28 Incredible Spots in Amsterdam to Visit

This post is all about spots in Amsterdam.

Planning a trip? Don’t miss any of this beautiful spots in Amsterdam! This is the perfect long weekend destination for those traveling around Europe, and I highly recommend it as a great solo travel destination to.

In this post I’ll share the exact itinerary I created for my own trip. This trip includes tours, museums, places to eat, day trips, and more! At the end of the post I also have the filming locations saved for anyone who is a fan of The Fault in Our Stars, so make sure to stick around for that!

Let’s get into it!

DAY ONE – Unbeatable Spots in Amsterdam

Day one we hit the ground running with some self guided wandering to different spots in Amsterdam. This is a big day, so be prepared to be out and about.

Magere Burg

First up we’ve got a romantic spot! This skinny bridge is a perfect start to the magic that hides inside of Amsterdam. The urban legend is that if you kiss on this bridge, your love will last forever. Sooooo, grab your person and give em a smooch! Or just snap a pic and walk across onto the next stop.

Rembrandt Square

Nieuwmarkt Square

If you have some flexibility on your dates, you should prioritize going to this square on a Sunday. This square turns into a huge open air market filled with books and antiques and more! You are sure to find something along the stalls!

Jewish Free Walking Tour – Best Way to See Hidden Spots in Amsterdam!

One of my favorite ways to learn more about the cities I travel to is to take a free walking tour. I use the company Guru Walk. These tours are great for those who want a more intimate group with super friendly guides. There are also so many to different types of tours to choose from in each city. Many focus on the overall history of the city while some dive into a more specific topic.

The tour is completely free! All they ask is that you tip how much you think the tour was worth at the end. It’s a great choice for budget travelers or bigger families. That way you’re not paying per person.

Begijnhof Garden

If you need to escape the beaten path for a few moments, this should be your next stop. An old commune for unmarried women back in the day, this garden is still in pristine condition. It’s a lovely place to sit and admire.

Negen Straatjes – Best Wandering Spots in Amsterdam

Get your wallets ready because this is the shopping district of Amsterdam. It’s also one of the prettiest parts of the city, so you’ll want to prepare to spend some time here. I loved wandering these nine streets even though I didn’t buy anything. The district is perfect for window shopping, people watching, and walking along the scenic canals.

Prinsengracht – Prince’s Canal

This is a very popular spot in Amsterdam because it is argued to be the prettiest canal in Amsterdam. I will say it is definitely up there! Head on over and judge for yourself. What do you think?

Jordaan – Local Spots in Amsterdam

Jordaan is another great place to wander around. There are no specific sights to see here; it’s more of the atmosphere this neighborhood carries. If you’re looking for a lovely backdrop for your photoshoot, this is definitely the place to be. Reminder that this is not a touristy spot. It’s a normal neighborhood in Amsterdam, so respect the homeowners and locals as you’re wandering through.

Prinseneiland – A Secret Oasis

Prinseneiland is a small island in the middle of Amsterdam! That’s right — an island. What used to be a warehouse for industrial use has become a popular site for tourists to visit. The allure are of course the popular architecture in Amsterdam. The skinny buildings stacked right next to each other with their colorful window shutters and fancy roofs. Definitely a great photo op here!

Anne Frank House

One of the most popular reasons people come Amsterdam is to visit the Anne Frank House. The dark history of Amsterdam is remembered by the house being turned into a museum that tourists can visit. This is the house Anne Frank and her family hid in during WWII.

If you want to visit on your trip to Amsterdam, you MUST book tickets in advance. There is a very limited number of spots available each day, and they usually sell out within days of the dates being posted. The dates are released thirty days in advance, so make sure to mark your calendars if you are looking to book a specific time and date.

I didn’t get the chance to visit on this trip, but I would highly suggest picking the earliest time you can reserve because the lines outside the museum start wrapping around quickly throughout the day.

Boat Cruise – Change Your Perspective on the Spots in Amsterdam

You simply cannot visit Amsterdam without hopping on a boat cruise. Whether it’s a history tour or a wine and cheese cruise, you have to get on the water. Cruising through the canals gives you a whole other perspective to the city and its architecture.

This is the boat cruise I booked through Get Your Guide. I loved the mixture of history and culture the guides wrapped into their storytelling. Plus the endless wine and cheese was incredible. And trust me…it is endless.

Royal Palace & Dam Square

As the sun starts to set, you want to start making your way over to this side of town. Here you’ll see the stunning Royal Palace as well as the bustling Dam Square. This is a much more populated area in the city. Lots of tours and businesses are around, so you don’t want to spend a whole lot of time here if you’re on a budget.

Gingerbread Houses

If you’re ever seen a photo of Amsterdam, it’s probably been a picture of these houses. These iconic buildings are one of the most popular tourist sites and for good reason. They’re beautiful and quirky! If you are trying to get them all to yourself, visit in the morning while everyone else is recovering from their rowdy night out. The streets are pretty quiet until ten am here.

Oudekerksplein

What’s a trip to Europe without at least one church? This is not only the oldest church in Amsterdam but the oldest BUILDING! This church was of course founded by fishermen as they were the most popular profession in Amsterdam due to all of their pristine canals. It is still standing magnificently to this day, so you must go appreciate the craftsmanship of such a building.

Red Light District – Spots in Amsterdam at Night

Not the most family friendly place to wander around, but it is a very interesting part of the Amsterdam culture. If you don’t want to see anyone in the windows, I’d recommend visiting around six to seven PM. There are still people milling about but the ladies haven’t started work yet.

The later into the evening you visit, the rowdier it gets. Mostly bachelor parties drunkenly yelling through the streets. However, this is not just a touristy place. Many locals use the services this district has to offer.

Red Light Secrets Museum

There are some walking tours through the Red Light District, but this museum was also a great choice if you don’t feel like listening to a guide. Through the museum you learn about the daily lives of prostitutes in a more personal way as the narrators of stories are the prostitutes themselves. They really demystify the livelihood and break it down as a job which I found very enlightening. I highly recommend checking this museum out. Also a fun perk is you get to stand in a window to get their perspectives.

DAY TWO – Museum Spots in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

Day two is all about the different museums to visit! And yes this will take a full day if not more than one, so I’d suggest doing your research and prioritizing which museums you don’t want to miss.

My favorite museum in Amsterdam was the Rijksmuseum. One of the largest collections of artwork I have ever seen. If you aren’t able to get tickets into the Van Gough Museum, this museum has a bunch of his pieces you can admire. I’m not even kidding when I say that I spent almost four hours in this place because there was just so much to see!

Van Gogh Museum

Of course, many people come in droves to Amsterdam to visit this museum. The famed Van Gogh has many beautiful pieces that fill this museum. Just like the Anne Frank House, you have to book your tickets well in advance. These tickets sell out QUICK! And it is almost impossible to buy them once they’re gone online.

Albert Cuypmarkt

Give you brain a rest and reward yourself with some lunch! The Albert Cuypmarkt is the perfect place to try a bunch of Amsterdam’s cuisines in one place. I’m getting hungry just thinking about all the incredible food here. If you don’t know where to start, I recommend booking a food tour. The guide will take you stall by stall and help you make all the right choices!

Heineken Experience

Alright, time to wash down lunch with some of Amsterdam’s homegrown beer, Heineken! This is such a fun and interactive experience. Think museum meets playground but for adults. After you make your way through the history of the company and the beer making process, you get to reward yourself with a beer (or two) on the rooftop terrace! It’s a great view and the perfect way to take a break from the day.

Vondelpark

Speaking of taking a break! Head over to Vondelpark and take a load off for a little. Whether you want to stroll through, rent a bike to explore, or sit under a tree and take a rest, this park is the perfect nature escape from the museums. Let all that newfound knowledge soak in while hopefully soaking in some rays of sunshine too.

Oudemanhuispoort

Looking to escape the crowds again? Here’s a great hidden gem in Amsterdam! You really have to known what you’re looking for, or you could completely miss it (like I did once or twice). This little alleyway opens up to an adorable street — like something right out of Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Here you will find small used bookshops and a couple of cafes with gorgeous bookshelves. This is a bookworm’s idea of heaven!

Bloemenmarkt – Tulip Spots in Amsterdam

You didn’t visit Amsterdam if you didn’t see a tulip! Even if you miss out on tulip season in Amsterdam, the flower market is the perfect place to get your tulip fix. It’s a street along the canal full of colors! You can even buy tulip buds to take home with you. Of course there are plenty of other souvenirs here as well.

7 Bridges – Sunset Spots in Amsterdam

An itinerary is never finished without a sunset spot! And the seven bridges is the most beautiful spot in Amsterdam to watch a setting sun. This is a popular spot due to the way the bridges line up when looking at them straight on. You don’t want to miss it!

De Hallen

If you know me at all, you know I am obsessed with the local markets. De Hallen food hall is no exception! Dozens of different options to choose from in terms of restaurants. I wish I could have eaten from every shop!

DAY THREE – Day Trip Spots in Amsterdam

Let’s escape the city to visit a piece of the Dutch countryside! These are the three best day trips to visit when traveling to Amsterdam.

Keukenhof Gardens

The most popular day trip is of course to the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens. These gardens are where you’ll find the beautiful rows of tulips that you’ve probably seen online. Of course, the tulips don’t grow all year round, so I only suggest this day trip if you are visiting during tulip season.

Zaanse Schans

Another popular day trip is Zaanse Schans. Think windmills and adorable little cottages! This is a beautiful way to spend some time outdoors and outside of the city. I highly recommend getting there early. You can take the train directly to the town before the tour buses arrive. I was on my way out by the time the larger crowds started coming around.

Brouwerij‘t Ij

Once you’re back in the city, I highly recommend ending your day at this fantastic brewery! There’s a lovely outdoor seating area right under a windmill! Even better is they do beer flights where you can try as many of their drafts as you’d like!

Spots in Amsterdam You Can’t Miss

And there you have it! A full itinerary for your long weekend in Amsterdam. I hope you found some helpful tips on how to organize your days. I had such a wonderful time wandering the canals solo, so I know I will definitely be returning soon!

This post is about spots in Amsterdam.