Amsterdam Things to Do

Amsterdam Things to Do

Best Amsterdam Things to Do

One thing you might like to add to your Amsterdam Things to do list is that You could be cycling around town, catching lovely views of the picturesque city. Or you could settle down to catch a bit of history in any of the museum exhibitions. 

In all, there’s about no limit to what you can do while in Amsterdam. Hence, to make it easier for you as you plan your trip, here’s a guideline of the things you can’t miss while in Amsterdam.

Hotel Amsterdam (price and location)

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Visit the Canals, Especially Prinsengracht.

N.1 in Amsterdam things to do list.

What better way to know the “The Dam” than to stroll along the canals keeping the sea at bay? There are a total of 165 canals, with crossing bridges. These allow you to get through to all parts of the city. 

However, the prettiest of these canals is the Prinsengracht, with its side leafy trees and boathouses. It gets even better to know you are only minutes away from the Anne Frank House here. Another famous attraction close to this canal is the Westerkerk.

The Museum Attractions

N.2 in Amsterdam things to do list.

Amsterdam does not only have canals in abundance. They have museums in abundance too. Your Amsterdam Holiday is incomplete without a visit to the museums. 

Some are art museums with paintings of legends. Some are historical museums with sculptures and artworks of Amsterdam’s history, like the Anne Frank House.

Your kids are not left out as there are museums for children like the Moco Museum, and there are those with scientific history. Specialty museums for fashion, healing traditions like Tropenmuseum. 

And for adults, like the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum, are not left out. Since it’s unlikely you will visit all of them, you could visit these three famous Amsterdam museums.

Rijksmuseum

N.3 in Amsterdam things to do list.

This museum tops our list because it has something for everyone. A detailed work of art you wouldn’t miss is Rembrandt’s Night Watch. 

You’ll find rich Dutch stories told with historical objects like ship models, archeological pieces, and much more. There are masterpiece paintings, a dollhouse, a section for Asian artworks, a library, and some modern pieces.

Something modern about Rijksmuseum is the garden where you can relax amidst fragrant flowers. Sculpture exhibitions at Rijksmuseum are usually around October till December and take place in the garden. 

There’s also a gift shop and a restaurant where you can eat and drink after a long tour at Rijksmuseum. So when I tell you there’s something for everyone, it’s true.

Van Gogh Museum

N.4 in Amsterdam things to do list.

A museum dedicated to one man, Vincent Van Gogh. This museum takes you through over 500 masterpieces of this artist. You get to see the famous sunflower, his self-portraits, landscape, and his letters. 

You get an understanding of the evolution of his drawings and paintings. You should book a ticket ahead for exhibitions which happen on specific dates. These exhibitions will involve works of Van Gogh’s peers and contemporaries, so you can be sure to have an excellent time out there.

Visit the Anne Frank House

N.4 in Amsterdam things to do list.

There would be no perfect ending to this list without mentioning the very place Anne Frank wrote her famous diary. This house at Prinsengracht 263 was home to the Franks for two years in an annex until their arrest in 1944. 

Here, they hid from the Nazi persecutors, and it’s the perfect place to learn their story besides reading the diary.

It promises to offer you so much to see, right through the rows of small rooms and staircases leading to the attic. You get to see the warehouse on the ground floor, where the employees kept the attic a secret. 

You also get to have access to the same attic from where Anne Frank discovered her chestnut tree.

Vondelpark Openluchttheater

N.5 in Amsterdam things to do list.

Vondelpark Open Air Theatre event, known as Openluchttheater, is one event you should opt for when going for an Amsterdam Holiday. Vondelpark is the largest park in the Netherlands, and between June and August, the open-air theatre happens with a lot of activities. 

You will enjoy free performances from children, free dances, theater, and music performances. You will also find several statues, and one is the statue of the poet Vondel. Just around Vondelpark, you’ll find some of the city’s famous restaurants like Groot Melkhuis.

Groot Melkhuis

N.6 in Amsterdam things to do list.

Groot Melkhuis (Great Milk House) is one restaurant to visit, whether before the day’s tour, or after a long walk. It could also come after a pleasant time with the family at Vondelpark. 

You enjoy tasty meals, soups, sandwiches and burgers, and quality drinks on the go. There’s a large playground for your kids while you enjoy the view of Vondelpark from within.

Go further into the city, and you’ll find customer-friendly restaurants like De Kas. They serve you food made from the freshest ingredients. And over here, your health is not in danger of calories.

The Heineken Experience

N.7 in Amsterdam things to do list.

If you are a lover of Heineken, do not miss the Heineken Experience. You’ll be visiting Heineken’s former brewery, now a museum. 

You’ll get to see the history of Heineken, the brewing process, and you get to taste it too. Under 18s are not allowed in, so do not bring your kids along. Later at night, you could go over to Heineken Music Hall and enjoy talented performances.

Amsterdam Light Festival

N.8 in Amsterdam things to do list.

Christmas is memorable if you have it at Amsterdam’s Light Festival. The festival goes from December till mid-January. You get to watch the colorful glowing canals, parks, and houses, executed by talented artists in Amsterdam. 

Whether on a boat cruise or a bike, ensure your Christmas Amsterdam Holiday involves a view of the magnificent Amsterdam.

Asides from all these, you could also decide to blend in with the locals. You can do this by going to any of the local cafés during the day. Here, you will feel so much at home, and you wouldn’t feel time pass by. It gets even more interesting when it gets dark, and it becomes invigorated with more local life. 

These cafes can stay open till as late as 1 AM, giving you all the best treats of Amsterdam. Besides, they open early, so if you want to be there before your early flight back out of town, you can still catch a bit of what the local café has to offer you.

Vacation rentals in Amsterdam.

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See our suggestions where to stay in your vacations in Amsterdam and take a quick look at our article Holidays Amsterdam, Hostel in Amsterdam centre and visit Amsterdam.

See more interesting places to travel in Europe or a beachfront vacation rental in Porto and much more at Porto Vacation Rentals

Articles about other cities in Europe:

Visit Rome, Vacation Rentals in London, things to do in London, Hotels in London, visit Paris, visit Azores, Hotel Porto Mare Madeira and skiing vacation destinations.

Planning your trip to Europe? Check these hotels in Porto, Portugal.

Hotels in Porto Old Town.

The Editory Boulevard Aliados Hotel, with an excellent location in Porto probably is one of the most beautiful hotels in Europe.

Hotel Eurostars Aliados Porto, located in the heart of the city and near all the main land marks in Porto.

The Hotel Aliados Porto located at Aliados above the historic Guarany café and with nice views from the room windows.

Hotel Mercure Porto Aliados, has a swimming pool, fantastic service and perfect location in Aliados.

Ribeira do Porto Hotel, has unique views to River Douro and to the D. Luís I Bridge in Porto.

Hotel Premium Porto Downtown with a beautiful rooftop with amazing views

Boutique Hotels in Porto Portugal located in Ribeira one of the most beautiful places in Porto

The Zero Box Lodge Porto located in Porto historic area.

Other pages about Porto that you can find interesting information if you are planning travel to Porto check in  Porto Vacation Rentals:

Where to eat Francesinha the famous dish from Porto, 5 of the best Hotels in Porto and Hotels near Porto AirportBeachfront vacation rental in Portothings to do in Porto, where to go when you visit Porto.

And a few more, for example, information about Douro Cruises in Porto or where to eat the best hot dog in the World in Porto.

To see only hotels in Porto visit also Hotel Porto Portugal.