Three perfect days in Amsterdam

With a seemingly endless list of places to visit, knowing where to start your adventure in the Dutch capital is tough.

Here’s our three-day guide to Amsterdam designed to help you maximize your time on your great European adventure.

Day 1

10am

Kick-start your first day in Amsterdam at Pancakes – whose name gives away its signature dish. Sample the local version, served up with fresh fruit and yoghurt or take on a mountain of American-style pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with crispy bacon.

11:30am

Next, make your way across the road to Centraal Station to catch a canal tour of Amsterdam. Settle back in an open-top boat and enjoy an hour-long cruise through the city’s world-famous water network.

The maze of canals has long played an important role in the city’s history and you’ll travel past countless examples of Golden Age architecture lining the route. Feel the wind in your hair as you snap pictures of colorful crooked townhouses and quaint cobbled bridges.

12:30pm

Back on dry land, venture south in the direction of Dam Square. You can’t miss this bustling central space. The eastern side is where you’ll find the iconic National Monument, a white stone obelisk in memory of those who died during WWII. Stand beneath the looming structure and spend a moment taking in the sculptures depicting peace, resistance and war.

To the west, you’ll find the opulent Royal Palace. Originally built in the 17th century to serve as a town hall, 200 years later it took on a more regal role. Walk the majestic halls and marvel at the striking chandeliers, ornate paintings and gilded clocks that line the rooms.

Don’t miss Citizens’ Hall at the heart of the building. It’s probably the most impressive of all the rooms, with multiple maps of the world and stars beautifully etched into the marble floor.

2:30pm

Stop off for lunch at The Butcher, just a short walk down Paleisstraat. Laying claim to the best burgers in Amsterdam, this is definitely the place to go in the city for your burger fix.
Chefs here pride themselves on using the highest quality Aberdeen Angus beef available. Choose from more than 15 different variations – but only those armed with the biggest appetites should take on ‘The Daddy’, a ginormous piece of prime beef, topped with bacon and slathered in BBQ sauce.

4pm

Work off your burger with an expedition down Kalverstraat. This bustling shopping street boasts a near mile-long stretch of boutiques and stores to browse.

Once you’re shopped out, make a beeline for Rembrandt House Museum, where the famous painter spent his most successful years. Explore the 17th-century interior dedicated to the Dutch master’s life and you may even feel inspired to take part in one of the etching workshops on offer.

Day 2

10am

Pick up freshly baked bagels from Bagels & Beans Overtoom and enjoy an alfresco breakfast in Vondelpark. In a central location south of Leidseplein and near the Rijksmuseum, the lush green oasis is the perfect spot to watch the city come to life. Once the bagel’s gone, head deeper into the park in search of its sculptures and pretty rose garden.

12pm

You’ll find the heart of Amsterdam’s cultural scene in the city’s museum quarter. Just east of Vondelpark, a clutch of intriguing exhibits await. First stop? Rijksmuseum. Journey through Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages onwards, with more than 8,000 works to feast your eyes on.

At its center is Rembrandt’s The Night Watch – the colossal canvas stretches all the way around a dedicated exhibition room so you can experience every detail of the famed piece.

Source: Shutterstock

With that checked off, make the Van Gogh Museum your next stop. Along the way, capture a selfie in front of the ‘I Amsterdam’ sculpture – it’s pretty much mandatory. Pose in front of it or clamber on top of the giant cherry-red letters for the perfect memento.

Picture secured, step into the world of Van Gogh to experience the world’s largest collection of his works. There are 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 letters on show.

The star attraction here is undoubtedly Sunflowers. The iconic masterpiece’s buttery brushstrokes deserve to be seen up close to appreciate the true genius behind them.

4pm

Head across the water in the direction of trendy district De Pijp. Albert Cuyp Market is the neighborhood’s highlight and the perfect place to refuel. Let your nose lead the way around the stalls and enjoy your own version of street food tapas. Sample traditional raw-herring sandwiches, steaming hot Vietnamese spring rolls and be sure to pick up a box of freshly pressed stroopwafels – two thin layers of baked dough with a gooey caramel-like filling in the middle.

5pm

Make a pilgrimage to the home of the world’s favorite beer – the Heineken Experience. The original brewery has been given an interactive makeover, taking you behind the scenes of its pilsner-making techniques.

Immerse yourself in the brand’s history and master the art of pouring the perfect pint. Finally, take a seat in the exclusive bar and enjoy a tasting of fresh Heineken with a leading beer connoisseur.

8pm

Travel 23 floors up and dine above the city at Ciel Bleu. This two-Michelin star venue will deliver a spectacular dining experience, inspired by international produce but using top quality local ingredients.
Tuck into mind-blowing dishes from the tasting menu and enjoy a globetrotting foodie experience as you gaze across the twinkling Amsterdam cityscape. Standout choices include king crab garnished with caviar and deconstructed grey shrimp tom yam.

Day 3

10am

Venture north of the IJ waterway and discover the sprawling, ultra-cool Noord neighborhood. Make the first stop on your itinerary the EYE Film Institute, jutting out of the waterfront. Here you can enjoy a morning of movie magic – settle down and watch film screenings or browse the range of exhibitions displayed inside the contemporary space.

Once you’ve had your culture fix, head for the cavernous IJ-Hallen warehouse at NDSM Wharf and spark a new love for treasure hunting. There are plenty of antiques and vintage bargains to find at the biggest flea market in Europe – how many can you squeeze into your suitcase?

1pm

Take the ferry back across the waters for lunch at Wolf Atelier. Feast on imaginative flavor combinations while perched on top of a 1920s railway bridge enjoying 360-degree views of Amsterdam’s pretty canals. Artfully-presented dishes range from veal sweetbread with truffle foam to flambéed sea bass with cockles and razor clams.

3pm

Take a leisurely stroll south along the canal to Bloemenmarkt, the city’s famous floating flower market. Row upon row of colorful blooms in a rainbow of shades are a feast for the eyes, while the gorgeous scent of fresh flowers drifts along the banks.

Trawl the houseboats and pick a bouquet of your favorites with tulips, narcissi and geraniums all catching the eye.

5pm

Finish off your trip in the atmospheric Jordaan district. A grid of cobbled streets hide cozy watering holes, flower-lined canals and quaint eateries. Stroll the picture-perfect pocket of Amsterdam and be dazzled by its charm.

Source: Shutterstock

Drop by La Oliva for a taste of show-stopping Spanish cuisine. Meat lovers will adore the spicy Basque sausages, while the truffle-laced pumpkin risotto is one for veggie fans. It’s a great way to round off a spectacular three-day stay in Amsterdam.