The best things to do in Amsterdam are a canal cruise or canal-side walk, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House (book weeks ahead), and an afternoon getting lost in the Jordaan. Beyond those, take the free ferry across the IJ to Amsterdam Noord, spend a morning at a local market and give yourself time to sit in a brown café. Here are 18 things worth your time, with what to book and how long each takes.
Quick answer
- Must-dos: the canal ring, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House.
- Book ahead: Anne Frank House tickets are sold online only and go fast. Book the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum time slots too.
- Best neighborhoods to wander: the Jordaan, the Nine Streets and De Pijp.
- Free and easy: the ferry to NDSM or the A’DAM Lookout side, Vondelpark, the Begijnhof and the markets.
- Time needed: two full days covers the highlights. Three lets you add a day trip.
What are the top things to do in Amsterdam?
The top things to do in Amsterdam are the canals, the big three museums and the old neighborhoods inside the canal ring.
The 17th-century canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and most of the city’s best sights sit inside it or just beyond it at Museumplein. That makes Amsterdam easy to cover on foot, by tram or by bike.
1. See the canals by boat or on foot
A one-hour canal cruise is the easiest introduction to the city. Smaller open boats feel more personal than the big glass-roofed ones. If you prefer walking, follow the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht between the Jordaan and the Amstel. The stretch around the Nine Streets is the most photogenic.
2. Rijksmuseum
The national museum of the Netherlands holds Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, plus the whole sweep of Dutch history. Head straight to the Gallery of Honour on the upper floor, then pick one or two other sections. Allow at least two to three hours and book a time slot online.
3. Van Gogh Museum
The largest collection of Van Gogh’s work in the world sits on the same square as the Rijksmuseum. Tickets are sold for timed slots online, so don’t turn up without one. Late afternoon slots tend to be calmer than late morning.
4. Anne Frank House
The building on the Prinsengracht where Anne Frank and her family hid is the most moving visit in the city. Tickets are sold online only, released in advance, and often sell out within hours. Book as soon as your dates are fixed and check the official site for the current release schedule.
5. Wander the Jordaan
Just west of the canal ring, the Jordaan has narrow streets, small canals, courtyard gardens and plenty of cafés. It is right next to the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk, so combine them. On Saturdays, the Noordermarkt has a popular farmers’ market.
6. Shop the Nine Streets
The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) cut across the main canals between the Jordaan and the center. Expect independent boutiques, vintage shops and good coffee rather than chain stores.
Museums and history beyond the big three
If you have more time, Amsterdam’s smaller museums and historic sites are often less crowded and just as rewarding.
7. The Begijnhof
This quiet enclosed courtyard off the Spui was home to a community of religious women for centuries. It contains one of the oldest wooden houses in the city. It is still a residential space, so keep your voice down and respect the signs.
8. Rembrandt House Museum
The house where Rembrandt lived and worked has been restored to look as it did in his time, with his studio and print room. It is on Jodenbreestraat, a short walk from Waterlooplein.
9. Royal Palace on Dam Square
Built as the city hall in the 17th century, the Royal Palace is still used by the Dutch royal family for state occasions. When it is open to visitors, the marble Citizens’ Hall is the highlight. Check the official site, as it closes during royal events.
10. Stedelijk Museum
Next to the Van Gogh Museum on Museumplein, the Stedelijk is the city’s museum of modern and contemporary art and design. It is a good choice if you have already seen the Old Masters.
11. The Jewish Cultural Quarter
Around Waterlooplein, the Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue and the National Holocaust Museum tell the story of Amsterdam’s Jewish community. The 17th-century Portuguese Synagogue alone is worth the visit.
12. NEMO Science Museum
The green, ship-shaped NEMO building by the harbor is the city’s best bet for kids. Even without going in, you can usually climb the sloping roof for a view over the old docks.
Things to do in Amsterdam Noord and on the water
Crossing the IJ to Amsterdam Noord is one of the easiest ways to see a different side of the city, and the ferries are free.
13. A’DAM Lookout and the Eye Filmmuseum
Take the short ferry from behind Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg. The A’DAM Lookout tower has a panoramic deck and a swing that hangs over the edge. Next door, the Eye Filmmuseum has exhibitions, a cinema and a café terrace facing the water.
14. NDSM wharf
A longer free ferry ride from Centraal takes you to NDSM, a former shipyard turned creative hub. Expect street art, studios, waterside cafés and, on some weekends, a very large flea market. Check the dates before you go.
Parks, markets and local life
Some of the best things to do in Amsterdam cost nothing and involve slowing down.
15. Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s best-known park is a short walk from Museumplein. In good weather, locals bring picnics and the paths fill with cyclists. Go on a weekday morning for a quieter walk.
16. Albert Cuyp Market and De Pijp
The Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp is the city’s best-known street market, with food stalls, fabric and everyday goods. Try a fresh stroopwafel and raw herring if you are brave. The market runs most days except Sunday. Afterward, explore De Pijp’s cafés and Sarphatipark.
17. The Bloemenmarkt
The flower market on the Singel sits on floating stalls. It is mostly bulbs and souvenirs now. Remember that most countries restrict bringing bulbs home, so check your own country’s rules.
18. A brown café
The traditional bruin café, with wood-paneled walls darkened by age, is where Amsterdam relaxes. Order a beer or a jenever and some bitterballen. You will find plenty in the Jordaan and along the canals.
Amsterdam highlights compared
Use this table to plan which sights to book and how much time to set aside.
| Sight | Area | Best for | Book ahead? | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Frank House | Canal ring, near the Jordaan | History | Yes, essential | About 1 hour |
| Rijksmuseum | Museumplein | Dutch Masters | Recommended | 2 to 3 hours |
| Van Gogh Museum | Museumplein | Art lovers | Yes, timed slots | About 2 hours |
| Canal cruise | Central canals | First-timers | Helpful in summer | About 1 hour |
| Jordaan and Nine Streets | West of the center | Wandering, shopping | No | Half a day |
| A’DAM Lookout | Amsterdam Noord | Views | Helpful | 1 to 2 hours |
| NDSM wharf | Amsterdam Noord | Street art, flea market | No | 2 to 3 hours |
| Albert Cuyp Market | De Pijp | Food and local life | No | 1 to 2 hours |
Tips for getting around Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s center is compact, so you can walk most of it and use trams for longer hops to Museumplein or De Pijp.
- Trains from Schiphol reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Trams, buses and metro are run by GVB. You can tap in and out with a contactless bank card or buy a GVB day pass. Always check out when you leave.
- Bikes: renting a bike is the local way to get around, but only do it if you are a confident cyclist. Stay in the bike lanes and follow the traffic lights.
- Walking: never stand in a red-surfaced bike lane. It is the most common mistake visitors make, and cyclists will not stop.
- The Red Light District: if you walk through De Wallen, don’t photograph the windows, and keep noise down. The city has strict rules here.
Who Amsterdam suits, and who should plan differently
Amsterdam works for almost everyone, but the crowds and costs catch some visitors out.
It suits
- Art and history lovers, thanks to three world-class museums within a short walk of each other.
- Travelers who like to explore on foot or by bike.
- Anyone combining the city with day trips around the Netherlands.
Plan differently if
- You hate crowds. Avoid summer weekends and the tulip season, or base yourself nearby in Haarlem.
- You decide at the last minute. The Anne Frank House and popular museums can be fully booked days or weeks ahead.
- You are coming mainly for nightlife. The city has been actively discouraging party tourism in the center.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
Late spring and early autumn are the best times, with mild weather and fewer crowds than July and August.
April and early May bring the tulip season and King’s Day on April 27, when the whole city turns orange and very busy. Winter is cold and gray, but museums are calmer and the canals look lovely in the low light.
Day trips and onward travel
Amsterdam is a great base for exploring the rest of the country. Windmills, cheese towns, Haarlem, Utrecht and Delft are all within easy reach by train or bus; see our full guide to the best day trips from Amsterdam. Haarlem is only about 15 minutes away by train, and our Haarlem guide covers it in detail.
If you are continuing by train, Paris is about three and a half hours away; our 2 days in Paris itinerary shows how to use a short stay well, and our guide to where to stay in Paris helps you choose a base. Heading south later? See the best things to do in Barcelona.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Two full days is enough for the main museums, a canal cruise and the Jordaan. Three or four days lets you add Amsterdam Noord and a day trip to Haarlem, Zaanse Schans or Utrecht.
Do I need to book the Anne Frank House in advance?
Yes. Tickets are sold online only and are released in advance. They often sell out quickly, especially in spring and summer.
What are the best free things to do in Amsterdam?
Walking the canal ring, the Begijnhof, Vondelpark, the street markets and the free ferries across the IJ to Amsterdam Noord all cost nothing.
Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it?
It can be if you plan to visit several museums and use public transport a lot. Compare the card’s current inclusions with your plans on the official site, and remember the Anne Frank House still needs its own online booking.
Is Amsterdam walkable?
Yes. The canal ring and the old center are compact, and Museumplein is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from Dam Square. Trams cover longer distances.
