How to Spend 2 Days in Amsterdam: A Weekend Itinerary

Last Updated on sixteenth August 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau

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The capital of the Netherlands is a dreamy (some would possibly say hazy) metropolis full of charming canals, a complete lot of cheese and loads of fascinating tradition. A brimming metropolis, as one among Europe’s most visited locations, you’ll be able to look forward to finding one thing for everybody in Amsterdam, and it might probably all be loved inside the area of 48 hours. Here’s find out how to spend 2 days in Amsterdam itinerary, in addition to prime tricks to know earlier than you go!

How lengthy do you want in Amsterdam?

2 days is the proper period of time to discover, take in the primary sights and expertise town. Amsterdam is a reasonably small capital metropolis, and far of the primary sights are inside strolling distance from each other. And, after all, as with a lot of the Netherlands being flat, it’s an easy metropolis to stroll round so you’ll be able to count on to cowl fairly a little bit of distance in little or no time.

That being mentioned, you can simply spend longer and spend a couple of days taking day journeys from Amsterdam, in an effort to really discover the Netherlands in all its glory.

Day One

Spend your first day in Amsterdam getting the lay of the land, exploring its essential sights, lots of which will be discovered within the Museum Quarter, in addition to simply absorbing the sweetness and appeal of this quaint metropolis.

Pay a go to to the Van Gogh Museum

Start your time within the Dutch capital by paying a go to to the museum devoted to one of many nation’s most well-known artists (and certainly the world’s), the Van Gogh Museum.

Vincent Van Gogh is a famend painter, who, regardless of solely working as an artist for 10 years or so, produced an unlimited assortment of impressionist works (virtually 2,100 to be exact). Although sadly he by no means noticed the love for his artwork as he suffered from extreme despair and ended his life on the age of simply 37.

Posthumously, he gained nice fame as probably the greatest artists of the period. This museum celebrates his life and paintings, displaying each his work and work from his contemporaries. 

Wandering round you’ll be able to really feel the work come to life via their color and presence, it’s price the associated fee to see such a tremendous assortment of Van Gogh’s work in a single place. It’s price noting, you’ll wish to purchase your ticket on-line upfront as tickets are restricted and have a tendency to promote out. Purchase your Van Gogh Museum ticket right here upfront.

FYI: To not get your hope’s up, you need to know – Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’ is an absolute favorite portray of mine; nonetheless, it’s really on the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York. But, there are variations of Van Gogh’s night time visions to see in Amsterdam.

Check out the Rijksmuseum

As probably the most well-known museums on this planet, it ought to come as no shock that the Rijksmuseum is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to within the metropolis, even should you solely have 48 hours.

Rijksmuseum is the National Museum of the Netherlands and is without doubt one of the most necessary museums within the nation. It has a powerful concentrate on artwork and design, with lots of the nation’s greatest artists’ work displayed right here. Here, you’ll additionally discover numerous artefacts that element the nation’s historical past. Purchase your Rijksmuseum ticket right here upfront.

Wander alongside the canals

After visiting the world-famous Rijksmuseum, spend a while strolling beside the canals that town is so famed for. Amsterdam is also known as the “Venice of the North”, because of the actual fact it’s dwelling to 165 canals. In truth, technically town itself is made up of a number of mini islands, linked by some 1,200 bridges.

One of my favorite issues about wandering alongside the canals is the countless enjoyment in individuals watching, spying out cute houseboats and watching the geese (and their ducklings in springtime) bob alongside the gently flowing water.

Check out the Begijnhof Amsterdam

One of the better-known ‘open-secrets’ of Amsterdam, the time period ‘hofje’ is a Dutch phrase, and signifies a normally privately owned courtyard surrounded by almshouses. The phrase is very like ‘mews’ in English, whereby it might probably’t simply be translated into different languages.

These small passageways and secret alleyways are full of almshouses and infrequently date again centuries. One of one of the best and hottest of those is the 14th-century Begijnhof Amsterdam.

Free to go to and open day-after-day of the week, it’s greatest to go to the hofje earlier within the day in order to take advantage of your time inside, and likewise in an effort to arrive earlier than the remainder of the crowds (in any case, Begijnhof Amsterdam might be the Dutch capital’s worst stored secret).

Though the doorway could be a little difficult to search out, it’s positioned close to the American Book Centre. Nearby, it’s effectively price sampling the gooey chocolate cookies from the Van Stapele bakery.

Take a canal tour of town

One of the best issues about Amsterdam needs to be the truth that you’ll be able to discover it by way of so many means. Whether its by foot, bicycle or water, you’re in a position to expertise and benefit from the metropolis from a complete different perspective.

Canal cruises typically take between 60 – 90 minutes and depart from varied areas, many across the Central Station space. The greatest technique to finish your first day in Amsterdam is by taking a sundown cruise via town, which provides views of town bathed in a golden hour glow. Find extra cruise particulars right here.

Day Two

Your second day within the Dutch capital shall be spent attending to know town on a extra native stage, as such a touristic sizzling spot, it’s straightforward (and naturally enjoyable) to get pleasure from the primary vacationer sights, in any case, they’re in style for a cause. However, there may be way more to town than meets the attention, which is what we’ll present you thru the second day of this itinerary!

Explore the Jordaan District

Spend a pair hours of the morning exploring the one among Amsterdam’s oldest (and these days trendiest) neighbourhoods, the Jordaan District. Filled with unbiased boutique retailers, cafés, leafy canals and Seventeenth-century structure, it’s an enthralling spot to absorb Amsterdam in a extra relaxed ‘local’ method.

If visiting on a Monday or Saturday, remember to head to the Noordermarkt, a vibrant and bustling market promoting all types of Dutch crafts, second-hand books, clothes, jewelry and lots extra.

Another must-visit spot within the district is Almond Bakery, I extremely suggest stopping by for a scrumptious freshly baked Apple Pie, smakelijk!

Visit the Anne Frank House

Found inside the Jordaan District is the necessary museum, Anne Frank’s House.

Anne Frank was a Dutch Jewish determine who gained posthumous fame as a result of her diaries being printed after her dying. Tragically, she was finally caught by the Nazi celebration and despatched to Auschwitz, the place she and most of her household died. Nowadays, Anne Frank Haus particulars her occupation of town and her life. 

The solely technique to buy a ticket for the Anne Frank House Museum is on-line via the official web site, the place you’ll be able to select a time slot. As the museum is kind of small and very fashionable to go to, you’ll wish to e book this upfront.

Seek out some filming areas

From John Green’s, The Fault in Our Stars to  Sean Connery’s James Bond film, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’, Amsterdam has been used numerous instances because the setting for movies because of its historic buildings, leafy canals and charming cobblestoned streets. So, why not spend an hour or two spying out areas out of your favorite scenes in cinema! Read our information to see the Fault in Our Stars filming areas right here.

Enjoy a smaller museum

If there’s one factor that must be adored about Amsterdam, it’s the variety of quirky and small museums on provide. From a museum devoted to tulips to a cultural hub that’s all about cats, there really is one thing for everybody in the case of the Dutch capital.

When it involves off the crushed path museums, a private favorite of mine needs to be, Our Lord within the Attic. One of the oldest museums in Amsterdam, Our Lord within the Attic (identified in Dutch as ‘Museum Amstelkring Ons Lieve Heer op Solder’), is a reasonably substantial church, positioned within the attic of a Seventeenth-Century home. For extra inspiration, try our information to the greatest small museums in Amsterdam. 

Psst! Did now we have an article on…

30+ Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in Amsterdam

After you’ve seen the Gingerbread Houses on Damrak, cycled alongside the canals of Jordaan, and admired the work of the Rijksmuseum, there’s a complete different facet of off the crushed path Amsterdam that’s additionally price exploring. 

Things to know earlier than visiting Amsterdam

If you’re searching for Amsterdam recommendation earlier than you journey to the Dutch capital, then there are some things you need to know earlier than you go. For instance, although Dutch is the native language of the nation, you’ll doubtless discover that nearly anybody you come throughout can communicate English, nevertheless it’s at all times good to make an effort and search for a couple of easy Dutch phrases beforehand!

For those that won’t know, the time period “coffee shop” doesn’t simply discuss with the caffiene fixing haven you would possibly suppose it’s. Although you’ll be able to normally purchase espresso right here, these retailers are additionally the place clients should purchase and smoke marijuana, so if that’s not your scene it’s greatest to not head there for espresso (there are additionally loads of cute cafés within the metropolis, don’t fear!)

When it involves reserving issues, you would possibly wish to do a whole lot of reserving on-line upfront. As talked about, Amsterdam is pretty small nevertheless it’s additionally probably the most visited locations in Europe, so when there are restricted tickets for sights they have an inclination to promote out quick. Read our information on what to e book upfront for Amsterdam right here.

Where to remain in Amsterdam

As probably the most visited cities in Europe, there’s no scarcity of locations to remain in Amsterdam, although after all, this additionally implies that it’s way more costly than different cities within the Netherlands to remain in.

You must also remember to e book your lodging upfront to make sure you get the absolute best worth, in addition to securing the place you wish to keep in. Here are a couple of ideas of the place to remain (primarily based on web-reviews):

Flying Pig Downtown – If you’re searching for a extra price range pleasant keep (or solo travelling and wanting to satisfy individuals) then you need to know that Amsterdam is full of improbable hostels! This is a well-liked metropolis centre hostel, positioned proper subsequent to Amsterdam Central Station. With dorms sleeping from 4 – 32 individuals, there’s one thing for all budgets right here. Check costs and availability right here.

NH Amsterdam Leidseplein – Situated inside the museum district, this easy-going resort is only a 5-minute stroll from each the P.C.Hooftstraat buying space and Museum Square. Amenities embrace free WiFi and a 24 hour reception. Check costs and availability right here.

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