Your guide to Amsterdam
Amsterdam highlights
One big history lesson
History lessons go hand in hand with a city break in Amsterdam. Start at Dam Square and visit the Royal Palace and New Church. Then take to the city's iconic canals on a hop-on-hop-off cruise. Stop at national museum Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House, where Jewish girl Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II.
City of snacks
Amsterdam is famous for fries smothered in mayonnaise, but don’t stop there. Street market stalls serve up sweet doughy treats like ‘stroopwafels’, ‘poffertjes’ and ‘pannenkoeken’. For something savoury, we recommend the herring and diced onion rolls. In the city’s bars, deep-fried croquettes and meat-filled ‘bitterballen’ ensure you’ll never have to drink on an empty stomach.
Better by design
The Dutch eye for design is admired the world over, and a city break in Amsterdam is the perfect chance to collect something special for your own home. Head to Droog, The Maker Store and X BANK to check out the handiwork of local designers. For travellers looking for smaller and more affordable local gifts, our pick is the Spiegel shop.
Amsterdam: Know before you go
| Language | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Amsterdam
Weather in Amsterdam
March – May: Spring in Amsterdam can be drizzly, but millions still flock to Keukenhof for the brief tulip season in April.
June – September: Expect summers to be warm and sunny yet milder than many European capitals. Escape the crowds at sprawling parks and trendy urban beaches.
October – November: The increasedrisk of rain, wind and chilly nights rewards travellers with shorter queues at top attractions like the Van Gogh Museum.
December – February: Amsterdam is at its prettiest under a layer of frost and strung with fairy lights. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to skate along the frozen canals.
Events in Amsterdam
King’s Day (April): Wear your brightest shade of orange to celebrate the King’s birthday, when the city transforms into one lively street party.
Tulip Festival (April): The country’s most famous flower blooms for only a few short weeks. See them in all their glory at the Flower Parade between nearby Noordwijk and Haarlem.
Amsterdam Open Air (June): In the country where dance music reigns supreme, boogie to everything from techno to trance at lakeside Gaasperpark.
Amsterdam Light Festival (November to January): Dark winter nights glow with electrifying art that moves out of museums and onto the streets. See it on a heated canal cruise or a self-guided walking tour.
The best neighbourhoods in Amsterdam
De Pijp
Creative types wondering where to stay in Amsterdam will feel right at home in De Pijp. Long known as the city’s Latin Quarter or bohemian district, De Pijp is a short tram ride from central station. This multicultural neighbourhood is filled with cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs. Beer lovers will love the Heineken Experience, especially the pints at the end!
Good for: Nightlife, beer tastings, multicultural cuisine
Centrum
Where to stay in Amsterdam to be in the heart of the action? Choose Centrum, an area made up of smaller neighbourhoods spreading out from Dam Square and Centraal Station. Look beyond the Red Light District revellers and tourist traps and you’ll find plenty of class. The area is home to the Royal Palace, Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience and the Old Church.
Good for: Sightseeing, historic architecture, convenience
Oud West
To experience Amsterdam like a local, head to Oud West. It’s a 30-minute walk from Dam Square but feels a world away from the tourist bustle. The area is bordered by Vondelpark, a lake-filled expanse where the city comes to picnic, sunbathe and de-stress. Oud West offers great galleries, bars and restaurants too. For diverse eats, don’t miss multicultural food court Foodhallen.
Good for: Local life, parks, art galleries
Things to do in Amsterdam
Family friendly things to do
You’ll find plenty of things to do with family in Amsterdam. Get hands-on at NEMO Science Museum or uncover the city’s darker side at the Amsterdam Dungeon. Show the kids how some locals live at the Amsterdam Houseboat Museum. Cool off in summer in the many splash pools, and in winter hit the outdoor ice rinks.
Shopping
Splurge on designer fashion in department stores around Dam Square or head to Amsterdam’s most exclusive shopping street, P.C. Hooftstraat. Shopping in Amsterdam for home decor or a special souvenir? Explore 70 antique stores and galleries in the Spiegelkwartier (antiques quarter). For jewellery, boutiques and vintage stores, shop the nine narrow streets of De Negen Straatjes.
Take in the culture
The galleries and museums in Amsterdam are among Europe’s finest, and most varied. While the Stedelijk Museum, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum shouldn’t be missed, specialty museums await beyond these big three. Interested in pianolas, washed-up beach finds, death, microbes or sex? You’ll find museums dedicated to these unusual subjects and more.
Nightlife
Amsterdam has long been a magnet for fun-loving travellers. This city is full of places to go after dark, whether you want to kick back in a smoke-friendly cafe or hit the underground techno clubs. You’ll find some of the best nightlife in Amsterdam in the clubs around Rembrandtplein. If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ focused clubs, head to nearby Reguliersdwarsstraat.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Amsterdam are serving up some of the most exciting dishes in Europe. From classic Dutch fare in family-run restaurants to innovative Michelin-star hotspots, foodies will love exploring the city’s booming gastronomic scene. And thanks to its spice-trading past, Amsterdam’s menu options are wonderfully multicultural too, from Indonesian ‘rijsttafel’ (rice dishes) to Ethiopian ‘beyaynetu’ (a veggie platter with flatbread).
Free things to do
There are plenty of free things to do in Amsterdam, from visiting the floating flower markets known as Bloemenmarkt to simply wandering the network of canals. Explore the outdoor and urban art in areas like NDSM Wharf and De Jordaan. Hop on one of the free ferries behind Centraal Station to get to and from NDSM and Amsterdam Noord.
Get ready for Amsterdam
Budget
Keep your stay in Amsterdam cheap by travelling midweek, opting for shoulder-season months and using discount cards for transport and attractions. Beyond that, you’ll usually be able to find a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for approximately 21 euros (€) and a beer for about €6. Need a lift? Short taxi rides cost around €14.
Day trips from Amsterdam
Catch the train for a half-hour journey to see the famous windmills at Zaanse Schans, whose power has produced goods like flour and cocoa for centuries. Or head west to Keukenhof to witness the ‘Garden of Europe’ in full bloom. And nearby Tulip Barn offers an escape from the crowds and freedom to wander sprawling fields.
Getting around Amsterdam
If ever a city was made for walking, cycling and getting around on public transport, Amsterdam is it. For visits between one to five days, we recommend picking up an I Amsterdam City Card, which includes unlimited public transport, admission to attractions like the Rijksmuseum, a canal cruise, bike rental and other discounts.
