Are you thinking about visiting Amsterdam? Here is a travel guide to help you easily plan your trip and spend a great week in Amsterdam, Venice of the North.
Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, well-known for its past, stunning canals, and the architecture of its iconic, narrow houses reflecting the city’s culture and art to its lovely neighborhoods, lush green spaces, gastronomy, iconic windmill, and tulips.
The capital of the Netherlands is a diversified city with much to offer to every traveler.
If you’re wondering why to visit this city, check out why visit Amsterdam at least once in your lifetime.
How to get around Amsterdam
Amsterdam has impressive public transportation and offers travelers many options like bicycles, metros, buses, ferries, and trains to get around the city and beyond.
Bicycle: Most locals use bikes to get around. There are a LOT of bicycles, so be prepared for lots of bike traffic, but you can easily rent one (for about $10-12 Euros) for your time there.
Helpful Tip: As pedestrians, cyclists have the right of way, so watch out!
Walking: Most places you’ll want to visit in Amsterdam are relatively close. A bus or metro will get you around much quicker, though.
Public Transport: You’ll find that getting around quickest can take a combination of bus, metro, and tram rides. Luckily, the GVB offers daily transportation passes, available for 1 to 7 days, starting from €8.50, and are valid for all three types of transport. This is your best option if you’re in the city for a few days.
Travel tip: Depending on your type of trip, I’d recommend getting an iAmsterdam card. The card includes free admission into to the most famous museums, free public transportation (unlimited use of the GVB public transport system), a free canal cruise, and bike rental. See if the I Amsterdam City Card can save money on your trip by using their online savings chart before buying.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
There are many great neighborhoods in Amsterdam where you can stay for your visit. If it’s your first trip, the city’s center is a great place to stay.
Jordaan is the most affluent neighborhood in the city and home to some world-class hotels and restaurants; it’s also where you can find the Anne Frank Museum. The De Pijp neighborhood caters to a local, younger, and “hipster” crowd with its cafes, bars, and shops. And Leidseplein is a great neighborhood if you want to experience Amsterdam’s nightlife.
Hotel De Hallen is an excellent boutique hotel in Amsterdam situated in a former tram depot built in 1902. The hotel is located in Oud-West, with an abundance of trendy restaurants, cafes, and stores. The hip De Hallen complex is next door, while the picturesque Jordaan area and historic Canal Belt are a short walk away. The only downside is that it is a bit removed from Amsterdam’s city center.
One week in Amsterdam Itinerary
Are you planning to spend a week in Amsterdam? This travel guide will give you all the information you need to have the best possible experience. A week in Amsterdam is enough to see the main sights, attractions, and other hidden gems.
Amsterdam is a small city, and you can easily see all the highlights in 2-3 days. However, a week is a perfect trip if you don’t want to miss out on anything. Spending a week in the Venice of the North will turn you into a local who can navigate the maze-like canals without a city map. 🙂
A week in Amsterdam
DAY 1
Breakfast/Brunch at Dignita
The perfect way to start the day is to have breakfast/brunch at Dignita. There is a lot of fresh food and local supplies on the menu. Try the pancakes; they are delicious and very photogenic!
Dignita has three different locations: Vondelpark, Westerkerk, and Hoftuin. Hoftuin is in the middle of a green and peaceful garden, but I visited the one in Vondelpark.
Vondelpark
The city’s favorite park, Vondelpark, is lovely at any time of the year. Vondelpark is a 19th-century park, the perfect place for a morning walk or a picnic. In the summer, enjoy the open-air theatre, or check out the rose garden, home to 70 varieties of flowers.
Grab a coffee from Sticky Fingers, a cute coffee shop just around the corner of Vondelpark. It has a pink tiled wall that’s very Instagrammable and excellent baristas.
Museum Quarter
Many famous artists have come out of Amsterdam, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gough. Some of their work is displayed in the Rijksmuseum, Van Gough Museum, or Hermitage Museum. If you are more of a modern art lover, check out the Moco Museum.
Museums are an essential component of your trip to Amsterdam. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh are absolute must-sees. The Van Gogh museum is one of the most popular, and tickets sell out quickly. Make sure to purchase them in advance.
The cost of visiting tourist attractions such as museums can add up quickly. Therefore, I recommend the I Amsterdam City Card. It includes free transport, entry to over 70 museums (except for Van Gogh and Anna Frank House), and a one-hour canal cruise through the city.
Lunch at Ferilli's Cafe
Classic dishes, top-quality service, and stylish interior: Ferilli’s Cafe is a tastefully decorated Italian restaurant in Amsterdam and the perfect place for a romantic evening out, a special occasion, or a delicious lunch or dinner.
The cafe is located on Beethovenstraat street, one of the best shopping streets in Amsterdam, with a wide variety of quality stores. You will find a great mixture of international quality brands and top local products.
Zevenlandenhuizen
Zevenlandenhuizen is an impressive little street in Amsterdam that’s well worth a visit because it is where seven unique houses represent the architecture of seven different nations!
The houses represent an architectural style from various European countries, including Spain, France, and Italy. They are located in the center of Amsterdam next to Vondelpark and a short walk from the Rijksmuseum.
Canal Cruise
Get a feel for the history and layout of Amsterdam’s canals by boat. Take a tour of the canals, and travel through the city’s canals. You’ll see the most spectacular landmarks along its iconic canals.
There are many options for a boat cruise, each departing from different locations.
If you purchase iAmsterdam City Card, a 1-hour canal cruise is included.
I recommend an open boat canal cruise with live commentary departing from the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House.
Dinner at Shiso
If you like Japanese cuisine, head to Shiso – Asian Fusion in Rembrandtplein.
They offer all-you-can-eat for about €40. You’ll get a tablet to choose from an extensive menu, and you can place your order of 4 items per round every 8 minutes.
Drinks at the W Lounge
The W Lounge has a trendy bar on the rooftop of a hotel, offering cocktails, wine & light bar bites, plus DJ nights. It’s a perfect way to end your day, with drinks and stunning city views.
The W Lounge is located 2 minutes from the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.
A week in Amsterdam
DAY 2
Pancakes Amsterdam
Start your day with a pancake breakfast. Pancakes Amsterdam’s menu features many pancake-centric dishes inspired by international cuisine and traditional Dutch cooking. You have a lot of choices, from flat Dutch pancakes to thicker American varieties.
There are 6 locations throughout the city, and I visited the one at Amsterdam Central on Damrak Canal.
Damrak
One of the most iconic sights of Amsterdam, the Damrak Waterfront, is known for a photogenic stretch of old houses alongside the Damrak Canal.
These tall and narrow houses were built in the 17th century on large wooden poles.
They are also called the “Dancing Houses of the Damrak” because the houses have slowly sunk over time and are slightly tilted at different angles.
Dam Square
Dam Square is Amsterdam’s beating heart, home to scores of pigeons and street performers. You can find the National Monument, the Royal Palace, and the Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam.
Anna Frank House
Anna Frank hid in this house during World War II, and it is one of the most iconic places to visit in Amsterdam. Taking this tour is an intense and moving experience; you must purchase tickets far in advance as tours fill up quickly.
Lunch break & Polaberry sweets
Have lunch at one of the cafes in the area overlooking the canals. Stop by Polaberry for a dessert of fresh strawberries covered in Belgian chocolate.
Princegracht Canal
The Prince’s Canal (Prinsengracht) in the Jordaan neighborhood is a beautiful photo spot. This canal is one of the three main canals in the city.
The Nine Streets
The 9 Streets, known as De Negen Straatjes, is a series of nine picturesque streets in Amsterdam full of boutique shops, quaint cafes, and grand canals.
Stroll through the small shops and have your camera ready to capture the beauty.
Herengracht
Herengracht is one of the most important canals in the city. The area along the canal is prestigious, where you’ll find upmarket hotels and restaurants. The city’s wealthiest merchants and most influential regents and mayors lived on this canal in the 17th century.
Explore Jordan
Wonder the streets of Jordan, probably the most famous neighborhood in Amsterdam. Take your time; you may find great things here. The beautiful houses, markets, and restaurants make it worth exploring.
Dinner at Moeders Restaurant
To try traditional Dutch home cooking, you must go to Moeders. Not only does this place serve delicious Dutch food, but the restaurant is seriously Instagrammable too.
Moeders is Dutch for ‘Mothers,’ and the walls are covered in framed photos of fabulous mamas. Known as the “Mothers Wall of Fame,” customers can bring pictures of their mothers, and they’ll display them on the wall. So charming!
Drinks at Bar TwentySeven
Another excellent rooftop bar offering stunning city views is the BarTwentySeven, located at Dam Square in the high-end hotel TwentySeven.
It’s an elegant small cocktail bar with exclusively selected and created beverages.
A week in Amsterdam
DAY 3
Lanksroon Bakery
The stroopwafels from the Lanskroon Bakery are unique because their homemade and baked the traditional way. Order the king-sized stroopwafel and dip it into some coffee. You’ll love it!
Floating Flower Market Bloemenmarkt
The only floating flower market in the world, Bloemenmarkt is an absolute treasure. Wander through the barges and pick out your own bouquet from the flower capital.
If you are lucky enough to visit the Netherlands from late March to mid-May, make a trip to Keukenhof Gardens, the world’s largest flower garden park.
Red Light District
This side of Amsterdam has transformed into an art and cafe scene, although prostitution is still legal. While it isn’t exactly my thing, that’s not to say you shouldn’t at least stroll around and see what it’s all about.
While strolling around, visit the Oude Kerk. This medieval church was built in the 13th century out of wood and was later rebuilt to stone.
Lunch at Sichuan Amsterdam
Have lunch at Sichuan Amsterdam in Amsterdam Centrum. The restaurant serves authentic food and hot and numbing dishes with a distinctive flavor.
Cheese tasting and craft beers
Visit the oldest tasting room in Amsterdam; De Drie Fleschjes translated “Three Little Bottles,” which opened in 1650. Enjoy a drink and enjoy the ambiance of antique barrel-lined walls and burning candelabras.
Don’t miss the Albert Cuyp Market! It’s the largest in the Netherlands and has been around since 1905. Come hungry and try some local cheeses and dutch Stroopwafels. You can also score some great souvenirs here.
Foodhallen
The Foodhallen indoor food market offers excellent choices, serving everything from Dutch classics to Vietnamese and Mexican treats. Housed inside a former tram depot, Foodhallen is busy at all hours of the day.
Foodhallen is an ideal stop at any time of day, particularly in winter when you need to warm up after a long day of sightseeing. It’s also perfect for picky eaters because each group member can choose what they would like to eat.
Staalmeestersbrug Love Lock Bridge
Rent a bike for the afternoon and stroll the canals.
Amersterdam is the bike capital of the world. One of the Netherlands’ most significant claims to fame is having an average of 1.3 bicycles per person, more than any other country on the globe.
To get the feel of local life, ride a bike around the canals. Just watch you don’t fall in! Around 15,000 bikes are excavated from the canals each year.
You can find the Love Lock Bridge and the Skinny Bridge.
The love-lock bridge, also known as the Staalmeestersburg, lies in the prettiest location in Amsterdam. The bridge crosses over the romantic Groenburgwal canal, and people come with their loved ones to lock a padlock on the bridge.
You can also check out the famous skinny bridge across the river Amstel and opposite the Carré theatre is an Old Dutch design wooden bridge known as a double-swipe (balanced) bridge.
A week in Amsterdam
DAY 4
Bike tour
The best way to explore Amsterdam and truly experience it is by renting a bike to get around the neighborhoods.
An even bigger adventure is to take the ferry or metro to Amsterdam Noord, follow Route 9 by the marked pathways, and explore the dike villages, grassland landscape, and the island of Marken. (47 km/4-5 hours).
You could also opt for a guided bike tour through the Amsterdam Countryside if you’d prefer!
Keukenhof Gardens
If you’re visiting Amsterdam in the spring, seeing the tulips at Keukenhof is a fantastic tour. It’s one of the world’s largest tulip fields, and there are fantastic photo ops wherever there are colorful flowers.
Windmills
A trip to Holland isn’t complete without seeing a Dutch windmill. The closest one is Molen Van Sloten, still operating as a draining windmill to control the water levels in west Amsterdam. The best part is that it’s open for visitors to climb up. Molen Van Sloten is located in Amsterdam West.
Heineken Tour
Heineken Tour is highly recommended, and it will be something I’ll do on my next trip to Amsterdam. It lasts nearly 2 hours with lots of activities and free beers.
De Pijp
Venture out of the city center to explore new neighborhoods. The De Pijp is a lively Latin Quarter and a great city district. This trendy, boho hub is full of quaint, pretty houses, cafes, excellent coffee shops, and worldwide cuisines.
In De Pijp, you’ll also find the “Wake Me Up When I’m Famous” street art called The Wall Gallery. This mural is trendy on Instagram because bloggers come here to get a photo!
Day trips from Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a very picturesque city with its canals, Instagrammable tulips all around, and narrow townhouses, and it is home to many museums.
The city offers many things to do, and you can easily spend a week here. However, you can add a few places to your bucket list while being there.
Here is a list of day trip ideas for your last three days of touring Amsterdam to make the most of your visit to the Netherlands.
Travel tip: The Trainline app is my absolute go-to whenever I plan train journeys across Europe. It’s incredibly user-friendly and simplifies the whole process of finding and booking train tickets. With just a few taps, you can compare prices, schedules, and routes from hundreds of train and bus companies. What I love most is how it takes the hassle out of travel planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure. Whether you’re hopping between bustling cities or exploring quaint countryside villages, Trainline has got you covered.
Day trip to Rotterdam
The future is now in the Netherlands’s second-largest city, Rotterdam. The city houses some of Europe’s most cutting-edge museums and markets. The Cube Houses are a must-see, and you can even take a tour of one.
Rotterdam is only 30 minutes away from Amsterdam Central Station.
Day trip to Giethoorn
Located in the northeastern Dutch province of Overijssel, this picturesque village in the Netherlands is mostly car-free.
The best way to explore Giethoorn is with a guided tour.
Day trip to Utrecht
An easy half-hour Intercity train from Amsterdam drops you in Utrecht, one of the Netherlands’ most vibrant cities and one of its oldest.
Day trip to the Zaanse Shans and Lego City
For a taste of old Holland, take the 17-minute train ride from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaandijk. This is the home of Zaanse Schans, a beautiful old town of riverside windmills and historic clapboard houses that take a page from 18th-century village design.
On your way back, stop at Zaandam, a lego town.
Day trip to Hague
Locally known as Den Haag, the Netherlands’ political epicenter (and home of the royal family) is a far more sophisticated version of edgy Amsterdam, just an hour-long train ride away, smaller in size but beautiful in scope.
Day trip to Harlem
Haarlem is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands and worth visiting. Its medieval character, narrow streets, and little shops create a phenomenal atmosphere. Haarlem is only 30 minutes from Amsterdam and is one of the best day trip destinations!
Save this travel guide for your next trip to Amsterdam!
