
Amsterdam is one of the most charming cities in the world. Below I have written some of the top things to do in Amsterdam as an ultimate guide. Being a tourist hotspot and Europe’s answer to ‘sin city’. The city is known for its liberal atmosphere and beautiful countryside. There are so many fun and unique experiences to enjoy while in Amsterdam, even if you have a tight budget. With reams of free things to do in the city so it doesn’t have to be an expensive trip either. So enjoy the amazing food explore the history!
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ANNE FRANKS HOUSE
One of the most iconic things that you can do in Amsterdam. Taking a tour of the Anne Frank house. You will receive an audio guide as you walk through the house. It’s important to book in advance maybe in 2 months beforehand as tickets tend to sell out very quickly! This is a great insight into Amsterdam’s history and a very interesting tour! Tickets start from €10.50.
THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT
Now I don’t know anyone who hasn’t heard of the red light district. From brothels to sex shops, It is an eye-opening experience! While it still has a lot of bad stigmas attached to it, The district is a lot safer and friendlier than it used to be. It’s definitely worth taking a wander mourned at night as the atmosphere is buzzing. Free to wander around.
AJAX STADIUM TOUR
One for the sports fans. This is one of the best stadium tours that I have done. We headed inside where we were met by our tour guide. They showed us the behind the scenes areas and press rooms. We even went down to the pitch and had the chance to take some awesome photos. This is a must for any football fan. Ticket prices start from €15.50 for a 75-minute tour.

GLOW GOLF AND BAR
If you are looking for something fun to do in the evening this is perfect for you. Glowgolf Amsterdam is a glow in the dark, 3d wearing, fun experience. This is for sure an entertaining alternative to do in the evening. Once you have finished playing your round of golf, hit the bar! Tickets are € 8.75.
XTRACOLD ICE BAR
This was probably one of my favourite things to do in Amsterdam. We headed into the bar and it was heaving. There were music and people dressed as pirates. We were given 3 drinks tokens when we entered as we waited for our turn in the main bar. The main room is awesome as you enter a -10 degree room! This is an awesome and unique experience. Remember to wear something warm! you will be given a coat and gloves. Prices start from € 22.50 (3 drinks of choice included)
CANAL CRUISE
What better way to see Amsterdam but by boat! This is an awesome way to travel around the city without getting our feet aching! We saw all of the iconic sights through Amsterdam. We had an audio set so we learnt all about the city. These cruises are super fun and carry lots of laughs along the way! 75-minute tour costs €33.50.
AMSTELPARK
The park is a little further out than a lot of the other things on the list but it’s worth the trip out. The park is vast and beautiful. There is an animal area in the park with Lammas and even kangaroos. There is also a House of pancakes in the park which we had some lunch in and sheltered from the rain! This is a great place to walk around and take in the views. There is a beautiful river that runs parallel to the park which you can catch rower on. This leads to a beautiful windmill. This is free to do just remember you might need to take a cab to get there and back.
MOCO MUSEUM
Like modern art? always wanted to see a Banksy. Then you are in the right place. The Moco museum one of a kind. They have an interactive app that you can hover over some of the artwork to bring it to life. There are interactive installations though out the museum which gives it an edge. This is a super fun place to walk around and has some amazing art. Remember to book in advance as it gets very busy here and the queues can be right around the block. Prices start from €15.00.

VAN GOGH MUSEUM
Now once of the most iconic painters of all times! what could be better than seeing some of Goghs most famous pieces of work? A great way to spend the day come rain or shine. Tickets start from €19.
VONDELPARK
This is the largest city park in Amsterdam and welcomes around 10 million visitors a year! The park is full of dog-walkers and roller-skaters! This is a great spot to have a picnic or ride your bike! the park has wifelike and statues that you can look out for on your visit. Worth a stop by. In the summer there is open-air Theatre, dance performance and music. What a perfect ambience.
CHEESE MUSEUM
Cheese is a big part of the Dutch tradition with a lot of there cheeses being named after dutch cities. The cheese museum is just a stone’s throw away from Anne Franks house. Its a very small shop front so keep your eyes peels to make sure you don’t miss it. Inside the shop may be small but my they have any kind of cheese you can image! Upstairs you can take your pick and try out some of the most colourful cheeses you have probably ever seen! This is a great place to pop into, try something different and grab a great gift to take home! Entrance is free.

RIJKSMUSEUM
Showcasing world-famous masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age include the Milkmaid by Vermeer and Rembrandt’s Night Watch. With over 80 galleries and 800 objects sea paintings, There’s so much to see here! The building itself is beautiful and the gardens are fantastic. Most people know the building for the world-famous IAmsterdam sign which sits out the front of the building. Don’t forget to check out the oldest and most expensive book collection while you are here! Just the room itself is stunning to look at. Ticket prices are €17.50
BLOEMENMARKT
Located on the Singel Canal, This floating flower market is not to be missed. Amsterdam is known for its tulips, what better place to shop for some than here! This vibrant market is a great place to get a real sense of Amsterdam. Pick up a bag of buns and a Magnet and you are set for gifts! Free to walk around.
REMBRANDT HOEVE CHEESE AND CLOG FACTORY
If you want a sense of holland this is the perfect place. Just a short walk away from Amstelpark lies this hidden gem. We visited the factory and we pleasantly surprised by the friendly folk and tasty cheese. Inside you can see the whole works of how Traditional clogs are made and learn about there history. This is one of only a handful of Clog makers left in Amsterdam. This family-run business is sure to give you lots of laughs and a great afternoon. We came away with some stunning mini clogs to hand on the wall as the perfect Dutch souvenir. Free to walk around.

NEMO MUSEUM
This is a great place to take the kids. With interactive activities in every corner, they definitely won’t be bored. Being the largest science museum in the Netherlands there is plenty to do and see for kids of all ages. You can experience the joy of science and also technology through blowing humungous soap bubbles to watching an enormous experiment in a real laboratory. If you don’t have children but want a fantastic view of the city, Take a walk up the stairs, turn around and enjoy! The building has a fantastic open roof where you can sit and enjoy the views. There are also Lookout binoculars on the sides of the roof so you can gain a better view and point out all of the iconic buildings across the city. Ticket prices are €20 But enjoy the views for free.
HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE
Take a tour through the factory and enjoy tasting sessions and fun facts about the factory’s history. Along the tour you will learn about things from the logo to the process it takes to make the perfect beer. You will also receive free beers and a keepsake glass! The perfect afternoon for any beer lover! book tickets in advance to avoid missing out as these tours tend to sell out! Tickets from €18.
A’DAM LOOK OUT
This is an observation deck which reveals panoramic views of this beautiful city, Enjoy the 360-degree view from the sky deck. Thrill-seekers will love the over the edge swing. Europes highest swing stands 100 meters over the city. enjoy the elevator ride or interactive exhibitions and finish the day off with a meal at the Sky bar. Tickets start from €13.50 depending on which experiences you choose to take part in!
RENT A BIKE
With a current estimation of 881,000 bikes in Amsterdam, why not join the nation in seeing Dam by bike! You can not turn a corner or even walk out of your hotel door without seeing bikes! This is a cheap and efficient way to get around the city and a nice way to enjoy the parks! You can rent a bike from €14 a day.

Hopefully, this guide will ensure you manage to make the most out of your time in Amsterdam! If there are any other fun activities I have missed, let me know in the comments below!
Don’t forget to pin it!
Such a great list!! I did most of this but I’ll have to go back to hit the rest!
I agree, Amsterdam is so charming. I went to a few of the sites you mentioned, but I’d like to return to check out the Golf and Ice Bar.
I was in Amsterdam for 3 days.. Couldn’t do everything but would love to go to the cheese museum! Great recommendations..
Glad you enjoyed this post! The cheese museum was so much fun!
Loved visiting Amsterdam, but now I see I definitely need to return! Great list
Will follow these place surely when I will plan to visit Amsterdam.
I hope you enjoy your trip and you manage to save some money with thee tips!
What a great list to bookmark for the next time I can actually travel and visit Amsterdam! I missed a lot of these when I was last there. Thanks for this!
Thank you for sharing such a full and detailed list! I haven’t been to Amsterdam yet, but will be starting my master’s in London this fall. I’ll have to fit a trip to Amsterdam in while I’m across the pond! I’ll definitely be doing some of the things on your list.
firstly, thank you so much! Im glad there is something you will enjoy on the list! and secondly, enjoy London, There are soo many amazing bars, shops and quaint places!
Okay now I officially cannot wait to start traveling! Amazing list!!
hehe thank you! Glad you enjoyed this list
Really cool! I’ve never been to Amsterdam but it sounds lovely. So many things to do! If I ever get out there I’ll definitely keep your lovely guide in mind 💖
Ajax stadium tour!! My brother in law is a fan and has been soo many times haha
It was so much fun 🙂
Such a great list! I’ve been to Amsterdam a few times and I still haven’t crossed all those off the list! Need to add the Cheese Museum and the Heineken Experience for the next trip ha
Ah thats so great! at that there is something to enjoy on your next trip!
Amsterdam has been on my bucket list, and this makes me want to visit there even more!
Thank you thank you!!!! I’m absolutely saving this for when I go to Amsterdam soon.
Glad this list helped! Have a great time
Yes please count me in on the ice bar! And Amsterdam has been on my bucket list for a hot minute! Thank you for this amazing and insightful post! Saved on my pinterest!
It was sooo much fun! You will love it when you get chance to visit! thanks for stopping by!
Wow I want to visit so badly! Thanks for the guide!
Glad you enjoyed this post!
If I visit Amsterdam, I definitely would want to visit the museum, thanks for sharing
Saving this for later! Amsterdam has been on my bucket list – thank you for the recommendations!
I can second almost all of these suggestions – except the ice bar and the golf – they‘re not activities we can do with a little one with us 🙃
Very informational and detailed post! Amsterdam has only been our halt stopover on our connecting flights from US to India. Have been to parts of Europe to explore, and Holland is next on our list! Will def use your tips if & when we go there, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by! glad you enjoyed this post and I hope you manage to visit soon!
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Amsterdam has always been one of my favourite place to visit. I hope someday I can visit and do all the guides you’ve given!
Its so beautiful and full of things to do! I hope you manage to visit soon!
I remember exploring the red light district and Anne Frank’s house when I visited about 20 years ago. The red light district was quite shocking to me. I remember loving how everyone there seemed to cycle in the city, and that’s quite impossible in the traffic jammed city I currently live in.
We love traveling but sadly due to COVID19 all travel is on hold, after reading this Amsterdam is surely on my list.
Oh, yes, I love Amsterdam. We were all good to go but then lockdown forced us to stay home and missed our chance. We were planning on visiting the cheese factory, the beer factory and Ryjkmuseum, but I will save your post for future reference to make sure we visit all these great places. Love your site!
We had only one day in Amsterdam on a cruise. We rushed around to see all we could. But left knowing we would want to return. Your list provides some more great reasons to go back. We definitely are sorry we missed an ice bar. I will dress warm. But maybe not as a pirate! An interactive museum sounds like a lot of fun. Good tip about booking tickets in advance. Tulips were out of season. But next time we will visit the floating flower market for sure. Lots of reasons to go back.
Oh, thanks for this post. I and my friends have planned to go Amsterdam in September but due to COVID, we had to cancle our plan. With your blog, I could have atleast a virtual tour.
Ah stupid Covid! ruining everyones year and travel plans! Aww im glad you feel like you have managed to see a little of Amsterdam and I hope you manage to visit soon!
Super interesting, thanks for the summary.
As a German I should have known that there is an Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, but I didn’t. Shame on me! Neither did I know that it’s so popular.
The ice bar sounds fun – until now I only knew them from the Scandinavian countries. Looks like Amsterdam copied them 😉
Cheers, Chris
Hey! Glad you enjoyed this post! Aww its a shame you missed it but you can add it to the list for next time! Well I never knew that about the ice bars! how interesting ahah! Hope you manage to visit again soon! thanks for stopping by
Great post! I have been to Amsterdam a few times now and it is an amazing, bustling city. You had so many things on your list I never even I’ve pinned this for my next visit 😉
Thank you! glad you liked tis post :D! Amsterdam is an awesome city!
Amsterdam looks like a lovely city. It is high up on my bucket list. One of my dreams is being able to visit the Anne Frank home. Such a huge piece of history. I will have to make sure I plan ahead of time for that one! A canal cruise sounds like the perfect way to explore the city, love the canal going through it. And my daughter would love the Nemo Museum. You are giving me wanderlust!
Amsterdam is such an vibrant city .. I would be quite interested in Heineken tour and canal tour. Infact, cycling is big too out there. Anne Frank House is somewhere I would definitely like to visit too. I wonder what would be the vibe in Red Light district. Safe to walk alone there ?
It feels like only yesterday I was in Amsterdam. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to explore the city, hardly anything at all. I did have the opportunity to go on a canal ride, which was lovely. I did hear about the interactive museum but alas did not have time to visit. You seem to have had a lovely stay though and I love the photos from Amsterdam you shared with us!
Aww thats such a shame! I hope you have the chance to visit again soon and explore the city. Glad that you enjoyed this post!!
I loved Netherlands when I visited Rotterdams and Giethoorn. I did not visit Amsterdam and I know I missed it. I would love to go back again. I wanna see the Anne Frank House and Nemo Museum. And of course there is so much more. Lots of good cheese in there too. I have also heard a lot about Red light district.
I have always been fascinated with Anne Frank’s story. It is good to know that you have to get your tickets booked for the tour so far out in advance. I can only imagine the energy on that tour. What is really interesting though is the glow golf! I would love to try that. I never knew that 3D, glow in the dark golf was a thing! It sounds like it could get crazy real fast! What a wonderful list of activities to do! Thanks for sharing these great tips!
Thank you for all your advice and travel tips! I’ve always wanted to go here.
A great guide on what to see and ways to enjoy Amsterdam!
Amsterdam is high on my bucket list! Saving this for later
Such an intertesting list! Thanks for sharing detailed and complete info. I’ll keep all these places in list in my next visit to Amsterdam.
Great list of things to do in Amsterdam! I’ve heard a lot of great things about Ice Bar. I’d have to try that one for sure.
It was so much fun! don’t forget to try it out next time 😀
so many killer spots in there. we were just in Amsterdam for a glamping project, but sadly all of those museums and such were closed…damn you C19!
Aww thats such a shame! clamping sounds fun though! I know covid has just ruined this year for travellers hah! I hope you had a fab time anyways!
i know where to go when I finally get to visit Amsterdam 🙂
Love it! Definitely in my list of places to go.
Have read Anne Frank’s Diary and taking a tour of her house is definitely an wxperience worth remembering! Also the way you described the tour of Amsterdam is simply great! Keep sharing.
I flew into Amsterdam for the start of my European backpacking adventure in my 20’s. The Moco and Van Gogh Museums are must sees I agree. I’d personally skip the Ice Bar though, coming from a place that has 7 months of winter lol.
Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities to visit and there so just so much to do. I could spend days exploring the Rijksmuseum but this list you provided has added so much more to my itinerary for the next time I’m there.
loved to visit. I’ve been to over 30 countries, yet never to Amsterdam!
Reading your post makes me want to travel again to Amsterdam.🙂 I visited 2 years ago. Great infomation and tips there. Thanks for sharing.
I have been to Amsterdam a few times and love it! It’s such a great city and I agree that a canal cruise is a definitely must-do.