Amsterdam packs 17th-century canals, world-class museums, cosy brown cafés and a laid-back cycling culture into a small, walkable centre. It’s also busy and increasingly expensive, so a little planning goes a long way. This Amsterdam travel guide brings together everything you need.
Plan your Amsterdam trip: Amsterdam itinerary · Things to do · Where to stay · Anne Frank House tickets · Keukenhof & tulips · Schiphol to Amsterdam · Best time to visit · Tourist tax
Top things to do in Amsterdam
- Anne Frank House — the hiding place of Anne Frank’s family; €16.50. How to get tickets.
- Van Gogh Museum — the world’s largest Van Gogh collection; €27, online only.
- Rijksmuseum — Rembrandt’s Night Watch and Vermeer; €27.
- A canal cruise — the UNESCO-listed canal ring from the water.
- The Jordaan — narrow streets, markets and cafés.
- Keukenhof — 7 million spring bulbs, open 18 March–9 May 2027. Tickets and tips.
See all 20 best things to do in Amsterdam, or compare Amsterdam tours and canal cruises.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
- Canal Ring — the postcard Amsterdam; best for first-timers.
- Jordaan — charming, local and close to everything.
- Museum Quarter — elegant, near the Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark.
- De Pijp — lively food scene and the Albert Cuyp market.
- Noord and Oost — cheaper, creative and a short ferry or tram ride away.
Read our full guide to where to stay in Amsterdam or compare hotels in Amsterdam.
Getting around
From Schiphol, trains run to Amsterdam Centraal in about 17 minutes for €5.50 (tap a contactless bank card in and out). In the city, trams, metro and buses are easy; a GVB day ticket costs €9 (1 day), €15 (2 days) or €21 (3 days). Walking is often fastest in the centre, and the ferries behind Centraal to Noord are free. See Schiphol to Amsterdam.
When to visit
Mid-April for tulips (very busy, especially around King’s Day on 27 April); May–June and September for mild weather; December for the Amsterdam Light Festival. Rain is possible year-round. See the best time to visit Amsterdam.
Before you go
- Book ahead: Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum time slots.
- Tourist tax: 12.5% of the room price — explained.
- Entry rules: the Netherlands is in the Schengen area — see our Schengen visa guide and ETIAS & EES explained.
- Flights: compare flights to Amsterdam.
- Internet: get a Netherlands eSIM.
- Insurance: compare travel insurance for Europe.
Practical tips
- Watch out for bikes: never walk on red cycle lanes, and look both ways before crossing.
- Many places are card-only; carry a debit or credit card with contactless.
- Cannabis and alcohol are banned in the street in parts of the centre, and the Red Light District has strict rules — no photos of workers.
- Tap in and out on every tram, metro and train; forgetting to tap out costs you the maximum fare.
- Combine Amsterdam with Paris (about 3h20 by train) or London (about 4 hours by Eurostar).
Plan your trip to Amsterdam
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