According to numerous online rankings, Amsterdam is one of the most popular cities in Europe. In 2017, more than 20 million tourists flocked to the city to take a canal cruise, visit the Van Gogh Museum, stroll through the many markets, or explore the surrounding area and the numerous Amsterdam sights by bike. Amsterdam is wonderful to explore on foot or, in typical Dutch style, by bike. Incidentally, according to estimates, around 58% of residents travel by bike (called “fiets”) every day. Crazy, right?
We were last in Amsterdam during our cool Holland tour and once again had a fantastic time. It’s always fun to stroll through the many streets, discover cool shops, and marvel at the beautiful houses from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Amsterdam has a very special vibe, even though it is, of course, very touristy. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t miss a city trip to Amsterdam. You can find out which top Amsterdam highlights you definitely shouldn’t miss in our article.
- Amsterdam Sights
- 1. Anne Frank House
- 2. Vondelpark
- 3. Canals & Canal Cruise
- 4. Red Light District
- 5. Jordaan District
- 6. Van Gogh Museum
- 7. A’DAM Lookout
- 8. Rijksmuseum
- 9. Floating Flower Market
- 10. Street Art in the Spuistraat
- 11. Royal Palace Amsterdam
- 12. The cool 9 Straatjes
- 13. Amsterdam Bos
- 14. The beautiful Oude Kerk
- 15. The NDSM shipyard
- Other sights
- Popular tours through Amsterdam
- Excursions in the surrounding area
- Getting to Amsterdam
- Best time to visit Amsterdam
- Booking accommodation
- Public transport
- Renting a bike
- Amsterdam travel guide
Amsterdam sights
In the following article, we show you the beautiful city of Amsterdam and reveal the top Amsterdam sights and highlights. Whether museums, cool shops, a canal tour, the flower market, street art, or hip cafés – Amsterdam has a lot to offer and never gets boring.
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1. Anne Frank House
Perhaps you remember the famous diary writer Anne Frank from history class? She was the young girl who was murdered by the Nazis during World War II. During this difficult time, she wrote a diary that is still read by many people around the world. Her stories illustrate the cruel era of National Socialism. The museum is located at Prinsengracht 263. The Jewish family hid from the Nazis in a back room here between 1942 and 1944.
The museum not only focuses on the fate of the Frank family, but also on Jewish citizens in Germany and the Netherlands. It addresses the persecution of Jews and the development of fascism. The Anne Frank House is arguably one of the most important sights in Amsterdam. Therefore, be prepared for long waits or book your ticket in advance.
The museum is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays. Admission to the Anne Frank House is €14 for adults. Tickets can only be purchased online for a specific time slot. Children between 10 and 17 years pay €7, and children between 0 and 9 years only €1. You can also take a great guided tour through the city and learn more about Anne Frank (book a tour here*).
2. Vondelpark
New York has Central Park, and Amsterdam has the beautiful Vondelpark. Here you’ll find large lawns, an open-air stage, various ponds, a few playgrounds, as well as restaurants and cafés. The park is particularly lively and well-visited on weekends. It’s only a 5-minute walk to the city center. So if you need a little break from your sightseeing trip through Amsterdam, be sure to stop in Vondelpark.
3. Canals & Canal Tour
Amsterdam is known for the approximately 200 canals that characterize the cityscape. These long waterways served as transportation routes as early as the 17th century and were originally built to expand the city. The most famous are the four canals: Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Singel. This vast network of canals stretches almost through the entire city and leads past beautiful houses from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries with even more beautiful courtyards. You can reach the other side via bridges.
Take this opportunity and discover Amsterdam from the water. Numerous boat tours are offered, both during the day and at night. The hop-on hop-off tours, which allow you to stop at Amsterdam’s most important sights, are particularly cool. We’ve listed the most popular tours for you:
- 75-minute canal cruise in an open boat*
- 1.5-hour canal cruise*
- Evening boat cruise in Amsterdam*
- Romantic canal tour & Prosecco*
- Amsterdam: 2-hour stand-up paddleboard tour*
4. Red Light District
Hamburg has the Reeperbahn, and Amsterdam has the Red Light District (De Wallen or De Wallettjes). Here, prostitutes still lounge in the shop windows decorated with garish billboards. There are also many sex shops and brothels here, as well as several museums and even the beautiful historic Oude Kerk (Old Church). The Red Light District in Amsterdam is one of the oldest districts and was once the center of the city.
The alleys are winding and old, featuring characteristic architecture from the 14th century. This alone makes a trip to this district worthwhile. On New Year’s Eve, the streets and alleys here transform into a huge party mile. You can book an interesting tour of the Red Light District* with GetYourGuide or explore the Red Light Secrets Museum*.
5. Jordaan District
The Jordaan District is probably the most popular and charming district in the entire city. It’s home to beautiful old buildings, charming courtyards, and the popular shopping streets Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk with many trendy shops, cafés, and restaurants. You can also go to the city’s oldest cinema (The Movies) in Jordaan and watch a film.
The Houseboat Museum is also really cool, where you can gain insight into life on the water. Jordaan is also home to the Tulip Museum, where you can learn all about the history of the tulip. Every Saturday, you can find great bargains and feast on all sorts of delicacies at the Noordermarkt.
6. Van Gogh Museum
Not exactly a museum fan? But you absolutely have to see the Van Gogh Museum. Van Gogh is something of the “God Father” of modern painting. This exceptional artist left behind more than 900 paintings and over 1,000 drawings, which are still worth a fortune today. The museum houses the largest collection in the world. Here in the museum, you’ll learn a lot about the artist, who once lived in poverty because his works only gained importance after his death.
Get your ticket in advance to avoid the long lines. You can get the ticket* for €21 at GetYourGuide. Children up to 18 years old even get in free. Alternatively, book the combination ticket with a boat ride*. You can find the opening hours on the homepage.
7. A’DAM Lookout
Want a magnificent view over Amsterdam? Then you shouldn’t miss the A’DAM Lookout observation deck, which is definitely one of the top Amsterdam attractions. This deck is located behind the IJ Canal, north of the city center. In just 22 seconds, the elevator takes you to a lofty 100 meters above the ground, from where you have a fantastic view of the city, the harbor, the green spaces, and the surrounding area. Book tickets here.
For adrenaline junkies, there’s the “Over the Edge” swing. This swing lets you swing above the rooftops of Amsterdam, a crazy experience (book tickets here). Alternatively, you can visit the Westerkerk in the city center. It’s the tallest church in the city. For just €9, you can climb the church and enjoy the view over the Jordaan.
8. Rijksmuseum
The Dutch National Museum houses the most extensive art collection in the country. Across four floors, you can marvel at priceless paintings and works of art in 80 rooms. The works of Rembrandt and Jan Vermeer are particularly significant. You’re sure to discover some works you’ve seen somewhere before. But such important works are even more impressive as originals.
Tip: With the free Rijksmuseum app, you can save on the €5 audio guide and learn everything you need to know about the works and artists. At GetYourGuide, you can get an entrance ticket* including a canal cruise for €33. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9. Floating Flower Market
Perhaps you’ve heard of the famous Amsterdam Flower Market? It’s located on the Singel canal. Here you can buy flowers of all colors and shapes. Not on the street or in a shop, as usual, but via so-called floats. This market has its roots in the days when Amsterdam markets were still supplied by boats from the water.
Another advantage: This saved space and meant that market stalls didn’t have to be squeezed into the narrow alleys. You can visit the floating flower market in Amsterdam all week long. Monday to Saturday, the market is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Sundays, the market doesn’t open until 11 a.m.
10. Street Art in the Spuistraat
Another sight in Amsterdam is definitely the colorful Street Art Sezen. The Spuistraat is quite full of street art. If you don’t want to explore the area alone, you can also join a guided tour.
The tours last around 3 hours and take you to the coolest spots in the city center. Discover works of art by artists such as Icy & Sot, The London Police, FAKE, or Stinkfish. Book your tour here* or visit the cool Street Art Museum (tickets available here*).
11. Royal Palace Amsterdam
In the heart of the vibrant metropolis lies the Royal Palace. The palace was originally built as a town hall in the 17th century. At that time, the aim was to use this magnificent building to showcase the city’s wealth. It was Napoleon’s brother (Louis Bonaparte) who converted the town hall into his royal palace. He was also the first king of the Netherlands. When the French were finally expelled from the city, the palace was returned to the city as a town hall. In 1939, the royal family decided to buy the palace.
Since the royal family only uses the palace for ceremonial purposes, you can visit the palace almost around the clock. The magnificent building measures 80 x 56 meters and is a fine example of Dutch Classicism. More than 100,000 visitors flock to the royal palace every year. You can book a guided tour or explore the complex on your own. Be sure to take a look at the magnificent Citizens’ Hall, notice the furniture used even by Louis Bonaparte, and the many beautiful details (chandeliers, paintings, sculptures).
Book a ticket with priority access and an audio guide here for just €10*. The palace is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children and young people under 18 years of age are free of charge.
12. The cool 9 Straatjes
Tucked away among all the alleys and canals are the so-called “9 Straatjes” (9 Streets). These are nine narrow, picturesque streets, each of which boasts unique cafés and shops. Here you’ll find cool and original pop-up stores, second-hand shops, record stores, bags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, and much more.
It’s best to start in Hartenstraat. It’s the first of the 9 streets. Then cross Keizersgracht and go into Reestraat, which runs to Prinsengracht. From there, continue into Berenstraat, which becomes Wolvenstraat. Then, turn right at Herengracht onto Huidenstraat and Runstraat. More info & Map here: 9 Straatjes.
13. Amsterdam Bos
Bolle also visited the Amsterdam Bos on her first visit to Amsterdam. This is a large public park on the outskirts of the city. The park was created in the 1930s, covers around 1,000 hectares, and is almost three times larger than Central Park in New York. Crazy, right?
More than 4.5 million visitors flock to this park every year. In addition, more than 250 events take place there every year. Here you can picnic, camp, jog, cycle, canoe, play volleyball, and much more.
14. The beautiful Oude Kerk
The Oude Kerk (Old Church) is one of the most dominant buildings in Amsterdam. It is located in the heart of the Red Light District and boasts exceptional architecture. This church is also famous for its historic 17th-century organ. As soon as you stand in the main entrance of the church, you will discover a stark contrast: on one side, cafés with prostitutes in the windows, and on the other side, the Princess Juliana Kindergarten.
Visit the oldest and most important church in Amsterdam and enjoy the unique atmosphere. Entrance costs €12, children under 13 go free. The church is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sundays, you can visit the Oude Kerk between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. During a guided city tour*, you will pass by the Oude Kerk, the Royal Palace, and the canals, among other things.
15. The NDSM Shipyard
Are you looking for an alternative Amsterdam? Then you should definitely visit the NDSM Shipyard. While it’s not located in the city center, it’s easily reached by ferry from Central Station. The crossing takes just a few minutes and is free. On site, you’ll find plenty of street art, abandoned buildings, alternative art, creative start-ups, and much more. Numerous events, flea markets, and art projects also take place here.
The unique Crane Hotel* is also located on site. Here, you can stay in one of the three luxury suites at Crane No. 13. The view over the city must be simply spectacular. Such an experience comes at a price, but at least you get a champagne breakfast in the morning.
Other Sights
Amsterdam has so much more to offer. We could probably write a novel about Amsterdam’s sights and highlights. A popular tourist attraction is the Heineken Museum. Here you can learn all about Heineken beer, its history, and its production. On a tour, you’ll also learn how to tap the perfect beer. Tickets are available here*.
The Nemo Science Center offers action and fun for all ages. Here you can get involved, touch, and try things out. You can also enjoy a beautiful view from the sloping roof of the building. Tickets for the Nemo Museum are available here*.
Don’t miss one of the city’s most beautiful bridges, the Magere Brug. It was built in 1934 and connects the two banks of the Kerkstraat. And another tip: The historic flea market is still held in Waterlooplein. From Monday to Saturday, you can shop and browse to your heart’s content at over 300 stalls. At this flea market, you’ll find absolutely everything you can imagine.
Popular Tours through Amsterdam
You can book a whole host of tours and excursions in Amsterdam. Whether it’s a city tour, canal cruise, pub crawl, cooking class, bike tour, museum, or excursion to the surrounding area—it’s never boring here.
- Informative Red Light District Tour in German*
- 75-minute canal cruise in an open boat*
- 1.5-hour evening canal cruise*
- Cultural Ganja Walking Tour of Selected Coffee Shops*
- Ticket for the Heineken Experience*
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Tickets*
- Amsterdam: Cocktails at the Icebar*
Excursions in the Surrounding Area
Are you staying in Amsterdam for a longer period? Then take the opportunity to visit some of the surrounding highlights. For example, visit the beautiful city of Haarlem with the beach in Bloemendaal. Or go to Utrecht, the smaller version of Amsterdam. The fishing village of Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans with their many windmills are also not far from Amsterdam. The Keukenhof flower park has also reopened. In the following paragraph, we have selected the most popular tours in the area for you:
- Trip to Voldendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans*
- Trip to the windmills in Zaanse Schans*
- Cycling tour to windmills, cheese & Wooden shoes*
- 5-hour canoe trip in the wetland*
Getting to Amsterdam
You can reach Amsterdam in a variety of ways. From the Ruhr area, it’s only around 200 kilometers, which you can easily cover by car, bus, or train. Even from Berlin, it’s just 6.5 hours by train without changing trains. From Munich, you can also travel cheaply by train, but you should allow around 8 to 10 hours for the journey. Flixbus* also offers many connections to Amsterdam. From Cologne, for example, it takes around 4.5 hours to get to Amsterdam. A one-way ticket starts at just €12.99.
Alternatively, you can also travel by plane. However, we do not recommend this option. The journey to the airport, check-in, boarding, the flight, and check-out at your destination usually take at least as long as the train journey. Furthermore, it’s better for the environment if we make more use of public transport within Germany and Europe.
Best time to travel to Amsterdam
You can travel to Amsterdam all year round. However, from November to March, you should expect changeable weather. It can be sunny and mild, but it can also be windy, rainy, and cold. While this can never be predicted, the months between April and October are better. The best time to travel to Amsterdam are from May to September.
From October onwards, it can become unpleasant again, with rain and a maximum of 15°C. During the peak summer season, the city is quite crowded, more expensive than usual, and many places book up quickly. It’s best to travel outside of these months. Then you’ll find a nice, affordable hotel and can stroll through the city more relaxed.
Booking Accommodation
You can find numerous accommodations in Amsterdam. During the peak summer season, expect very high prices. Many places book up quickly towards the summer. Things are a bit more relaxed outside of this season. However, Amsterdam is generally an expensive place compared to other European cities.
We have selected a few cool hostels and hotels for you in different price categories (price per night for a double room. The low-budget examples refer to a bed in a shared room.
Public Transport
Buses, metros, and trams run in Amsterdam. You can buy tickets directly from the ticket machine on the tram. A single journey costs €2.90. If you are staying longer and want to use the tram or metro frequently, the 24-hour ticket* for €8 is worthwhile. You then have to hold your ticket against the card reader when boarding and alighting.
This also applies to turnstiles at metro stations. There is also the iAmsterdam Card*, with which you can use public transport for free. With this card, you also get free entry to many highlights.
If you are staying longer, the OV card. This is a chip card that you load with a certain amount. You can then “use” this amount. The card costs a one-time fee of €7.50. After that, rides are calculated as follows: 96 cents per ride + approximately 16 cents per kilometer traveled.
Rent a bike
You can also explore Amsterdam by bike. The bicycle is the number one means of transport in the Netherlands. The city has great bike paths that you don’t have to share with cars. So you don’t have to worry about being hit by a car.
You can book a bike on almost every corner. MacBike is located right next to the main train station. There, you can rent a bike for 3 hours for €7.50. At Yellow Bike, you can get a bike for 24 hours for just €13.
Or how about a guided bike tour through Amsterdam? At GetYourGuide You’ll find many great offers. To make things easier for you, we’ve selected a few for you.
- Sightseeing Tour by Bike*
- Half-Day Bike Tour into the Countryside*
- Amsterdam: Light Festival Bike Tour*
- Amsterdam: Bike Tour to Windmills, Cheese & Wooden Shoes*
Amsterdam Travel Guide
Want to learn more about Amsterdam and the Netherlands? Then get the Amsterdam Travel Guide* from Dumont Publishing. Learn everything about the city and its highlights in 120 pages. We also recommend the book “500 Hidden Secrets Amsterdam*” and the detailed Netherlands Travel Guide*.