Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a really popular tourist destination. You will be thrilled by the uncluttered skyline, brick houses, friendly locals, rich culture and history, and a relaxed and easy vibe all around.
Three days will not seem sufficient to check out all the goodies that Amsterdam has on offer. But in case you are in the city for a 3 day trip, you may use the below mentioned itinerary as a guide.
A guided walking tour is one of the best ways to get acquainted with a new city. You get to learn about the history of Amsterdam, explore the beautiful canals, wander the streets, check out the major landmarks, and even get to know some hidden secrets about the city. A lot of walking tours are free.
No trip to Amsterdam can be complete without a visit to the Van Gogh Museum. It tends to be overcrowded on most occasions due to its massive popularity. The museum offers a great biography about Gogh’s life and several of his artworks. It also features paintings by other renowned artists like Manet, Monet, and Matisse, etc.
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder is a Catholic church located in a secretive canal house constructed in the 17th century. Built during the era of Protestant monarchy, this well-preserved beautiful church and its charming furnishings make for a really interesting visit.
Amsterdam is known for its extensive system of canals and the Amstel River that runs across the city. Hence, a canal tour can be a lovely way to soak up the sights and sounds of the city. You may go for a big canal boat tour (they can be pricey), or opt for the open-air Canal Hopper Small Boat, or you can hire an affordable private boat tour. Private boat tours are more intimate and personalized and less costly.
Located near the Van Gogh museum, the Rijksmuseum is home to a vast collection of the works of Rembrandt, paintings by classic Dutch artists like Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals, historical objects, craftworks, and other kinds of art. The display at the museum is huge and can take some hours.
The Rembrandt House Museum is a house that the artist lived in. You can take a tour of the house, see a recreation of how he worked, and enjoy the recreated house decorations from that era, etc.
The Anne Frank House is an iconic Amsterdam landmark. Some people may like it, while others may get bored. You must visit and find out for yourself. You can take a slow-walk tour of the house and learn about the life of Anne and Jewish history. The place can get overcrowded and there can sometimes be very little space to move around. Book a skip the line ticket to avoid long queues or arrive early in the morning to avoid the long wait times.
The Vondelpark is the most popular and biggest park in Amsterdam. You can have a coffee at a nearby café and later come to the park to bike, walk, relax, play sports, and/or watch people go by. It is a great and vibrant place to visit during the summers.
The Tulip Museum is a museum located in a small basement of a tulip shop. Tourists can learn how the reasons for the ‘tulip craze’ and the history of the flower in the country. There is an entry fee, but it is worth it.
Located within a 17th century big canal house on the Keizersgracht canal, the Museum Van Loon is known for its fine art collection and a gorgeous garden. You can check out paintings, vintage furniture, and family portraits, etc.
The Jordaan neighborhood is a major residential community that is not frequented by tourists. Located bang next to the city center, the area is dotted with cafes, restaurants, and shops. It is a great place to avoid the crowds and quietly wander the alleys. It is also a great place to eat some delicious apple pie and traditional Dutch dishes.
The Amsterdam History Museum is a wonderful place to learn about the rich history of the city. You will really enjoy the learning process as you go through maps, artifacts, audiovisual displays, and paintings, etc. The computer graphic display which shows the construction and growth of Amsterdam over different era is really fun. Do not miss it!
The Heineken Experience is a museum that offers information about the history of the beer making company, while you enjoy some cold beers.
The Red Light District is another world famous tourist attraction of Amsterdam. The place is quiet during day time, but it comes alive at night with neon lights, half-naked girls in windows, drunk locals and tourists, and gawking passersby, etc. Visit it for the experience. This area also has the Erotic Museum which has on display different forms of eroticism over the years. You will come across paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and other stuff that artistically explains sex and nudity.
Amsterdam is known as a bike city and you can see people cycling to work, shopping, etc, all around. A bike tour is a really good and novel way to enjoy the beauty of the city. You may go for a guided bike tour or rent a cycle and tour the city’s attractions on your own.
The open air Waterlooplein market is like a huge flea market; it is possible to find just about everything and bump into just about anyone in this place. There are used and new gadgets, secondhand apparels, antiques, and lots more. It is closed on Sundays.
The Jewish Historical Museum is a great place to learn about the influence and prominence of Jews and their history, especially in Amsterdam. There is a WWII exhibit that underlines the struggle, complacency, and remorse of the Dutch over the Holocaust.
The Amsterdam city library is a huge modern and attractive building. The top floor has a great café that offers spectacular views of the city and its skyline. The place is peaceful and quiet and thus a great place to just sit back and chill while reading a favorite book.
FOAM is a small photography museum and a must visit for all photography buffs. It has some spending photos on display, but the display keeps on changing. Thus, you may get to see something new with every visit. There is also a pretty garden.
The Oosterpark is another wonderful park in Amsterdam. This green space with clean air is not as crowded as the Vondelpark, but it offers opportunities for similar activities like biking, walking, sports, etc. The park is around half an hour away from the main part of the city; you can walk to the park and see unique places of interest that are not listed in tourist guides or maps.
The alternative art tour is something that will be enjoyed and appreciated by all art aficionados. You may even find it an experience of a lifetime. Tourists can expect to see street art in squats, alleys, independent galleries, streets, and parks, etc., while learning about the alternative side of Amsterdam and its immigrant and underground culture. These tours are private and at least 4 people are required for a tour.
Noord Amsterdam is a cool, new, and hip neighborhood located across the IJ. You may take a ferry from the city center to this area. Noord has many affordable homes and features cafes, restaurants, and fabulous markets. Amsterdam’s famous film institute, EYE, is also situated here.
Located near Dam Square, the Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum has exhibits that offer information about the modern and historical uses of cannabis in the field of religion, medicine, and culture. It also has information about how hemp can be used in industries, consumer products, and agriculture, etc.
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