Things to Do in Amsterdam
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Amsterdam, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Amsterdam. Watch the bikes, I mean it, there are more of them than people here and I have the scars to prove it. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Amsterdam: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the queue. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Canal Ring
Amsterdam's ring of canals mostly dates from the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, a period of extraordinary wealth and expansion that shaped the city's entire layout. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most pleasant urban landscapes anywhere, narrow gabled houses, houseboats, and bridges at every turn.
A canal boat cruise is the classic way to see it from the water, but walking or cycling the banks works just as well and costs nothing. The Jordaan district, threaded with smaller canals and considerably quieter than the main ring, is worth the detour.
Best time Early morning or evening, when the canals are quieter and the light is better
Van Gogh Museum
Home to the largest collection of Van Gogh's work in the world, including several versions of Sunflowers, and a moving way to trace his life and career chronologically, from early dark, heavy Dutch paintings through to the vivid colour of his final years in France.
He famously struggled to sell paintings while he was alive, a detail the museum doesn't shy away from, and the contrast with today's queues and gift shop is worth sitting with for a moment.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–6pm, later on some days
Address Museumplein, Amsterdam
Official site vangoghmuseum.nl
Anne Frank House
The actual building where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Nazi occupation, preserved with real, quiet care, and one of the more moving museum visits you're likely to have anywhere. The bookcase concealing the entrance to the secret annex remains exactly as it was.
Tickets are online-only and released weeks in advance, they sell out fast, this is not a walk-up attraction under any circumstances. Book the moment your travel dates are confirmed if this is on your list.
Hours Daily, varies by season, check official site
Address Westermarkt, Amsterdam
Official site annefrank.org
The Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, and one of the finest collections of Dutch Golden Age art anywhere. The building itself, a grand 19th-century structure with an impressive atrium, is worth seeing regardless of your interest in the art inside.
It's a big museum, plan at least half a day if you want to see the highlights properly rather than rushing through.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–5pm
Address Museumplein, Amsterdam
Official site rijksmuseum.nl
Cycling the City
There are more bikes here than people, and renting one for a day is one of the best ways to see Amsterdam the way locals actually experience it, canal-side paths, Vondelpark, and neighbourhoods well beyond the tourist centre, all easily reachable.
Bike rental shops are everywhere, and the flat terrain makes it easy even if you're not a confident cyclist. Just stay firmly in the bike lanes, Amsterdam cyclists move fast and expect pedestrians to stay well clear.
Best time Any time; avoid rush hour if you're a nervous cyclist
Vondelpark
Amsterdam's largest and most popular park, lovely for a walk, a picnic, or just watching the city relax on a sunny afternoon. Free open-air concerts run through summer at the park's Openluchttheater, worth checking the schedule if your visit lines up.
It connects well to a Museumplein visit, an easy walk between the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the park itself, a good way to spend a full day without much backtracking.
Best time Any time; summer for the open-air concerts
Address Amsterdam Zuid, near Museumplein
Best time to visit Amsterdam
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather, mild temperatures and (relatively) manageable crowds compared to the peak summer months. Tulip season (roughly mid-March through mid-May) adds a real extra draw if you're able to time a visit around it. For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Amsterdam guide.
Summer (July and August) brings the biggest crowds and highest prices, worth booking major sights like the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum well ahead if travelling then. Winter is quieter and still atmospheric around the canals, just pack for cold and rain.
Getting around Amsterdam
Cycling is the best way to get around, flat, well-signed bike lanes cover the whole city. Trams and the metro cover longer distances well if cycling isn't for you, an OV-chipkaart or contactless card works across the network. The city centre itself is compact enough to walk between most major sights. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Amsterdam and 2 Day Amsterdam Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Keeping an eye on costs? Amsterdam on a Budget covers what's free and where the tourist markup actually is. Travelling as a couple? Amsterdam for Couples covers the Seven Bridges and a sunset canal cruise. And once your dates are set, Where to Stay & Eat in Amsterdam breaks down the neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Amsterdam worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, the canals alone are worth the trip, and the museum scene (Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House) is world-class.
- How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
- Three full days covers the highlights above comfortably without rushing between museums.
- Is Amsterdam expensive?
- Yes, broadly on par with other major Western European capitals, though free activities like the canals and Vondelpark help balance the museum admission costs.
- What is Amsterdam famous for?
- Its 17th-century canal ring, the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, and being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
