14 Things to do in Amsterdam on Your First Visit

Last Updated on October 22, 2026

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Amsterdam is one of those European cities I always enjoy coming back to. I love the pretty canals, beautiful architecture and the bike culture. There are so many things to do in Amsterdam, that even after visiting several times, I always find something new to do and see.

Despite its party city reputation, there’s so much more to Amsterdam than nightlife, coffee shops and Red Light District. There are more than 70 museums in the city, from the world famous art museums to some smaller, sometimes quirky and unusual places. Amsterdam’s historic Canal Belt is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You could spend many days exploring the city and still not see everything. But if you’re visiting for the first time, I recommend 3 full days in Amsterdam. This will give you enough time to see the main sights without feeling rushed, but also leave time to just wander around, sit at a cafe and enjoy the atmosphere of the city. Which is probably one of my favorite activities in Amsterdam.

After four trips to Amsterdam, I picked what I think are the must do and see things for a first time visitor. So if you’re planning your first trip and wondering what to do in Amsterdam, this list of things to do will give you some ideas.

How to get from Amsterdam airport to city center

If you are flying to Amsterdam, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is where you arrive. This is one of the busiest airports in Europe, and my personal favorite not just for visiting Amsterdam, but also for connecting to other destinations. Despite being so big, it’s very easy to navigate and well connected to the city center.

Schiphol Airport is located about 18 km (11 miles) from Amsterdam’s city center and the best way to reach it is by train. You’ll find the trains directly underneath the terminal, you don’t even need to leave the airport. Once you collect your bags, follow the signs for Trains and take the escalator down.

Trains run frequently throughout the day and it takes under 20 minutes to reach Amsterdam Centraal, the main train station. One way ticket costs about €7 one way, and you can buy it at the ticket window, an automated machine, online or just tap your contactless credit card at the gates. Keep your paper ticket, you’ll need it to exit the station.

Amsterdam Centraal is right in the city center, with many hotels withing a walking distance. If you’re staying a little further away, you can hop in a taxi for a short ride or take one of the trams or buses.

You can also take a taxi or pre-book a private airport transfer, but both can be quite expensive, especially compared with taking the train.

How to get around Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s historic center is pretty compact and it’s very easy to explore it on foot. Many of Amsterdam’s attractions are close together, so walking would my top choice for exploring the city.

There are also trams and buses if you want to cover a longer distance. But for all the things to do in Amsterdam that I recommend in this guide, you’ll be able to walk everywhere.

You probably already know that Amsterdam is famous for biking, but I would be cautious with renting one if you’re not used to a city with such busy bike traffic.

Best things to do in Amsterdam

Take a Canal cruise

With 165 canals in the city, one of the first things to do in Amsterdam is to take a canal boat tour. This is a great way to experience the city from the water perspective, see the canal houses, historic bridges, house boats and streets. Most canal boat tours are one hour long, are narrated and there are many to choose from.

I’ve visited Amsterdam 4 times over the years and I’ve taken a canal boat tour on each trip. I’ve experienced both the enclosed and open-air boats, as well as nighttime cruises. Based on that experience, I definitely recommend an open-air boat if the weather is good.

You get much better views, it’s better for taking photos and overall more enjoyable. I’d save the enclosed boats for a rainy day in Amsterdam.

One of the canal boat tours I loved a few years ago was with Friendship Amsterdam. And on the most recent trip I booked with Flagship Amsterdam, which has those beautiful boats decorated with flowers. Those boats are hard to resist, but the tour itself was also great.

I’ve done the classic one hour cruise, but you can also go more fancy and book a tour with wine tasting, cheese and champagne tour, one with lunch, Heineken themed or smoke friendly tour. I mean, there are so many options.

If you’re looking for things to do in Amsterdam at night, nighttime cruises are also great. The city is so pretty all lit up, so I definitely recommend booking a tour that starts after it gets dark. The timing will of course depend on time of year you’re visiting Amsterdam. It’s a whole different atmosphere from the daytime cruise, with the lights and illuminated bridges.

See the famous Damrak Houses

If your canal cruise ends near the Amsterdam Centraal station (many do), you are very close to the famous Damrak houses, one of the top photo spots in Amsterdam.

When you exit the station, make your way towards Damrak Street and you’ll find them on your left.

A row of colorful, narrow houses facing the Damrak canal gives you that classic postcard Amsterdam view. But photographing it gets a little tricky. In the mornings, when the area is quiet, you’ll be shooting directly into the sun. Afternoons are best for good light, but you’ll have to be patient as Damrak is a busy street with lots of foot traffic.

Explore Jordaan

Plan to spend some time wandering around Jordaan, which is a beautiful neighborhood full of cafes, restaurants and boutique stores. I wouldn’t say this is a quiet part of Amsterdam, because it is popular with tourists too. But it does feel less crowded and has a more relaxed feel to it than the busier central areas.

Jordaan is where you will find Anne Franks House, one of the most visited places in Amsterdam (more on that later). But there are also other things to do and see while you’re there, like Westerkerk, Noordermarkt and all the pretty canals.

The Houseboat Museum, right on the Prinsengracht canal, is a fun quick stop if you want to get a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a houseboat on Amsterdam canal.

And if you want to do some shopping, Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) is just a short walk away.

Visit Anne Frank house

In the Jordaan neigborhood at Prinsengracht 263 , there is a house where a young Jewish girl named Anne and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II. It’s where she spent over 2 years writing her now famous diary. I first read “The diary of a young girl” in school, but decided to re-read it right before my first trip to Amsterdam. Having it fresh on my mind, made for a really moving experience.

The house is now a museum dedicated to Anne and her bravery. During your visit, you get to walk through the Annex where Anne and her family lived. It’s an incredibly sad story of a horrible time, but it’s very important not to forget it. I found that the museum does a very good job, both remembering and honoring Anne’s courage. In addition to the house, there is an interesting display, where you can see the original diary along with other notebooks.

If you want to have a chance at visiting Anne Franks House, you have to book your tickets well in advance. Tickets are released every Tuesday at 10 am for the next 6 weeks, and I highly recommend booking them right away. This is one of those places in Amsterdam, that is always sold out.

Anne Franks House tickets have a timed entry and cost €16.50 (€7/child) and it’s best to book them on the official website. There are some scam websites out there, so be aware!

For an extra €7, there is a 30 minute multimedia introduction, which goes over Anne Franks history. This is an optional add on, but I think it’s worth it and helps make the visit more meaningful. Especially if it’s been a while since you read the diary.

If you choose to do the introduction, your visit starts immediately afterwards. Plan on spending about an hour and don’t forget to grab the free audio guide, that is included in your ticket. Photography is not allowed inside the house!(one of the photos below is from the presentation before the house visit).

If you want to learn more about Anne Frank’s life growing up, consider The Anne Frank Story & Neighborhood Walking Tour. It takes you through parts of Amsterdam, where Anne spend her time from the moment she moved to Amsterdam until she went into hiding. The tour makes a great addition to the house visit.

Visit Dam Square

The big and lively Dam Square is the main square in Amsterdam. It’s surrounded by several historical buildings and Amsterdam attractions.

First of all, it’s home to the Royal Palace, the official reception place of King Willem-Alexander. It’s an impressive building, that originally was built as a City Hall and only later converted into a Royal Palace. You can visit the Royal Palace (admission fee €13.50) although it’s not open to visitors every day, so it’s best to check the official site for up to date information. You can pre-book your tickets here.

Right next to the Royal Palace you’ll find Nieuwe Kerk, one of the historic churches in Amsterdam. It dates back to the 15th century, but was rebuilt after a major fire. Today it’s mostly used for various exhibitions and there’s a rather high admission to enter. Unless you’re particularly interested in one, you can skip going inside.

The white tall monument honors Dutch soldiers who died in World War II, and it’s a popular meeting spot.

Dam Square is also an excellent place for people watching, with a constant flow of people passing through, both locals and tourists. There are several cafes around the square to grab a drink and enjoy the atmosphere, although keep in mind that prices can be higher because of the central location.

Take a bike tour through Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a strong cycling culture and it’s one of those things we associate the city with. Biking is an essential part of daily life in Amsterdam, with locals basically commuting everywhere by bikes more often than by cars.

It might seem that renting a bike and exploring the city would be one of those fun things to do in Amsterdam, but if you’re not used to cycling in a busy city, it might not be the best idea.

If you’re not confident biking in Amsterdam, yet still want to experience it, joining a guided bike tour is a perfect solution. You’ll go with a local guide, who’ll help you navigate the busy streets, will make sure you’re in the right lanes and go with the flow of the bike traffic. This way you can enjoy Amsterdam by bike without the stress of figuring out the bike lanes and where you can or cannot go.

Most bike tours last 2-3 hours, so it’s easy to fit into your Amsterdam itinerary. Look for a small group bike tour rather than a large group. Something like this Guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam’s Highlights & Hidden Gems, which has max 11 people, amazing guides and takes you through both the well known Amsterdam attractions and spots you might not have found on your own.

Visit a floating flower market

Netherlands is also known for flowers, especially tulips. When you visit Amsterdam in the spring, when tulips are in bloom, you can visit some of the tulip fields outside of the city. To get your flower fix any time of the year, head to Bloemenmarkt, which is the famous floating flower market, the only one in the world.

The market is made up by 14 or so stalls, sitting right on the Singel Canal, and most of it it’s covered, so if you’re looking for things to do in Amsterdam when the weather is bad, that’s one of the options. The market is filled with colorful flowers, plants, Dutch themed souvenirs and it’s really photogenic. It’s a must visit in Amsterdam, even if you don’t plan on buying anything.

But if you do, they sell a variety of bulbs, not only all kinds of tulips, but also other flowers. If you want to pick up some to bring home to the US or Canada, look for those sold with a certificate. They have them clearly marked.

Having said that, I’ve heard many stories from people who bought tulip bulbs at Bloemenmarkt, and they grew to be plain tulips rather than whatever unique variety shown on the package. So keep that in mind. I bought a bag myself on my recent trip, and I’m curious to see what actually grows. Will update in the Spring!

Walk through Red Light District

Holland is a country where prostitution is legal, and a stroll through Red Light district is something not to be missed, especially if it’s your first time in Amsterdam. This area is a collection of brothels, sex shops and peep shows. And if you feel a little weird about it, don’t worry, you won’t be the only person there. The area became quite an attraction, and you will see many curious people doing the same thing.

WARNING: Taking photographs in the Red Light district is not allowed, and this rule is strictly enforced. Don’t even try to take pictures or film, unless you want to say good bye to your camera.

Visit Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam has over 70 museums, but if you were going to visit just one, make it Rijksmuseum. This is the most famous and popular one and for a good reason. It’s home to an amazing collection of Dutch art with over a million works of art, with the most famous being Rembrandts’ painting ” The Night Watch “.

Most people spend 2-3 hours at the museum, but you can stay even longer if you’re really into art. It’s a pretty large museum with many galleries.

Visiting Rijksmuseum is one of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam, so I recommend booking your tickets in advance. Lines can get really long, especially during busy tourist season, so having your timed ticket will save you some time.

The building itself is quite impressive as well. And if you see the resemblance to Amsterdam Centraal Station, that is because it was designed by the same architect.

Other museums

There are so many other museums in Amsterdam to choose from, depending on what interests you. From big well known ones to smaller unique places. Even if you are not a huge museum person (I’m not!), they’re a great option for something to do in Amsterdam on a rainy day.

• Van Gogh Museum – a must visit in Amsterdam for art lovers. The museum houses a large collection of Van Gogh’s works, has both permanent and temporary exhibitions and your entrance ticket gives you access to both. Tickets have a timed entry and are available online only, you can’t buy them at the door. Pre-book your Van Gogh Museum tickets here.
• Red Light Secrets – this is a great small museum to visit, if you want to get an insight into the world of sex workers in Amsterdam. The self guided tour includes an audio guide with personal stories, which are both educational and entertaining. You don’t need more than 45 minutes to walk through it. One of the features is you get a chance to sit behind a red lit window and see what it’s like from a different perspective. You can book your tickets here.
• Maritime Museum – large museum dedicated to the maritime history. One of the highlights of the museum is a full size replica of an 18th century old ship. You can step aboard and explore it. You can pre-book your entrance tickets here.
• Houseboat Museum – this is a cool little museum located in Jordaan, worth visiting if you are curious about what it’s like to live in one of the houseboats on a canal. Admission costs € 9,50 and you can explore the houseboat on a self guided tour with an audio guide (many languages available).

Visit a coffee shop

Even though the city has so much more to offer, legal use of cannabis is still one of the biggest tourist draws to Amsterdam. With 250 coffee shops all over the city, you will see them at every corner. The first coffee shop in Amsterdam The Bulldog opened in 1974 and is now a chain with many spread around the city. The original one Bulldog No 90 is in the prime location at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90 and it’s hard to miss with its colorful mural like façade.

Every coffee shop has a menu with all the selections. Aside from different kinds of marijuana, you can also buy edibles, which are usually little baked cakes with marijuana in them. In most places you will be able to get coffee and juice as well. One thing you will not find in any of the coffee shops is alcohol. Per Dutch law coffee shops are not allowed to serve it.

Try Amsterdam street food

No matter how many days in Amsterdam you have, make some time to explore the city’s street food scene. If you are hungry, but not ready for a full meal, you’ll find plenty of quick Dutch snacks, both sweet and savory.

Stroopwafel, two thin waffle cookies with caramel filling, is one of the best known sweet snacks. When you visit Amsterdam, you may see oversized stroopwafels topped with M&M’s, chocolate, sprinkles etc. These are geared more towards Instagram photos and social media. The traditional version is much simpler (and cheaper, especially if you buy them in the supermarket).

Bitterballen are small deep fried balls and filled with gooey mix of beef, broth, flour and spices, usually served with mustard. This is the perfect snack to enjoy with beer.

For some, a raw herring might be an acquired taste, but it’s another one of traditional Dutch snacks. I like it on its own with onions and pickles, but can also be eaten in a roll.

I think the Dutch make the best fries! Be sure to grab a cone, either plain or topped with cheese sauce or spicy mayo. There are plenty of places in Amsterdam, where you can get fries, so it’s easy to grab and enjoy on the go. I loved Frites Huys, right off Dam Square.

If you want to try more things, signing up for a Food Tour is the best way to do it. You get to taste some of the staples of Dutch cuisine and often learn the local history along the way. Food tours are especially a good idea on short trips, when you want to taste as many local specialties as possible.

Rooftop restaurant

For some amazing Amsterdam views, you have to check out one of the rooftop bars in the city. One of the best ones is on the 11th floor of the Double Tree by Hilton hotel, which is not far from Amsterdam Centraal.

When I first went there on my first trip to Amsterdam, it used to be a SkyLounge, now it’s a LuminAir. New bar, but same amazing view. You don’t need to be the hotel’s guest to enjoy a cocktail and a great view of the city.

Some of the other rooftop bars in Amsterdam are W Lounge (right by Dam Square), Floor 17 and Canvas.

Amsterdam at night

Amsterdam looks magical at night!

Head out after dark and stroll around the Canal belt, see the illuminated bridges and houses all lit up. Don’t miss the famous red-lit windows in the Red Light district (you can photograph the streets, but never the sex workers!).

One of my favorite ways to experience Amsterdam at night is to take an evening canal cruise, after it gets dark, when the city looks especially beautiful from the water.

What NOT to do in Amsterdam

• Don’t walk in bike lanes – when walking around the city, pay attention to the bike lanes. It’s easy to step into one without realizing (I’ve done it!), but be mindful of where you walk. I can only imagine how annoyed the locals must be with tourists walking all over bike lanes.
• Don’t photograph sex workers in Red Light District – taking photos and videos is strictly prohibited. And disrespectful.
• Not planning in advance – you must buy tickets to some of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam in advance. Places like Anne Franks House and Van Gogh Museum always sell out. Don’t wait until the last minute if you don’t want to miss out.
• Don’t underestimate the steep staircases – if you book accommodations in one of the traditional Dutch houses, be prepared for narrow and steep staircases. And don’t expect an elevator! Keep that in mind especially if you’re traveling with heavy luggage or have mobility issues.

Best Tours in Amsterdam

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Sunflower B&B Amsterdam – this small (just 2 rooms!!) Bed and Breakfast is where I stayed on my most recent Amsterdam trip and cannot recommend it enough. The location is ideal for exploring the city, rooms are spotless with comfortable beds and lots of personal touches. But where this B&B stands out is personal hospitality. I’ve stayed at Chris’s sister property in the past before it closed and he’s always been the most welcoming host. Just keep in mind, that this is a traditional Dutch house with a steep staircase.

Radisson Blu Hotel – comfortable, modern hotel right in the city center, just down the street from Dam Square. The location puts you close to many of Amsterdam attractions, which is perfect especially for a first time visit. Rooms are quite spacious and breakfast is included.

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