Amsterdam Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Itinerary, Transports, FAQs

Last Updated on 29/03/2025

Amsterdam Travel Guide – This Amsterdam travel guide highlights the top 12 things to do in Amsterdam and 7 Day Trips to nearby towns & attractions, a 5-day itinerary, recommended areas for accommodation, transportation tips, and answers to common questions for first-time visitors.

Contents

My Amsterdam Story

Before jumping into all the practical details, let me share a little personal story about this city.

To be honest, before moving to the UK, I never had plans to visit the Netherlands. My only association with the country was the milk brand FrieslandCampina. But with flights to Amsterdam being ridiculously cheap, I couldn’t resist Googling what the city had to offer. And thank goodness I did! Amsterdam has now become one of my must-visit European cities that I can’t stop revisiting.

When I mentioned to my British colleagues that I was going to Amsterdam, their eyes lit up as if I were about to embark on a never-ending party. (Surely they don’t think this city is only about weed and the Red Light District, haha!)

But what really captured my heart were the canals, the bikes, the rich history, and the incredibly flexible vibe of the city. On top of that, I even landed a freelance SEO contract with a Dutch company because of this city. How’s that for a pleasant surprise?

Most of the attractions introduced below are places I’ve personally visited, while some are spots I couldn’t explore this time. Nonetheless, I’ve gathered relevant information for you and will gradually add detailed guides with photos and descriptions for the places I’ve visited!

Amsterdam Top Attractions List: Map & Categories

This map includes must-visit attractions in Amsterdam and its nearby areas, along with my recommended restaurants and local delicacies.

The map is set to English by default. Simply click on the 'Enlarge Map' icon in the top right corner to switch to your preferred language!

For attractions overview and visitor details ⬇️

Top 12 Things to Do in Amsterdam｜First-Time Visitor Guide

Day Trips From Amsterdam – Top 7 Nearby Towns and Attractions

Amsterdam City Attractions

Amsterdam Canals
Anne Frank House
Van Gogh Museum
Rijksmuseum
Royal Palace Amsterdam
Albert Cuyp Market

Unique Experiences & Activities in Amsterdam

Heineken Experience
A’DAM Lookout
The Bulldog Coffeeshop (Cannabis)
Red Light District
Red Light Secrets
Casa Rosso Theatre Sex Show

Day Trips From Amsterdam

Zaanse Schans
Keukenhof
Alkmaar Cheese Market
Giethoorn
Kinderdijk
Day Trip to Rotterdam
Day Trip to The Hague

How Many Days In Amsterdam? 5-Day Itinerary

If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, it’s recommended to allocate at least three days to explore the city’s classic attractions. For nearby regions and other Dutch cities, five to six days would give you a more relaxed schedule.

My Suggested 5-Day Amsterdam Itinerary

Day 1：Breakfast@Winkel 43 > Anne Frank House > The Lunch@Pancake Bakery > Royal Palace Amsterdam > Dam Square > Amsterdam Canal Cruise > Dinner@The Pantry
Day 2：Van Gogh Museum > Rijksmuseum > Lunch@Albert Cuyp Market > Heineken Experience > Dinner@The Seafood Bar
Day 3：Breakfast@Omelegg > A’DAM Lookout > Canal District Photos + Lunch > Red Light Secrets Museum > Cannabis Experience > Manneken Pis Fries > Red Light District > Casa Rosso Theatre Sex Show
Day 4：Day Trip: Alkmaar Cheese Market (only open Fridays from April to September in the morning) > Zaanse Schans
Day 5：Day Trip from Amsterdam: Rotterdam + Kinderdijk

Day 4 and Day 5 can also be flexibly arranged with the following day trips：

Comparison: I Amsterdam City Card, Museum Card, GoCity Amsterdam

Detailed Comparison：Amsterdam City Pass: I Amsterdam, Museumkaart, or GoCity?

	I Amsterdam Card	GoCity Amsterdam	Museum Card
Price	24 Hours: €65	1 Day: €99	1 Year: €75
	48 Hours: €90	2 Days: €119
	72 Hours: €108	3 Days: €119
Purchase Link	Buy I Amsterdam City Card Here	Buy GoCity Amsterdam Here	Official Website of Museum Card
GVB Transport Pass	Ｏ	Ｘ	Ｘ
Canal Cruise	Ｏ	Ｏ	Ｘ
Anne Frank House	Ｘ	Ｘ	Ｏ
Van Gogh Museum	Ｘ	Ｘ	Ｏ
Heineken Experience	Ｘ	Ｏ	Ｘ
Rijksmuseum (National Museum)	Ｏ	Ｏ	Ｏ
A’DAM LOOKOUT	Ｏ	Ｏ	Ｘ
Keukenhof Gardens	Ｘ	Ｏ	Ｘ
Zaanse Schans Windmill Village	Ｏ	Ｏ	Ｘ
Day Trip from Amsterdam: Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hague	Ｘ	Ｏ	Ｘ

In addition to the popular attractions mentioned, there are many other museums, tours, bike rentals, and activities available. I recommend researching the must-see spots in advance and deciding which tickets to purchase based on your needs. Sometimes, you can get better deals through the purchase links I provide, especially with GoCity!

Amsterdam Transport: City, Airport

Transportation from Amsterdam Airport to the City Centre

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (IATA: AMS) is the Netherlands' main international airport, connecting Europe and the rest of the world. There are several convenient transportation options from the airport to Amsterdam city centre:

Train：You can take a train operated by Dutch National Rail (NS) directly to Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal Station), which takes around 15-20 minutes and is the most economical and quickest option. ➡️ Train Transfers Between Airport and City Centre
Shuttle Buses：The 397 bus departs from the airport and stops at multiple locations in the city centre, making it a good option for travellers staying away from Central Station. ➡️ Bus Transfers Between Airport and City Centre
Taxies or Uber：Taxis and ride-sharing services are available at the airport, with a journey time of about 20-30 minutes, though the cost is relatively high.

Public Transportation in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, if you don't use the I Amsterdam City Card, it's recommended to purchase a public transport pass, which allows unlimited use of trams, buses, ferries, and the metro within a specified period. Based on my experience, you'll easily get your money's worth after just three trips in one day.

Metro one-way ticket price：€3.20 (2025)
Public transport pass：€9.00 (one day) | €15.00 (two days) | €21.00 (three days)

Buy Amsterdam Transport Pass Here

Amsterdam Train Travel to Other Cities

If Amsterdam is your stopover in Europe, taking the train is a great option from nearby cities. The main railway operator in the Netherlands is NS, connecting cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Groningen. You can check schedules via Google Maps, and buying tickets on-site is suitable for flexible itineraries.

If you can finalise your dates or routes in advance, you can enjoy early bird discounts or opt for passes to save on costs.

Eurail Global Train Pass for 33 European Countries

Where to Stay at Amsterdam

In conclusion, it's advisable to stay in the city centre, close to the Central Station or the canal district. This location can save you a lot on transportation costs and time, making it easier to explore nearby attractions. Alternatively, you might consider staying in a hotel near the museum district, where accommodation tends to be slightly cheaper (though still quite pricey). This area also has many attractions, but walking to the city centre will take about half an hour or you’ll need to take a metro ride.

Accommodation Selection Guide

My Bad Experience

During this trip, I chose to stay at the Aston City Hotel, which became a little episode in my journey. Considering that accommodation prices in central Amsterdam are generally quite high, especially during the last week of June, it wasn’t easy to find options under 1,000 HKD per night. In the end, I opted for this hotel, located not far from the Heineken Experience, with a rate of around 2,200 HKD for a three-night stay in a double room (after deducting membership points).

However, I hastily booked the hotel without thoroughly checking the reviews. As a result, the only advantages of this hotel were its low price and proximity to the museum district. The hotel facilities were outdated, the hallways were not clean, and the room even had an unpleasant smell! I couldn’t stand such an environment, so I hurriedly left the hotel at 5 a.m. the next morning to take photos as soon as the sun rose. Surprisingly, I captured stunning views of the canals and the sunrise, turning a misfortune into a blessing.

Frequently Asked Questions for an Amsterdam Trip

Q: What are the regulations in the Amsterdam Red-Light District?

A: Taking photos of the windows in the Red-Light District is not allowed. Please respect local regulations.

Amsterdam Red Light District

Q: Is cannabis legal in Amsterdam?

Important Notice：Cannabis is not legal in the Netherlands, but there is a so-called "tolerance policy" (gedoogbeleid), meaning the law is not enforced for the retail of small amounts of cannabis for personal use in designated "coffeeshops." (Plain language translation: Cannabis is decriminalised in Amsterdam, but only for use within coffeeshops.) Everyone's physical condition is different, so please assess your own tolerance and control your dosage.

Amsterdam Coffee Shop (Weed)

Q: What payment methods are accepted in Amsterdam, and how much cash should I prepare?

A: The main payment methods include credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards (Visa Debit, MasterCard Debit), cash, and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is less commonly used, as most payments can be completed via card or mobile payment.

Q: When is the best season to visit Amsterdam?

A: The best times to visit are spring (March to May) and summer (June to August), when the weather is pleasant, and daylight hours are long. Spring is ideal for seeing tulip fields, while summer is great for outdoor activities and city strolls. Autumn (September to November) is also a good option, with cooler weather and fewer tourists.

Q: What is the voltage and plug specification in the Netherlands?

A: The Netherlands uses a voltage of 220V and C-type and F-type plugs. It is advisable to bring an international power adapter.