Things to do in Amsterdam

One of the most visited capitals in the world, known for its beautiful canals; its museums, its beautiful monuments and the art that pervades its streets. Amsterdam is a city you have to see at least once in your life. The reason is as its cultural richness is mixed with an open view of the world. Wandering through its streets is a real pleasure. As well as, cycling along its canals, taking in all that this cosmopolitan city has to offer. Read on for all you need to see in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

As you may know, Passporter helps you create your travel itineraries quickly and easily. In addition, you can draw inspiration from other travellers’ experiences and choose the places that interest you most and add them to your route.

Things to See in Amsterdam

The Jordaan Neighbourhood

If there is a neighbourhood that exudes the bohemian and multicultural atmosphere that characterizes the city of Amsterdam, it is the Jordaan. The city’s former Jewish quarter is home to a multitude of cafés and shops, as well as must-see monuments.

In addition to its charming streets and shops, you can also walk along the river, as this neighbourhood is home to the Brouwersgacht canal, which connects to other canals in the city. It’s an excellent starting point for your tour of the Jordaan. And one of the things you must see in Amsterdam.

And if that wasn’t enough, this neighbourhood is also home to one of Amsterdam’s iconic churches: the Westerkerk church. This Renaissance-style church also offers great views of the entire city from the top of its tower. Climbing the tower costs about €7.5, but access to the church is free; opening hours are from 11am to 3pm.

We can’t forget to mention that this neighbourhood is also home to Anne Frank’s famous house. We’ll tell you more about it later.

The Flower Market: a floating market to see in Amsterdam

Bloemenmarkt, as it is known in Dutch, is a beautiful flower market that sits on the banks of the Singel canal, floating on the various barges that make it up.

It’s history goes back two centuries, when boats would come to Amsterdam full of flowers and sell them on the banks of the canal. Today, more things are sold, and flowers are not the only attraction of visiting this unique market.

The stalls are open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 11am to 5pm. Since it’s open every day, we recommend you add it to your list of things to see in Amsterdam, as it’s a charming place to visit.

Anne Frank’s House Museum

A few metres from the Jordaan, you’ll find one of the most famous museums to see in Amsterdam: the Anne Frank House Museum.

During the Nazi invasion, little Anne Frank and her family remained hidden inside this place to avoid being discovered. Today it is a museum where, room by room, you can relive every excerpt from Anne’s diary.

It’s a highly recommended experience, especially for history buffs. The opening hours between January and March are from 9:00h to 22:00h, while in the following months it is from 9:00h to 19:00h. The entrance fee is €9 for adults, €4.5 for young people. And it is free for children under 9 years old. We recommend that you get your tickets online.

Dam Square, a square full of monuments

The nerve centre of the city: a place you can’t miss on your visit to Amsterdam and a must-see.

At the centre of the square stands an impressive 22-metre-high monument, which was erected to commemorate the victims of the Dutch soldiers of World War II. But that’s not the only monument you’ll find on Dam Square.

You’ll also find the Royal Palace, a splendid neoclassical palace, which was built in the 17th century and is one of several palaces owned by Dutch royalty. It’s definitely worth a visit, as it’s free for the under-18s and adults only pay €10 for entry.

Before moving on, of course, stop and admire the Neuwe Kerk, the New Church of Amsterdam. This small church was built in the 15th century and is where the Dutch kings were crowned. Its façade is particularly beautiful, and you can enter the interior for around €12.5.

The Red-Light District

The Red-Light District, one of the city’s most charismatic neighbourhoods. In its streets, just a short walk from Dam Square, there is much to discover, and it is an interesting place to see in Amsterdam.

If you wander in, you’ll quickly discover the most lively nightlife area in the whole city of Amsterdam. The famous coffee shop (where marijuana consumption is legal) is quite common in this neighbourhood, as well as many bars and restaurants.

But what gives the red-light district its name is its famous red-lit shop windows, where sex workers display their wares to attract the attention of their clients.

You’ll also find one of the oldest (if not the oldest) monuments, the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s Old Church. It’s the city’s first church and was built in 1302: access to it costs about €12. It’s open almost every day from 10am to 6pm, while on Sundays it adjusts its opening hours from 1pm to 5pm.

The Canals of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is characterized by its beautiful canals, which criss-cross the city and make for beautiful scenery. Walking along them, or taking a bike ride and standing on one of the bridges, is an enchanting experience.

More than 1,000 bridges cross these canals and divide them into different sections, which form the different areas of the city.

It is very common to see houseboats on the banks of these canals. As well as boats that serve as living quarters for some of the locals (or as accommodation for tourists)

You can see them from the outside, but you can also take a boat tour of the canals. All of these activities centred around the canals are highly recommended as a way to see Amsterdam differently.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see in and around Amsterdam?

The Hague

While Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, The Hague is the administrative capital of the country.

The Hague is one of Holland’s most monumental cities, with castles and palaces around every corner. You can visit Binnenhof Castle, stroll along the canals or see the Scheveningse forest.

To get to The Hague, the easiest way is to take a train from the train station, which will drop you off in Amsterdam in 45 minutes.

Further reading: Things to do in The Hague, The Netherlands

Haarlem

A few minutes’ train ride from the capital, you’ll find the city of Haarlem. This city has some of the most beautiful monuments in the whole of the Netherlands.

Among its various monuments, the St. Bavo’s Church, a beautiful Gothic church, towers high above the city. We should also mention the Grote Markt, the main square of the city and where the rhythm of the city is lived.

If you want to enjoy Haarlem’s cultural riches, you can do so at the Frans Hal Museum, filled with works by the eponymous author, an eminent figure of the Dutch Golden Age.

Discover Haarlem with Passporter

Utrecht

If you want to get away from the livelier cities of Holland, Utrecht is one of the best options for you, without giving up the beauty that characterises this country.

It is one of the cities with the greatest cultural heritage from the Romans, as one of the largest settlements of this empire was established in Utrecht.

Getting there from Amsterdam is easy, just take a train from Amsterdam, and you’ll be in Utrecht in less than an hour.

Utrecht in depth: Things to do and see in Utrecht

Delft

Famous for its blue ceramics, Delft is one of the cities that is most true to the essence of Holland and where you can enjoy the cultural richness of this country.

Visit the Oude Kerk, its old church that has stood the test of time and calamity; the Grote Mark, the market square where all the life of the city takes place; and the New Church, built to plans by Van Der Bosch, which has one of the tallest bell towers.

To get to Delft, take a train from Amsterdam Central Station, which will drop you off in an hour in Delft.

Things to do and see in Delft

What to see in Amsterdam in 2 days?

Amsterdam has a lot to offer, and that’s why we’ve put together this list of places to see in 2 days. You can organize it any way you like and even add other sites we haven’t mentioned, such as the Van Gogh Museum or the city’s various squares.

First day in Amsterdam

• The Jordaan
• Dam Square
• The Anne Frank Museum

Second day in Amsterdam

• The Flower Market
• The Red-Light District
• The canals of Amsterdam

Sites where to eat in Amsterdam

If you want to enjoy exceptional Dutch cuisine, we’ve selected some of the restaurants you can enjoy on your Amsterdam adventure

• The Pantry, excellence meets fantastic Dutch dining options, where you can eat for around €30 a head.
• The Happy Bull is a great option if you’re a fan of burgers, which combine elements of different cuisines and can be enjoyed for around €20.
• Boaz Amsterdam offers brunch meals in a charming riverside setting. The price depends a lot on what you order, but you can go for lunch for around €15.

Where do I stay in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

Amsterdam is a city that offers a lot of accommodation possibilities, so we have compiled this list to make your choice much easier:

• The Sebastians Hotel: located in the heart of Amsterdam and with excellent facilities, the Sebastians Hotel is a popular choice among tourists. It’s one of the most exclusive in the city and costs around €240 per night. 
• The AmiticiA Ship: Yes, as you read: you can stay on a ship in Amsterdam. And the truth is that it lacks nothing in its facilities, in addition to having excellent views and an excellent location. The price is around €94 per night. 
• Canal view suite: If you prefer something more intimate, to be on your own, this flat overlooking the river is a great option. It has a minimalist design and is equipped with all the essentials for your trip. It’s priced at around €150 per night.

How to get to Amsterdam, Netherlands?

The most recommended way to get there quickly and comfortably is to take a plane. There are flights to Amsterdam from all major cities in Spain, for around €130 return.

Tips on a trip to Amsterdam

• The currency in Amsterdam is the euro.
• If you are travelling from a country with a different currency, we recommend that you exchange currency in advance.
• We recommend that you travel in spring, because of the temperatures and the vegetation that grows at that time: it is really beautiful.
• The city is safe, but as in any tourist place, you better be careful with your belongings.
• Be protected against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to organize what to see in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands