A Guide to Explore Amsterdam (2023)

 Planning a vacation to visit Europe and still trying to finalise? Apart from the magnificent, breathtaking, awe-inspiring European cities of Paris, London, Barcelona, Venice and so on. There is one more city that is a must on your list, Amsterdam, which you can check off your bucket list in about 3 days.

 

A quintessential European city, Amsterdam has its charms, with over 21 million tourists visiting it each year as it is a chamber replete with unique treasures of art, architecture, and history with some incredible energy in its neighbourhoods. 

 

Before starting your whirlwind romance with Amsterdam, please ensure you get your hands on the Iamsterdam Card. The card is available in physical or digital format on your phone. However, the digital card must be activated only when you are in Amsterdam, as it has an hour-based validity. This card lets you access certain experiences and bike rentals for free and offers discounts on restaurants. More details of the card and its pricing can all be accessed here through this link - https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card

 

Here’s a list of what you might want to do in your 3 days in Amsterdam.

 

Since Amsterdam is full of history and art, and if you are a connoisseur of art, you could start with the museum tour or pick your choice for your taste.

 

DAY 1

 

1. Museums

Rijksmuseum - Opened in 1885, Rijksmuseum is the national museum dedicated to Dutch art & history. One can see world-class masterpieces by Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer. 

 

Stedelijk Museum - A museum where you can view modern and contemporary art & design.

 

Van Gogh Museum - This museum is dedicated to the legendary works of art of Van Gogh and his contemporaries.

 

Foam Museum - This museum is dedicated to photography-obsessed buffs as they celebrate up-and-coming photographers while covering local as well as international themes such as Kate Moss.   

 

Rembrandt House Museum - This is the restored house built in the 17th century where the renowned painter Rembrandt lived & worked for about 20 years.

 

Royal Palace Amsterdam - Although the Dutch Royal family no longer reside here, this palace should be visited if you want to know more about Dutch history.

 

Anne Frank House Museum - This is the actual house where Holocaust victim Anne Frank lived in hiding from Nazi Germany persecution until the Netherlands was occupied by Germany. 

 

NEMO Science Museum - This science museum opened in 1923 and is housed in a structure designed by Renzo Piano and is the eighth most visited museum in the Netherlands.

 

Tropenmuseum - This museum was opened in 1864 and is dedicated to ethnography, the systematic study of people and cultures.

 

And if you still have time, you can visit the De Oude Kerk and The Concertgebouw, which are close in the same vicinity. An honourable mention is the ARTIS Royal Zoo, which has a park, zoo, museum, planetarium, and aquarium inside the premises.

 

2) Amsterdam boat tours - A fun fact for you - Did you know that Amsterdam has more canals compared to Venice and more bridges than the city of Paris? And one of the better ways to explore Amsterdam while relaxing at the same time is with a partner in hand and a glass of wijn in the other, through the boat tours offered by different canal cruise companies. 

 

Plenty of options are available on Prins Hendrikkade street by the Central station, along Damrak Avenue and Rokin street. These boat tours will let you experience the grandiose architecture of Amsterdam’s past economic Golden age. 

 

If you are not a fan of long boat trips, various water bus services offer hop on / hop off that stop at multiple attractions and sights.

 

Alternatively, Amsterdam is also known as a bicycle paradise as the Dutch have created a network of over 4500 kilometres of bicycle routes in the country. And the locals know it better that the zippiest way to get from a certain Point A to Point B in Amsterdam is by bicycle. This sure is a healthy way to explore the city of Amsterdam beyond the cliched beauty. Fun Fact - If you shout “Backie” when there’s a yellow cycle going past you, you might get a lift. This is a popular tourism initiative to kindle some friendship & love between the tourists and the locals.

 

DAY 2  

If you are a massive fan of shopping, you are in luck as Amsterdam is one of the best places for diverse shopping for food, vintage, and flea markets, and this list will help you to pick and choose your poison.

 

Albert Cuyp Market

Bloemenmarkt

Waterlooplein

Antiekcentrum

Noordermarkt

Amsterdam Book Market, Spui

Boekenmarkt 

Westerstraat market

Nieuwmarkt

Postzegelmarkt

IJ Hallen Flea Market

 

Also, the stretch from Leidsestraat to Kalverstraat is ideal if you like to shop till you drop.

 

DAY 3 

 

After experiencing architecture and some exciting shopping for yourself & relatives, you could check out Amsterdam’s famed neighbourhoods of Plantage or Jordaan or start your night early with some bar hopping & clubbing at Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein and around the Spui square. 

 

If you have plans to stay for more than 3 days in Amsterdam, then make it a point to visit either of these nearby places depending on the time you have before your flight.

 

1. Zaanse Schans

2. Haarlem

3. Flevoland

4. The Hague

 

Make sure to check out the events before travelling to the city, as you would not like to miss some of the exciting activities that happen all year in Amsterdam. 

So I say to you as the Dutch say - Goede reis!