by mistake, especially when studying maps or discovering attractions. The paths are busy and local cyclists are fast, which can lead to dangerous situations for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
🚮 Litter: Amsterdam values cleanliness, and locals don’t like it when tourists leave rubbish in public spaces.
🌎 Disrespect for cultural sites: Amsterdam’s museums, churches and historic sites are highly valued by the public, and it is important that visitors show respect for these places by behaving appropriately.
❌ Over-tourism: Large groups of noisy tourists can disrupt the local environment in certain popular areas. It is important to be aware of your impact and to explore these areas in a quieter, more respectful way.
Alternative activities and tips
Amsterdam is full of treasures. On every street corner, you can find great shops, museums or tourist attractions.
If you didn’t find exactly what you were looking for in the tips I gave you above, here are a few attractions you can add to your list.
📍 NEMO Science Museum: A fun science adventure, perfect for children and adults alike.
📍 Amsterdam Lookout: A 360-degree panoramic view of the whole of Amsterdam.
📍 Amsterdam Dungeon: One of my favourites in Amsterdam – the screenings in English and Dutch. Creepy!
Conclusion
This is a great way to discover Amsterdam. My website offers valuable tips for things to do in Amsterdam. There are so many ways to discover the city with so many hidden gems.
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the following articles to give you a few more ideas for your visit to the city.
ℹ️ TOP 15 places of interest: It’s always good to have this article with you; these are the most important sights of Amsterdam that you absolutely must see and the most important things to do when you come to Amsterdam.
ℹ️ TOP 25 museums: A list of the top 25 museums in Amsterdam, including the extraordinary Straat Museum.
ℹ️ Insider Tips: The best recommendations off the beaten track. You will find lots of great advice in this article.
ℹ️ Amsterdam with kids: If you are travelling with your family, check out this article for tips and information on how to make your stay as pleasant as possible with children.
