3 days in Amsterdam: Itinerary of what to see in Amsterdam (+ map)

Amsterdam enchanted me with its atmosphere. Friendly, warm and calm. You feel so good here that you don’t want to leave. Romantic canals that surround houses like something out of a Gingerbread House, renowned museums and excellent cafés that often have long queues. This itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam brings you the best things to see and do in Amsterdam.

Is it possible to visit Amsterdam in 3 days?

Yes, the historic centre of Amsterdam can be walked in a day, but your pedometer will break records. If you want to see more than just the famous canals and take a look inside the renowned museums and attractions, you need to set aside at least 3 days. You won’t see everything, but you will see a lot.

Plus, Amsterdam is beautiful any time of year, so you can come back any time.

Amsterdam in 3 days – route map

On the map you will find a marked itinerary of what to see and do in Amsterdam in three days. The route is largely pedestrian and starts in the historic city centre – in the Jordaan district, which is considered the most beautiful district of Amsterdam. As part of the itinerary, you can also take public transport (metro, tram, bus).

The third day offers several options – you can immerse yourself even more in the atmosphere of Amsterdam or go on a tour of the surrounding area. In this article we will show you how to do it.

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map with an itinerary of what to see in Amsterdam in 3 days. 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 the three days 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.

WHAT TO SEE IN AMSTERDAM IN 3 DAYS

3 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM – ITINERARY FOR 1ST DAY

Jordaan district

We start our visit to Amsterdam with a walk through one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the city. With romantic canals, narrow streets lined with cosy cafés and a welcoming atmosphere that runs through the whole district. This is how I personally imagine Amsterdam.

What I liked about Jordaan is that even though there are a lot of tourists visiting every day, the neighbourhood still retains its authentic atmosphere. It is not as touristy as the Red Light District and the narrowest part of the city centre.

Here you just want to walk around, soak up the atmosphere and sit in the garden in front of the café. Have a delicious brunch or a Dutch pancake.

Read: The best hotels in Amsterdam

House of Anne Frank

A visit to the Anne Frank House is almost a must in Amsterdam. A place that takes you back to the Second World War in its rawest form.

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 the war. After their discovery, they were taken to a concentration camp. Only my father, who published Anna’s diary, survived.

If you are lucky enough to have a nice sunny day in Amsterdam, I would recommend moving your visit to the museum to the evening. During the itinerary for the first day we will be near the museum, so you can come back anytime.

Practical information for visiting Anne Frank Huis

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.

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.

De 9 Straatjes

De 9 Straatjes literally means “9 streets”. And not just any. The streets are absolutely charming, with lots of vintage shops, restaurants and sandwiched between the Prinsengracht and Singel canals.

This whole area, which also includes the Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singelgracht canals, dates back to the 17th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Walk around the canals and head to the 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.

Honestly, I have to say that 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 are not looking for similar places, I recommend to take only a short break and continue on.

Read: Find out about Schiphol Airport and how to get from the airport to the city centre.

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.

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.

It only takes a few minutes to visit, but you’ll still get a wonderful sense of calm in the otherwise bustling centre of Amsterdam. There are barriers to preserve the privacy of the locals, but you will still see plenty.

Stroopwafels

Fancy something good? How about trying a local specialty – stroopwafels or cinnamon waffles baked with syrup?

Van Wonderen Stroopwafels are popular, using a variety of decorations including candy, strawberries and chocolate. On the other hand, they are really quite expensive and you can find better tasting ones in Amsterdam.

If you really want to enjoy yourself, head to Hans Egstorf. Smaller bakery on the corner, which you can recognize from a distance by the smell and the smaller queue (but it passes quickly). Right in the centre, just 5 minutes from the Begijnhof.

But I have to be honest and say that although stroopwafels are a classic in Amsterdam, I liked the chocolate biscuits at Van Stapele Koekmakerij even more.

Dam Square and the Royal Palace

We’re moving back to where it all began for Amsterdam. The Dam Square is in the heart of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from the Begijnhof.

This is the large square where Amsterdam was founded at the mouth of the Amstel River in 1270. Here they built a dam (Dam in Dutch) and this gave the name to the square, but also the name of the town by combining the name of the Amstel River and Dam.

The dominant feature of the square is Royal Palace which is one of the 3 official palaces of the royal family. In the middle of the square is the National Memorial dedicated to the victims of World War II.

You probably won’t meet the King here, as he is based in the palace in The Hague, but the beautiful period rooms and vast paintings are worth seeing.

To the left of the Royal Palace stands the popular Madame Tussauds Museum with waxworks ranging from Marvel movies to Prince Harry and Meghan.

On the right is the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), an impressive Gothic building from the 15th century. century, where the kings and queens of the Netherlands have been officially installed for centuries.

Hotels in Amsterdam 😴

XO Hotels Blue Square

Elegant hotel at a good price

Holiday Inn Hotel

Modern hotel with excellent accessibility

Damrak

Dam Square is sandwiched between 2 of Amsterdam’s major avenues – Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, with its imposing Magna Plaza shopping centre, and Damrak, which leads to Amsterdam Centraal Station.

Here, near the station, you can see typical Amsterdam houses that stand on wooden stilts. Over the years, the posts have become unevenly twisted and dipped, giving the houses their typical appearance. At the same time, cruise ships sail from here.

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.

It is connected to Damrak Avenue and forms the narrowest core of the city. With historic buildings and canals. It’s a beautiful neighbourhood, but on the other hand it’s very touristy. Personally, I missed the right atmosphere here and overall I was much more impressed by other neighbourhoods in the city.

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).

The Red Light District also includes a smaller Chinatown, where you can find various Asian restaurants. If you’re travelling on a budget, you can eat well and cheaply here.

AMSTERDAM IN 3 DAYS – ITINERARY FOR 2ND DAY

Museumplein – Rijksmuseum

The next day we start with art. 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, so you can spend the whole day here.

If you had to choose only one museum in Amsterdam, it would be the Rijksmuseum. The magnificent building houses the finest collection of art by Dutch masters from the Golden Age, from Rembrandt to Vermeer.

But the Rijksmuseum is not just art. You will also learn more about the history of the Netherlands and be treated to historic ships, a collection of porcelain or dollhouses from the 17th century.

Next to the museum is a small garden full of flowers with a fountain in the middle (it’s free). In front of the Rijksmuseum there is a large recreational area with seating, a playground for children and plenty of greenery, where locals sit in the grass when the weather is nice.

The entrance fee is higher, but the collection is really large and it is located in beautiful premises. Children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. There are toilets and refreshments in the museum.

How to skip the queues for the Rijksmuseum

☞ The museum is one of the most popular places in Amsterdam. By booking your tickets in advance, you can skip the lines for tickets. Just show your ticket to a staff member on site. After that, there will be a quick check and you can go to the museum.

Lines can form outside the entrance (we went through the left entrance), but they go by quickly and you don’t wait more than a few minutes. Right at the entrance, a staff member will scan the code from your ticket.

If you do not have a reservation in advance, you must still buy a ticket inside. I noticed that only one cash register was open, so lines may be forming. But we had bought our tickets in advance, so we went straight to the museum.

The Rijksmusem is open daily from 9:00-17:00.

Museumplein – Van Gogh Museum

Just opposite the Rijksmuseum you will find other renowned art museums. A short walk away, the Van Gogh Museum is housed in a modern, partially glazed building and houses the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh, including his personal collection of letters.

☞ Reservation to the Van Gogh Museum is required. Tickets are usually sold out days or weeks in advance and you usually can’t get them on the spot.

Open daily 9:00-18:00 and off-season from November 9:00-17:00 and weekend off-season 10:00-18:00.

Museumplein – Stedelijk and Moco Museum

Behind the Van Gogh Museum is the Stedelijk Museum, dedicated to modern art and design from around the world. You can recognize it safely from a distance – the building is shaped like a bathtub.

On the other side of the Van Gogh Museum, closer to the Rijksmuseum, is the Moco Museum. Here you can enjoy works by Dali or street art artists Haring and Banksy.

If you’re not into art but would like to visit a museum, the Moco Museum would be ideal. Interesting and fun place. Get your tickets here.

All museums are definitely worth seeing and it just depends on what kind of art you prefer.

Read: Things to do in Amsterdam

Cruising the canals

One of the best ways to get to know a city is cruise through Amsterdam’s canals. The city is literally intertwined with canals – there are 165 canals in Amsterdam, totalling 71 km in length. More than 1,700 bridges cross the canals, which is 4 times more than in Venice.

What does that imply? Walking around the canals and sailing across are one of the best things to do in Amsterdam.

If you’re near the Museumplein, boats depart from the Hard Rock Café just a short walk from the Rijksmuseum or the nearby Heineken Experience. It takes an hour to get there. The price most often ranges from 16-21 € depending on the type and length of the cruise.

You can choose between a classic cruise, an open boat cruise or an evening romantic cruise. Prices start at 16 € for a 1-1.5 hour cruise. Book your cruise here.

De Pijp District

After the cruise, you can continue on to visit the museums or head to the De Pijp district, which is a few minutes’ walk from the Museumplein.

De Pijp has a different, distinctive character of his own. And plenty of options for food.

The largest market in Amsterdam – Albert Cuypmarkt – passes through the quarter. It’s the perfect place to buy souvenirs and sample street food. The market is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00-17:00.

Where to go for breakfast or brunch in De Pijp

If you don’t have breakfast at your hotel, start the next day at De Pijp and go to Museumplein after breakfast. Here are a few tips for places where you can have a delicious breakfast or a leisurely brunch:

• Bakers & Roasters is just around the corner from the Heineken Experience. They have delicious cakes, pancakes, but also savoury breakfasts. The prices are higher, but their Kiwi Brekkie is delicious and the portions are really huge. They have another branch near the Maritime Museum on Kadijskplein.

• Coffee & Coconuts. is another great place in Amsterdam. Go here for a delicious coffee, French toast or a fresh salad or sandwich. Unlike Bakers & Roasters, they have longer opening hours.

• Do you love eggs? Then you must not miss Omelegg. Here you can put eggs in a variety of ways. They open at 7am (closed on Tuesdays). There is another branch a short walk from Amsterdam Centraal.

• For delicious pancakes go to MOAK Pancakes. In Amsterdam they also have a branch near the Jordaan district and on the Waterlooplein just behind the opera house.

Tip: Would you like to save money on admission to museums and attractions? Take a look at our Amsterdam Pass review, a tourist card that includes entry to more than 30 places in Amsterdam.

Heineken Experience

Do you still have time and are you looking for something typically Dutch? Go to the Heneken Experience Museum , located on the edge of the De Pijp district, just a short walk from the Museumplein.

Here you will learn more about how Heineken beer is produced in an interactive way, try to make your own label and enjoy a tasting. It’s fun and again something different to do in Amsterdam.

The Heineken Experience is open Sunday to Thursday 10:30-19:30 and Friday to Saturday 10:30-21:00. Click here to book your tickets.

De 9 Straatjes a Magere Brug

The rest of the day can be spent further exploring Amsterdam’s magical canals. On the way, you can stop for a pancake at De Carrousel Pannenkoeken. It lies just behind the Rijskmuseum towards the centre. It is special because it is located in the premises of the former Carrousel.

From here you can go around the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht canals, which are the opposite side of De 9 Straatjes (from the itinerary for the first day). The opposite side, however, is much quieter and ideal for those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the centre. Along the canals you will reach the Amstel River at Magere Burg.

Magere Burg is a popular pedestrian bridge that is beautifully lit up in the evening. From here, you are in the city centre in just a few minutes.

3 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM – ITINERARY FOR 3RD DAY

Unlike the previous two days, we will leave the third day in Amsterdam more open. There is still plenty to see in the city.

But this also applies to the Amsterdam area, where you’ll find colourful tulip fields, the Dutch countryside and traditional windmills. We’ll show you a few options so you can enjoy your last day in Amsterdam just the way you like it.

Option 1: Amsterdam

In the first option, we’ll show you how you can spend another full day in Amsterdam. We visit the house where Rembrandt worked, walk through the beautiful botanical garden, learn more about the golden age of seafaring and get a bird’s eye view of Amsterdam.

Rembrandt House

If you love art, start your day in the city centre, where the Rembrandt House . Here lived and worked the famous Dutch painter 17th century.

A few metres away you can go for delicious pancakes at MOAK Pancakes.

There are several attractions in the vicinity of the Rembrandt House, depending on your preferences. You can visit the Hortus Botanicus Botanical Garden, which is open 10:00-17:00 (full admission is 13,50 €).

A little beyond that is a stretch of ARTIS Zoowhich was established in Amterdam in the 19th century. It’s a nice little zoo. There is also the Micropia Museum, which will immerse you in the world of microbes in an interactive and entertaining way.

Hotels in Amsterdam 😴

Hostel Via Amsterdam

Hotel with a lively and friendly atmosphere

Leonardo Hotel

4* hotel with spectacular views of Amsterdam

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is one of the best museums you can visit in Amsterdam. In the 17th century, the whole country was a maritime power and the museum tells you everything you want to know about seafaring. Interactive form that will entertain even families with children

Next to the museum is a replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam. You can get on board, try to control the rudder, lie in a hammock, shoot a cannon or use virtual reality to go back to 17th century.

To the left of the Maritime Museum you can’t miss NEMO Science Museum . Even if you don’t want to visit the museum from the inside, you can go up to the roof for free and enjoy the view of the harbour.

Walk past the NEMO Museum on the pedestrian footbridge, which takes you to the modern waterfront. Your attention will probably be drawn to the Chinese restaurant Sea Palace, which literally floats on water. The restaurant is known for its excellent Chinese cuisine and the robots that assist the staff. Prices are higher and it is better to make a reservation in advance.

Ferry to Amsterdam Noord

In a few minutes you can walk along the waterfront to Amsterdam Centraal. Walk through the station to the waterfront, where you will see the ferry terminal. Take the ferry at the first stop where the ferries to Amsterdam Noord depart (direction Buiksloterweg). Ferries are free and run continuously back and forth between Amsterdam Nood and Amsterdam Central. The journey takes only about 5 minutes.

Amsterdam Noord is a more local part of Amsterdam, where there are several places of interest. From Amsterdam Centraal you can see two interesting buildings – the A’DAM Lookout and the Eye Film Museum.

A´DAM Lookout

The top floor of A’DAM Lookout features a revolving restaurant and a panoramic view of Amsterdam. In addition, you can swing on the highest swing in Europe over the edge of the observation deck.

Thanks to virtual reality, you’ll experience a roller coaster ride over the city, and you’ll be amazed by the light and sound effects in the elevator that takes you up in no time.

A’DAM Lookout is open daily from 10:00-22:00. Thanks to its height, you can enjoy some of the best views of the whole of Amsterdam. Here you can to book your tickets in advance.

Tip: Visit A’DAM Lookout, This is Holland and other free attractions with
Amsterdam Pass.

This is Holland

Behind the A´DAM Lookout is the circular building that houses This is Holland. Here you will experience the real Holland in the most entertaining way.

A 5D flight over the canals and the most beautiful places in and around Amsterdam awaits you. You will fly over windmills and tulip fields, where you can even smell the scent of tulips. You will feel like you are actually flying in a helicopter.

Learn more about the history of the Netherlands before your flight. Again in an interesting and entertaining way.

If you’re looking for a fun attraction in Amsterdam, This is Holland delivers.

This is Holland is open daily from 10:00-18:00. No photos allowed inside. Get your tickets here.

To the left of the two buildings you will see an architectural gem – the Eye Film Museum, which is a cultural centre and includes a huge collection of foreign and domestic films, including a film exhibition.

Option 2: Tulip Field Keukenhof

Tulips are the national flower of the Netherlands. Every spring, from March to mid-May, the tulip fields open to visitors, where you can see the long meadows full of colour and fragrance.

Literally a feast for the eyes that all ages will enjoy. If you’re visiting Amsterdam, make sure you make a trip here.

There are also plenty of activities for the kids, you can eat on hay bales and just enjoy the Dutch comfort.

☞ The Tulip Fields are open from about March to mid-May from 8:00-19:30. Advance reservation is required.

The Keukenhof Tulip Fields can be found an hour south-west of Amsterdam near the town of Lisse. You can go here on your own or choose one of the
Keukenhof excursions with guided transport.

Option 3: Zaanse Schans Windmills

Windmills are a symbol of the Netherlands. The windmill museum in the village of Zaanse Schans is located north of Amterdam.

You can just walk around freely and enjoy. As well as the mills, you can visit the cheese factory, the clog factory, the bakery museum, the Willy Wonka biscuit and chocolate museum, the weavers’ house and more.

Here, you already have to pay an entrance fee – you can pay on the spot for individual museums or buy a Zaanse Schans Card to get everywhere.

One of the ways to visit the Zaanse Schans windmills is a trip with transport.

Tip: Visit Keukenhof, the windmills or Rotterdam for free with Amsterdam Pass.

Option 4: Dutch countryside

Visit the beautiful towns of Volendam, Edam or Marken and enjoy traditional Dutch architecture.

Moreover, all of them are relatively easy to reach by bus. You can get on the Edam and Volendam at Amsterdam Centraal. Alternatively, all 3 areas are served by buses from Amsterdam Noord bus station, located at the M52 metro terminus.

Tip: If you are planning to rent a car in Amsterdam, the best experience we have is with Rentalcars.com. They have the widest range of cars at good prices. Insurance and free cancellation is a matter of course. Booking in advance will ensure you get the best choice and price.

If you would like to get the most out of the third day, choose an organised trip with transport . This will save you time and give you time to visit more places around Amsterdam. Trips like this are an easy way to see a lot in a short time (if you’re not driving).

Hotels in Amsterdam

• 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

XO Hotels Blue Square

Elegant hotel at a good price

Holiday Inn Hotel

Modern hotel with excellent accessibility

Hostel Via Amsterdam

Hotel with a lively and friendly atmosphere

Leonardo Hotel

4* hotel with spectacular views of Amsterdam

How to get around Amsterdam?

The easiest way to get around Amsterdam, apart from walking, is by tram. These connect all the popular places in the centre, run frequently and are comfortable. The trams are complemented by buses and the metro, which connects the centre to the outskirts of the city.

The Amsterdam Noord can be reached by free ferry, which operates 24 hours a day.

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.

In view of this, we found the full-day tickets more worthwhile – the price varies depending on how many days, respectively. hours you purchase your ticket. The ticket works like a chip card.

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 3 days?

• 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.

Plan your trip quickly and easily. If you buy something through our links, we get a small commission. You pay nothing extra. Thank you!

Do you have a question about our 3-day Amsterdam itinerary? 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 tips on things to do in Amsterdam. Do you have little time for Amsterdam? Here is the itinerary for 1 day in Amsterdam.

In this article, we share tips on things to do in Amsterdam with children.

These are the best hotels in Amsterdam for every budget. 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.

HOW TO SAVE IN AMSTERDAM: Amsterdam Pass is one of the ways to save money on sightseeing in Amsterdam.

Summary: 3 days Amsterdam Itinerary