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If you’re planning a trip to Europe and looking to explore some of the world’s greatest cities, Amsterdam should be high on your list. Boasting a unique layout around a series of canals, Amsterdam is known as “The Venice of the North” for good reason. From the city’s humble origins in the 1270’s to the metropolitan capitol city we know today, Amsterdam is bursting with history and culture waiting to be explored and experienced.
The old city is laid out in a “U” shape, with ever-widening rings of canals radiating out of from the center. Amsterdam Centraal Station, the main train station, sits at the top opening of the U along the water and certainly feels like the center of activity in the city. The city’s Red Light District, famous for the sinful side of Amsterdam, is found on either side of the main canal in the city’s center. The quieter East and West Canal Districts are outside of the central zone, with shopping and restaurants sprinkled amongst the quintessentially Dutch-style canal and row houses. Dam Square, adjacent to the Royal Palace, marks the true center of the old city. And at the bottom of the U is the incredible Museum District, with the world-renound Rijksmuseum as the shining centerpiece of this wonderful complex.
The Basics
The Vibe
Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city and international tourist destination. The vast majority of buildings in the old city date from the 17th and 18th centuries, with only a few modern-looking buildings thrown in. One of my favorite things about Amsterdam is how some of the buildings are crooked in one way or another, slanting or leaning this way and that. The entire feel is historic, quirky, and distinctive.
I went expecting Amsterdam to have a far more “sin, sex, and drugs” feel to it, with marijuana, alcohol, and sex work as pervasive and central to the vibe. I expected lots of reggae music, weed memorabilia everywhere, dirty streets, graffiti art, and to see lots of counter-culture folk dominating the streets and setting the pace. My expectations were honestly completely shattered. Amsterdam feels very normal, with average tourists and average locals. The city does a great job at keeping the seedier side of itself tucked away. If you’re looking for weird and dirty, look elsewhere.
This is the best view I found in Amsterdam – it’s found on the bridge directly across the street from the front of Rijksmuseum. The photo is level, it’s the building that is slightly crooked, as are so many buildings in this historic city.
Summer Along The Canal
This was the prettiest scene I discovered while wandering the busy, historic old city in Amsterdam. This perfect summer view along the Singelgracht Canal is right across the street from Rijksmuseum at the site of the former Amstelveen stronghold. The photo is not crooked – the featured building leans slightly, as do thousands of others … Read more
Languages
The official language of The Netherlands is Dutch. However, English is very widely spoken. We had no trouble navigating the city in English. All of the staff we encountered at restaurants, bars, and attractions spoke English. Signage is also posted in English, both on the streets and in museums. Restaurant menus are in English or in both English and Dutch.
Currency and Financial considerations
The Netherlands uses Euros as it’s currency, like most other nations in the EU. Currency values fluctuate, but when we visited Amsterdam Euros were roughly equivalent to US Dollars. Pricing for admission to attractions, as well as for goods, felt roughly equivalent my hometown of Portland, Oregon, which is one of the more expensive US cities to live in. There is no sales tax on items, so what you see listed as the price is the price you will pay. Almost everywhere accepts debit and credit cards – expect a 3% foreign transaction fee imposed by your banking institution for every card purchase.
Pricing at restaurants seemed a bit more expensive, but tipping is not part of the expectiation. We paid for meals out on our credit card and were oten not given the option to tip on our card. So, when factoring US tips in, meal prices became roughly equivalent as well.
Electricity
Electric power in Europe varies from that of the Americas in two ways. First, in Europe the power runs at 220 volts @ 50 cycles per second, while the US runs at 110 volts @ 60 cycles per second. Second, the plug shape is two round holes. So to power your devices I suggest purchasing at least one universal power adapter, which is a cube with various plug shapes on it that you select (like a Swiss Army knife but for power outlets). Of course it’s simplest to just bring one with you, but they’re easy enough to find in electronics shops and sometimes at souvenir shops if you need one. You can bring a small US power strip and plug it into the universal adapter if you need to plug in multiple devices.
American electric shavers can’t handle the European power supply. We tried plugging one into our universal power adapter and it broke the motor on the shaver and tripped the circuit breaker at our lodging. Some lodgings have special outlets for US electric shavers – ours did not and we learned the hard way. It might be a smart idea, if you’re staying in Amsterdam for awhile, to buy a cheap one there.
Getting Around
Amsterdam is a bustling city with a huge amount of tourists in the summer. There’s a real juxtaposition between the calm, dark canals and the busyness of the streets that run along the sides. Expect crowded sidewalks, especially on the streets along the canals since the sidewalks are fairly thin. In the Red Light District there are several streets that motorized vehicles are not allowed on.
Amsterdam has a massive community bike program which puts even the most bike-friendly US cities to utter shame. Since Amsterdam is overall quite flat with a relatively tight city center, its a perfect place to get around by bicycle or motorcycle…and the residents know it. The volume of bikes on the roads is something to be aware of, especially since it appeared that bicycles did not have to follow the traffic lights. You will see parked bicycles on every street, sometimes hundreds per block. If the bike is not locked up then it is a community bike and you are welcome to ride!
Because it is so flat, Amsterdam is a very walkable city. As a pedestrian, you need to stay vigilant and watch for bikes pretty much everywhere, especially when crossing a street or when walking in the road (which sometimes happens because the sidwalk is blocked, clogged with people, or is nonexistent. Also, be aware that the pedestrian crossing signals at intersections do not give much time to cross, and change very quickly. We walked everywhere and had a great time exploring the city on foot.
If you plan on exploring the city beyond the tight central area then consider hopping on a light- rail train or a bus. The public transportation in the city center is very frequent. Renting a car seems pretty unnecessary here, and driving looks difficult – there are a lot of thin one-way streets along the canals to navigate.
If you’re near the central train station or in the Red Light District and you want an Uber, you may need to go to the big Uber pickup zone at the train station. Go through the tunnel under the station on the left / west end of the building. The pickup zone is along the road that loops into the train station on the back side of the building at it’s west end.
Lodging
There are dozens of lodging options in the old city area of Amsterdam. We stayed at the Ibis Styles Grand Central Station and very much enjoyed the location, which was near the the top of the U. We were just outside of the Red Light District on a main street which had light rail trains running down it as well as vehicle traffic and so we were expecting a lot of racket at night, but were pleasantly surprised how much things calmed down. A location near Dam
Square would put the majority of Amsterdam attractions within a mile radius. From our location it was over three miles walk to the Museum District. Personally I would avoid staying inside the Red Light District east of the central canal because that’s the hot nightlife and club zone. If you’re visiting Amsterdam to get your party on, which many people are, then staying in the Red Light District or near Our House Experience (close to the action) may be the best move.
Cannabis in Amsterdam
Cannabis tourism is part of this city. If you intend to partake, be aware of the rules around it. All cannabis shops in the Red Light District are cafes as well. You can consume or smoke on premises. Most have nice outdoor seating. Smoking marijuana on the street outside of designated cannabis cafe seating areas is not allowed in the Red Light District. However, outside of the Red Light District, smoking a joint while walking down the street is perfectly acceptable, and there are a few shops outside of the Red Light District.
Things to Do
Canal Tours
Canal tours offer a relaxed and beautiful way to see Amsterdam from a perspective most cities cannot offer. Many have glass roofs on the boats for when the weather is uncooperative. Most tours are a round-trip excursion lasting about 90 minutes. Many are themed, including historic sites tours, flower boat tours, and of course drinking tours.
A few boat tour companies offer point-to-point service as an alternative to a round-trip tour. We hopped on a point-to-point boat that left from the Museum District and floated back to our hotel near the Centraal Station. If your dogs are barking, a point-to-point boat tour is just what the doctor ordered!
There are dozens of boat tour companies with ticket offices and little docks all over the old city. Rather than list them all, I encourage you to get to the city and find a boat tour that looks like the right one for you. Choosing one that’s close to your lodging is the best course of action for round-trip tours.
Museums
Amsterdam has a staggering number of museums and galleries. From massive collections to small and specialized, you can find a museum about pretty much any subject in Amsterdam. This vibrant city was actually voted the second best city for expats with families due in part to the expansive number of museums and galleries. Visiting every museum in Amsterdam would take a month or more, so choose you must.
Unfortunately, none of the museums or interactive experiences are free to enter.
Museum District
The Museum District features the major art museums in the city within a park-like complex. You’ll need to buy a timed-entry ticket in advance for each museum to ensure you’re able to enter when you want. For the most popular museums this can mean a more structured and scheduled visit to Amsterdam, but it can be worth it to plan in advance if it means getting to see the most celebrated artworks the city possesses.
We only visited two of the four museums in the complex: Rijksmuseum and moco. We could not get tickets for Van Gogh and we decided to skip Stedelijk to spend more time at Rijksmuseum. It would be extremely difficult to visit all four of these museums in one day.
This poor wooden face of a baby is being stung by a bee. Imagine having to spend eternity this way while on display at Rijksmuseum…poor kid!
The Sting
Of the seemingly infinite number of historical art objects on display at Amsterdam’s colossal Rijksmuseum, my husband and I both found this poor little guy’s carved portrait of the moment it got stung by a bee to be one of our favorites. Both the carving technique and the emotional expression are stunningly on point. For … Read more
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum (pronounced “ricks”) is an absolutely colossal museum on par with the world’s finest art museums in other major cities. The museum houses several masterworks, starting with The Night Watch by Rembrandt. Throughout the museum’s two wings and several floors visitors can view a surprisingly wide range of artworks and art objects. The museum also has a nice cafe, gift shop, bag and coat check, and includes an outdoor sculpture garden as well as the expansive indoor galleries. With over a million objects to discover, expect to spend a minimum of four hours here. Click here to learn more about Rijksmuseum.
Official Website: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
Ticket Link: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/tickets/articles
moco Museum of Modern Art Amsterdam
The moco Museum is a smaller museum featuring works by several major modern and contemporary artists. Banksy has the largest presence in the museum, with a few recognizable pieces on display. Other notable represented artists include Warhol and Basquiat. It takes about an hour to view the entire gallery, although you could get lost in the immersive displays on the bottom floor for quite some time. Click here to learn more about moco Museum Amsterdam.
Official Website: https://mocomuseum.com/
Van Gogh Museum
This museum houses the world’s largest collection of works by The Netherlands’ most celebrated artist Vincent Van Gogh. The museum not only includes several of his famous masterworks but also drawings and letters that help bring chronology and context to his life and work. This museum can and will sell out days ahead of time in the tourist high season, so if you want to go you’ll need to plan ahead and purchase tickets as early as possible. Two hours should be plenty of time to take in all that Van Gogh Museum has to offer.
Official Website: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Stedelijk is a large gallery space showing modern and contemporary art and design by international artists. The collection is extensive and covers a big variety of art styles in many different forms. If you are a fan of modern art as a whole and not necessarily wanting to see specific artists (Banksy for example) then consider choosing Stedelijk Museum over moco Museum if time only allows for one. Plan to spend two hours exploring Stejelijk Museum.
Official Website: https://www.stedelijk.nl/en
Major Museums Around Old Town
Outside of the Museum District, the displays get much more specific, venturing into all sorts of facets of the human experience. While we did not have time to visit any of these, here are some of the more notable museums to explore in Amsterdam. Most of these are not so busy that you need to book tickets far in advance, but many do offer online advance ticket sales.
Sexmuseum Amsterdam
It’s the Sin City of Europe, so of course Amsterdam has a museum about sex. Inside you’ll learn about the history of sex and see lots of artworks inspired by sexuality. Expect a lot of variety, although reviews suggest it’s time for the museum to update the displays. Lots of boobs and penises if I’m being blunt, so not a spot for an outing with the kids – in fact you
must by 18 to enter. You’ll find Sexmuseum near the central trail station and the Red Light District. Probably takes an hour.
Official Website: https://sexmuseumamsterdam.nl/
Our Lord In The Attic Museum
Perhaps it’s time for penance or purity after visiting the Sexmuseum? Check out Our Lord In The Attic Museum, where an ornate an substantial 17th century catholic church was secretly constructed in the attic of a canal house. Located in the Red Light District. Audio tours available.
Official Website: https://opsolder.nl/en/museum-our-lord-in-the-attic/
Rembrandt House Museum
Rembrandt’s residence and studio from 1639-1658 has been restored into a museum and features many of his etchings. Lively demonstrations include etching techniques and how Rembrandt mixed his paints. This one is popular and small so book in advance. Audio tours available. Plan to spend two hours. Located on the inner east canals south of the Red Light District.
Official Website: https://www.rembrandthuis.nl/en/
Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Here visitors are immersed in the Dutch Resistance during World War II through films, photographs, and artifacts. This museum deals with a heavier topic and may not be suitable for younger children, although it does have a junior section specifically for older kids. This is one of the larger museums in the city and a great way to learn about the experience of Dutch people and military during the war through the many interactive experiences found throughout the museum. Audio tours available. Expect to spend at least two hours here but more than double that for the full interactive experiences. Located in the east canals near the Botanical Gardens. Official Website: https://www.verzetsmuseum.org/en/world-war-ii-in-the-netherlands
Het Scheepvaartmuseum – Maritime Museum
Learn about the extensive history of ship building in Amsterdam at the Maritime Museum. Expect lots of model ships, tools, a virtual voyage, and a replica of an 18th-century merchant ship to explore. This museum prides itself on being both family-friendly and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Audio tours available. Expect to spend at least two hours. Located along the one of the main canals in the east canals area, near the Botanical Gardens.
Official Website: https://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl/
Click on the UK flag / languages button in the top left corner of the website for English.
Late afternoon sunlight brightens the faces of the often crooked buildings along the main canal in Amsterdam.
Tilt And Lean
A row of canal houses graces one of the main canals in Amsterdam’s Red Light District while the shadow of de Oude Kerk (The Old Church) encroaches in the advancing evening. I don’t know whether some of the buildings were constructed at odd angles or if they’re just shifted over time, but the various tilts … Read more
Amsterdam Museum
If you’re interested in the history of the city of Amsterdam itself, you’ll gain a depth of knowledge at the Amsterdam Museum. Housed in a former orphanage, visitors learn about the events and people that shaped Amsterdam into the vibrant city we know today through artworks, artifacts, and interactive displays. Audio tours available. Expect to spend 1-2 hours. Located fairly centrally along the River Amstel in the east canals area.
Official Website: https://www.amsterdammuseum.nl/en
H’ART Museum
This historical art museum features several collections, including works by Rembrandt and the jewels of the Romanov family of Russia. This is a fairly large collection so expect to spend two hours. Audio tours available. Located right next to the Amsterdam Museum.
Official Website: https://www.hartmuseum.nl/en/
Diamant Museum Amsterdam – Diamond Museum
The Diamond Museum is literally all about diamonds, including the geology and mining of these beautiful sparkling gems. The museum includes an extensive collection of reproductions of famous crowns and other regal bejeweled adornments. And a jewelry shop of course! Located right across the street from the moco Museum, adjacent to the Museum District. Official Website: https://www.diamondmuseum.com/
BODY WORLDS Amsterdam
This museum explores human and animal anatomy through permanent exhibits of bodies posed in various positions with skin removed. It’s quite interesting but can be a bit much for the squeemish and for young kids. Your entrance ticket includes a free body scan as you exit the attraction. BODY WORLDS is centrally located just north of Dam Square and takes 1-2 hours to visit depending on how you jive with what is being presented.
Official Website: https://www.bodyworlds.nl/en/
COBRA Museum voor Moderne Kunst – Cobra Museum of Modern Art
Located outside the city in the southern suburb area of Amstelveen, this museum showcases the major works of artists in the CoBrA group (1948-1951) and related temporary exhibits. Perhaps the best known is the work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Audio tours available. Expect to spend 1-2 hours.
Official Website: https://cobra-museum.nl/?lang=en
Smaller Museums and Galleries
Start looking around the city and you’ll find dozens of small museums dedicated to very specific topics. The Amsterdam Police Museum, The Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum, Museum of Prostitution, The Tulip Museum, The Jewish Museum, Amsterdam City Canals Museum…the list goes on and on, but these six are the most notable or city-specific out of the dozens you will find and are all centrally located. Outside of the old city you’ll find many more, including Eye Film Museum, Van Eesteren Museum, and Street Art Museum Amsterdam.
Interactive Experiences
A Museum does not have to be a bunch of moldy-old stuff in a historic building. A serious number of fun, interactive museums and attractions are stealing the thunder from the old conception of what a museum should be. Several of these are the Amsterdam version of chains of these establishments. Check out these more immersive experiences!
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
Madame Tussauds is a wax museum boasting over 100 wax figures of famous people from pop culture and history. We had a great time exploring the wax museum and playing around. Here you can hob-nob with Hollywood superstars, hang out with Shrek, walk the red carpet at a fashion show, and so much more! The figures are all incredibly realistic – some so much that you half expect them to become animated and interact with you. Centrally located on Dam Square, it takes about an hour to explore all of the rooms and levels of Madame Tussauds. Click here for more information about Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.
Official Website: https://www.madametussauds.com/amsterdam/en/
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Amsterdam
Another offering from the Ripley’s chain, here you’ll find a museum with over 500 oddities and curiosities, including rare animal skeletons, shrunken heads, and more. Learn about the cultures that created these unusual artifacts and have some excitement through their interactive displays. Similar to Madame Tussauds, Ripley’s is located right on Dam Square and takes about an hour to experience.
Official Website: https://www.ripleys.com/attractions/ripleys-believe-it-or-not-amsterdam
Amsterdam Dungeon
The Amsterdam version of the “Dungeon” brand, here guests are guided through a series of immersive experiences steeped in the lore of the darker side of Amsterdam. The experience is presented in English. If you’re into horror comedy, dark history, jump scares, etc then this is the experience for you! Centrally located in the Red Light District, the Dungeon experience is an hour of creepy fun appropriate for older kids and adults. Similar experiences, each spiced with local stories, can be found in London, Paris, Edinburgh, and other major European cities.
Official Website: https://www.thedungeons.com/amsterdam/en/
Van Gogh & Rembrandt in Amsterdam
Experience the major works of the two biggest Dutch masters, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, presented through animated projections cast 360-degrees in various rooms and chapels in a restored church, with accompanying mood music. This is a great spot to relax and melt into the artworks. Plan to spend at least an hour, but time can quickly slip away in immersive enviroments like this. Other cities offer similar immersive art experiences. Located in the west canals fairly close to the central train station.
Official Website: vincentmeetsrembrandt.com (unsecure site)
Our House Experience Amsterdam
Much of the world may not be aware, but the Dutch are huge house music enthusiasts. Several notable DJs are from here. As such, it makes sense that there is an interactive museum dedicated to the nation’s favorite music. Mix music, become a DJ, film a music video, and more at this hip nod to pop culture. Located just south of the Red Light District near the Amsterdam and H’ART Museums. Plan to spend at least an hour. Perfect for older kids.
Official Website: https://www.our-house.com/
NEMO Science Museum
Explore several branches of science in this gigantic interactive museum designed with kids in mind. The Kinetic Energy show, on the main floor, is a popular centerpiece of the museum. Science experiments you can do yourself along with science demonstrations make this museum a lot of fun! The rooftop houses a cafe with outdoor seating and fantastic views of the city, and can be accessed for free without paying museum admission. Plan to spend at least two hours here, more if the family is having fun! This museum is located on the waterfront east of the central train station.
Official Website: https://www.nemosciencemuseum.nl/en/
Heineken Experience
This interactive tour through the Heineken Brewery ends in a beer tasting. If you’re into Heineken, you’ve hit the jackpot! The tour takes about an hour. Heineken is located a few blocks southeast of the Rijksmuseum along the main road. 18+ only.
Official Website: https://www.heinekenexperience.com/en/
House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience
Here you’ll find a self-guided tour about the history of gin and it’s explosion across the world, with a tasting room at the end. A chic bar offers fun and creative cocktails as well. Located right across the street from the moco Museum and the Diamant Museum next to the Museum District. Plan to spend 30 minutes plus some time for drinks. 18+ only.
Official Website: https://bols.com/pages/cocktail-experience
The Upside Down Amsterdam
The Upside Down is a fun experience full of optical illusions and photo ops. Everything here is upside down – literally glued to the ceiling. Visitors can fully interact with each room. I can see this being a fun rainy day spot with friends or for families. Located on the south edge of the city
but very close to a light rail stop. Plan to spend an hour or more depending on how many photos you want to set up.
Official Website: https://the-upsidedown.com/
AMAZE Amsterdam
A state-of-the-art immersive audiovisual experience awaits visitors at AMAZE Amsterdam. Environments range from intense to relaxing and designed to evoke an emotional response of ecstacy. Locate west of the old city but near light rail. This one is more geared for older kids and adults.
Official Website: https://www.amaze-amsterdam.nl/
Rembrandt Hoeve
Found just outside the city on the south side, this small family farm is a lot of fun to visit. Guests can watch demonstrations on how gouda cheese is made as well as Dutch clogs (the cute wooden shoes). The gift shop is nice and fairly inexpensive. Plan to spend a 1-2 hours depending on the demonstrations.
Official Website: https://rembrandthoeveamsterdam.nl/nl/
Click the Dutch flag in the upper right corner of the website for a dropdown menu with other languge choices – click the UK flag for English.
Historic Buildings And Locations
Amsterdam has its fair share of historic buildings and locations to tour through that retain their historic feel both inside and outside, and others which have been converted or repurposed, or are not open to the public. Most notable is the Anne Frank House – a major tourist destination which can only be walked past. No tours are allowed inside. The building itself appears as just another house, with only the small plaque on the door marking the historic location as such. Many boat tours stop at Anne Frank House, most at least pass it. Please be respectful if you do visit – this is not a place for cute selfies or for arguing with your spouse.
Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam – Amsterdam Royal Palace
The Amsterdam Royal Palace, in the center of the city on Dam Square, has been used for royal receptions since 1808. A portion of it’s ornate interior is open to the public for tours when it is not being used for official purposes or for exhibitions. We tried to visit on a Sunday and the palace was not open that day.
Official Website: https://www.paleisamsterdam.nl/en/
Basiliek van de HH Nicolaas – Basilica of St Nicholas
Several steeples, bell towers, and domes rise above the skyline of old town. Sadly only one of these magnificent historic places of worship still retains it’s original splendor in it’s interior – the stunning Basilica of St Nicholas. Located centrally near the trail station, visitors find themselves surrounded in the ornate splendor of this historic Catholic church. Most notable are the expansive frescoes which adorn every wall, as well as the stunning stained glass windows. The Basilica is free to visit and tour through but has very limited open hours, normally noon to 3PM, so a visit here may require some planning.
Official Website: https://nicolaas-parochie.nl/nicolaas/enes/english/
Other Cool Locations To Check Out
Markets have bustled on the streets of Amsterdam for centuries, and many still go on to this day. We visited Amsterdam on a weekend and spent a few hours in the morning checking out, both in the west canals area. It was a fun way to check out a more local tradition and location in the city. You’ll have to do some exploration to determine which markets are happening where and when, since there are several and market hours vary.
In the east canals grows a beautiful Botanical Garden which is worth a stroll through if you’re seeking a green space. The indoor garden, inside a huge glass conservatory, is a highlight of the city and a wonderful environment on cold and rainy days. Right next door is the small ARTIS – Amsterdam Royal Zoo if you want to check out the animals! Both of these spaces are great for kids.
Botanical Garden Website: https://www.dehortus.nl/en/
Zoo Website: https://www.artis.nl/en/
Restaurants
Amsterdam has no shortage of good restaurants and eateries. There are dozens of wonderful cafes scattered throughout the old city. Here are some that we found that we really enjoyed!
In The Red Light District
We wanted some spicy, exotic cooking so we headed to the Chinatown area in the Red Light District. We had a pretty awful dinner the first night – it was maybe too authentic??? So we explored more and discovered Thai Bird. Just wow! We liked it so much we went back for dinner again the next night!
Dam Square Area
We had a lovely late lunch at little Cafe Verona. It was quite good – authentic, simple Italian dishes including pizza and pasta. I wanted something cool and light, and their Insalata Mista hit the spot! We ate indoors next to the open window, but they do have straight up outdoor seating as well.
Near Central Train Station
San Tomasso is known for it’s pizza, which is fantastic, but seriously consider getting risotto because it is phenomenol! Located on Martelaarsgracht – the west big street that crosses the canal to the train station.
Since our hotel was near the train station we had all of our breakfasts in this area. Carstens Brasserie was great and located right on the main drag across from the train station. Mortimers was quieter, on the west canals with outdoor seating. The eggs benedict was quite good here. If you’re in the mood for something more original and quick try Tostable. Or just pop in for one of their caramel macchiattos, which are excellent!
Mercury looks a bit annoyed and impatient to be on break at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Mercury On Break
Mercury takes a break outside Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, appearing a bit annoyed and impatient. For more on visiting Amsterdam: https://denphototravel.com/2024/three-nights-in-amsterdam/ https://denphototravel.com/2024/rijksmuseum/
Itineraries:
With so much to do, you’ll have to make some choices. Here are two three-day itineraries I would suggesst, one for adults / couples and one for families.
Three Nights In Amsterdam for Adults:
Pre-Trip – Book your tickets for Rijksmuseum @ 9AM and either Van Gogh, moco, or Stedelijk @ 3PM, both on the same day of your trip – I suggest day 3 but you could also do day 2.
Day 1 – Explore Amsterdam: Get checked in, then have a relaxed day exploring the old town. Walk around, peek into shops, and enjoy nibbles at an outdoor table. If you want to head straight to the cannabis cafe, go for Bulldogs (there are several) in the Red Light District along the canal. If you’re near the central train station between 12PM – 3PM make sure to head inside the Basilica of St Nicholas. Later, jump on a canal tour and see more of the city in a relaxed manner. Then head for dinner – consider making a reservation if you’re visiting on a weekend in the busy season.
Day 2 – Dam Square / City Center: After breakfast head to Dam Square and tour the Royal Palace if possible. Go have some fun at Madame Tussauds for an hour so, then head to lunch at Cafe Verona (only a few blocks away). After lunch choose a few of the other museums or experiences nearby and go for it! – Rembrandt House Museum, H’ART Museum, and Our House Experience Amsterdam make a nice trifecta and are all clustered together. Then go explore Chinatown via De Ould Kerk and sit down to a spicy dinner at Thai Bird.
Day 3 – Museum District: Get an early start today. Make your way to the Museum District. I would suggest Rijksmuseum at 9AM – 2PM with lunch at the Rijkmuseum Cafe, then stroll the park and hit the gift shop, then check out your second museum (Van Gogh / moco / Stedelijk) at 3PM. Afterward head across the street to House of Bols Cocktail and Genever Experience for happy hour or down the block to The Heineken Experience before heading back toward your hotel for dinner. Catch the 5:15 point-to-point canal tour back to your hotel area if your feet are tired!
Day 4 – Enjoy a nice breakfast on the canal at Mortimer before packing up and heading to your next destination.
Three Nights In Amsterdam For Families
Pre-Trip – Book your tickets for Rijksmuseum @10am for day 3 of your trip.
Day 1 – Explore Amsterdam: Get checked in, then go explore old town! Definitely take a boat tour as it’s the best way to see the city.
Day 2 – Science and Animals: After breakfast head to the NEMO Science Museum, where there are loads of fun things to do! Have lunch on the rooftop cafe. After lunch go on a walk to the Botanical Gardens (only a few blocks away) then head next door to the Amsterdam Zoo to check out the animals!
Day 3 – Museums and Dam Square: Have breakfast, then head to the Rijksmuseum and explore. Depending on the age and interest of your children you may not make it through the entire museum, but it is definitely worth seeing even for young ones! Most kids will probably not make it for more than two hours. Once everyone is done head toward the middle of town, stopping for lunch en route. After lunch check out Madame Tussauds and Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, both on Dam Square.
Day 4 – You may be able to fit it one more spot on the last morning depending on your itinerary, like Our House Experience or The Upside Down, before heading out of the city.
I hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! With so much to choose from, your time in Amsterdam is easy to tailor to your interests and budget. Just don’t expect to fit everything in! You’ll definitely want to come back so don’t sweat missing something on your first trip, just save it for next time!
