When visiting Amsterdam for the first time, it helps to focus on what the city offers in a clear and simple way. Instead of rushing from place to place, you can spend time in different parts of the city, try local food, see important cultural sites, and enjoy walking or cycling through everyday streets. This guide highlights the best things to do in Amsterdam to help you decide where to go and what to see during your visit.

What to Do in Amsterdam?

Cultural and Historical Places

Anne Frank House

• Type: Museum and historical site

• Location: Prinsengracht 263, central Amsterdam

• Why to visit: The house preserves the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II, displaying original artifacts and diary excerpts that form a moving historical narrative.

• Opening hours: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm; ticket purchase is required online in advance.

Van Gogh Museum

• Type: Art museum

• Location: Museumplein 6, Amsterdam

• Why to visit: Home to the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings. The museum has introduced limited visitor slots to improve the experience and reduce crowding.

• Opening hours: Generally open daily 9 am–6 pm; extended hours on Fridays (until 9 pm during summer).

H3: Rijksmuseum

• Type: National art and history museum

• Location: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam

• Why to visit: Displays over 8,000 works including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. The ongoing public restoration of “The Night Watch” offers a unique behind-the-scenes experience.

• Opening hours: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm, including holidays. The last entry is at 4:30 pm.

Our Lord in the Attic Museum

• Type: Historic house museum and hidden church

• Location: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38–40, central Amsterdam

• Why to visit: A rare example of a 17th-century clandestine Catholic church hidden inside a canal house. Visitors see the original church space and authentic interiors.

• Opening hours: Information on regular opening times is available through official site; location noted above.

Royal Palace

• Type: Historic palace

• Location: Dam Square, Amsterdam

• Why to visit: Once a city hall, now a working palace for state events. Public tours allow you to see grand interiors and royal chambers .

• Opening hours: Open to public June 18–August 31 from 10 am to 6 pm, and September 1–October 27 from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed during official events.

Stedelijk Museum

• Type: Modern and contemporary art museum

• Location: Museumplein, Amsterdam

• Why to visit: Offers modern and contemporary art and design collections. Its “BASE” wing, designed by Rem Koolhaas, provides a fresh display experience.

• Opening hours: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm; Fridays until 9 pm for special exhibitions .

NEMO Science Museum

• Type: Interactive science museum

• Location: Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam

• Why to visit: The Netherlands’ largest science center, ideal for families and hands-on learning experiences

• Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–5:30 pm; open on Mondays during school holidays. Closed on King’s Day

Explore Best Neighborhoods in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has several neighborhoods, each offering a different atmosphere and rhythm. Some parts of the city are lively and filled with major sights, while others feel more local and relaxed. This comparison outlines the pros and cons of five popular areas and can help you decide where to stay in Amsterdam or which parts to explore, depending on the kind of trip you have in mind.

Taste Local Food

To truly experience Amsterdam, sampling its local cuisine is essential. Below are some of the city’s best-known spots for traditional Dutch food and snacks. Each listing includes the place’s type, location, a standout item to try, and why it’s worth a visit.

Restaurant Hap Hmm

• Type: Traditional Dutch restaurant

• Location: Helmersstraat, Oud-West, Amsterdam

• What to try: Grootmoeders Gehaktbal (grandmother’s meatball) or Hollandse Biefstuk with classic Dutch sides

• Why visit: This longstanding spot (since 1935) serves homemade comfort food in a cozy, no-frills atmosphere. Locals frequent it for its consistent quality and traditional approach.

Herring Stall (Jonk)

• Type: Street food vendor

• Location: Spui Square, central Amsterdam (multiple stalls)

• What to try: Broodje Haring (fresh raw herring in a bread roll) served with onions and pickles

• Why visit: Herring is a seasonal Dutch staple, best enjoyed during May–June. This stall is known for its consistently fresh fish—an authentic and handy way to taste local tradition.

Albert Cuyp Market

• Type: Outdoor street market

• Location: Albert Cuypstraat, De Pijp

• What to try: Stroopwafels (fresh syrup waffles), bitterballen (deep-fried meat snacks), and poffertjes (mini pancakes)

• Why visit: The market is the largest daytime market in Europe, offering a diverse and authentic taste of Dutch street food, with vibrant atmosphere and fresh treats.

FEBO

• Type: Vending-style fast food chain

• Location: Multiple city locations

• What to try: Kroketten or frikandellen served through vending machines

• Why visit: FEBO offers a quick and fun way to sample Dutch fried snacks. The novelty of automated ordering adds to a typical Dutch food experience.

Bitterballen at Brown Cafés

• Type: Pub snack at traditional “brown cafés”

• Location: Try Café Hoppe or Café de Zwart

• What to try: Bitterballen served with mustard alongside a local beer

• Why visit: Deep-fried and hearty, bitterballen are a beloved snack to enjoy in historic pub settings. They offer an authentic taste of Dutch social dining.

De Kas

• Type: Greenhouse-based farm-to-table restaurant

• Location: Frankendael Park, Amsterdam East

• What to try: Seasonal vegetable-focused tasting menu (locally sourced produce)

• Why visit: Set in a greenhouse, De Kas grows its own produce and prepares dishes with a clean, sustainable philosophy. A modern take on Dutch eating.

Nam Kee

• Type: Chinese restaurant (local favorite)

• Location: Zeedijk (Chinatown), central Amsterdam

• What to try: Peking duck and classic Chinese dishes well-suited to Western tastes

• Why visit: A long-standing local institution since 1981, recommended by both locals and international visitors. It’s a taste of Amsterdam’s multicultural food scene.

Go Shopping

Here are some of the best places to shop in Amsterdam, with clear details about each location:

Central Station area

• Type: Main transport hub and shopping center

• Location: Amsterdam Centraal, city center

• Highlight: Offers a mix of shops, cafés, and direct access to train, metro, tram, and bus lines. Provides convenience for first-time visitors looking for essentials, souvenirs, or travel connections.

Albert Cuyp Market

• Type: Outdoor street market

• Location: Albert Cuypstraat, De Pijp

• Highlight: The Netherlands’ largest daytime market with over 260 stalls. Great for fresh produce, street snacks, clothes, and an informal taste of Amsterdam’s market culture .

Bloemenmarkt

• Type: Floating flower market

• Location: Singel canal, between Muntplein and Koningsplein

• Highlight: The world’s only floating flower market, established in 1862. Ideal for buying tulip bulbs and flower souvenirs, and enjoying a colorful canal-side stroll.

De Bijenkorf

• Type: Luxury department store

• Location: Dam Square

• Highlight: A large multi-floor store where you can find international fashion brands, home items, and cosmetics. It is often visited for its wide selection and central location.

Haarlemmerstraat & Haarlemmerdijk

• Type: Local shopping street

• Location: Near Jordaan, west of Central Station

• Highlight: These streets offer a mix of small shops, Dutch design stores, and organic food markets. They are less crowded than main shopping areas and popular among residents.

Visit Parks and Attractions

These are well-known parks and districts that combine green space, shopping, local culture, and relaxation:

The Jordan (Jordaan)

• Type: Historic residential neighbourhood

• Location: West of the city centre, near the Canal Ring

• Highlight: Known for picturesque canals, boutique shops, and cafés. Offers a quieter, local atmosphere while still close to city centre attractions .

Vondelpark

• Type: Urban public park

• Location: Between Leidseplein and Museumplein

• Highlight: Amsterdam’s largest city park (47 hectares) with playgrounds, open-air theatre, cafés, and statues. Attracts around 10 million visitors yearly, ideal for walking, cycling, or relaxing.

De 9 Straatjes (Nine Little Streets)

• Type: Shopping and dining district

• Location: Between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsestraat in the Canal Ring.

• Highlight: Nine narrow streets full of independent shops, galleries, and cafés. Combines charming 17th-century architecture with boutique shopping and canal-side dining

Westerpark

• Type: Urban park and cultural space

• Location: West Amsterdam

• Highlight: Combines green areas with cafés, art spaces, and events. Less crowded than Vondelpark, often visited by locals.

Amstelpark

• Type: Landscaped park

• Location: Zuid district, along the Amstel River

• Highlight: Known for its gardens, sculpture park, and peaceful atmosphere. Good for families and quiet walks.

Travel Tips for Amsterdam

How Many Days Do You Need in Amsterdam?

For most visitors, 3 full days is enough to see the main sights in Amsterdam at a comfortable pace. This gives you time for key museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, a canal tour, a walk through the Jordaan or De 9 Straatjes, and visits to local markets. If you want to explore more neighbourhoods, take a day trip outside the city, or enjoy the city more slowly, staying 4 to 5 days is a better option.

Tips for Getting Around Amsterdam

• Walking is often the best way to explore: The historic centre is compact, and most attractions are within a 20–30 minute walk from each other.

• Use trams for fast, reliable travel: Trams run frequently and serve key areas like Museumplein, Leidseplein, and the Jordaan, and you can tap in and out with a bank card.

• Buy a GVB multi-day card for unlimited rides: Valid for 1 to 7 days, this card covers all GVB trams, buses, and metros, starting from your first check-in.

• Biking is practical but requires awareness: Amsterdam has dedicated bike lanes, but traffic moves quickly and follows strict rules.

• Ferries are free and connect to Amsterdam Noord: Departing behind Central Station, these ferries run daily and reach places like NDSM Wharf.

• Use the metro for longer distances: Line 52 is especially useful for reaching Amsterdam Zuid, RAI, or Bijlmer Arena quickly.

• Avoid driving in the city: Parking is expensive and limited, and streets are often narrow or shared with bikes and trams.

• Use the GVB app or 9292.nl for planning: These tools show routes, schedules, and delays; Google Maps also works well for public transport.

• Trains are ideal for airport and nearby cities: Schiphol Airport is 15–20 minutes by train, and nearby cities like Haarlem or Utrecht are easily accessible.

Amsterdam Tourism: Key Statistics

Tourism in Amsterdam continues to grow steadily, with updated figures showing a significant rise in both visitor numbers and overnight stays.

• In 2023, tourism spending in the Netherlands reached nearly €105 billion, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. [1]

• Across the Netherlands, there were 49.7 million overnight guests in 2023, including 20.4 million international visitors. [2]

Stay Connected with a Global eSIM in Amsterdam

If you're planning a visit to Amsterdam and want reliable mobile internet, using a Travel eSIM like Roamless is a practical and cost-saving option. It helps you avoid high roaming charges and removes the need to buy a physical SIM card upon arrival.

• Multi-Country Support: Stay connected in Amsterdam and keep using the same eSIM as you travel to other European cities without switching SIM cards.

• Compatible with Popular Devices: Roamless works with most smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, so you can stay online across all your devices.

• Quick Setup and Immediate Use: Activate your eSIM before your trip and connect as soon as you land at Schiphol Airport.

• Flexible Data Options: Choose the amount of data you need for short stays, weekend visits, or longer holidays in Amsterdam.

• No Physical SIM Needed: Everything is managed digitally, meaning no physical SIM swapping is needed during your trip.

For more details on using eSIMs in the Netherlands, check out our pages on eSIM Amsterdam, eSIM Netherlands, best eSIM for the Netherlands, and roaming charges in Netherlands. These guides include helpful tips to make sure you stay connected throughout your visit.

Amsterdam is a city where planning ahead can improve your travel experience. Knowing how to move around, which areas to visit, and where to eat helps you use your time well. Using Roamless gives you instant internet access when you arrive, so you don’t need to look for a SIM card or worry about roaming fees. With your connection ready, it’s easier to navigate and make the most of your stay.

Sources:

[1] CBS. (2024, September 3). Tourism expenditure rises to nearly 105 billion euros in 2023. CBS. https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2024/36/tourism-expenditure-rises-to-nearly-105-billion-euros-in-2023
[2] DutchNews. (2024). Amsterdam overnight tourist numbers reach a new record. https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/06/amsterdam-overnight-tourist-numbers-reach-a-new-record