Things to do · Amsterdam
The Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
Planning your Amsterdam trip? These are the experiences travelers loved most this year — from must-see icons to neighbourhood gems locals quietly recommend. Amsterdam is the kind of city that rewards both first-timers and returning visitors. Known for its canals, museums, cycling, this North Holland capital is best visited april to september. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, our guide brings together the city's most-loved attractions, neighbourhood gems, restaurants and stays.
73 best things to do in Amsterdam
73 of 73- 1
The national museum of the Netherlands, home to Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer's Milkmaid.
4.8(48,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 2
The largest collection of Vincent van Gogh's paintings, drawings and letters in the world.
4.7(32,140)AmsterdamVisit official website - 3
The hidden annex where Anne Frank wrote her diary during the Nazi occupation.
4.7(56,800)AmsterdamVisit official website - 4
Amsterdam's most beloved park — perfect for cycling, picnics and outdoor concerts.
4.7(21,900)AmsterdamVisit official website - 5
Seven million tulips in a 32-hectare park — open only in spring.
4.6(18,420)AmsterdamVisit official website - 6
The Netherlands' leading museum for modern and contemporary art and design.
4.5(14,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 7
Modern & contemporary museum featuring Banksy, Warhol, and immersive digital art.
4.4(22,120)AmsterdamVisit official website - 8
A hands-on science museum inside Renzo Piano's iconic green copper building.
4.6(18,430)AmsterdamVisit official website - 9
The actual home and studio where Rembrandt lived and painted for 20 years.
4.5(7,820)AmsterdamVisit official website - 10
Interactive tour of the historic Heineken brewery with tastings included.
4.5(41,200)AmsterdamVisit official website - 11
Amsterdam's historic central square, home to the Royal Palace and National Monument.
4.5(28,100)AmsterdamVisit official website - 12
A 17th-century Golden Age palace on Dam Square, still used by the Dutch royal family.
4.5(9,120)AmsterdamVisit official website - 13
Amsterdam's most picturesque neighbourhood — narrow canals, indie shops and brown cafés.
4.8(14,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 14
Nine charming canal-side streets packed with boutiques, vintage shops and cafés.
4.7(11,200)AmsterdamVisit official website - 15
The largest daily street market in the Netherlands, in the lively De Pijp neighbourhood.
4.5(16,400)Amsterdam - 16
Indoor food hall with 20+ stalls inside a converted tram depot.
4.5(12,300)Amsterdam - 17Artis Royal Zoofamily
The oldest zoo in the Netherlands, with a planetarium, aquarium and beautiful gardens.
4.6(18,920)Amsterdam - 18Leidsepleinnightlife
Amsterdam's buzzing nightlife square with clubs, theatres and late-night cafés.
4.4(13,200)Amsterdam - 19
Panoramic rooftop with Europe's highest swing, overlooking the IJ and city centre.
4.6(21,300)AmsterdamVisit official website - 20
A serene medieval courtyard hidden in the heart of Amsterdam.
4.7(9,120)AmsterdamVisit official website - 21
Amsterdam's most famous wooden drawbridge over the Amstel river.
4.6(5,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 22
A vast forest park three times the size of New York's Central Park.
4.7(12,100)AmsterdamVisit official website - 23
A leafy urban park surrounding a former gasworks turned cultural hub.
4.6(8,420)AmsterdamVisit official website - 24
One of the world's oldest botanical gardens, founded in 1638.
4.5(6,210)Amsterdam - 25
Free open-air concerts, comedy and theatre every summer weekend.
4.7(3,210)Amsterdam - 26
A winter festival of light art installations along the canals.
4.6(14,200)AmsterdamVisit official website - 27King's Day Amsterdamseasonal
The world's biggest orange street party — every 27 April.
4.8(22,100)Amsterdam - 28
Two weeks of celebration culminating in the famous canal parade in early August.
4.8(18,400)AmsterdamVisit official website - 29
A 5D flight experience soaring over the Netherlands' most beautiful landscapes.
4.6(9,120)AmsterdamVisit official website - 30
Huge indoor playground built inside a former traffic tunnel — perfect for rainy days.
4.5(4,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 31
The world's only microbe museum — see life invisible to the naked eye.
4.6(5,820)AmsterdamVisit official website - 32
Small-group tasting tours through hidden Dutch food spots.
4.9(3,210)Amsterdam - 33
Guided tasting of Dutch cheeses paired with wine and stroopwafels.
4.7(4,810)Amsterdam - 34
Hands-on workshop where you bake your own warm Dutch stroopwafels.
4.8(2,120)Amsterdam - 35
Paint your own Delft Blue souvenir in a centrally located studio.
4.7(1,420)Amsterdam - 36
Working windmills, wooden houses and a clog factory just 20 minutes from Amsterdam.
4.7(38,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 37
The tallest church tower in Amsterdam — Rembrandt's burial place, next to the Anne Frank House.
4.6(5,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 38Oude Kerkhistory
Amsterdam's oldest building, a Gothic church in the heart of the Red Light District.
4.5(4,820)Amsterdam - 39Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdamhistory
The royal coronation church on Dam Square, now a major exhibition venue.
4.5(4,210)Amsterdam - 40Het Scheepvaartmuseumfamily
The National Maritime Museum, with a full-size replica of an 18th-century VOC ship.
4.6(9,210)Amsterdam - 41Tropenmuseumculture
Ethnographic museum exploring world cultures inside a stunning 1920s building.
4.6(6,420)Amsterdam - 42
Cutting-edge international photography exhibitions on the Keizersgracht.
4.5(4,120)Amsterdam - 43Amsterdam Museumhistory
800 years of Amsterdam's history, told through art and artefacts.
4.4(3,210)Amsterdam - 44Houseboat Museumunique
Step inside a real houseboat on the Prinsengracht and learn how Amsterdammers live afloat.
4.5(2,810)Amsterdam - 45Body Worlds Amsterdamscience
The famous anatomical exhibition with real preserved human bodies.
4.5(8,210)Amsterdam - 46Amstelparkpark
A landscaped 1972 World Garden Show park with a rosarium and mini-railway.
4.6(4,210)Amsterdam - 47Park Frankendaelpark
Tranquil 18th-century estate park in Oost with a country house and herb garden.
4.6(2,210)Amsterdam - 48
- 49Sloterplaslake
A big lake on the west side with beaches, swimming and SUP rentals.
4.5(2,810)Amsterdam - 50Diemerparkpark
Wild urban nature park on a former landfill, with sweeping IJmeer views.
4.6(1,820)Amsterdam - 51Kalverstraatshopping
Amsterdam's busiest pedestrian shopping street, running from Dam Square to Muntplein.
4.4(18,200)Amsterdam - 52
Once voted the city's most fun shopping street — independent boutiques and delis.
4.7(5,210)Amsterdam - 53Noordermarktmarket
Saturday farmers' market and Monday flea market in the Jordaan.
4.7(6,210)Amsterdam - 54IJ-Hallenmarket
Europe's largest flea market, on the NDSM Wharf one weekend a month.
4.6(9,210)Amsterdam - 55P.C. Hooftstraatluxury
Amsterdam's luxury shopping street — Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton.
4.5(4,210)Amsterdam - 56NDSM Wharfnightlife
Post-industrial creative district across the IJ with festivals, clubs and beach bars.
4.6(7,420)Amsterdam - 57
Legendary live-music venue in a 19th-century church near Leidseplein.
4.7(8,210)AmsterdamVisit official website - 58
- 59De Schooltechno
24-hour club, restaurant and concert venue in a former technical school.
4.6(4,820)Amsterdam - 60
Beloved waterfront bar built from reclaimed wood — the city's best terrace.
4.6(11,200)Amsterdam - 61Boom Chicagocomedy
English-language improv comedy nightly in the Jordaan since 1993.
4.7(6,210)Amsterdam - 62
One of the world's finest concert halls — daily classical performances.
4.9(12,100)Amsterdam - 63Royal Theater Carrétheatre
Iconic 19th-century theatre on the Amstel — musicals, opera, comedy.
4.7(5,210)Amsterdam - 64
Behind-the-scenes tours and matchday tickets at Ajax's home stadium.
4.6(4,210)Amsterdam - 65Ziggo Domemusic
Amsterdam's biggest indoor arena, hosting the world's top music tours.
4.7(18,400)Amsterdam - 66Kinderkookkaféfamily
A child-run café in the Vondelpark where kids cook and serve the meal.
4.8(1,820)Amsterdam - 67The Amsterdam Dungeonfamily
Live-actor walk-through of 500 years of Amsterdam's darkest stories.
4.5(7,820)Amsterdam - 68
- 69
90-minute pirate-themed cruise — costumes, treasure hunt, kids menu.
4.7(1,820)Amsterdam - 70
500 years of bag and purse history in a beautiful canal house.
4.6(2,120)Amsterdam - 71
Tasting room from 1679 — try the Dutch national spirit, jenever.
4.8(3,210)Amsterdam - 72
Free tour of the diamond polishing workshop where the Koh-i-Noor was cut.
4.6(4,210)Amsterdam - 73
Eat unlimited Dutch pancakes while cruising the canals.
4.6(2,810)Amsterdam
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amsterdam famous for?
Amsterdam is best known for its canals, museums, cycling, as well as landmarks like Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Two to three days is ideal for Amsterdam. A long weekend lets you see the main highlights at a relaxed pace, while four or five days gives you time for day trips.
What is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
April to September is the most popular window — expect long days, café terraces in full swing and most attractions open daily.
Is Amsterdam easy to get around?
Yes. Amsterdam's historic centre is compact and walkable, and the city has excellent public transport and bike infrastructure typical of the Netherlands.
How do I get to Amsterdam from Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is the main international hub of the Netherlands. Schiphol Airport is 20 minutes from the city centre by direct train.