21 Very Best Things to Do in Amsterdam

Looking for fun things to do in Amsterdam? Check out this list of the very best sights and things to do in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and is a charming city with countless canals and bridges. Most people mistakenly associate Amsterdam with the famous coffee shops, but the vibrant city offers much more than just that. In Amsterdam, you’ll also find lots of great museums, cultural experiences, and exciting history.

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, check out this list of the very best sights and things to do in Amsterdam.

 

1. Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House is definitely the most popular attraction in Amsterdam, and a must-see in Amsterdam as well.

It was right here in this house that Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during their extermination of the Jews. But unfortunately, the family ended up being exposed and placed in concentration camps.

Today, the Anne Frank House serves as a museum where you can experience the hiding place from where Anne Frank wrote her world-famous diary. In the diary, you’ll get a unique insight into the harsh history of life as a Jew during World War II.

If you would like to visit Anne Frank House, it may be a good idea to book your tickets in advance. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the museum myself because the queue was unbearably long.

 

2. Canal tour

Amsterdam is famous for the hundreds of canals that together make up a huge network of waterways. They are a great feature of the city and you simply can’t have been in Amsterdam without being on a canal cruise at least once.

It really is a great way to get a better understanding of the city and the many things to do in Amsterdam. This is also why it’s a good idea to take part in a canal tour at the beginning of your trip to Amsterdam.

There are many different canal cruises, each offering daytime or evening boat trips. Most canal tours in Amsterdam last for about 1.5-2 hours and pass many of the main sights in Amsterdam.

Last time I was in Amsterdam I visited a ticket office where the clerk suggested a boat trip with Lovers Canal Cruise. It was a great tour with an audio guide that contributed to a much better understanding of the city.

You can also choose to buy a day ticket that allows you to hop on and off certain boats for an entire day.

 

3. Albert Cuyp Market

Albert Cuyp Market is located in de Pijp, a cozy area full of restaurants, cafés, and bars. Every day, except Sunday, the popular Albert Cuyp Market is held in the area. This market is said to be the oldest in all of Amsterdam.

The market takes place outdoors and consists of about 300 stalls with goods from all over the world. Here you can buy everything from food and souvenirs to clothes and bags. Although it may be the most popular market in Amsterdam, I don’t think it’s a place you can spend several hours.

 

4. Hortus Botanicus

Hortus Botanicus is one of the two botanical gardens in Amsterdam and is worth a visit if you’re interested in flora and fauna. The garden was established in 1638 and is thus one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.

The botanical garden was originally created as an herb garden for doctors and pharmacists, but today it houses more than 6,000 trees and plants. Even though it isn’t exactly the largest of its kind in the world, it’s still a beautiful oasis in the middle of the big city.

 

5. Red Light District

The Red Light District is a very special area in Amsterdam filled with neon lights, sex shops, and prostitutes showing up in the windows of brothels.

The Red Light District is named after the lights in the windows that tell whether a woman is free or busy. If the light in the window is green, the woman is either free or the brothel is open. If, on the other hand, the light in the window is red, the woman is either busy or the brothel is closed.

Even though it’s a very special area, it’s still one of the best things to do in Amsterdam. There are several different guided tours to the Red Light District, some of which are completely free.

Of course, the neighborhood also offers several bars, restaurants, and cafes, but this probably isn’t the place you want to enjoy a family dinner. Although the Red Light District may be a bit borderline for some, it’s still a must-see in Amsterdam.

 

6. Go on a bike ride

Amsterdam is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, and there are bikes and cyclists everywhere, to say the least. If you want to do like thousands of others, you can jump on a bike and explore the city differently.

There are countless different places in Amsterdam to rent a bike at affordable prices. Don’t be afraid not to find a place, because there are almost bike rental stations on every street corner.

 

7. Jordaan

Jordaan is a charming neighborhood that is among the most popular areas in Amsterdam. The popular district has previously been a poor working-class neighborhood where the world-famous painter Rembrandt lived.

Today, Jordaan has blossomed into a beautiful and cozy neighborhood with narrow streets, canals, cafes, art galleries, and specialty shops. I highly recommend taking a stroll along the canals and the old crooked canal houses, which are extremely charming.

 

8. Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the most famous museum in Amsterdam and is also the Dutch National Museum. This museum is said to be one of the best in Europe. And of course, it’s also one of the best things to do in Amsterdam if you’re interested in art.

When you visit the large museum with more than 80 galleries, you can immerse yourself in an impressive collection of paintings and works of art by great artists.

The museum was renovated in 2003, but construction ended up taking 10 years due to disagreements over a bike path. The bike-loving Dutchmen won and were allowed to keep the bike path while the architects had to think out of the box. This also means that today, you can see an iconic bike path that literally runs through the building.

 

9. I Am Amsterdam

One of the most obligatory things to do in Amsterdam is to take a picture in front of the capital I Am Amsterdam letters. The capital letters stand in front of the Rijksmuseum on Misemploying and are extremely popular. But you must be aware that there’re always extremely many people by the letters.

The popular letters actually became such a big tourist trap that they were simply removed for a period of time. But today you can visit the I Am Amsterdam letters again, as it has returned to its proper place.

 

10. Rembrandt Museum

The Rembrandt Museum is a small museum dedicated to the world-famous Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. The museum is located in an old house in central Amsterdam. Rembrandt lived in this house for many years while he painted many of his great works.

Inside the Rembrandt Museum, you can see an exhibition with most of the artist’s many works. But you can also learn a lot more about Rembrandt and his life as an artist. So, if you’re interested in Rembrandt, you definitely shouldn’t miss this museum.

 

11. Vondelpark

Vondelpark is the largest and most popular park in Amsterdam. And it serves as a wonderful oasis in the middle of the big city. So, if you need to get a little away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, then Vondelpark is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam.

Inside the park, there are full of green lawns, streams, lakes, play areas, an open-air stage, and much more. If hunger strikes, there are also several good restaurants and venues in the park.

Vondelpark is especially crowded with people in the summer when tourists and Dutch people go to the park to relax under the shade of a tree.

 

12. Foodhallen

When hunger strikes during your sightseeing in Amsterdam, I recommend stopping by the Foodhallen. This indoor market is located in a historic and lovely old tram depot.

Inside the Foodhallen, you can order food from around 20 different food stalls serving everything from gourmet pizza to Japanese sushi and Indian street food.

If you travel with other people, you don’t necessarily have to order food from the same stall. There are lots of places around the hall where you can enjoy your food together. However, you should be aware that the Foodhallen is very popular and often filled with crowds.

 

13. Guided tour

If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, it may be a good idea to join a guided tour. It’s the perfect way to learn more about the city while passing some of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam.

There are many different guided tours in Amsterdam, but I can definitely recommend joining one that is totally free.

I was on a free guided tour with Sandeman’s New Europe. The guide was really good at telling about the sights of Amsterdam. Even though the trip is completely free, they would like to receive some gratuity afterward. But of course, you decide for yourself whether it’s something you want to.

 

14. Heineken Experience

A visit to the Heineken Experience is the ultimate experience in Amsterdam for all those who like to drink beer. This museum is located in the former brewery in the center of Amsterdam, from where Heineken was launched in 1873. Since then, it has long been one of the most famous and popular beers in the world.

When the original brewery was moved in 1988, they chose to set up a museum in honor of Heineken’s history. Today you can take part in a 1.5-hour guided tour of the former brewery, which is believed to have been one of the largest in the world.

During the tour, you can learn a lot more about Heineken’s history, the brewing process, and their sponsorships. At the end of the trip, you’ll also be able to enjoy two tasty Heineken beers included in the price.

 

15. Royal Palace

The Royal Palace at the popular Dam Square in Amsterdam is just one of three castles owned by the Dutch royal family. However, the castle isn’t used as a residence but is instead used for state visits and royal ceremonies.

As one of the only royal castles in the world, you can get on a tour of the lavish rooms. The royal palace is almost always open to the public – unless the royal family uses it themselves.

During the tour, you get a completely unique opportunity to see the rooms where the royal family parties and eats during state visits and ceremonies. You can also enjoy the view from the balcony from which the royal family tends to wave to the people.

If you’re interested in beautiful castles and royal families, then the Royal Palace is a must-see in Amsterdam. But even though the castle is impressive, you shouldn’t expect to see one of the most magnificent castles in Europe.

 

16. Begijnhof

In Amsterdam, you’ll be able to find 51 hidden idyllic courtyards, also called hofjes. They’re extremely popular for tourists to visit when visiting Amsterdam.

The absolute most beautiful and popular courtyard in Amsterdam is the Begijnhof. This courtyard is located near many of the major sights of Amsterdam.

Begijnhof is one of the oldest hofjes in the city and is well hidden away from the bustle of the big city. Here there’s a beautiful and idyllic atmosphere with a green lawn surrounded by historic buildings.

Enjoy the view of the old iconic houses or visit the secret church. Also, don’t forget to see the wooden house Het Houten Huys, which dates from 1528 and is said to be the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam.

 

17. Van Gogh Museum

In Amsterdam, there’s a museum dedicated to the magnificent Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. Here you’ll find the largest collection of his works in the world. Despite his short lifespan, the museum still houses no less than about 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters created by Van Gogh himself.

The museum consists of four floors where you can learn much more about the different phases of Van Gogh’s life. He often expressed his feelings through colors, and it’s often easy to see through the paintings whether he was in a good or bad phase in life.

You should be aware that the Van Gogh Museum is a very popular sight in Amsterdam. It is visited by millions of people every year, so it may be a good idea to book your tickets in advance.

 

18. A’DAM Lookout

If you’re looking for the best viewing platform in Amsterdam, I highly recommend visiting the A’DAM Lookout.

Step into the fast lift which transports you to the 20th floor in 22 seconds, after which you arrive at the viewpoint at approximately 328 feet / 100 meters altitude. From here you’ll get a breathtaking 360-degree view of Amsterdam with the busy harbor and the many canals.

If you’re a very brave person and don’t suffer from fear of heights, you can challenge yourself by trying Over The Edge. This is the tallest swing in all of Europe! It literally lets you swing back and forth over the edge of the tower at about 328 feet / 100 meters altitude! It’s insane!

 

19. Bloemenmarkt

Bloemenmarkt is the only floating flower market in the world and is one of the most fragrant and colorful things to do in Amsterdam. The colorful flower market has existed since 1862 and is beautifully located on houseboats along the Singel-Canal.

At the flower market, you can of course buy a wide selection of flowers according to the seasons. But you can also buy other things such as bouquets, bulbs, seeds, herbs, potted plants, and everything else that belongs.

Bloemenmarkt is also the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a typical Dutch souvenir. In addition to the many flowers, you can also find a large selection of souvenir shops with everything from keychains to clogs and windmills.

The market isn’t particularly large, but it’s still worth a visit. Bloemenmarkt is held every day of the week, except on Sundays.

 

20. Oude Kerk

Oude Kerk is a historic old church that was completed back in 1306. Therefore, it’s thus the oldest building in all of Amsterdam. The church was built on top of an old cemetery, which is confirmed by the church floor which consists exclusively of tombstones.

The historic church is strangely located next to the Red Light District which stands in stark contrast to the church. Here the religious place stands side by side with red neon lights and brothels with prostitutes in the windows.

If you would like a great view of the area, then you can choose to climb the 220 feet / 67 meters high church tower. But you should be aware that it’s only possible to visit the tower on a guided tour of the Oude Kerk.

 

21. Nemo Science Museum

The Nemo Science Museum is a popular science center and is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam if you’re traveling in Amsterdam with children. Nemo boasts of being the largest science center in the Netherlands with several fascinating exhibitions spread over four floors.

When you visit the Nemo Science Museum, you can look forward to countless hours of fun and games for both children and adults. Along the way, you can make huge soap bubbles, experiment in the laboratory, watch entertaining shows, and much more.

So, that’s all on this list of the very best things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands. What are your favorite things to do in Amsterdam? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Amsterdam? Feel free to leave a comment.

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