Amsterdam, a magical place with even more magical canals and streets where you can walk for hours. A Dutch city with famous museums and cafes where you can have the best brunch and pancakes. Amsterdam hides many attractions and today we will show you the itinerary if you are planning to spend a day in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Is it possible to visit Amsterdam in one day?
The centre of Amsterdam is relatively small and can be walked around in one day. On the other hand, you don’t have enough time to visit world-famous museums like the impressive Rijskmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, which sell out weeks in advance.
You won’t have time to visit all the cute businesses that offer pancakes, eggs, homemade lemonade and other goodies. With stylish seating and views of the canals.
If you want to enjoy Amsterdam to the fullest, make sure to set aside at least 2-3 days for your visit. In addition, there are other interesting places around Amsterdam that are easily accessible.
1 day in Amsterdam – route map
On the map you will find the marked route for visiting Amsterdam in one day. The route is largely on foot and passes through some of the most beautiful places Amsterdam has to offer. For a shorter route, you can use local trams, metro or buses.
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map with the route for visiting Amsterdam in one day. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the itinerary for a day in Amsterdam, Netherlands. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
HOW TO PLAN A PERFECT DAY IN AMSTERDAM
1 DAY IN AMSTERDAM – ITINERARY
8:00 Start in the most beautiful district of Amsterdam
Jordaan is a picturesque neighbourhood full of canals, small bridges, cosy cafes and local atmosphere. This is how I personally imagine Amsterdam.
Unlike the Red Light District, it’s not as touristy and there’s no trash lying around. You just feel good here.
You can walk around the canals or in the narrow streets where locals walk their dogs. Or visit one of the stylish cafés, which are inviting from the outside with their details and cushioned seating.
Stop by Le Petit Deli for a delicious dessert or have a Greek cake and coffee at Kafenion Amsterdam (it’s really good!).
9:30 Visit the Anne Frank Museum
The Anne Frank Museum is located on the other side of the Prinsengracht canal, which divides the Jordaan district from the Negen Straatjes district. Just cross the bridge and you’re here.
The museum will give you a glimpse into the life of a young Jewish girl, Anne, who hid with her family in the back of the house for two years during World War II. After their discovery, they were taken to a concentration camp. Only my father, who published Anna’s diary, survived. This place immerses you in World War II at its most raw.
Practical information for visiting Anne Frank Huis
Admission to the museum is 17 € for adults, 7 € for children 9-17 years and 1 € for children under 8 years. It is open daily from 9:00-22:00.
Please note: Tickets to the museum are must be reserved in advance as soon as possible. Tickets go on pre-sale every Tuesday for 6 weeks in advance. In the season from spring to autumn, it is common for them to be sold out for the whole period.
11:00 Get to know Negen Straatjes, a UNESCO site
De 9 Straatjes can be thought of as 9 streets that are lined by the canals Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, Singelgracht and Singel. One of the most beautiful areas in the city that you can’t miss when visiting Amsterdam. The streets around the canals are absolutely charming, with lots of vintage shops and restaurants.
If you’re not planning a visit to Anne Frank House, you can spend more time paddling around the canals, exploring the hidden corners and cosy cafes of Negen Straatjes.
Read: The 11 best hotels in Amsterdam for every budget
12:00 Lunch
Negen Straatjes is in the heart of the city, so there are plenty of places to eat in and around the district. Here are some of our tips:
- Greenwoods – Greenwoods serves mostly breakfast and brunch, but the portions are so huge that they’ll keep you full until dinner. In addition, they are open until the afternoon. You will find a large selection of homemade lemonades, teas, English breakfast, eggs in various ways and sandwiches.
- Just a short walk from Greenwoods is a small Italian bistro Caldi e freddi – it’s inconspicuous, so you can almost miss it on the street. That would be a shame, because they have great sandwiches, pizza slices, lasagna, and great prices (especially for Amsterdam).
You can find all the places marked in the map at the beginning of the article.
Hotels in Amsterdam 😴
13:00 Amsterdam city centre and Begijnhof
You continue exploring the centre of Amsterdam. Stop at the main square – Dam Square, which is flanked by the Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the New Church.
Behind the New Church is the impressive Magna Plaza shopping centre.
In a quarter of an hour you can walk from Dam Square to my favourite place in Amsterdam – Begijnhof.
Begijnhof is literally a hidden gem of Amsterdam. The courtyard, which is surrounded by old houses from 15th century, with a chapel and a small park in the middle. A 10-minute stop, but a perfect oasis of calm in the middle of a busy city.
There used to be a religious women’s community here and some still live here. Entrance is free, but the number of people is regulated – a worker sits outside the entrance to correct the number of people inside. There are barriers to preserve the privacy of the locals, but you will still see plenty.
14:00 Stroopwafel and chocolate biscuits
Do you have a sweet tooth? Visit Hans Egstorf, a small bakery on the corner, for some of the best stroopwafels in Amsterdam. It is only 5 minutes from the Begijnhof.
In fact, I have to say that even though stroopwafels are a classic in Amsterdam, I liked the chocolate chip cookies at Van Stapele Koekmakerij even more.
14:15 Muntorren and Bloemenmarkt
A short walk from the Begijnhof is the famous Munttoren Tower, where the Singel Canal and the Amstel River join. In the past, coins were minted in the tower and today it is famous for its chimes, which sound at all hours.
Right next to the tower is the famous Bloemenmarkt floating market. Here you can buy flower bulbs, seeds, live flowers, cheese, clogs and other souvenirs that are associated with Holland.
Bloemenmarkt felt very touristy to me and lacked the charm that other places in Amsterdam have. In addition, the area was pretty messy (but this is a problem in several places in Amsterdam, which I will mention later in the article).
If you’re not planning a visit to the Bloemenmarkt, you can hop on tram 2 or metro M52 a short walk from the Begijnhof and ride to the Museumplein. Alternatively, you can walk – it will take you about 15-20 minutes.
Hotels in Amsterdam 😴
15:00 Visit the Museumplein
It would be a great shame to visit Amsterdam and not visit at least one of the world’s top museums. The Museumplein (Museum Quarter) has several to choose from:
Rijksmuseum
Housed in a magnificent building, the Rijksmuseum houses the finest collection of art by Dutch masters from the Golden Age, from Rembrandt to Vermeer, and you can learn more about the history of the Netherlands with historic ships, a collection of porcelain and dollhouses from the 17th century.
The queues for the Rijksmuseum can be long. Book your tickets for the Rijksmuseum in advance and skip the lines. All you have to do is go through the security entrance check, where you show your ticket (on your mobile or printed). Then you can go straight to the museum.
Van Gogh Museum
Are you a Van Gogh lover? Then you can’t miss the Van Gogh Museum, where you’ll find his largest collection, including his personal letters.
☞ Reservation to the Van Gogh Museum is required. Tickets tend to sell out days or weeks in advance.
Moco Museum
Do you prefer contemporary art or are you not much into art in general? Then you will enjoy the Moco Museum.
Here you can enjoy works by Dali or street art artists Haring and Banksy. Interesting and fun place. Click for tickets.
17:00 Dinner at De Pijp
Great food in a stylish neighborhood? Head to De Pijp. Just a few minutes from the Museumplein, you’ll find a district that is literally bursting with excellent restaurants.
This is also where Heineken Experience a fun place where you can learn how Heineken beer is made, try your hand at making your own label and enjoy a tasting.
18:30 Head to the Red Light District
Take a ride on local transport and explore the Red Light District.
Amsterdam is known for its liberal attitude towards prostitution and marijuana. That is why we cannot miss the Red Light District, which is the imaginary centre of the “darker” side of the city.
De Wallen forms the narrowest core of the city and the Red Light District. In the evening, red lights are turned on at the windows of brothels where women offer their services (no photos allowed!). There are plenty of restaurants, bars, sex shops, coffeeshops, the Museum of Prostitution and the majestic Old Church (Oude Kerk).
Be prepared for a lot of flashing, trash lying around and a headache. Yes, I was more excited about other neighborhoods :).
Do you have more time for Amsterdam? Check out our itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam.
20:00 End the day with an evening boat cruise
Amsterdam’s canals are so magical during the day. Let alone at night, when it lights up beautifully! You will sail through smaller, intimate canals, under stone and drawbridges, but also past the NEMO Science Museum and the Maritime Museum. You will see places you missed during the day.
The last boats leave around 20 to 22 hours. Evening cruises tend to be the most popular, so book your place well in advance. Boats usually leave from Amsterdam Centraal Station, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the Red Light District.
The choices are boat cruises in a closed boat which are a great option in inclement weather. But if the weather cooperates, I recommend you to pay a few euros and enjoy a more intimate cruise in a partially open boat . There is also a bar where you can buy snacks.
Where to stay in Amsterdam in 1 day?
- Leonardo Hotel: 4* hotel with rooftop terrace, bar and spectacular views of Amsterdam
- Hotel Holiday Inn: Modern hotel with excellent connections to the city centre and airport
- Hostel Via Amsterdam: accommodation with a lively and friendly atmosphere
- XO Hotels Blue Square: clean, elegant hotel outside the centre with good accessibility and at an excellent price
How to get around Amsterdam?
Walking is the best way to get around Amsterdam. However, public transport also works well here, which is useful when you have a limited amount of time, such as when visiting Amsterdam for 1 day.
You can take trams, metro, buses and free ferries to Amsterdam Noord.
You can pay for transport around Amsterdam with a contactless card or the OV-chipkaart. Single tickets cost € 3.40 and are valid for 60 minutes with the possibility of changing trains.
Because of this, full-day tickets are usually more worthwhile – the price varies depending on how many days or how long you are travelling. hours you purchase your ticket.
No matter how you pay, you must always mark your card at the turnstiles when you get on and off – not only in the metro, but also on buses and trams. On buses and trams, turnstiles are located near the doors.
How to get from the airport to the centre of Amsterdam?
From Schiphol Airport to central Amsterdam, you can take NS trains and Connexion buses. The journey takes a quarter of an hour for trains and about 30 minutes for buses.
You can buy train tickets from ticket machines or ticket offices on trains, or buy tickets from the driver on buses.
The easiest way to get around Amsterdam is with an airport day ticket, which includes connections from the airport (train, bus) and public transport in Amsterdam. You get unlimited travel without having to worry about buying tickets for individual journeys. Just attach the card to the turnstile when entering and exiting.
How to enjoy Amsterdam in 1 day?
- Walk through Amsterdam on foot. Not many cities have so many beautiful corners and details.
- Many places are located in the city centre and are easily accessible. For more distant locations, use the metro, trams or buses – transport is safe and reliable.
- Take a ferry to Amsterdam Noord. It’s free.
- Don’t go downtown around Damrak Avenue early in the morning, when it is literally covered in garbage and not yet cleaned up. This also applies to several other areas in Amsterdam, but here around Damrak and De Wallen it is the worst.
- Go to brunch. And enjoy the delicious pancakes, eggs and other goodies offered by local businesses. They are so famous that there are often lines to get in.
- Get a tourist card – choose from the Amsterdam City Card or the Amsterdam Pass. More information can be found in a separate article on Amsterdam Pass.
Do you have a question about our 1-day Amsterdam itinerary and how to plan a perfect day in Amsterdam? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM: Plan your trip with our detailed travel guide and things to do in Amsterdam. Here is the itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam.
In this article, we share tips on things to do in Amsterdam with children.
Find out about Schiphol Airport and how to get from the airport to the city centre. Here is a detailed guide to transport in Amsterdam. These are the best hotels in Amsterdam for every budget.
HOW TO SAVE IN AMSTERDAM: Amsterdam Pass is one of the ways to save money on sightseeing in Amsterdam.
Summary: 1 Day in Amsterdam
If you only have one day in Amsterdam, include the Jordaan and Negen Straatjes, the Musemplein and Rijksmuseum, Dam Square with the Royal Palace, the boat trip and the Red Light District in your itinerary. The complete itinerary including a map can be found in the article.
By ordering your tickets in advance, you’ll cut down on queuing time and enjoy your 1 day in Amsterdam all the more. There are long lines for the Rijksmuseum, and reservations are required for the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House (both of which can sell out long in advance). Evening or sunset cruises can also sell out. In the article you will find the necessary information on how to proceed with booking tickets.
