There’s a first time for everything right? Amsterdam is one of the most popular and fascinating destinations on the planet! With a dynamic culture and layered history, this is an essential stop on anyone’s Europe adventure. If this is your first time travelling to Amsterdam then check out this travel guide to Amsterdam and you will be well on your way to ticking off all the amazing things to do in Amsterdam.
A quick note on the I Amsterdam sign:
The sign was removed from the city around the end of 2018 however, there are other I Amsterdam signs around such as the one at Schiphol airport. (Which is where I took my photo.)
Guide to Amsterdam- The Logistics
Tips for Travelling Europe
Travel with an eSim: Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travelers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards). More than one million people are already using Airalo’s eSIMs.With eSIMs from Airalo, travelers can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries/regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as they land.
Compensation for delayed or canceled flights: Since 2013, AirHelp has helped more than 10 million passengers understand their rights and receive up to €600 in compensation for delayed or canceled flights.
RailEurope: Rail Europe is the leading distributor of European rail products. The company provides access to an extensive array of rail products from over 50 European train companies. Rail Europe helps travelers find their own path by guiding and offering tools and inspiration for traveling by train in Europe.
Car Rental: Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They make eight million bookings a year (and counting) in over 60,000 locations across 160 countries. Rentalcars.com offers 24/7 customer service, connect you to the biggest brands in car rental and their website is available in 43 languages.
Trip Advisor: Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site to discover where to stay, what to do, and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than one billion reviews and opinions of nearly eight million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants, and discover great places nearby.
Accommodation: I always find the cheapest rates by searching Hotellook– a service that helps you find and compare prices on hotels around the world, provided by a leading reservation system. Today, Hotellook.com offered to put together information on more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Things to do in Amsterdam:
Rent a Bike
If you’re going to only do one thing from this guide to Amsterdam then it’s gotta be to rent a bike! Amsterdam is known as the bike capital of the world and The Netherlands claim to have an average of 1.3 bicycles per person!
Meander through the Canals
Wander through the canals of Amsterdam by foot or bike and explore the unique beauty of this city!
The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht) were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age and commenced the Dutch capitals’ system of waterways. Now popularly known as the “Venice of the North”, Amsterdam is considered one of the prettiest European capitals and is thus a pleasure to walk around in, especially if you don’t mind putting away your maps and getting lost in the exploration.
Not far from Amsterdam’s city center, the Jordaan district is one of the best loved neighborhoods in the city. Charming narrow streets give way to flower-lined canals, and there are plenty of quaint shops and boutiques, as well as cafes, restaurants and artists’ studios to keep everyone entertained.
Try the Local Food
I would highly recommend trying a food tour!
I find them to be the best way to try the local food. Wherever you go and whatever you try, there are bound to be dishes you prefer and others you dislike. A food tour will let you try a bit of everything without missing out or getting so full that you are bursting at the seams.
Book a recommended food tour here!
Visit the Museums on your travel guide to Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank Museum are the most popular and absolute must-sees and a must on your travel guide to Amsterdam.
Rijksmuseum – The National Dutch museum dedicated to the art and history of the country.
Anne Franke House – Inside the secret house where Anne Frank spent her journalling years during the Nazi Germany takeover of much of Europe and indeed, Amsterdam.
Van Gogh museum – A museum dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries.
You can purchase a City Pass to gain access to all of the museums however the Anne Frank House is not included.
Get a Skip The Line Ticket here!
Relax in one of Amsterdam’s many parks
One thing I would recommend on your travel guide to Amsterdam is biking or strolling through a park. The park lands in Amsterdam are really beautiful! Vondelpark is the largest and most popular park in Amsterdam and is an excellent place for relaxation, biking, walking, or even people-watching. I also found Rembrandt Park which is only a few mins away from Vondelpark and is much quieter and less crowded than its neighbour.
Get the Luminar 4.Trial download
Amsterdam’s Coffee Houses and Red Light District
Remember what I said earlier about a first time for everything? This travel guide to Amsterdam wouldn’t be without the two most popular tourist attractions included!
Amsterdam is home to what could easily be called the world’s most famous red-light district. While it’s not exactly my scene, I would still say it’s worth wandering around to see what the area is all about.
Again, if this is your first visit to Amsterdam then a wander in the red light district and trying some hash cake is worth a try at least once. Why visit Amsterdam without part-taking in the top two Amsterdam tourist attractions?
Take in a peep show and visit a coffee house – I did and now I always have a funny story to tell.
Visit Dam Square
Dam Square is the medieval centre and the most visited attraction in Amsterdam. Some popular sites within the area of Dam Square include Madame Tussauds, Ripleys Believe it or Not!, the Royal Palace, National Monument, Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and several other coffee shops, restaurants and shopping centres.
Cruise the Canals
A trip to Amsterdam is not complete without partaking in a cruise along the Canals! A cruise on the canals of Amsterdam is a great way to see the city and learn the history of it (most of the boat tours have running commentary and it is quite interesting!)
Go on a day trip to see the Windmills
We booked this tour and I highly recommend it!
Enter a famous Zaanse Schans windmill, walk past rows of wooden houses in Volendam, and discover how Dutch cheese is traditionally made. A perfect addition to your first time travel guide to Amsterdam.
Leave Amsterdam for half a day on a guided tour of the rolling Dutch countryside. Take a walk through the quaint streets of Edam. En-route to Volendam, stop to visit an old cheese farm to see how authentic Dutch cheese is made. Indulge in trying some of these huge spheres of delicious cheese. Journey through the fishing village of Volendam’s winding streets. Enjoy some free time to eat lunch. Next, move on to visit the windmill village of Zaanse Schans where you can see the authentic windmills. Visit a wooden shoe factory and behold how traditional clogs are created using antique machines. Afterward, go inside a windmill and take a look at all the mechanisms and go out onto the platform for a remarkable view over the surrounding area. You will be filled with a newfound knowledge and a taste of the traditional Dutch ways of life.
Book this highly recommended day trip to the windmills and cheese farm!
Over to you, what things would you tick off your bucket list from this Guide to Amsterdam?
***
As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post includes affiliate links and any purchases made through these links will earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep this site going!
***
Like this Post? Save it on Pinterest!
