Things to do
Things to do in Amsterdam: 12 ideas beyond the canal cruise
Amsterdam is more than canal boats and coffee shops. These are the twelve things we would do, from the Rijksmuseum at opening time to the markets of De Pijp and the free ferry across the IJ.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
It is early on a Saturday in Jordaan and the smell of fresh stroopwafels drifts from the Noordermarkt. A boat slides under the bridge, and on the front steps of the canal houses people sit with coffee as if the day had no plans for them.
Amsterdam is small, and almost everything is within walking or cycling distance. That also means the famous sights fill up fast. We have picked twelve experiences and said when to do them, so you get the city at its best and skip the worst of the queues.
Short answer: what should you do in Amsterdam?
See the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, walk Jordaan and the canal ring, and book the Anne Frank House well ahead. Take the free ferry to Noord, eat at Foodhallen or the market in De Pijp, and finish with an evening canal trip in a small open boat.
Best for art: the Rijksmuseum
Best for history: the Anne Frank House
Best neighbourhood: Jordaan
Best free thing: the ferry to Noord
Best evening: a small-boat canal trip
1. The Rijksmuseum before the tour groups
The Rijksmuseum holds Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer's quiet interiors, and it is easy to lose a whole day here. Arrive at opening time, head straight to the Gallery of Honour and explore the rest afterwards.
The catch: it is huge. Pick a few rooms and leave while you still want more.
2. The Van Gogh Museum
The museum holds the largest collection of Van Gogh's work in the world, arranged so you follow his life from the Netherlands to Arles and Auvers. Tickets are timed and should be bought in advance.
3. The Anne Frank House
The house on the Prinsengracht where Anne Frank wrote her diary is one of the most affecting museums in Europe. Tickets are sold online only and go quickly, so book as early as you can.
4. Jordaan and the Nine Streets
Jordaan was once a working-class district and is now the loveliest part of the city to wander, with narrow lanes, small galleries and brown cafés. The Nine Streets, De Negen Straatjes, cross the canals with independent shops.
5. A canal trip in a small boat
The big glass-roofed boats are fine, but an open boat with a handful of passengers is a different trip. It can slip into the narrow canals, and you sit low enough to look into the houseboats.
6. The ferry to Noord
Behind Central Station free ferries cross the IJ to Noord. Over there are the A'DAM Lookout, the EYE film museum and the old NDSM shipyard with street art and a flea market.
7. Vondelpark by bike
Hire a bike and do as locals do: through Vondelpark, along the Amstel and out to the green edges of the city. Stay in the bike lane and watch the tram tracks.
8. The market in De Pijp
Albert Cuypmarkt is the biggest street market in the city, with everything from fabric to fresh fish and stroopwafels made while you wait. The streets around it hold some of the best cafés in town.
9. Foodhallen
In an old tram depot in Oud-West, Foodhallen is a food hall with stalls from all over the city. A good bet for lunch on a rainy day.
10. The Begijnhof
Behind a door off the Spui lies the Begijnhof, a quiet courtyard of medieval houses once home to women living in a religious community. Keep your voice down; people still live here.
11. Brown cafés
A brown café is Amsterdam's answer to the pub, with dark wood, low music and beer on tap. Try a jenever, the Dutch juniper spirit, with a plate of bitterballen.
12. A day trip to Zaanse Schans
The windmills of Zaanse Schans are a short train ride away. It is touristy, but come early and you will have the mills almost to yourself.
Pulitzer Amsterdam
The canal houses of Pulitzer Amsterdam.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
If you want the canals outside your window, the ring between the Prinsengracht and the Herengracht is the place to be. Our Amsterdam hotel guide covers every neighbourhood.
Pulitzer Amsterdam: a block of canal houses
Pulitzer is made up of 25 canal houses between the Prinsengracht and the Keizersgracht, so you sleep inside the Amsterdam you came to see. Corridors wind through courtyards and stairways, and many rooms look straight onto the water. A good choice for couples who want Jordaan on the doorstep.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Pulitzer Amsterdam
Ambassade Hotel
Canal view from Ambassade Hotel.
Ambassade Hotel: books and canal views
Ambassade Hotel fills a row of canal houses on the Herengracht, and its library holds books signed by the authors who have stayed here. Many rooms face the canal, and the flower market is a few minutes away on foot. Choose it for a quiet base with a literary streak.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Ambassade Hotel
Good to know before you go
Book museums ahead: the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum use timed tickets.
Respect the bike lanes: never walk in the red cycle paths.
Walk or take the tram: the centre is small and a car is pointless.
Avoid the busiest dates: King's Day on 27 April and big events fill the city.
Amsterdam: frequently asked questions
What should you see in Amsterdam?
For a first visit, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the canals of Jordaan and the ferry to Noord cover the essentials.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Three days is enough for the big museums, the canals and a couple of neighbourhoods. With four you can add a day trip.
Do you need to book the Anne Frank House in advance?
Yes. Tickets are sold online only with a fixed time slot, and they sell out well ahead.
Is Amsterdam good for children?
Yes, with parks, boat trips and museums such as NEMO, though the canals mean keeping a close eye on small children.