3 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM ITINERARY: A PERFECT TRAVEL GUIDE FOR FIRST TIMERS!

CRAVING A LONG WEEKEND EXPLORING AMSTERDAM?

You’ve come to the right place! We spent a wonderful 3 days in Amsterdam in Spring, young son in tow.

Here’s the itinerary we followed, tweaked to perfection from our recent “on-the-ground” experience.

It’s packed with Amsterdam’s quirky corners, canal cruises, The Netherland’s iconic tulips and windmills, an unmissable piece of history, mouth-watering cheeses and more!

Sound good? Let’s do it!

Planning your trip to Amsterdam?
Start here:

Skyscanner ↗ to find the best flights to Amsterdam Schipol (AMS).
Booking.com ↗ to browse the best places to stay in Amsterdam.
Psst! Stay at Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam for a 5* tropical oasis in the city!

🎟️ Viator.com ↗ to book unforgettable tours, from canal cruises to windmills.
🛡️ Staysure ↗ for easy, reliable travel insurance (UK travellers only).

3 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL, CANAL CRUISE, ANNE FRANK HOUSE & RED LIGHT DISTRICT (OPTIONAL)

ARRIVAL
Fly into Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS) early this morning.

Hop on the frequent and budget-friendly Sprinter train from Amsterdam Schipol Airport to Centraal station in the heart of the city, taking just 17 minutes!

A close up photograph of a paper train ticket for the Amsterdam Sprinter train. — Keep hold of your metro ticket, you’ll need it to get out the barriers! *Photo by Jordie.*

These blue and yellow Sprinter trains take just 20 mins from Amsterdam Schipol airport to Centraal station! — These Sprinter trains take just 17 mins from Amsterdam Schipol airport to Centraal station! *Photograph by Jordie.*

Head to your hotel first to drop any big suitcases off.

We stayed at Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam, an Indonesian jungle oasis in Amsterdam! 🌴🌿🌺⚱️

Honestly, staying here felt like being teleported to a tropical retreat after a full day roaming the city, especially with its on-site indoor pool, sauna (naked sauna btw!!) and spa treatments. We highly, highly recommend a stay here.

The interior open lobby of Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam, the main building clad in warm wood cladding with towering tropical fauna in the middle. — The open atrium is the heart of Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam, bursting to life with its own rainforest! *Photo by Jordie.*

3-days-in-amsterdam-itinerary — The tropical indoor pool at Hotel Jakarta, lined with sun-drenched loungers with canal views! *Photograph taken by Jordie.*

SALOON BOAT CANAL CRUISE
All aboard! Get your bearings around Amsterdam by cruising down its iconic UNESCO-listed canals. Better yet, cruise in style on this bestselling Amsterdam Classic Saloon Boat Cruise with renowned tour operator, Flagship Amsterdam.

*© All photography copyrights reserved by Flagship Amsterdam.*

Recommended by 97% of travellers with 27,000+ glowing 5* reviews, this relaxed scenic cruise is a fan favourite for its ideal 1 hour time-frame, professional friendly guides and generous servings of delicious cheese and wine (add-on these on when booking)!

They’ve got multiple time slots available and 3 city-based departure points, making joining this tour incredibly easy.

Book this Amsterdam Classic Saloon Boat Cruise ↗

💡 For this itinerary, choose the “Anne Frank House” departure / drop off point located here, (this is your next activity). Pick a time that works with your Anne Frank House ticket.

ANNE FRANK HOUSE (LATE AFTERNOON / EVENING)
After your canal cruise, your last activity for the day is just a few steps away – the Anne Frank House museum.

It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t know her heart-wrenching story, who along with her family hid away for two painstaking years from the vulturous Nazis in a secret annex above an office block in Amsterdam. The exact office block you’re now about to venture into.

Today, it’s a museum dedicated to honouring their memory through this harrowing chapter of history. Listen to their stories through the heartfelt audio guide, stand where Anne once stood in the hidden annexe, plus see deeply moving artefacts like Anne’s infamous preserved diaries.

The only available slot when we booked was 20.45pm, and it was a game changer. Quiet, peaceful, and nothing like the crowded daytime slots we’d heard about. If you can, definitely go for a later time slot too!

You cannot take photographs inside the museum.

The Anne Frank Huis plaque outside the office building. *Photograph taken by Jordie.*

Outside the Anne Frank Huis office building. The main entrance doors are just to the right of this. *Photograph taken by Jordie.*

💡 Anne Frank museum tickets sell out up to 6 weeks in advance. Book through the direct Anne Frank House website as soon as you know your dates. There’s no waiting list, and no opportunity to buy on the door.

💡 Don’t miss the Anne Frank monument statue 5 minutes away.

OPTIONAL: PASS THROUGH THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT
On route back to your hotel, take a quick detour through Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District, also known as “De Wallen”, to witness this eye-opening district in full swing under the cover of late night.

Famed for its legal prostitution, see Amsterdam’s working ladies showcased in glowing red-lit windows. We can’t speak for it (honestly we’re in bed by 10pm nowadays 🤣) but its nightlife is said to be electric— with plenty of bars, clubs and erotic peep shows!

You can’t take photos in the Red Light District, but the pavement gives a clue on what to expect 😉… *Photo by Jordie.*

DAY 2: THE UPSIDE DOWN, HIDDEN GEMS & SUNSET AT A’DAM LOOKOUT

THE UPSIDE DOWN MUSEUM
Inject some giggles and light-hearted fun into this morning at The Upside Down. It’s a brilliantly bizarre interactive playground for all ages— designed to spark creativity, epic photo ops and challenge perspectives!

A photograph of a blonde woman smiling and having fun at Amsterdam's Upside Down museum. The upside scene is of a colourful bathroom.

A photograph of a blonde woman and man smiling and having fun at Amsterdam's Upside Down museum. The upside scene is of a inside a mid blue Metro carriage. — This Metro carriage was my fave!

From optical illusion mazes, oversized ball pits, a seriously trippy portal walkway and mind-bending “upside down” themed rooms. Our favourite was the Metro carriage!!

It’s quirky, whimsical and the perfect way to spend an hour or so, delighting in Amsterdam’s more playful side. An Instagrammers paradise you could say!!

Book your Upside Down entry tickets here ↗

A young blonde mum and her baby having fun in the large ball bit at Amsterdam's Upside Down museum.

💡 It’s slightly out of Amsterdam, but so easy to get to. Jump on the Metro 52 line at Centraal station, getting off at “Europaplein” station (it only takes 7 minutes) before walking 5 minutes across the road. See full journey here.

💡 Book the earliest 9.30am time slot. This way your experience will be much more relaxed, getting the majority of rooms to yourself without pressure of taking your photos quickly. This is what we did, and by the time we left at 10.30am, there was already a small queue to get in.

💡 Throughout the experience, you’ll find machines that scan your ticket’s QR code, setting a timer for hands-free photos in the best spots. All images are stored on your QR code and can be downloaded for free later.

We still recommend taking your own photos – or better yet, bringing a retractable tripod with a Bluetooth remote (like this one we have and love). Their photos tend to be a bit overexposed and blurry.

HOTSPOTS IN THE CITY TO SEE
DAMRAK TOWNHOUSES
Time to explore more of Amsterdam, on foot this time! Arriving back into Centraal station, exit city side and first walk 5 minutes towards Damrak, where you’ll find these delightfully colourful and crooked canal-lined townhouses.

A full frontal view of the colourful and crooked canal-lined townhouses of Damrak, Amsterdam — The wonderfully crooked Damrak townhouses, Amsterdam. *Photo by Jordie.*

From there, let yourself wander a little — getting aimlessly lost and finding quirky corners is half the fun, right?

But! If you’re after a few standout spots to get you started, here are a few cool spots we saw:

BEURSPASSAGE – location here
A hidden gem just down the road from Damrak townhouses! This unexpected passageway cuts through a shopping centre, and features a shimmering mosaic arched ceiling inspired by Amsterdam’s connection to water. It’s quite short, but worth a quick detour!

A close up of the Beurspassage mosaic ceiling, a hidden gem to see in Amsterdam. — Beurspassage mosaic ceiling. *Photo by Jordie.*

Full length view of the Beurspassage mosaic ceiling, a hidden gem to see in Amsterdam. — The full length of Beurspassage. It’s short, but worth the quick detour! *Photo by Jordie.*

PALEISSTRAAT TRAM STOP GREENERY – location here
7 minute walk from Beurspassage, near the Paleisstraat tram stop, there’s an unexpected stretch of grass where the tram tracks run right through it. A refreshing moment of vibrant nature in an urban space, and there’s even a tiny organic café shed right in the middle!

This green stretch near Paleisstraat tram stop (Amsterdam) is super unexpected! — This green stretch near Paleisstraat tram stop is super unexpected! *Photo by Jordie.*

AMSTERDAM’S CANALS – location here
You can’t come to Amsterdam without seeing the canals! To be honest, there’s no big “ta-daaaa”, you just sort of stumble across them.

The sign you’re in the right place is the colourful bikes stationed along the bridges, perfectly poised for photo ops!

A bright purple and pink bike against a scenic bridge along Amsterdam's famous canals. — When you see the colourful bikes, you know you’re in the right spot! *Photo by Jordie.*

You’re also in the realm of De 9 Straatejes (The Nine Streets), where you’ll find stylish independent shops and cosy cafés stemming off the canals down nine charmingly narrow, boutique-lined streets.

Me and my little monkey at Amsterdams canals! *Photo by Liam.*

Amsterdam canals looking dreamy as the night descends and the warm lightslined the bridge archways are illuminated. There is a bike in the forefront — Can’t beat the canals when the sun sets and the warm bridge lights glow! *Photo by Jordie*.

TRY A STROOPWAFEL FROM HANS EGSTORF BAKERY
Walk 3 minutes from De 9 Straatejes to Hans Egstorf, Amsterdam’s oldest bakery. It’s here you HAVE to go for the best Stroopwafel experience!

The very quirky and visually striking decor inside Hans Egstorf, Amsterdam's oldest bakery. — Inside Hans Egstorf, Amsterdam’s oldest bakery. *Photograph by Liam.*

A Stroop-what? A Stroopwafel! This iconic Dutch treat features two thin, crispy waffles with a warm, gooey caramel centre. A must-do for your Amsterdam bucket-list!

Watch in awe as they craft each one fresh from a single piece of dough right before your eyes!

I’m not usually a fan of runny caramel, but wow – I could have easily devoured a few more. Even our little man was outraged when it was all gone! 🤣

The fresh dough balls and pressing machine inside Hans Egstorf, Amsterdam’s oldest bakery, ready to make a delicious Dutch Stroopwafel. — Inside Hans Egstorf, Amsterdam’s oldest bakery, fresh dough balls at the ready to make a delicious Dutch Stroopwafel. *Photograph taken by Jordie.*

A close up photograph of a Stroopwafel, a traditional Dutch sweet treat made up of two thin crispy waffle layers with a gooey caramel centre. — Ta-da! Said delicious Stroopwafel! *Photograph taken by Jordie.*

A’DAM LOOKOUT OBSERVATORY DECK (SUNSET)
You’ve seen Amsterdam on the ground, you’ve seen it from the water. Now, it’s time to see it from above!

At 22-storeys high, get ready for the BEST 360 views in town atop the A’DAM Lookout observatory deck!

Feeling dare-devilish? Set your heart pounding on A’DAMs ‘Over The Edge’ swing, dangling you 100 metres above the ground!! For even more adrenaline, strap in for a unique virtual reality ride over the city.

You’ll see the quirky shaped A’DAM Tower as you exit Centraal station (water side). Catch the free ferry F3 (to Buiksloterweg) from behind the station to take you across the river – taking literally minutes – followed by a short walk. The ferry runs 24/7 and departs very frequently.

Book your A’DAM Lookout entry ticket ↗

*© All photography copyrights reserved by A’DAM Lookout.*

DAY 3: KEUKENHOF TULIP GARDENS & ZAANSE SCHANS WINDMILLS TOUR (MARCH TO MAY)

Today’s a GREAT day to get out of the city.

Maximise your time and experience with this combo tour, Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam that we personally did, and loved!

Fresh Netherlands countryside air, doses of Dutch culture, free cheese tasting, a traditional windmill village and a maze of GIANT rainbow tulips is what you can expect!

This big bus tour was well-organised and run like a well-oiled machine, seamlessly ticking off two of The Netherlands most famous attractions in just one day:

Just some of the gorgeous tulips you'll see at Keukenhof Gardens. They're bloody huge and so colourful, a mixture of vibrant red, orange, yellow and pinks. — Just some of the gorgeous tulips you’ll see at Keukenhof Gardens. They’re bloody huge! *Photo by Jordie.*

A smiling young blonde woman standing next to a bright green windmill at Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum village just outside of Amsterdam. — Jordie at Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum village with lots of windmills! *Photo by Liam.*

Not visiting March – May? No worries!
Here’s some brilliant day tour alternatives for today-

→ Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam (combo)
→ Giethoorn Day Trip from Amsterdam with boat ride (stand alone)

STOP 1: KEUKENHOF GARDENS
Keukenhof Gardens, the world’s most breathtaking spring garden, is just 30 minutes from Amsterdam.

This floral treasure-trove is only open for a few short weeks in the year (mid-March to mid-May). Millions flock to see its 7 MILLION hand-planted tulips burst to life in this famous once-a-year spectacle.

Check availability for this Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam ↗

A vibrant image of Amsterdam's Vondelpark featuring tulips, trees, and a peaceful pond, ideal for first-time visitors exploring the city. — This is what Keukenhof looks like in full bloom!

We went a little too early (March 22nd), so not all the tulips were fully bloomed outside. Thankfully, the main building had quite a few displayed inside, plus the gardens were still lush, full of daffodils and crocuses too.

The tulips usually peak from mid-April to early May. After that, Keukenhof locks its gates for another year.

Stepping stones installation on the lake at Keukenhof Gardens. From across the lake, it looks like everyone is walking on water. — This was a cool surprise! Stepping stones on the lake. From across the lake, it looks like everyone is walking on water. *Photo by Liam.*

EXTRA STOP 2: CHEESE TASTING & CLOG MAKING
A quick detour to a cheese and clog making farm. Try LOTS of free cheese samples (from Edam, pesto and stinging nettle!) and enjoy a short workshop on how clogs are made.

STOP 3: ZAANSE SCHANS WINDMILL VILLAGE
Next up is Zaanse Schans. Once an industrial working neighbourhood, this postcard-perfect village produced oils, paints, woods and spices in the 18th / 19th centuries.

Now, it’s an “open-air” museum of sorts, keeping its traditionally charming look and feel. It’s like being teleported back to 1700’s Netherlands (as long as you ignore all the other tourists!!)

Book your spot on this Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam ↗

Walking through Zaanse Schans, with multiple green windmills in the forefront, winding pathways lining them and surrounded by flat but beautiful green Dutch countryside. — Walking through Zaanse Schans. I really loved how the Dutch countryside here had small canals weaving all through it. That’s why it’s full of birdlife, like geese and herons! *Photo by Jordie.*

Think traditional windmills, babbling canals and idyllic countryside. The best part? The whole place smells delightfully like chocolate thanks to the two biscuit companies in the area!!

Luckily Zaanse Schans has lots of little café spots that sell hot chocolate to curb the now inevitable cravings!!

You’re free to explore the village at your own pace, but if you’re curious to see how the windmills actually work, you can pop inside a few of them for a small fee. There is one windmill that is free to enter, your guide will point it out.

Public toilets are €1 per use, payable by debit or credit card!

Check availability for this Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam ↗

A close up of a small green traditional windmill at Zaanse Schans. — *Photo by Jordie.*

STAYING A DAY LONGER?
OR WANT MORE THINGS TO DO?

GUIDED DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM

→ Giethoorn Day Trip from Amsterdam with boat ride

→ Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam

FOR THE FOODIES

→ Amsterdam Traditional Dutch Syrup Waffle Making Workshop

→ Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings

→ Amsterdam Jordaan Food & Drinks Tour with Eating Europe

BIKE TOURS

→ Cheese, Canals & Windmill Countryside E-Bike Tour Amsterdam

MUSEUMS

→ Vincent Van Gogh Museum

→ STRAAT Museum – large scale street art and graffiti

→ Moco Museum – Banksy & Modern Art

→ NXT Museum – New media art. Immersive, futuristic digital installations.

→ WONDR Experience Amsterdam

WHERE TO STAY IN AMSTERDAM

OUR TOP PICK (WHERE WE STAYED & LOVED)

HOTEL JAKARTA AMSTERDAM
(Family-friendly, indoor pool, on-site spa)

4-star jungle oasis in the heart of Amsterdam, with tropical Indonesian-inspired decor.
Guests get unlimited access to tranquil indoor swimming pool, spa access and sun lounger line up with panoramic canal & cityscape views.
Delicious breakfast included.
On-site bakery and restaurant, serving mainly Indonesian style dishes. Room service is available at a small additional cost.

Book your stay at Hotel Jakarta here ↗

GETTING TO AMSTERDAM

For most, the best way to get directly into Amsterdam is by flying into Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS). This large International airport is conveniently just 24km from the city.

Search Skyscanner for exclusive flight deals to Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS) ↗

A quirky corner in Amsterdam down a narrow lane, with beautiful street art of flowers with a yellow bike in front of it.

AMSTERDAM AIRPORT TO THE CITY

Undeniably, the most convenient and budget-friendly way to get from Amsterdam Schipol Airport to the city is by Sprinter train. It only takes 20 minutes, and a single adult ticket costs just €6.70 EUR – the equivalent of £5.60 GBP / $7.25 USD.

I know using public transport in different countries can feel a bit daunting for some (including us).

We wrote this in-depth step-by-step “Amsterdam Airport to the city by train” guide (with photos) to give you peace of mind before you go.

GETTING AROUND AMSTERDAM

While Amsterdam is quite large, it is a very walkable city. Once you’re in the centre, you can get to a lot of its key sights and attractions on foot.

If however, you’ve tire of walking, there’s always Amsterdam’s budget and user friendly tram, which cuts through the heart of the city and can save you some steps.

For attractions further out from Amsterdam’s immediate city centre, the tram is again a good option, or use the underground Metro service from Centraal station.

If you need to cross the river (e.g. for the E’DAM Lookout) there’s plenty of very reliable, frequent ferry services – especially along the riverside near Centraal station.

Amsterdam's white and blue overground tram service waiting outside its busy Centraal station. The sky is a bright blue with no clouds. — Amsterdam’s overground trams easily connect you to most of the inner city. *Photo by Jordie.*

On a sunny day, people wait at the open port waiting for one of Amsterdam's frequent ferry services across the river from Centraal station. — I loved these “ferry stops” along the river near Centraal station. *Photo by Jordie.*

Amsterdam's underground Metro service whizzing past as it moves out of the station. The Metro is grey and red in colour. — To travel out of the inner city, the underground Metro is a great option. *Photo by Jordie.*

ALBERT HEIJN IS AMSTERDAM’S MAIN SUPERMARKET CHAIN

The main supermarket you’ll find in Amsterdam (and The Netherlands, tbh) is a chain called Albert Heijn. Sometimes it’s abbreviated to AH.

See map for all locations in Amsterdam’s centre.

Brilliant for groceries if you’re self-catering, but also for budget-friendly “on-the-go” lunches, like freshly made pastas, sandwiches, fresh juices and pastries.

FINAL THOUGHTS: ALL SET FOR YOUR 3 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM?

And there you have it: An epic 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary, jam-packed with only the good stuff and a perfect blueprint for first-time visitors.

It’s got a hint of everything Amsterdam has to offer, with still little pockets of free time to relax and wind down (how about a dip in Hotel Jakarta‘s tropical pool, or perhaps a naked sauna or massage at the spa?)

This itinerary is fully adaptable, move our “set days” around to suit your preferences and what you’d like to see first, or to not miss anything.

We hope you found this itinerary super helpful. Amsterdam was such a pleasant surprise for us, we didn’t expect to LOVE it so much. Please do get in touch if you follow this guide, we’d love to hear from you!! 😊

A photo of Jordie, the author of this specific blog post and owner of the wesbite.

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!

Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com

A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.

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