Explore Amsterdam
Plan Your Trip to Amsterdam: Best of Amsterdam Tourism
Essential Amsterdam
How to do Amsterdam in 3 days
8 best day trips from Amsterdam
- UtrechtIn quaint Utrecht, 30 minutes south of Amsterdam, kids kayak on Oudegracht canal, bikes lean on flower-covered bridges, and cafes line the waterways. The walkable city center (a 10-minute radius) is also a foodie favorite; it’s perfect for a food crawl of treats like De Ontdekking’s Dutch baby pancakes and Kaasbar’s conveyor-belt charcuterie. Rent a bicycle for the 20-minute ride to Rhijnauwen estate’s teahouse and De Veldkeuken restaurant serving vegan dishes straight from the garden.Read more
- World Heritage Kinderdijk3,456To get to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s an hour’s train to Rotterdam, then a half-hour ferry (a pretty journey in its own right). The scene is straight out of a Dutch landscape painting—green fields, grazing sheep, and a bucolic waterway studded by 19 authentic windmills. Grab an apple turnover at the visitor center before biking or strolling around the 18th-century windmills. Tip: Visit in the late afternoon to avoid big tour groups.
- RotterdamRebuilt after WWII, Rotterdam draws travelers with its cutting-edge architecture (particularly Markthal’s Cube Houses) and trendy neighborhoods. In Oude Noorden (Old North), Zwaanshals street is lined with galleries, shops, and restaurants. I swooned over Bistro LOEVetDIE’s French fare (the ratatouille is sublime) and Mecca’s Middle Eastern meals (order egg labneh or white babka). The old harbor, Delfshaven, is a mix of historic architecture and modern amusements, including 4,000-foot rooftop Dakpark and Keilecafe open-air club.Read more
- DelftDelft is the source of my favorite souvenir: pottery. This storybook village—and Vermeer’s hometown—is known for its blue-and-white Delftware. You can buy custom pieces at Heinen Delfts Blauw, antiques at Léon-Paul, and unique crafts at Droom. To watch the artists in action, head to Blue Tulip, located across from the medieval church in the market square. For lunch, TAZZ is a convivial café that encompasses the Dutch term gezellig (cozy and friendly).Read more
- Kasteel de Haar1,153At Castle De Haar, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time. This fairytale fortress, originally constructed in 1391, was rebuilt in the 16th century after a fire, and fully restored from 1892 to 1912. Today, the 200-room castle is the largest in the Netherlands, and its 135 acres of manicured grounds and romantic gardens are perfect for a picnic. Tip: It’s best to drive (30 minutes) or book a tour as public transit is time-consuming.
- The HagueIf you’re a history buff, like me, you’ll love The Hague. As the country’s political center, it’s home to Noordeinde Palace—a royal residence—and Binnenhof, the 13th century castle that’s the home of parliament. Next door, the Mauritshuis museum displays works by Dutch Masters like Rembrant and Vermeer in a 17th-century mansion. (Tip: Visit late in the day; on a recent visit 30 minutes before closing, I had “Girl with a Pearl Earring” all to myself.)Read more
- HaarlemHaarlem, just a 20 minute train ride from Amsterdam, is my go-to spot for unique shopping. Some favorites include The James for homegoods, Callysta for jewelry, Vind for vintage clothes, and 't Kaaswinkeltje for local cheese—all within a five-minute walk of the train. While you’re here, get lunch at By Lima, which specializes in healthy bowls, or, for something sweet, the decadent French toast with clotted cream at Toast.Read more
- EdamBus 316 takes you 30 minutes north to the lakeside “Waterlands'' of tourist-favorite Volendam (think: clog shops, costume photos) or my favorite, Edam, a sleepy hamlet of tranquil canals, leafy walking paths, and a striking bell tower, just a 7-minute bus ride. Sample the town’s namesake cheese at Kaasspeciaalzaak, but save room for dinner at De Fortuna, particularly the sourdough bread board and pecan pie with crispy hops from the Hague.Read more
Explore Amsterdam by interest
Take to the water
Get your gouda here
Dutch art and design
If you’re feeling fancy-ish
Two wheels, no prob
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Amsterdam
In the words of those who've been there before ...
What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
The primary international airport serving the Netherlands is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Many smaller airlines also fly to regional airports such as Rotterdam or Eindhoven, or airports near the Dutch border.
Train:
Amsterdam Centraal station is the city's major international railway hub, with services to destinations such as Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Bus:
Eurolines operates international coach services from Amsterdam Amstel railway station, while IDBUS, Megabus, and Flixbus operate international routes from Amsterdam Sloterdijk railway station.
Find more information on getting to Amsterdam.
Do I need a visa?
The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area with many other European countries. This means tourists from certain countries don’t require a visa for trips less than 90 days — as long as your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned departure date.
Find more information about the Schengen Visa and what countries are exempt.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (March to May) and Summer (June to August): The spring tulip season — when Keukenhof Gardens opens up and the city is taken over by colorful blooms for the Tulip Festival — is one of the most popular times to visit Amsterdam. Average daytime temperatures in spring reach 55 Fahrenheit (13 Celsius) and lows of 41 Fahrenheit (5 Celsius).
Summertime is also inevitably crowded, but it’s the most atmospheric time to experience Dutch culture, with dozens of festivals, urban beaches, and open-air cinemas springing up around the capital. Average daytime temperatures in summer reach highs of 70 Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) and lows of 54 Fahrenheit (12 Celsius).
Bicycle
Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Bike-hire companies are located all over the city. Find more information about where to hire a bike.
Train, Tram and Bus
Public transport operator Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB) operates tram, bus and metro services starting at 6 a.m. and running until 12:30 a.m. Between 12:30 a.m. and 7 a.m., you can travel on night buses.
The I amsterdam City Card gives tourists unlimited access to public transport in the city combined with free entry to many attractions.
Find more information on schedules, fares, and routes.
Taxis
Amsterdam’s taxis are easily spotted with their blue license plates and official sign on the roof. Taxis are metered and can be caught from one of many taxi stands, hailed on the street, or booked via telephone.
Find more information about fares, who to call and where to find a taxi stand.
Ridesharing
Uber is available in Amsterdam on your smartphone.
Are there local customs I should know?
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Amsterdam, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Amsterdam include:
- Amsterdam is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Amsterdam:
- Amsterdam Classic Boat Cruise with Live Guide, Drinks and Cheese
- Amsterdam Luxury Live Guided Canal Cruise with Onboard Bar
- Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter
- Amsterdam Luxury Boat Canal Cruise w/ Live Guide and Onboard Bar
- All-Inclusive Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Captain Jack
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Amsterdam between September and November, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between December and February.