🗺️ Amsterdam in 3 days: a ready-made itinerary with museum prices and opening hours

Three days in Amsterdam are easy to ruin with queues. A Rijksmuseum ticket costs 25 € and is sold online only, with timed entry slots (as of 09/2026, official website). In July, without a slot, you will stand at the entrance for more than an hour.

Below is a three-day route: the old town and canals, the museum quarter, and trips to Zaanse Schans and Volendam. Each stop comes with opening hours, a price and walking directions, so you don't spend your evening looking for the entrance.

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Day 1: old town and canals

💡 In short:

Walk a loop from Leidseplein through the flower market and Dam Square to Central Station.
Save the evening for a canal cruise: it rounds off the day without tiring your legs.
Tickets and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the official Rijksmuseum website.

The first day usually turns out a bit of a blur. The trip from the airport, check-in and the time difference all drain your energy. That is why the route runs in a loop around the center: you start at Leidseplein and come back to it. The loop is about 6 km (measured on the map), or 4-5 hours at an easy pace with coffee stops.

Sort out transport before you head out. Trams, the metro and buses run frequently in the center, but it is cheaper to buy a ticket in advance than from the driver. If you plan to ride a lot, compare the day passes and the city card: it also covers some museum admissions.

Leidseplein

Leidseplein is the gateway to the historic center. Five tram lines meet here, so it is easy to reach from any part of the city. During the day you will see street performers: fire-eaters, jugglers and singers who gather a whole show around them. In the evening the clubs, cinemas and art cafés open.

People get their souvenir Amsterdam coffee at Bulldog Palace. Nearby stand the City Theater building and the Melkweg concert hall, and a little further on there is a street kiosk selling tickets for shows. From here, head for the flower market along the Singel canal.

Getting there: trams and buses stop right on the square.
The catch: it is noisy and crowded here in the evening, so head into the side courtyards for a quiet dinner.

Flower market

The flower market has stood on the water for more than three centuries. Back in the 17th century, traders brought flowers here by boat. Today the stalls sit on moored barges, and this is the only floating flower market in Europe.

Cut flowers are only part of what is on offer. Most of the takings come from bulbs, tulips and other varieties. You can also buy souvenirs, Dutch cheese and seeds here. Prices for a pack of bulbs depend on the variety, so pick up several packs if you want to plant a flower bed at home.

Getting there: a five-minute walk from Leidseplein.
Who it's for: anyone who wants to bring live tulips home.
The catch: by midday it gets cramped between the stalls.

De Krijtberg church

De Krijtberg is a working Catholic church dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier. The everyday part of its name translates as "chalk mountain". A chalk merchant's house once stood on this spot, followed by a hidden Catholic chapel, because in Protestant Amsterdam Catholics were only allowed to worship out of sight.

The parish church was built in the 1880s to a design by architect Alfred Tepe. The restoration at the end of the 20th century took almost 24 years, and today both worshippers and tourists come in. You will see murals, stained glass, stucco work and a carved high altar that is considered one of the finest in the city.

Getting there: between the flower market and Spui square.
Who it's for: anyone interested in Neo-Gothic interiors.

Munttoren tower

Sunny Amsterdam canal with boats and trees

The Munttoren is one of the oldest structures in the city. In the 15th century Amsterdam was surrounded by defensive walls, and sentries in watchtowers guarded the gates. Only part of the western tower survived the great fire of 1618.

It was later built up in the Renaissance style and given a turret with a clock and a spire. The bells ring every quarter of an hour, and on Saturdays a professional carillon player performs. The tower got its name in the 17th century, when the Mint was evacuated to the guardhouse next door.

Location: where the Singel canal meets the Amstel river.
The catch: you cannot go up inside, the tower can only be viewed from the outside.

Spui square and the Begijnhof courtyard

Green Begijnhof courtyard with a statue and historic houses

The name of Spui square comes from the word for "sluice". It once marked the southern edge of the city, and in the 1880s it was filled in and turned into a square. Today this is where book lovers meet: book and art fairs are held here, and there are plenty of bookshops all around.

The statue of a street urchin on the square has become a symbol of the locals, who are not in the habit of moping. Nearby you will see the old Lutheran church, the main university building and the unusual Helios building. The main entrance to the Begijnhof courtyard is also on the square side.

The Begijnhof appeared in the 14th century as a community of women who did not take vows but lived almost like nuns. There are no beguines today, and single women live in the little houses. A statue of Christ stands in the middle of the courtyard, and next to it are a surviving 16th-century wooden house and a working Catholic church.

Getting there: between the flower market and Dam Square.
The catch: you may enter the inner courtyard, but making noise is frowned upon.

Dam Square

The square's name is tied to water: Dam means "dam". In the 13th century a dam was built here that linked the settlements on either bank of the Amstel river. The dam was widened and reinforced until it became the city's main square, and the Fish Market on it grew famous far beyond Amsterdam.

The main sights are concentrated on the square. The Gothic Nieuwe Kerk was built at the end of the 14th century, and monarchs are crowned in it. Next to it stand the 17th-century Royal Palace and the National Monument in memory of those who died in the Second World War.

For families with children, Madame Tussauds is right here: a combined ticket with the Amsterdam Dungeon is cheaper than two separate admissions, and the queue moves slowly in high season.

Getting there: a seven-minute walk from Central Station.
The catch: the square is always crowded during the day, mornings are quieter.

Red light district

Canal with boats and houses in Amsterdam

The whole world knows the red light district. Prostitution in the Netherlands is officially legal and part of city life: these women pay taxes and have regular medical check-ups. The first windows appeared here back in the 14th century, and the main customers were sailors home from the sea.

If you end up here during the day, come back at night: the sight is more vivid. After dark the windows light up, music plays, the bars are open, and the ladies smile and wink at everyone without exception. Most visitors simply stroll and look, and far from all of them become customers.

Photographing the women is forbidden. When a customer comes in, the woman draws the curtain. If you are lucky, you will catch an "open day" and be able to look into the rooms without buying anything, which is done so that people treat the women working here with respect.

Getting there: a ten-minute walk from Dam Square.
The catch: it is very crowded in the evening, so keep a close eye on your wallet.

Oude Kerk church

Amsterdam canal with historic houses and a bridge

The name Oude Kerk translates as "old church", and it is fully deserved. A chapel appeared here in the early 13th century, and work on the stone church began in the 14th century. There is no older building in Amsterdam.

The soft ground could not bear the weight of the church, so it was extended many times. In the end the church took the shape of a cross, and in the 16th century a 67 m bell tower was added. Inside there are three organs, the largest of which is considered one of the best in Europe, along with a 17th-century carillon and a 15th-century bell.

The walls are whitewashed, but stained glass from the Catholic period of the 16th century has survived. For several centuries the church served as a burial ground, and Saskia, Rembrandt's wife, is buried here. After restoration the church reopened in 1979, and today it hosts an organ music festival, award ceremonies and light installations.

Getting there: inside the red light district.
The catch: admission is charged, check the exact price on the official website.

Central station

Central Station is worth seeing even if you arrived by plane. The 19th-century building designed by Pierre Cuypers looks like an old castle, and the evening lighting adds to the effect. It is the city's main transport hub.

Long-distance and commuter trains and intercity buses arrive here, and there is a metro station and a pier where ferries and cruise ships depart. One of the station's towers has a clock, the other a weather vane. Inside, ticket machines sit alongside a piano that anyone can play, and there is a spacious bike park next to the entrance.

The station is a convenient starting point for trips around the country. If you are planning lots of museums and journeys, do the math on the city card in advance: it includes transport and admission to some museums, so it only pays off with a packed schedule.

Getting there: trams and the metro are on site, and the ferry to Amsterdam Noord is free.
The catch: weekday mornings are the busiest time.

St. Nicholas church

Facade of the Basilica of St. Nicholas with two towers

The Church of St. Nicholas stands in the oldest part of the city. Its full name is "Church of St. Nicholas inside the Walls", because it was once surrounded by the city's defensive walls. The church was built in the second half of the 19th century to a design by architect Bleijs.

The church has three towers and a large rose window depicting Christ and his disciples. A sculpture of St. Nicholas stands on the pediment. He was regarded as the patron saint of sailors, and in a city built on water he was especially revered.

Location: between Central Station and the red light district.
Who it's for: anyone walking from the station into the center.

Canal cruise

Aerial view of Amsterdam's canals and city blocks

© Amsterdam Municipal Department for the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Sites (bMA). The author is · CC BYPhoto: Amsterdam Municipal Department for the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Sites (bMA). The author is, CC BY, Wikimedia Commons

A canal cruise is an essential part of a first visit. You will see the city from the water in an hour and barely get tired. An hour-long cruise costs in the low double digits, and prices vary between operators and depend on the season.

Boats leave from Central Station every half hour, and there can be queues in high season. In rain and wind the boats are covered with glass roofs, so you can go out in any weather. Evening cruises come with dinner and drinks and cost more than daytime ones, but the city lights are worth it.

If you are traveling as a group, hire a boat with a skipper for a couple of hours. Active travelers will like the water taxi: a day ticket lets you get off at the stops, see the sights and carry on. In winter, evening cruises are especially good during the Light Festival.

Getting there: piers at Central Station and at Dam Square.

Canal cruise ticket on GetYourGuide

Sex museum

The Sex Museum on Dam Square has been open for more than forty years. Children are only admitted with adults. The exhibition covers the history of erotica from ancient times to the present day, and a separate room is devoted to the red light district.

In the mock-up room you will see a wax figure and get a sense of how the local district works from the inside. The little shops at the museum sell themed souvenirs you won't find in ordinary stores. A visit takes about an hour.

Getting there: on Dam Square, close to Central Station.
Who it's for: a group of adults looking for an unusual museum.
The catch: in high season a queue builds up at the entrance, so it is better to come in the morning.

NEMO museum

The NEMO museum is five minutes from Central Station. The building is shaped like a ship that has ended up on dry land: that look was dreamed up by architect Renzo Piano. The science museum opened in 1997 and quickly became one of the most visited in the city.

The name is often confused with Captain Nemo from Jules Verne's novel, and there really is a Nautilus café here. But NEMO is above all a science museum, and its main guests are children, who come from all over the country. You are allowed to pick up the exhibits.

A child learns how light, sound and energy work, and grasps the laws of physics through play and hands-on rides. On the roof there is an open terrace with a view of the city and the canals. There is plenty for adults to see too, so allow at least two hours.

Getting there: on foot from Central Station or by ferry to Amsterdam Noord.
Who it's for: families with children aged five and up.
The catch: there are lots of school groups at weekends, so arrive at opening time.

That is the end of the walking part of day one: you return to Leidseplein, where it is easy to have dinner and get back to your hotel.

Day 2: museums, the zoo and a beer bar

Give the second day to museums, because you won't get around them all in one go anyway. Start with the library and the Anne Frank House, move on to the museum quarter in the afternoon, and return to the center in the evening. If you are planning several museums, work out your total admission budget in advance: tickets to the main museums are sold by time slot and sell out weeks ahead.

OBA public library

Bright reading room of the OBA library with bookshelves

The OBA library is not far from Central Station. Admission is free, and it is worth a visit even if you had no plans to read. The modern building opened in 2007 and quickly became one of the most visited cultural venues in the city.

Inside there are hundreds of seats with internet access, computers for viewing digitized publications and areas for listening to music. Besides books, it houses a theater, a café, a restaurant and conference rooms, and several thousand events take place over the year. The library is open daily until 10 pm.

The main reason to go upstairs is the view. The panoramic terrace looks out over the old town and the canals, and breakfast in the top-floor café is considered some of the most affordable in the center. Free Wi-Fi works on every floor, so many people come here to work.

Getting there: a five-minute walk from Central Station.
Who it's for: anyone who wants a free viewpoint.
The catch: by evening the free seats by the windows are taken.

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House leaves a powerful impression. The Frank family moved to Amsterdam from Germany in the 1930s, and during the occupation they hid in secret rooms behind a bookcase. Eight people lived here for two years, not going out during the day and not making any loud sounds.

In 1944 the family was betrayed, arrested and deported to the camps, where Anne died shortly before the end of the war. Her diary was published and resonated around the world. The house was due to be demolished, but the public saved the building and a museum was opened in it. In front of the entrance stands a statue of the girl, and there are always flowers at its feet.

Inside you will see the diary itself, family photographs, furniture and everyday objects of the time, as well as pictures of wartime Amsterdam. A ticket costs 16.50 € and is sold online only, by time slot (as of 09/2026, official website). A new batch of tickets is released every Tuesday and sells out within hours.

Getting there: by tram or a ten-minute walk from Dam Square.
The catch: tickets are almost always sold out, so don't come without a booking.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the country's leading art museum. A ticket costs 25 € and is sold online only, for a set entry time (as of 09/2026, prices and opening hours page). The museum is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, including national holidays.

The collection spans eight centuries: paintings, furniture, porcelain, sculptures and exquisite ship models. People travel from all over the world for Rembrandt's "The Night Watch", and an entire wing was rebuilt for this painting. Works by Vermeer, Hals, Rubens and Van Dyck hang nearby.

It is impossible to see the whole museum in one visit. Pick two or three galleries and don't try to take in everything, otherwise by evening you will no longer be looking at the canvases. Get an audio guide and a morning slot, when the queues are shorter and the galleries have had time to empty out.

Getting there: tram to Museumplein.
The catch: without a slot in high season you will stand at the entrance for more than an hour.

Rijksmuseum ticket with a time slot on GetYourGuide

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is next door to the Rijksmuseum. A ticket costs 25 €, and entry is strictly by time slot (as of 09/2026, official website). In high season tickets sell out weeks ahead, so plan the date of your visit when you book your hotel.

The core of the collection was assembled by Johanna van Gogh, the wife of the artist's brother. She carefully preserved hundreds of illustrated letters and passed the works on to her son. It was he who proposed that the city build a museum, which opened in 1973.

Today there are about 200 paintings here, and they hang in the sequence Vincent himself intended. You will follow the path from the early, angular works through the Paris period to Arles and the final canvases. The studio setting has been recreated too, so the exhibition reads like a biography.

Getting there: across Museumplein from the Rijksmuseum.
The catch: the galleries are small, and at peak times it is cramped around the famous paintings.

Diamond museum

Coster Diamonds buildings on Paulus Potterstraat from above

The Diamond Museum was opened by Coster Diamonds, a company that cuts precious stones. The museum and the working factory are in the same building, so you will see both the history of the craft and the craftspeople at work.

The jewelers show how a rough stone becomes a polished diamond. The galleries screen a film about mining and cutting and display stones and jewelry from different countries, from South Africa to India. One standout exhibit is a copy of Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" laid out in sparkling stones.

The museum's gift shop sells diamond pieces. The visit is short, about an hour, so it is easy to slot in between two big museums or before lunch.

Getting there: close to Museumplein.
Who it's for: anyone interested in crafts and jewelry.
The catch: the experience depends on the cutter at the display, and it is noisy at weekends.

Heineken beer museum

Tram and flower beds outside the Heineken brewery building

The Heineken Experience is housed in an old brewery built in 1867. Beer was brewed here for more than a century, until a new plant opened. Today it is an interactive museum with a tasting, where the brand's history is presented as an attraction.

With your admission ticket you get a wristband with studs. These are exchanged for glasses of beer and a souvenir at the end of the route. Along the way you will see how the signature bottle has changed, watch the commercials and join a tasting, while the talks tell you about the brewing business.

You can make a personalized label and take part in the "bottling". It all ends in the brand store. The ticket price is higher than admission to the city museums, so check the current cost on the official website, and book a slot in advance at weekends.

Getting there: in the De Pijp district, about 20 minutes on foot from the Rijksmuseum.
Who it's for: groups of friends and beer lovers.
The catch: there is a long queue on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Albert Cuyp market

Amsterdam canal and historic gabled houses

The Albert Cuyp market is open on weekdays and closed on Sundays. It is the longest street market in the country, and here it is easy to get a feel for the real city rather than the tourist center. Officially the market is more than a hundred years old.

About 300 stalls stretch along the street. They sell spices, fabrics, handmade goods and jewelry, and between the rows there are cafés serving food from around the world. You will meet people from Asia, Africa and Latin America here, so the selection is nothing like the souvenir shops in the center.

Drop into the Cheese Museum at the market: it explains the varieties of Dutch cheese, and you can buy a piece to take home there too. The market is named after the painter Albert Cuyp, and nearby stands a statue of the singer André Hazes, who was much loved here.

Getting there: trams 4, 16, 24 to the Albert Cuypstraat stop.
The catch: early in the morning some of the stalls are only just opening.

Vondelpark

Vondelpark is where Amsterdammers take a break from the city. The paths are marked out for running, people picnic on the lawns, and concerts are held in the open-air summer theater. Admission is free and the park is open around the clock.

The park was laid out more than 150 years ago. It got its name later, when a sculpture of the playwright Joost van den Vondel was put up here. A Picasso sculpture is tucked away deep in the park, and the scattered ponds have been joined into one large lake with natural banks.

The park is home to the Film Museum, cafés and skate rental, and prestigious tournaments are held on the courts. It is a pleasure to grab a coffee and simply walk the loop, watching locals with their dogs and the musicians by the bridges.

Getting there: tram to the Leidseplein or Overtoom stop.
The catch: at weekends the main entrance is noisy with music and cyclists.

ARTIS zoo

Vicuña and donkey in an enclosure by the greenhouse

The zoo's name translates as "Nature is the teacher of art". ARTIS was founded in 1838 and is considered the oldest zoo in the country. A planetarium and two museums, geological and zoological, are right next to it.

The animals are kept in conditions close to their natural habitat. The monkeys live on "Monkey Rock", and in "Lemur Land" you cross a bridge and find yourself among them. Three ponds are given over to waterfowl, and a South American pampas setting has been recreated for the capybaras, anteaters and llamas.

There is a "Wolf Forest", elephant enclosures and a "Night Jungle" for animals that are active after dark. Next to the zoo is Micropia, a museum of microorganisms. If the whole family is going, get tickets in advance: there is a queue at the ticket desks at weekends.

Getting there: by tram or a 15-minute walk from Central Station.
Who it's for: families with children.
The catch: there is a queue at the ticket desks at weekends, so arrive at opening time.

't Arendsnest beer bar

Copper bar counter with beer taps and an eagle

A good place to end day two is the 't Arendsnest beer bar at Herengracht 90. Only Dutch beer is poured here: about 350 varieties, not counting 250 seasonal ones. The menu explains the style and strength of each beer, so even a beginner can easily find their way around.

Draft beer can be sampled in small glasses, so you only order a full one of the beer you liked. Bottled beer has to be bought whole. On weekdays it is not busy, and at the bar it is easy to chat about breweries and local recipes.

The bar is open from 16:00 until midnight, and on Fridays and Saturdays it opens earlier and closes later. Themed tastings are announced in advance, so ask the staff about them.

Getting there: on foot from Dam Square along Herengracht.
Who it's for: anyone who wants to try local beers rather than mass-market lager.
The catch: bottled beers are sold only by the whole bottle.

The museum quarter is easy to cover on foot in a single day. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum stand side by side on Museumplein, with less than five minutes' walk between their entrances (measured on the map). The diamond museum is close by, so you don't waste time on transport and simply walk from one entrance to the next.

The De Pijp district starts right behind Museumplein. This is where you will find the Heineken Experience brewery and the Albert Cuyp market, about fifteen minutes apart on foot (measured on the map). It makes sense to combine them: first the beer museum, then lunch at the street food stalls, where it is cheaper and the choice is wider.

Vondelpark lies to the west of the museums, and after a packed morning it is a pleasant place to unwind on a lawn by the water. In the evening, head back to the center near Dam Square, where the 't Arendsnest beer bar is. That way you round off the day without extra journeys or queues for transport.

Decide in advance how many museums you can realistically manage in a day. Three big museums is the limit, because by the fourth you will stop taking in the exhibits and just walk past the display cases. Leave one museum for the next day or swap it for a relaxed canal cruise.

Book tickets for the morning, while there are few school groups in the galleries. At lunchtime, stop at the museum café or walk to the market. Don't leave the Rijksmuseum for the evening: by closing time the gallery with "The Night Watch" is packed, and you won't be able to photograph the painting without other people's heads in the shot.

It is convenient to get the tickets for this day together in advance, especially for the museums. Below is a selection with prices and time slots, so you don't have to hunt for the entrance on the spot.

Tours and tickets in Amsterdam

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Day 3: a day trip out of town, your choice

If you have a third day, spend it on a trip out of town. Below are the options to choose from, and for a single day pick just one of them. Most of the destinations can be reached in about an hour. Kinderdijk needs more time, as the journey there takes 2.5-3 hours. Texel is worth visiting only with at least one overnight stay. Transport runs frequently, and most routes start from Central Station. Don't try to cover everything: it is better to see two places at a relaxed pace than to spend the day sitting on trains.

Zandvoort

If you have been missing the sea, take a trip to Zandvoort. It is a small resort town with a wide sandy beach and the sound of the waves. The name translates as "sandy ford", and the town was founded at the end of the 11th century.

Zandvoort became a resort in the mid-19th century, when the railway reached it and the number of holidaymakers shot up. One of the first Dutch films was shot right here, in 1905. The trip by commuter train from Central Station takes about half an hour, so it is easy to combine with an evening in the city.

Even on an overcast day there is plenty to do here. Along the seafront there are cafés and restaurants with glass walls that look out on the sea, and the promenade has no shortage of shops. You can sit with a coffee practically on the beach and not get cold in the wind.

Getting there: train from Central Station, about 30 minutes.
Who it's for: anyone who wants the sea without a long journey.
The catch: on a windy day it is cold on the beach, so bring a jacket.

Zaanse Schans

The windmill is a symbol of the country. There was a time when the wind decided whether the grain would be ground and the oil pressed from the seeds. In the village of Zaanse Schans you will see different types of windmill, and many of them are working, so you can watch the process with your own eyes.

Entry to the village is free, and you can stroll around at any time. You only pay for what is inside: a ticket to a windmill or the museums costs in the low double digits. The windmills and museums are open from about 10 am to 5 pm, so check the exact hours on the official website before you go.

On the way, drop into the farm where cheese is made to old recipes, and watch a craftsman carve wooden clogs. You can buy both as souvenirs, and the prices here are fixed. The easiest way to get there is by train or bus from Central Station.

Getting there: train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, then on foot.
The catch: during the day there are many tour groups among the windmills, mornings are quieter.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the country's second-largest city and its biggest port. The center is built up with futuristic buildings that look as if they have stepped out of science fiction. Here the past sits side by side with the future, which is why the city is so unlike Amsterdam.

The city was founded in the 13th century on the Rotte river, where a dam already stood. The two words merged to give the name. In the 16th century Rotterdam was sacked by the Spanish and recovered, and during the Second World War the center was destroyed by bombing and rebuilt from scratch.

What to see in Rotterdam:

Kijk-Kubus, the "cube houses" designed by Piet Blom.
De Markthal, a market hall with apartments and a painted ceiling.
De Verwoeste Stad, the "Destroyed City" memorial commemorating the war.
The Erasmus Bridge, linking the northern and southern parts of the city.
Rotterdam Tower with an observation deck overlooking the port.
De Brug, an office built in the form of a bridge over a factory.
The White House of Rotterdam, Europe's first skyscraper, built at the end of the 19th century.
Laurenskerk, one of the few medieval churches to survive.

You can get there by train in about forty minutes. If you love modern architecture and shopping, allow half a day for Rotterdam, and in the evening dozens of clubs and bars are open here.

Getting there: train from Central Station to Rotterdam Centraal.
The catch: the center is being rebuilt, and some streets and squares are closed off.

The Hague and Delft

Oude Delft canal and the tower of the Old Church

The Hague is the seat of the royal family and the government. The UN's International Court of Justice also sits here, which is why the city is called the legal capital of the world. In appearance it is an aristocratic city of low houses and narrow streets, with almost no high-rises on its historic streets.

Be sure to photograph the Peace Palace, which looks like a fairy-tale castle. The Parliament is worth a stop, and at the Mauritshuis museum you will see works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer. You can continue your walk in the suburb of Scheveningen, which opens right onto the sea and is famous for its long beach.

Delft lies on the way between Rotterdam and The Hague. Vermeer was born here, and the quiet streets and old houses look like a stage set for the 17th century. The local market dates back to the 14th century and sells seafood and flowers. In the shops, take a look at the porcelain: Delft is considered the capital of Dutch porcelain.

Getting there: train from Central Station, from 40 minutes.
Who it's for: anyone who wants to see two different sides of the country in one day.
The catch: you won't be able to explore two cities properly in a single day.

Volendam, Edam and Marken

Green wooden houses and the church of Marken by the canal

Volendam is a little fishing village that painters and performers took a liking to long ago. Here it is easy to picture how fishermen lived in the 19th century. Volendam used to be the harbor of neighboring Edam, and Edam itself was founded in the 13th century.

Edam built ships for several centuries and then switched to cheese. Today about seven thousand people live here, and a cheese market is held on Wednesdays. The cheese of the same name is sold in the shops on any day, so you certainly won't go home empty-handed.

Volendam is about three times the size of Edam. People come here for herring, smoked eel and fresh oysters; the fish is often sold straight off the boats returning from the catch. The seafront sits on a dike and is therefore higher than the rest of the village, and the windows here traditionally have no curtains.

Marken, a village on an island, is worth a visit too. You can get there by ferry or by bus, as a causeway leads to the village. Fewer than two thousand people live in Marken, but it is full of character: little houses on stilts, well-kept yards and café dishes you won't taste anywhere else.

Marken was once part of the mainland, but in the 13th century a flood turned it into an island, so its old-world character has survived almost untouched. To get around all three places in a day, it is easiest to take the WaterLand ticket: it gives unlimited travel on the route from Amsterdam to Volendam, Edam and Marken.

Getting there: bus from Central Station to Volendam.
The catch: the seafront is very crowded in summer, and the best light is in the morning.

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is a famous windmill park. The journey from Amsterdam takes about two and a half hours: part of the way is by water. In return, you will see 19 windmills built in the 18th century.

The village's name translates as "children's dike". According to legend, after a flood only a cradle with a baby in it survived on this spot. The windmills were built to drain the water and stop two rivers from flooding the village, and the system really did work for centuries.

The windmills stand along the canal, and one of them is open to visit inside. The whole park is easy to get around on a rental bike, which lets you reach the far sluices. In winter people come here to watch the skaters on the frozen canal. The windmill park is protected by UNESCO.

Getting there: train and bus, 2.5-3 hours from Amsterdam.
The catch: it is a long journey, so plan half a day or a full day.

Texel island

Traditional sheep barn among the fields of Texel

Texel is the largest of the West Frisian Islands. It has seven small towns and dozens of hamlets, and the island itself separates the North Sea from the Wadden Sea. You get here by ferry from the port of Den Helder.

Most of Texel is taken up by a nature reserve with birds and dunes. Visitors walk, hire bikes and go horse riding, and in winter the island turns quiet and almost deserted. The island's economy rests on tourism, so the services are geared to holidaymakers.

The island is known for its catamaran regatta, the Maritime Museum with finds from shipwrecks and an old lighthouse with a sea view. In October it hosts a ten-day blues festival that draws visitors from all over the country.

Getting there: train to Den Helder and a ferry to the island.
Who it's for: anyone who wants nature instead of cities.
The catch: the island is worth visiting only with at least one night's stay, as a day trip loses a lot of time to travel.

What food you have to try

Corner restaurant by the Prinsengracht canal in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is multinational, and its cuisine has been a blend since colonial times. Beer is not the only thing worth trying: the local dishes are filling and inexpensive. Below is a list of what gets ordered most often, from street snacks to hearty hot dishes.

Dutch-style skewers are made from pork, beef or chicken, but served with a peanut sauce of soy sauce, peanut butter and chili. Bami Goreng is Indonesian noodles with meat, beans and bean sprouts, served in every café in the Netherlands. For dessert go for Oliebollen: sweet doughnuts with raisins, and the tastiest ones have pieces of apple.

For a hot dish, try Boerenkool Stamppot, mashed potato with finely chopped kale, and Erwtensoep, a thick pea soup with smoked sausage. The soup is served in individual pots, that is how thick it is, and people are especially keen on it in winter.

Seafood is a reason in itself to visit the Netherlands. Try Hollandse Nieuwe, young herring with onion and pickle, and Kibbeling, pieces of battered white fish with garlic sauce. Most of this is sold at street stalls, so you can eat on the go.

For sweets and snacks, remember the salty licorice candy Drop, the little pancakes called Poffertjes and Stroopwafels, waffles with caramel. Vlaamse friet are thick-cut fries, and Kapsalon comes with kebab meat and cheese. Have Old Amsterdam cheese with wine, as it is considered the pride of the city. And to finish, order the fried salmon, which is loved here just as much as herring.

There is a practical side too. You won't manage to try everything in one go, so choose by mood: street stalls close early, while restaurants stay open late into the evening. If you are visiting in winter, be sure to get Erwtensoep and Oliebollen, which are sold at every fair. In summer, get Kibbeling by the pier and Hollandse Nieuwe at a fishmonger's. Cheese and Stroopwafels are easy to take home as souvenirs, and they travel well.

A 3-day Amsterdam itinerary on the map

It helps to keep the whole route in front of you on a map. Open it on your phone so you don't waste time finding the entrance between stops.

What to see in Amsterdam in 3 days

Places on the map

Leidseplein Gateway to the historic center, five tram lines
Flower Market Europe's only floating flower market
Krijtberg Church Neo-Gothic Catholic church with an antique altar
Munttoren Remnant of a 15th-century fortress wall with a chiming clock
Spui Square Book fair venue, next to the Begijnhof courtyard
Dam Square Nieuwe Kerk church, the Royal Palace, National Monument
Oude Kerk Amsterdam's oldest building, three organs
Central Station Main transport hub, 19th-century building
St. Nicholas Church Three towers and a rose window, between the station and the center
OBA Library Free observation terrace with a view over the old town
Anne Frank House Secret rooms where the family hid for two years
Rijksmuseum Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch,' eight centuries of art
Van Gogh Museum About 200 of the artist's paintings in chronological order
Diamond Museum The working Coster Diamonds cutting factory
Heineken Experience Interactive brewery museum with a tasting
Albert Cuyp Market The country's longest street market, about 300 stalls
Vondelpark City park with a lake and a Picasso sculpture
Artis Zoo The country's oldest zoo, founded in 1838
't Arendsnest pub Dutch beer only, about 350 varieties
Zandvoort Resort town with a wide sandy beach
Zaanse Schans Village of working windmills
Rotterdam Cube houses, Markthal market, futuristic architecture
Delft Vermeer's birthplace and the capital of Dutch porcelain
Volendam Fishing village, herring and smoked eel
Edam The town of Edam cheese, a cheese market on Wednesdays
Marken Island with houses on stilts, a former peninsula

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for Amsterdam?

Three days are enough to see the center and the museums. The first day goes to the old town and canals, the second to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and ARTIS zoo, and the third to a trip to Zaanse Schans or Volendam. If you want a relaxed pace, add a fourth day and keep it for resting.

How do you get from Schiphol airport to the center?

The train from the station beneath the airport takes about 15-20 minutes to reach Central Station, and services leave every few minutes. It is easiest to buy a ticket from a machine or tap your card at the gate. A taxi costs more and sits in traffic, so the train is almost always faster.

When is the best time to go to Amsterdam?

From April to June it is warm and the tulips are in bloom, but this is the busiest season. In autumn there are fewer tourists and hotels are cheaper. In winter the city is quiet, and in December and January there are evening cruises during the Light Festival.

What to see in Amsterdam with children?

Children most enjoy the NEMO museum, with exhibits you can touch, and ARTIS zoo, with its "Lemur Land" and "Night Jungle". Next to the zoo is Micropia, a museum of microorganisms. Take the children on the trip to Zaanse Schans too: the windmills and clogs make an impression.

Do you need the I amsterdam card?

It pays off if you are planning lots of museums and journeys, because it includes transport and admission to some museums. For two or three museums it is cheaper to buy separate tickets in advance. Compare the list of included museums with your plan before you buy.

How much does a canal cruise cost?

An hour-long cruise costs in the low double digits, and evening cruises with dinner cost more. The price depends on the operator and the season, and it is cheaper to buy a ticket online in advance. If you want to get off at the stops, take the water taxi or a day pass.

In brief: what's worth booking

Amsterdam is best planned ahead, because the main museums sell admission by time slot and tickets sell out weeks in advance. Start with the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, then add a canal cruise. Book transport and out-of-town trips once your route is already put together.

If you are short on time: get a Rijksmuseum ticket for the morning and a canal cruise for the evening. If you are traveling with children: put NEMO on day one and ARTIS on day two. If you want to sleep in the center: take a look at Amsterdam hotels on Trip.com and book early, as prices rise fast in summer.

3 days in Amsterdam: day-by-day itinerary, museum and canal cruise tickets