Things to Do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam might be most famous for its winding canals and pretty locks, but it’s the Amstel River that the city was first built around, even deriving its name from its early settlement at the ‘Amstel Dam’.

Today the river runs through the center of the city, lined with landmark buildings, stately mansions and colorful houseboats. A walk along the riverside pathway takes in a number of key sights: the regal Carré theatre, still a popular performance house; the post-modernist Stopera city hall and opera house, with its contemporary glass facade; and the neo-baroque domes of the St Nicolas church, all face the river front. A number of landmark bridges also cross the river, the most famous of which is the Magere Brug, or the ‘Skinny Bridge’, a white painted bascule bridge, rebuilt in the early 1900s. Don’t miss out on renowned tourist attractions like the Hermitage Museum, the Amsterdam Museum and Waterlooplein, either – all lie along the shores of the Amstel.

Throughout the year a number of festivities center around the Amstel River – the Bevrijdingsdag (liberation day) celebrations are televised from here; the Gay Pride Canal Parade brings a dash of color to the waters and the annual New Year light-show dazzles crowds along the riverbanks.

Topping off the western side of Amsterdam’s plush Canal Ring and crossing into the bohemian enclave of the Jordaan, Brouwersgracht is an enticing canal lined with narrow, gabled townhouses and former warehouses with façades that tilt precariously forwards. Connecting the canals of Singel and Singelgracht, it has been voted the prettiest street in the city and its length is home to hundreds of houseboats moored chaotically along the bank. In the 17th century known for its tanners and brewers, the canal has lost little of its tranquil atmosphere even though many of its houses have been converted into luxurious apartments and boutique hotels. It also has some architectural highlights: Brouwersgracht 2 has one of the best examples of 16th-century step gables in the city; the row at Brouwersgracht 188–194 were formerly warehouses storing leather, coffee and spices, and sport a series of identical spout gables dating from the 17th century; and several houses, including no 162, have graphics of fish above their doors, indicating that they were once premises dedicated to the processing of herring and other fish caught locally. 

With one of the largest and postcard-worthiest historic districts in Europe, Amsterdam is one of the most-visited cities in Europe. It was made for a relaxing day of walking or biking while in port, or if you’ve already seen the city highlights, consider a shore excursion that will take you into the Dutch countryside. Options include cheese farms, villages like Voldendam, a tour of windmills, and, of course, Keukenhof Gardens and its famous tulips (when in bloom).

How to get to Amsterdam

You’ll dock at the Eastern Docklands, about a 10- to 20-minute walk from Central Station (Centraal Station), where you can catch public transport or continue walking to the city center. Amsterdam is a very walkable city, and the public transport is also easy to use. Or, do as the Dutch do and travel around the city by bike! Rentals can be found around the city center.

One Day in Amsterdam

From Central Station, head along the Damrak toward the historical center of the city. Veer off to the left to pass by Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest building, founded in 1213, and then continue walking to Dam Square, where Amsterdam was founded in 1270.

From the Dam, head west along the Raadhuisstraat and cross three of the city’s canals, lingering to take photos and admire the canal houses. When you get to the fourth canal, turn right to walk to the Anne Frank House.

Then, make your way south along the canal toward Museum Square, where you’ll find the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Check out one or both, and then end your day with a leisurely boat tour through the canals.

Amsterdam’s historical museum recently joined the 21st century with a major rebranding and updates to its permanent displays; it’s now much more user-friendly, with many multimedia and digital activities. Arranged around a cobbled courtyard, where visitors can find the stylish Mokum Café, the museum is housed in a former convent and a 17th-century orphanage, while narrating the history of Amsterdam from its humble beginnings as a fishing village through its time as a world trading power and up to present day.

Renowned as being Europe’s biggest outdoor market, the Albert Cuyp Market, named after the 17th-century painter of the same name, has existed since the late 19th century. With humble beginnings as a collection of street traders, the market was taken over by the city council in 1905 and has since become a tourist favorite, offering a fascinating glimpse into local life.

Located on Albert Cuypstraat in the city’s characterful De Pijp district, the market is open every day except Monday and is an easy tram ride from the city center. Here, about 260 market stalls offer just about everything imaginable. Share some jovial banter with the notoriously chatty stallholders as you bargain over books, clothing and electronics, then fill your shopping basket with fresh fruit, vegetables and fish, all at very reasonable prices. The melting pot of local residents brings an ethnic flavor to proceedings; Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese foods and furnishings add a flash of color to the market but, of course, there’s plenty of traditional Dutch fare on sale too.

If all that shopping leaves you feeling peckish, the area surrounding the market is crammed with international restaurants with curry houses, Asian noodle bars and street food providing a myriad of choices. Just don’t forget to sample local specialty – freshly baked Stroopwafels, dripping with syrup.

Not finished shopping, yet? Check out Amsterdam’s Waterlooplein flea market, the famous floating flower market on the Singel canal or the Black Market Bazaar, Europe’s largest indoor market

The bestselling book “Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl” brought to life one of the greatest horrors of the 20th century in a compelling, personal way. In the true story, a young Jewish girl, her family, and some friends are forced into hiding in Amsterdam to escape the Nazis during World War II. The house that served as the Frank family’s hiding place for two years survived the war and is now a moving museum, with the primary site being the achterhuis (rear house), also known as the secret annex. Here the Franks sat in silence during the day and ate food that was secretly brought to them before being mysteriously betrayed and sent to Nazi concentration camps. Otto Frank, the only Frank who survived the war, published Anne’s now-famous diary in 1947.

The Basics

The museum is one of Amsterdam’s top attractions and tickets often sell out—it is strongly recommended that travelers pre-purchase a ticket for a particular time slot. In fact, from 9am to 3:30pm, the museum is open only to visitors with a timed ticket purchased online.

Things to Know Before You Go

• A visit to the Anne Frank House is an emotional experience, and appropriate solemnity should be observed.
  
• You won’t need much time inside—30 minutes should be enough for you to see the interior and pause for a moment of reflection.
  
• If you have time, stop in next door, at Prinsengracht 265-267, to see temporary exhibits.
  

How to Get There

The Anne Frank House is located in the center of Amsterdam, at Prinsengracht 263-267. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from Centraal station to the museum. Trams 13, 14, and 17, and buses 170, 172 and 174, stop nearby, at the Westermarkt stop.

When to Get There

The Anne Frank House is open every day of the year except for Yom Kippur, with extended evening hours during summer. Lines can be long at peak times, especially in the early afternoon, when you may have to wait an hour or more to get in. To avoid the crowds, arrive at the museum entrance either early or late in the day. Keep in mind that last entry is 30 minutes before closing time and the line closes earlier—depending on how busy it is, this can be as early as two hours before closing time.  

Jewish Amsterdam

To get a clearer picture of Anne Frank’s life, both before World War II and during the Netherlands’ occupation by Nazi Germany, consider exploring some of Amsterdam’s other important sites in the Jewish Quarter (Jodenbuurt). A guided walking tour focused on Anne Frank’s life visits her family home and school, while an Amsterdam canal cruise along the Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) gives you a unique perspective from the water and a self-guided audio tour lets you learn about the sights at your own pace.

The Hague’s Binnenhof (or Inner Court) complex is not only an important political hub – housing the official offices and meeting rooms of the Dutch Parliament and Prime Minister – but one of the city’s most striking landmarks. Built back in the 13th century as a hunting lodge for the counts of Holland, Binnenhof centers around the Hofvijver or 'Court Pond' and includes the Het Torentje, ‘the Little Tower' where the Prime Minister’s office is located and the resplendent Ridderzaal, the ‘Hall of the Knights’ where the Queen holds her annual speech on Prinsjesdag.  The Ridderzaal, with its dramatic twin towers, richly decorated interiors and intricate leaded glass windows, was the last building to be added in 1280, and stands proud at the heart of the cobblestone courtyard.

Several of the Binnenhof’s monumental buildings are open to the public as part of an official guided tour, including the Ridderzaal, where a permanent Parliament exhibit is housed, or else you can wander the stately grounds for free.

Whether you’re hoping to hear some of the finest renditions of classical music in Amsterdam or simply marvel at a modern architectural wonder, the city’s famous Concertgebouw is sure to satisfy all your senses.

Designed by architect Adolf Leonard van Gendt, the 19th-century building, located right in front of the Rijksmuseum, was inspired by the famous 18th-century Gewandhaus concert hall in Leipzig. Fashioned mostly in a Dutch Neo-Renaissance style, the impressive building includes a classic monumental facade and a gilded lyre atop its roof. Today, the concert hall is the home of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and is renowned for both its outstanding acoustics and propensity for diversity – Led Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd all performed there in the ‘60s, and Jazz and World musicians continue to take the stage, as well as Classical orchestras.

To fully experience the Concertgebouw’s spectacular interiors and acoustic prowess, attend one of the 445 annual concerts held in the main hall, or better still, couple your evening entertainment with a Theatre Tour where you can learn more about the intricate architecture before soaking up the atmosphere of a live performance. Those on a budget can get a taster of events to come by attending the free 30-minute rehearsal slots held at midday, each Wednesday between September and June.

Running from Amsterdam Central railway station to Dam Square, The Damrak is often called the "Red Carpet" of Amsterdam. For it is the first site, in all its bustling glory, that visitors see when they exit the train.

The Damrak, as the center of the city, is a bustling thoroughfare, filled with souvenir shops, hotels, and restaurants. Two famous buildings also make their home here: the Beurs van Berlage (the former stock exchange) and the famous mall, the Bijenkorf. From the station, the street ends at Dam Square, site of events and demonstrations of all kinds.

The Damrak is the original mouth of the Amstel River - rak being a reach, or straight stretch of water. In the 19th century, the canal was filled in, except for the canal-boat docks on the east side. Before you reach the Stock Exchange you’ll see a body of water. This is all that remains of the erstwhile harbor. The gabled houses backing onto the water are among the town’s most picturesque. Nowadays the water is home to some of Amsterdam’s many canal tour boat operators.

On a visit to the Begijnhof, an enclosed former 14th-century convent, you’ll discover a surreal oasis of peace, with tiny houses and postage-stamp gardens around a well-kept courtyard.

Contained within the hof is the charming Begijnhofkapel, a "clandestine" chapel where the Beguines were forced to worship after their Gothic church was taken away by the Calvinists. Go through the dog-leg entrance to find marble columns, wooden pews, paintings and stained-glass windows commemorating the Miracle of Amsterdam.

The other church in the Begijnhof is known as the Engelse Kerk (English Church), built around 1392. It was eventually rented out to the local community of English and Scottish Presbyterian refugees, and still serves as the city's Presbyterian church. Also note the house at No. 34; it dates from around 1425, making it the oldest preserved wooden house in the country.

Dr. Gunther von Hagens is a controversial German scientist who invented a new method for preserving human tissue called Plastination and has subsequently made his fortune exploiting it. His acclaimed, but somewhat macabre, exhibitions have travelled the world ceaselessly for the last 20 years and in that time have been visited by more than 40 million people. Today Von Hagens has set up six floors of permanent home in the former American Express building in Amsterdam’s city center; currently on show is Body Worlds: The Happiness Project, which is designed to highlight the beneficial effect of happiness and exercise on the human body. Display are not always for the faint-hearted, as they include human corpses stripped of their skins or in various states of dissection, some hale and hearty, some neatly sliced to illustrate disease – the smoker’s lungs would make anyone give up on the spot – as well as fetuses, but nevertheless the exhibition has proved so popular that time slots are required when booking.