Photo by Massimo Catarinella · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
75 things to do
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. It is known for the canals that cross the city, its impressive architecture, museums and art galleries, its notorious red light district, and more than 1,500 bridges. The city has earned the title of Venice of the North for a good reason: few other cities have intricate web of canals, exquisite architecture, and a staggering collection of over 1500 bridges weave an undeniable charm. Whether you're here for the rich cultural heritage, the vibrant nightlife, or the serene alleyways, Amsterdam's magnetic pull is universal. Although once an innocuous and humble fishing village during the late 12th century, Amsterdam catapulted into global prominence during the 17th century as a bustling trading hub. The city's evolution birthed iconic districts like Jordaan and the Canal Belt, the latter earning UNESCO World Heritage status in 2010. The 19th and 20th centuries ushered in expansion, punctuated by modernist districts. With a population surpassing 934,000 in 2025 – and soaring well past a million when you account for the immediate surroundings…
Wikivoyage, revision 5327366. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick facts
Popular tours and experiences
420 Official Smoking Boat Tour in Amsterdam
US$29.27
Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included
US$28.68
Zaanse Schans Windmills, Clogs and Dutch Cheese Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam
US$49.76
Anne Frank’s Secrets - Guided walking tour Amsterdam
US$17.56
Amsterdam Pass: 45+ Things To Do - Includes Rijksmuseum
US$92.49
Climate
Typical temperatures through the year
Dates to know
Christmas Day
2026-12-25 · Eerste Kerstdag
St. Stephen's Day
2026-12-26 · Tweede Kerstdag
New Year's Day
2027-01-01 · Nieuwjaarsdag
Good Friday
2027-03-26 · Goede Vrijdag
Easter Sunday
2027-03-28 · Eerste Paasdag
Diamant Museum
See
This exhibition is about the history of the diamond trade in Amsterdam.
Paulus Potterstraat 6
Temporarily closed, will reopen in 2026
+31 20 305 5300
Photo by Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View source
Amsterdam Centraal railway station
See
This beautiful building is an attraction in itself, so if you did not arrive in Amsterdam by train, it is well worth mak…
Stationsplein
Photo by Mtcv · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Beurs van Berlage
See
Take a guided tour and check out the view from the top of the old stock exchange tower. It was built in 1903 (by Hendrik…
Photo by Robert Scarth · CC BY-SA 2.0 · View source
Royal Palace
See
The Royal Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Netherlands. It is at the disposal of King Willem-Alexander…
Dam
Daily 12:00–17:00
+31 20 620-4060
€12.50
Nationaal Monument
See
A large spire that functions as a memorial for the victims of World War II. It was designed by architect J.J.P. Oud and…
Dam Square
+31 20 251-4900
Photo by Bert K. · CC BY 2.0 · View source
Begijnhof
See
The Begijnhof is a late medieval enclosed courtyard with the houses of beguines (Roman Catholic women living in a semi-r…
Photo by Massimo Catarinella · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Esnoga
See
The most prominent synagogue of the city centre, the Esnoga dates back from 1675 and is built in an austere Classicist s…
Mr. Visserplein 3
+31 20 624-5351
Photo by BoBink · CC0 · View source
Homomonument
See
The Homomonument is a memorial to gays and lesbians murdered in World War II, a call for vigilance against homophobia, a…
Westermarkt
+31 20 551 2512
Photo by Fnorp at Dutch Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Nieuwe Kerk
See
Used for royal coronations, including the crowning of King Willem-Alexander in 2013, and royal weddings, including his w…
Dam
Daily 10:00-17:00, last admission 16:00
+31 20 638-6909
By credit/debit card only: adult €19.50, student/youth €9.50, child under 12 free, free with Museumkaart
Oude Kerk
See
The oldest of the five main churches in the historic centre, and probably the oldest building in Amsterdam. It is right…
Oudezijds Voorburgwal
Zuiderkerk
See
Built in 1603-1611. Located on Zuiderkerkhof ("Southern Graveyard"). Now an information centre on housing and planning.…
Zuiderkerkhof 72
Allard Pierson Museum
See
The Allard Pierson Museum is the archaeological museum of the University of Amsterdam. The ancient civilizations of Egyp…
Oude Turfmarkt 127
M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 13:00-17:00
+31 20 525-2556
€6.50
Photo by Marion Golsteijn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Amsterdam Museum
See
A museum about the history of Amsterdam.
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 357 or Kalverstraat 92
M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00
+31 20 523-1822
€10
Photo by Gerard Dukker · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View source
Civic Guards Gallery
See
Just inside the arched gateway to the Amsterdam Museum is a hidden passageway with fifteen enormous 17th-century paintin…
Kalverstraat 92
M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00
+31 20 523-1822
Free
Jewish Historical Museum
See
Jewish Historical Museum. History of the Jewish people, culture and religion.
Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1
11:00-17:00 daily (except some Jewish holidays)
+31 20 531-0310
€9
Photo by Remi Mathis · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder
See
One of the oldest museums in Amsterdam, this is a Catholic church stuffed into the upper stories of a house built in 166…
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40
M-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 13:00-18:00
+31 20 624-6604
€16.95
Oranje Voetbal Museum
See
The legacy of Dutch football started in the 1970s, when Total Football, a revolutionary Dutch style of football, shook t…
Kalverstraat 236
Sa Su 11:00-15:00
+31 20 589-8989
€5
Photo by 14:43, 17 October 2006 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Rembrandt House
See
This is where the artist Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn and his wife, Saskia, lived between 1639 and 1658. The house is a r…
Jodenbreestraat 4
10:00-17:00 daily
+31 20 520-0400
€12.50
Photo by S Sepp · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Magere Brug
See
The Magere Brug, literally "Skinny Bridge", is a bridge that spans the Amstel River and connects the Kerkstraat with the…
Photo by Massimo Catarinella · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Anne Frank House
See
The house where the Jewish girl Anne Frank wrote her diary while hiding with her family from the Nazis. One must buy tic…
Prinsengracht 267
9:00 - 22:00 (shorter on some national holidays, closed 25 September)
+31 20 556 71 00
€16; 10-17 € 7; 0-9 € 1
Museum Het Grachtenhuis
See
Het Grachtenhuis is the gateway to the world-famous Canal District. Het Grachtenhuis tells the fascinating story of how…
Herengracht 386
€12
Cat Cabinet
See
A cat museum. Housed in a beautiful restored palatial home in an upscale area street - very Masterpiece Theater. It was…
Herengracht 497
+31 20 626 53 78
€12.5
Museum Willet-Holthuysen
See
It is the only fully furnished canalside patrician house in Amsterdam that is open to the public. The museum has a large…
Herengracht 605
M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00
+31 20 523 18 22
€9
Photo by Pijpenkabinet, Amsterdam · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Amsterdam Pipe Museum
See
Unique collection of smoking pipes in an authentic canal house from 1670. In the historic ambience of the collector's ho…
Prinsengracht 488
12:00-18:00
+31 20 4211779
Photo by Jean-Christophe BENOIST · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Museum Van Loon
See
17th century house with interior restored with furnishings to how it looked in the 18th century. Also interesting to see…
Keizersgracht 672
Foam
See
Museum about photography. Group tours can be arranged via phone at +31 20 5516 505.
Keizersgracht 609
M-W 10:00-18:00, Th-F 10:00-21:00, Sa-Su 10:00-18:00
+31 20 5516 500
€12.50 (adults), €8.50 (age 13-18)
Photo by Erik Zachte at Dutch Wikipedia Later versions were uploaded by Jcwf at nl.wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Westerkerk
See
Built in 1620-1631, located on Westermarkt near the Anne Frank House. You can climb the tower (with a guide only) every…
Apr-Sep M-F 11:00-15:00
+31 20 624 77 66
Free
Rembrandtplein
See
This public square features a larger-than-life statue of Rembrandt on a pedestal.
Frans Hals
See
Those interested in urban renewal may wish to visit Frans Hals, a 19th-century, residential area along the narrow Frans…
Frans Halsstraat
Brouwersgracht
See
This canal is sometimes cited as the "most beautiful street of Amsterdam". The name, "Brewer's Canal", refers to the man…
Noorderkerk
See
Noordermarkt 48
M 10:30-12:30, Sa 11:00-13:00, Apr-Oct Su 13:30-17:30
+31 20 626-6436
Photo by Ymnes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View source
Pianola Museum
See
A museum about Pianolas from the early 1900s. About a dozen are displayed at any one time, and every month a piano conce…
Westerstraat 106
Su 14:00-17:00
+31 20 627-9624
€5
Photo by Dejonkheer · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Natura Artis Magistra Zoo
See
An entry ticket for Artis also provides admission to the Planetarium, the Aquarium and the Zoological Museum. Artis is a…
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40
+31 20 523 34 00
Youth (3 to 9 years) €18, adult (10 to 64 years) €21.50, seniors (65 +) €17.50
Hortus Botanicus
See
The Amsterdam Botanical Gardens — 'Hortus' as they are called by locals — used to be the Botanic Garden of the Universit…
Plantage Middenlaan 2
10:00-17:00
+31 20 625 90 21
Adult €9.75; seniors and children €5.50
Wertheimpark
See
A small park with a World War II memorial located at one of the nicest canals in Amsterdam.
H'ART
See
Founded as an outpost of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, ties were severed with the parent institution following Russia'…
Amstel 51
Daily 10:00-17:00
+31 20 530 8755
Standard (adults and children aged 18 or over) €22.50, children up to 17 years old free
Photo by Remi Mathis · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Scheepvaartmuseum
See
Het Scheepvaartmuseum reopened in late 2011 following major renovations. Stimulating, interactive exhibitions allow visi…
Kattenburgerplein 1
09:00-17:00 daily
+31 20 523-2222
€15 adults; €7.50 children, students and seniors (prices 2014)
Verzetsmuseum
See
Museum showing what Amsterdam and Holland were like during Nazi occupation. Has a very nice children's section. If you a…
Plantage Kerklaan 61D
M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00
+31 20 620 25 35
Adult €12.00, ages 7-17 €6.50
Photo by Jvhertum · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
De Gooyer
See
It's the only windmill (1814, restored) in the centre of Amsterdam, and the closest one that's open to visitors.
Funenkade 7
W-Su 15:00-19:00
Micropia
See
Museum about microbes.
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40
11:00-17:00
Age 10 and up €16, ages 3-9 €14
Royal Coster
See
This stately building is one of Amsterdam's two diamond factories. Guided tours are given showcasing the complicated dia…
Paulus Potterstraat 2
09:00–17:00 daily
+31 20 305 5555
Photo by User:Mtcv · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Heineken Experience
See
Do not expect a beer museum, but rather to be flooded with Heineken advertisements.
Stadhouderskade 78
Su–W 10:30-19:30, last entry 17:15, Th F 10:30-21:00, last entry 18:45
Starting from
Photo by Marco Almbauer · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Rijksmuseum
See
The largest and most prestigious museum for art and history in the Netherlands: works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and other D…
Museumstraat 1
09:00–17:00 daily
+31 20 6747 000
adults, European Youth Card, children free, no student discounts
Stedelijk Museum
See
The Stedelijk Museum is the municipal museum of modern art. It has a long history, as it first opened in 1874 and has be…
Museumplein 10
Daily 10:00-18:00
+31 20 573-2911
Adults €18.50; students €10.00; Under 18 free
Van Gogh Museum
See
This museum is dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, a late 19th-century Post-Impressionist Dutch painter. Tickets are availabl…
Museumplein 6
Generally 09:00-18:00, but varies, check website
+31 20 570 52 00
Adults , students , under 18 free
Photo by C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View source
Moco Museum
See
Moco is a private museum of modern and contemporary art.
Honthorststraat 20
Su-Th 10:00-19:00; F Sa 10:00-21:00
+31 203701997
Adult €19.50, Youth (13-17) and student €16.50, children (0-12) free
Photo by Darwinist · CC BY 2.0 · View source
Museumplein
See
Not exactly a park, but a large grassed open space. Around its edges are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stede…
Photo by No machine-readable author provided. SanderK assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 2.5 · View source
Sarphatipark
See
Situated in De Pijp, this is a place where people sunbathe and have picnics in the summer.
Photo by Dguendel · CC BY 4.0 · View source
Vondelpark
See
The only large park that is close to the Binnenstad, and definitely the most popular one. Especially in the summer, it i…
Huis met de Kabouters
See
Named after two gnomes decorating its facade, this building is in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance Revival and includes g…
Ceintuurbaan 251
Photo by Jvhertum · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Strandzuid
See
With bar and restaurant
Europaplein 22
10:00–20:00 daily
+31 20 639 2589
Lady Solid
See
Lady Solid is a life-size statue of a woman in a striking pose standing with arms and feet spread. The statue has a wate…
Amstelveenseweg 594
Lomanstraat
See
A charming photogenic street known for its curiously crooked trees, that form a kind of a tunnel.
Photo by Janericloebe · CC BY 3.0 · View source
Museum Het Schip
See
A museum about the Amsterdam School architectural style, housed in a building that is probably the city's best example o…
Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 17:00
( student) includes 20 min. guided tour
Photo by Merlijn Hoek from Hilversum, Netherlands · CC BY-SA 2.0 · View source
Rembrandtpark
See
Not too far west of the Vondelpark, but much quieter and larger in size.
Photo by David van der Mark · CC BY-SA 2.0 · View source
Westerpark
See
A park at the western edge of the centre, with cultural activities in a former gas factory (Westergasfabriek). Access fr…
Photo by Aloxe · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
De 1100 Roe (1674)
See
In the Ookmeer sports fields along Ma Braunpad.
Photo by Marion Golsteijn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
De 1200 Roe (1632)
See
Near Seineweg.
Haarlemmerweg 701
Photo by Aloxe Alix Guillard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
De Bloem (1878)
See
at Nieuwpoortkade.
Haarlemmerweg 465
Photo by Aloxe · FAL · View source
De Otter (1631)
See
A restored and functioning sawmill, opposite Buyskade, west of the Jordaan.
Photo by Aloxe · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Molen van Sloten
See
In Zuid, the only one open for visitors
Akersluis 10
daily 10:00-16:00
+31 20 669 0412
Photo by Rasbak · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
D'Admiraal (1792)
See
Windmill on the bank of the Noordhollands Kanaal in the north, ferry from Central Station.
Noordhollandschkanaaldijk 21
STRAAT Museum
See
Museum depicting street art in a large indoor exhibition.
NDSM-Plein 1
M 12:00–17:00, Tu–Su 10:00–17:00
+31 20 370 9630
Adults , 13-18 yrs , 0-12 yrs free
Amstelstation murals
See
In the hall of Amstel railway station, there are several murals created in 1939 by Dutch artist Peter Alma, including a…
Julianaplein 1, Amstelstation
Floating houses
See
There are two clusters of floating houses over a body of water. These small, modern houses are linked by a grid of walkw…
Haringbuisdijk, Steigereiland
Photo by GerardM · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam
See
Ethnographic and cultural museum about Africa, Asia and South America. Includes an excellent cafe which sells food from…
Linnaeusstraat 2
Tu-Su 10:00-17:00
+31 20 568-8200
€20.00, conc. €9.00
Photo by S Sepp · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Oosterpark
See
Close to Plantage, this park holds several multicultural festivals throughout the year.
Photo by Milliped · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Diemerpark
See
This is a large park, a little like a dune park.
Photo by Nicolo Machiavelli at Dutch Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Flevopark
See
The Flevopark is in the Indische Buurt, at the eastern end of the Insulindeweg, next to the Jewish cemetery, the Flevopa…
Photo by P.H. Louw · CC BY 2.5 nl · View source
Frankendael
See
Frankendael is a house built in 1733 in Watergraafsmeer. The house is surrounded by a pleasant park. Take tram 9, get of…
Photo by Jos Wiersema. The original uploader was Maaike98 at Dutch Wikipedia., modified by Simeon87. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Bijlmermonument
See
In 1992 a Boeing 747F jumbo freighter crashed into two flats in the Bijlmer. This is a monument to the people on the gro…
Nellesteinplad
Photo by Florian K. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Johan Cruijff ArenA
See
The Johan Cruijff ArenA, built from 1993 to 1996, has a capacity of 55,865 seats during sports matches. It's the home gr…
ArenA Boulevard 1
+31 203 111 333
OSCAM - Open Space Contemporary Art Museum
See
OSCAM is the museological platform for art, fashion, design, craftsmanship and development in Amsterdam. It has a rich b…
Bijlmerplein 110-111
Tu-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-17:00
Free
Bijlmermuseum
See
Protected monument to the original 1960s urban vision of the modernist Bijlmermeer expansion of Amsterdam. It consists o…
Grubbehoeve 38
By appointment
+31 20 699 4203
