Best things to do in Amsterdam

Visiting this vibrant city and wondering what to do in Amsterdam? We’ll leave you no time to be bored! On ThingstoDoinAmsterdam.com we’ll show you both the highlights and hidden secrets and guide you through them.

Amsterdam is a unique city in many kinds of ways: from its parks to the many museums and the romantic canal belt and from its characteristic architecture to its liberal laws on drugs and prostitution. We make sure you don’t have to miss out on anything, as we tell you all the things to do in Amsterdam and provide you with the best tips, photos, discounts, and information. On this page, you’ll find;

• Our top 10 to do’s in Amsterdam
• Must-see museums in Amsterdam
• Best attractions in Amsterdam
• To do’s in Amsterdam with kids
• To do’s in Amsterdam for adults
• Things to see in Amsterdam
• Unique to do’s in Amsterdam
• Cool places near Amsterdam

Our top 10 to-do’s in Amsterdam

Below, you’ll find our personal favourite 10 things to do in Amsterdam. For each of the items, we’ve also added a brief explanation of why we feel it deserves a spot on this list. Hopefully, this list will help you plan your city trip to Amsterdam;

1. Canal cruise; just like most of the Netherlands, the capital is below sea level. Therefore, water management is of existential importance to the Dutch. Amsterdam is built around countless canals and waterways connected by even more bridges. Alongside the canals, you’ll find the picturesque canal houses. The best way to see and comprehend this concept is by seeing it from the water. Therefore, our number 1 must-do in Amsterdam! If you want to take your cruise experience to the next level, also make sure to check out the options for a private canal tour, customized to your wishes.
2. Rijksmuseum; although small, the Netherlands has been an influential player in world history and culture. The Dutch have been roaming the world since the early days of international trade. In the Rijksmuseum, you’ll find artefacts and artworks that are significant for the history of the Netherlands.
3. Van Gogh Museum; arguably one of the most influential Dutch artists till today, is Vincent van Gogh. With his peculiar style, this painter has been a source of inspiration for many. In the Van Gogh Museum, you can admire some of his masterpieces in person.
4. Anne Frank House; the recent history of the Netherlands is heavily marked by the horrors of the Second World War. Amsterdam used to have a fairly big Jewish community. The story of Anne Frank lives on in the Anne Frank House. It’s important to keep this story alive, in the hope that for once, humanity learns from its past. Let us never discriminate against, or exclude from society, any population group.
5. Bike tour; there’s no place on earth where cycling is as popular as in Amsterdam. Due to the relatively small city centre, you can easily explore all the highlights in a few hours by bike. It’s a fun, convenient way to get around and you can blend in with the locals. Therefore, a bike tour is a great way of seeing the city!
6. Red Light District; the prostitution area of Amsterdam is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. Its history dates back to when sailors set sail from the Amsterdam harbour to roam the world. After months or even years at sea, the sailors returned hungry for love. That’s where the world’s oldest profession comes in.
7. ARTIS Royal Zoo; during a hectic city trip, it can be nice to take a step back for a while. A perfect place in the centre of Amsterdam to have such a moment is one of Europe’s oldest zoos. ARTIS is a small, historic zoo where one can relax and watch the inhabitants of the zoo go about their daily lives.
8. NEMO Science Museum; in this remarkable building, just east of Amsterdam Central Station, the mysteries of science will be unraveled with some practical experiments. This museum is an absolute must-do with kids, but also a fun, educational experience for older visitors!
9. National Maritime Museum; ship trade was of significant importance for Amsterdam in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the majestic building of the National Maritime Museum, you can learn more about how the rich maritime history turned a small country into a world player in international trade.
10. Day trips from Amsterdam; don’t get us wrong, we love Amsterdam! However, there are many more lovely cities and towns to explore in the Netherlands. These places are, in contrary to Amsterdam, still undiscovered by the big tourist crowds. Therefore they feel less commercial and we feel it’s worth taking a day or two to go beyond the city borders of Amsterdam!

Must-see museums in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, you’ll find enough museums to spend an entire month wandering through museums. However, most people only have a few days in the city, thus we selected three museums that you really can’t miss out on. If you have enough time, you might want to check out some of the other museums in Amsterdam as well! Even if you’re usually not the type of person who likes to visit museums, Amsterdam has some peculiar ones that might trigger your curiosity.

Best attractions in Amsterdam

The best attraction of Amsterdam does not exist, everything is great on its own. There is something for every budget. Amsterdam is an easy city to spend a lot of money as there’s a lot to see and do. The attractions in Amsterdam can have a major impact on your travel budget, so choose wisely. Check out the entrance prices and discounts on this website to make the most out of your budget. We’re constantly working on adding new attractions and experiences.

Latest activities in Amsterdam

As Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination, there are always new things to do popping up. Below, you’ll find some of the latest attractions or activities in Amsterdam that have recently opened their doors. Have you been to Amsterdam before and looking for something new? Make sure to check out these latest attractions and activities!

To-do’s in Amsterdam with kids

Are you looking for what to do in Amsterdam with your kids? There’s more than enough to do with kids in Amsterdam! A canal cruise, for instance, is a treat for the whole family. Watch the city passing you by from a boat. Fancy an interactive and educative museum? Visit BODY WORLDS,  Micropia in Artis Zoo, and the Nemo Science Centre. If you’re willing to travel a fair bit, Mardurodam is amazing with kids. Also, the theme park Efteling is a great place. In this fantasy theme park, you’ll be surrounded by fairy tales. For a more elaborate overview also check out our blog post on things to do with kids in Amsterdam.

To-do’s in Amsterdam for adults

Looking for stuff to do in Amsterdam for adults? Some things that Amsterdam is best known for are not exactly the places that you’d go to with the whole family. The unofficial slogan for the city used to be ‘Come for the weed, stay for the hookers’. Nowadays, Amsterdam still is home to a fair share of adult-only entertainment in specific places. Want to know more about this naughty part of the city? Make sure not to miss the following places and attractions.

Cheap activities to do in Amsterdam

As you already might know Amsterdam is not cheap. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good trip to Amsterdam if you’re on a budget. You might have to plan your trip a bit better, so you can find cheap alternatives. We will try and provide you with tips that save you money while still having an amazing experience. Take a look at our restaurants in Amsterdam page for instance, you’ll find really good meals for around €15,-. Also for a canal cruise there are cheap alternatives, such as sailing a small boat yourself. A day in the park, sightseeing or in a coffeeshop doesn’t have to cost much either! Stay tuned as we will be adding new activities in Amsterdam as much as we can!

Things to see in Amsterdam

Although the city is small, there are many many things to see in Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands is a unique city in many kinds of ways and sure is different from most of the European cities you might have visited. From the beautiful parks to the wide variety of markets and the many exhibitions. Get yourself a bike, this is the number 1 form of transport in Amsterdam! A fantastic way to tour and discover the city and surrounding areas.  Want to see it all? Visit the A’DAM Lookout for a magnificent view of Amsterdam.

Less-known things to do

For those of you who have visited Amsterdam before and have visited most of the highlights yet, we’ve crafted a top 10 with some less-know activities. Hopefully, you can find some cool things to add to your itinerary;

1. Nightlife of Amsterdam
2. Begijnhof
3. Our House
4. Amsterdam Noord
5. Visit a brown café
6. Straat Museum
7. Sleep on a houseboat
8. Watch a match at the Johan Cruijf Arena
9. Fabrique des Lumières
10. Visit Haarlem

What to do on a rainy day in Amsterdam?

So what to do on a rainy day in Amsterdam? In The Netherlands, we have a lot of rain. Big chance that during your trip to Amsterdam you will have to deal with a little rainfall. However, with some smart planning, you can try and make sure that you have some indoor activities planned. Luckily there’s a lot to do in Amsterdam that doesn’t require good weather. Our advice is to take a good look at the Amsterdam weather forecast just before coming to Amsterdam. A very popular website among locals is buienradar.nl; you can check real-time radar images to see if there’s any precipitation coming up. Bad luck? Rain coming up? Make sure to check out the following activities:

Unique to do’s in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of those cities with hidden secrets and unique things to do. A truly unique way of admiring all that Amsterdam has to offer is on a private canal cruise that can be tailored to your wishes. Want to visit the former brewery of a world-famous beer? Go visit the Heineken Experience. Want to check out a bar that is completely made out of ice? Go visit the Icebar. Not only the attractions of Amsterdam are unique and one of a kind, but also the history that is displayed in many of Amsterdam’s famous museums.

Where to go in Amsterdam?

During your stay in Amsterdam, you surely want to explore different kinds of areas. Get a taste of this vibrant city. But where to go in Amsterdam? The variety of neighbourhoods, shops and different spots is wild. Therefore, if you like exploring, Amsterdam suits you well. Go shopping in the Nine Streets, visit all kinds of museums at Museumplein, and take a rest in a so-called Dutch ‘hofje’.
We advise you to rent a bike, and from experience. By bike, you can easily get around all of the city highlights within an hour. Next the bike we know from our own experience that having a public transport card, helps you to travel quickly, and conveniently. Especially with the Noord-Zuidlijn, which is the metro, you can be at each central point within 15 minutes.

Take the Ferry

Ferries in Amsterdam are free to use, and a great way to travel to Amsterdam North. If the weather is good it’s a really pleasant short and quick trip. You can also take your bike on the ferries, and if the weather is bad, there’s the possibility of staying inside the boat.

Cool places near Amsterdam

Don’t get us wrong, we love Amsterdam. However, there’s much more to see and do in the Netherlands! The fact that the country is so small, makes it easy to travel around. There are other towns and cities with a completely different atmosphere to explore within less than an hour by public transport. What about Leiden, Muiden, Volendam and Weesp? You can even flee the busy city by bike and explore these hidden secrets surrounding Amsterdam. Thus we strongly recommend reserving at least one day for a day trip from Amsterdam.

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Check out our latest blogposts on the city of Amsterdam

Looking for even more information on Amsterdam and what’s going on in the city? Make sure to also check out our blogposts on Amsterdam. You can view our latest 3 posts below. We regularly update our blog with news, and things to do in the city of Amsterdam.