All Articles 3 perfect days in Amsterdam

3 perfect days in Amsterdam

By Maria Kirsten Adelmann3 May 2023 9 minutes read
Two people sitting at wooden table looking out over the adjacent canal .
Amsterdam canal.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

Three days doesn’t sound like much, but in Amsterdam—a small, walkable city with attractions clustered in its city center—it’s plenty of time. In a long weekend you can check off all the must-dos, from masterpieces by Vermeer and van Gogh to beer in a brown cafe to strolling across canal after charming canal.

The itinerary below packs together Amsterdam’s hit list with downtime for wandering over canal bridges, dining, and drinking. But on a short timeline, you won’t want to waste precious minutes weaving back and forth across the city, so we’ve made sure days flow easily from one location to the next. We’ve also scoured Tripadvisor reviews and ratings so you’ll focus your hours on the spots travelers love most.

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Top attractions in Amsterdam


DAY ONE

People walking around square next to Madame Tussauds building on a cloudy day.
Dam Square.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: Wander medieval streets

Start your day off in the Centrum with breakfast in the charming courtyard cafe De Koffieschenkerij, situated within the grounds of Oude Church, Amsterdam’s oldest building. The church anchors Amsterdam’s old city and Red Light District. After your morning brew, wander the surrounding streets and take in Amsterdam’s buildings, canals, and streets like Zeedijk, now home to Amsterdam's bustling Chinatown, and Nieuwendijk, a busy pedestrian shopping street. If you’re curious about the Red Light District, now’s a good time to see it. It’s packed with erotic shops, bars, “coffeeshops” selling cannabis, and the alleys of De Wallen, where sex workers stand in storefront windows (no photos allowed).

While you’re in the area, consider stopping by the Museum Our Lord in the Attic, a 17th-century townhouse with a Catholic church tucked up on the top floor. This bizarre-yet-beloved hidden gem won’t take more than an hour to explore.

Travelers say: “This museum [Our Lord in the Attic] is inherently interesting and a relic of hidden Catholic Amsterdam, but it has been so carefully and thoughtfully curated that it becomes as much about the history of the space over time, the history of domestic life in Amsterdam, and the history of tolerance too. The tour is self-guided with an easy-to-use audio guide. We loved it.” —@MieageMB

AFTERNOON: A busy Dam Square and a very quiet courtyard

Continue south to Dam Square, grabbing lunch nearby at Haring & Zo, a street-food kiosk selling a local staple: the herring sandwich. (Don’t worry—even herring first-timers enjoy the cold snack.) If you have an hour to spare, the self-guided tour inside the massive Royal Palace lets you marvel at its opulent rooms stuffed with chandeliers and statues. The palace is still in use by the royal family, so check ahead to confirm it’s open.

Make your way south on the pedestrian-only Kalverstraat. If the popular shopping street causes sensory overload, you’re in luck: Begijnhof, a quaint and peaceful medieval courtyard—one of the oldest in the city—offers a break from the retail bustle.

Cross over to Canal Ring and hit the Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), which has been selling tulips and other blooms since the mid-1800s. Plus, it’s a hot spot for inexpensive souvenirs (wooden tulip, anyone?). As you wander, be sure to stop in one of the many dessert shops for a stroopwafel (Van Wonderen Stroopwafels is a fave). We’d argue that this caramel-filled waffle cookie could take on tulips as a symbol of the city.

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EVENING: Rijsttafel and live music

Now that you’ve pre-gamed with dessert, have dinner at Sampurna, a long-running Indonesian restaurant in the historic center. This is your chance to try another city staple—“rijsttafel,” a Dutch take on an Indonesian specialty. The slew of small seafood, meat, and veggie dishes are meant for sharing and balanced by a big plate of rice.

If you still have gas in the tank, it’s just a 10-minute walk or quick tram ride to lively Leidseplein. There are lots of after-hours options here, like The Waterhole Live Music Bar, which has all the good vibes necessary for a night out. Plus, Dutch drinks are flowing, including local beer brands like Bavaria and “jenever,” gin with a hint of juniper.

DAY TWO

People walking around museum next to Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Bedroom in Arles paintings.
Van Gogh Museum.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: A world-famous Golden Age gallery

Kick off your day at the palatial Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands. Aim to get there right at 9 a.m. when it opens to head off the crowds. (You may want to pre-book a timed ticket online, especially in the summer.) The Gallery of Honour gets downright mobbed, so go here first to admire the famed 17th-century Golden Age paintings from the likes of Vermeer and Rembrandt; don’t miss Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch,” which has its own gallery. Once you’ve taken care of the highlights, keep exploring—even after three hours, there’s no end in sight.

Travelers say: “Outside, the sheer majesty of the [Rijksmuseum] building is impressive. Inside, be prepared to be blown away by gallery after gallery, floor after floor of art, culture, and history. Jaw dropping.” —@String W

Make the most of your trip

AFTERNOON: Van Gogh’s masterpieces

Grab lunch at one of the food trucks on Museumplein. If you want to rest your feet a little longer, hit up The Burger Room, an emerald-accented, Wizard of Oz-themed restaurant around the corner. (This eatery even has its own mini-museum downstairs complete with ruby-slipper replicas.)

Refueled and ready for more, cross the street to the Van Gogh Museum, which holds the largest collection of the famed artist’s work. The museum is well laid out, walking you chronologically through van Gogh’s life and work. (Spring the few extra euros for an audio guide.) Special exhibits downstairs are also worth a look. Tickets sell out for this one, so be sure to book your timed entry in advance.

EVENING: A walk in the park and an acoustic experience

After you’ve been thoroughly blown away by Post-Impressionism, take the five-minute jaunt to Vondelpark, the city’s largest park. Walk (or bike) the tree-lined lanes, passing waterways, outdoor cafes, playgrounds, sunbathers, and an open-air theater.

Cut out of the park for dinner at De Wijnkaart, which serves classy yet hearty meals paired with Eastern European wines. Bonus: It’s just a five-minute walk to your next stop, The Royal Concertgebouw—said to have some of the best acoustics in the world. (Maybe that’s why Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, and Igor Stravinsky have graced its grand Main Hall.) Orchestral performances, cello concertos, and other events are on here pretty much every night of the week, generally at 8:15 p.m. Book tickets ahead.

DAY THREE

Group of people on canal cruise, with buckets of drinks and food displayed.
Canal Cruise by Captain Jack.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: A quintessential canal stroll

Spend your morning exploring yet another 17th-century Dutch masterpiece: the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring. Stroll through the iconic Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) where boutique shops line narrow streets that open onto those endlessly photo-worthy Amsterdam canals. Mosey into the more residential (but just as charming) Jordaan neighborhood. Don’t bother looking at your map—just wander from one impossibly cute block to the next.

Explore the contrasts of Amsterdam

AFTERNOON: The story of Anne Frank

For lunch, stop at the unassuming De Struisvogel, which sits in a canal house cellar and offers a well-priced fixed menu of Dutch dishes. After, head to the Anne Frank House to tour the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid for two years during World War II. Brace yourself—this is an emotional experience, but well worth it according to some 60,000-plus Tripadvisor reviewers. This is one of the city's most visited sights, so you'll want to book timed tickets way in advance, as slots can fill up a month ahead. If you missed the chance to get tickets, the Anne Frank walking tour is a good backup plan, or just take a look at the house from the outside and continue exploring the endlessly wander-worthy Canal Ring.

Travelers say: “As a teacher I have taught about Anne Frank for many years, but nothing can prepare you for this experience. It is moving and such an important part of our history that we must keep alive. Everyone could feel the power of the history we were exploring. The mood was somber but also powerful as her message is still going strong.” —@LilLondon

EVENING: Essential Dutch dining (and drinking)

Unwind after an intense visit to the Anne Frank House at Café Smalle, a classic, cozy, canal-side "brown cafe," a nickname that comes from the wall-to-wall wood paneling. For dinner, Winkel 43 is just a few minutes’ walk and serves up local favorites in an adorable gabled house. Try “bitterballen” (breaded meatballs) as an appetizer and don’t miss the Dutch apple pie with whipped cream for dessert.

If you’ve still got energy after three days on your feet, hop on the tram or bike to Rembrandtplein, a lively historic square packed with bars and clubs. If the party scene isn’t for you, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar Door74 is a low-key way to close out your Amsterdam adventures.

Know Before You Go


With long days, sunny skies, and moderate temperatures, Amsterdam is excellent in the summer (June–August), though packed with people. You’ll find the city busy in April and May, too, as the rain lets up and the tulips bloom. If you can swing the off-season vacay time, September sees fewer tourists and cheaper hotel rates, yet the weather is still nice. Winter tends to be cold, wet, and gray, though in December, Christmas markets and ice-skating rinks all around the city brighten the mood.



Since Amsterdam is a major tourist destination, most of its attractions, shops, and restaurants are open seven days a week, though shops are occasionally closed on Sunday or may have shorter hours on Saturday, Sunday, and/or Monday.



Amsterdam has a healthy nightlife with clubs open until 3 or 4 a.m. and bars and (non-coffee) coffee shops open until 1 a.m., with later hours on weekends. Cafes tend to open around 8 or 9 a.m., while shops open between 10 a.m. and noon and close around 6 p.m., though chains in the city center are often open later.



Canal Ring: The Canal Ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means when you stay here, you aren’t just near major attractions, you’re inside one. The Ambassade Hotel, split across multiple 17th-century canal houses in the Nine Streets, is loved by travelers thanks to its bright, boutique-style rooms and an almost ridiculously good location. The Toren, ever so slightly farther from the action in the Jordaan neighborhood, gets high ratings for its quiet, canal-side location and romantic decor.

Museum Quarter: Slightly outside the historic city center but right next to the major museums and Vondelpark, the Museum Quarter offers ritzy hotels and a quieter stay. The Conservatorium Hotel is a high-end option that’s historic on the outside, sleek and modern on the inside. Multiple food and drink options and a massive spa mean you don’t ever need to leave, though you’ll probably want to roll out of bed to see those van Goghs across the street.

Amsterdam-Oost: Amsterdam-Oost and other areas in the outer districts offer a range of hotels for a cheaper price—sometimes half the rate! While you won’t be within walking distance of major attractions, a hotel next to public transit is the next best thing. If saving money is key, The Social Hub Amsterdam City offers basic rooms, modern common areas, and a friendly vibe. While it’s geared toward younger travelers, it’s also a serious step up from your standard hostel. Plus, it’s just a three-minute walk from the metro, which takes you to Centraal Station in less than five minutes.



Public transportation: Amsterdam has an excellent public transit run by GVB with trams, metros, and buses throughout the city. Trams are particularly easy to navigate and stop at pretty much every major attraction. Just remember to check in and out as you enter and exit. If you plan to use public transit a lot, multi-day tickets quickly save you money (though everything is so close, you may just end up walking). The most frustrating thing about Amsterdam’s public transit system is that most of it shuts down after midnight, and the night bus system isn’t a good substitute.

By bike: Flat and compact, Amsterdam is easy to navigate by bike, which is exactly how most locals get around. That said, the bike lanes are busy, which can be intimidating to those not used to city cycling. Less confident riders might consider a city biking tour or a breezy ride around Vondelpark. Bike rentals are available throughout the city, including from most hotels.

By taxi: Taxis are expensive and slow in the city center—luckily, you probably won’t need them. The one time you might spring for it is after midnight when a lot of public transit lines stop running. Taxis are available at taxi stands or can be called ahead. Uber runs in Amsterdam and tends to be cheaper than standard taxi rates.

Airport transfers: The cheapest, easiest, and fastest way to get to the city center from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is to take the Intercity Direct train, which departs every 15 minutes during the day from the airport, arriving at Amsterdam Centraal in less than 15 minutes. Note that Dutch Railways (NS) runs the Intercity Direct train and you’ll need a different kind of ticket (GVB) to travel within the city. Special one-, two-, or three-day Amsterdam Travel Tickets include both kinds of transit. Another airport transfer option is the Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397, which departs every 10 minutes throughout the day. It’s more convenient if you are staying in or around Museumplein or Leidseplein.


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Maria Kirsten Adelmann
Maria Kirsten Adelmann has lived in the US and Europe and once traveled around the world on a ship, visiting ports in Asia, Africa, and beyond. She has written hundreds of reviews of hotels, cruise ships, and travel products.