If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam in the near future, you’re in for a treat. Lucky you! To this day, Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities that I’ve ever had the pleasure of traveling to. The city is known for its winding canals, tranquil parks, and notable historical residents like Van Gogh and Anne Frank. Depending on where you are traveling from… you may also be drawn in to the city’s ‘coffee shop’ culture. No matter what is drawing you to the city, there are so many things to do in Amsterdam for any itinerary.

Hopefully this guide helps give you some inspiration for your own trip!

Without further ado, here are my top 9 things to do in Amsterdam.

9 Things to do in Amsterdam

1. Visit the Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is a museum in the historic home where Anne Frank and her family hid from Nazi forces for more than two years. It is also the home where she famously penned her diary documenting her two years of hiding. 

Today, the home is a museum. You can wander through the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family lived and see the original transcriptions of the diary. Touring the home is a chilling experience, and a somber reminder of the horrors humans are capable of inflicting on one another. Yet, Anne’s words are also a remarkable display of resilience and hope in times of horror.

If you are in Amsterdam, visiting the Anne Frank house is a must. Tickets are very difficult to come by, so I recommend booking them online well in advance of your trip.

Cost: An adult ticket to the museum costs 16 Euros. Visitors  between ages 10-17 are only 7 Euros.

2. Take a Canal Cruise

Amsterdam is famous for its picturesque canals. It’s surprisingly similar to Venice – but with far more space and far more greenery. One of the best ways to explore the city is to hop on one of the many canal tours. 

You can choose from various types of boat tours, from guided architecture tours to romantic candlelit cruises. Even cost-conscious visitors can enjoy the waters by hopping on one of the many water taxis.

My friend and I hopped on one of these cruises, and ended up being the only two people on board. We became fast friends with the boat captain, and he even let us steer a tiny bit. Easily one of my top 10 travel memories!

Cost: Anywhere from 20-40 Euros depending on the tour you select. Water taxis cost 1.75 Euros for every 2.5 minutes.  

3. Stop by the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is home to a huge collection of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages all the way to present day. Here, you will find notable works such as Rembrant’s “The Night Watch” and Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid”. 

As with any art museum worth its weight, the Rijksmuseum provides deep insights into Dutch culture and history through its collection. 

Not to mention – the building itself is a work of art! The Rijksmuseum is one of my very favorite buildings in all of Amsterdam. 

Cost: An adult ticket to the museum costs 22.50 Euros. Visitors under the age of 18 enter for free.

4. Wander through the Van Gogh Museum

Vincent Van Gogh, one of the world’s most notable painters, was born in The Netherlands. Today, Amsterdam has an entire museum dedicated to the works and history of Van Gogh. The museum has the largest collection of his paintings and drawings. 

Van Gogh is my favorite painter – so this museum is a must. If you’ve seen that one Doctor Who episode about Van Gogh (and you would know if you have!), then this museum will hit all the feels. 

You can purchase tickets at the entrance, but I recommend booking them online in advance. 

Cost: Tickets are 22 Euros for adults. Visitors age 18 and under enter for free.

5. Head on a food tour… and sample ALL of the gouda

Amsterdam offers a wide range of delicious Dutch delicacies to sample. And boy – is this city a hub for good food. If you are spending a decent amount of time here, I recommend jimmy-rigging a food tour together to get a taste of everything this city has to offer.

Some of my personal favorites include stroopwafels (thin waffles filled with caramels and syrups), bitterballen (deep fried meatballs served with condiments, usually mustard), and poffertjes (small, fluffy pancakes with powdered sugar).

However, nothing prepared me for the CHEESE. Amsterdam is known for its incredible gouda cheeses, and there are many stores that are dedicated specifically for selling infinitely many flavors of gouda. My friend and I spent an entire afternoon walking from store to store sampling EVERY flavor. A few flavors you cannot miss: smoked, truffle, and pesto. We loved the truffle gouda so much, we brought several back home with us. Make sure to try it with fig sauce!

Cost: Whatever you choose to spend on food! 

6. Picnic in Vondelpark

Vondelpark is regarded as Amsterdam’s most famous park. If you’ve spent any time in major cities, then you’ll know that parks offer a much needed refrain from the hustle and bustle. And Vondelpark is the perfect oasis to spend a quiet afternoon picnicking and reading.

Take a relaxing walk or rent a bike to explore the beautifully landscaped gardens and greenery. Grab some snacks and post up shop near one of the many ponds for an excellent, relaxing afternoon.

Cost: Free!

7. Sip some beer at the Heineken Museum

If you’re a fan of beer, then you have certainly heard of Heineken. It’s a household name at this point! And the very first Heineken brewery opened in Amsterdam’s city limits in 1867. Today, the brewery is open to the public.

The Heineken Experience is an interactive museum located in the former Heineken brewery. Here, you can learn about the history and brewing process of the famous Dutch beer. There are multimedia exhibits, interactive displays, and guided tours.

Of course, no visit to the Heineken brewery is complete without a flight of beer. At the end of your trip, embark on a beer tasting and learn how to pour the perfect pint. If you are a beer lover, this is a great experience!

Cost: Tickets are 21 Euros for all visitors over the age of 18. Understandably, visitors under 18 are not permitted to the museum.

8. Stop by the Red Light District

Amsterdam’s Red Light District is one of the most unique and historic areas in the city. The area is recognized for its legalized prostitution, eclectic shops, and vibrant restaurants and bars. 

I actually highly recommend taking a guided tour of the neighborhood to truly understand the history and the city’s tolerant lawmaking.

While this neighborhood is particularly attractive to foreigners due to its uniqueness, it is important to remember to approach the area with respect. Take some time ahead of your visit to understand the cultural significance, and be sure to follow any guidelines or rules that are in place. This is overwhelmingly the case – but I do remember a group of very disrespectful tourists. And, though we only saw them for a span of 2 or 3 minutes, that impression stuck with me all those years later. Please be respectful!

Cost: Wandering the neighborhood is free. A guided tour will cost anywhere from 30-60 Euros depending on the tour booked.

9. Bike ride along the canals

As mentioned above, Amsterdam is packed full of scenic and charming canals. And the embankments are often lined with tulips and chained up bikes.

Bike riding is one of the most popular ways to explore the twisting and maze-like city. I recommend renting a bike for the day to navigate the city on wheels.

If you are also keen on learning a bit more about history while you get a bit of exercise, I recommend booking a bike tour of the city. On these tours, you will have a local guide who will teach you about the architecture and history of various Amsterdam neighborhoods. Plus – it’s a fun way to meet other travelers and locals!

That’s all, folks!

Hopefully this guide gives you some ideas to kick-start planning for your Amsterdam trip. The city is equal parts ‘tranquil’ and ‘full-on-party’ that it makes for a unique and fun experience no matter what. There are so many interesting places to explore in the city. This list barely scratches the surface!

Have you been to Amsterdam? Drop a comment with your favorite things to do below.

If you’re planning a longer backpacking trip, check out my ‘Guide to Backpacking Europe’ here.