Amsterdam is a compact city you can cover entirely on foot or by bike in a single day – though a weekend is ideal. What to see in Amsterdam? The atmosphere is painted for you in the first seconds by the scene outside the station itself. Thousands of people, hundreds of bikes locked to just about anything firmly attached to the ground. Dozens of boats bobbing on the canals, or hundreds of cyclists weaving between people. That’s how it is. Amsterdam isn’t only the marijuana mecca of western Europe but also a sought-after tourist destination.
The centre is divided into several districts – each with its own soul:
- Centrum and Grachtengordel – the historic heart with the canals
- Jordaan – an artistic quarter full of cafés
- De Pijp – street food and markets
- Amsterdam-Noord – the industrial and modern part of the city
- Oost and Zuid – quiet, local neighbourhoods
The city’s buzz is partly down to Schiphol international airport, which is largely a transit hub, which is why so many one-day tourists turn up in the centre.
What to see in Amsterdam – 15 places worth your time
If you have and want to get to know Amsterdam in a day, believe us, you’ll manage everything essential the city has. And you’ll enjoy a spectacular atmosphere on top. You won’t miss a visit to a coffee shop, watching the ladies in the windows, or coffee in the charming little lanes.
Personally I had mixed feelings about Amsterdam. It isn’t a city like Prague or Budapest, where I’ll happily return again and again. It’s more a city I’ll visit because I want to see it. Luckily the Netherlands isn’t only about Amsterdam and offers plenty of other wonderful places. As I like to say: “a hundred people, a hundred tastes.” If you have more time, take a look at the beautiful places nearby, and there really are a lot of them.
But let’s look at what beauty awaits you in the capital of the land of tulips! 🙂
The Anne Frank House
You won’t miss this house, steeped in history. There’s always a crowd standing outside it, trying to snag a unique photo without a single person in it. The rule is: the earlier you come, the fewer people you meet. You can of course also do a tour of the house. I’d recommend going early in the morning – or buying an online timed-entry ticket.
The Red Light District
You don’t even have to say the name of this street and everyone will immediately tell you that you absolutely have to visit the one with the ladies in the windows. Yes, that’s the Red Light District, where women can draw you into their little nests and, for a fee, do… well, you can do whatever you like.
Although the place can be controversial, it’s a unique window on a traditional part of the city and should be on the list for anyone who wants to look at Amsterdam’s history and culture. Besides the rich offer of women, you can also visit countless sex shops, strip clubs and shows. Somewhere among it all are countless bars and the occasional café. This place can’t be missing from our list of what to see in Amsterdam.
A visit to a coffee shop
Coffee + marijuana equals a unique experience for lovers of coffee and legal cannabis use. The shops are typical of Amsterdam and offer a wide choice of coffee and cannabis products in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The experience is one of a kind and something anyone interested in Amsterdam’s culture and history should try.
I remember dropping into one such shop. My goal was singular and I was surprised how matter-of-fact the staff are. I was given a menu, stuck my finger on it, and for a full 2 € was set up with an experience for the whole rest of the evening 🙂
De Pijp
A multicultural district with the best-known market, Albert Cuypmarkt. Try a stroopwafel here, or haring (raw herring with onion) – see the delightful stuff below.
De 9 Straatjes (the Nine Streets)
Stylish boutiques, small galleries and cafés. A great place to buy non-touristy souvenirs. Although, what in Amsterdam is non-touristy? 🙂
The Van Gogh Museum
The museum is home to more than 200 works by Vincent van Gogh and offers a unique look at his famous paintings like “Sunflowers” and “The Potato Eaters”. It’s a great place for lovers of art and history. Oh, and mainly for those who like art.
The museum of erotic paraphernalia
The Red Light Secrets museum, for instance. Interested in the history of erotica and the sex industry? The museum offers an interactive exhibition and shows how sexual culture and its accessories have developed over the years. It’s an interesting experience for anyone looking for something other than traditional tourist attractions.
Try some Dutch stodge
Deep-fried or raw – that’s Dutch cuisine. Very popular are “kroketten”, fried croquettes filled with meat or cheese. Then “pannenkoeken” – large, thin pancakes. A real treat is kibbeling – small pieces of fried fish, usually cod – or haring (herring). Usually served fresh, marinated in brine. Both dishes are often sold on the street at food stalls for a pittance.
Just wander around Amsterdam
You can wander Amsterdam for hours. There are countless cafés, coffee shops and ways to spend your time. Just go. In daylight you certainly don’t need to worry about anything happening to you. And as long as you follow the general rules of travelling, nothing should.
Following the beer trail
There are several beer bars and restaurants in Amsterdam where you can try various Dutch beers. These places offer a wide range from traditional Dutch breweries to independent breweries and microbreweries. The highlight of the beer trail is the Heineken Experience, where you’ll learn about the history and production of Heineken and can taste several varieties.
Rent a bike and ride
The options for renting a bike in Amsterdam are unlimited. Effectively you could say people share the streets with cyclists only. If you want to reach the more remote spots outside the deep centre, definitely rent one. You’ll find more information about bike rental in the city centre here.
The zoo / Vondelpark
It’s one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe. It sits in the middle of the city and offers a rich collection of animals. Besides the animals you can explore a botanical garden, an aquarium and a planetarium. We rather enjoy going to zoos; it’s an interesting break in the day. That’s how we ended up at Budapest zoo too. Vondelpark, meanwhile, is the largest park in the city. An ideal spot for a snack or just people-watching.
The Foodhallen markets
A very popular food market where you can try dishes from all over the world. The Foodhallen offer a cosy atmosphere and great food, which is a great way to spend an early evening in Amsterdam.
Dam Square
This is the main square in the centre of Amsterdam and its heart. The square is surrounded by historic buildings and gives you a stunning view of the city. It’s an excellent place for a walk and for discovering the city.
There’s far, far more to see in Amsterdam on a one-day, or multi-day, trip. Treat this selection as small building blocks that let you assemble a full-day or even weekend itinerary around Amsterdam. Definitely take a look at more posts on the Netherlands, which we write about here.
The Rijksmuseum
The largest art gallery in the Netherlands. Masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer in a building that is itself an architectural gem.
A canal cruise + the Canal Belt (Grachtengordel)
Walk across the bridges reflected in the canals, or take a boat through the city. We didn’t sail in Amsterdam itself but in the distant town of Beemster, where my father-in-law was born. You certainly won’t go wrong enjoying a canal cruise of your own, though.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Accommodation in Amsterdam isn’t the cheapest, but you can find both style and comfort in the various parts of the city. The tips below come from my father-in-law’s recommendations.
The centre (Grachtengordel) – ideal for a first visit
- Hotel Estheréa – a luxurious atmosphere by the canal
- Mr. Jordaan – a stylish boutique hotel
De Pijp – for food lovers
- The Arcade Hotel – with retro arcade games and a bar
Noord – modern, quiet and cheaper
- ClinkNOORD – excellent value for money
Book early through Booking.com – Amsterdam is often full, especially in spring when the tulips are in bloom (yes, I wrote that on purpose – inside joke)
How to get to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is easy to reach from every corner of Europe – whether you’re going for a weekend, a road trip or a Eurotrip.
By plane from Prague the flight takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. You land at Schiphol (AMS) – one of the best-organised airports in Europe – and get into the centre by train (20 minutes, every few minutes, around 6 €).
By car from Prague it’s roughly 900 km (about 9 hours’ driving). My father-in-law does it from South Bohemia in around 10 hours with a few short stops. If you drive, though, expect expensive parking – the centre of Amsterdam is not car-friendly.
By train there’s a direct connection from Berlin. From Prague it means changing in Berlin, and it actually works out much pricier than flying. It depends whether you really want to make a road trip of it – in which case some kind of Europe-wide rail pass may be worth it. Otherwise Amsterdam Centraal station is right in the heart of the city, as I mentioned at the start of the article.
By bus it’s genuinely painful. It’s the cheapest option, but it’s really long and not nearly as comfortable as the others. From Prague the journey takes around 13 hours.
Getting around the city
Amsterdam isn’t big – and on top of that it’s one of the best-organised cities in the world. The ideal way is by bike – the bike is king. Everyone rides here, including grandmothers with their shopping and men in suits. You’ll find rental places on every corner (MacBike, Yellow Bike and so on).
The centre is compact and safe. Ideal for slow wandering among the canals, so walking is a fine option too.
The tram and metro won’t let you down either. They’re efficient, clean and actually punctual. You use an OV-chipkaart (a rechargeable card) or pay by contactless card when boarding and getting off.
