Amsterdam

Canal-side bikes, brown cafes & weekend markets

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Amsterdam is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Blijburg aan Zee, Sunday Market Amsterdam and Rijksmuseum. Food lovers should not miss Moeders and La Perla. Below you will find 45 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Amsterdam at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Blijburg aan Zee and Sunday Market Amsterdam
Where to stay: Keizersgracht and Eastern Docklands
Local picks: 45 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Amsterdam

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Amsterdam: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Amsterdam? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods, from the central Canal Belt and charming Jordaan…

Local tips3 Days in Amsterdam: The Perfect ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day Amsterdam itinerary: canals and the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, plus De…

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Centrum

Amsterdam Bike Tour

See the city the way locals do – on two wheels. A guided ride links the canals, the Jordaan, Vondelpark and quieter corners, with the bike and a confidence-building intro included.

★ 4.7

Centrum

Amsterdam Canal Cruise

The classic way to see Amsterdam – gliding the UNESCO canal ring past gabled houses and under humpback bridges. Options run from hop-on-hop-off to candlelit evening cruises with drinks.

★ 4.6

City centre

Amsterdam Underground Tour

Why it matters: Amsterdam Underground is an initiative of the De Regenboog Groep, a charity supporting people facing homelessness, addiction and debt, and its guides have often lived on the streets th

Centrum & Jordaan

Anne Frank & WWII Walking Tour

A moving guided walk through wartime Amsterdam – the Jewish Quarter, hidden histories and the story of the occupation and resistance. Note the Anne Frank House itself needs a separate timed ticket.

★ 4.7

De Pijp

De Pijp Food Tour

A guided graze around lively De Pijp and the Albert Cuyp Market – herring, cheese, stroopwafels, Surinamese and Indonesian bites – with a local unpacking Amsterdam’s multicultural food story.

★ 4.7

De Pijp

Heineken Experience

An interactive romp through the original Heineken brewery – the brewing process, some theme-park flourishes and a couple of beers at the end. Touristy fun; book online to skip the line.

★ 4.3

De Pijp & Amsterdam Eastside

Hungry Birds Street Food Tours

Why it matters: Hungry Birds was started in 2013 by two women, Zosia Konieczna and Esther-Hanna van der Meer, and remains woman-owned, built around Amsterdam’s mix of cultures and the food that comes

Centrum

Jenever & Cheese Tasting

Duck into an old-world proeflokaal (tasting house) to sample jenever – the juniper spirit that gave gin its name – alongside aged Dutch cheeses, with a guide explaining the rituals.

★ 4.6

Dijksgracht / Oosterdok

Rederij Lampedusa

Why it matters: Rederij Lampedusa runs its canal tours on two wooden boats pulled from the Mediterranean in 2015, once used to carry migrants, now crewed by guides with roots in Syria, Somalia, Eritre

Museum Quarter

Rijksmuseum Highlights Tour

Make sense of the vast Rijksmuseum in a couple of focused hours – a guide walks you to the Night Watch, the Vermeers and the must-sees with the stories behind them, skipping the queue.

★ 4.6

Day trip

Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip

A short hop from the city to a postcard village of working windmills, wooden houses and cheese and clog workshops on the Zaan river. Guided half-day trips handle the transport.

★ 4.6

Before you go

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Book your trip to Amsterdam

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Amsterdam Book tours and experiences

Amsterdam travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Amsterdam?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Amsterdam at a relaxed pace. See our Amsterdam itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Amsterdam?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Amsterdam guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Amsterdam?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Amsterdam?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Amsterdam is worth visiting year-round.