Amsterdam Travel guide
With its canals lined with red brick mansions and stately museums filled with masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, you might think the capital of the Netherlands is all about history. But there’s a modern streak, too: a creative food scene, an open-minded attitude, and an innovative culture of design. The best part? You can experience every facet of this easily walkable city in one visit. Or even in the span of a few hours. Amsterdam is a must visit when in the Netherlands.
Recommended stay: 2-3 days
Day trips: Rotterdam, Zaanse Schans, The Hague, Antwerp
Brief Overview
The cultural capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is situated in the province of North-Holland. This tourist hotspot attracts 4 million tourists every year who come to explore the old city’s architecture and take a boat ride through the famous canals, visit museums and experience the liberal & international culture.
Stunning Architecture
The city of Amsterdam is best known for its majestic canal layout and charming Dutch gabled facades, but the city has remarkable architecture that completely mesmerizes you. The streets have untouched patterning which dates back to the 19th century. Amsterdam’s got the picturesque windmills, amazing bridges and some of the most beautiful houses with cutting-edge modern design.
Dutch cuisine
The Dutch cuisine is shaped by its location in the fertile soil of the North Sea river delta of the European Plain, giving rise to fishing, farming and trading over the sea, its former colonial empire and the spice trade. It has a long and interesting history and includes everything from family meals to delicious desserts!
Vibrant City life
Amsterdam has got one of the best nightclubs and is brimming with Irish bars ranging from classic cafés to Belgian beer clubs. Adult entertainment also adds some spice to Amsterdam’s nightlife.
Best time to visit
You can visit Amsterdam anytime you want because both summers and winters are mild in the city but sometimes it can get very cold in the winter. If you want to see the blossoming flowers and tulips you should definitely visit Amsterdam in April when the spring starts.
Festivals in Amsterdam
- King’s Day
- Vondelpark Openluchttheater Festival
- Amsterdam Pride
- Prinsengrachtconcert
- Grachtenfestival
Getting around in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands and also a very well connected city. You can travel from about anywhere and reach your destination via public transport. Amsterdam has an efficient and reliable public transport system. You can use your I Amsterdam Card to save on transport costs. Here’s an overview of the different ways to get around the city with public transport:Here are a few things to keep in mind to traverse without worry and some tips on choosing the right transport.
Travel Green
Bike taxis are your way to go green and are available all over the city. In fact, they are the city’s favourite mode of transport. The next best option is to hire a rickshaw and can accommodate upto two people. Amsterdam Fietstaxi charges reasonable prices for electric rickshaw taxis that can be booked in advance.
Tram
To use the tram lines, you need a public transport card — OV-Chipkaart — or other validated travel cards. Tram services are available from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM. You can also purchase a one hour, 24-hour or 48-hour ticket for the tram, bus and metro services. Visit GVB Tickets & Info offices for more information about tickets.
Metro
The metro system covers four routes, starting from Amsterdam Central Station, spreading across various outlying districts like Biljmer, Amstelveen, Diemen and Amsterdam Noord. The metro operates between 6:00 AM to midnight. You need a public transport card (OV-Chipkaart) or other validated travel card to use the metro lines.
Bus
Amsterdam’s bus network is extensively-spread throughout the city. The day buses run between 6:00 Am to 12:30 AM, while the special Nightbuses run between 12:30 AM to 7:00 AM.You can use your public transport pass to use the bus services in the city.
Ferry
Ferries depart from Amsterdam Central Station and convenient to reach attractions in Amsterdam North. Ferry services in the city are free and run through the night.
Bikes
Biking is a great way to see the city and explore different neighborhoods at your own pace. Amsterdam is equipped with up to 400 km of biking paths in and around the city. There are plenty of bike rental shops dispersed throughout the city like Mac Bike, Rent a Bike and Black Bikes. Make sure to stay on the designated bicycle paths and not steer onto roads and sidewalks.
Tip: Download the 9292 app for up-to-date public transportation travel advice. The app provides travel suggestions for all off the Netherlands, is free to download, and is available in Dutch and English.
Transport Pass
The blue-and-gray trams roll through all the major streets and the city also boasts an extensive bus network. Amsterdam also has 5 metro lines that connect the city centre with the suburbs. To top all of these, there are passes such as the I Amsterdam card available that offer visitors with unlimited access to the city’s public transport, entry to 60+ attractions, 1-hour canal cruise and a complimentary city map.
Things to see and do
Anne Frank House
The museum is the house where Anne Frank was hiding for two years during World War II. Many memorabilia which belongs to the hiding Jewish people during the war, documents and photos can be seen in the museum.
Tip: Go when the museum opens, that way you avoid most of the tourists!
10-17 years – € 7.00
0-9 years – € 1.00
Tickets can be found here
A’DAM Tower
To see all of Amsterdam in one terrifying go, ascend the A’DAM Tower, a former office building for Shell, and now a nightclub and hotel crowned with an unusual attraction: the highest swing in Europe. The Over the Edge swing — true to its name — rocks strapped-in daredevils back and forth over a 100m void. For those who prefer their thrills more virtual, the building is also home to This is Holland, a cinematic 5D flight experience that zooms you over bulb fields and windmills and includes the sounds, smells and ubiquitous water of the Netherlands.
Entry – €14.50
Red-Light District
Visitors will be surprised at how safe Amsterdam’s much-maligned sex district feels, especially during the day, when the marauding stag groups have deserted this popular drinking spot and are still quietly nursing their hangovers. Red-lit windows, sex shops and strip bars sit alongside art galleries, barbers and cafés with a candidness that somehow tempers their seediness. For an insight into the capital’s open attitude to sex — and an education on the myriad “accessories” to enliven it — discovering the oldest part of the city, and one of its oldest trades, should feature in any trip to Amsterdam.
Royal Palace
The austere 17th-century architecture of this former town hall, where interrogations and hangings served swift justice, makes Buckingham Palace look quite cosy. Later the building was transformed into a lavish palace when Louis Napoléon, briefly King of Holland, restyled it according to his own extravagant tastes. The Palace was transferred to the Dutch House of Orange in 1813, but many magnificent Empire pieces remain, including a gold clock with an effigy of Louis Napoléon dressed as Julius Caesar, epitomising the vanity and decadence of the period.
Entry – €12.50
Heineken Experience
A visit to Amsterdam is not complete without a visit to the Heineken Experience. Located in the centre of the city, this historic building is the birthplace of the iconic Heineken beer that is distributed and celebrated around the world. The former brewery, which was in use until 1988, has been transformed into a beer lover’s paradise, where visitors can go on an interactive journey to learn all about the history of Heineken, get a closer look into the beer brewing process, and, of course, taste the world-famous pilsener.
Tour – €21
Zaanse Schans
It’s safe to say that Zaanse Schans Netherlands is Dutch culture at its finest. Sprawling greenery, slowly trudging windmills overlooking a blue brook, wooden house, mills, barns ; all an ode to the traditional Dutch life. While in Zaanse Schans, you have plenty to do for a day, but here’s all that you cannot afford to miss.
Entry: FREE
Amsterdam: Classic Boat Cruise
Discover the beautiful city of Amsterdam on a classic boat with this covered canal cruise. Sail past city sights like the Maritime Museum, the Golden Bend, and the Anne Frank House.
Book our recommended tour below:
Other things to do and see
- Van Gogh Museum
- Amsterdam dungeon
- The Rembrandt House Museum
- The Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
- Nemo Science Museum
- Rijksmuseum
Where to stay
The cost of living in a hotel in Amsterdam is quite high compared to other cities with an average of £200-£400 per night. The next best option is to Airbnb or stay in cosy hostels. However, if you are in for spending a luxurious night, the hotels are absolutely worth it!
Where to Eat
A gastronomic adventure is a must while in Amsterdam and the city offers everything from Croquettes from a vending machine to Mint Tea. Be sure to add these must-have dishes to your Amsterdam bucket list.
The top 10 restaurants can be located here
Getting to Amsterdam
By plane
Using air transportation to visit Amsterdam is the most practical way. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of Netherlands. It’s located 9 kilometers southwest of the city, in Haarlemmermeer municipality. It is one of Europe’s busiest airports in terms of passenger density.
By train
The Netherlands has a very efficient train network linking it with its neighbouring countries such as Brussels, Paris and Berlin and the United Kingdom.
The fastest way to travel from the UK to Amsterdam by train is by Eurostar: take a train from St Pancras International to Brussels and at Brussels Midi station, take a Thalys to Amsterdam, which takes a little less than 2 hours.
By car
Amsterdam is also an accessible city by car, but depending from where, it might be a very long drive.
By cruise
It is also possible to take a cruise around the North Sea, which includes a stop at the port of Amsterdam.
By coach
Eurolines is a coach company that connects most cities, including Amsterdam.
Book tours and Purchase Tickets
More Photos
Saving money in Amsterdam
1. Choose hostels
Amsterdam is known for its unique and designer hostels. While they are cheaper than most star hotels, they do not have a grungy backpacker vibe and are suitable for couples and groups of travellers, too. AirBnbs are the next best option to save money, especially if you’re travelling with your family.
2. Grab a city pass
The I Amsterdam Card, Holland Pass and This is Holland Access Ticket are the passes you should consider while sightseeing in the city. With canal cruises, free public transport and free access to museums like Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt, save money while exploring Amsterdam with these passes.
3. Get a nightlife ticket
Cover charges can make quite a dent in your pocket in Amsterdam. To avoid those charges buy the Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket which costs €10 (2 days access) and €20 (7 days access) for 20 popular nightclubs including Club Escape, Air Amsterdam, Club Panama, Blue Ivy nightclub and Supperclub.
4. Buy attractions tickets online in advance
Online booking for tickets works on multiple fronts. It helps you plan your trip in advance, saves time and money.
5. Squeeze a visit to the free attractions
Entry to Amsterdam’s museums is never free but there are some iconic attractions in Amsterdam that are absolutely free. Take a free ride on the GVB Amsterdam Ferry, visit the Civic Guard’s Gallery in the Amsterdam Museum, and walk into the courtyard of Begijnhof by paying nothing at all. Head to Vondelpark for open-air concerts, or take a stroll through Rijksmuseum Garden, all for free!
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Other Netherlands Related Guides
Be sure to check out our other exciting guides related to Netherlands:
We loved Amsterdam! Make sure it’s on your list.
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