RijksmuseumAttraction
Rijksmuseum
The national museum of Dutch art and history, with Rembrandt’s Night Watch and works by Vermeer.
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Things to do in Amsterdam
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Amsterdam in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Andrés Barrios, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsSchiphol (AMS)
Getting aroundTrams, metro, bicycles and on foot
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Best monthsApril to June, September and October
Amsterdam in brief
Amsterdam is compact and built around a ring of seventeenth-century canals. Most sights are a walk or a short tram ride apart, and the centre is easy to learn in a day.
The Anne Frank House sells tickets only online, and they go weeks ahead. The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum also use timed tickets. Book these before you plan anything else.
Bicycles are everywhere and move fast. Look both ways before crossing a cycle lane, and keep out of the lanes when you walk.
Top attractions in Amsterdam
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh MuseumAttraction
Van Gogh Museum
The world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings. Tickets are timed and sold online.
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Anne Frank HouseAttraction
Anne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank hid and wrote her diary. Tickets are sold only online.
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Canal RingAttraction
Canal Ring
The seventeenth-century canals and merchant houses of the centre, seen by boat or on foot.
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Royal Palace AmsterdamAttraction
Royal Palace Amsterdam
The grand seventeenth-century town hall on Dam Square, now a royal palace. Closed during state events.
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Rembrandt House MuseumAttraction
Rembrandt House Museum
The painter’s restored home and studio, with his etchings on show.
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Photo: Rijksmuseum — C messier (CC BY-SA 4.0); Van Gogh Museum — Vincent van Gogh (Public domain); Anne Frank House — Ank Kumar (CC BY-SA 4.0); Canal Ring — Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0); Royal Palace Amsterdam — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0); Rembrandt House Museum — Steven Lek (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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More tours and experiences
Zaanse Schans Windmills, Clogs and Dutch Cheese Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam
★ 4.7 (2,981) · 3.5 h
From$50.55
Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Schiphol (AMS)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are the direct train to Amsterdam Centraal or a taxi.
Trains from AmsterdamTrains reach Utrecht in under half an hour and Rotterdam in about forty minutes. Paris takes a little over three hours.
Car rentalNot needed in the city, where streets are narrow and parking is costly. Useful for the countryside and the coast.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Canal Ring (Grachtengordel)
Canal houses in the centre, close to everything on foot.
2
Jordaan
Quiet lanes with cafés and small shops, near the Anne Frank House.
3
Museum Quarter
Beside the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark. Calm and well connected.
4
De Pijp
A lively local district with a street market and many restaurants, south of the centre.
Hotels in Amsterdam with live prices
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Amsterdam day by day
- Day 1: The canals and the old centreDam Square and the Royal Palace, a walk along the Canal Ring, a canal cruise, then the Anne Frank House at your booked time.
- Day 2: The Museum QuarterThe Rijksmuseum in the morning, the Van Gogh Museum in the afternoon, then a walk in Vondelpark.
- Day 3: Jordaan and De PijpThe lanes of the Jordaan in the morning, the Rembrandt House Museum, then the Albert Cuyp market in De Pijp.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Zaanse Schans, or to Keukenhof in spring.
Local tips
- Watch for bicycles. Cycle lanes are often red, and riders do not expect people on foot.
- On trams, buses and the metro, tap in and tap out with a contactless card or phone.
- Many shops and cafés accept cards only. Carry a card even for small payments.
- Book the main museums online before you travel. Tickets are rarely sold at the door.
- The weather is changeable and often windy. Bring layers and a rain jacket.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Amsterdam
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Amsterdam is at its best from April to September, and 2 to 3 days covers the main museums and canals. Trains from Schiphol Airport reach the central station in about 15 to 20 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
April and May bring the tulip season, and summer has long, mild days. Winter is cold and quiet, with shorter days.
How many days do I need in Amsterdam?
Two to three full days cover the main sights. Add a day for the windmills or the tulip fields.
Should I book the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum ahead?
Yes. Both sell timed tickets online only, and they sell out well ahead.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From Schiphol, direct trains run to Amsterdam Centraal in about fifteen to twenty minutes. Buses, taxis and pre-booked transfers are also available. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Is Amsterdam easy to get around by bike?
The city is flat and has cycle lanes everywhere, but traffic is fast and busy. If you are not a confident rider, walk and use the trams.