AMSTERDAM: 30 best things to Do & places to visit

close your eyes and imagine Amsterdam. What image do you have in your head?

If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve probably painted a mental picture of tall, slender, gabled buildings towering over a flower-decorated, bicycle-lined canal! and it’s not unusual at all. You know why? because when you’re in Amsterdam, these postcard-worthy views are everywhere!

If you look at the map of Amsterdam, one of the first things you’ll probably notice is the fan-shaped web dominating it. This web is actually the city’s network of canals linking the curve of the IJ River to lots of of its neighborhoods. Amsterdam is one of Europe’s catch basin zones, so these canals have played a crucial role in the rise of this port city and its development as a trade hub. They are so embedded into its identity that when we think of Amsterdam, these canals immediately pop into mind.

But Amsterdam is absolutely a lot more than just its canals. In between are many attractions that are fascinating, to say the least. here are some of the best places to visit and things to do in the city.

We’re including some functional bits like operating hours and nearest station, in case you plan on pulling a DIY. For some attractions, we’re also supplying Klook links so you could purchase tickets or book excursions online easily.

WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?

CANAL CRUISES1. Amsterdam Canal Cruise
2. Dine and Cruise

MUSEUMS3. Van Gogh Museum
4. Rijksmuseum
5. Anne Frank House
6. Jewish cultural Quarter
7. Red Light secrets Museum
8. Rembrandt house Museum
9. Moco Museum
10. Stedelijk Museum

GUIDED AMSTERDAM CITY TOURS11. Anne Frank Tour
12. Van Gogh Tour
13. Red Light district Tour
14. Amsterdam world war II & Jewish Quarter Tour
15. Bike Tour
16. Amsterdam alternative Tour
17. Pedal boat Tour

OTHER places TO visit IN AMSTERDAM18. Albert Cuyp Market
19. Jordaan District
20. Amsterdamse Bos (Forest)

POPULAR DAY TRIPS21. Zaanse Schans
22. Volendam
23. Giethoorn
24. Keukenhof Tulip Garden
25. Alkmaar

OTHER fun things TO DO26. Heineken Experience
27. Cheese Tasting
28. Amsterdam Nightlife
29. Efteling theme Park
30. Ripley’s believe It or Not

Top Amsterdam hotels & ApartmentsSearch for a lot more Amsterdam Hotels!

More ideas on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️Related Posts:

CANAL CRUISES

1. Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Yes, we’re still talking about canals! Let’s start there. These legendary waterways are on the UNESCO world Heritage site list.

The construction started in the early 17th century. They serve different purposes: water management, navigation, and defense system. The sophisticated canal system which branched out from three main canals, forming over 100 kilometers of smaller canals, a lot more or less 90 islands, and over a thousand bridges.

Today, the canals are used generally for tourism purposes like cruises. A boat ride will take you back to the Dutch golden Era. some of the picturesque sights are the merchant houses and churches lining the canals, the beautiful bridges, Anne Frank House, and the Westerkerk. See the city’s highlights while sailing down the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht canals.

If you are interested in taking a boat cruise in Amsterdam, Klook has curated boat cruise packages. here are some of them:

✅ lovers CANAL CRUISES

✅ 100 HIGHLIGHTS CRUISE

✅ small SEMI-OPEN boat CRUISE

✅ big SEMI-OPEN boat CRUISE

2. Dine and Cruise

If sightseeing from a boat isn’t enough, how about digging in to delicious food while you’re at it? Some excursion agencies and travel companies offer dine-and-cruise type of experience.

Choose the package that best suits your taste. take pleasure in your favorite grubs while basking in the appeal of the canal-side scenery. here are some of the choices from Klook:

✅ PIZZA CRUISE

✅ cocktail CRUISE

✅ dinner CRUISE

✅ white wine & CHEESE CRUISE

✅ ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT PANCAKE CRUISE

MUSEUMS

3. Van Gogh Museum

Opened in 1973, Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam currently has the record for the largest Van Gogh collection in the world.

Know the artist deeper as you gaze into his artworks and discover some personal mementos like hundreds of letters. The museum houses over about 400 drawings and sketches and over 200 paintings including the world-famous “Sunflowers”, “The Bedroom”, and his many self-portraits. other than his works, it also hosts Van Gogh’s contemporaries like Monet and Gauguin.

The museum is located in the museum district in Amsterdam Zuid (South) along with other popular museums.

Nearest Tram Station: Van Baerlestraat station (Tram 2, 5, 12) or Museumplein station (Tram 3, 5, 12)
Nearest Bus Stop: Museumplein stop (Bus 347, 357, 397, N47, N57, N88, N97)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM is the normal opening time, while closing time is either 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. On special occasions, the museum closes at 9:00 PM. Please check the official web site before your visit.
Entrance Fee: €19 (Regular), complimentary (Below 18 y/o)

The museum is one of the most checked out in the Netherlands, so expect long queues for the entrance ticket. note that you can only purchase tickets online. If you want to reserve your ticket prior to your visit, you can also book it with Klook. another package combine Van Gogh museum ticket and canal cruise experience.

✅ get YOUR TICKET HERE!

✅ book VAN GOGH TICKET + CANAL cruise combo HERE!

4. Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands and also one of the most visited. It holds the status of a national museum and focuses heavily on arts and history.

The museum’s roots can be traced back to the late 18th century when it was first well established in Hague. It was relocated twice before settling in the present location in the late 19th century. The museum recounts 800 years of Dutch art and history, especially during the Dutch golden Age, by showcasing about 8,000 items, including over 5,000 paintings. significant masterpieces include the night enjoy by Rembrandt and The Milkmaid by Vermeer.

It is located at the museum Square in Amsterdam Zuid (South), near other significant museums like Van Gogh Museum.

Nearest Tram Station: Rijksmuseum station (Tram 2, 5, 12) or Spiegelgracht station (Tram 1, 7, 19)
Nearest Bus Stop: Rijksmuseum stop (Bus 347, 357, 397, N47, N57, N88, N97) or Ruysdaelkade stop (Bus N84)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily)
Entrance Fee: €19 (Regular), complimentary (Below 18 y/o)

Like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum is one of the most checked out in the Netherlands, so expect long queues for the entrance ticket. If you want to reserve your ticket online, you can also book it with Klook. another package combine Van Gogh museum ticket and canal cruise experience.

✅ get YOUR TICKET HERE!

✅ book museum TICKET + CANAL cruise combo HERE!

5. Anne Frank House

Anne Frank‘s story takes us to the world war II period when the Jewish people were ostracized and persecuted by the Nazi Party. She wrote her diary in a secret room called secret Annex in a canal house along Prinsengracht, one of the three popular canals in Amsterdam.

This house was later preserved by converting it into a museum. In 1960, the museum was launched to the public. The museum hosts a permanent exhibition about the life of Anne Frank, but the highlight is the well-preserved secret Annex, where she and her family took refuge.

The closest landmarks are the 17th-century Westerkerk Church and Anne Frank Monument.

Nearest Tram Station: Westermarkt station (Tram 13, 17)
Nearest Bus Stop: Westermarkt stop (Bus N82, N83, N84)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM is the normal opening time, while closing time is either 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM. Please check the official web site before your visit.
Entrance Fee: €12.50 (Adult), €6.50 (10-17 y/o), €1 (9 y/o and below). These rates are inclusive of €1 booking fee. Tickets can only be purchased online.

6. Jewish cultural Quarter

The Jews from Spain and Portugal came pouring into the city as early as the 16th century during the height of the Inquisition. during world war II, the Jews were subjected again to persecution by the Nazi regime, and those living in Amsterdam were not spared.

Today, the presence of Jewish buildings, memorials, and synagogues in the old Jewish Quarter speak of the plight of the Jewish people during those dark periods in history.

The significant sites within the Jewish cultural Quarter are Jewish historical Museum, the Children’s Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, Hollandsche Schouwburg, and the national Holocaust Memorial. These attractions are located within Waterlooplein and the Plantage Middenlaan area.

Nearest Metro Station: Waterlooplein Station
Nearest Tram Station: Waterlooplein station or Artis station (Tram 14)
Nearest Bus Stop: Waterlooplein stop or Artis stop (Bus N87)
Opening Hours: All sites within the JCQ are open daily except for the Portuguese Synagogue (CLOSED on Saturdays). opening hours vary per site. The normal opening hour is either 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM, while the normal closing hour is either 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM.
Entrance Fee: €17 (Adult), €8.50 (13-17 y/o), €4.25 (6-12 y/o), complimentary (5 y/o and below). Tickets can only be purchased online.

If you want to visit all of the abovementioned sites, you can also get your ticket from Klook. The package covers access to Jewish historical Museum, the Children’s Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, Hollandsche Schouwburg, and national Holocaust Memorial using only one ticket.

✅ get JEWISH QUARTER PASS HERE!

7. Red Light secrets Museum

If you are into alternative and offbeat tourism, you might want to visit Red Light Secrets, said to be the world’s only museum of its kind.

Located in the Old town district of De Wallen, the museum is housed in a 17th-century brothel at the heart of Amsterdam’s Red Light District.

Discover how the girls go about their daily lives and routines, the history of their profession, and other secrets when you delve deeper into this industry. If you are curious, you can even try posing in front of the red-light windows. Please follow the policies and guidelines and do not take photos of the girls inside the windows.

Nearest Metro Station: Nieuwmarkt Station. From the station, the museum can be reached on foot in around five minutes. It is close to the Chinese Quarter/Chinatown.
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Sunday – Thursday), 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (Friday – Saturday)
Entrance Fee: €12.50. note that visitors below 18 y/o are not allowed entry.

You can book your ticket with Klook!

✅ RESERVE TICKET HERE!

8. Rembrandt house Museum

Located near the Old town center and old Jewish Quarter, the Rembrandt house museum is another historical gem at the heart of Amsterdam.

Its roots can be traced back to 1911, when this museum was the residence and studio of the distinguished Dutch artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. He lived here between 1639 and 1658, producing several of his paintings, sketches, and etchings, which are showcased in the well-restored and refurbished 17th-century house-turned-museum. The museum also demonstrates the age-old process of etching using an antique press.

Nearest Metro Station: Waterlooplein Station
Nearest Tram Station: Waterlooplein station or Artis station (Tram 14)
Nearest Bus Stop: Waterlooplein stop or Artis stop (Bus N87)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Tuesday – Sunday), closed (Mondays)
Entrance Fee: €14 (Adult), €5 (6-17 y/o), complimentary (Below 6 y/o)

Reserve your ticket in development online by means of Klook!

✅ get YOUR TICKET HERE!

9. Moco Museum

Located in the museum district within the same block as Van Gogh Museum, Moco museum is an independent, privately-owned museum that aims to connect to the younger audience by exhibiting works of modernist and contemporary artists like Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, JR, KAWS, Andy Warhol, and others!

The townhouse that shelters the museum dates back to the early 20th century and is now owned by the Logchies couple who are both curators and art collectors.

The museum was launched to the public in 2015.

Some of the highlights are Banksy’s “Beanfield”, “Girl with Balloon”, “Laugh Now”, and “Keep It Real”.

Nearest Tram Station: Van Baerlestraat station (Tram 2, 5, 12) or Museumplein station (Tram 3, 5, 12)
Nearest Bus Stop: Museumplein stop (Bus 347, 357, 397, N47, N57, N88, N97)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sunday – Thursday), 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Friday – Saturday)
Entrance Fee: €19.50 (Adult), €16.50 (13-17 y/o), complimentary (Below 13 y/o)

You can conveniently reserve your ticket prior to your visit by means of Klook! This also includes an audio guide.

✅ get YOUR TICKET HERE!

10. Stedelijk Museum

Also located in the museum district beside the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk museum is another museum that displays and exhibits modern and contemporary art. In addition, Stedelijk also incorporates design masterpieces.

The special structure of the museum is the result of merging the original 19th-century structure to the 21st-century wing.

The museum was founded in 1874 and has considering that continued to promote contemporary art displaying and exhibiting different disciplines — painting, sculpture, installation, photography, industrial design, graphic design, and more! admire the works of contemporary artists including Warhol, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Pollock, and Koons, among others.

Nearest Tram Station: Van Baerlestraat station (Tram 2, 5, 12) or Museumplein station (Tram 3, 5, 12)
Nearest Bus Stop: Museumplein stop (Bus 347, 357, 397, N47, N57, N88, N97)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Daily). It is crucial to reserve your time slot and day of visit through online booking. The museum is less crowded in the morning.
Entrance Fee: €18.50 (Adult), €10 (Reduced). note that ticket must be purchased online prior to your visit.

You can book your ticket in development through Klook!

✅ get YOUR TICKET HERE!

GUIDED AMSTERDAM CITY TOURS

11. Anne Frank Tour

If her coming-of-age story in the