Things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the 17th century capital of the Netherlands.

Its historic buildings, stunning museums, beautiful canals, and historical landmarks such as Anne Frank House make it a unique city.

This Dutch city built on reclaimed land gets around 20 million tourists every year.

If you are in Amsterdam for a longer period, it is better to purchase the I Amsterdam City Card.

Discover the top tourist attractions in this beautiful city with our list of the things to do in Amsterdam.

Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam attract more than 1.5 million tourists annually.

These Tulip fields in the Netherlands are open for visitors only for around 60 days every year.

At the seasonal Keukenhof gardens, visitors get to see more than 7 million flowers, including 800 different kinds of tulips.

# Is Keukenhof worth it?
# When to visit Keukenhof
# From Amsterdam to Keukenhof
# Keukenhof bike rentals
# Keukenhof Castle

Amsterdam Canal Cruise

You haven’t seen the beauty of Amsterdam if you did not experience it from the water.

Taking an Amsterdam canal cruise is one of the most popular things to do in the city – more than 6 million tourists book a canal cruise every year.

Floating down Amsterdam’s canals is one of the most memorable ways to discover the city’s sights and attractions. 

During the tours, which usually last an hour or slightly more, the cruise boats go past famous merchant houses, century-old city towers, and hundreds of bridges and locks. 

Cruises are popular during the day and at night when passengers can see Amsterdam all lit up. 

There many types of canal cruises you can select from –

# Canal Cruises with Dinner
# Canal Cruises with Drinks
# Private Canal Cruises
# Canal Cruises at night
# Cruises on luxury boats
# Canal Cruises with Pizza

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum is 800 years of Dutch art and history in one place.

The art museum has around 8000 paintings, portraits, sculptures, weapons, clothes, dolls, etc., displayed in its 80 galleries.

With around 2.5 Million tourists visiting Rijksmuseum every year, it is the most visited museum in the Netherlands.

Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh Museum is an art museum dedicated to the 19th-century painter Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries.

The museum’s permanent collection includes over 200 paintings by Vincent van Gogh, 500 drawings, and more than 750 letters.

With more than 2.5 million tourists every year, it is the most visited museum in Amsterdam.

Heineken Experience

You don’t need to love beer to love the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam.

Every year, almost 1.5 million tourists take the self-guided tour through the original Heineken brewery built in 1867.

During the 90 minutes tour, you learn about Heineken’s story, brand, and how the world’s best quality beer is brewed and bottled.

Amsterdam Zoo

Amsterdam’s ARTIS Royal Zoo was founded in 1838, making it one of the oldest zoos in the World.

Home to more than 700 animal species, the zoo attracts around 1.5 million tourists every year.

The Amsterdam Zoological Garden is an oasis in the middle of a bustling city, making it a preferred destination for both kids and adults.

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is a biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank.

The Museum lets you experience the times described in the diary of the young girl, Anne Frank.

It also displays touching exhibits about the persecution and discrimination Jews went through.

Stedelijk Museum

Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum is the largest Dutch museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

The Museum’s collection covers the last 150 years of art and includes masterpieces by world-renowned artists.

This extensive collection of exquisite art is also known as the Modern Art Museum, Amsterdam.

A’dam Lookout

A’Dam Lookout is an observation deck that offers breathtaking panoramic views of Amsterdam.

You can spot many attractions of the city like The Historical Centre, The Pulsating Port, The Dutch Porter Landscape, etc. from A’dam Lookout.

You can also spot the famous UNESCO listed canals from this observation platform.

Besides the observational deck, there is an adrenalin-rushing swing (yes, you get to swing from above the building!) and a new exhibition showcasing the culture and history of Amsterdam.

Johan Cruyff Arena

The Johan Cruyff Arena is home to Ajax, Amsterdam’s favorite soccer club. 

The stadium was inaugurated in 1996 as Amsterdam Arena, but in 2018, its name got changed to Johan Cruyff Arena to honor the city’s most famous soccer player.

Locals and tourists love to tour Johan Cruyff Arena and learn about the home of Ajax club.

Madame Tussauds

If you want to add some glamour to your holiday in the Dutch capital, look no further than Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.

At Amsterdam’s wax museum, you get to see centuries-old waxwork techniques and rub shoulders with world leaders, royal families, politicians, movie stars, sportspersons, and more. 

It is a fantastic opportunity to take lots of photos with celebrities, and kids and teenagers love the chance to snap selfies with stars. 

Body Worlds – Dead Body Museum

Body Worlds Amsterdam is a unique exhibition where visitors see real plastinated human bodies and learn about how our bodies work.

While learning about the human anatomy, you will also learn how happiness affects our body and vice versa. 

Body Worlds – The Happiness Project has toured more than 100 cities in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia and attracted more than 40 million visitors. 

Many also refer to it as Amsterdam’s Dead Body Museum. 

Rembrandt House

Rembrandt is considered one of the greatest visual artists in the history of art, making Rembrandt House Museum a popular destination among tourists. 

The house where the Dutch Golden Age painter lived between 1639 and 1658 was converted into a museum in 1911.

Locally known as Museum het Rembrandthuis, the Rembrandt Museum displays furniture and objects from his time, along with prints, sculptures, and a few paintings.

Visitors love the reconstruction of Rembrandt’s everyday life and seeing his living quarters and workshop. 

Ice Bar Amsterdam

XtraCold Ice Bar in Amsterdam is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the heart of the city.

The attraction is maintained at -10°C (14°F), and visitors experience what it is like to be stranded on the North Pole and enjoy three complimentary drinks out of a glass made from ice.

All visitors get a thermal coat and gloves to withstand the arctic temperatures.

Red Light Secrets Museum

Red Light Secrets is a unique and captivating museum that provides an immersive and interactive experience offering visitors insight into the world’s oldest profession, prostitution.

The museum is housed in a former brothel, providing a glimpse into the lives of the women who worked there. 

At this Museum you can learn about the history of prostitution in Amsterdam, including its legalization and regulation.

The Upside Down

Visit Europe’s largest Instagram museum to pump up your social media presence.

Take selfies in the craziest settings and let your imagination run wild at the Upside Down Museum, Amsterdam.

The Insta Museum is a brand-new fantasy world where people of all ages may find inspiration after leaving their present reality.

The Museum strives to enlighten and entertain visitors about typical contemporary Dutch culture.

Moco Museum

Visiting MOCO (Modern Contemporary) Museum in Amsterdam is an unforgettable experience and a true eye-opener as it throws you into a world of art that challenges your perception.

At  Moco Museum, you will see famous street art pieces like the Laugh Now series, Barcode, Girl with Balloon, and Love Is In The Air (Flower Thrower).

You can also see Banksy’s confrontational indoor works that you may not have seen before, juxtaposed against the classic, conservative style of an elegant townhouse.

Amsterdam Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam, also known as Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam in Dutch, is a historical landmark of Amsterdam.

The palace has been the center of the city’s political and social life since the 13th century. 

The palace was originally built in the 17th century as the town hall of Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age when the city was one of the richest and most powerful in Europe.

NEMO Science Museum

Explore the biggest science museum in the Netherlands, NEMO – Science Museum. 

The museum is a five-story building, shaped like a ship-at-anchor, and is painted with a fun sea-green color which aligns with the shape of the building. 

The NEMO Science Museum is geared towards entertaining and educating guests of all ages with its engaging demonstrations, exhibits, and informative shows. 

The museum offers a complete experience by touching various subjects like biology, physiology, physics, geometry, chemistry, technology, renewable energy, space, and even history. 

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam holds one of the world’s largest and most notable maritime collections.

This collection includes paintings, ship models, navigation instruments, and sea charts.

Discover 500 years of Dutch maritime history and its strong link to the society of today and tomorrow.

Amsterdam Dungeon

Amsterdam Dungeon is a horror theatre show performed by amusing artists to entertain you.

It is a uniquely thrilling attraction that will whisk you way back into the Netherlands’ most perilous past. 

The scary humorous characters from the “bad old days” will come to life in front of you as you see, hear, feel, and smell them.

House of Bols

The House of Bols in Amsterdam is a one-stop destination to quench your thirst for some refreshing and energizing cocktails.

Here, guests learn about cocktails and the Dutch distilled spirit Genever.

The House of Bols showcases the history and manufacturing process of Lucas Bols, the oldest distilled spirits brand in the world.

It allows you to try out different kinds of cocktails and practice your bartending techniques. 

Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum

Established by Ben Dronkers in 1985, The Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum is a tribute to the history of hemp and cannabis.

It is the world’s oldest and most distinguished museum dedicated to cannabis.

AMAZE Amsterdam

Step into an immersive world of lasers, light, sound, and smoke that will help you reconnect to your inner self at AMAZE Amsterdam.

AMAZE Amsterdam was built by the leading creatives of the Dutch festival industry, showcasing more than 30 years of experience in show design.

Journey through a 3,000 sqm labyrinth of special effects featuring seven unique interactive environments.

WONDR Experience

Let the child inside you come out at Amsterdam’s first creative playground – WONDR Experience.

Here, you will be surrounded by soft yet appealing interior colors, leaving no room to create a fantastic experience.

The attraction offers the right environment to click or shoot some coolest Instagram photos or reels. 

Fabrique des Lumières

Come see the digital art at Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam to make your holiday in the Dutch capital even more special.

At this digital art center, stunning artworks are brought to life using cutting-edge technology through projectors and accompanying music.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Amsterdam is a fun, interactive museum created by Robert Ripley, who traveled the globe and returned with strange relics and unexpected information. 

Take advantage of his years of dedication as you explore the five levels of unbelievable artifacts at the museum. 

There is a reason why the museum is known as Amsterdam’s Weirdest Museum, and you’ll get the answer when you arrive here. 

Take a selfie with the tallest man on the planet and explore a wide range of fascinating oddities in greater detail.

This is Holland Experience

This is Holland – The Ultimate 5D Flight Experience is one of the best ways to explore Amsterdam. 

“This is Holland” is a state-of-the-art flight simulator that takes you on a thrilling virtual trip across the country. 

Soar over the iconic Dutch landscapes and experience the Netherlands’ beauty and diversity. 

Dutch Resistance Museum

The Dutch Resistance Museum offers a sobering look into the Dutch resistance movement and life in Amsterdam during WWII.

Nazi Germany seized the Netherlands from 14 May until 5 May 1945, and the masses had to deal with difficult choices and dilemmas. 

Wondering, What was the Dutch response? Who fought back? Why and How? 

You will get all answers only after visiting Amsterdam’s Verzetsmuseum. 

STRAAT Museum

The STRAAT Museum is a spectacular museum dedicated to street art and graffiti. 

The museum is built in a vast old shipbuilding warehouse with an 8,000-metre square of gallery space.

The structure is ornamented with a painting of Anne Frank by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra.

Micropia

Micropia is the world’s first museum dedicated to microbes and microorganisms, opened in 2014. 

It aims to bridge the information gap between scientists and the general public by portraying germs in a positive and fascinating light.

The museum is part of the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo complex in the Plantage district of Amsterdam, which now includes the Artis Groote Museum.

The Cat Cabinet

The Kattenkabinet is an art museum in Amsterdam entirely devoted to cats. 

The Cat Museum was founded in honor of J.P. Morgan, a ginger cat who died in 1983. 

Bob Meijer, J.P. Morgan’s owner, was practically inconsolable and began collecting everything related to cats as a coping strategy. 

That worked so well that the collection became a museum.

EYE Film Museum

The EYE Film Museum, a worldwide renowned repository of Dutch film heritage, welcomes you to enter the enchanting world of cinema. 

Visit the Netherlands’ national film museum to view Dutch and foreign classics and modern films.

The museum boasts a significant collection of cinema artifacts, engaging exhibitions, and a pleasant family environment.

Diamond Museum

The Diamond Museum in Amsterdam takes visitors on a journey from the diamond mine to sparkling jewelry. 

Few know of Amsterdam’s prominent role in the diamond trade, and the museum seeks to educate visitors about the fascinating history and craft of various gemstones.

Food tours in Amsterdam

Amsterdam food tours go beyond the essential culinary experience to immerse you in the city’s culture. 

During these highly-rated tours, you enjoy delicious food and drinks from Amsterdam’s best restaurants and streets with a fun and informative guide leading the way.

Food is a language in its own right, and you don’t have to be a foodie to understand it.

Amsterdam is known as the city of canals. It is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of North” due to the Vast number of Canals.

Free things to do in Amsterdam

There are many things to do in Amsterdam which don’t cost anything – 

1. Take a walk through the beautiful Vondelpark. It is part of the Amsterdam-Zuid borough and situated west of the Leidseplein and the Museumplein.
2. Take a stroll through the Jordaan neighborhood and visit the Noordermarkt, which takes place on Mondays (9 am to 1 pm) and Saturdays (9 am to 4 pm).
3. Visit the Amsterdam Public Library, which has a beautiful interior and often hosts free events and exhibitions.
4. Check out the street performers in Dam Square. The Square also has the National Monument, unveiled on 4 May 1956 to remember those who died during World War II.
5. Take a walk along the canals and see the boats.
6. Check out the Begijnhof, a quiet courtyard with beautiful old houses. Many consider Begijnhof one of the hidden treasures of Amsterdam. 
7. Tourists can see the city from above by climbing the stairs to the top of the Westerkerk church. Visiting the Westerkerk is free; however, tickets for the tours to climb the Westerkerk Tower cost €7. 
8. Check out the markets, such as the Albert Cuypmarkt and the Waterlooplein flea market.

Follow the link for more free things to do in Amsterdam.

Couple things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a very couple-friendly city, with many activities one can do together. 

Here are a few suggestions for things to do as a couple in Amsterdam:

1. Take a romantic boat tour through the city’s picturesque canals.
2. Visit the Anne Frank House, which tells the story of the young girl who wrote a diary while hiding during the Holocaust.
3. Have a picnic in Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest and most beautiful park.
4. Visit one of the city’s many art galleries, such as the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, or the Stedelijk Museum.
5. Enjoy a candlelit dinner at a cozy restaurant even as you enjoy the locals going about their lives.
6. Go on a brewery tour and taste some local craft beer.
7. Rent a bike and cycle through the city, exploring the charming neighborhoods.
8. Visit the Amsterdam Light Festival, which takes place every winter and features light installations and artworks throughout the city.
9. Take a cooking class together and learn how to make traditional Dutch dishes.
10. Go ice skating at one of the city’s outdoor rinks in the winter.

Follow the link for more couple activities in Amsterdam.

Valentine’s Day in Amsterdam

The Dutch capital has stunning canal cruises, fascinating art museums, historic buildings, enviable bike culture, a lax attitude toward marijuana, etc. This is why young couples love to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Amsterdam.

Things to do in other cities

Atlanta	Amsterdam	Barcelona
Berlin	Boston	Budapest
Chicago	Dubai	Dublin
Edinburgh	Granada	Hamburg
Hong Kong	Las Vegas	Lisbon
London	Los Angeles	Madrid
Melbourne	Miami	Milan
Munich	New York	Orlando
Paris	Prague	Rome
San Diego	San Francisco	Singapore
Sydney	Vienna