28 Things to do in Amsterdam (2024): Best places to visit (+ map)

Looking for the best places to visit in Amsterdam? Check out the things to do in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, with over 800,000 inhabitants. It will enchant you with its atmosphere. There is a feeling of peace, tranquility and peace. Also, the people here are very friendly and polite.

That’s not the only reason why millions of tourists head here every year, and Amsterdam regularly tops the list of the most visited cities in Europe (in 2019, it ranked 5th after London, Paris, Istanbul and Rome).

Amsterdam is known for its liberal politics, legal marijuana and prostitution. On the other hand, it’s a city full of history, beautiful buildings, romantic canals and details that make you want to keep looking around.

Amsterdam, with its canals, is like Venice, but colder and windier. According to many studies, it is considered one of the best cities to live in.

Best things to do in Amsterdam – map

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of the best things to do in Amsterdam. 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 travel guide about Amsterdam in the Netherlands. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.

Things to do in Amsterdam: Best places to visit

1. Amsterdam canals and boating

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.

Walking around the canals and sailing across are one of the best things to do in Amsterdam. You are constantly discovering new and new corners.

Ships depart from various locations across Amsterdam – depending on which cruise you choose.

You can choose between a classic cruise, an open boat cruise or an evening romantic cruise. Many of the bridges are beautifully lit in the evening, so an evening cruise is the best end to the day.

Prices start at 16 € for a 1-1.5 hour cruise. Book your cruise here.

2. Rijksmuseum

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

In addition, you will be treated to historic ships, a collection of porcelain, miniature Dutch wealthy households from the 17th century and an insight into the history of the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Everything is set in beautiful premises on 3 floors and there is also a garden. The tour is extensive and you can easily spend several hours here (at a faster pace, expect 1.5-2 hours). Free toilets and refreshments are also included.

Admission and opening hours of the Rijksmuseum

Full admission to the Rijksmuseum is 23,50 € and children under 19 get in for free. Book your tickets here.

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

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 queues 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.

3. Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is housed in a modern, partly glass building. You’ll be treated to the largest collection of Van Gogh in the world, including his personal collection of letters. One room is even dedicated to paintings with his own portraits.

The Van Gogh Museum can be found directly opposite the Rijksmuseum on Museumplein. It is easily accessible from the centre.

Admission and opening hours to the Van Gogh Museum

Full admission to the Van Gogh Museum is 22 €, children under 18 are free.

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

☞ 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. To give you an idea – I’m writing this article in mid-October and tickets are sold out by early November.

4. Anne Frank Museum

The Anne Frank Museum tells the poignant story of a young girl, Anne, and her family who hid for 2 years in the back of the building during the occupation in 1942. During this time Anne kept a diary where she wrote down all her thoughts.

In 1944 they were found and taken to a concentration camp. Only her father survived, and in 1947 he published the diary to show the world one of the truest images of the Holocaust.

Admission and opening hours 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. Off-season opening hours are shorter – Monday to Thursday 9:00-18:00 and Friday to Saturday 9:00-20:00. Please check the specific time when booking.

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.

5. Jordaan District

My favourite neighbourhood in Amsterdam (along with Negen Straatjes). And according to many, the most beautiful in the city. If you want to see and experience typical Amsterdam, head here.

Jordaan is easily accessible from the city centre and receives many tourists daily, but still retains its unique atmosphere. With romantic canals and narrow streets lined with cosy cafés.

It’s quieter and not as garish as the Red Light District, where restaurant billboards flash at you and garbage litters the ground.

6. Keukenhof Tulip Fields

Tulips are the national flower of the Netherlands. Every spring, from March to mid-May, the tulip fields open to visitors, where you can enjoy the long meadows full of colour and fragrance. It’s a wonderful experience.

The Keukenhof Tulip Fields can be found an hour south-west of Amsterdam near the town of Lisse. They may not be located in Amsterdam, but they are so popular that they can’t be missing from your list of things to do in Amsterdam.

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

The easiest way to get to Keukenhof is by car or by bus directly from Amsterdam.

7. Rembrandt House

Rembrandhuis represents the house where in 17th century, the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt lived and worked for 20 years. If you are an admirer of the famous artist, you can find out all about him here.

Full admission is 17,50 €, students 10 € and children 6-17 years 6 €.

The Rembrandt House is open to the public daily from 10:00-18:00. It is located in the city centre and is easily accessible on foot and by local public transport.

Hotels in Amsterdam 😴

XO Hotels Blue Square

Elegant hotel at a good price

Holiday Inn Hotel

Modern hotel with excellent accessibility

8. Dam Square

At the heart of Amsterdam is Dam Square, the vast central square and important site where Amsterdam was founded in 1270. The square was built at the mouth of the Amstel River, where the dam was built, which translates into Dutch as Dam. This gave rise not only to the name Dam Square, but also to the name of the city of Amsterdam by combining the names of the river and the dam.

The National Memorial to the Victims of World War II stands in the middle of Dam Square. Notable buildings on Dam Square include the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk Church.

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

9. Royal Palace

The Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) is one of the 3 official palaces of the royal family, but it is not the main residence (which is the palace in Hague). Yet it is considered the most important building of the Dutch Golden Age.

The palace was built in 17th century as a town hall. In 1808 it became the Royal Palace when Napoleon installed his brother as head of the Netherlands.

You probably won’t meet the king here, but the beautiful period rooms and vast paintings are worth seeing.

Admission and opening hours of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam

Full admission to the Royal Palace is 12,50 €, 9 € for students and free for children under 18. An audio guide is included (English, French, Italian, Mandarin, Dutch, German, Russian, Spanish). Get your tickets here.

It is usually open daily from 10:00-17:00, but may be closed on certain days/weeks. It is better to check the opening hours before visiting – see link above.

10. Nieuwe Kerk

Moving to the right of the Royal Palace. Nieuwe Kerk (translated as New Church) is a church in Gothic and late Gothic style from the 15th century, where the kings and queens of the Netherlands have been officially inaugurated for centuries.

The last time was in 2013 when the current King of the Netherlands, Willem Alexander of Orange, married his current wife Maxima in 2002.

Today the church is used for exhibitions and, thanks to its excellent acoustics, as a concert hall.

Full admission starts at 17,50 € (varies by exhibition). Children up to 11 years of age are admitted free, students can claim discounted admission. It is open daily from 10:00-17:00.

Just behind Nieuwe Kerk is the impressive Magna Plaza shopping centre.

11. Madame Tussauds Museum

The popular Madame Tussauds wax museum is also present in Amterdam. And it’s something to look at!

You will see Prince Harry and Meghan, Marvel characters, former US President Barack Obama, singer Beyonce, Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven and many others.

The museum is located right on Dam Square.

Full admission for everyone over 16 is 23 € and 19 € for children aged 3-15. Tickets are more expensive on the day of the visit – book at least one day in advance.

Open daily from 10:00-18:00 (some days until 20:00 – please specify when booking).

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

12. Red Light District

The Netherlands is known for its liberal attitude towards prostitution. There are 3 areas in Amsterdam where you will see the so-called. Window brothels, where women offer their services in windows with red lights around them (beware, no photos allowed).

These are the Ruysdaelkade, Singelgebied and De Wallen, which is the most famous.

De Wallen (Red Light District) is located in the historic centre of the city and is home to many restaurants, bars, sex shops, coffeeshops, the Museum of Prostitution and more.

The district itself is beautiful, though quite touristy. It wasn’t one of my favourites in Amsterdam, but everyone has to make up their own mind.

13. Oude Kerk

The majestic Oude Kerk (Old Church) was built in the 13th century, making it one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam. The church is located in the Red Light District, where you definitely won’t miss it. A beautiful building where concerts are held thanks to the excellent acoustics.

Admission to the church is charged – full admission 13.50 € for all over 19 years, reduced admission 7 € for youth 13-18 years and reduced admission 3.50 € for children 6-12 years.

The church is open on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00-18:00 and on Sundays from 13:00-17:30.

Read: Best hotels in Amsterdam for every budget

14. Negen Straatjes (9 Straatjes)

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

The entire area is sandwiched between the Prinsengracht and Singel canals and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singelgracht.

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.

15. Bloemenmarkt

The Bloemenmarkt is a flower market with thousands of types of flowers on river boats that has been operating since the 19th century. There are also several cheese shops along the market where you can buy typical Dutch cheeses (gouda, eidam with various flavours).

If you want to buy bulbs, seeds or souvenirs, the Bloemenmarkt is the ideal place. Otherwise, it looked a bit shabby and untidy to me.

Bloemenmarkt is open daily 9:00-17:30 and on Sundays 11:00-17:30.

Hotels in Amsterdam 😴

Hostel Via Amsterdam

Hotel with a lively and friendly atmosphere

Leonardo Hotel

4* hotel with spectacular views of Amsterdam

16. Begijnhof

Begijnhof is literally a hidden gem of Amsterdam. The beautiful and landscaped courtyard, which is surrounded by old houses from the 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.

17. Damrak

Damrak is the main avenue in the city centre, connecting Amsterdam Centraal Station and Dam Square. It’s busy and sometimes quite messy.

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.

18. Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum is another museum in the museum district, right next to the Van Gogh Museum. It is dedicated to modern art and design from around the world.

The headquarters of the Stedelijk Museum creates a perfect contrast by combining a historic building with a modern, bathtub-shaped extension.

The museum is well organised, with multimedia rooms and special exhibitions to complement the permanent collection.

Full admission is 22,50 € and children under 18 years of age are free. Get your tickets here.

It is open daily from 10:00-18:00.

19. Moco Museum

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.

Admission to the Moco Museum is 22,95 € and a reduced admission of 19,95 € for children over 7 and students. Get your tickets here.

The museum is open daily Monday to Thursday 9:00-20:00 and Friday to Sunday 9:00-21:00.

20. National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) will keep the whole family occupied for 3-4 hours. There is so much to do and discover.

You will see a richly decorated royal vessel (rowing sloop), learn more about the history of whaling and how it became an endangered species in the exhibition The Story of the Whale, understand the importance of the connection between the port and the city, how 17th century sailors prepared for their voyage, see models of yachts, manuscripts, ship ornaments.

Next to the museum is a replica of the VOC Amsterdam, where you can enter, try steering, relax in a hammock, shoot a cannon or use virtual reality to go back to 17th century.

Full admission to the Maritime Museum is 17,50 € and reduced admission for children aged 4-17 is 8,50 €. The museum is open daily from 10:00-17:00.

Read: Itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam

21. Heineken Experience

Heineken beer has been brewing in Amsterdam since the 19th century and is one of the top brewers in the industry today (it was number three in the world market in 2015).

The original brewery in the city centre is now a museum where you can learn more about the Heineken brand and production. You can also try your hand at creating your own bottle, and you won’t miss the tasting.

If you’re looking for something fun to do in Amsterdam, you’ll love it here. 18+ entry.

The Heineken Experience is open Sunday to Thursday 10:30-19:30 and Friday to Saturday 10:30-21:00. Full admission is 23 €. Click here to book your tickets.

22. De Pijp and Albert Cuypmarkt

De Pijp is one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in Amsterdam. It is just a few minutes from the Rijksmuseum and Museumplein. There are plenty of great places to go for breakfast, brunch and dinner in the district.

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.

23. Windmills Zaanse Schans

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.

There is already an entrance fee – you can pay on the spot for individual museums or buy Zaanse Schans Card which will get you everywhere.

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

The area around Amsterdam is literally full of beautiful places to visit. Another attraction is the Dutch countryside with its beautiful towns, easily accessible from Amsterdam by regional buses.

If you’d like to see more, check out this a trip with transport which will take you to several towns and cities around Amsterdam. Trips like this are the best way to see a lot in a short time (unless you’re driving).

These are the most popular tours around Amsterdam:

24. NEMO Science Museum

The NEMO Science Museum is housed in a huge whale-shaped building. It is one of the best museums to visit in Amsterdam if you are travelling with children. If you have a playful soul, you’ll like it here too.

The museum is divided into 5 floors and each section is dedicated to a different part – a section about humans, how the universe works, machines and the laboratory and other areas full of interactive elements and games where you can spend a few hours in peace.

There is a terrace on the roof of the NEMO Museum, which is free of charge. There are refreshments and great views of the harbour.

Full admission to the NEMO Museum is 17,50 € for everyone over the age of 4. Advance reservation is required.

The museum is open daily from 10:00-17:30.

25. Vondelpark

Vondelpark is the largest city park in Amsterdam, covering 47 hectares, where locals love to spend their free time.

You can take a stroll, rent a bike, have a picnic, watch a show in the outdoor theatre or have a snack in the café. The rose garden, a sculpture by Picasso and the lake with a fountain in the middle are worth seeing.

26. This is Holland – things to do in Amsterdam

This is Holland is where you experience and literally soak up the real Holland in the most fun way.

Take a 5D flight to fly over the canals and the most beautiful places in Amsterdam, enjoy the tulip fields and even smell their fragrance or see the iconic windmills from a bird’s eye view.

You will feel like you are actually flying in a helicopter. Before your flight, learn more about the history of the Netherlands in an interesting and entertaining way.

Admission is 23 € for everyone over 13 and 19 € for children aged 4-12. Reservation is required. This is Holland is open daily from 10:00-18:00. No photos allowed inside. Get your tickets here.

27. Zoopark ARTIS

The ARTIS Zoopark was established in Amterdam in the 19th century. It’s a beautiful, smaller zoo. An oasis of green where you can go when you want to take a break from the city or when visiting Amsterdam with children.

Admission to ARTIS Zoo is 25 € for everyone over 13 years and 21 € for children 3-12 years. It is open daily from 9:00-18:00. Get your tickets here.

28. A´DAM viewpoint

Do you like adrenaline? Check out the swing in the tallest building in town at A’DAM Lookout next to This is Holland.

There is a revolving restaurant and at 22th floor panoramic view of the historic centre, islands and canals. Here you can also swing from the swing over the edge of the viewing platform.

In addition, an elevator with sound and light effects takes you up in just 20 seconds, you can experience a virtual reality roller coaster ride over the city or have your photo taken over Amsterdam with various effects.

Admission for everyone over 13 starts at 14,50 € (8,50 € for children 4-12) when booking online, tickets are 2 € more expensive at the door.

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.

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?

Public transport in Amsterdam includes metro, tram, buses and ferries. There are only a few metro stations in the city centre. Trams are the easiest and fastest way to get around the centre and the surrounding area. The transport is provided by GVB and the trams and buses are blue and white.

Single tickets are very expensive in Amsterdam – they cost €3.40 and are valid for 60 minutes with the option of changing trains.

A better option is to buy a day ticket – the price varies depending on how many days or hours you buy the ticket for. The ticket works like a chip card.

You can also pay for transport with your contactless 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 save in Amsterdam?

Tourist cards are one way to save money in Amsterdam. Depending on what you plan to experience and visit, they can help you save a significant amount. It always depends on the specific itinerary.

Amsterdam City Card

Amsterdam City Card is the official tourist card, ideal for those who plan to make the most of their visit to Amsterdam.

The main advantage is access to more than 70 museums and attractions in the city – free entry to the Rijksmuseum, canal cruises, ARTIS zoo, MOCO or Stedeljik, NEMO, Rembrandt House or This is Holland. It does not include A’DAM Lookout, Anne Frank Huis and Van Gogh Museum.

The card gives you unlimited transport within Amsterdam (metro, buses, trams, ferries). You can also rent a bike for free for 24 hours.

What is the price of the Amsterdam City Card?

Is the Amsterdam City Card worth it?

It depends on what you plan to visit. To get the most out of your card, it’s a good idea to plan your paid attractions near you.

To give you an idea, here’s the itinerary for day 1: In the morning you’ll go to the Rijksmuseum (€23.50), then enjoy a boat cruise (€16), after the boat cruise you’ll visit the MOCO museum (€22.95) and finish the day with the fun attraction This is Holland (€23), in which you’ll take a helicopter ride over the tulip fields. Also included will be unlimited transport for 1 day in Amsterdam (€9).

In total, you would pay € 94.45 without the card in this case, i.e. you save 34,95 €.

Where to buy an Amsterdam City Card?

Simply buy your card online and then downloaded to your phone via the app. A detailed description is explained at the link. At the entrance to the attraction or when boarding public transport, all you have to do is scan the card from the app.

Other options are the Amsterdam Pass and the Go City Amsterdam Pass, which you can read more about in a separate article.

What to taste in Amsterdam?

Dutch cuisine is not as famous as Italian or French cuisine. Still, the food is one of the best things to try in Amsterdam. So many great places, you won’t know where to go before. They are so famous that you have to queue or need a reservation to get in.

Typical specialties include Bitterballen meatballs, which are perfectly matched with Heineken beer. Or try the Stamppot, mashed potatoes with carrots or other seasonal vegetables with roasted sausage and bacon slices.

A popular street food is Kroketten, croquettes made of meat, potatoes and cheese. They are served, for example, in a bun.

Do you like fries? In Amsterdam, you’ll love the Patatas, which look like thick fries. The patat is served in a cone (be warned, even a medium size is quite a hefty portion) and you can choose a variety of sauces to top your fries with.

For dessert, you can try the delicious Stroopwafels, or two waffles combined with syrup. They sell them everywhere. Or Poffertjes, small pancakes made of yeast dough sprinkled with icing sugar and topped with butter, or. with syrup.

The Netherlands is one of the largest producers of cheese in the world (mainly gouda and eidam). People in the Netherlands eat an average of 14 kilograms of cheese a year. There are several shops across Amsterdam where you can buy fresh cheese in a variety of flavours.

Where to go for an evening drink? Leidseplein Square is considered the centre of Amsterdam’s nightlife. It is lined with bars and restaurants.

Prices in Amsterdam

Prices in Amsterdam are relatively high compared to other countries in Europe. A meal in a cheap restaurant will set you back an average of €18. For a three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant, you’ll pay an average of €80.

Prices for selected food in Amsterdam are as follows:

• Milk 1 l – 1,19 €
• Bread 500 g – 1,65 €
• Chicken meat 1 kg – 10,04 €
• Rice 1 kg – 2,30 €
• Potatoes 1 kg – 1,49 €
• Water 1,5 l – 0,64 €
• Domestic beer 0,5 l – 1,17 €

When to visit Amsterdam?

When to visit Amsterdam depends on what you plan to visit:

Spring (March to May): Spring is a popular time to visit Amsterdam. The city begins to bloom with flowers, especially tulips. Temperatures are generally mild, ranging from 8 °C to 16 °C.
Ideal for exploring the city and the Keukenhof Gardens, where the famous tulip exhibitions are held.

Summer (June to August): Summer is the peak tourist season in Amsterdam, i.e. accommodation and flight prices are at their highest. The weather is usually warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 17 °C to 22 °C.
You can enjoy outdoor festivals, canal boat rides and explore the city’s parks and outdoor cafés.

Autumn (September to November): Autumn can be a beautiful time to visit Amsterdam when the weather is still relatively mild. The trees in the city change colour and the atmosphere is magical as you walk along the canals. Temperatures range from 12 °C to 18 °C.

Winter (December to February): Winter is the least crowded time to visit Amsterdam. Temperatures are low and range from 2 °C to 6 °C. In winter, you can enjoy cosy cafés, visit galleries and take a ride in the canals through the decorated city before Christmas.

If you prefer milder weather and fewer tourists, consider visiting during the low season, in spring or autumn. If you want to experience a vibrant summer atmosphere and don’t mind bigger crowds, summer is a great choice. Winter is the calmest and the prices for accommodation and flights are the lowest.

Amsterdam practical information

Currency: euro

Paying: Up to 80% of payments in the Netherlands are made by card. Check in advance what fees your bank charges and what the exchange rates are so you don’t lose out.

Electrical socket: In the Netherlands, type C and F sockets are used. If you have a two-pin adapter plug (for example, a phone charger), you don’t need a reducer. On the other hand, you will need a reducer for ground-pin sockets (type E), as the sockets in the Netherlands are without a ground pin.

Language: The official languages are Dutch and Frisian. Most of the time, however, you can speak good English, German and French without any problems. The locals are also very friendly, so they will try to accommodate you if there is a language barrier.

Safety: Amsterdam is a very safe place, despite their benevolent attitude towards drugs and prostitution. According to the Safe Cities Index it is ranked 4th. the safest city in the world.

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These were the best things to do in Amsterdam. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!

More information about Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM ITINERARY: Plan your trip with our 3-day itinerary for Amsterdam. Do you have less time? 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: Things to do in Amsterdam: Best places to visit