Travel to Amsterdam to experience the colorful, multicultural capital of the Netherlands in all its glory. Soak in the rich history of the city as you stroll or bike through the Canal Belt that’s lined with centuries-old houses and bridges. Take a break from sightseeing in Amsterdam at one of the many brown cafés that offer Dutch beers and genever, a local juniper-flavored gin. Cap off the day with a visit to Amsterdam’s street markets to grab a bouquet of tulips or some Gouda Holland.
Located in Amsterdam South borough at the aptly named Museum Square, the Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and is an essential stop when you travel to Amsterdam. Its vast collections include revered art from the Dutch Golden Age, from Rembrandt van Rijn's The Night Watch to Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. The Rijksmuseum’s busiest days are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
A visit to the Anne Frank House, located in the city center along the Prinsengracht canal, tops the list of things to do in Amsterdam. This biographical museum was the former home of German-Jewish diarist Anne Frank who hid with her family to escape Nazi persecution during World War II. The museum offers a self-guided audio tour available in multiple languages to walk you through the main house and the Secret Annex. Visitors can view photos, videos, and actual items chronicling Anne’s secluded teenage years.
Devoted to Holland’s famed Post-Impressionist painter, the Van Gogh Museum is one of the most visited Amsterdam attractions. Here you can view Vincent van Gogh’s masterpieces, from his intense self-portraits to iconic paintings like the Sunflowers. The Van Gogh Museum is situated at the Museum Square in Amsterdam South, just a 20-minute walk from the Amsterdam Centraal station. An immersive exhibition called the Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience was launched in 2019 by the museum to enable more people to appreciate the beloved Dutch artist’s life and works.
Just a short walk down the Damrak from Centraal Station and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Amsterdam. Dam Square is the perfect starting point for experiencing the capital of the Netherlands. On the eastern side of Dam Square rises the National Monument, a limestone obelisk erected in honor of fallen Dutch soldiers. On the west side stands the imposing Royal Palace and right next to it is the Nieuwe Kerk, a historic church that has served as the inauguration venue of Dutch monarchs since 1814.
Situated west from the Leidseplein in the Amsterdam-Zuid borough, Vondelpark is the city’s largest public park. Vondelpark is conveniently located near the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum. Locals and tourists can be found strolling, biking, or laying down across 47 hectares of lush green grass. You can enjoy free concerts at the open-air theatre or in Vondelpark’s bandstand during the summer. A statue of namesake playwright and poet Joost van den Vondel can be found at the center of the park.
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design from the early 20th century up to the 21st century. If you’ve had your fill of history from the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, you need only to walk to nearby Stedelijk, also situated in the Museum Square at Amsterdam South borough. The Stedelijk houses almost 90,000 objects collected since 1874 and includes masterpieces by renowned artists like Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Marlene Dumas.
The Rembrandt House Museum, former home of prolific Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn from 1639 to 1656, is an art museum that houses a collection of his original etchings and paintings. The historic house is located in Jodenbreestraat at the center of old Amsterdam, just a 15-minute walk from Dam Square. An audio guide will help you navigate the museum as you learn about how Rembrandt lived and see his quarters, including the studio where he and his students worked.
The Koninklijk Paleis or the Royal Palace of Amsterdam was originally built as the city’s town hall in 1655 during the Dutch Golden Age. It is one of the oldest Amsterdam attractions located right across from the National Monument and beside the Nieuwe Kerk on the west side of Dam Square. The Royal Palace has the largest sandstone-clad facade in the Netherlands and features a statue of Atlas carrying the celestial globe standing at 6 meters at the Citizens' Hall.
Dutch brewing company Heineken N,V. set up its first facility in 1867 at Stadhouderskade, Amsterdam. By 1991, the brewery was opened to the public and came to be known as The Heineken Experience, easily becoming one of the top Amsterdam attractions. Visitors get a glimpse of how the famous pilsner is made through a tour of the production area and interactive exhibits. There’s free beer towards the end and a souvenir shop where people can get their names inscribed on a Heineken bottle.
The Leiden Square or Leidseplein the nightlife hub of Amsterdam with its buzzing bars and clubs, restaurants, and iconic concert venues like the Paradiso and Melkweg. One of the oldest theaters in the city, neo-Renaissance Stadsschouwburg, can also be found in Leidseplein. This bustling square is located at the crossroads of the Weteringschans, the Marnixstraat and the Leidsestraat where a lot of tram lines come together.
Aside from the picturesque tulip fields in and around the city, Amsterdam is home to over 50 museums that house a vast collection of Dutch art, including those by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Its historic canal network paved the way for a distinctly unique landscape dotted with ornate homes, quaint bridges, and sprawling parks. Brown cafés, the Dutch version of the neighborhood pub, and Amsterdam’s red-light district also add to the city’s quirky charm.
Travel to Amsterdam either in late spring (April-May) or early fall (September-November) to enjoy sunny skies and smaller crowds. The iconic Holland tulips are in bloom everywhere in the public parks and gardens of Amsterdam by mid-April. If your sightseeing itinerary includes famous Amsterdam attractions like the Anne Frank House, winter may be the best option so as not to get stuck in line for hours with all the summer tourists.
First-time visitors would benefit from staying in Amsterdam City Center or Old Centrum, which has various hotels, dining, and nightlife options for every budget. Some city center neighborhoods to consider are De Wallen, Oud-Zuid, De Pijp, Canal Belt, and Jordaan to ensure enjoyable and convenient sightseeing in Amsterdam and easy access to the city’s top attractions.