What to do in Amstedam: 14 top activities in the Dutch capital

Amsterdam is one of those top of the list European destinations that, like Paris, Rome or Barcelona, everyone has to visit at least once in their life. A “must” stop in every Interrail or Eurail trip, a romantic getaway for couples, a fantastic social and safe spot for solo travelers and a great trip for culture geeks, Amsterdam has something to offer for every traveler.

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1. Enjoy the canals

I will start with something not very surprising, but something that HAS to be done when you are in Amsterdam (if only because there’s no way to avoid them). Amsterdam is a beautiful city, but what sets it apart from other cities is the canal network that spreads around its old town.

One of the best ways to enjoy the canals in Amsterdam is from the water. There are many options for canal tours along the city, both guided and non-guided, in many languages. You can just make a line in front of any of them, but if you want to skip the line you can book through my link on Stromma, where you’ll also get a discount. You don’t need to book a specific time, just show your tickets in the dock.

Discover the best ways to enjoy the canals in the link below:

→ Best ways to enjoy the canals in Amsterdam

2. Explore the city by bike

The main transportation method in Amsterdam is, indisputably, the bike. Amsterdamers move franticly around the city constantly over two wheels. Although Copenhagen actually holds the record as the most bike-friendly city, Amsterdam follows closely, and there is no better way to explore the city.

You can rent cheap bikes by the day through this link. Just make sure you familiarize yourself with the Dutch way of biking if you want to avoid an accident!

3. Be inspired by Dutch artists

The Netherlands is a hub of art and culture and, as its capital, Amsterdam shines with artistic expression. Some of the museums in the city are considered among the best in the world.

Probably the first that comes to mind is the Van Gogh Museum, which is arguably the most famous Dutch artist of all time. This museum contains over 200 works from the artist, being the world’s largest collection. The museum is beautifully designed to make you understand the artist not only by his own work, but by comparing it to some of his contemporaries.

However, the most particular and personal museum in the city, in my opinion, is the Rembrandt House Museum. Placed in the building where the painted lived for almost 20 years, this museum shows Rembrandt’s work, as well as other artists’, and some of his actual possessions to illustrate how was the daily life of the painter and of Dutch people in the 17th century.

If you are more into modern art, the options are not scarce! Try the Stedelijk Museum or the Moco Museum, both specialized in modern and contemporary art, or the FOAM or the EYE Filmmuseum, which focus on photography and film, respectively.

4. Have a Heineken Experience

I’m not going to lie, Heineken, the most international Dutch beer, is not even close to be among my favourite beer, but the Heineken Experience is a really cool way to get in touch with how the beer (Heineken and beer in general) is made and in a very interactive tour, followed buy some beers that are included in the price. It was a really fun activity, much more than I expected.

You can get a 3 euro discount if you book your tickets in advance!

5. Learn some history in one of the museums

Amsterdam may not be monumental like Paris, Rome or Barcelona, but it definitely has a very high density of museums focused on different topics! Go safe and visit the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch national museum, which offers a bit of everything regarding the history of this small but beautiful country.

Another big hit is Anne Frank’s House Museum, the former hiding spot in the back of a canal house of Jewish girl Anne Frank and her family during the Nazi prosecution in World War II. Anne Frank did not survive the war but her diary was preserved and published in 1947 to illustrate the attrocities that happened during the Holocaust from the eyes of a young girl. The hiding place was preserved and turned into a museum with exhibitions of all forms of persecution and discrimination.

Travel tip: if you are interested in Anne Frank’s story, complement your visit with a city tour from the perspective of Anne Frank.

My favourite museum in Amsterdam, however, is Amstelkring Museum, also known as Our Lord in the Attic. This quirky museum is located in a former secret chapel that Catholics used in the 17th century when they lost their right to worship to the Protestants. It is one of the hidden gems of the city and it is a very special museum, so I really recommend to spare a little time for it during your visit.

Photo credit: C messier with CC BY-SA 4.0

6. Take a free walking tour of the city

Amsterdam’s historical center is extremely walkable. This makes it a perfect location for a walking tour. Also, its lesser known history when compared to other European capitals like Rome, Berlin or Paris makes it a very interesting tour.

When taking free tours, I always choose SANDEMANs New Europe tours when available. These tours work on tips, so you can pay whatever t This is what I did in Amsterdam during my last visit and I didn’t regret it. The guides are always knowledgable, passionate about the city’s history and culture and generally funny and knowing of little anecdotes to spice the tour up!

My family and I with our SANDEMANs guide Jorge Palomo having a drink after our tour

7. Enjoy the quirky architecture of the Old Town

Amsterdam has a very characteristic architecture, especially in the canal houses with narrow and high façades that are quite deep behind the scenes and elevated front door to avoid the flooding. You can pair this with your walking tour, since your guide will most likely mention some of the details of the architecture and why it was built that way.

8. Have some Indonesian rijsttafel

Back in the day, the Netherlands ruled the world through commercial routes by sea. The result of this was the acquisition of many colonies overseas and one of them was Indonesia. This caused some of the colonial customs and culture to stick in mainland Netherlands, and a proof of this is rijsttafel.

Rijstaffel is not a dish, but a combination of Indonesian delicacies spread on a table and eaten with rice. This tradition started from the colonialists not only so their guests could enjoy a wide variety of dishes, but also to impress visitors with the abundance of their colony. Today it is very common in the Netherlands and especially in Amsterdam, so make sure you have a taste of it!

Our rijsttaffel menu @ Ron Gastrobar Downtown

9. See the city from above

One of my classics! Even in Amsterdam it is fantastic to watch the city from above. There are not so many options to do this, since most of the buildings in the center have a similar height, but there’s a few that stand out. Blue Amsterdam is my favourite. A café located at the top of a glass tower of a mall with 360º views of the city from its very center. It’s a fantastic place for a snack, a drink or even a meal!

For the most adventurous, A’DAM LOOKOUT is the best option. This tower located in front of the city center, next to the Film Museum, offers a sitting option where you can enjoy the views with a drink or a meal, but the most special way to do it is sitting on the giant swings that they have on their rooftop. Pre-book your tickets here!

10. Try Dutch food (yes, I mean it)

Ok, Dutch cuisine is not exactly top notch when compared to other cuisines in the world. However, traditional Dutch food is very comforting and you should include a Dutch restaurant in your visit to Amsterdam. Try the famous bitterballen, the stroopwafel or hutspot. I suggest starting with Haesje Claes (PERMANENTLY CLOSED) or Moeders, very homey and affordable.

Top it up with the fantastic apple pie at Winkel 43! (Seriously, I don’t like apple pie generally but this one is a marvel of humankind).

Don’t miss the best fries in Amsterdam at VleminckX, but prepare to wait in line.

11. Find NEMO at the science museum

The science museum of Amsterdam is called NEMO, an aacronym from NEw MetrOpolis. This fantastic museum is a great activity to do when traveling in Amsterdam, especially with kids. The building itself is wonderful and the exhibitions are insightful and hands-on, spanning from chemistry or biology to psychology.

Pre-book your tickets here.

12. Visit a Coffee Shop

Coffee Shops are quintessential to Amsterdam. Together with their open-mindedness comes a healthy relationship with drugs (in this case marihuana and hashish). This translates in a huge amount of coffee shops where you can buy and consume marihuana and derivatives.

Unfortunately, tourism in Amsterdam has affected the quality of these establishments, and many have become tacky and unwelcoming. If you prefer something more relaxed and with a good vibe, I can recommend Coffeeshop Amsterdam. This coffee shop does not sell marihuana but has an affiliate store that does around the corner. The staff is friendly and they have a nice decor, which is rare in Amsterdam coffee shops! They also have a nice terrace with a view over the canals. This is my family and I at Coffeeshop Amsterdam:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0f4z7-HESR/

13. Understand the reality of the Red Light District

The Red Light District is a neighborhood in Amsterdam where the density of the “world’s oldest profession” is very high. Brothels, sex shops, live sex shows and strip clubs are everywhere in this quarter. For first timers, the Red Light District may seem like a spot for decadence and exploitation of women. However, when you learn the reality behind the sex workers and the neighborhood itself, you understand why the Dutch are way ahead of other countries in this regard.

Sex workers in Amsterdam have their own union, police protection, professional standards and they are freelancers, pay taxes and have access to social security. This and the efforts of the government to erradicate pimps and forced prostitution makes of this area just an area dense in this profession, which is very educational in this purpose. I am not saying you should participate in it, but it is a safe place to have a walk and educate yourself about how sex work can be done in a safe and moral way.

14. Go for a bike ride or a picnic in one of the parks

Amsterdam (and the Netherlands in general) is not know for a benevolent weather, with 217 rainy days a year. However, when the sun is shining in the warmer months, it is a good idea to try and be outside as much as possible. One of the best ways of doing that is by enjoying the fantastic parks that the city offers.

The most popular among tourists and locals is, without a doubt, Vondelpark. This green lung is close to the center and is big enough to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. On a sunny day, you will find thousands of people laying down on the grass and having a bottle of wine or snacks. If you didn’t bring yours, there are plenty of cafes to buy from. Even though it is not technically allowed, many people choose to go for a bike ride along the park.

Other options include Westerpark, Amstelpark or Erasmuspark.

Closing statement

This is my beginner’s guide to Amsterdam, but it has plenty more to offer. I will keep writing posts with more specific information but make sure you don’t miss anything by buying your tickets in advance through Tiqets.com and skipping the lines:

In this website you will find many discounts by buying tickets to several attractions together. In particular, the I Amsterdam City Card gives you great value if you’re planning on visiting several attractions and museums during your stay. It also includes unlimited public transportation in the city, which makes your stay much easier.

You can also book day trips or specific tours in the city with Get Your Guide, or get more local by booking a private tour with Hi,hi guide, where you can talk to a local that will show you the city from their perspective.

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