Amsterdam makes the perfect city break. With some careful planning, you can easily check off the major attractions with two full days in the city. With three or four, it’ll allow you more time to explore off the beaten path and take a day trip. If you’re pressed for time, these seven things absolutely cannot be missed during your weekend in Amsterdam.
1. Take A Canal Tour (the BEST thing to do in Amsterdam)
Every city has a stand out experience; the one thing you look back at and say that was my favorite part. In Amsterdam, it was a canal tour with Those Dam Boat Guys. I recommend this tour to every friend as the best thing to do in Amsterdam.
As the name implies, these guys don’t take themselves too seriously. Their website is an accurate reflection of their tours – informative, hilarious, and a dam good time. Tours are BYOB, and offered as either a private or public tour. Public tours are capped at 10 passengers, so you’re bound to have a small group experience either way.
2. Visit the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is a piece of living history that cannot be missed in Amsterdam. The museum is set in the 17th century canal house where the Frank family hid from Nazis for two years before being discovered.
You’ll pass through the hinged bookcase to the secret annex where the Frank family lived quietly for 761 days. The weight of the experience is felt in the height marks still etched on the walls, frozen in time; A somber reminder of the otherwise ordinary family, and the atrocities they, like so many others, faced. It’s one of the most important and impactful museums and a must-visit in Amsterdam.
Tickets must be purchase tickets in advance for a specific time slot, so plan ahead.
3. Get Lost in Jordaan & Shop Nine Streets
After exiting the Anne Frank house, decompress by taking a walk through the rest of the Jordaan neighborhood. Despite its dark past, Jordaan is now known for its distinct Dutch architecture, street markets, and cozy pubs. Some equate it to New York’s Greenwich Village.
Adjacent to Jordaan is the Nine Streets neighborhood. De 9 Straatjes is quite literally made up of nine short streets, lined with designer stores and quirky boutiques.
4. Eat Dutch Pancakes
Dutch pancakes, pannenkoeken, are more crepe-like than traditional American pancakes. While menus will feature some sweet options, these pancakes are often savory and eaten as a snack, or even for lunch or dinner.
For the best dutch pancakes, check out Upstairs Pannenkoeken or Pancakes Amserdam.
5. Buy Souvenirs at the Floating Flower Market
Bloemenkmarkt is the only floating flower market in the world, though few stalls still sell fresh flowers. These days the shops cater more towards tourists, and feature endless options for souvenirs – from flower bulbs to wooden clogs and magnets that resemble canal houses.
6. Museum Hop
The Van Gogh Museum pays tribute to the dutch artist and houses some of his most iconic pieces. It’s home to over 1,400 pieces, including his famous “Sunflowers” painting. Tickets are €20 per person, and are available for purchase online in advance.
Just across the square is Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s most renowned museum. It features a curation of both art and artifacts from across the globe. Tickets are € 22.50, and are available for purchase online in advance.
7. Walk the Red Light District
De Wallen is one of the oldest neighborhoods, illuminated by the red glow of windows. Amsterdam’s most famous red light district is worth a walk around. Be prepared to see the very openness of the sex work industry, and women waiting in windows. Absolutely no recording or photography is allowed near the windows.
What Not to do in Amsterdam: The Heineken Experience
When you’re on a quick city break and limited in your vacation days, you’re bound to have to skip certain experiences. Skip the Heineken Experience if you’re pressed for time . Unless you are a die hard Heineken fan, this is a tourist destination easily replicated in any major city.
For a more uniquely Dutch brewing experience, head over to Brouwerij ‘t IJ. Sometimes referred to as the Windmill Brewery, this canalside brewery gets its nickname from the windmill it sits beneath.
