The 9 Best Things to Do in Amsterdam + 2 Things I’d Skip in 2026

One of the main reasons why I do like Amsterdam so much and why it is definitely one of my favorite cities to visit in Europe, is because there is just so much cool stuff to do.

I’ve visited Amsterdam over the years so so many times now, and from visiting all the amazing museums to partying in the Red Light District, I’ve kinda done pretty much all the fun tourist activities at this stage.

In this guide, I want to show you my personal favorite things to do in Amsterdam that I have actually done myself. I will definitely include a lot of the popular tourist spots here because, if I’m being honest, they are popular for a reason! But I’ll also include some of my own personal favorites too so you can pick and choose and see which ones might interest you the most.

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The 9 Best Things to Do in Amsterdam + 2 Things I’d Skip in 2026

The Best Things to Do in Amsterdam – My Quick Answer

To give you a quick answer for the best things to do in Amsterdam, so basically my couple of absolute favorites, then I would for sure say it’s doing a canal tour. In my opinion, it is the best activity you can do here, but I also always recommend at least visiting one of the many museums. It’s kinda a must as well!

For the boat tours, there are loads of different options. I usually pick one that also includes a bar, because it is just so lovely, especially for couples, to sit on a sunny day on a beautiful Dutch boat having a glass of wine and exploring the canals of Amsterdam. Keep in mind though, I highly, highly recommend picking an open boat and not the big glass-roof ones. The open boats are much cuter!

As far as the museums go, there are so many, from the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum to the Anne Frank House, and so on. Everyone who asks me for tips for Amsterdam, I always tell them: don’t feel the need to go to every single one of them.

If you don’t like museums, then you don’t, and that’s totally okay! You should be doing what you actually enjoy. However, I think going to at least one museum or doing one cultural activity definitely doesn’t hurt!

My Tips for Visiting Amsterdam Netherlands

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

When it comes to staying in Amsterdam as a tourist, I always make sure to stay in central Amsterdam, right within the main canal belt. Look for neighborhoods like The Jordaan, De Pijp, or the Nine Streets (Negen Straatjes). Staying in these areas means you can easily walk everywhere you need to be. My personal favorite hotel is Hotel Omega, it’s where I always stay when I’m in Amsterdam, and it’s just the best.

When is The Best Time to Visit Amsterdam

In all honesty, I feel like Amsterdam is amazing any time of the year. In the winter you get the cute Christmas lights and christmas markets (hell yeah), and in the summer you can rent a boat and drive up and down the canals. Maybe that’s why the city is so popular, it just always works. However, I personally love to visit most in the spring around April. The skies are usually blue, the temperatures are mild, and it’s not super overrun with tourists yet.

What is the best food in Amsterdam

I already know that some Dutch people might come for me for saying this, but I personally don’t love the food in Amsterdam that much. In general, I just don’t think it’s the best foodie city. However, there are some amazing cafes around, which I’ve actually listed out in my Best Cafes in Amsterdam guide. You should definitely check that out instead!

Don’t feel like you have to do it all

I probably should have put this tip at the very top of my list because I think it’s the most important one: if you don’t want to do something, just don’t do it. I am definitely not the biggest museum person in the world, and especially when it comes to art, I’m really not someone who needs to see every single gallery. A lot of the “main things to do in Amsterdam” are museums, so if you don’t want to go to any of them, don’t go! Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it either.

How many days in Amsterdam?

I mean, I personally could live there, so I’d say infinite days. But let’s stay realistic here. If you are coming to visit and you want to explore on foot, do a bunch of the activities, and really enjoy Amsterdam, I reckon 3 full days in Amsterdam is perfect to see most of it. Just make sure to book your tickets for the big museums and attractions well in advance!

My Top Things I Actually Did in Amsterdam

1.Do a Canal Tour By Boat

My number one favorite activity that I do pretty much every single time I’m in Amsterdam is a canal tour. I know that might sound ridiculous, but I’m often visiting with a group of friends, and since it’s usually a different mix of people, there is always someone who hasn’t done one yet. Because of that, I’ve gotten the chance to do multiple tours over the years.

As the name suggests, it’s a tour of the famous canals in a boat, usually with a guide explaining a lot about Amsterdam’s history. But they also give you great random information, like how there’s a dedicated daycare in the Red Light District for sex workers’ kids, or completely random facts about local house listings and apartment pricing (it is crazy how expensive it is to live here). I honestly always love those random details.

The most important thing when it comes to booking a tour is, and I highly urge you to, book an open boat, not the long boats with the glass roofs. The open boats with a bar right in the middle are just so much cuter, and I love having a glass of wine or a beer while cruising around. I’ll make sure to link the specific tour I usually book below, as I have only ever had good experiences with them!

Book Here: Canal Tour Open Boat in Amsterdam

2. Visit the Rijksmuseum

You might remember me mentioning earlier that I’m not the biggest museum person in the world, and that is still 100% true. However, I have been to pretty much all the popular museums in Amsterdam, you kinda have to do that type of stuff when you write about travel, right?

The last time I actually went inside the Rijksmuseum was a while ago, but it is of course one of the most impressive museums I have ever seen. Honestly, it’s up there with the Louvre in my opinion. But again, I think it’s only worth it if you actually appreciate art and are able to enjoy it. If that sounds like you, then yes, please go! I highly recommend getting your tickets way in advance and going early in the morning to beat the crowds.

However, if you don’t care about art whatsoever, then seriously, feel free to skip it. If you only have 3 days in Amsterdam, don’t waste your precious time on something you won’t enjoy just because you think you have to do it!

Book Here: Visit the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

3. WALK Around Amsterdam

I have literally spent days and days just walking around Amsterdam. Every single time I come back to the city, I find myself just walking and walking with no real goal, literally just admiring how beautiful everything is. I genuinely think it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and it’s totally underrated in that sense.

My favorite neighborhoods to just wander around are definitely The Jordaan, with its quiet canals and narrow streets, and the Nine Streets (Negen Straatjes) area, which has the prettiest views. I also love walking through De Pijp, where I always grab a coffee at a new cafe.

On the way, I almost always stumble across some of the best bars, cafes, or cute little independent shops completely by accident. Do yourself a massive favor and dedicate at least a full morning to just aimless wandering.

Book Here: Amsterdam Walking Tour

4. Try French Fries at Fabel Friet

I don’t know if this officially counts as an “activity,” but who cares? This is my list!

In my opinion, one of the absolute must-do things for anyone coming to Amsterdam is getting French fries from Fabel Friet. I am honestly obsessed with them and I make sure to go there every single time I’m in Amsterdam, because I’d confidently say they are the best fries in the city.

They have fries, croquettes, and a few other classic Dutch items on the menu like frikandel. I genuinely love all of those things, and I actually grew up eating them since my family would come to the Netherlands on vacations when I was younger (but that’s a story for another time). The real star of the show here is for sure the fries with truffle mayonnaise. They are just so good, you absolutely have to get them.

Also, when you get there, you will probably be shocked by the crazy long line that often stretches all the way across the bridge. Don’t be put off by it! It moves super fast, I promise.

5. Visit the Anne Frank House

Since I am German and grew up in Germany, I spent my entire childhood learning from A to Z about the crimes and terror that happened during Nazi Germany. To me personally, visiting the Anne Frank House is therefore a must-do when I’m in Amsterdam.

Especially if you are on a larger trip where you might be visiting other important World War II historic sites, like a concentration camp in Germany or Poland, or the bunkers in Brittany, France, this is such a powerful and important place. I will always recommend coming here to anyone. If you aren’t familiar with who Anne Frank was, I won’t go into the full history here, but you should definitely do some reading on it before you go.

When it comes to getting tickets, they open up booking slots 6 weeks in advance on their official website. It can be really hard to get them sometimes because they sell out incredibly fast.

Book Here: Anne Frank House Guided Tour

6. Wander over Alfred Cuyp Market (And Eat Stroopwafels)

There are tons of different markets in Amsterdam including the flower market, which I didn’t put on this list, but maybe I should have because it’s actually kinda cool. Anyway, number six for me is heading to the Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp.

There are two main reasons why I love going there. The first is because it’s in De Pijp, which is for sure one of my favorite neighborhoods. There are so many cool cafes, vintage stores, and whatnot around there, so it’s just really fun to explore.

The second reason is for the stroopwafels. They make them completely fresh right in front of you, meaning they bake the cookies and then put the warm caramel on the inside. Wow, they are just so delicious here and reason enough to come to Alfred Cuyp Market.

7. Bike through Vondelpark

Well honestly, the biking part is kinda optional here. You don’t have to bike through Vondelpark, you can also just walk, which is actually what I usually do.

Biking in Amsterdam in general can be pretty full-on, especially if you aren’t super confident on a bicycle. However, if you really want to ride a bike, Vondelpark is probably the easiest way to start and learn because there is way more space.

I love wandering around here. Vondelpark is basically Amsterdam’s version of Central Park, with beautiful gardens and ponds. Especially after days spent wandering around the narrow cobblestone alleys in the center, it’s kinda nice coming here just to get a breather.

8. Explore the Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is kind of a similar situation to the Rijksmuseum I mentioned earlier. Of course, it’s a must-do while you’re here and I just have to put it on this list, but again, if you don’t care about art at all, don’t feel like you absolutely need to go.

I went here two years ago with my family. My mom, for instance, absolutely loved it. She thought it was so fascinating, and I’m really glad we went there with her. On the flip side, my little brother completely hated it and couldn’t wait to get out because, well he is my little brother you know.

Personally, I’m very glad I went. As far as art museums go, it’s probably one of the best I have ever been to, it is definitely in my top five. So, I always recommend coming here if you care about art even a little bit.

Book Here: Tickets for Van Gogh Museum

9. Take a Day Trip into the Dutch Countryside

Lastly on my list of things to do in Amsterdam is actually leaving the city entirely and doing a day trip into the Dutch countryside.

There are loads of cute little towns all around Amsterdam that are so fun to explore. You get to see traditional windmills, and the tulip fields are beautiful, especially if you visit in the springtime. It just makes for such a fun day trip.

I’ve always done these types of trips by car, usually because I would just drive from my hometown straight to Amsterdam, which makes it super easy to explore the surrounding areas. However, if you don’t have a car, you can also easily book a guided day trip out of Amsterdam, which is definitely the much easier option!

Book Here: Countryside Day Trip

What I Would Skip in Amsterdam

Usually, I’m the type of person who believes that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all. But in this case, there are two things that I find on pretty much every single “things to do in Amsterdam” list as absolute must-dos. I did them both, and I thought they were awful, so I just have to call them out.

Eat at Foodhallen

I’ve read this on so many guides: “Go to Foodhallen, it’s an amazing indoor food court with fresh street food!”

You guys…, this is the worst tourist trap ever. All the food is so overpriced and just straight-up bad, I don’t even understand how anyone could recommend coming here.

You already know that I’m a bit of a hater when it comes to the food scene in Amsterdam, but this was literally the worst experience I’ve had. It even has great reviews on Google Maps, which makes me even more confused.

When I went, I couldn’t even finish what I had ordered because it was so bad. Instead of eating there, I walked out and went to Takumi Tonkatsu right around the corner, which is a really nice ramen place.

The Heineken Experience

The Heineken Experience isn’t necessarily a tourist trap in my opinion, but I think it’s way overpriced for what it actually is. I’ve been to quite a few brewery tours literally all over the world, from the USA to Australia and Germany, and many of them were really cool, unique, and intimate.

The Heineken Experience is definitely the worst out of all of them. It feels very much like mass tourism, it’s not personal at all, and it’s just not very memorable overall.

FAQs About What to do in Amsterdam

Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?

Yes, absolutely. Amsterdam is easily one of my favorite cities in all of Europe. I just love the unique architecture and the amazing, lively vibe you get whenever you’re there.

What are the best free things to do in Amsterdam?

There are loads of amazing things to do here that won’t cost you anything. Just wandering around the canals is an activity in itself, and it’s something I do every single time I visit. Also, a lot of hotels actually rent out bikes for free, which is perfect for riding around Vondelpark.

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?

In my book, Amsterdam works all year round. It’s awesome in the summer, but the winter is cool too. My absolute favorite time, though, is the spring. It’s that perfect weather where you can just wear jeans and a t-shirt, the skies are blue, and it’s just great for being outside.

How many days in Amsterdam do I need?

It honestly depends on how many museums and major sights you plan on hitting. If you don’t care about the big museums, you can easily do Amsterdam in 2 days. Otherwise, I’d say 3 to 4 days is probably the ideal sweet spot.

What are the best things to do for kids in Amsterdam?

Kids will definitely love the canal tours. I mean, what kid doesn’t like being on a boat cruising through a city? Other than that, the NEMO Science Museum is supposed to be super fun for families. I haven’t actually been there myself, so you might want to do a little extra research on that one.

Final Thoughts on The Best Activities in Amsterdam

To wrap this up, my personal favorite activity is still the canal tour, just remember to book an open boat because they are so much better. Especially on a nice sunny day, nothing beats being out on the water. I also think the fries from Fabel Friet are incredible and 100% worth the wait.

When it comes to the cultural stuff and the museums, just make sure you’re doing what you actually want to do, not just what you feel like you’re supposed to do because it’s on a travel list. I want you to actually enjoy your time in Amsterdam!

I hope this guide gives you a solid idea of the best activities, what’s truly worth your time, and what you can skip. Happy travels!