What’s Amsterdam famous for? Plan your holiday around these amazing attractions that take you from cultural experiences to lovely streets.
Charming canals, majestic museums and busy bicycles that whiz past you in every direction – Amsterdam is famous for more than its Red Light District and coffee shops. (Btw, don’t mistake the latter for cafes – they’re known for cannabis, not caffeine.) The capital city of the Netherlands offers something for every traveller, from historic monuments and cultural landmarks to scenic sights and an electrifying after-dark scene. So grab a stroopwafel, explore the best attractions in Amsterdam, and rest your weary feet (because you’ll be doing a lot of walking) at some of the city’s top hotels.
Amsterdam guide: Best attractions and things to do
1. Rijksmuseum
If there’s one iconic cultural institution you can’t miss out on, it’s the national museum of the Netherlands. The crowds agree, so book your slot in advance and expect to see hordes of tourists marvelling at the same paintings and historical artefacts. Factor in a couple of hours for your Rijksmuseum visit to admire more than 8,000 works, including pieces by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Tip: art buffs can take a day to go museum-hopping and visit multiple Amsterdam attractions like the Van Gogh Museum and Moco Museum – they’re all located at Museumplein.
2. Heineken Experience
With its roots in Amsterdam, Heineken is an iconic name you’ll spot throughout the city. That means you can’t holiday here without making a date with the Heineken Experience. This immersive journey takes you behind the scenes in the brand’s former brewery to discover everything you ever wanted to know about the famous beer. Tip: arrive early to avoid the mid-day crowds at this popular attraction.
Our 1.5-hour tour started with multimedia exhibits showcasing Heineken’s history across over 150 years, including its old school bottle designs. Next, we gleaned knowledge about how the beer is made. Four simple ingredients – pure malted barley, hops, water and A-yeast – come together to create that familiar flavour you know and love. Oh, and the historical brew room is a magnificent sight to behold!
Those who like interactive experiences will enjoy the 4D Brew Your Ride adventure that shows you what it’s like to be a bottle of Heineken. But our favourite parts were the customisable bottle station, the groovy karaoke bicycles, and the tasting bar at the end, where you can join the draught challenge to pour your own mug of beer from the tap (and guzzle it down afterwards). After stopping by the merch store, make your way up to the breezy rooftop terrace for slick views and refreshing beers.
3. Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House experience is a poignant one. It’s home to the Secret Annex where the Frank family hid from the Nazis, so visitors can see what it was like to live there during WWII. The museum display also includes some of the family’s personal items, as well as Anne’s original diary. P.S. as the space is small, tickets are limited and only sold online for timed slots. They get snapped up quickly, but if you’re lucky, you might snag last-minute ones.
4. Royal Palace Amsterdam
Want a glimpse of royalty? Head to the centrally-located Dam Square, where you’ll find the Royal Palace. King Willem-Alexander and his family don’t officially live there, but it’s used for royal occasions like gala dinners, award ceremonies and state visits. Originally built as Amsterdam’s city hall and transformed into a palace in the 1800s, the building is open to the public to discover its rich history.
5. Van Gogh Museum
The name speaks for itself, and it’s arguably one of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam. Home to the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s works, the exhibitions feature more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters. You’ll also find art by his contemporaries, including Monet Pissarro and Gauguin, alongside French and Japanese prints. After learning about his life from 1853 to 1890, you can pick up jewellery, books, and souvenirs inspired by him at the Van Gogh Museum‘s store. As usual, tickets sell out quickly, but we were able to secure entry online on the day itself, so don’t give up hope!
6. Canal cruises
Did you really go to Amsterdam if you didn’t drift down its waterways? The 17th-century canal ring area is a unique Unesco World Heritage site, and there are plenty of options to sail through. See the sights on a 75-minute city canal cruise, hop on in the evening for a view of the glittering cityscape, or nibble on wine and cheese during your tour. We enjoyed a breezy 45-minute trip on the Heineken boat, where we discovered the city’s secrets with a refreshing beer in hand.
7. Free walking tours
One of the best ways to explore nooks and crannies that run off the beaten path is to join a walking tour with a local. They’ll tell you fascinating stories about the city’s history and culture, throwing in tidbits you won’t find on Google (or TikTok). From food trails to haunted journeys, Amsterdam has plenty of free walking tour operators.
We picked FreeDam Tours and spent a sunny afternoon sightseeing and munching on stroopwafels with our cheery guide, Gianni. Across 2.5 hours, he gave us captivating insights into the Dutch way of life and their bike culture, the history of the Red Light District, the hidden Our Lord in the Attic Museum, and quaint canal houses. It’s a fantastic introduction to the city for newcomers, we say. Just don’t forget to leave a tip!
8. Albert Cuyp market
If you adore strolling through markets as much as we do, add the Albert Cuyp market to your Amsterdam bucket list. Having been around since 1905, the city’s largest outdoor market opens six days a week, with 260 stalls hawking fruits, vegetables, clothes, flowers, and Dutch dishes. Come hungry to snack on fried potatoes, fresh stroopwafels, poffertjes (Dutch mini pancakes), and herring.
Other markets to swing by include Bloemenmarkt Flower Market for fresh flowers, Noordermarkt for antiques, jewellery and more, and Nieuwmarkt for organic produce on Saturdays.
9. Moco Museum
This modern contemporary museum makes art-gazing cool with its display of works by artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Kaws, Jeff Koons, and Damien Hirst. Street art icon Banksy’s works also make an appearance, alongside English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams’ mental health-themed collection, which runs till July 2024. Moco Museum may be smaller in size compared to the other bigwigs on the list, but it’s worth a visit. Oh, and don’t miss out on the digital immersive art spaces in the basement – they’re totally Instagram-worthy!
10. Vondelpark
Fancy a breath of fresh air after all that sightseeing? Make your way to Amsterdam’s biggest city park for a leisurely stroll, a relaxing picnic, or a sun-soaked afternoon of people-watching. If you there in summer, you’ll find the park bustling with film screenings, free concerts, children’s shows, and more.
11. A’Dam Tower
Take a ferry across the IJ river to Amsterdam-Noord, where you’ll find the 22-storey A’Dam Tower elevated above its neighbours. It’s home to the Sir Adam hotel, a nightclub named Shelter, the revolving restaurant Moon, and the restaurant-bar Madam. But the crown jewel of this building is the A’Dam Lookout. This observation deck offers spectacular panoramic sights of Amsterdam, from the canal streets to the historic centre. Oh, and if you’re a thrill-seeker, strap in for Europe’s highest swing, Over The Edge, and admire a view like no other.
12. Try TikTok-viral food
Just so you can say “TikTok made me do it”, add these viral food spots to your itinerary. We’re talking about truffle mayo fries with parmesan at Fabel Friet, decadent cookies from Van Stapele, Winkel 43’s famous apple pie, and warm stroopwafels by Hans Egstorf, the oldest bakery in Amsterdam.
If you can’t turn down the chance to customise your own chocolate bar, head to Tony’s Chocolonely to choose your favourite type of chocolate, pick the ingredients, and design the wrapper. Other popular places include Chun Cafe and The Pancake Bakery (‘cos you can’t make a trip to Amsterdam without trying some pancakes!). But be warned: expect to see long lines of eager tourists at these hotspots.
13. Take a day trip
We love a good day trip that takes us out of the city to see quaint towns and hidden gems. On our visit to Amsterdam, we joined a fuss-free tour with two major destinations, alongside other farm stops for cheese and clogs. First, we explored the adorable Dutch village of Zaanse Schans, which is known for its picturesque wooden houses, windmills, museums, and handicraft shops. P.S. it’s extremely touristy – there are busloads of visitors traipsing across the area – but it still makes for a fun stop to take snapshots and fuel up on cookies and chocolate.
The highlight of our day? Keukenhof. If you’re in Amsterdam during spring (from March to May), this is one bucket list must-visit. No doubt it’s completely packed with tourists, but it truly lives up to its name as the most beautiful spring garden in the world. The sprawling lush grounds will take you a couple of hours to stroll through, so take your time to be enamoured by the colourful tulips and fresh blooms.
Amsterdam guide: Best hotels to stay in
14. Hotel De L’Europe
An absolutely stunning stay, Hotel De L’Europe sits on the banks of the Amstel river, giving you gorgeous canal views from your plush room. With 107 guest rooms, including 55 suites, this is one of the oldest family-owned hotels in Amsterdam.
The five-star name is luxury at its finest, from the marble-clad bathrooms and the comfortable beds to the impeccable service and the scrumptious breakfast spread. It’s also home to dining destinations like the two Michelin-starred Flore, the classy French Brasserie Marie, Italian trattoria Graziella, and Freddy’s Bar, which is named after Alfred ‘Freddy’ Heineken. After your stay here, you might just experience the check-out blues (like us).
15. Pulitzer Amsterdam
We know what you’re thinking, and yes, this place has connections to the Pulitzer Prize. It was first opened in 1968 by Peter Pulitzer, grandson of Pulitzer Prize founder, Joseph Pulitzer. After a facelift in 2016, it now houses 225 rooms across 25 elegant canal houses. Nestled in the hip Nine Streets district, Pulitzer Amsterdam is located near attractions like Anne Frank House and the Royal Palace. From classic canal view rooms to split-level family rooms to cosy rooms for solo travellers, there’s something for everyone.
16. The Dylan
Housed in a historical building (the first theatre of Amsterdam where iconic artist Rembrandt once worked), the hip five-star boutique hotel offers accommodation styles across single rooms, duplex rooms, and suites with garden or canal views. Enjoy a luxe stay amplified by warm service and plush features. When meal times roll around, you’ll be well taken care of.
If you’re in the mood to splurge, The Dylan’s two Michelin-starred Restaurant Vinkeles is an indulgent treat with modern French cuisine. Meanwhile, até is Filip Hanlo’s six-seater chef’s table, and Bar Brasserie Occo takes you from breakfast to cocktail hour in style.
17. Sweets Hotel
Want a unique stay you won’t find elsewhere? Try the one-of-a-kind Sweets Hotel. This unconventional concept features 28 bridge houses along Amsterdam’s canals that have been transformed into cosy one-bedroom hotel suites. Grab your travel partner and check in to these former residences of the city’s bridge keepers – some are right smack in the middle of the hustle and bustle, while others sit serenely on a quiet waterway.
Every accommodation is different, which means you can hop from a romantic hideaway and a 1950s-style house to a round tower and a two-storey space with windmill views. What’s better than waking up to spectacular sights overlooking glistening waters?
Bookmark this guide to Amsterdam’s finest attractions and hotels – you’ll be all set for your next vacation!
