In Amsterdam just for a day but determined to hit the town’s highlights? We like your style. And to help you along the way we’ve assembled a whistle-stop tour of the city to make sure you don’t miss a beat. From culturally rich museum wonders to stunning canal explorations, our guide is sure to get you your Amsterdam fix 🙂
First stop: world-famous art…
Begin your journey with a visit to Museumplein, an open, green square flanked by the very best of Amsterdam’s galleries and museums. The magnificent Rijksmuseum is not one to miss here: it’s always a good idea to take a look at what’s on display first to make sure you get to see your favourite pieces.
Other options include the fantastic collection of modern art on display at the Stedelijk Museum, or the Van Gogh gallery dedicated to Vincent and his contemporaries. Top tip: the Stedelijk’s cafe makes a great cappuccino!
Brunch buzz and market mayhem in De Pijp:
Once you’ve experienced world-famous art to your heart’s content, take tram 3 or walk fifteen minutes to De Pijp, a trendy neighborhood bursting with cafes, bars and restaurants. If brunch is your thing then you’re in the right place: De Pijp boasts some of the best late breakfast locations in Amsterdam!
Try De Wasserette, a great people-watching spot on the buzzing Gerard Douplein square, Coffee and Coconuts for some world-class pancakes or eggs and avo, or Little Collins for Australian inspired brunch and coffee. See more of our recommendations with our Weekly Walk app.
After your midday feast, stroll over to the humming Albert Cuyp Market, the largest outdoor marketplace in the Netherlands. Popular with tourists and locals alike, the Albert Cuyp marketplace has everything from raw herring with pickles, to freshly pressed Stroopwaffels and sugar-dusted poffertjes. Make sure you stop to try at least one of the typical Dutch snacks along the way!
Fairy tale bridges in the Jordaan:
Once you’ve had your fill of marketplace vibrancy, take the tram back towards the quaint and traditional Jordaan, one of Amsterdam’s oldest neighbourhoods. Teeming with pretty cafes, traditional local bars, and higgledy-piggledy canal-side townhouses, the Jordaan is picture-perfect all year round.
Get lost in its winding cobbled streets which open up on to fairy tale bridges over the sparkling canals. One-stop in the Jordaan is a must: the Anne Frank house. You can read our guide to how to claim Anne Frank tickets here. An average visit to the Anne Frank house and museum is about 60-75 minutes.
Cruise the canals in the evening glow…
There’s really no better way to spend the early evening in Amsterdam than on a beautiful boutique electric boat. After all, the canal ring is an official UNESCO world heritage site! On sunny days you can spot people of every kind cruising down one of the city’s 165 spectacular canals: families, couples, groups of friends and newly befriended acquaintances.
Adored by locals and tourists alike, cruising the canals in the glow of the evening light is the most beautiful and alternative way to experience the city. Let us help you find a luxury boat for your personal cruise over the canals.
Personalised advice and tours? We’d love to hear from you!
We adore creating unique private tours of Amsterdam. If you’re interested in bespoke advice, and a friendly and knowledgeable local guide to guide you through the city and sharing their intriguing and quirky stories, please get in touch! We would love to hear from you.