Amsterdam makes an excellent city break destination if you’re travelling from the UK because of its proximity and comparative cheapness.
It’s possible to ‘do’ Amsterdam in a weekend thanks to its compact size, but just 48 hours in Amsterdam will have you itching to return. The city offers a wealth of things to do, no matter what kind of traveller you are.
It’s a popular destination with tourists all year round, with the Winter snow accentuating the city’s beauty.
While the illicit-made-legit is a theme that shapes hedonistic tourists’ experience of the Dutch city, Amsterdam is the perfect mini break for culture lovers, couples and families. I went to Amsterdam for two days on a mission to experience both sides of the laid-back city.
Use this itinerary to find out what to do in Amsterdam in a weekend; from seeing the historic and cultural sights to drinking in the coolest bars in the city.
In the planning phase? Search these great Amsterdam city break deals
Use my Travel Resources page to get the best prices on your trip
How to ‘do’ Amsterdam in a weekend
I thought I’d share my top things for how to organise your time and where to go if you’re trying to see the best of Amsterdam in a weekend.
A good tip to save money if you’re planning to visit lots of Amsterdam’s top sights during your 48 hour visit is to order a City Pass, which gives you access to over 50 of the main attractions.
What to do if you have two days in Amsterdam: day 1
Spend the first 24 hours of your Amsterdam mini-break getting to know the city, ticking cultural attractions off your to-visit list and of course, experiencing Amsterdam’s crazy nightlife!
1. Eat some pancakes
I basically googled ‘best brunch in Amsterdam’ and came across Pancakes, then it was coincidentally the first place I set eyes on when we jumped off the bus at Centraal. The Dutch pancakes really are delicious, so it’s worth checking out.
2. Get an introduction to the city on a tour
To kick off your weekend in Amsterdam, it’s wise to go on an organised walking tour with a local guide on your first day so you can get to grips with the place. The canal-looped layout of Amsterdam is a bit confusing for some, so this will help you navigate around!
If you don’t want to walk it, try the sightseeing bus. This gives you a great overview of Amsterdam on your first morning, and then you can explore the areas and attractions that suit you afterwards. Plus, the bus tour includes a free boat ride!
Attempting an alternative weekend in Amsterdam? A rickshaw or tuk tuk tour might be more up your street.
3. Walk or cycle along the canals
The first thing that struck me about Amsterdam is the charming, if slightly skewed architecture. Every building differs from its neighbour and the streets lean disconcertingly, as though the buildings are half-drunk – or maybe you are.
This is because it’s a city built on water, and its architecture betrays what’s going on underneath. The concentric circles of 400-year-old canals serve as a reference point for wandering tourists and create a picture perfect city that makes for a ideal weekend away.
A walk along the canal is the best way to take the city and kick off your 48 hours in Amsterdam. If you’re lucky you can grab a table and dine al fresco.
Or make like the locals, and hire a bike to see Amsterdam! Be careful though – the locals don’t play.
Don’t miss Jordaan, the artsy part of the city.
4. Broaden your mind at the Sex Museum
The Sex Museum is super close to Centraal and is worth a visit for some phallic photo opps and a giggle. Bring an open mind and take it all in.
5. Grab lunch at Stach
This artisan coffee shop has homemade, giant meringues in the window and serves melt-in-the-mouth homemade peanut butter cups. I’ll probably think about that peanut butter cup every day for the next year or so.
If you’d like to try as many local delicacies as possible during your weekend in Amsterdam, you can book a food tour with a local to make sure you don’t miss anything important.
6. Visit the floating Flower Market
Amble through the world’s only floating Flower Market, Blocemenmarkt, and pick up some iconic tulip bulbs to take home that will remind you of your trip to the Dam.
Visit at Christmas time to see the amazing decorations in the absence of florals.
7. Explore Amsterdam’s museums
Museumplein is the cultural epicentre of Amsterdam, and this Museum Quarter is where you’ll find the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art.
To dodge the crowds, check out the lesser-known FOAM Photography Museum, the Tropenmuseum, and the Willet Holthuysen, a double canal house that shows you how the rich lived in the 19th century.
Fashionistas will love the Museum of Handbags and Purses.
There are so many indoor attractions around the city, you won’t be stuck for things to do in Amsterdam when it rains.
Alternatively (I feel like any guide to a weekend in Amsterdam will inevitably include a few ‘alternative’ options), the Museum of Prostitution will give you insight into the city’s sex work industry.
8. Join a bar crawl
On your first night in Amsterdam, if you aren’t travelling in a group, a good way to meet people and ensure you go to the rowdiest watering holes is attend a bar crawl. No weekend in Amsterdam is complete without experiencing the city’s nightlife.
This bar crawl promises to be a wild night with entrance to six of Amsterdam’s best dance bars and night.
If you want to let loose in the Red Light District, this pub crawl will suit you.
Find more things to do at night in Amsterdam on your weekend break below
What to do in Amsterdam on your second day
Now that you know your way around, you can spend day two of your weekend in Amsterdam visiting more of the local attractions and just soaking up the city’s chilled vibe.
9. Have an Instagram-friendly breakfast
Amsterdam is full of eateries that indulge the Instagram-obsessed, and Vinnie’s Deli is one of the most popular spots with locals for brunch.
Go for the mushrooms on toast, it’s mouthwatering.
10. Visit Anne Frank’s House
Learn about the atrocities committed against Jewish people during WWII through one young girl’s eyes at the house where Anne and her family famously hid from Nazis for two years.
It’s always busy, so go early in the morning to avoid waiting times.
Check prices and availability here.
11. Shop for souvenirs
Amsterdam has a diverse range of shops in Kalverstraat in the city centre, but the best area for vintage and designer shopping is De Negen Straatjes or ‘The Nine Streets’.
Make sure you stop at the Amsterdam Cheese Shop to indulge your dairy needs.
12. Visit the Heineken Brewery
If you like a pint, you’d be crazy not to visit the home of Heineken while you’re in the Netherlands.
The Heineken experience is interactive and comes with samples that taste far better than the beer out of the tap in your local boozer.
Buy a ticket for a brewery visit including a free one hour cruise here.
13. Cruise along the canal
A canal cruise is a cool way to see the city from a different perspective, and the headsets will make you feel like you’ve actually learned something about the city you’re visiting. There’s a hop on hop off canal cruise that gives you 48 hour access, which is perfect if you’re trying to see lots of Amsterdam in a weekend.
In Amsterdam for a girls’ weekend? A 90 minute prosecco cruise is the perfect activity!
If you’re looking for romantic things to do on your weekend in Amsterdam, hop aboard a sightseeing boat at sunset for a four-course dinner cruise with drinks. This way, you get to enjoy a slap-up meal with a view of the city from the water.
14. Relax in one of Amsterdam’s coffee shops
Another novelty in Amsterdam is that cannabis can legally be consumed, and the Brown Cafes are the place to indulge. We paid a visit to Greenhouse, a laid-back (obviously) coffee shop with an aquarium in the floorboards and pictures of celebrity clientele on the walls.
15. Visit some more of Amsterdam’s best drinking spots and cafes
Another place to quell your thirst is the Plaza, where bars and coffee shops like Smokey’s have outdoor seating that sprawls across the pavements and into the streets.
Other things to do in Amsterdam
If you have longer than one weekend in Amsterdam or want to adapt this Amsterdam itinerary to suit you in any way, check out the list of more ideas for what to do in Amsterdam.
1 Try herring, a traditional Dutch snack. Best served from a food cart! You can ample 13 different local food at 7 unique venues on this 3.5 hour food tour of the Jordaan area.
2 Visit a microbrewery under a windmill. You can do a beer tasting at De Gooyer in the Oostelijke Eilanden (Eastern Islands).
3 Check out a food market or festival at Westergasbafriek.
4 If you’re visiting Amsterdam in spring, then take the short 20-minute trip out to the world famous tulip fields (Bollenstreek).
5 Ride the ferry to the North of Amsterdam – it’s free and just because it’s off the beaten path, doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. NDSM is a cool indie hangout you shouldn’t miss if you have more time to explorer.
6 Eat at Food Hallen – a street food and drink haven in the Oud-West neighbourhood.
7 Escape the crowds at The Begijnhof, one of Amsterdam’s oldest inner courtyards.
8 Have a lazy picnic in Vondelpark, a 120 acre green space near the museums.
9 Wander around De 9 Straatjes, nine picture-perfect streets filled with antique shops, boutiques and other cute independent businesses.
10 See Amsterdam’s street art at Spuistraat.
Best trips from Amsterdam
1. Bruges
You can easily travel from Amsterdam for a day trip to Bruges. I spent a day there during my P&O Christmas markets cruise a while back and fell in love with its fairytale vibes. Be sure to bring back lots of delicious Belgian chocolate!
2. The Hague
Head to The Hague. It’s only an hour’s train ride away and will satisfy any cravings for sea and sand if you’re visiting Amsterdam in the warmer months. Check out Vicky FlipFlop’s guide to things to do in The Hague if you decide to hop over there!
3. Windmill destinations
You can see Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken on a half-day or full-day windmill tour departing from Amsterdam. You even get to visit a cheese factory!
Book your tours and excursion from Amsterdam via GetYourGuide below.
Where to stay in Amsterdam for a weekend trip
The best neighbourhood to stay in Amsterdam for sightseeing is probably the Old Centre, where most of the main attractions are located. There’s a wide choice of budget-friendly accommodation there.
I stayed with a friend during my weekend in Amsterdam, then got drunk and booked a room at the Marriott because we couldn’t be bothered getting ourselves to her flat. Oops!
Our room was gorgeous and the bed could easily fit four people. I can highly recommend the hotel, and my friend’s flat – although I’m not sure she’s taking bookings.
On the luxury end of the scale, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is the obvious option. After some cool Instagram pics? Try nhow, one of the quirkiest hotels in Amsterdam.
Budget friendly options for backpacker accommodation in Amsterdam include The Flying Pig Hostels and Via Amsterdam.
Search more accommodation options in Amsterdam for every budget using the map below.
Booking.comHow to get to Amsterdam
You can catch the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam. The sailing is 16 hours 30 mins and you should book in advance.
Check out my review of the DFDS sailing to and from Amsterdam if you’re planning to travel by sea.
Pick up the Lonely Planet guide to the The Netherlands
Other useful blog posts
Read my 10 day Europe backpacking itinerary
Best cities to visit for a European city break from UK
I wasn’t in Amsterdam long enough to visit Holland’s iconic tulip fields, but the winding streets and canal banks offered up a kaleidoscope of colours by day, and the scarlet glow of an Amsterdam night proved to be an experience in itself.
I hope you liked my Amsterdam weekend guide! Have you been to Amsterdam for a weekend or perhaps longer? What would you recommend people do if they only have one weekend in Amsterdam? Leave your recommendations in the comments. I’d love to hear about some local gems.
Loved this post? Share it on Facebook and Twitter! You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more travel updates. You can also subscribe to my newsletter to make sure you never miss a post!
Rumah says
Wow, Amsterdam looks very beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us.
Dannielle Lily says
Thanks for reading 🙂
Jennifer says
Headed over to your website after a comment you left on mine – love your blog name and the design…very well done!
Dannielle Lily says
Thank you Jennifer!
christine says
Cool photos! I visited last summer and loved it.
Dannielle Lily says
I can’t believe I waited so long to be honest Christine! Love your blog 🙂
christine says
Thank you! 🙂
Aileen says
Amsterdam is lovely. I have been there just months ago and your photos make me miss that place! Glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay.
Dannielle Lily says
Thanks you Aileen!
chrysoula says
I would love to visit the Heineken factory since I am a big beer fan!
Dannielle Lily says
I like it even more now 🙂
Leah says
I am DYING to see Amsterdam, and not just because I’m a horny stoner (but there’s that, too). The canals look so picturesque, and I’ve always liked the idea of biking around a city but feel most places are too intimidating with all the traffic…I think I could handle it in Amsterdam because the city’s so well designed for it. How lucky you’re so close!
Dannielle Lily says
Haha! Well there really is something for everyone, especially those of us who like a little culture after a heavy night!
Meg Jerrard says
Just remember while “window shopping” at night not to get caught taking photos of the actual girls – they don’t take too kindly to that and I’ve seen one or two bouncers jump out of nowhere and throw very expensive tourist cameras in the nearby canals!!
Dannielle Lily says
Haha Meg, the boys I was with warned me about this when I tried to take out my camera… thank god they told me in time!
Travelwith2ofus says
Sounds like you had a good time. I can say that it is a great challenge to manage a career and travel at the same time. But I am thinking you can make it work. My time in Amsterdam was very laid back. Walked a lot, visited a couple bars, but didn’t do the things you did.
Dannielle Lily says
Thanks for the encouragement! It means sacrificing some things, but travelling is totally worth it!
Dariece says
Thanks for the Amsterdam info! That’s the great thing about Europe, you’re so close (literally a 45 min flight or less) and you’re in a new country. I think that’s so incredible. I’ve never been to Amsterdam, or much of Europe, but it’s on my list.
Cheers.
Dannielle Lily says
I know, I really want to take advantage of all these amazing places that are right on my doorstep 🙂
Andrea says
Aha oh the city of sins 😉 Fifteen hours man oh man! Sounds like a weekend of partying and enjoying each other’s company. Have flown into Amsterdam a few times and still have yet to explore. How was the Mariott’s?
Dannielle Lily says
Mariott was amazing! Nice to have a bit of luxury on an otherwise messy trip 🙂
Jessica O'Neill says
I Love Heineken, and I’ve been paying an exorbitant amount to keep drinking it while in Thailand (it’s definitely one of the more expensive imported beers where we live in Chiang Mai!). I think the trip to the brewery to do the tour would be enough reason for me to visit Amsterdam alone! 😀
Dannielle Lily says
I would totally stick to Chang in Thailand!
Stacey Valle says
I would love to visit Amsterdam! Thank you for all the tips about it. good photos! (:
Madaline says
I think the main draw for me are the adorable and interestingly designed buildings – its just soo… well Dutch! And I actually never have seen one of those vending machines – but that’s enough to get me back there! The child in me adores a vending machine…
Michael Huxley says
I didn’t really enjoy Amsterdam as much as other places but I’ll be the first to admit I only really saw a touristy snapshot of it. Maybe it’s time to go back and give the place another chance?
Olga says
I have never been to Amsterdam yet, but I’m dying to go!!
Hopefully I could make it to Netherlands this year, and then I’ll definitely visit Amsterdam, too!
http://www.therussianabroad.com
Dan says
15-hour ferry ride to Amsterdam sounds like a lot of fun but would probably be the end of me. Wise decision on the flight. Great pics.
Priya says
You had me at Amsterdam Cheese Shop. It’s one of those cities that’s a must on my list. I MUST GO.
Zascha says
I want to go to Amsterdam. Whenever I see pictures it always reminds me of Copenhagen.
I think it’s great that you do weekend trips around Europe!
Alejandra says
Ive never been to Amsterdam but I would love to go biking around it. I tend to be that boring backpacker that doesn’t drink and prefer to stay in bed reading than going to the hostel bar but, somehow I would love to experience Amsterdam’s night life.
Heather Cole says
I’ve never really fancied Amsterdam, I guess because of all the bad hype and hedonism, but its great to see there is so much more to the city!
Amy Hardy says
Haha the bit about timing people as they go in and out of a window – we do that all the time and the longest we counted was about 2.5 mins 😉 People watching is just the BEST in this city!
Dannielle Lily says
Hahaha seriously? We had one OLD man who went for ages! Good lad haha. It really is, I’m dying to go back and spend a bit more time taking everything in!
Valeria @ Rome, New York, London, World says
I’m headed to Amsterdam this weekend, thank for your tips! I’ll loo into visiting the Sex Museum 🙂
Dannielle Lily says
Have fun!