A city with many fascinating sides, though most folks only know Amsterdam for its red-light district and coffee shops. However, it is a city of immense beauty and culture. Canals form a web around the center, and picture-perfect bridges make it feel like a small town. A fascinating concentrate of museums are also in Amsterdam. Many are world-class galleries with artwork straight out of the history books. Though adding to Amsterdam’s reputation, plenty of “museums” also specialize in the quirky and risqué. Our list of the Top 23 Things To Do in Amsterdam includes the typical first-time visitor attractions but expands beyond that for those who have more time.
Take a walk, ride a bike, or jump on a canal cruise, there are so many ways to enjoy this historical city.
Jump on a Canal Tour
In 2010, Amsterdam’s 17th-century expansive canal network became a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site. The canals and accompanying bridges are defining characteristics of the city they call “the Venice of the North.”
A canal tour is a must while you are in Amsterdam. They are a great way to get your bearings and cover a lot of the city in a short amount of time.
Dozens of companies offer various cruise options from private cruises to dinner cruises, bring your own booze cruises, and the hop-on-hop-off boats which doubles as a tour and transportation. Standard tours take about 60-90 minutes. The best tours have a live guide to point out the highlights and answer your questions, others only offer a prerecorded audio tour.
If it is a nice day, look for a boat with unobstructed views to get a different angle for your city photos.
With day and night tours available, it is worth doing both if you have time. A night tour is especially worth it if you are in town for the Amsterdam Light Festival which takes place around the end of November to the end of January.
PlasticWhale, a non-profit, offers 2-hour plastic “fishing” tours. They then recycle the plastic into everyday goods such as desks, chairs, and even the boats used for the tours.
Many attractions in Amsterdam offer a “combination ticket” option. These tickets often come with a canal cruise included or as a very inexpensive add-on.
The I amsterdam City Card includes many attractions in its price. Including a canal tour.
It can be good value if you plan to do multiple attractions in a day.
Rijksmuseum
If you only go to one museum on your trip, Rijksmuseum is the one to choose. Located just south of the city center, this world-class gallery houses over a million artifacts. Prized pieces include some of Rembrandt’s most famous works, such as The Night’s Watch and Self-portrait as Apostle Paul. The museum also houses Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and paintings from other masters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Frans Hals, and Peter Paul Rubens.
- Purchase tickets online to skip the line at the ticketing desk.
- The main collection does not require a time slot ticket unless you are using the I amsterdam card or another multi-pass ticket.
- The museum is huge, allow at least 3-4 hours to see just the highlights. Tickets are good for the day so you can leave to get lunch and come back if you like.
- Download the Rijksmuseum app on your phone for an audio guide of the collection.
- There’s a free manned cloakroom to store day bags and other small items, but lines can be very long so leave them at your hotel if you can.
- The fenced garden surrounding the museum is lovely in spring and free to visit.
Ann Frank House
This moving experience should be on everyone’s must do list. The museum preserves the house and the small annex where Anne Frank, her family, and four others hid from the Nazi’s from 1942-1944. An unknown informant ultimately betrayed them, and Anne died in a concentration camp at the age of fifteen. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, was the only survivor. He published Anne’s diary in 1947.
- Tickets must be booked online for a specific date and time.
- 80% of tickets are sold two months in advance. The remaining 20% of tickets are released on the museum’s website at 9 am on the day. You must be quick to grab some.
- The ticket includes an audio guide which your personal headphones can plug into.
- The staircases leading to the four floors are very narrow which can be challenging for those with mobility issues.
- There’s a free manned cloakroom to store day bags and other small items.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh artwork, including the famous Potato Eaters, Almond Blossom and one of the five Sunflowers. The well laid out museum walks you through the life and tragedy of Van Gogh. It also includes paintings from his famous friends.
- Tickets are limited, assigned to a time slot, and must be purchased online in advance.
- Purchasing the audio guide is highly recommended.
- Allow 2-3 hours to see the full collection.
- There’s a free manned cloakroom to store day bags and other small items, but lines can be very long so leave them at your hotel if you can.
- Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night is at the MOMA in New York, but this museum is still well worth your time.
De Wallen's Red-Light District
Most of what you have probably heard about Amsterdam’s red-light district is true.
The pink glow from neon lights set the scene for scantily clad women beckoning behind glass windows. Coffee shops selling various forms of cannabis on every corner. Sex shows, shops, and museums explore and exploit the city’s legal sex trade.
De Wallen is Amsterdam’s most famous red-light district. It is the city’s old medieval center, located just south of Amsterdam Central Train Station. In the center of the neighborhood, Oude Kerk, is Amsterdam’s oldest building, oldest parish church, and the Netherlands’ biggest commissioner of art.
Though the area is generally safe for tourists to go, never go out alone, and stick to the well-lit streets.
Prostitution Information Center Amsterdam (PIC) offers an interesting tour of the district from the perspective of a former or sometimes current sex worker.
Westerkerk Tower
A short walk from the Anne Frank House, this is the clock face mentioned in Anne’s diary. A tour of the tower provides a fascinating understanding of the tower’s history, and a narrow staircase takes you to a lookout point.
- Rembrandt was originally buried here, though his remains were later moved. Today there is a Rembrandt memorial marker.
- Entrance to Westkerk church is free, with a fee for the tower tour.
- The church is open every day with services on Sundays.
Stedelijk Museum
Next door to the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum houses a collection of modern, contemporary and design art including several interactive exhibits. This museum displays works from Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Piet Mondrian’s famous Composition No. IV with Red, Blue, and Yellow.
- The ticket includes an audio guide.
- Allow 2-3 hours.
- There’s a free manned cloakroom to store day bags and other small items, but lines can be long.
Heineken Brewery
The Heineken Brewery offers a 1.5-hour self-guided tour around the brewery to learn the company’s history and its brewing process. Includes two beers at the end. Book online for a discount.
Download the audio and video app to enhance the experience. VIP tours with a Heineken Connoisseur are available every day except Saturdays.
Brouwerij 't IJ (IJ Brewery)
Want an alternative to the Heineken Brewery? Brouwerij ‘t IJ (IJ Brewery) is a little gem that offers English tours Friday through Sunday. Try one of their sampler flights for the full experience.
- Take Tram 14 from Dam Square or Amsterdam Central Station to get there. Head toward Flevopark and get off at the Pontanusstraat stop. Over the bridge left of the tram stop. It’s hard to miss their giant windmill, the brewery is right next door.
A'dam Lookout
Located on the north side of the city, the A’DAM observation tower provides 360° views of the city. There is a panorama restaurant on the 20th floor and rooftop bar on the 21st.
If you really want to be daring, you can swing “Over the Edge” of the building on Europe’s highest swing.
- From behind Amsterdam Central Station, take the free ferry to ‘Buiksloterweg.
- Allow 1-2 hours.
Vondelpark
A short walk from Museum Square lies one of the most peaceful and yet one of the most visited areas of the city. This sprawling 48-hectare park is a popular place for locals and tourists to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. It’s also a lovely place to have a picnic, so grab some lunch to go at one of the nearby cafes or snack bars.
Keukenhof Gardens
If you are lucky enough to be in Amsterdam between late March and mid-May, Keukenhof Gardens are a must see. They include 32-hectares of over 7 million blooming flowers, including 800 varieties of tulips.
- By car, the Keukenhof Gardens are located about 30 minutes southwest of Amsterdam, but there are also several public transportation routes to get you to the gardens.
- During season, special combination tickets bundle entrance fees and include transport on an express bus which runs from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and from Leiden Central Station.
- In 2022, the gardens will open only from March 24th to May 15th.
Bloemenmarkt
This floating flower market is always in season as various flowers pop in color and fragrance. There are several gift shops to pick up your souvenirs and flower bulbs.
Jordaan Neighborhood
To the west of the city, between the Prinsengracht and Lijnbansgracht canals, lies the trendiest neighborhood in Amsterdam. Small boutiques and tons of sweet cafés nestle between the towering and narrow 17th century buildings. Take a stroll, stop at a café, and enjoy the day as a local.
Royal Palace in Amsterdam
Often overlooked, probably due to its blackened exterior, the Royal Palace Amsterdam plays an important role in Dutch history. For over 200 years the palace has hosted numerous Dutch Monarchy receptions including royal weddings and successions. Pick up the free audio guide and make your way around the palace.
Rembrandt House Museum
The Rembrandt House Museum provides an in-depth look at Rembrandt’s life and work. They have almost a complete collection of his etchings and a significant collection from his pupils. The highlight of this museum are the demonstrations, including etching and paint preparation. Free audio guides are available.
Museum Ons' Lieve Heer Op Solder
The Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic) museum highlights a beautifully preserved 17th century house. The attic hides a detailed restoration of a secret Catholic church representing a time where mass was forbidden.
- This is a fascinating attraction, but there are narrow and twisting staircases which may cause mobility challenges for some.
- The audio guide is free.
Moco Museum
Moco Modern Art Museum aims to provide “inspiration and eye-openers” for its visitors through the works of artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
ARTIS-Micropia
ARTIS-Micropia is an entire museum dedicated to the world of microbes, the tiniest forms of life. They are all around us and usually too small for us to see. This museum will challenge the way you see the world.
Beurspassage
This work of art is a cut-through passage between Damrak Ave and Niewendijk Street (next to Primark). Famous for its beautiful mosaics and gold chandeliers made of bicycle parts, it is a tribute to the canals of Amsterdam.
- You can fill your water bottles with tap water at the fish’s mouth – you will see what we mean.
This is Holland
Located next door to the A’DAM Lookout, This is Holland is an informational experience which provides tourists with a brief overview of the country’s history. Then take a 15-minute virtual helicopter ride over the Netherlands main attractions. It’s a fun experience for adults and kids.
Amsterdam Catacombs
Like escape rooms and a scare? Seriously it’s very scary. Then how does finding your way around the catacombs of a historical church sound? Amsterdam Catacombs offers a unique adventure for groups of 3 – 6. It is about a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station.
Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
Located along the water east of Amsterdam. Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot is small, but picture-perfect and well-preserved. It is a favorite of kids.
Looking for more on the Netherlands? Check out our other posts.
I’ve been to Amsterdam once and been to a few of the places you mentioned. May I also recommend the ice bar. I don’t remember the name of it but the whole bar is made of ice. Really cool whether you’re a beer drinker or not.
Great suggestion Rick, thanks. I believe the name of the bar is Xtracold Ice Bar. We didn’t go to the one in Amsterdam, but we went to an ice bar in Norway. You are right, they are a lot of fun for anyone whose never been to one before.
Awesome guide. I’m going to Europe next summer and I’m hoping to be able to spend a few days in Amsterdam. I’ll refer to your guide when I create my itinerary. Thanks for posting
Hi Ionana,
Glad you like the guide. So many things to see and do in Amsterdam. Enjoy your trip!
Jeremy.