3 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary: See the Highlights, Skip the Rush

February 3, 2024

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Amsterdam is likely one of the hottest vacationer locations in Europe, to the purpose that the town has began implementing a better vacationer tax and limiting cruise ships. Maneuvering across the crowds to see the town’s highlights takes some advance planning (plus it doesn’t harm to go to within the low season!)

When researching our Amsterdam journey, I noticed loads of itineraries that jam-packed each second of the day. However that wasn’t the form of journey I get pleasure from, so I constructed this 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary to verify we might see an important websites, but additionally have time to wander and calm down, as a result of that what a metropolis like Amsterdam is supposed for.

Boat in canal in Amsterdam - 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary

Amsterdam Itinerary in a Nutshell

I developed this itinerary for our couple’s journey to Amsterdam, nevertheless it might simply be tailored for households (though I wouldn’t counsel the Anne Frank home for youngsters below 8), and I even have some strategies on issues to do in Amsterdam with teenagers in a separate put up.

I’ll go into extra element under however here’s a fast overview and a map of the locations included:

Day 1:

Breakfast: Pancakes Amsterdam
Canal cruise
Fabel Friet
Skinny Bridge
Museum of Dutch Resistance WWII
(Optionally available Portuguese Synagogue)
Rembrandt Sq.
Flower Market
E-book Market (on Fridays)
Dinner: Kantjil & De Tijger

Day 2:

Breakfast: Pancake Bakery
Anne Frank Home
Westerkerk
Noordermarkt
Optionally available: Cheese Museum, Tulip Museum
Lunch: Winkel 43, New Dutch Amsterdam, or Banh Mi Deli
DAM Sq.
9 Streets (De Negen Straatjes) (Optionally available: Joordan)
Dinner: Moeders or Smelt

Day 3:

Brunch: Collins West
Rijksmuseum
Again to Black Espresso Store
Van Gogh Museum
Optionally available: Vondelpark
Dinner: Jansz

This map was created utilizing Google My Maps and covers this 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary. You may click on on the star subsequent to the title and save this to your Google Maps account or click on on the share icon to ship it to your self by way of e mail.

3 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary

Be aware: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. In the event you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee for free of charge to you.

This Amsterdam itinerary presumes that you’ve got three full days and three nights to spend within the metropolis. For our journey, we went over a vacation weekend so we solely needed to take sooner or later off of labor, leaving Thursday night time from Boston, arriving Friday morning, and flying dwelling on Monday.

In fact, if you’re touring from elsewhere in Europe, you received’t be practically as jet lagged in your first day!

Day 1: Welcome to Amsterdam

In case you are flying from the USA, you’ll doubtless arrive pretty early within the morning. The journey from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the town heart is barely about 20 minutes by automotive. You may take public transportation nevertheless it takes longer and after a protracted flight, and I like my arrival to go as easily and rapidly as attainable. I booked an airport switch with Welcome Pickups. I’ve used them in lots of cities and they’re all the time on-time and ultra-professional with very good autos.

You’ll be drained once you arrive, so that you don’t need to guide too many scheduled actions, however you additionally don’t need waste your day. One of the best ways to recover from jet lag (past getting some sleep on the aircraft), is to take a stroll within the contemporary air.

I’d suggest staying within the Centraal neighborhood and the realm on Prinsengracht is an ideal location. We stayed on the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht and completely liked it, however extra on that later.

Begin off with a pleasant stroll alongside the canals to breakfast. The Netherlands is known for its Dutch pancakes, so you have to attempt as many as you’ll be able to. Our plan was to go to Pancakes Amsterdam, however the location by our resort was closed for renovation, however there’s one other close to the Anne Frank Home. We didn’t have fairly sufficient time to go that far so we ended up with a fast chew at Joe & the Juice.

As soon as happy, I extremely suggest taking a canal boat tour by means of the town. That is the right strategy to begin to get a really feel for the canals and landmarks, in addition to study a bit about Amsterdam’s historical past. There are lots of kinds of canal boat cruises and most of them go away from the realm close to the Centraal Practice Station. Nevertheless, I’d counsel a basic boat that hosts smaller teams for a extra intimate expertise.

I booked with Leemstar, as a result of it leaves proper from the Andaz resort dock. Leemstar’s Signature Amsterdam Discovery Cruise takes a most of 12 folks on a 90-minute tour that kicks off with a category of Prosecco. Since we have been visiting Amsterdam in January, we ended being the one company on the 11:00 a.m. tour and subsequently bought a non-public tour!

After exploring Amsterdam by boat, you’ll in all probability be just a little hungry. If you wish to discover a good place in Amsterdam, simply search for the traces out entrance! (It’s form of like Japan in that method.) Simply across the nook is likely one of the most well-known frites stands within the metropolis. Scan the QR code for the menu at Fabel Friet and hop in line as a result of it strikes rapidly. Seize your fries and discover a spot by the canal to look at the boats go by whilst you get pleasure from your snack.

In the event you want one thing candy, pop into Banketbakkerij Het Koekemannetje subsequent door for some freshly-baked cookies or store for some cheese on the De Kaaskamer cheese store (you’ll catch a whiff of the cheeses as you stroll by the open door.) In the event you don’t style any native cheeses right here, don’t fear, you will notice Henri Willig cheese retailers throughout they usually have loads of samples to nibble on.

It’s possible you’ll be tempted to return to the resort and nap, however attempt in the event you can to remain awake only a whereas longer. Stroll alongside the Singel Canal to the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market). It is a little disappointing as it’s principally a row of nondescript flower retailers promoting tulip bulbs (that we have been warned usually don’t come up), however possibly it’s prettier within the spring.

Subsequent you’ll come to Rembrandtplein, which is a big sq. that’s surrounded by bars and eating places. In the event you spot one of many areas of Heinen Delfts Blauw, it is a great spot to buy genuine hand painted Delft pottery (and a few imported stuff too.)

Cross over the Amstel River by way of the attractive Blauwbrug Bridge, which has a pleasant view of the Skinny Bridge to the south. You’ll then head into what was the Jewish neighborhood, the place you’ll be able to see the Portuguese Synagogue (closed on Saturdays and closes early on Fridays), the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Monument, and the Auschwitz Memorial.

I had hoped to go to the Nationwide Holocaust Museum however that’s at present closed. As a substitute, we visited the Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam, which is the Museum of WWII Dutch Resistance. This museum does an awesome job telling the historical past of The Netherlands throughout WWII and the numerous types of resistance tried by every single day residents.

I believe it was an excellent museum to set the stage for visiting the Anne Frank Home, particularly for people who don’t know as a lot about World Battle II and the Holocaust. The museum was very interactive, with brief movies, contact screens, and fascinating reveals. It will be applicable for teenagers over eight to 10, relying on the child. In the event you aren’t on this historical past, you possibly can additionally take this time to discover the Crimson Mild District on a tour or by yourself.

In case you are a guide lover and visiting on a Friday, chances are you’ll need to cease on the Amsterdam E-book Market in Spui Sq. in your method again to the resort. This jogs my memory of guide markets in Bordeaux or the small retailers alongside the Seine in Paris, with numerous sellers of used and collectible books. There are additionally various bookshops within the space. In case you are hungry on the best way, chances are you’ll need to cease for stroopwafels. Van Wonderen Stroopwafels declare to be the world’s greatest and there’s usually a line out the door. Personally, I believed they have been superb, however REALLY overpriced at €10 a pop!

You’ll be comfortable to return to your resort for a fast nap and a bathe earlier than dinner as a result of by this time the jet lag might be hitting exhausting! I’d counsel one thing informal for dinner and in the event you eat on the sooner facet in Amsterdam, you’ll be able to keep away from the crowds, however I’d nonetheless counsel making reservations.

In case you weren’t conscious, the Dutch East Indies, which was a Dutch colony, refers to Indonesia and subsequently, you will see loads of Indonesian meals within the metropolis. Since we don’t have these choices at dwelling, we have been comfortable to attempt the Rijsttafel menu at Kantjil & de Tijger, particularly because it was such a brief stroll from our resort.

Day 2: Anne Frank | Centraal | Joordan

I might have liked to take a meals tour, however sadly my favourite meals tour firm, Devour Excursions, didn’t have any working throughout January or February, however it’s one thing you’ll be able to look into — simply plan forward so you’ll be able to guide your Anne Frank Home tickets accordingly.

Lemon and apple and bacon pancake at the Pancake Bakery

As a substitute, we began our day with pancakes — in fact — on the Pancake Bakery situated in a seventeenth Century warehouse very near the Anne Frank Home. We have been capable of stroll proper in, however chances are you’ll need to guide a desk prematurely.

One factor you have to to do six weeks earlier than your go to is buy your timed-entry tickets to the Anne Frank Home. Tickets go on sale each Tuesday at 10:00 am CEST for a go to in six weeks. Set a reminder (or an alarm) and guide as quickly as attainable as a result of they completely will promote out, even in off-season.

I like to recommend reserving an early time slot. One factor you’ll quickly discover about Amsterdam is that the locals get a late begin (some breakfast locations don’t open till 8 or 9 a.m.), however the guests nonetheless hit the streets by 9 or 10 a.m. Whenever you buy your tickets, you should have a selection to purchase simply the self-guided go to with an audioguide or a ticket that features a 30-minute program earlier than you are taking the self-guided tour.

When you’ve got not learn the Diary of Anne Frank, I might counsel reserving this system. They carry you as much as a classroom and stroll you thru the timeline of the Franks’ life in Amsterdam and their time in hiding. You too can see a duplicate of her unique diary and take photos on this room (no photographs are allowed within the museum or home itself.)

Once more, I wouldn’t suggest visiting with kids below eight, however there have been just one or two pictures within the introductory movies within the museum which have been graphic and included photos from focus camps. Visiting the museum and strolling by means of the constructing have been the households hid, imagining that many individuals dwelling in what at the moment are simply empty rooms is transferring and highly effective, as you’ll count on.

It may be exhausting for some to think about the horrors of the Jewish folks making an attempt to outlive below the Nazi regime however seeing this by means of the eyes of a younger lady hopefully humanizes it for guests and creates a deeper understanding of what occurred.

The Westerkerk (church) is correct subsequent door if you wish to have a look. The entrance was lined in scaffolding once we visited so we didn’t look to see if there was nonetheless a method inside. As a substitute, we crossed the Prinsengracht canal and walked as much as the Noordermarkt, which is a farmer’s market and classic market that’s held each Saturday. It is a enjoyable strategy to combine with locals and possibly discover some fascinating souvenirs.

In that space you can even pop into the Amsterdam Cheese Museum, the place they provide tastings, or the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. This store sells bulbs (and tells you ways and when to plant them primarily based on the place you reside) and tulip-related souvenirs. However you’ll be able to pay €5 to go to the small however interactive museum downstairs, which tells the historical past of tulips in The Netherlands. Do you know that the majority tulips are native to the Himalaya area?

By then, chances are you’ll be getting hungry once more. You may cease at Winkel 43, which is known for its apple pie, but when the road is simply too lengthy, New Dutch Amsterdam is shut by and has an excellent brunch/lunch. For one thing extra informal, I’ve heard that Banh Mi Deli has wonderful sandwiches, however it’s principally take out and you have to discover a spot by the canal to eat.

After lunch, I’d counsel heading into the town heart and visiting DAM Sq.. From right here you might be solely 5 minutes up Damrak to Central Station and really near various museums reminiscent of Madame Tussaud’s, Ripley’s Consider it or Not, and never too removed from the NEMO Science Heart.

The sq. can also be surrounded by necessary landmarks such because the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace), which is not dwelling to the Dutch Royal household, however remains to be used to carry official receptions. The New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) can also be used for artwork exhibitions, and Beurs van Berlage, an previous inventory alternate constructing, which is now used as a live performance corridor and an exhibition house. Within the sq. additionally, you will see the Nationwide Memorial statue, constructed within the reminiscence of Dutch troopers and members of the resistance who died in World Battle II.

If you wish to pack your day, you’ll be able to actually soak up a few of these sights, or discover the Crimson Mild District. Nevertheless, I believe it’s good to make use of the remainder of the day to wander the small streets and canals, soak within the ambiance, and possibly do some buying alongside Kalverstraat within the metropolis heart or the cuter vogue boutiques within the 9 Streets (De Negen Straatjes). You too can wander by means of the hipster residential neighborhood of the Joordan.

Take a while to calm down earlier than heading again out for dinner (keep in mind to make reservations prematurely!) For conventional Dutch delicacies (suppose meat and potatoes), head to the quirky Moeder’s Restaurant. Moeder means mom in Dutch and the restaurant’s partitions are lined with photographs of moms. You can see a mixture of locals and guests however it’s far sufficient off the overwhelmed monitor to not really feel touristy.

One other nice possibility is Restaurant Smelt, close to the Andaz. It is a small, cozy fondue restaurant that serves a wide range of totally different fondues and appetizers reminiscent of charcuterie, paired with a pleasant wine checklist. The Dutch-style fondue was undoubtedly my favourite! We ended up going right here for lunch and Moeder’s for dinner.

Day 3: Museums

Immediately is your day to tick off a few of Amsterdam’s most well-known museums. Begin off with a scrumptious Center Japanese-style brunch at Collins West (or Little Collins if you’re staying nearer to De Pijp.) You may make a reservation however in the event you go early, this hipster scorching spot isn’t crowded.

Subsequent, reserve your timed-entry ticket to the Rijksmuseum for a morning time slot (we picked 11 a.m.) to keep away from the crowds that collect mid-day. You may pay further for the audio information, however I’d suggest simply downloading the official app prematurely and bringing alongside your individual ear buds. It’s the similar because the audio information system. The app lets you choose from a wide range of preset excursions, relying in your pursuits and the way a lot time you could have.

We have been capable of full the highlights tour in just below an hour. The Rijksmuseum homes over 8,000 Dutch and European artworks from throughout 800 years of historical past together with Rembrandt’s “The Night time Watch,” Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid,” and Van Gogh’s self-portrait.

After the Rijksmuseum, you’ll be able to take a while to wander by means of Vondelpark or get a chew to eat earlier than hitting one other museum within the Museum Quarter. We walked over to the comfortable Again to Black espresso store, which is an area hangout for pour-over espresso, tea, and baked items. if you’re fortunate, you may get a seat close to the very docile cafe cat.

Earlier than you allow Amsterdam, you must try the Van Gogh Museum. Devoted to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and his associates, the museum supplies insights into the timeline of his troubled life and the phases of his work. It may be a bit difficult to interpret all this by yourself, as a result of the museum does get very crowded.

I might extremely suggest reserving The Full Lifetime of Van Gogh: Closing Time on the Museum tour with Take Walks. We had a wonderful information in Eduardo, who taught me extra about Van Gogh than I had beforehand ever discovered, even on the interactive Van Gogh reveals. I all the time discover it very useful to have a information in a busy museum to assist inform the tales behind the artwork and the artist and spotlight a number of the most notable items. I by no means took artwork historical past however I’ve discovered a lot by visiting museums all over the world this fashion!

I perceive although that artwork museums aren’t for everybody so if you wish to take your third day in Amsterdam to do extra exploring, there’s nonetheless lots to see! You may take the ferry over the NDSM Wharf, which was a former shipyard and it has develop into a cultural hotspot with a vibrant artist group and loads of bars and eating places. Our canal boat pilot recommended consuming at Pllk, which is made out of previous transport containers and has superior views (in all probability nice in good climate.)

You possibly can additionally try the Albert Cuyp Markt in De Pijp or the Heineken Expertise (for these over 18). In case you are visiting in spring, take into account taking a day journey to see the flower fields (you have to plan this prematurely) or the windmills.

End your time in Amsterdam with a particular meal at Jansz Amsterdam, which affords trendy Dutch delicacies in a sprawling house damaged into a number of rooms to nonetheless hold an intimate really feel.

This three day Amsterdam itinerary will allow you to see all of the highlights, however nonetheless have time to be spontaneous and luxuriate in time to discover or calm down. In the event you keep in a unique space, chances are you’ll need to swap out some restaurant strategies or reorder, however this information takes you thru every of the principle neighborhoods in central Amsterdam.

The place to Keep in Amsterdam

I liked our keep on the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, which I booked utilizing a few of my World of Hyatt factors. The placement is completely excellent for exploring the town on foot. I used to be so impressed with the extent of service and the room dimension and facilities (together with a complimentary mini bar.)

The rooms aren’t ideally suited for households and I’m not an enormous fan of the open toilet floorpan, nevertheless it nonetheless labored effectively for a {couples} journey to Amsterdam.

Discover different locations to remain in Amsterdam: