It’s hard to believe it, but I first visited Amsterdam almost 20 years ago. It was one of the initial stops on my inaugural trip to Europe; even as unique as Amsterdam is, I felt an inherent sense of novelty you only experience for a short time in your life.
Obviously, as I’ve returned over the years (after having traveled to dozens of truly exotic places), Amsterdam seems more familiar and less far-flung. But it’s still a one-of-a-kind city, no matter how often I go back (or, more to the point, how old I get).
The great news about my experience here—and yes, my age—is that this Amsterdam itinerary is perfect for any traveler. Experienced ones like me today. And newbies like me back way back when, too.
Do You Need to Bike to Enjoy Amsterdam?
I’ll be perfectly honest: Amsterdam’s biking culture can be scary. Given how few people in the city drive, bike lanes here can be like highways, both in terms of how crowded they are and how fast everyone seems to ride. It’s polite, to be sure—more polite, certainly, than any American road—but it’s hard not to feel intimidated, especially as a tourist, and particularly if it’s your first time in the city.
Thankfully, biking is not the only way to get around in Amsterdam. It’s a flat city, which means that a free walking tour Amsterdam can be a great way to get yourself situated, not to mention to get some exercise. Another option is public transportation, whether you take one of Amsterdam’s above-ground trams, or the less-popular (but still very useful) Amsterdam Metro.
My Favorite Things to Do in Amsterdam
Get lost along canals
Many travelers to Amsterdam stake out specific positions along its iconic canals, namely De 9 Straatjes (9 Streets), which is probably the most iconic viewpoint of them. Although this isn’t a bad strategy (and is smart if you want to start things off with a selfie), I encourage you to take a more exploratory approach. This is a particularly good idea if you have a bike that’ll allow you to cover more ground.
Lean into Amsterdam’s art scene
No matter how many days in Amsterdam you decide to spend, you’ll end up along the Museumplein. As its name suggests, this area is home to many of the city’s iconic museums, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Of course, you needn’t only focus on this area—art, culture and history are all around in Amsterdam, with another worthwhile stop being Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht.
Have a cup of coffee
I’m not joking: Amsterdam, as a city that is often cold and rainy, has one of the world’s most robust coffee cultures. This is true whether or not you go to establishments like my personal favorite The Green House, where other things are on offer. Another thing I love about coffee houses in Amsterdam? Many serve alcohol and even full meals, inviting you to linger for a while.
Travel with your tastebuds
Speaking of meals, many people are surprised to learn that an Amsterdam itinerary can be culinarily fulfilling, even though Dutch food often leaves something to be desired. Amsterdam is one of the world’s most international food cities, with my personal favorites like Thai, Indian and Vietnamese front-and-center, and plenty of representation from the Middle East, Africa and Latin America as well.
Take a Dutch (or Belgian) day trip
Amsterdam is iconically Dutch, but Holland doesn’t begin and end there. One place you can visit on a day trip to feel more Dutch is Zaanse Schans, which is my favorite place near Amsterdam to see windmills and clogs. Other awesome day trips include charming Delft and cosmopolitan Rotterdam. If you’re open to going a bit further, various destinations in nearby Belgium make for great day trips from Amsterdam.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s city center is bigger than it looks. And where you stay matters, even if it’s relatively easy to get to other places. Allow me to explain what I mean. For many years, I’d go to Amsterdam with my friend Bianca, whose family has long stayed at a place called Hotel Washington. It’s a charming old hotel, close to the Museumplein—but not a lot else.
In recent years, to be sure, I’ve preferred Amsterdam hotels closer to the geographical center of the city, be those Hotel Estheréa near the 9 Streets, the Swissôtel on Dam Square or Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam, which is closer to Amsterdam Centraal Station than I usually like to stay in most European cities. Then, of course, there are the city’s thousands of Airbnb properties, which range from apartments to (of course) houseboats.
Other FAQ About Planning a Trip to Amsterdam
How many days in Amsterdam is enough?
If you’re simply going to be staying in Amsterdam’s city center, I usually like to start with three days. This gives you a day to get acclimated (and, if necessary, visit a coffee shop), a day to bike around Amsterdam and explore its picturesque canals and a day for museums, which is also an important “buffer” given the city’s often less-than-ideal weather. Add one day for each day trip you plan to take, be that to Zaanse Schans, Delft or even Brussels.
What is the best time of year to go to Amsterdam?
Amsterdam (and Holland in general) are definitely at their most iconic in mid-to-late April, when the tulips are in bloom. On the other hand, while summers have been getting hotter in recent years, Amsterdam can be cold and grey during most any part of the year. As a result, I’m mostly agnostic about when I visit and try to focus on the experience rather than the circumstance.
Is 5 days in Amsterdam too long?
In my opinion, five days could be a bit too long to spend in Amsterdam if you simply plan to stay in the city center. After a day or two, I get restless, and want to expand my horizons. The great news is that there are plenty of awesome day trips to take from Amsterdam, both within the Netherlands, and also in neighboring countries.
The Bottom Line
My Amsterdam itinerary has me wanting to book flights and walk along a canal eating fries—I can’t imagine how excited it’s made you for your trip. Some of you are young, and although the specter of legal…herbs might not be as exciting as it was when I was your age, will want to head quickly to a coffee shop and experience Amsterdam on an enhanced consciousness level. Others will want to dive deep into culture, be that by leaning heavily into Amsterdam’s world-class museums, or taking day trips to more traditional Dutch cities and towns (or even up to Brussels). Need personalized help putting your Eurotrip together? Hire me as your Travel Coach!
