Top places to visit in Amsterdam

• Rijksmuseum

  national art museum · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands' national museum of art and history, housing the world's greatest collection of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces. Its permanent collection spans 8,000 objects across 80 galleries including Rembrandt's…

• Van Gogh Museum

  fine art museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of Van Gogh's work in the world — 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 750 personal letters tracing his turbulent decade-long career from sombre Dutch peasant scenes to the blazing colour and…

• Anne Frank House

  historic house museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Anne Frank House is one of the world's most visited and emotionally powerful museums, preserving the secret annex at Prinsengracht 304 where Anne Frank and seven others hid from the Nazis for 761 days between 1942 and 1944. The…

• Vondelpark

  urban park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Vondelpark is Amsterdam's most beloved urban green space — a 47-hectare English-style landscape park opened in 1865 and visited by ten million people a year. Named after the Dutch poet Joost van den Vondel, the park features ornamental…

• Amsterdam Centraal & Damrak

  railway station & boulevard · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Amsterdam Centraal station is one of the great 19th-century railway termini of Europe — a neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance palace designed by Pierre Cuypers (who also built the Rijksmuseum) and opened in 1889, fronted by two ornate towers…

• Jordaan & Canal Ring Boat Cruise

  canal cruise · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010 — is best experienced from the water, and the classic 75-minute glass-topped boat cruise through the Jordaan and Canal Ring is the definitive way to do it. The…

• Heineken Experience

  brewery tour · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Heineken Experience occupies the original Heineken brewery on Stadhouderskade, which produced the iconic lager here from 1867 until 1988 when production moved to larger facilities. The 90-minute self-guided tour takes visitors through…

• Dam Square

  Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The historic heart of Amsterdam — the original dam that founded the city in 1270, with the War Memorial, the Royal Palace facade and the National Monument creating the most visited urban space in the Netherlands.

• Amsterdam Canal Ring Walk

  Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The UNESCO-listed Golden Age canal ring — the three concentric 17th-century canals (Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht) and the Jordaan, the most complete preserved 17th-century urban landscape in the world.

• Museumplein (Museum Square)

  Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The great open green at the heart of Amsterdam's museum district — the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk all on one square, with the iconic I Amsterdam sign (now elsewhere) as a former meeting point.

• Albert Cuyp Market

  street market · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp neighbourhood is the largest outdoor market in the Netherlands and one of the best street markets in Europe — 301 stalls stretching for 300 metres along Albert Cuypstraat, six days a week since 1905. The…

• Red Light District (De Wallen)

  Cultural · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Amsterdam's medieval city centre and red light district — not just the famous window prostitution but the oldest neighbourhood in the city, with medieval churches, canal views and the Prostitution Information Centre.

Things to do

• Van Gogh Museum Skip the Line Museum · 2.5 h · from EUR 21 per person
• Anne Frank House Reserved Entry Heritage · 1.5 h · from EUR 14 per person
• Amsterdam Canal Cruise Sightseeing · 1 h · from EUR 16 per person
• Day Trip to Keukenhof Tulip Gardens Day Trip · 6 h · from EUR 41 per person
• Day Trip to Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip · 5 h · from EUR 21 per person
• Anne Frank House Guided Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from EUR 19 per person
• Amsterdam Canal Boat Tour Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from EUR 16 per person
• Bike Tour of Amsterdam Cycling · 3 h · from EUR 29 per person

Day trips and tours

• Keukenhof Tulip Gardens & Bollenstreek Day Tour 7.5 h · from EUR 61
• Zaanse Schans Windmills & Dutch Villages Half-Day 4.5 h · from EUR 42
• Bruges Day Trip by Direct Coach 12 h · from EUR 75

Where to stay in Amsterdam

• Jordaan & Canal Ring about EUR 155 per night

  Amsterdam's most romantic neighbourhood — a grid of 17th-century canal houses, independent galleries, hofjes (almshouse courtyards), and candlelit brown cafes. Walking distance to the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk, and…

• Museumkwartier & Vondelpark about EUR 220 per night

  Upscale Amsterdam at its most polished — the Museum Quarter surrounds the Museumplein where the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk face each other across a broad lawn. Vondelpark is steps away; quiet, tree-lined…

• De Pijp about EUR 105 per night

  Amsterdam's most vibrant, multicultural neighbourhood — the Albert Cuyp Market (the Netherlands' largest outdoor market) runs daily through its heart, and the streets branch off into Indonesian, Surinamese, Turkish and…

• Amsterdam Noord & NDSM about EUR 72 per night

  Creative, post-industrial Amsterdam across the free IJ ferry — 5 minutes from Centraal Station. The NDSM shipyard is the epicentre of the city's art and startup scene with pop-up restaurants, street art and festivals.…

Hotels

• Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam 5-star · INR 25,000 to INR 75,000 per night
• Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam 5-star · INR 42,000 to INR 160,000 per night
• The Dylan Amsterdam 5-star · EUR 450 to EUR 2,421 per night
• Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam 5-star · INR 22,000 to INR 65,000 per night
• Hotel Okura Amsterdam 5-star · INR 15,000 to INR 45,000 per night
• Hotel Ambassade Amsterdam 5-star · INR 9,500 to INR 22,000 per night

Where to eat

• Frietsteeg dutch, street_food, french_fries · about EUR 5 per person
• Winkel 43 dutch, cafe, traditional · about EUR 12 per person
• Albert Cuyp Market international, dutch, market · about EUR 10 per person
• Pizzabakkers italian, pizza · about EUR 22 per person
• Foodhallen international, market, street_food · about EUR 25 per person
• Pluk Amsterdam international, brunch, cafe · about EUR 15 per person
• Café Loetje dutch, steakhouse, traditional · about EUR 25 per person
• Café Restaurant Amsterdam dutch, french, brasserie · about EUR 35 per person

Getting to Amsterdam

Airport: Amsterdam (AMS)

How visitors arrive in Amsterdam

• Fly into Schiphol Airport By air from International hubs · common

  Schiphol is the main air gateway, southwest of the city, with train links to Amsterdam Centraal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• International and domestic train to Amsterdam Centraal By train from Europe · common

  Most trains use Amsterdam Centraal, which receives most international rail services from Germany, Belgium, France and the UK. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• International coach By road from Europe · possible

  Coaches such as Flixbus serve Amsterdam from other European cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ferry via IJmuiden By ferry from Newcastle · possible

  The nearest ferry port is IJmuiden, with ferries from the UK; cruise ships use the city passenger terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Train from Schiphol to Centraal

  Trains are the main link between Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal station in the city centre. Source: iamsterdam.com

• Airport Express bus 397

  The Airport Express bus 397 serves Schiphol by day and the N97 Niteliner runs at night, boarding at the designated airport bus stop. The train is the usual choice for Centraal. Source: iamsterdam.com

• Uber or Bolt

  Uber and Bolt operate in Amsterdam. Taxis are best taken from official ranks at Schiphol or Centraal rather than hailed on the street. Source: iamsterdam.com

From the railway station to the centre

• International train to Centraal

  Eurostar, ICE, Eurocity Direct and Nightjet services arrive at Amsterdam Centraal. The Eurocity Direct from Brussels stops at Zuid instead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle

  Cycling is the local norm in Amsterdam and bikes can be rented from shops; bikes are also allowed on metro lines and the IJ ferries.

• Transit Pass

  Amsterdam's trams, metro and buses accept tapping a contactless bank card or phone, an OV-chipkaart, or a GVB day or multi-day pass.

• Walking

Paying

• Contactless bank cards and phones (OVpay) work on trams, buses, metro and NS trains; tap in and out. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pickpockets in the Jordaan and Red Light District

  Jordaan neighbourhood, De Wallen (Red Light District), Centraal Station platforms

  Organised pickpocket teams — typically posing as confused tourists — create a distraction (dropping something, asking for directions, or pushing in a crowded tram doorway) while an accomplice lifts your wallet, phone, or passport from an outer jacket pocket or open bag. The Red Light District's narrow alleys, low lighting, and tourist density make it prime territory, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

  How to avoid it: Use a money belt or inside jacket pocket for valuables. Keep your bag zipped and held in front of you on trams. Be especially alert when boarding or alighting at Centraal Station and the Dam square tram stops.

• Fake Flower Sellers — Forced Gifting Scam

  Floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein

  A person approaches and insists on placing a flower or small item in your hand as a "gift", then aggressively demands payment — sometimes €10–20 — or refuses to leave. Accomplices may film the interaction to pressure you further. If you resist, verbal intimidation follows.

  How to avoid it: Firmly say "No thank you" and keep walking — do not accept any unsolicited item. Do not reach for your wallet. If pressured, walk to the nearest shop or cafe entrance.

• Overpriced Unofficial Taxis from Schiphol Airport

  Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) — arrivals hall level 2 and car park exits

  Unlicensed or "pirate" taxi drivers solicit passengers directly inside the arrivals hall before they reach the official taxi rank. They quote a flat fare (often €60–100 for a journey that should cost €35–45) and may not use a meter. Some use cars with official-looking but fake taxi signage.

  How to avoid it: Use only the official yellow-and-black taxi rank outside arrivals (Schiphol Taxi is the authorised dispatcher) or prebook via Uber, Bolt, or the Schiphol Taxi app. Ignore all drivers who approach you inside the terminal. The legitimate fare to central Amsterdam is approximately €40–55 by meter.

Best time to visit Amsterdam

• Jan 6°C
• Feb 7°C
• Mar 10°C
• Apr 14°C
• May 18°C
• Jun 20°C
• Jul 23°C
• Aug 22°C
• Sep 19°C
• Oct 15°C
• Nov 10°C
• Dec 7°C

More in Netherlands

• Rotterdam
• Utrecht
• The Hague
• Maastricht
• Delft
• Haarlem

Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam

What are the top-rated places to visit in Amsterdam?

The highest-rated places in our Amsterdam guide are Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Amsterdam Canal Ring Walk.

Where should I stay in Amsterdam?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Amsterdam: Jordaan & Canal Ring, Museumkwartier & Vondelpark, De Pijp, Amsterdam Noord & NDSM.

How do I get around Amsterdam?

Ways to get around Amsterdam covered in our guide: Bicycle, Transit pass, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Amsterdam?

Scams reported to us for Amsterdam include Pickpockets in the Jordaan and Red Light District; Fake Flower Sellers — Forced Gifting Scam; Overpriced Unofficial Taxis from Schiphol Airport. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Amsterdam?

Average daytime highs in Amsterdam run from 6°C in Jan to 23°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Amsterdam?

The nearest airport to Amsterdam has the code AMS.