Planning a short visit to Amsterdam and what to see the most of it in one day? Check out our top 15 list of things to do in Amsterdam.
1. Take a canal cruise
2. Visit the A’DAM Lookout for a bird’s eye view
3. Visit the world famous museums
4. Explore the Red Light District in Amsterdam
5. Browse the markets
6. Try the famous Dutch herring
7. Enjoy a cup of a coffee with a panoramic view of Amsterdam
8. Visit a 17th century canal-side mansion
9. Walk around the Jordaan area
10. Visit an authentic Dutch proeflokaal
11. Take a selfie with the I amsterdam sign
12. Visit the Pathé Tuschinski cinema
13. Visit the Amsterdam Chinatown
14. Buy something vintage in De 9 Straatjes (The Nine Streets)
15. Visit The Amsterdam Public Library (OBA)
Also goot to know:
- Best museums in Amsterdam
- Things to do in Amsterdam with kids
- I amsterdam City Card: discounts and tips
1. Take a canal cruise
Get on a boat and experience Amsterdam from water. If you are visiting Amsterdam for the first time, this is exactly where you should start! Most of the touristic boats provide a multi-language audio-guide. Good chance to learn a bit more about the Dutch capital and pick where you go next!
Our favourite canal cruises in Amsterdam are Lovers (you will see their black/orange boats everywhere in the city).
Check my top picks of things to do in Amsterdam on GetYourGuide.com >>
2. Visit the A’DAM Lookout for a bird’s eye view
The A’DAM LOOKOUT (Overhoeksplein 5) is an observation deck with a 360° panoramic view of Amsterdam. From the rooftop you’ll see the historical center, Amsterdam port, the unique Dutch polder landscape and much more!
The thrillseekers can also visit ‘Over the Edge’, Europe’s highest swing at a height of 100 meters at the edge of the A’DAM Tower.
Tip! Free entry to A’DAM LOOKOUT is now included in the I amsterdam City Card!
3. Visit the world famous museums
A visit to Amsterdam won’t be complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Both museums are extremely popular, so you need to make a reservation with a time-slot in advance.
Please note: tickets to the Van Gogh museum are usually sold out 2-3 weeks in advance. We recommend booking tickets as soon as you start planning your visit to Amsterdam.
Another great museum is The Moco Museum of modert art located just a few steps away from the Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum.
Tip! Visit the secret pink room on top of the Moco museum. It’s a VIP area based on a design by resident artist Six N. Five for the Art Basel 2022. Since recently you can visit this space, get curated introduction to the world of Moco and enjoy bubbles and bites in privacy. Book the Pink cloud experience in advance >>
4. Explore the Red Light District in Amsterdam
The Red Light District is the oldest part of Amsterdam, close to the train station. It’s worldwide known for its vibrant atmosphere and the red windows that display sex workers offering their services. Everybody is welcome to experience this unique part of Amsterdam!
5. Browse the markets
The floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), the Waterlooplein Market, Amsterdam’s most famous flea market, and the famous Albert Cuypmarkt food market are three great options.
Flower market in Amsterdam. Photo: Kristina Kutena, Kutena.nl
Waterlooplein flea market in Amsterdam
Albert Cuypmarkt in Amsterdam6. Try the famous Dutch herring
Here is a list of places where you can find it in the center of Amsterdam. Enjoy!
7. Enjoy a cup of a coffee with a panoramic view of Amsterdam
Exploring Amsterdam, you wouldn’t want to miss a moment. Feel like having a short break? Choose a place with the best panoramic view of Amsterdam! We have selected five cafés and restaurants where you can drink coffee, have lunch and enjoy a great view of Amsterdam.
8. Visit a 17th century canal-side mansion
Once homes for the wealthy Amsterdammers, some canal houses are now open to the public as museums. Here you can see the old interiors, ans well as various collections ranging from archeological artefacts to the modern art.
Here are some of canal house museums you can visit: Museum Van Loon (Keizersgracht, 672), Museum of the canals (Herengracht 386), Museum Willet-Holthuysen (Herengracht 605), FOAM museum of photography (Keizersgracht 609).
Tip 1: canal house museums also have great gardens, where you can enjoy peace and silence after long walks though Amsterdam. You can see the Van Loon museum garden on the photo below.
Tip 2. A single ticket to the canal house museums costs €15 – €17,50. But with I amsterdam city card you can visit them for free.
9. Walk around the Jordaan area
Here you can witness a non-touristic relaxed life of Amsterdam residents.
10. Visit an authentic Dutch proeflokaal
Behind the monument on Dam Square, at Pijlsteeg 31, you’ll find the Wynand Focking tasting room. In around 1679 it started as a liqueur distillery. Soon a tasting tavern was added. To this day all liqueurs and genevers here are still being made using the same 17th century traditional craft methods. Experience it yourself!
By the way, this building at Pijlsteeg 31 is also a prototype of KLM Delfts blue house number 11. Here is a great day itinenary: KLM houses walk in Amsterdam.
11. Take a selfie with the I amsterdam sign
Prior to 3 December 2018, there was a set of letters at Museumplein, in front of the Rijksmuseum. It was very popular among tourists. However these letters were removed at the request of the City of Amsterdam.
Right now there are two locations to find I amsterdam:
- A permanent set is at Schiphol Airport (Outside Arrivals 1).
- Another set is touring the city.
12. Visit the Pathé Tuschinski cinema
Even if you don’t have time to see a movie, check out the cinema hall which has preserved its antique interiors. It feels like travelling back in time. Stunning and impressive! You don’t need to have a ticket to enter the Pathé Tuschinski hall (Reguliersbreestraat 26-34).
Please note: starting from April 22 2024, the facade of Royal Theater Tuschinski will be extensively renovated. The emphasis of the restoration will be on the joints, window frames, copperwork and ornaments. The access to the main entrance may be limited. But Royal Theater Tuschinski will remain open during the work.
13. Visit the Amsterdam Chinatown
It’s a small vibrant neighbourhood between Zeedijk and Geldersekade streets and Nieuwmarkt square. And it’s not only the bright colours and tempting food smells that make this place special.
There is a story behind nearly every door here, from ‘t Aepjen cafe (Zeedijk 1), one of the oldest wooden buildings in Amsterdam, to the He Hua temple (Zeedijk 106-118) Buddhist temple.
14. Buy something vintage in De 9 Straatjes (The Nine Streets)
De 9 Straatjes, which in Dutch means the nine streets, is an authentic neighbourhood near the most beautiful canals (Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht) in the city centre. You’ll definitely enjoy a walk through these picturesque little streets! Here you can find it on the city map >>
De 9 Straatjes area offers a charming mixture of designer boutiques, art galleries, vintage clothing stores, and places to eat and drink. My favourite shop here is Laura Dols, Wolvenstraat 7, a cute vintage shop specializing in fifties clothing. Unique dresses, hats, shoes, bags, accessories and an extensive collection of ballroom and wedding dresses.
15. Visit The Amsterdam Public Library (OBA)
OBA (Oosterdokskade 143) is very popular among the locals and the tourists, especially with children. The entrance to the library is free. You can enter, take a comfortable seat, explore the books collection or just enjoy some peace and silence. On the top floor of he library there is a cafe and a panoramic terrace with a view over the city. Enjoy!
Have a nice day in Amsterdam, get inspired and… plan a new trip to the Netherlands!
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