Amsterdam Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Amsterdam boasts iconic canals, world-class museums like the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House, and a vibrant cultural scene. Stroll through its charming neighborhoods, enjoy its thriving café culture, and explore the picturesque streets by bike.
With 336+ hand-picked places to explore, Amsterdam rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Amsterdam
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with National Monument — a significant site for those interested in history and remembrance, ideal for visitors of all ages. Just as worthwhile is The Concertgebouw: ideal for music lovers and concertgoers, this landmark offers exceptional acoustics and a rich history. Anne Frank Statue completes the picture: a bronze statue of Anne Frank, symbolizing hope and resistance, stands near the Westerkerk in Amsterdam.
National Monument
Amsterdam • Monuments & Statues
A significant site for those interested in history and remembrance, ideal for visitors of all ages.
The Concertgebouw
Amsterdam • Famous Landmarks
Ideal for music lovers and concertgoers, this landmark offers exceptional acoustics and a rich history.
Anne Frank Statue
Amsterdam • Monuments & Statues
A bronze statue of Anne Frank, symbolizing hope and resistance, stands near the Westerkerk in Amsterdam.
Dam Square
Amsterdam • Historic Squares & Plazas
Ideal for visitors looking to experience Amsterdam's history and lively city atmosphere.
Museums & Culture in Amsterdam
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Anne Frank House: ideal for history enthusiasts and families looking to understand the impact of World War II. Locals will also point you to Begijnhof — a serene medieval courtyard that reflects Amsterdam's rich history and architectural heritage. And for something different, there's Portuguese Synagogue: ideal for culture enthusiasts and history buffs, the Portuguese Synagogue offers a glimpse into Amsterdam's Jewish heritage.
Anne Frank House
Amsterdam • Museums
Ideal for history enthusiasts and families looking to understand the impact of World War II.
Begijnhof
Amsterdam • Historical Sites
A serene medieval courtyard that reflects Amsterdam's rich history and architectural heritage.
Portuguese Synagogue
Amsterdam • Historical Sites
Ideal for culture enthusiasts and history buffs, the Portuguese Synagogue offers a glimpse into Amsterdam's Jewish heritage.
Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam • Museums
Museumplein 6 is where art enthusiasts can explore the extensive works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries.
Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Room Escape Amsterdam — ideal for groups looking for an engaging indoor activity in Amsterdam's unique escape room scene. Sherlocked earns its reputation too — award-winning escape rooms are set within a historic building in Amsterdam, offering immersive storytelling and puzzles. Round out the shortlist with Amsterdamse Bos Canoe Rental — ideal for families and groups seeking outdoor adventure near Amsterdam.
Room Escape Amsterdam
Amsterdam • Indoor
Ideal for groups looking for an engaging indoor activity in Amsterdam's unique escape room scene.
Sherlocked
Amsterdam • Indoor
Award-winning escape rooms are set within a historic building in Amsterdam, offering immersive storytelling and puzzles.
Amsterdamse Bos Canoe Rental
Amsterdam • Outdoor
Ideal for families and groups seeking outdoor adventure near Amsterdam.
Amsterdamse Hockey & Bandy Club
Amsterdam • Sports
A historic venue for field hockey located on Nieuwe Kalfjeslaan in Amstelveen.
Where to Eat in Amsterdam
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Restaurant Spectrum — on Herengracht, Restaurant Spectrum combines traditional and modern culinary techniques in an upscale setting. Just as worthwhile is Ciel Bleu: perched high above Amsterdam, this restaurant features stunning city views and a refined dining atmosphere. De Silveren Spiegel completes the picture: located on Kattengat, this historic restaurant offers traditional Dutch cuisine in an elegant setting.
Restaurant Spectrum
Amsterdam • Fine Dining
On Herengracht, Restaurant Spectrum combines traditional and modern culinary techniques in an upscale setting.
Ciel Bleu
Amsterdam • Fine Dining
Perched high above Amsterdam, this restaurant features stunning city views and a refined dining atmosphere.
De Silveren Spiegel
Amsterdam • Local Cuisine
Located on Kattengat, this historic restaurant offers traditional Dutch cuisine in an elegant setting.
Restaurant C
Amsterdam • Fine Dining
Located on Wibautstraat, this fine-dining spot features a unique open kitchen concept and seasonal menu highlights.
Amsterdam After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater: start your evening with craft beers in a brewery steeped in Amsterdam's rich brewing heritage. Locals will also point you to Brouwerij Troost Oud-West — this craft brewery in Oud-West suits beer enthusiasts looking for local flavors and a casual atmosphere. And for something different, there's Café Noorderlicht: nDSM Plein is a lively area featuring a unique greenhouse venue for live music by the waterfront.
Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater
Amsterdam • Craft Beer Bars
Start your evening with craft beers in a brewery steeped in Amsterdam's rich brewing heritage.
Brouwerij Troost Oud-West
Amsterdam • Craft Beer Bars
This craft brewery in Oud-West suits beer enthusiasts looking for local flavors and a casual atmosphere.
Café Noorderlicht
Amsterdam • Live Music Venues
NDSM Plein is a lively area featuring a unique greenhouse venue for live music by the waterfront.
Cotton Club
Amsterdam • Live Jazz Venues
Experience live jazz at one of Amsterdam's oldest venues, set in a cozy atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it De L'Europe Amsterdam — an elegant base for exploring Amsterdam, blending historic charm with modern luxury by the Amstel River. Hotel TwentySeven earns its reputation too — start your day exploring Amsterdam, then retreat to this luxury hotel for relaxation and fine dining. Round out the shortlist with Pulitzer Amsterdam — located along Prinsengracht, this hotel integrates historic canal houses with modern luxury in Amsterdam.
De L'Europe Amsterdam
Amsterdam • Luxury Hotels
An elegant base for exploring Amsterdam, blending historic charm with modern luxury by the Amstel River.
Hotel TwentySeven
Amsterdam • Luxury Hotels
Start your day exploring Amsterdam, then retreat to this luxury hotel for relaxation and fine dining.
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Amsterdam • Luxury Hotels
Located along Prinsengracht, this hotel integrates historic canal houses with modern luxury in Amsterdam.
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
Amsterdam • Spa Hotels
Located along Prinsengracht, this hotel merges local culture with innovative design in a historic setting.
Shopping in Amsterdam
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Boerenmarkt op de Noordermarkt — explore Amsterdam's commitment to organic farming through its lively Saturday market experience. Just as worthwhile is 1953 Retro & Chic: stop by this vintage shop for mid-century finds while exploring Amsterdam's eclectic streets. Designer Outlet Roermond completes the picture: one of Europe's largest outlet shopping centers features a scenic, village-style layout and luxury brands at reduced prices.
Boerenmarkt op de Noordermarkt
Amsterdam • Markets
Explore Amsterdam's commitment to organic farming through its lively Saturday market experience.
1953 Retro & Chic
Amsterdam • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Stop by this vintage shop for mid-century finds while exploring Amsterdam's eclectic streets.
Designer Outlet Roermond
Amsterdam • Outlet Shopping
One of Europe's largest outlet shopping centers features a scenic, village-style layout and luxury brands at reduced prices.
P.G.C. Hajenius
Amsterdam • Souvenir Shops
Ideal for cigar enthusiasts and those seeking quality souvenirs in a historic setting.
Parks & Green Spaces in Amsterdam
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Natuurspeeltuin Het Woeste Westen: a natural playground that invites children to explore and connect with the outdoors in Amsterdam's Westerpark. Locals will also point you to Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen — explore the coastal dunes and diverse wildlife near Zandvoort, just southwest of Amsterdam. And for something different, there's Noordhollands Duinreservaat: located along Zeeweg, this nature reserve features diverse trails through dunes, forests, and heathlands.
Natuurspeeltuin Het Woeste Westen
Amsterdam • Playgrounds
A natural playground that invites children to explore and connect with the outdoors in Amsterdam's Westerpark.
Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen
Amsterdam • Hiking Trails
Explore the coastal dunes and diverse wildlife near Zandvoort, just southwest of Amsterdam.
Noordhollands Duinreservaat
Amsterdam • Hiking Trails
Located along Zeeweg, this nature reserve features diverse trails through dunes, forests, and heathlands.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam • Parks
A sprawling urban park in Amsterdam, ideal for leisure and cultural events during warmer months.
82 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Amsterdam that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Amsterdam list:
- Flagship Amsterdam· Boat
- Restaurant Vinkeles· Fine Dining
- P.C. Hooftstraat· Luxury Shopping
- Amsterdam Canal Ring Walking Tour· Walking
- De School· Nightclubs & Discos
Planning where to stay in Amsterdam?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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