72 Hours in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city of many personalities. It is unapologetically rebellious, strutting rows of red-lit houses and unconventional coffee shops, but undoubtedly charming, home to centuries-old canals and colorful gingerbread houses. Perhaps the one consistent quality of Amsterdam is its tolerance, with its many personalities coexisting side by side in perfect harmony. The city is brought alive by the sarcastic, boisterous, and kind-hearted nature of the Dutch people. If you have a weekend to spare this summer, spend a very confusing but undoubtedly authentic few days in the city of Amsterdam.
Transportation: Amsterdam is a small city with most of the sights packed into a walkable radius. Trains are only used to leave the inner city. The best way to get around is by foot or bike. The city has cycling paths on nearly every street, but if you’re nervous about navigating on bike, opt for walking and the occasional tram. Full-day tram passes can be purchased for 8 euros from Central Station. Ubers are available but rarely used by locals who often bike home under the influence of many beers (among other things). Dining: Amsterdam’s food doesn’t disappoint, but ironically, the best restaurants don’t really serve Dutch cuisine. I found the Dutch snacks to be the best part of eating in Amsterdam. Be sure to try the stroopwafels, pickled herring, bitter balls, gouda, pancakes, and olliebollen (recommendations below). Dutch beers and gins are also top-notch. Museums: If there’s one piece of advice you take from this post, take this one: reserve your tickets in advance online for the Anne Frank and Van Gogh museum. I recommend reserving several week before your arrival, possibly more if you’re traveling in the summer. Accommodations: If you’re looking for comfortable accommodations without the price tag, Airbnb is your best bet. As Amsterdam is a small city, hotels can be pricey, particularly on the weekends as troves of European tourists and bachelor parties take over the central city. 🛏️Luxury: Hotel Pulitzer, Waldorf Astoria, De L'Europe Amsterdam 🛏️Boutique: Sir Albert Amsterdam, Hotel V Nesplein, Sir Adam Hotel 🛏️Budget: Hotel Not Hotel, Cocomama, Eel House
Day 1: Red Light District
Arrive in Schiphol Airport by early afternoon. After a quick train ride to the Amsterdam Central Station, you’ll drop your bags at your accommodation and have a quick lunch at the traditional Pancake House Upstairs and a classic tasting of the local “Jenever” gin at Wynand Focknik. A quick 10-minute walk north will have you at De Wallen, the heart of the Red-Light District. I highly recommend a guided tour of this neighborhood. This area is home to a rich history dating back to the1500s and is not only an opportunity to learn about the evolution of Dutch prostitution but also an opportunity to experience the Dutch culture of freedom and tolerance. Guided tours usually begin at 5 PM and can be booked online fairly last-minute. If you can snag an advance tour with the Fokken twins, the most famous twin prostitutes in Amsterdam, you certainly won’t regret it. Make sure to check out the Condomerie during your tour, a fun and lively store full of condoms for every country, size and taste. After the tour, head to De Kas in East Amsterdam or Envy near Jordaan for a taste of Dutch fine dining. End the evening singing Dutch oldies at Café Nol or grab a decadent baked potato at Jacketz to feed your drunken munchies.
📍Schiphol Airport
📍Lunch: Pancake House Upstairs
📍Wynand Focknik Proeflokaal and Spirits
📍Red Light District Tour
📍Condomerie
📍Dinner: Envy or Da Kaas
📍Drinks: Café Nol
📍Late-night munchies: Jacketz
Day 2: Museumplein & Oud-West
Today will be devoted to the Amsterdam of the past and the future. An early wake-up is in order. After a quick breakfast, begin in the museum district, experiencing the best of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and other artists that changed the course of modern art. If you’re inspired to find some art in your food, head to the Avocado Show in De Pijp for creative ways to eat an avocado. Albertcyup Market, just a few blocks away, is the perfect place to pick up fresh stroopwafels and oliebollen for dessert. No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a Canal Tour (any of which will do) and a bike ride through Vondelpark. Grab a drink and some Bitter Balls at Foodhallen before heading to Amsterdam casual dining staple Happyhappyjoyjoy in Oud-West. If you prefer a more traditional dutch dining experience, opt for Haesje Claes near Dam Square. End the evening with beers at the historic Café Hoppe and a late-night gin at Waterkant.
📍Breakfast: Omelegg
📍Van Gogh Museum (advance tickets required)
📍Rijksmuseum
📍Lunch: The Avocado Show
📍Albertcyup Market
📍Canal Tour
📍Vondelpark
📍Foodhallen
📍Dinner: Happyhappyjoyjoy West or Haesje Claes
📍Early Drinks: Café Hoppe
📍Late Drinks: Waterkant
Day 3: Jordaan
Begin the day with a visit to the Anne Frank Museum, a remnant of a tragic time in Dutch history. The nearby neighborhood of Jordaan is my absolute favorite part of the city. If you’re searching for stroopwafel variety, Van Wonderaan makes fresh waffles with more toppings than you can imagine. Walk through Negen Straatjes (“Nine Streets”) for a taste of Dutch vintage shopping and end at the cozy Lanksroom Bakery for yet another stroopwafel (if you’re up for the challenge). The cookie shop next door, Van Stepel Koekmakeriij, is also an Amsterdam staple serving only one delicious type of chocolate cookie. Walk through the flower market (Bloemenmarkt) before taking the train back to Schiphol Airport. If you have the time, end your trip with a lunch at the quirky Moeders, a traditional Dutch restaurant featuring a collection of photos of mothers (“moeders”).
📍Anne Frank Museum (advance tickets required)
📍Van Wonderaan
📍Negen Straatjes
📍Lanksroom Bakery
📍Van Stepel Koekmakerij
📍Bloemenmarkt
📍Lunch: Moeders
📍Schiphol Airport
Optional Day 4
If you have an extra day in Amsterdam, there’s plenty left to do. You can opt to stay in the central city and discover additional sights or opt for a half-day or full-day trip to a smaller town in the Netherlands.
📍Alkmaar: If you choose to take a day trip to Alkmaar, you should plan to go on Friday morning. The best part of this quaint town is the traditional cheese market that begins at 10 AM on Fridays. Alkmaar can be accessed by train in about an hour.
📍Gouda: Similar to Alkmaar, Gouda (the birthplace of Gouda cheese) holds a traditional Dutch cheese market on Thursday mornings from April through August. Gouda can also be accessed by train in about an hour.
📍Zaanse Schans: If you’re looking for a taste of old Dutch countryside, Zaanse Schans is a great half-day trip. The neighborhood has been converted into a park resembling 18th century Dutch villages. The windmills in the village have been restored and traditional candies and clogs are made here. It is quite touristy but could make for a lovely bike ride out of the city. Zaanse Schans can be accessed in 20-30 minutes by train or 1 hour by bike/ferry.
📍Volendam: Tours can be found via bus to both Zaanse Schans and Volendam, the two most popular day-trip destinations. I don’t recommend these long bus tours, however, particularly if the weather holds up. Volendam is a fishing village with old colonial houses and shops similar to Zaanse Schans.
📍Amsterdam Continued: If you’re a beer-lover, the Heineken brewery tour is a great way to spend the afternoon. Alternatively, you can spend the day enjoying Vondelpark with Dutch locals and swinging from Adam Tower’s skydeck, the best place in town for panoramic views of the city.
