{"id":202757,"date":"2020-06-04T04:02:49","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T08:02:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=202757"},"modified":"2025-02-13T03:34:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T08:34:56","slug":"see-and-do-in-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/see-and-do-in-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"The 32 Best Things to See and Do in Amsterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Amsterdam<\/a> is known as a party city, full of wild nights and all kinds of questionable debauchery. It’s a fun, eclectic, and party-focused destination popular with young backpackers looking to let loose. <\/p>\n

I’ve visited Amsterdam more times than I can count (it’s one of my favorite cities in the world<\/a>) and I’m never disappointed. But there’s more to the city than just a fun night out.<\/p>\n

Amsterdam as we know it dates to the 12th century and is home to all kinds of Medieval and Renaissance buildings, most of which date to the Dutch Golden Age, a time from 1588-1672 when Amsterdam was the center of the world economy. Many of the canals themselves are hundreds of years old as well and have UNESCO World Heritage status.<\/p>\n

Today, Amsterdam is a city filled with more history than you know what to do with, a lot of art museums, chill cafes, loads of outdoor activities, and a wild nightlife. There\u2019s plenty to see and do no matter what you\u2019re interested in.<\/p>\n

To help you have fun, save money, and make the most of your trip, here’s my list of the best things to do in Amsterdam:<\/p>\n


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1. Take a Walking Tour<\/h3>\n

\"People
\nWhenever I arrive in a new city I start off by taking a free walking tour. They help you get oriented and give you an overview of the city, culture, and the main sights worth seeing. You learn some history and can ask a local guide all the questions you have, which is the best way to get insider tips. <\/p>\n

Free Walking Tours Amsterdam<\/a> and New Europe<\/a> both offer daily free walking tours. They last 2-3 hours and give you the perfect introduction to the city. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!<\/p>\n

If you’re not on a tight budget and want an in-depth (paid) tour, these are my favorite walking tours in the city<\/a>. And for even more tours (walking tours, museum tours, food tours), check out Get Your Guide<\/a>. They have a ton of different tours so there’s something for everybody! I use them a lot.
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2. Visit the Van Gogh Museum<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis museum is home to many of Van Gogh’s best works. It’s also the largest collection of Van Gogh’s works in the entire world. The museum does an excellent job of outlining his life, chronicling his works from beginning to end so you can better understand and appreciate his style and evolution (as well as his life beyond painting). <\/p>\n

Opened in 1973, it’s one of the most popular (read: crowded) sites in the city, but don’t let that stop you from visiting. The museum also has paintings by other famous artists of the period, like Monet, Manet, and Matisse as well as by artists who inspired Van Gough or were inspired by him. <\/p>\n

Museumplein 6, +31 20 570 5200, vangoghmuseum.nl. Open daily 9am\u20136pm in the summer (9pm on Fridays) with reduced hours in the spring, fall, and winter. Book your ticket ahead in advance and skip the very long line to get in!<\/a> Admission is 24 EUR.<\/em>
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3. Attend a Candlelight Concert<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nIf you want to experience live classical music during your visit, check out Candlelight Concerts<\/a>. It’s a series of original music concerts played by local musicians in all kinds of different and unique venues around the city. What makes them really interesting is that the space (and performers) are illuminated by thousands of candles. The series originally focused on classical music by artists like Vivaldi and Mozart, but has since branched out, so their events cover a lot more genres now (jazz, soul, opera, contemporary, movie soundtracks) \u2014 but all played by classical musicians (think string quartets).<\/p>\n

It’s also a multi-sensory experience that features different elements, such as ballet dancers or aerial performers. It’s super unique and a cool way to experience live music while supporting local artists. Check out their website<\/a> to see what’s on during your visit.
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4. Explore Jordaan<\/h3>\n

Jordaan is a trendy residential area. While it’s become more popular in recent years, it’s still one of the most overlooked parts of the city. The area is full of cozy shops and boutiques, bars and pubs, and hip restaurants. It’s also the area of the city where the Dutch painter Rembrandt (1606-1669) lived during the final years of his life. It’s a quiet place to explore away from the crowds if you want to get a better feel for the city outside its main tourist areas. <\/p>\n

In addition to eating and drinking there, you can shop at the Westerstraat Market (Monday mornings) or the Lindengracht Market (on Saturdays).
\n <\/p>\n

5. Take a Canal Tour<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nAmsterdam is a beautiful, picturesque city thanks to the scenic canals that break up the city’s sprawl. You can’t visit and not take a canal tour<\/a>. There are tons of different tour options to choose from depending on your taste. Hop on a pizza cruise, a wine and cheese float, or a lively booze cruise with unlimited drinks. There are large tour boats that can take you up and down the waterways, but you can also rent your own boat for a self-guided tour (if you’re comfortable driving a boat). Prices start around 17\u201320 EUR.
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6. See Anne Frank House<\/h3>\n

This is one of the most popular tourist sites in the entire city. It is the house where Anne Frank\u2019s family hid during World War II and showcases her childhood and life in the attic. Her handwritten diary is also on display. While it’s an important and somber place to visit, it’s also incredibly overcrowded. You just shuffle through the house and never really have time to digest what you’re seeing. Personally, I think the Jewish History Museum does a better job of highlighting her life, but this is still worth seeing as it is such an iconic and important site.<\/p>\n

The museum is usually quite crowded, so if you’d like a more in-depth experience, taking this Anne Frank walking tour<\/a> is an excellent alternative option as it gives you a lot of context into the time Anne Frank lived in and what the city was like during the occupation.<\/p>\n

Prinsengracht 263\u2013267, +31 20 556 71 05, annefrank.org. Open daily 9am-10pm. Admission is 16 EUR. Tickets are only sold online.<\/em>
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7. Visit the Rijksmuseum<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nEstablished in 1798, The Rijksmuseum is an art and history museum located right next to the Van Gogh Museum. The museum, recently renovated, features an extensive Rembrandt collection including the famous painting “The Night Watch.” In addition to works by Rembrandt, the museum is also home to a robust collection of other classic Dutch painters, like Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer. There are over 1 million items in the collection (it’s the largest museum in the country) with over 8,000 on display, so you can easily spend a few hours here.<\/p>\n

Museumstraat 1, +31 20 674 7000, rijksmuseum.nl. Open daily 9am\u20135pm. Admission is 25 EUR. Get your ticket in advance to skip the line!<\/a><\/em>
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8. Relax in Oosterpark<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nIf you need to get away from the crowds, head to Oosterpark. It’s a relaxing green space east of the city center, perfect for lounging and enjoying a sunny day. It’s much less busy than the city’s popular Vondelpark and shows you a different, more residential part of the city. There are sculptures (including the National Slavery Monument that commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1863), playgrounds, ponds, and plenty of space to picnic or lounge. It was the city’s first large park too, dating back to the 1890s.
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9. Try the Heineken Experience<\/h3>\n

Heineken is one of the most famous (and popular) beers in the world. You can take an interactive self-guided tour of this former brewery and learn about how the beer was made and how the company evolved over the centuries (the beer dates back to the 1870s). Admission also includes two beers, so if you’re a fan be sure to book a tour. It’s a fun way to learn some history.<\/p>\n

You can also get a joint ticket online for both the Heineken experience and a canal cruise<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stadhouderskade 78, +31 020 261 1323, heinekenexperience.com. Open daily 10:30am-7:30pm (9pm on Fridays and Saturdays). Admission is 24.95 EUR. <\/em>
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10. See the Erotic Museum and the Amsterdam Sex Museum <\/h3>\n

Tucked away in an old warehouse in the Red Light District, the Erotic Museum has an exhibition about eroticism in all its various forms throughout the ages. It has sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs, and other artwork. And, of course, there is a gift shop if you want a more unique souvenir from the city.<\/p>\n

The Amsterdam Sex Museum is a more serious museum and is much more informative than the Erotic Museum (but also a little less fun). It was the world’s first sex museum, having opened in 1985. It highlights the history of sexual views and norms, as well as the lives of some of the world’s most sexually famous individuals (like the Marquis de Sade).<\/p>\n

Erotic Museum: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 54, +31 20 627 8954, erotisch-museum.nl. Open daily from 11am-1am. Admission is 8 EUR.<\/em><\/p>\n

Amsterdam Sex Museum: Damrak 18, +31 20 622 8376, sexmuseumamsterdam.nl. Open daily from 10am-6pm. Admission is 10 EUR.<\/em>
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11. Wander the Red Light District<\/h3>\n

\"the
\nUnsurprisingly, Amsterdam’s Red Light District is one of the city’s main draws. Though much tamer than in previous years, the Red Light District manages to balance sex and seediness with being a major international tourist attraction. While it’s worth seeing, I’d keep your time here brief. It’s quite calm and quiet during the day, but at night the area is bursting with drunken revelers and gawking tourists that clog the sidewalks. <\/p>\n

But even if it’s not your scene, I’d still make sure to see the area with your own eyes \u2014 ideally as part of a small-group walking tour<\/a> so you can get a deeper understanding of the area and its turbulent past.
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12. Visit the Jewish Historical Museum<\/h3>\n

This is the only Jewish history museum in the country, though it’s often overlooked in favor of The Anne Frank House. Personally, I think the museum does a better job when it comes to highlighting the history and struggles of Jewish people in the Netherlands. Specifically, they have an excellent exhibit on World War II that highlights the Dutch resistance, complacency, and guilt over the Holocaust. Established in 1932 (and reopened in 1955, after the war), the museum houses over 11,000 items, artifacts, and works of art.<\/p>\n

Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, +31 20 531 0310, jck.nl. Open daily from 11am-5pm (reduced hours in winter). Admission is 20 EUR.<\/em>
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13. See the Museum Amstelkring<\/h3>\n

Hidden inside a 17th-century canal house, this is one of the most interesting churches I’ve ever been to. Ons\u2019 Lieve Heer op Solder (“Our Lord in the Attic”) is a clandestine Catholic church that was secretly built during Protestant rule on the 3rd floor of a regular house (it was never really a secret, but since it was out of sight the authorities didn’t crack down on them too harshly). <\/p>\n

Built in the 1660s, the church has a beautiful drawing room and the furnishings and artifacts make this one of the best 17th-century rooms still intact.<\/p>\n

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38, +31 20 624 6604, opsolder.nl. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 16.95 EUR. <\/em>
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14. Visit Noord<\/h3>\n

Noord has evolved into one of the cooler and trendier districts in recent years. It’s one of the cheaper areas in the city so a lot of new bars and restaurants have opened here. The old industrial areas have been reclaimed and there is lots of green space too. It’s a fun, vibrant area with much fewer crowds than the central part of the city. Rent a bike and explore \u2014 you won’t be disappointed!
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15. Visit the Tulip Museum<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThe Netherlands is known for its stunning and Insta-worthy tulip fields. This tiny museum, located in a tulip shop, does a wonderful job of telling the history of tulips in the country \u2014 including the infamous tulip craze (in the 17th century, tulips became a popular luxury item and cost a fortune…until the bubble burst and they became worthless overnight). It\u2019s one of the best off-the-beaten-path attractions in Amsterdam<\/a>. It’s never very busy and it\u2019s only 5 EUR (which makes it one of the cheapest museums in the city).<\/p>\n

Prinsengracht 116, +31 20 421 0095, amsterdamtulipmuseum.com. Open daily from 10am-6pm. Admission is 5 EUR.<\/em>
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16. See the FOAM<\/h3>\n

Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam is a photography museum and home to a stunning collection of incredible pictures. Surprisingly, it also sees few crowds even though it’s in the main part of the city. Opened in 2001, the museum is composed of four exhibitions that are constantly changing so you never know what you might see (check the website to see what is on display during your visit). They have a beautiful outdoor garden too. It’s a small museum and it doesn’t take long to see so don’t pass it by!<\/p>\n

Keizersgracht 609, +31 20 551 6500, foam.org. Open daily 10am\u20136pm (9pm on Thursdays and Fridays). Admission is 16 EUR. <\/em>
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