Things to do
Things to do in Amsterdam: museums, canals and day trips
How to book the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, the best neighbourhoods and canal walks, tulip season and easy day trips.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer
- The best things to do in Amsterdam are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, a canal cruise and walks through the Jordaan and De Pijp.
- Anne Frank House tickets are sold only on its official website, released every Tuesday at 10am for visits six weeks later.
- Three days covers the city; add a fourth for Keukenhof in spring or a trip to Haarlem, Utrecht or Zaanse Schans.
| Days needed | 3, or 4 with a day trip |
|---|---|
| Anne Frank House | Official website only; Tuesdays 10am, 6 weeks ahead |
| Haarlem by train | About 15–20 minutes |
| Utrecht by train | About 30 minutes |
| Tulip season | Late March–mid May (peak about mid-April) |
Which Amsterdam museums should you book first?
Book the Anne Frank House first: tickets are sold only on its official website and are released every Tuesday at 10am (Amsterdam time) for visits six weeks later. The hiding place has steep stairs.
The Rijksmuseum, home to Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer, and the Van Gogh Museum both use timed tickets, and both are on Museumplein, along with the Stedelijk modern art museum. Plan one big museum a day and allow two to three hours for the Rijksmuseum.
How should you explore the canals?
Walk the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, with stops in the Nine Streets for cafés and boutiques, and finish on quiet Brouwersgracht. When stopping on bridges for photos, step out of the cycle lanes first.
A one-hour canal cruise is the best introduction to the city's layout; evening and dinner cruises turn it into a night out. Boats differ a lot in size, roofs and step-free access, so check before booking.
Which neighbourhoods should you explore?
The Jordaan has narrow streets, small shops and canal-side cafés around the Noordermarkt. De Pijp has the Albert Cuyp Market (try a fresh stroopwafel) and Sarphatipark. The leafy Plantage has the botanical garden and the Dutch Resistance Museum.
Free ferries behind Centraal station cross the IJ to Amsterdam Noord for modern architecture and waterfront bars, with the NDSM wharf a separate ferry ride away. For a first stay, the western canal belt, the Jordaan or Museumplein are the most convenient bases.
Should you cycle in Amsterdam?
Only if you're confident riding among fast commuters and tram tracks; the city is easy on foot and by tram. If you do, ride on the right, signal before turning, and cross tram rails at a right angle. As a pedestrian, treat cycle lanes like roads and look both ways.
When is tulip season, and how do you visit Keukenhof?
Tulip season runs from about late March to mid-May, and mid-April is usually the best bet, though it depends on the weather. Keukenhof, the famous spring garden near Lisse, is only open for about eight weeks each spring, so check its dates and book ahead. Allow at least half a day.
Outside tulip season, May, June and September are lovely for walking. Winter suits a museum break, but days are short and wet.
Which day trips from Amsterdam are worth it?
- Zaanse Schans: windmills and traditional crafts, about 20 minutes by train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans plus a short walk. The village is free to enter; some windmills and the museum charge.
- Haarlem: about 15–20 minutes by train, with the Grote Markt, the Frans Hals Museum and Teylers Museum.
- Utrecht: about 30 minutes by train, with canals lined by waterside wharves and the Dom Tower climb.
- Choose one day trip per day: Haarlem, Utrecht and Zaanse Schans together leave too little time in each.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Three full days covers the major museums, canals and neighbourhoods. Add a fourth for Keukenhof or a day trip.
How do you get Anne Frank House tickets?
Only on the official Anne Frank House website. Tickets are released every Tuesday at 10am Amsterdam time for visits six weeks later, and they sell out quickly.
What is the best month to see tulips in Amsterdam?
April, and mid-April in particular, is usually best. Keukenhof and the bulb fields are outside the city, near Lisse.
