Things to do in Amsterdam
Do you have a little free time while in Amsterdam? Looking for a walking tour or something special to do?
Below are suggested activities you can book on your own. Enjoy!
A Note from Stephanie
Most times when we visit Amsterdam, we meander around town, dipping down alleys, crossing bridges, and pulling up a bench to watch the world go by. Amsterdam is super easy to get around on foot. You can cover a lot of ground by just walking around. The scenery is so beautiful and different from anywhere else. The bicycles, flowers, canal houses, red light district, coffee shops, pubs, boats, buskers, pedestrian zones, pancakes, stroopwafels, and more will be the backdrop kicking off our tour!
As you walk around, be sure to look inside the windows of the places you’re passing by. You may see something that you’ve never experienced before! Also, keep your head on a swivel. I would believe that the most common injury to tourists in Amsterdam is getting hit by a bicycle. They are EVERYWHERE!
If you’re looking for a place to sit and rest and the sign says “Coffee Shop”, you will not find your favorite hot beverage there, but instead, a menu for smoking utensils and ‘goods’ from the local growers.
Amsterdam is generally safe, but always use your diligence to keep yourself and your belongings secure. If you happen to find the red light district, remember, no photos! All of the things mentioned in this post are things every visitor should experience while visiting Amsterdam, and yes, including the Red Light District! Check it out and have a great time! ~Stephanie
Bicycle Tour
Once you step out of Centraal Station, you will quickly realize that riding bicycles in Amsterdam is a way of life. As a tourist, you must be sure to check for bicycles every time you cross a street! It’s crazy! However, taking a bike tour is one of our favorite things to do, because, why not?! It’s the best way to see a lot of area in a short amount of time, and it’s absolutely exhilarating!
Van Gogh Museum with Audio or Guided Tour
The Van Gogh Museum is quite excellent and very well done. During the museum tour, you can read his letters, view masterpieces, and learn about the life of this Dutch artist. Plan on spending around 2 hours here. Surrounding the museum property are several places to grab a bite. It’s a great part of town!
Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks Option
Seeing the city from a canal cruise is a must-do for every visitor. We have taken a couple of canal cruises over the years, and each one has its own personality and flair. Once you exit Centraal Station, you will be bombarded with ‘cattle boat’ tour operators. These are fine if you want a “quick, let’s go” option; however, I recommend taking a smaller, less crowded tour. This way, you can talk and ask questions to the captain directly.
Please note, the picture below was taken on July 6th, 2024, and folks are wearing jackets!
10 Tastes of Amsterdam walking tour
Eat your way around Amsterdam during this small-group walking tour. The tour covers 1.5 miles and stops at 5 different eateries that most tourists miss. Taste stroopwafels, Gouda cheese, and more!
Visit top neighborhoods such as Spui, Nine Streets, and the Jordaan with your personal guide. Having a guide is the best way to learn about the area, plus you will leave this tour with a full belly and an insider’s guide on “Where to Eat in Amsterdam”.
Guided Zaanse Schans Windmill Village – Half Day
If you find yourself with a half day to take a tour of this quaint windmill village, I highly recommend it. It is so picturesque and totally Dutch! We enjoyed our visit here a few years ago and recommend it to anyone visiting the Netherlands.
We packed some snacks in our day packs, as there are benches and picnic tables around the village that you can sit and nibble. Some concessions sell snacks. For a small cash fee, you can visit and tour a couple of the windmills. It’s like stepping back in time, Dutch style.
Our Lord in the Attic Museum
I loved this museum so much, I’ve been twice! Back in 1661, a wealthy Catholic merchant purchased a small cluster of canal houses and started building a church inside because, at that time, the Protestants were in power, and the Catholics were no longer allowed to attend mass in public churches.
The Catholics, instead, would gather in hidden house churches. This church in the attic is well-preserved and offers visitors a space for reflection, along with insight into how people lived, worked, and worshipped in the 17th century.
National Maritime Museum
If you love the maritime, you will love this museum! We spent a couple of hours wandering through the Netherlands National Maritime Museum. You will see lots of artifacts from the sea faring times, generations ago. The museum is very well laid out with a nice large courtyard in the middle for a coffee or snack. Then, choose a wing to go explore. Be sure to visit the fancily decorated Royal Barge from the early 1800’s. It’s quite the spectacle!
A’DAM Lookout and swing
During one visit to Amsterdam, we were standing outside of Centraal Station, watching the main canal, and I happened to notice something peculiar on top of a building across the way. It looked like a swing on the edge! After a quick search, I had purchased Lee and I tickets to Swing over Amsterdam! He wasn’t too thrilled about this thrill seeking activity, but he agreed and it was actually very fun!
If you do not choose to swing over the edge, the lookout is still spectacular and the lounge has craft cocktails that are mighty delicious!
Breakin’ It Down: Things to do in Amsterdam
Whether you choose to join a tour or just walk on your own, there are lots of cool things to experience in Amsterdam. This blog post certainly is not a comprehensive list, but a very good collection of cool things to do. You will be thinking about your next visit because you simply won’t be able to take it all in at once! Most importantly, get out there and experience this amazing city and the cultural experiences that it offers.