All citiesAmsterdam Things to do and walking itinerary
Netherlands Amsterdam travel guide
30 things to do in Amsterdam, where to stay, airport transfers, 5 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Amsterdam
- Rijksmuseum — museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Van Gogh Museum — art museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Defence Line of Amsterdam — fortification line in the Netherlands (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Anne Frank House — museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam — art museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Concertgebouw — concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Royal Palace of Amsterdam — former city hall (1652-1800), made a palace and public museum by Ludwig Napoleon, on Dam Square in the centre of Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Dam Square — central square in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Natura Artis Magistra — zoo in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Rembrandt House Museum — historic house and art museum in Amsterdam in the Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Westerkerk — church in Amsterdam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Wereldmuseum Amsterdam — anthropological museum located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Nieuwe Kerk — church in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Vondelpark — park in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 45 min)
- NEMO Science Center — museum and science center in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museumplein — square in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Oude Kerk — Amsterdam’s oldest building and oldest parish church (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Amsterdam Museum — municipal museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Portuguese Synagogue — oldest synagogue of Amsterdam (visit ≈ 120 min)
- H'Art Museum — art museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Munttoren — tower in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Allard Pierson — archive, library, and museum at the University of Amsterdam (2019-) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam — botanical garden in Amsterdam (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Jewish Museum — Jewish history, culture, and religion museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Church of St Nicholas — church in Amsterdam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Het Scheepvaartmuseum — maritime museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Nieuwmarkt — square in Amsterdam, Netherlands (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Rembrandtplein — square in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Our Lord in the Attic Museum — museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sexmuseum Amsterdam — museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Amsterdam walking itinerary
Starting point: Canal Ring. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 6.6 km · 8,850 steps · 1 h 28 min on the way): Royal Palace of Amsterdam → Dam Square → Defence Line of Amsterdam → Anne Frank House → Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam → Concertgebouw
- Day 2 (≈ 3.7 km · 5,060 steps · 50 min on the way): Van Gogh Museum → Rijksmuseum
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Amsterdam
- Begijnhof — Silent courtyard ringed by old houses in the middle of the city; free and peaceful. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Bloemenmarkt — Flower market on floating stalls along the Singel, selling tulip bulbs and blooms. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Tuschinski Theatre — One of the world's most beautiful cinemas, Art Deco meets Art Nouveau; see it by catching a film. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- The Nine Streets — Nine short streets between the canals with independent boutiques, vintage shops and cafés. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Albert Cuyp Market — Long daily street market in De Pijp; try a fresh stroopwafel or herring. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Foam Photography Museum — Photography museum in a canal house, known for its rotating exhibitions. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- De Krijtberg — Narrow-fronted neo-Gothic church on the Singel with a surprisingly ornate, colourful interior. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Museum Van Loon — Wealthy merchant family's canal house on the Keizersgracht, with period rooms and a garden. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- A'DAM Lookout — Viewing deck atop the tower on the IJ's north bank: a panorama of city and harbour, plus a swing over the edge. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Eye Filmmuseum — Film museum and exhibitions in a white futuristic building across the IJ, reached by free ferry. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Westerpark — Broad park where locals picnic, its old gasworks buildings turned into a culture venue. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Micropia — Next to Artis, the world's first museum of microbes, where you watch them live through microscopes. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- NDSM Wharf — Former shipyard turned creative hub: huge street-art walls, studios and a big monthly flea market in Noord. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- OBA Oosterdok Public Library — The city's central library: wander its airy floors up to the top-floor terrace for a free view over harbour and roofs. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Sarphatipark — Small English-style park in the heart of De Pijp, a natural break after the Albert Cuyp market. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Noordermarkt — Square by the Noorderkerk in the Jordaan, with an organic farmers' market on Saturdays and a flea market on Monday mornings. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Where to stay in Amsterdam
- Canal Ring: Amid the canals and museums, everything is walkable.
- Jordaan: Quiet and charming with narrow lanes, brown cafés and markets.
- De Pijp: Lively area with the Albert Cuyp market, restaurants and bars.
- Museum Quarter: Calm and elegant, next to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.
- Around Amsterdam Centraal: Airport trains and trams are here; practical for short stays.
- Oost: A residential area with parks and cheaper hotels.
Getting from the airport to Amsterdam
- Schiphol (AMS): Train, non-stop ≈ 15 min
Getting around
The centre is best by foot or tram; renting a bike is common too. Tap your contactless card in and out on trams and metro.
Classic places to eat
- Eetsalon Van Dobben: Croquettes and sandwiches since 1945; get a kroket roll.
- Vleminckx: Belgian fries in a cone with lots of sauces.
- Winkel 43: Famous for its thick apple pie with cream.
- Café Papeneiland: A brown café since 1642; good apple pie too.
- Café 't Smalle: Old brown café with a tiny canal-side terrace.
- Café Hoppe: On Spui square since 1670; local beer and jenever.
- Wynand Fockink: Liqueur and jenever tasting house since 1679.
- Brouwerij 't IJ: Brewery at the foot of a windmill; its own beers.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Ciel Bleu — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Spectrum — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- 212 — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Rijks — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Dutch
- Yamazato — 1 MICHELIN star, Japanese
Romantic views
- Magere Brug (Evening): The wooden bridge over the Amstel is lit by hundreds of bulbs at night.
- Reguliersgracht Seven Bridges (Evening): Seven canal bridges line up from a single spot.
- Vondelpark (Afternoon): The city's favourite park, with ponds and a rose garden.
- Jordaan, Bloemgracht (Early morning): A quiet canal with flower-decked boats and old houses.
Football stadiums in Amsterdam
- Johan Cruyff Arena: Home of AFC Ajax
Day trips
- Alphen aan den Rijn — 30 km from the centre
- Naarden — 21 km from the centre
- Keukenhof — 25 km from the centre
- Muiden — 13 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Amsterdam
- Fine: Hard drugs are illegal; coffeeshop tolerance doesn't cover use in the street.
- Fine: Taking cannabis abroad is a criminal offence.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Warning: Never walk on the red bike lanes; cyclist collisions are common.
- Warning: Tap in and out on public transport; forgetting to check out costs a hefty fare.
- Warning: You're required to carry ID or a passport.
Extra rules for Amsterdam
- Fine: Smoking cannabis in the street in the Red Light District has been banned since 2023.
- Fine: Drinking alcohol in the street is banned across much of the centre.
- Fine: Photographing window workers is banned and met with hostility.
- Fine: Urinating in the street or canals and late-night noise are fined.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is excellent and safe to drink.
- Tipping: Tipping is optional; 5–10% if you're happy.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Netherlands, Wikivoyage — Netherlands, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Amsterdam travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Alphen aan den Rijn and Naarden).
- What are the top things to do in Amsterdam?
- Highlights: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Defence Line of Amsterdam, Anne Frank House and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Amsterdam?
- Canal Ring: Amid the canals and museums, everything is walkable. Other options: Jordaan, De Pijp, Museum Quarter, Around Amsterdam Centraal and Oost.
- How do you get from the airport to Amsterdam city centre?
- Schiphol (AMS): Train, non-stop ≈ 15 min
- How do you get around Amsterdam?
- The centre is best by foot or tram; renting a bike is common too. Tap your contactless card in and out on trams and metro.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Amsterdam?
- According to the last known data there are 5 starred restaurants: Ciel Bleu (2 stars), Spectrum (2 stars), 212 (2 stars), Rijks (1 star), Yamazato (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Amsterdam?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Amsterdam?
- Tipping is optional; 5–10% if you're happy.
Nearby cities
The Hague · Rotterdam · Antwerp · Ghent · Bruges · Brussels · Cologne · Luxembourg
Netherlands travel guide: all cities · All cities