This is a practical guide to an unforgettable weekend in Amsterdam.
Welcome to one of the most beautiful and enigmatic cities in Europe! Ok, maybe I’m biased because Amsterdam is my home, but I think this city has a lot to offer and I’m happy to share my tips for spending a weekend in Amsterdam.
There are so many ways to enjoy this city. A weekend in Amsterdam can consist of several activities covering a variety of interests – from cultural centers to the infamous Red Light District, from medieval villages to modern architectural feats, and so on.
The city is a mixed bag, giving you a ton of touristy and less touristy options to choose from.
Start your weekend in Amsterdam with a lovely breakfast at Teds, a well-known brunch spot on one of Old-Wests loveliest and leafiest streets. Enjoy a delicious breakfast on their sunny terrace, and get a free coffee when you order French Toast, Eggs Benedict, or other breakfast dishes. Their Philly Steak is quite famous too.
Then, get ready to explore Amsterdam and use my tips as a guide to make this a perfect weekend!
A Weekend in Amsterdam – Things to Do & Places Not to Miss
1. Cycling, It’s the Way to Go
It won’t take long for you to realize that cycling is a way of life for the Dutch. So, while here, grab a bicycle from one of the many bike rentals in the city and move around as the locals do.
Amsterdam’s streets are filled with over 800,000 bicycles. In fact, they say there are more bikes than people in the city!
Amsterdam regularly tops several lists of the world’s most cycle-friendly cities, and there’s no cooler way to explore it than by pedal power.
Many of Amsterdam’s best attractions and even best-kept secrets are discovered from the comfort of your saddle.
Tip: do you find the bicycle traffic a bit too hectic to navigate on your own? Book a bicycle tour to see the highlights of Amsterdam. Not only will you get to see some of the best parts of Amsterdam with a local, by the end of the tour you’ll also be a lot more comfortable navigating the rest of Amsterdam by bike on your own.
2. Cruise Through Jordaan and De 9 Straatjes
The best place to start exploring Amsterdam this weekend is the arty Jordaan neighborhood. It is Amsterdam’s prettiest and most charming neighborhood.
And once you’ve walked or cycled through Jordaan’s narrow streets and quaint buildings, dotted with art galleries, antique shops, and courtyard gardens, you can boast to your friends back home that you have seen the best of Amsterdam.
Pedal your way to De 9 Straatjes (the 9 streets) to immerse yourself in local culture. Here you can see more picturesque streets, cute stores, fashion boutiques, and antique and souvenir shops.
3. Relax in the Vondelpark
In the afternoon, take it easy and relax in the Vondelpark, one of the most popular parks in the entire country.
Surveys say about 10 million people check out this park each year, which means pretty much everyone visiting Amsterdam includes Vondelpark in their agenda, and so should you.
Park your bike, relax on the grass, chill by the pond, meet new friends, or catch one of the open-air concerts or festivals.
You could spend the entire afternoon here without noticing the time ticking by.
If you have time, pass by the artistic street of Spuistraat. Here you’ll see cool street art and buildings covered in colorful murals by some of the world’s most famous street artists.
4. Fall in Love With Amsterdam’s Best – the Romantic Canals
One of the top tourism draws is Amsterdam’s canals. Created in the 17th century to keep the sea at bay, Amsterdam’s UNESCO protected man-made canal belt is the quintessential postcard-perfect vision of the capital.
A lovely and leisurely boat ride along the canals is what Amsterdam is all about. A slow-paced cruise is as romantic as the spots you will see along the way. Prepare to be amazed as you catch a glimpse of picturesque houses along the Gouden Bocht (Golden Curve) and the section of Herengracht between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat.
Also, watch out for the bridge on the corner of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht and 15 other lovely bridges, especially the well-known Magere Brug or “skinny bridge”.
I highly recommend returning to the skinny bridge in the evening because it is beautifully lit at night.
The Amsterdam canals are more than meets the eye, really. There are so many surprises at every turn and through narrow lanes.
After your romantic boat ride, get lost and discover gardens, restaurants, art galleries, breweries, flower stalls, old monasteries, and historical homes, as well as the hottest European clubs.
You could also stumble into a boutique where you can find stylized Dutch-designed homewares and fashion not found elsewhere in the world.
Also Read: My Review of an Amsterdam Canal Cruise & Food Tour
5. Standing in Awe
The Netherlands is known for its Protestant culture and its many medieval cathedrals. You should definitely include a time to reflect and be in awe inside the majestic Oude Kerk (Old Church) and Nieuwe Kerk (New Church).
The Oude Kerk is the city’s oldest standing and functioning structure. Inside are religious items that date back to before the Reformation.
The Nieuwe Kerk, on the other hand, stands side by side with the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace) and has served as the coronation church of Dutch monarchs since 1814.
The New Church is also popular for housing the tombs of famous historical Dutch figures.
You can find the Nieuwe Kerk next to Dam Square, a huge public square that also houses the popular Madame Tussauds wax museum, and the National Memorial Statue, which is dedicated to Dutch soldiers who served as heroes in World War II.
Hang out and relax in one of the numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants here, while watching street performers or buskers.
6. Find Out What the Red Light District is all About
In the evening, perhaps the most popular destination in Amsterdam is its Red Light District. The world knows about this place, but most are not aware that there’s plenty more here than weed, sex workers, and tourists.
Located in the De Wallen neighborhood, this part of the city is, in fact, one of the oldest in Amsterdam with medieval churches, lovely canals, and surprising museums.
So yes, you can walk around here to see women sitting behind windows and to feel the buzzing atmosphere at night, but also to explore a beautiful part of Amsterdam.
Tip: if you want to learn about the history of the red light district, see the famous streets, erotic theaters and coffee shops, then a walking tour of the Red Light District is something I can highly recommend!
7. Check Out Some of the Best Food Places
If you’ve been following this website for a while you’ve probably already read about some of the best places to eat in Amsterdam.
But, here I want to add some more, less traditionally Dutch options. For lunch or dinner, grab a delicious burger or go Asian.
Try Thrill Grill on Gerard Doustraat 98 to sample the best charcoal-grilled gourmet burger in the city, at the most reasonable price.
The burgers are delicious, the staff are friendly, and the experience is memorable. And, they have vegetarian and vegan options too.
If you wish to go for a completely different taste, order some Asian dishes at Oriental City.
Oriental City on Oudezijds Voorburgwal 177-179 is popular for its Chinese specialties, including dim sum, chicken chop suey, beef chow mein, and a variety of seafood dishes.
If you’re looking for a great cocktail bar, check out Vesper Bar in the heart of Jordaan, between the Haarlemmerdijk and the Brouwersgracht. They serve delicious cocktails and an extensive selection of wines and beers as well.
And if you have enough time, venture out of the city to Zaandam. Zaandam’s Hembrugterrein offers a dining experience with music and arts by the waterfront. This is such a cool and hip place, with several restaurants, museums, and artistic venues lining the shores of the North Sea Canal. Exhibitions and festivals are also regularly held here.
8. Do as the Locals Do: Grab a Beer
Amsterdam is known for its beer, which is why you should include a visit to Brouwerij ‘t IJ in your weekend schedule.
This award-winning artisan microbrewery with a large outdoor seating area gives a 30-minute guided tasting tour. Brouwerij ‘t IJ is known for organic beers and seasonal ales that you’ll find in many Amsterdam bars.
And what beer drinker doesn’t want to visit the Heineken Brewery while in Amsterdam? This is a mecca for beer lovers. Come here to get to know about the history and heritage of this world-famous beer brand and get free samples.
Heineken Brewery is so popular you definitely need to book in advance.
9. Visit World-Famous Museums
A weekend in Amsterdam isn’t complete without checking out some museums. Before arriving, purchase an I Amsterdam City Card to get free entry to the museums.
Amsterdam is home to the Van Gogh Museum, one of the most important museums in the art world. The museum houses the largest collection of authentic Van Gogh paintings, sketches, and letters donated by the artist’s family.
From there, check out Rijksmuseum (National Museum) to better appreciate the art, history and culture of the Netherlands. Here you will see an impressive collection of cultural artifacts dating from the 13th century to the modern-day, as well as 8,000 important paintings, 35,000 books and manuscripts, traditional handicrafts, medieval sculptures, and modern art styles.
The Rijksmuseum is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. About 2.5 million people visit the museum each year, and therefore, just as my advice for visiting Heineken Brewery, make sure to book in advance!
10. Night-Time Options for Your Weekend in Amsterdam
If after a nice dinner, a few beers, and perhaps a visit to the Red Light District you aren’t ready to call it a night yet, then check out one of the city’s most popular nightclubs.
Shelter Amsterdam is an underground club in the basement of the A’dam Toren, a ferry away from the city’s central train station, across the IJ river. Only the serious clubbers and party people come here to enjoy a brutal, intense, and totally unforgettable night out. Shelter’s high-volume music pulsates 24 hours every day.
Other clubs to check out are OT301 (my favorite), Radion, club NYX, and the famous Jimmy Woo.
Final Tips For a Perfect Weekend in Amsterdam
If you are looking for a place to stay in Amsterdam and want to stay somewhere unique, then check out these cool hotels in Amsterdam.
And because there is always more to do in this city, also read this article with local tips for visiting Amsterdam, which gives practical tips and a few off-the-beaten-path options.
And no matter how much you manage to fit in on your weekend in Amsterdam, I’m sure you’ll want to come back for more!
Come in spring when the tulips are in full bloom and to avoid peak season. Amsterdam can be very crowded with local and international tourists from June to October. Or if you don’t mind the crowds, plan a visit during one of these popular annual events in Amsterdam.
And lastly, if you need to get some work done while in Amsterdam or just want a cafe with great wifi, check out this list of the best cafes to work from in Amsterdam.
Have a great weekend in Amsterdam!
Also Read:
- Interview With an Expat About Living in Amsterdam
- 10 Towns Worth Visiting in the Netherlands Besides Amsterdam
- Typical Dutch Food to Try in the Netherlands
- Things to Do in Utrecht When it Rains – And on Sunnier Days
- Is The Hague Worth Visiting?
- What to Do in Eindhoven, Where to Stay & More Tips
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Great weekend guide with beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.