Itineraries

Amsterdam in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary

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Colourful canal houses on the water in Amsterdam at blue hour
Contents

In short: Day 1, the canals, the Jordaan and the Anne Frank House; day 2, the Museum Quarter (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum) and Vondelpark, then De Pijp; day 3, Amsterdam-Noord by free ferry or a day trip. Book the Anne Frank House and the museums ahead.

Before you go: what to book

  • The Anne Frank House: tickets online only, book as early as you can.
  • The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum: timed tickets, online.
  • A canal cruise: easy to book the day before.

Always check opening days and hours on the official websites: they can change.

Day 1: canals and the Jordaan

Morning: Dam Square and the canals. Start at Dam Square and stroll along the canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Midday: the Jordaan. Have lunch in the Jordaan, with its lanes and hidden courtyards.

Afternoon: Anne Frank. Visit the Anne Frank House, using your booked slot.

Evening: cruise. Take a canal cruise at sunset.

Day 2: museums and De Pijp

Morning: the Rijksmuseum. Start with the Rijksmuseum and Rembrandt’s Night Watch.

Midday: Vondelpark. Picnic or have lunch in Vondelpark.

Afternoon: the Van Gogh Museum. Visit the Van Gogh Museum, using your booked slot.

Evening: De Pijp. Dine in De Pijp, a lively, cosmopolitan district.

Day 3: Noord or a day trip

Morning: Noord. Take the free ferry behind Centraal Station to Amsterdam-Noord.

Midday: A’DAM. Go up the A’DAM tower for the view, or have lunch in the former shipyards.

Afternoon: your choice. Explore Noord’s galleries and creative spaces, or take a day trip (the windmills of Zaanse Schans, and the tulip fields in spring).

Evening: the centre. A last evening in the brown cafés of the centre.

A fourth day? Day trips

  • Haarlem, minutes away by train: historic centre and the Frans Hals Museum.
  • Utrecht, with its two-level canals and Dom Tower.
  • Keukenhof, in spring only, for the tulips.

Our tips for these 3 days

  1. Start early: the big sights are far more pleasant at opening time.
  2. Group your visits by area to cut down on travel.
  3. Watch out for bikes: don’t walk on the cycle lanes.
  4. Pay contactless on public transport.
  5. Book early for the Anne Frank House and the big museums.

Where to stay for these 3 days?

All the areas are covered in our guide Where to stay in Amsterdam. To go further, see Things to do in Amsterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Are 3 days enough for Amsterdam?

Three days cover the canals, the big museums and Noord. Add a day for Haarlem, Utrecht or the windmills.

How do I book the Anne Frank House?

Online only, on the official website: tickets go fast, book as early as you can.

Is the ferry to Noord free?

Yes, the ferries leaving from behind Centraal Station to Noord are free.