What do bicycles, canals, museums, cheese, tulips, and… coffeeshops have in common? That’s right: Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands is a city with a bohemian soul and metropolitan energy, where a picturesque past dances alongside a cool future. So we’ve prepared a list of 15 must-have experiences and things to do in Amsterdam, so you don’t get lost among windmills, stroopwaffels, and hurried cyclists.
If it’s your first visit, you might feel overwhelmed (in the best possible way). And if you’ve been here before, chances are you missed something last time – Amsterdam is the kind of city that reinvents itself at every turn.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Amsterdam – Recommendations for Every Budget
Amsterdam is a relatively small city, and accommodation prices can be… high. Fortunately, there are options for every taste – from charming family hotels to creative hostels and boutique stays with canal views. Here are a few choices that combine great location, comfort, and excellent reviews on Booking and Agoda:
📍 For a romantic or cultural first visit
🛎️ Hotel Estherea – A decorative jewel in classic style, located right by the canals, just a few steps from Dam Square. Elegant rooms, delicious breakfast, and reviews that make it feel like something out of a movie.
🛎️ INK Hotel Amsterdam – MGallery – Modern, urban, with a creative vibe and Instagrammable rooms. Close to everything that matters.
📍 For a mid-range budget, but with style and local charm
🚲 Mr. Jordaan – A cozy hotel in one of Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhoods. Quiet, photogenic streets and great coffee on every corner.
🚇 Motel One Amsterdam-Waterlooplein – Smart design, comfortable rooms, very close to the metro and the old center. Friendly prices, especially for Amsterdam.
📍 For smart travelers, on a low budget or solo
🛏️ ClinkNOORD – An artistic and social hostel, located in Amsterdam Noord, across the canal. Free ferry to the center in 5 minutes, in an area buzzing with creative energy.
🌍 The Flying Pig Downtown – The classic backpacker hostel, with a laid-back vibe, its own bar, and an excellent central location.
💡 Tip: Book your accommodation early, especially during spring months (March–May), when it’s tulip season and King’s Day, and on weekends. Prices can rise quickly!
Top 15 Unmissable Experiences and Things to Do in Amsterdam, the Capital of the Netherlands
🎧 1. Take a guided tour through the Old Town – to understand what you’re seeing
Amsterdam is a city full of stories on every street corner – only many of them are hidden behind elegant facades or steamy windows clouded with history.
A guided tour through the city center (on foot or by bike) is a great way to discover what the city really means: from Dam Square and the old Jewish Quarter to tales of merchants, urban pirates, and… the world’s first bankers.
You can go for a classic tour, an alternative one (street art & coffeeshops), or even a theatrical one with costumed guides. Seriously, those exist!
🚤 2. Take a boat ride on the city’s canals – one of the best things to do in Amsterdam
If you haven’t taken a boat ride through Amsterdam’s canals, you’ve been… but you haven’t really been. There are over 100 km of canals and 1,500 bridges – it’s like Venice moved to Northern Europe.
There are options for every style: from classic cruises with audio guides and glass roofs, to romantic sunset dinners, eco-boats, or even cheese and wine tasting cruises. You can also choose a small electric boat tour with a local guide and feel like you’ve got your own Dutch gondolier.
Tip: If you go at sunset, the atmosphere is magical, and the lit-up bridges add a touch of romance even if you’re alone. Bonus: fewer crowds.
💋 3. Explore the Red Light District – with an open mind
It’s not just about red-curtained windows. De Wallen (as the locals call it) is one of the oldest parts of the city, with a fascinating mix of history, liberalism, and urban reality.
You can walk around on your own (watch the rules – no photos!), but a guided tour will explain how the legal sex industry works, why the Netherlands is a model in many ways, and how all of this blends with medieval architecture, churches, and quiet canals. A delicious contrast. Be curious, but respectful. The area deserves to be explored without prejudice, but with your head on straight.
Did you know? This district appeared under the protection of the Church itself. Sailors docking in the ports would “corrupt” virginal girls from good families. So the Church came up with this idea to “protect” them. Even more, they invented prepaid penance for sailors. That way, if they knew they were about to sin, they could pay the “fine” in advance and be forgiven – since it was considered a donation to the Church.
🖼️ 4. Visit the Rijksmuseum – a lesson in art, culture, and Dutch egos
A museum for everyone who thinks they don’t like museums. The Rijksmuseum is home to Dutch treasures – paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer, but also ship models, 17th-century dolls, honor swords, and Asian art.
The main attraction? Rembrandt’s The Night Watch – a gigantic masterpiece that makes you feel small and at the same time lucky to see it in real life. The building itself is spectacular, and the museum gardens are a great spot for a break.
🎨 Travel tip: Entry is by time slots and can get crowded – book tickets online. Early morning = better photos, no heads in the frame.
🌻 5. Visit the Van Gogh Museum – an emotional journey through color
The Van Gogh Museum is not just a place to see paintings – it’s an experience where you gradually enter the mind and soul of a brilliant artist.
You’ll go from early sketches and family portraits to the famous Sunflowers, Self-Portrait, and Starry Night (yes, it’s there!).
The exhibition is chronological, easy to follow, with excellent explanations. It also includes letters to his brother Theo, which make everything even more human.
🎧 Recommendation: It’s worth getting the audio guide – it explains not just what you’re seeing, but also what Van Gogh was feeling when he painted.
🏠 6. Anne Frank House – a lesson in humanity and one of the most emotional things to do in Amsterdam
A visit to the Anne Frank House is not your typical tourist experience. It’s a deep, sometimes heavy, but essential visit to understand recent history and the fragility of freedom. You’ll step into the secret annex where Anne and her family hid for two years during the Nazi occupation. The space is small, quiet, and full of emotion.
The exhibition is well-curated, with fragments from the original diary and details about daily life in hiding. You can’t leave without a lump in your throat — but maybe also with a sense of hope.
📅 Important: Tickets are only available online and sell out quickly. It’s best to buy them a few weeks in advance. The entry also includes a 30-minute video introduction, which is absolutely worth it. You can also enrich your knowledge by going on a tour dedicated to Anne Frank.
🍺 7. Heineken Experience – beer, fun, and a bit of history
In a city of canals, art, and tulips — why not a bit of foam, too? The Heineken Experience is more than a visit to a former brewery — it’s an interactive, well-organized tour with history, creative marketing, tastings, and even a mini “you are the beer” simulation.
Perfect for a fun break between serious museums, Heineken is a place where you’ll learn how beer is made — and how it became a global brand. At the end, you get two cold beers at the bar. Or a soft drink, if you prefer something else.
🍻 Tip: If you go in the afternoon, the atmosphere is livelier. There are also extended tasting tours for beer lovers.
🧇 8. Stroopwafel-making workshop – one of the most authentic things to do in Amsterdam
Have you ever tasted a warm stroopwafel, fresh off the press? If not, your (temporary) inner Dutch deserves this joy. You can learn how to make the delicious “stroopwafels” — thin waffles stuck together with a generous layer of flavored caramel. (Is that really how it works? Join a workshop and find out.)
The workshops are fun, friendly, hosted by locals — and at the end, you leave not only with sweet treats, but also with the recipe and the story behind it. Ideal for families, couples, or anyone who wants a taste of something truly Dutch.
🍯 Sweet info: Some workshops also include good coffee or a short stroll through the market — perfect for a cozy morning in Amsterdam.
🎨 9. Explore the Jordaan district – artsy, relaxed, local
If the old city center ever feels too crowded, Jordaan is exactly what you need. Once a working-class neighborhood, now a bohemian paradise, Jordaan charms you with narrow streets, quiet canals, cozy cafés, and small art galleries.
There’s no must-see checklist here. Just walk around, step into artisan bakeries, flip through old books in second-hand shops, or snap a photo of leaning houses and bikes lined up like a living painting.
☕ Suggestion: Find a brunch spot on the weekend — locals know Jordaan is perfect for lazy mornings. Bonus: the local flea markets are full of unexpected treasures.
🍽️ 10. Lunch or dinner at A’DAM Lookout – with a view over the whole city
Want a WOW panorama without climbing historic buildings? A’DAM Lookout is a modern observation deck across the river in Amsterdam North. The elevator ride up is fast and spectacular, and at the top you’ll find a 360° view of the city, the IJ river, and even the harbor.
Want something even more memorable? Have lunch or dinner at the restaurant upstairs. It’s not just about the food — it’s about the atmosphere. And yes, there’s also the famous “Over the Edge” swing for those who want an adrenaline rush.
🌇 Recommendation: Book a table at sunset for the full experience. And if you’re into photos, this is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Amsterdam.
🍸 11. Bols Cocktail Experience & Workshop – Amsterdam with a dash of style
You might not know this, but Lucas Bols has been producing spirits since 1575 — which means the Dutch know a thing or two about liqueurs. At the Bols Cocktail Experience, you’ll learn how to combine flavors, colors, and techniques to create spectacular drinks. You can explore the interactive museum, then craft your own cocktail under the guidance of a professional mixologist.
It’s the perfect way to end the day with a touch of class and taste. Bonus: the futuristic bar at the end and some clever lighting effects make it feel like a scene out of a cool Netflix series.
🍸 Pro tip: It’s more fun as a couple or with a group of friends — and don’t forget to snap a photo with your creation!
🤯 12. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! – one of the weirdest things to do in Amsterdam
If you need a break from serious museums and want to feel like a kid again, Ripley’s is the perfect pick. You’ll find a weird and wonderful collection — from dinosaur bones and shrunken tribal heads to giant statues made of buttons, funhouse mirrors, and illusion tunnels.
It’s part museum, part theme park, and part Instagram heaven. Great for families, or anyone who wants to laugh a little and discover just how bizarre the world can be.
👀 Tip: Try visiting early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s less crowded.
🎨 13. Rembrandt House Museum – inside the master’s studio
Anyone who says art is boring has never been to Rembrandt’s house. Located in the historic center of Amsterdam, this beautifully restored building takes you back to the 17th century. Rembrandt lived and painted here for 20 years.
Along with period-furnished rooms, you’ll discover how he mixed his paints, chose his subjects, and you can even watch live etching demonstrations.
🎨 Suggestion: Combine your visit with the Rijksmuseum if you want to see his masterpiece, The Night Watch. They go perfectly together — like a classic duo.
🚴 14. Bike trip to Zaanse Schans – windmills, cheese, and fresh air
Amsterdam is full of bikes, but if you want to use them the Dutch way, take a trip out to Zaanse Schans. The scenery is straight out of a storybook: working windmills, traditional wooden houses, cheese shops, and wooden clog workshops. The Dutch call it a “living museum” — and they’re right.
It’s easily accessible by bike (or train + bike rental) and makes for a perfect half-day escape from the city. You can sample local cheeses, step inside a real windmill, and take postcard-perfect photos.
🚴♀️ Recommendation: Rent your bike early and go in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds. Or join a guided bike tour — often with cheese stops included!
🌷 15. A day trip to Keukenhof – one of the best things to do if you’re in Amsterdam in spring
If you’re in Amsterdam between mid-March and early May, do not miss Keukenhof — a massive flower park bursting with millions (yes, millions!) of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and other spring blooms.
It’s a festival of color and fragrance like you’ve never seen. The romantic path lined with blossoming trees, themed pavilions, and stunning floral displays — all are must-sees. And if you’re into photography… make sure your phone is fully charged.
🌼 How to get there: There are direct buses from Amsterdam, or you can join a guided tour — with or without a stop at a tulip farm.
🧳 Conclusion: Things to do in Amsterdam – more than canals and bicycles
Amsterdam isn’t just a city to visit — it’s a city to live, even if only for a few days. Whether you’re into world-famous museums or charming neighborhoods, lunch with a panoramic view or learning to make stroopwafels, the city always offers something memorable.
💡 Choose what fits you: a romantic canal cruise, a guided tour full of quirky stories, or a countryside trip with wind in your hair and the smell of fresh cheese.
You don’t have to tick everything off at once — Amsterdam is the kind of city that makes you want to come back. So enjoy each experience at your own pace, let yourself be surprised by the little details, and don’t forget to slow down with a drink on a canal-side terrace.
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