Things to do · Amsterdam
Things to do in Amsterdam
Canals, masterpieces and a free ferry across the water. These are the experiences Picolo would put first, and what to book before you go.
Amsterdam
The city is small enough to walk, and the canal ring ties most of it together.
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 what to book, so you get the city at its best and skip the worst of the queues.
Picolo's 12 best things to do in Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum. The Night Watch and Vermeer. Arrive at opening time and head straight for the Gallery of Honour.
The Van Gogh Museum. The world's largest Van Gogh collection. Tickets are timed and must be booked.
The Anne Frank House. One of Europe's most affecting museums. Tickets are sold only by the museum and go fast.
A canal cruise in a small boat. Into the narrow canals, best in the early evening.
Jordaan and the Nine Streets. Narrow lanes, small galleries and brown cafés.
A'DAM Lookout. A free ferry across the IJ and the whole city from above. Try the swing if you dare.
The Heineken Experience. The old brewery, with a beer on the roof at the end.
Vondelpark by bike. Do as the locals do, but stay in the bike lane.
The Albert Cuyp market in De Pijp. The city's biggest street market, with stroopwafels made while you wait.
The Begijnhof. A quiet courtyard behind a door off the Spui. Keep your voice down; people live here.
A brown café. Dark wood, beer on tap and a plate of bitterballen.
A day trip to Zaanse Schans. The windmills are a short train ride away. Go early.
Museumplein: the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum
The two big museums share the same square, and you can do both in a day if you take one in the morning and the other after lunch. Both sell timed tickets. Read how to choose Rijksmuseum tickets and Van Gogh Museum tickets.
The canals
The 17th-century canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk it, but get out on the water too. A small open boat reaches places the big boats cannot. These are the canal cruises we would choose.
Across the water to Noord
Free ferries cross the IJ from behind Central Station. On the other side are the EYE film museum, the old NDSM shipyard and A'DAM Lookout, with the best view of the city.
The canal ring
Stay between the Prinsengracht and the Herengracht and you can walk almost everywhere.
Amsterdam in the evening
When the bridges light up, the city is at its loveliest. Take a canal cruise at dusk, move on to a brown café in Jordaan, and eat in De Pijp or around Leidseplein. For the view from above, A'DAM Lookout stays open late.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
The canal ring is best for a first visit. Around Museumplein you sleep quietly near the museums, and De Pijp gives you cafés and the market. See Picolo's Amsterdam hotel guide.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
Spring and early autumn are best. In April and May the tulips bloom outside the city, but it is busy too. December brings lights over the canals. Avoid King's Day on 27 April unless you want to party with the whole city.
Things to do in Amsterdam: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Three days covers the big museums, the canals and a couple of neighbourhoods. With four you can add a day trip to Zaanse Schans or Haarlem.
What should I book in advance in Amsterdam?
The Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum sell timed tickets. The Anne Frank House sells out first, and only the museum itself sells tickets. Evening canal cruises should be booked at weekends too.
What is free to do in Amsterdam?
The ferry to Noord, Vondelpark, the Begijnhof, the markets and a walk along the canals. The garden around the Rijksmuseum is also open without a ticket.
Is a canal cruise worth it in Amsterdam?
Yes, especially in a small open boat in the early evening. You see the city from a different angle and reach canals you would not walk along.
Where should I stay in Amsterdam?
In the canal ring for a first visit, around Museumplein for the museums and in De Pijp for cafés and nightlife. See the full Amsterdam hotel guide.
