Amsterdam, the capital city of Holland (Netherlands), is known for its artistic heritage, the canals, the red light district, and many more. The city is bicycle-friendly, with over 500 kilometers of bike paths.
In the below Amsterdam 3 Day Itinerary, we will cover most of the city’s unmissable sights. So, let’s get into the unfiltered AMSTERDAM VIBES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
GOOD TO KNOW
| Best Location to Stay in Amsterdam: | Near Dam Square OR Near Central Station |
| Must-Try Food | Stroopwafels, Bitterballen, Frietjes, Pannenkoeken, Haring & Kaas |
| Best time to Visit: | All Year Around |
| Hotel Suggestion: |
3 STAR HOTELS: ibis Amsterdam City West, ibis Amsterdam Centre, WestCord Art Hotel Amsterdam 4 STAR HOTELS: Hotel Mercure Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station, Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam - Sloterdijk Station, DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station 5 STAR HOTELS: Hotel NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace, Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel, Pestana Amsterdam Riverside |
| Shopping Streets: | The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) |
| Tips: |
i) You don’t need a luxurious hotel in Amsterdam, but the location matters the most. ii) Reserve a hotel in the city's center, such as Dam Square or Central Station. iii) Purchase Amsterdam hop-on, hop-off bus tickets for 24/48 hours. It's the best way to discover the city's attractions. |
DAY 01: (Amsterdam Hop On Hop Off Bus, Canal Cruise, Rijksmuseum & Heineken Experience)
On the very first day of the Amsterdam 3 day itinerary, explore the city by “City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus”, experience the city from the water on a 1-hour canal cruise, visit the Rijksmuseum, and have a beer at the Heineken Experience.
CITY SIGHTSEEING AMSTERDAM HOP ON HOP OFF BUS
The Hop On, Hop Off bus is the best way to explore the city. Visitors can explore the city’s top sights at their own pace. The City Sightseeing double-decker buses feature 12 stops at iconic landmarks such as the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, etc.
Visitors can hop on and off the bus as many times they want. The bus operates from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours.
The bus offers multi-language audio guides, free Wi-Fi, and a panoramic view of the city.
Tip: Purchase a Hop On Hop Off bus ticket with a 48-hour option.
AMSTERDAM CANAL CRUISE
This 1-hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise takes visitors through Amsterdam’s architecture, bridges, and historic landmarks.
The cruise operates from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Cruises are equipped with multilingual audio guides, panoramic windows, comfortable seating, and open-air decks.
Some cruises also offer live guides and dinner or lunch options.
RIJKSMUSEUM
The Rijksmuseum, a National Museum of the Netherlands, showcases Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The museum has a collection of over 1 million objects.
With over 2.5 million visitors annually, the Rijksmuseum is one of the most visited museums in Europe.
The museum is a must-see for art lovers and history enthusiasts.
HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE
The Heineken Experience Amsterdam is a brewery located in the center of Amsterdam. The brewery offers an interactive brewery tour of Heineken’s world.
The tour takes visitors through the history of the company. This is Heineken’s former brewery, which was operational from 1867 until 1988.
The tour features a 4D movie ride and a Heineken beer tasting.
Tip: You must visit the rooftop bar for stunning views of the city.
DAY 02: (Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square & A'dam Lookout)
On the second day of the Amsterdam 3 Day Itinerary, visit Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square, and the A’dam Lookout.
All these sights are located in the central area of Amsterdam, which is easily accessible by hop-on, hop-off bus.
ANNE FRANK HOUSE
The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to Anne Frank, who was a Jewish girl. She wrote a diary during World War II while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam.
Today her diary is the best-selling novel, “The Diary of a Young Girl.”.
The museum is located in the actual building where Anne and her family were hiding from 1942 to 1944. That was the time when she wrote most of her diary.
Visitors can see the original furniture, photos, and artifacts, including Anne’s original diary.
VAN GOGH MUSEUM
The Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to the work of Vincent Van Gogh. The museum showcases over 200 paintings, 400 letters, and various other documents and artifacts.
The museum features the most famous works of Van Gogh, like “Sunflowers,” “The Potato Eaters,” and “Almond Blossom.”. The museum also offers live guided tours and audio guided tours.
DAM SQUARE
Dam Square is considered the heart of Amsterdam; it’s a vibrant and iconic public square surrounded by architecture, street performers, and a lively atmosphere.
The square is home to the Royal Palace, the National Monument, and the New Church.
Visitors can explore the square’s cafes, shops, and street food.
A'DAM LOOKOUT
A’DAM LOOKOUT is an observation deck located on the 22nd floor of the A’DAM Tower.
It offers breathtaking 360-degree views of Amsterdam.
The observation deck features a rooftop bar, a restaurant, a sky deck, and a swing named “Over the Edge.” This swing takes visitors over the edge of the building.
DAY 03: (Day Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken)
On the third and last day of the Amsterdam 3 Day Itinerary, proceed for a full-day countryside trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken.
Explore Zaanse Schans windmills, authentic Edam’s cheeses, clog-making demonstrations in Marken, and the beautiful village of Volendam.
ZAANSE SCHANS
Zaanse Schans is a Dutch village and a popular tourist destination that features a collection of ancient windmills and traditional wooden houses, which offers a glimpse of the Netherlands’ 18th and 19th-century way of life.
Visitors can explore operating windmills from inside. Zaanse Schans also features a clog maker and a cheese farm.
EDAM
After Zaanse Schans, proceed to Edam, which is famous for its cheese.
In Edam, visitors can explore the cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and the Edam Museum.
This beautiful town is also famous for its cheese market, which takes place every Wednesday in the summer.
VOLENDAM
Volendam is a fishing village located on the shores of Lake Isselmeer. The village is known for its colorful wooden houses and traditional Dutch culture.
Visitors can explore the Volendam Museum, dedicated to the village’s history.
The village is also famous for its clothing, folk music, and seafood.
MARKEN
Marken is a small island village on IJsselmeer Lake.
It’s a car-free village known for its narrow streets, the Marken Museum, and a wooden shoe factory.
Visitors can reach Marken by ferry from Volendam or by a narrow street on Lake Isselmeer.
CONCLUSION
With the above Amsterdam 3 Day Itinerary, you’ll get a taste of the city’s history, nightlife, and entertainment. Whether you’re an art lover, a foodie, or a nightlife enthusiast, Amsterdam will leave you with unforgettable memories.
So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to immerse yourself in the unfiltered Amsterdam vibes!”
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