Last Updated on May 29, 2023

Amsterdam is a city with a rich cultural history and a vibrant atmosphere, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With its picturesque canals, historic architecture, and world-renowned museums, there are many things to do in Amsterdam. Especially when you are visiting Amsterdam for the first time! From exploring the city’s famous coffee shops and Red Light District to taking a relaxed boat tour through the 16th century canals, with this list with the must do’s in amsterdam you definitely won’t get bored when you are in Amsterdam.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the many activities and attractions that make Amsterdam a must-visit destination, and explain why you are sure to have an unforgettable experience in this beautiful and dynamic city. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to experience all that Amsterdam has to offer! Don’t forget to save this article, where we introduce you to the top things to do in Amsterdam!

20 Recommended things to do in Amsterdam:

1. Take a Stroll Through the Canals:

Amsterdam is known for its old canals from the 16th and the 17th century, which were all hand dug by men. A good way to get to know more about the city, is to start exploring the many canals! You can take a walking tour of the city’s canals and learn about the history of the city from a knowledgeable guide. Or you could also just start walking and see where you will end up (don’t forget to charge your phone if you want to do this).

Why are the Dutch canals so special? Well, the canals in Amsterdam are a network of waterways that stretch over 100 kilometers (60 miles) in total length. The three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, were dug in the 17th century and form concentric belts around the city center.

In addition to these main canals, there are several smaller canals through the city, making it a unique and beautiful destination. The canals are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are an essential part of Amsterdam’s identity and cultural history.

2. Visit the Rijksmuseum:

The Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions. It houses an impressive collection of Dutch art and artifacts from the Middle Ages through the present day. At the Rijksmuseum you can find world famous paintings like “The Night watch” by Rembrandt van RIjn and “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer.

👉 We have collected all the information you might want to know about the Rijksmuseum on this page

3. Go Shopping at the Kalverstraat, Nieuwendijk and 9 Straatjes:

Amsterdam is a great city for shopping. The city offers a diverse shopping experience, with everything from high-end fashion boutiques to independent shops, markets, and vintage stores. The shopping areas are also easy to navigate, with many located in the city center and within walking distance of each other.

Some of the most popular shopping areas in Amsterdam include Kalverstraat, Nieuwendijk, and 9 Straatjes (“9 Streets”).

Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk are located just next to the Dam Square (“de Dam”), making them easily accessible. The 9 Straatjes, or Nine Streets, are a charming area of Amsterdam in the Jordaan disctrict (west part of the city center) with a variety of (jewelery) boutiques and restaurants.

👉 Read here more about shopping in Amsterdam

4. Get Lost in the Red Light District:

The Red Light District is one of Amsterdam’s most unique attractions. From the famous prostitution windows to the coffee shops, it’s an experience you won’t forget soon. Here you will also find two very unique museums that you won’t find elsewhere in the world. Namely: “Red Light Secret” the world first prostitution museum and the “Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum” the oldest Cannabis Museum in the world.

5. Visit the Anne Frank House:

The Anne Frank House is a must-see for anyone visiting Amsterdam. The Anne Frank House is famous because it was the hiding place of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who kept a diary of her experiences during World War II.

The house is located at 263 Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, and it was where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis for two years during the German occupation of the Netherlands. Here, you can visit the secret Annex, a series of rooms that were hidden behind a bookcase, by yourself too.

👉 Read here more about the Anne Frank House and see how the house looks like.

6. Visit the Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is an absolute must-see in Amsterdam. This museum dedicated to the Dutch painter Van Gogh, houses the largest Vincent van Gogh’s collection in the world, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 personal letters.

The museum not only displays Van Gogh’s work but also includes pieces by other impressionistic artists who influenced him, such as Paul Gauguin and Jean-Francois Millet. Visitors can see how Van Gogh’s style evolved over time and how he was inspired by other artists.

Please note that you only can buy Van Gogh Museum tickets online, that is the only way to get in.

7. Take a Tour of the Heineken Brewery:

The Heineken Experience is a museum and interactive tour located in the former Heineken brewery in Amsterdam where the first bottles of Heineken beer were produced. The Heineken Experience provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the history of the Heineken brand, the brewing process, and the culture surrounding beer in the Netherlands.

One of the highlights is the tasting room, where visitors can sample freshly brewed Heineken beer, and learn how to properly pour and serve it! It is a fun and interactive way to learn about the history and brewing process of one of the world’s most popular beers.

The tour is suitable for beer enthusiasts and those curious about the brewing process, as well as anyone looking for an enjoyable and unique experience while in Amsterdam.

8. Rent and ride a Bike in Amsterdam:

Amsterdam is a great city for biking. You can rent a bike and explore the city at your own pace.

Amsterdam is a city truly made for cyclists. With its extensive network of bike paths and cycling infrastructure, biking through the city is a special way to experience the city.

Bikes are readily available for rent at various locations throughout the city, and visitors can choose from a range of bike styles, from classic Dutch bikes to modern electric bikes.

With a bike, you can explore Amsterdam at your own pace and discover not only the city center but also other areas like De pijp where the famous Albert Cuyp Market is located or stroll through the Vondelpark on the bike. In Amsterdam, you can easily park your bike. Just make sure to lock them with the lock you get.

⭐ As people bike very fast on the bike lanes in Amsterdam and the traffic is somehow complicated in the city center, we do recommend to avoid crowded places if you are somehow insecure about your cycling skills (hé, but practice makes perfect ;))

9. Visit the Amsterdam Tulip Museum:

The Netherlands is known for its tulips and Amsterdam has its own Tulip Museum! The Tulip Museum in Amsterdam is a museum totally dedicated to the history and significance of tulips in the Netherlands. The tulip is a symbol of Dutch culture and has played a significant role in the country’s history.

The museum also has a gift shop that sells a variety of tulip-related souvenirs, including tulip bulbs, postcards and you will even get to pick a few (wooden) tulips of your own!

10. Take a Canal Cruise:

Amsterdam has many great cruises available, such as a cheese cruise, sunset cruise, party cruise, smoke boat canal cruise, family friendly canal cruises etc.

Amsterdam is known for its charming canals, and a canal cruise allows you to experience this unique aspect of the city. On a cozy boat, you can see the city’s houseboats, floating flower markets, old churches and other historical building from close up!

Doing a canal cruise is a very relaxing way to explore Amsterdam, with many cruises offering both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks with comfortable seating. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery with your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friends or family while the boat go through the canals

11. Visit the Albert Cuyp Market:

The Albert Cuyp Market in “the Pijp” area is a great place to explore and find some unique items.

The Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam is one of the largest and most popular street markets in the Netherlands. It is located in the De Pijp neighborhood of Amsterdam and is open every day except Sundays. The opening hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM. The market offers a wide range of products, including fresh produce, fish, cheese, spices, flowers, clothing. This is also a very good place if you still need to buy some souvenirs! As they have stands selling typical Dutch souvenirs like wooden cloggies, small windmills, magnets etc.

If you want to try typical Dutch food and snacks, then you definetely come here. The market is famous for its street food, which includes local Dutch delicacies such as stroopwafels, herring, and bitterballen. You can try these traditional Dutch treats while browsing the market stalls!

12. Take a walk in the Jordaan District:

Taking a walk in the Jordaan District is a great way to explore one of Amsterdam’s most charming and beautiful neighborhoods. The Jordaan is known for its narrow streets, typical old tall buildings, and the decorated bridges, making it a unique and memorable part of the city to explore.

Walk through the area and discover historic landmarks such as the Westerkerk church and the Anne Frank House. The district also has several charming squares, including the Noordermarkt, where a flea market is held every Monday, and the bustling Amsterdam Saturday Market.

If you are in this neighbourhood, don’t forget to get yourself a slice of typical Dutch Apple pie (“Appeltaart”) at Winkel 43!

13. Visit the House of Bols, the Cocktail & Genever Experience:

The House of Bols in Amsterdam is a museum and experience center that showcases the history and production of Dutch jenever, a traditional Dutch spirit similar to gin.

The museum offers an interactive experience that takes visitors through the history of jenever, from its origins in the 16th century to the present day. Jenever was originally created as a medicinal drink, but it quickly became popular as a recreational drink and a symbol of Dutch culture.

The House of Bols provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the distillation process, taste different flavors of jenever, and explore the history and culture surrounding this classic Dutch alcoholic drink. The museum also features a cocktail workshop, where visitors can learn how to make their own jenever cocktails.

With your entrance ticket, you get a free cocktail at the end in their unique bar. Very Instagrammable.

14. Take pictures with pigeons on the Dam Square:

The Dam Square (“De Dam”) is located right in the city center.

At the Dam Square, you can enjoy the beauty and history of this area which is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the Royal Palace and the National Monument. With so many people and pigeons on the Dam Square, you definitely won’t feel lonely here.

15. Experience the nightlife in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s city nightlife scene includes a wide variety of bars, clubs, cafes, and music venues Some of the most popular areas for nightlife in Amsterdam include Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, and De Pijp area, which has lots of pubs and restaurants too. Amsterdam is also famous for its coffee shops, which sell cannabis products and offer a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.

Visitors looking for a more cultural experience can enjoy live theater performance too at Koninklijk Theater Carré and Nationale Opera & Ballet.

16. Visit the Rembrandt House Museum:

The Rembrandt House Museum is the former home of the famous painter. You can explore the house and learn about the artist’s life and works here.

The Rembrandt House Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the life and work of one of the world’s most famous artists. The museum is located in the house where Rembrandt lived and worked from 1639 to 1658, and provides visitors with an opportunity to see how he lived and worked during his most creative period.

The museum features a collection of Rembrandt’s etchings and paintings, as well as works by his students. Visitors can also see Rembrandt’s workshop, living quarters, and his collection of art and objects. The museum offers a unique insight into Rembrandt’s life, his artistic process, and the culture and society of the Netherlands during the 17th century.

17. Visit the Royal Palace and take the audio tour:

The Royal Palace Amsterdam is an impressive building that houses the Dutch Royal Family. Take a tour of the palace and learn about the history of the Dutch monarchy.

The Royal Palace in Amsterdam, also known as the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam, is a stunning architectural masterpiece that has served as a symbol of Dutch power and wealth for centuries.

The palace was originally built in the 17th century as Amsterdam’s city hall, but was later converted into a palace for the Dutch monarchy. Today, the palace is open to the public and offers visitors a glimpse into the country’s rich history and culture. Visitors can explore the palace’s many rooms and halls, which are adorned with beautiful artwork, furniture, and artifacts from various periods in Dutch history.

18. Visit the FoodHallen:

As a foodlover you should definitely visit the Food Hallen in Amsterdam West. Here you can try many different types of delicious Dutch and international dishes.

The Food Hallen in Amsterdam is a food court featuring 21 food stalls. The Foodhallen is located in a former tram depot in the Oud-West neighborhood and is home to a range of food stalls and vendors, offering everything from local Dutch specialties like bitterballen to international cuisine.

Here you can enjoy dishes such as dim sum, sushi, burgers, and pizza, as well as craft beers and specialty cocktails. The Food Hallen also hosts regular events, such as live music which add to the lively and social atmosphere.

The FoodHallen is open from Monday to Sunday. The opening hours are: MON/TUE/WED/THUR/SUN 12 PM to 12 AM. On FRI and SA 12 PM to 1 AM.

19. Visit the Amsterdam Zoo Artis

Amsterdam Zoo Artis, also known as Natura Artis Magistra, is an impressive zoo with more than 750 different species of animals. Is a great place to spend an afternoon with your significant other or your family here. Artis is a located in the city center of Amsterdam and belongs to one of the oldest zoos in the world.

20. Walk in the Vondelpark:

The Vondelpark is a beautiful park located in the heart of Amsterdam. Take a stroll and enjoy the lovely scenery. Walking in the Vondelpark is a popular activity for both locals and tourists in Amsterdam. The park is the largest in the city and is known for peaceful atmosphere. You can enjoy a nice stroll through the park’s and enjoy all the green plants and flowers that can be found here.

During the summer months, the park hosts several outdoor concerts and events, which add to its lively and social atmosphere.

So, these were 20 things that you can do in Amsterdam. To be able to most of these things, you will need about 5 days in the city. If you are staying shorter, we would then recommend choosing and prioritizing things that you think you will enjoy the most. See you around!