Amsterdam has a way of turning a short visit into a lasting fascination. I’ve been lucky enough to visit three times and spend over a month exploring the city, long enough to move beyond the postcard scenes and start noticing the rhythms of everyday life—morning cyclists gliding along the canals, quiet neighborhood cafés opening their doors, and the glow of bridges reflecting on the water at night. What makes Amsterdam special isn’t just its beauty, but how effortlessly history, culture, and daily life blend together.
If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, save this. Whether you’re here for the museums, the food scene, the canals, or just a very good cookie (priorities), this is everything I personally recommend — the mix of iconic, cool, and actually-worth-your-time spots.
Where to Stay
For a stay that balances luxury with a perfect central location, I highly recommend the Kimpton De Witt. The staff is incredibly helpful, making the stay seamless from start to finish. The rooms are impressively spacious and sparkling clean—a true sanctuary in the heart of the city. It’s just a 4 minute walk to Centraal Station as well, so if you’re planning any day trips, it’s a super convenient home base.
Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
🍫 Make Your Own Chocolate at Tony’s
Start strong at the flagship store of Tony’s Chocolonely. You can design your own chocolate bar, which is equal parts fun activity and elite souvenir. It’s interactive, colorful, and very on-brand for Amsterdam’s playful side.
Pro tip: Go earlier in the day to avoid long lines.
🍺 Heineken Experience (Don’t Skip the Rooftop)
The Heineken Experience is touristy, yes — but it’s actually well done. You’ll learn about brewing, get tastings, and the rooftop bar alone makes it worth it. Great city views + beer = no complaints.
🥃 Take the Bols Genever Tour
The House of Bols experience is underrated. You’ll learn about genever (the Dutch predecessor to gin), do a guided tasting, and leave slightly more educated and slightly more relaxed.
🚤 Take a Canal Cruise
No Amsterdam travel guide is complete without this. The city is best seen from the water. We went with Stromma, and it was easy, smooth, and informative without being boring.
Book earlier in your trip — it helps you get your bearings.
🧀🍓 Eat Your Way Through Albert Cuyp Market
Albert Cuyp Market is chaos in the best way. Stroopwafels, fresh herring, fries with questionable amounts of sauce — it’s all here. Come hungry and bring cash.
🌷 Visit the Floating Flower Market
The Bloemenmarkt is the world’s only floating flower market. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s colorful and very Amsterdam.
🧇 Stroopwafel Making Class
You can’t leave Amsterdam without eating your weight in stroopwafels, but learning to make them yourself is a highlight experience.
🌷 Keukenhof Gardens
If your visit falls between late March and early May, a trip to Keukenhof is essential. It’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens and the tulip displays are breathtaking.
🌿 Escape to Hortus Botanicus
If you’re into plants, butterflies, or just need a cozy indoor activity on a rainy day, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is beautiful and peaceful. The greenhouse alone is worth it.
Must-See Museums & Cultural Spots in Amsterdam
Amsterdam does museums extremely well. Plan ahead — most require timed tickets.
🎨 Moco Museum
Moco Museum is modern, edgy, and changes exhibits frequently. Expect Banksy-style works and immersive installations. It’s smaller and easy to pair with other museums nearby.
🖼 Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is iconic for a reason. Rembrandt, Vermeer, and centuries of Dutch history live here. Even if you’re not “a museum person,” this one hits.
🌻 Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is beautifully curated and gives real context to Van Gogh’s life — not just the greatest hits. Book tickets well in advance.
📖 Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is powerful and sobering. It’s one of the most meaningful experiences in Amsterdam. Tickets sell out weeks ahead, so plan accordingly.
🐭 Miniature Museum
A whimsical and incredibly detailed stop that showcases the artistry of miniature world-building while telling you the history of key moments in the city’s history. A great stop with kids for sure!
🎨 NDSM Wharf + Street Art
Take the free ferry to NDSM Wharf, a former shipyard turned creative playground. While you’re there, visit the STRAAT Museum — massive murals, rotating artists, very cool vibe.
Where to Eat in Amsterdam
- 🍽 Nicer Eats (But Still Relaxed): The Siren, Cafe Restaurant Verlan, Char.d, and Little Bonfire are all fantastic additions to the scene with great atmosphere and seasonal menus. Other favorites include The Lobby Nesplain, Zaza’s, and Jansz.
- 🍳 Casual Eats: For a quick lunch, head to Leauf Sandwiches or Monty’s Toasties (you have to try the caramelized onion chutney toastie). Dignita Hoftuin, Mezzave, and Eethuis Sit Joe (Indonesian) remain top-tier choices as well.
- 🥞 Dutch Pancakes: For the best sweet and savory options, head to The Pancake Club, Pancake Company Amsterdam, or Pat’s Poffertjes. Yes, pancakes can be eaten for any meal in Amsterdam.
🍪 Treats & Sweets
The city is a paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth. Here are the spots you cannot miss:
🥐 Lourens: Known for delicious lattes and unique cookie-filled croissants.
🍪 Van Stapele Koekmakerij: The cookie you’ll dream about. There’s usually a line, so prepare to wait a bit. They only sell one single cookie, so it does move pretty quickly.
☕️ Elisabeth & Valentijn: Home to the viral tiramisu latte—an iced latte topped with a literal slice of tiramisu. A perfect treat to go!
🥐 BunBun: Go here for their croissant cinnamon buns; the almond was my personal favorite.
🍥 Canela: They offer a huge variety of amazing cinnamon buns, but the classic is perfect in my opinion.
Where to Drink in Amsterdam
🥃 3 Little Bottles (The Oldest Bar in Amsterdam)
Proeflokaal A. van Wees (De Drie Fleschjes) dates back to 1650. Order their version of a “citywide” — genever + pilsner — and pretend you’ve lived here for centuries.
🍺 Brouwerij ’t IJ
Brouwerij ‘t IJ brews right in the city (next to a windmill, because of course). Their sampler tray is the move.
🍸 Tales & Spirits
Tales & Spirits is for inventive cocktails in a cozy, intimate setting. Great date-night energy.
🍸 Door 74
A sophisticated, hidden speakeasy with a fantastic atmosphere. Some of my favorite cocktails I’ve had anywhere!
🥃 Bar Oldenhof
This spot has a wonderfully cozy vibe that feels like you’re sitting in someone’s home. Their menu features creative, movie-themed cocktails.
✨ The Tailor
Located within a hotel, this bar is chic, polished, and perfect for a stylish nightcap. They also give you popcorn and cookies with your drink which is a fun little bonus.
🍹 Belly of the Beast & The Flying Dutchman
These two fun cocktail bars are in the same building, making it very easy to hit one after the other.
⚖️ Law and Order
An excellent spot for precision-crafted cocktails. Funky vibes inside, a great laid-back hang.
Final Amsterdam Travel Tips
- Book major museums in advance. The Anne Frank House and Van Gogh especially tend to sell out.
- Rent bikes only if you’re confident (locals do not play).
- Walk everywhere — Amsterdam is incredibly walkable. Pack good walking shoes! (My go to’s for travel are always my New Balance 1080s, these Dr. Scholl’s sneakers, and Adidas VL Court 3.0). Be very careful crossing the streets – you have to walk confidently while avoiding getting flattened by a bike or car.
- Plan at least one slow afternoon just wandering canals.
Amsterdam is one of those cities that feels easy but layered. You can do the big-ticket sights and still find hidden corners, incredible meals, and small moments that make the trip.
My travel faves
As someone who travels a ton, I’ve developed a list of can’t-leave-home-without-them products. These are my tried and true favorite items that you can guarantee are on any and every trip with me.
- BAGSMART packing cubes
These packing cubes are fabulous and at a great price. They help organize and consolidate clothing etc. for easy packing. - Away larger carry on
The best carry on that’s super spacious but still airline-approved as a carry on. Lifetime warranty is great as well! - Calpak Terra duffel backpack
My absolute favorite backpack for travel – it’s sturdy and comfortable to carry, plus it holds as much as a carry on but counts as a personal item on most flights. - BAGSMART toiletry bag
This bag is a lifesaver because it fits all of my makeup, toiletries, and then some, but folds up to save space. - Packable Travel Pillow
If you’re an over-packer like I am, this is a lifesaver. It’s a travel pillow for the flight, but you stuff it with your clothing and it doesn’t count as a carry on or personal item. I was able to comfortably fit 5 shirts in it while still having it be comfortable to lay on! - Travel makeup brush holder
This super simple silicone brush holder is an easy way to pack makeup brushes when you travel, keeping them clean and separate from the rest of your makeup. - Travel pill case
This pill case folds up like a little book but holds so much – I fit a month worth of vitamins, supplements, as well as emergency meds in it. - BAGSMART travel jewelry organizer
The perfect way to transport necklaces, rings, and more without ending up with a tangled mess. - Contoured sleep mask
This is my absolute favorite sleep mask – it’s so comfortable, with a face contour that accommodates your lashes and doesn’t squish your face at all. - Portable charger
As someone who is always snapping photos and mapping my way around town when I travel, a portable charger is a must. This one is fast, small, and lightweight. - Away large suitcase
This has been my go-to suitcase for longer trips years, and the quality is great. Even better, they have such a great lifetime warranty that they’ll fix or replace your bag should anything happen – so it’s the last bag you ever need to buy. - Travel luggage scale
An absolute must for anyone traveling with checked bags – no more bag overage fees! - Leakproof travel bottles
These are great little leakproof bottles that make bringing toiletries when you travel easy. - Burst travel electric toothbrush
If you use an electric toothbrush at home, then you know that going back to a manual one when you travel doesn’t cut it. This one is affordable and works great, and code LCLYJF will get you a discount! - Super bagel travel adapter
A perfect compact adapter that works no matter where you go! - Women’s packable rain coat
I take this on every trip, because you never know when it’s going to rain! This jacket folds up super small and has a really flattering A-line shape that looks cute.
If you’re going to Amsterdam soon, I’d love to know what you’re most excited about.
