Amsterdam In A Weekend: The Perfect Itinerary

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

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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.com

How 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

My DFDS to Amsterdam review

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.

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