In this guide, I’ll share how to plan your trip to Amsterdam, starting with your arrival at the airport, which transportation options to use, the places I consider must-sees, how much time to spend on each activity, and a few day trips you can take outside the city.

Day 1

Arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

If you’re flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, chances are your accommodations will be near the city center. The good news is that getting there is quite straightforward.

From the airport, you can take a direct train to Amsterdam Centraal, the city’s main station. The journey is quick and drops you off at one of the best places to start exploring Amsterdam.

💶 Approximate fare: €3.90.

Once you step outside Amsterdam Centraal, you’ll be right in the heart of the city. From this station, you can easily connect to the main transportation options:

• Metro
• Tram
• Train

My Recommendation: Get a Transit Pass

If you’re spending several days in Amsterdam and plan to get around a lot, I recommend buying a public transit pass.

Depending on the pass you choose, you’ll get unlimited rides on the included services throughout its validity period. This can be much more convenient than buying a ticket every time you need to take the metro or tram.

You can buy one at ticket machines in metro stations or directly at customer service counters.

Just make sure to check which transportation services your pass covers, as some train services may require a separate fare.

What to Do on Your First Day in Amsterdam

My advice for your first day is to keep things simple and skip museums or long tours. Between the flight, getting to your hotel, and adjusting to the time difference, you’ll probably feel more tired than you expect.

The best way to spend those first few hours is to walk around, get a little lost along the canals, and start soaking up the city’s atmosphere.

Here are a few places you can visit:

📍 Amsterdam City Center

This is the perfect place to start.

From Amsterdam Centraal, you can walk straight into the city center and start exploring the canals, historic buildings, little shopping streets, and some of Amsterdam’s most iconic sights.

📍 Red Light District

The famous Red Light District is also very close to the city center and is one of Amsterdam’s best-known neighborhoods.

During the day, you can stroll through its streets and explore the neighborhood’s architecture and history. However, keep in mind that some areas and establishments are intended exclusively for adults.

📍 Jordaan

If you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter with plenty of charm, you should definitely take a walk through Jordaan.

This neighborhood is one of my favorites for simply wandering around. Here, you’ll find little cafés, vintage shops, galleries, restaurants, and some of the prettiest canals in the city.

It’s the kind of place where you’ll probably end up taking a photo every few minutes.

A Tip Before You Head Out to Explore

Something that surprised me about Amsterdam is that many shops close relatively early, at around 6:00 p.m.

So, if you want to make the most of the day exploring shops, markets, or shopping districts, I recommend getting started at 9:00 a.m.

Day 2

Time to Explore Amsterdam

After a relaxed first day, you’ll have more energy to explore Amsterdam’s museums, parks, and most popular attractions.

And trust me, this is where you’ll need to plan your itinerary a little more carefully, because there’s so much to see.

Here are some of my favorite places that I think are worth including in your visit:

📍 Anne Frank House — 1 Hour — $

One of Amsterdam’s best-known and most moving places to visit is the Anne Frank House.

The visit doesn’t take too long—approximately an hour—but it’s definitely one of those places I’d recommend booking in advance.

Buy your ticket on a Tuesday, one month before your arrival. Tickets sell out the same day.

⏱️ Recommended time: 1 hour.

🚤 Canal Cruise — 1 Hour — $

One of the best ways to explore Amsterdam is from the water.

Canal cruises usually last around an hour and let you see the city from a completely different perspective.

After hours of walking, it’s also a welcome chance to sit down for a while as you continue exploring the city.

⏱️ Recommended time: 1 hour.

🚲 Rent a Bike — 1–2 Hours — $

You’re in Amsterdam, so sooner or later, you’ll probably want to hop on a bike.

Renting a bike can be a great way to explore other parts of the city and experience something that’s part of everyday life for Amsterdam locals.

Just make sure to pay close attention to bike lanes and bicycle traffic. Here, bikes aren’t just for tourists; they’re an everyday means of transportation.

If it’s your first time, you can start with a short ride of one or two hours.

⏱️ Recommended time: 1–2 hours.

🌳 Vondelpark — 1–2 Hours — Free

After visiting museums and exploring streets full of tourists, Vondelpark is the perfect place to slow down.

You can take a walk, relax, grab a drink, or simply sit for a while and enjoy the park.

If the weather is nice, you can also rent a bike to explore the park.

⏱️ Recommended time: 1–2 hours.

🎨 Van Gogh Museum — Approximately 3–4 Hours — $$

The Van Gogh Museum has an extensive collection dedicated to the artist’s life and work, so my advice is to take your time exploring it.

Personally, I’d set aside around 3–4 hours to enjoy it at a relaxed pace.

⏱️ Recommended time: 3–4 hours.

🍴 Foodhallen — 1 Hour — $$

After walking, cycling, and visiting museums, it’s time for one of my favorite parts of any trip: eating.

Foodhallen is a food hall where you’ll find a variety of dining options all in one place.

It’s a great choice if you’re traveling with others and everyone wants something different, or if you simply want to try a few things without sitting down at a traditional restaurant.

⏱️ Recommended time: 1 hour.

Don’t Try to Do Everything in One Day

These are my favorite places in Amsterdam. I recommend choosing two or three options based on your energy level and how tired you feel.

Day 3

Day Trips from Amsterdam

If you have a little extra time on your trip, I definitely recommend spending a day outside Amsterdam and exploring other places in the Netherlands.

There are several places you can easily visit by train, but these two are among my favorites.

📍 Option 1: Zaanse Schans — $

Definitely one of my favorite places in the Netherlands.

Getting there is quite straightforward. From Amsterdam Centraal, you can take a train and, in approximately 20 minutes, arrive very close to this famous windmill area.

Keep in mind that this journey is not included in the Amsterdam transit pass, so you’ll need to buy a separate ticket.

💶 Approximate ticket price: €4.20.

The best thing about Zaanse Schans is that, from the moment you arrive, you feel like you’ve stepped into a Dutch postcard.

Here, you’ll find:

• The famous Dutch windmills
• An artisan cheese factory
• Workshops where traditional wooden clogs are still made
• Small shops and places where you can learn more about the region’s traditions

My recommendation is to take your time and enjoy a leisurely walk around the area.

And if you’re wondering whether it’s worth paying to go inside one of the windmills, my answer is yes.

💶 Approximate windmill admission: €5.

From the top, you’ll get one of the best views of Zaanse Schans and a better appreciation of the landscape, canals, and windmills that make this place so special.

For me, it’s definitely worth it.

Zaanse Schans is also perfect if you want to experience a completely different side of the Netherlands without traveling too far from Amsterdam.

🏖️ Option 2: A Day Trip to Zandvoort — $$

If you’re looking for something much more relaxed after several days of walking around Amsterdam, Zandvoort can be a great option. It’s just 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal.

💶 Approximate ticket price: €10.20

This seaside town is mainly known for two things: its beach and the circuit that hosts Formula 1 races in the Netherlands.

Beyond that, don’t expect a long list of tourist attractions.

And that’s exactly what makes it so charming.

Zandvoort is a place to slow down, walk by the sea, and take a break from Amsterdam’s bustle.

You can spend the day strolling along the beach, settling into one of its restaurants, or simply finding a nice spot to eat and soak up the atmosphere.

For me, it’s a great getaway if you’re looking to enjoy some good food, have a beer, and simply relax by the sea.

🗣️ Language

Official language: Dutch 🇳🇱

Don’t worry if you don’t speak Dutch. In Amsterdam, English is widely spoken, especially at hotels, restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions.

Ease of getting by in English: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📱 Apps I Recommend

These apps can make your trip much easier:

🗺️ Google Maps
For navigating the city on foot, finding stations, and locating restaurants or attractions.

🚆 NS
Very useful for checking train schedules and routes when you want to leave Amsterdam and explore other cities in the Netherlands.

🚋 9292
One of the best apps for planning public transportation journeys in the Netherlands.

🚲 Google Maps / Cycling Apps
Very useful for finding bike lanes and planning routes if you decide to rent a bike.

💳 Your Banking App
In Amsterdam, you’ll find plenty of places where paying by card is more common than paying with cash.

⭐ Mi calificación de Ámsterdam

🎒 Mochilero: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
💰 Precio: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🚋 Transporte: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍴 Comida: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🏛️ Atracciones: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌙 Vida nocturna: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🚶 Facilidad para recorrerla: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐