Amsterdam Travel Guide: What to See, Do & Where to Stay (2025)
Planning a trip to Amsterdam? This charming city is one of Europe’s most photogenic spots, with its storybook canals and colorful rows of houses. While it’s often associated with nightlife, coffee shops, and the Red Light District, Amsterdam is so much more than its party scene. It’s a city rich in culture—from world-class museums and cozy cafés to a vibrant cycling culture and beautifully preserved architecture.
In this guide, I’ll recommend the best places to stay in Amsterdam, and all the top sights you need to check out. At the end, you’ll find a savable Google Map with all the locations mentioned in this post pinned for easy reference.
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Best Time to Visit Amsterdam
The best time to visit Amsterdam is during spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October), when the weather is mild and crowds are thinner. Spring brings tulip season, while fall offers beautiful autumn colors. Summer (June-August) has longer days and more sunshine but is also the peak tourist season with higher prices and occasional rain. Winter (December-February) is colder and rainy but has a cozy, festive atmosphere with Christmas markets and indoor attractions.
Rain is common throughout the year and quite unpredictable, so be prepared with an umbrella. I did have to buy myself an expensive umbrella at the convenience store due to sudden downpour during my trip. Despite the weather, Amsterdam offers plenty of indoor activities, from museums to cafes.
How to Get to Amsterdam
🛫 By Air:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is one of Europe’s major international hubs, with direct flights from cities around the world.
How to get from Schiphol Airport to the city center:
- 🚄 bus Train from Schiphol Train Station (located underneath AMS terminal) to Amsterdam Centraal Station – 14-17 minutes, €4.90-€6 one way. Can purchase online or at the kiosk at the station.
- 🚌 Connexxion Amsterdam Airport Express Bus – 27 minutes to city center, holds luggages, costs €6.50.
- 🚖 Taxi or Uber from airport to city – 18-35 min depending on traffic. Expect €45-55.
🚄 By Train
If you’re already in Europe, high-speed trains like the Thalys and Eurostar make it easy to reach Amsterdam from cities like Paris, Brussels, and London. The trains arrive at Amsterdam Centraal Station, right in the heart of the city.
How to Get Around in Amsterdam
Once you are in the city center, Amsterdam is a very walkable city. The best way to get around is on foot. For longer distances, trams are available but we only took it once during our 3 day stay.
Renting bicycles are also an option – believe it or not, there are more bicycles in Amsterdam than people (residents). Most of the commute to school/work are on bicycles. Do watch out for bicycles when crossing roads, and make sure you are not walking in the bicycle lane as this can be dangerous. Personally, I’m not that good with riding bicycles so I did not attempt to ride one here!
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
My favorite area to stay in Amsterdam is the Jordaan neighborhood, since it is close proximity to all the major attractions, but also it is arguably the prettiest neighborhood with the most picturesque canals.
Here are my hotel recommendations for Amsterdam:
I stayed at the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht for 3 nights and it was the perfect base to explore the city. I absolutely adored the canal views from big windows in our room. The hotel was designed by a local designer named Marcel Wanders, and houses oversized welcoming bells, passion red Tulip Chairs, from hell to heaven wallpaper, carpets and walls with ancient nautical maps, a romantic secretive garden, and traditional Dutch elements as decor.
Best Hotels in Amsterdam
Note: In general hotel prices in Amsterdam are pricey. These are my top picks:
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Best Things to do in Amsterdam
🚢 Canal Cruise
Without a doubt, the canals of Amsterdam are what give the city its distinct charm and character. With 165 canals weaving through the heart of the city and more than 1,000 bridges spanning them, the waterways are central to Amsterdam’s beauty and allure. A canal cruise is an absolute must—it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history while getting a unique perspective and familiarizing yourself with Amsterdam’s layout.
There are several types of canal cruises to choose from, offered by a variety of providers. You’ll find everything from daytime tours to romantic evening cruises, with boats ranging in size from cozy, intimate groups to larger options. Boats may be open-air or enclosed, and food or beverage offerings will vary as well. For a more personalized and relaxed experience, I recommend choosing a smaller group cruise.
Here are some tours that are highly rated.
- Classic Boat Cruise with Cheese and Unlimited Wine
- Open Boat Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Snacks
- Original Flower Boat
Views of Amsterdam from the water on a boat tour.
📝 Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House is one of the most powerful and moving experiences you can have in Amsterdam. It is a museum dedicated to Anne Frank, the Jewish girl who documented her hiding from the Nazis during World War II in her journal later published as The Diary of a Young Girl. Located along the Prinsengracht canal, the museum is set in the actual house Anne Frank and her family hid for over 2 years, including the secret annex behind a bookcase. Walking through the narrow, carefully preserved rooms where her story unfolded brings her diary to life in an incredibly emotional and unforgettable way.
Entrance is €16 per person online, and I highly recommend booking this about 6 weeks before your trip. Here’s why: Tickets are released every Tuesday at 10 am CEST (Central European Summer Time) for the upcoming 6 weeks. When I last checked, the next 5 weeks were sold out and there were openings for the 6th week as they had just released those. Trust me on this one, tickets will sell out and this is one of the first things you should look to book if you know your dates for Amsterdam.
✨ Jordaan Neighborhood
The Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s most charming and picturesque neighborhoods – trendy and full of character. It’s known for its peaceful canals, narrow cobblestone streets lined with boutique stores, cozy cafés and local art galleries.
If your budget allows, I highly recommend staying in this area—it’s one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city. Even if you are staying elsewhere though, make sure to carve out some time to spend in Jordaan. Grab a seat at one of the lively café terraces for some coffee, browse the stalls at Noordermarkt on a Saturday for the farmer’s market and antiques at the flea market, visit some of the museums in the area including the Anne Frank House.
The best way to enjoy Jordaan is simply to wander. Walk along the Prinsengracht canal, one of the prettiest canals in Amsterdam and watch the boats drift by. Enjoy the scenery, admire the buildings, pop into a gallery or two, and stop for coffee or lunch at a streetside cafe.
Make sure to eat at Moeders (traditional Dutch food) and try the famous appeltaart (apple pie) at Winkel 43 – its actually not listed on the menu but simply ask for it.
9 Streets (De Negen Straatjes)
The 9 Streets (De Negen Straatjes) is another lovely neighborhood or area within the city’s Canal Belt. The area is made up of nine quaint, cobbled streets that run between the Prinsengracht and Herengracht canals. It’s technically not in the Jordaan, but adjacent to it, but the charm of Jordaan extends to this area. It is slightly more cosmopolitan and lively atmosphere compared to the relaxed vibes of Jordaan. Here you’ll find fashion stores, vintage shops, art galleries, and cafés to check out.
🖼️ Rijksmuseum
While Amsterdam has a bunch of museums that are worth checking out, if you have time for only one (other than the Anne Frank House), it should be the Rijksmuseum. Housed in a grand Gothic-Renaissance building at the edge of the Museumplein, the museum is home to the Netherlands’ most important collection of art and artifacts. It is designed to take you through Dutch history and culture from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
The Rijksmuseum holds works of Dutch Golden Age painters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals. Some of the museum’s most famous works is Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and Woman Reading a Letter.
You have to prebook tickets to the Rijksmuseum.
Consider this 2 hour guided tour of Rijksmuseum if you prefer a live guide instead of the audio guides.
🎨 Van Gogh Museum
Another really popular museum in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum located next to the Rijksmuseum in the Museumplein.
This museum is dedicated to the life and work of Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. It houses the world’s largest collection of his art, and also provides insight into his creative genius, struggles, and legacy.
The museum holds over 200 of Van Gogh’s paintings including some of his most famous works like Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and Almond Blossom. In addition to his paintings, you’ll also find his personal letters that reflect all aspects of his life including his dreams, visions, personal life and battle with mental health illness.
Given its popularity, this also sells out so make sure to book it in advance.
Also consider this 90 minute guided tour.
🥔 Eat Fries or Friets or Patat
I can’t help thinking about the fries I had in Amsterdam over and over again.
Dutch fries are seriously addictive. Known as patat, or friets, these are thick-cut fries double-fried for extra crispiness and served with dipping sauces. These make perfect midday snacks or late-night treats.
Our Dutch boat tour captain recommended Vleminckx, and it did not disappoint! Manneken Pis is also famous, and my favorite was Fabel Friet. Most of these spots had lines, but they move fast. Fabel Friet was located just around the corner from our hotel so we were able to get in line as soon as they opened.
🧇 Albert Cuyp Market
The Albert Cuyp Market is one of Amsterdam’s most iconic street markets. If you want to experience Amsterdam like a local, head over to the lively De Pijp neighborhood. The market has been in business since 1905, and there are over 250 stalls to browse. You’ll find everything from fresh produce to flowers, clothes, accessories, and my favorite Dutch snack, stroopwafels. Try Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels which are made fresh – the warm, gooey filling will absolutely melt in your mouth!
The market is open 9:30 am to 5 pm daily, but closed on Sundays.
🏠 See the Damrak Houses
This row of houses on Damrak Street are iconic and one of the most photographed spots in Amsterdam. These houses date all the way back to 17th century and are part of the oldest areas of the city. They are located near the Centraal Station on the street Damrak. Coming out of the station, you walk straight ahead to Damrak street. It’s literally a 3 minute walk.
To make things easier, enter “Damrak 30” on your Google Maps.
They are also called the “Dancing Houses” for their tilt and crookedness. Yes, they are definitely crooked.
🌳 Vondelpark
Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s most famous and beloved green oasis in the city. It’s a peaceful park filled with tree-lined paths, scenic ponds and perfect for a relaxing stroll or a laid-back picnic. We didn’t spend too much time here given our short trip, but if you want some relaxing time with nature away from the busy city, this is a great spot.
🌷 Bloemenmarkt
I should start by saying this was somewhat of a disappointment, but since you might come across this on lists of Amsterdam to-dos, I’ll mention it.
It is the only floating flower market in the world (technically its not floating anymore as its now perched on piles to keep it secure), and it has been operating since the 1860s. The market is located on the Singel canal and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
While I expected a lively market full of fresh flowers, the Bloemenmarkt was a series of greenhouse stalls that mostly sold flower bulbs and seeds, wooden flowers and touristy souvenirs like magnets and postcards. Honestly a bit of a disappointment for me! If you’re in the area, perhaps spend 5-10 minutes just strolling through here.
💋 Red Light District
The Red Light District (De Wallen) is one of Amsterdam’s most well-known and controversial neighborhoods. It is of course, known for its legal prostitution and sex work, but it is also a unique part of Amsterdam’s history and culture.
During the day, the area is relatively quiet, with visitors exploring the narrow alleys, canals, and hidden gems like the Museum of Prostitution or the Old Church (Oude Kerk), one of the city’s oldest landmarks. At night, the district comes alive with a mix of bars, clubs, and cafés, catering to a wide variety of interests.
If you decide to visit, be respectful and follow the local laws. Photography of the workers are absolutely not allowed.
While visiting is entirely your decision, I would advise families with children to avoid this area at night for obvious reasons.
🚃 Day Trip to Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is less than 20 minutes from Amsterdam, yet it feels like a world away. This charming Dutch village is a living museum of Netherland’s past, with picturesque windmills, traditional wooden houses, and artisan workshops.
Read my full guide on exactly how to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterrdam, and what to see and do there.
Google Maps of Amsterdam Recommendations
I saved all of my recommendations for you in the map below to make it easy to get around!
USE MY CHECKLIST TO PLAN YOUR TRIP!
- Flights
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Hotels
- I use Booking.com for most accommodations
- For Asia, I prefer Agoda as they have the most competitive prices. I also compare prices on Klook (you can use my code MINYWANDER for a discount so see if that’s a better deal)
- For vacation rentals, especially for larger families, consider VRBO
- Transportation
- Trains & Ferries – book on Omio
- Rental Cars – I usually book on DiscoverCars
- For reliable airport pickups, use Welcome Pickups
- For Asia I use Klook (code MINYWANDER for a discount) – Japan trains for example
- Activities & Tours
- GetYourGuide and Viator are my go to’s.
- For Asia, I prefer Klook as there are more options – use code MINYWANDER
- E-sim
- Stay connected with Airalo E-sims.
