Amsterdam typically hailed because the “Venice of the North,” stands as one in every of Europe’s most enchanting cities and a must-visit vacation spot within the Netherlands.
Amsterdam is one in every of Europe’s hottest cities for a weekend getaway because it’s a small metropolis, however jam-packed with cosy cafe’s, stylish shops, historic museums and artwork galleries and picturesque canal streets with wonky homes. And it’s an ideal vacation spot for these in search of a winter getaway in Europe.
In case you’ve been craving to discover the eclectic allure of Amsterdam however really feel a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices, look no additional than this Amsterdam journey information. We’ve curated the right itinerary to make sure your weekend getaway is full of the very best there may be to see and do in Amsterdam as a vacation spot for winter weekend away (however additionally an incredible information for warmer months too!). That is your finest issues to do within the Amsterdam information.
On this weekend journey information, count on a extra native perspective from the town, relatively than the one-stop-shop touristic expertise. We’ll information you thru hidden gems identified to locals with regards to locations to go to and locations to eat, together with the traditional must-see points of interest in Amsterdam. I’ve crafted this 3-day itinerary that can assist you profit from your weekend on this unbelievable metropolis and to cowl the very best issues to do in Amsterdam.
Earlier than we dive into the main points, let’s cowl some fundamentals, equivalent to the very best time to go to Amsterdam, the place to remain, and easy methods to navigate the charming streets of this Dutch gem.
Learn how to get to Amsterdam
Attending to Amsterdam is simple because it’s so effectively related!
By Airplane
There are each day flights into the town’s primary airport, Schipol Airport from all main European cities.
If flying from the UK, flight costs vary between £56-180. It relies on the time of 12 months flying, however the least expensive time to fly to Amsterdam is from Jan-March and October-November. Schipol Airport is a brief prepare journey from the centre of city. Flying is a speedy and swift technique to get to Amsterdam.
Arguably, the most well-liked technique to get to Amsterdam, particularly from the UK, is the Eurostar prepare that goes straight into Amsterdam Centraal which is bang in the midst of the town, making it tremendous handy!
By Practice
Eurostar prepare costs will be as low cost as £105 return, and because the prepare leaves from Kings Cross, it’s an affordable tube journey to the station too. The prepare from London to Amsterdam is a 4-hour journey going by means of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Amsterdam Centraal additionally has direct trains from Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Munich, Zurich and Vienna.
I’ve taken each the prepare and a aircraft to Amsterdam and each have been tremendous simple. It simply actually relies on your price range and comfort.
Getting round Amsterdam
Amsterdam is comparatively small and the general public transport hyperlinks within the metropolis are exceptionally environment friendly making it a breeze to navigate by means of the town. The intensive community of trams, buses, and ferries seamlessly connects each nook of the town, making certain fast and handy journey for each locals and guests. With well-marked routes and frequent companies, public transport turns into a stress-free choice for exploring Amsterdam’s myriad points of interest.
Moreover, the town’s bike-friendly infrastructure gives one other pleasant and genuine technique to discover at your personal tempo, offering an genuine and quintessentially Dutch expertise.
One of the best time to go to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a type of cities that you would be able to go to all 12 months spherical, it simply relies on the way you wish to expertise it. Every season in Amsterdam brings its distinctive attract.
This information focuses on the winter months, however there’s a full information to Amsterdam on the weblog that highlights all the very best issues to see and do in Amsterdam, all 12 months spherical.
The place to Keep in Amsterdam
As talked about earlier than Amsterdam is small and really simple to get round so so long as you select to remain throughout the neighbourshoods of Jordaan, Centraal, Museumplein, De Pijp, and Oud-West, you’ll be close by of all of the issues to do in Amsterdam on this journey information.
When it comes to inns, as at all times, that is dependent in your price range and the vibe you need to your keep. Under is a listing of price range, mid-range and boutique luxurious inns you may keep in Amsterdam inside these central neighbourhoods.
That being mentioned, Amsterdam is sort of dear with regards to lodging. Finances inns vary from £60-90 an evening, mid-range inns vary from £100-170 per evening and boutique inns vary from £200-400 per evening.
Finances
Mid Vary
Boutique Luxurious
So with out additional ado, let’s bounce into the 3-Day Itinerary for a weekend in Amsterdam!
DAY 1 (FRIDAY): De 9 Straatjes (9 Streets), Vondelpark & Dinner at Foodhallen
Welcome to your first day in Amsterdam, and what higher technique to kick off your journey than by immersing your self within the metropolis’s distinctive allure? Start your day by wandering by means of the well-known De 9 Straatjes (9 Streets), a community of quaint, picturesque lanes lined with boutique retailers, classic shops, and cosy cafes.
Runstraat is the primary avenue for stylish outfitters, like Ganni, Dyptique and RAILS.
It’s additionally well-known for the lengthy queues, (actually over the bridge) of vacationers and locals alike to get a portion of the finest fries within the metropolis: Fabel Friet. If feeling peck-ish after travelling and strolling round, that is the right choose me up. However be warned, there’s nowhere to sit down and a literal safety guard is patrolling the realm ushering individuals away as French fry lovers aren’t allowed to eat standing across the streets.
In case your legs want a break or your physique wants a caffeine kick, there are two stylish cosy cafes with scrumptious baked items to go to: Pluk Amsterdam or Bakkerj wolf.
Climate allowing, spend the remainder of the afternoon strolling by means of Vondelpark. As one of many metropolis’s most beloved parks, Vondelpark supplies a tranquil escape from the city hustle and the right technique to seal the afternoon.
Figuring out Amsterdam although, the climate may not be dry so another is visiting Foam, a small images museum or the unforgettable Anne Frank Home. Even within the winter months, guide this early. Tickets can be found on-line right here.
Wrap up the day by having dinner at Foodhallen. Dinner at Foodhallen in Amsterdam is like stepping right into a foodie wonderland – informal, cool, and scrumptious. Think about a buzzing indoor market with stalls serving up a little bit of all the things – from mouthwatering burgers to recent sushi. The vibe is laid-back, the décor is stylish, and also you’re surrounded by fellow meals lovers. It’s not only a meal; it’s a complete expertise that kicks off your weekend in Amsterdam excellent.
DAY 2 (SATURDAY): The West (Haarlemmerdijk), Noord & The Pink Gentle District
Start your day with a leisurely brunch at Café Thijssen, a restaurant that’s beloved by locals with a comfy ambiance. Take a stroll by means of Haarlemmerdijk, a lesser-known neighbourhood of Amsterdam however up and coming with all of the classic and classy design shops popping up there. The canal views from there are beautiful, so take a digicam with you.
Afterwards, make your technique to Toki for a espresso break and make sure to indulge of their famend sesame seed cookie.
Because the afternoon unfolds, enterprise to the “different facet of Amsterdam” in Noord, accessible by a fast (free!) ferry journey throughout the canal from Amsterdam Centraal. The ferry port is on the opposite facet of the station so both stroll round or by means of the station.
Noord, Amsterdam’s eclectic neighbourhood situated simply throughout the canal, is a vibrant and dynamic space characterised by its modern artwork scene, stylish eateries, and a novel mix of business and inventive landscapes. There are various cool museums and points of interest right here, however the ones value going to in my (humble) opinion are:
- The Eye Movie Museum is a putting architectural gem devoted to the world of cinema. It homes a various assortment of movies, exhibitions, and screenings, providing a charming expertise for film lovers.
- The Straat Museum, also referred to as Road Artwork Museum Amsterdam (SAMA), is an open-air artwork house showcasing vibrant avenue artwork in Amsterdam-Noord. Guests can discover an ever-evolving outside gallery, the place city artists from world wide contribute to the colorful narrative of this dynamic neighborhood.
- The Nxt Museum is an immersive expertise that blends artwork and know-how. This modern museum showcases digital and interactive artwork installations, offering guests with a novel and futuristic exploration of the intersection between artwork and know-how
In-between museum hopping, seize a chew at Eye Movie’s restaurant or Pllek. Each have attractive views of the river. On a sunny day, it seems attractive!
In your means again, when you’re curious, pop over to the notorious Pink Gentle District and have a stroll round. It’s positively one thing to expertise while in Amsterdam, even when simply by foot.
For dinner, dress as much as hit up Bar Botanique, a classy restaurant and cocktail bar. Like most brunch and dinner locations in Amsterdam, guide forward to snag a desk and never be dissatisfied. Most eating places take bookings through their web site or on the OpenTable app.
This place is as cool because it sounds. Image this: stylish restaurant meets full of life cocktail bar, with the bonus of lush botanical décor that units the temper excellent.
Different stylish eating places I’d advocate are:
DAY 3 (SUNDAY): De Pijp & Albert Cuypstraat Market, Canal Cruise & Mueumplein
Begin off the day with brunch in De Pijp. My favorite is Benji’s however there are various different locations to select from which might be within the space, you’ll discover them beneath. The brunch scene in Amsterdam is superb, truthfully!
Different brunch locations in De Pijp:
After brunch, wander all the way down to Albert Cuypstraat Market, the biggest outside market in Amsterdam. Right here you’ll discover stalls of all types: recent meals stalls, classic clothes and most significantly stroopwafles from among the best makers on the town: Rudi’s Stroopwafles. Freshly made, these irresistible Dutch treats encompass two skinny waffle layers with a gooey caramel filling.
Final however definitely not least, spend the early afternoon taking a canal cruise. There are a lot to select from! Captain Jack gives small group excursions from 40 euros, whereas the larger corporations like Blue Boat and Stroma canal cruise excursions begin at 18 euros per particular person. In case you’re in search of a non-public boat, Pure Boats supply extra boutiques cruise excursions. With Locals can also be an incredible place to discover a non-public canal cruise, supplied by locals!
Sunday’s itinerary assumes you’ll must be again on the airport within the afternoon however when you’re taking a later flight or prepare out, there’s positively time to squeeze in a museum on Sunday too! The Rijksmuseum is epic, however to completely take pleasure in it, you’d must put aside 3 hours – so in case you are speeding, I’d choose both Stadelijk or the Van Gogh museum. Each are virtually equally as iconic.
Staying an additional day? Add a day journey to Rotterdam or the Hague into the itinerary.
Have you ever been to Amsterdam?
What are your high issues to do in Amsterdam? Something you’d add to this Amsterdam bucket listing?
Love as at all times and blissful adventuring…
