How Many Days In Amsterdam It Takes To Fully Enjoy The City?
How many days do you need in Amsterdam? Here's the answer!
During the process of planning a trip somewhere, a common question that gets asked is “How much time do I need to spend there?” Because deciding how many days you’ll visit a city for, gives you a baseline to format the rest of your trip.
So when you’re planning on visiting Amsterdam, the question is “How many days in Amsterdam will it take to soak everything in?” And luckily, we have the answer for you in today’s post.
How Many Days Do You Need In Amsterdam?
At the end of the day, you should spend as many days in Amsterdam as you want. As different people will have different expectations, goals, and other variables that might affect how long they should stay in the city.
But having said that, spending about 4-5 days in Amsterdam will usually ensure that you can experience much of what the destination has to offer. So it’s a very popular length of time that most travelers choose.
How Much Does A Day In Amsterdam Cost?
One consideration that you need to make when planning how many days in Amsterdam you want to stay, is what the cost will be. Because typically, the longer you stay the more expensive it will be.
The average cost per person (per day) to stay in Amsterdam is about €100-200. But depending on where you stay, which attractions you go see, where you eat, etc; the number might go up or down.
Best Price I Amsterdam Card | Single Ticket | 5 Days-Amsterdam Go City | |
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Public Transportation (5 Days)
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Public Transportation (5 Days) | |||
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DAY 1
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DAY 1 | |||
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Canal Cruise
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Canal Cruise | |||
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Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
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Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder | |||
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Paleis op de Dam
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Paleis op de Dam | |||
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Anne Frank House
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Anne Frank House | |||
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DAY 2
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DAY 2 | |||
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Rijksmuseum
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Rijksmuseum | |||
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Van Gogh Museum
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Van Gogh Museum | |||
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Moco Museum
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Moco Museum | |||
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DAY 3
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DAY 3 | |||
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Heineken Experience Tour
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Heineken Experience Tour | |||
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A'DAM Lookout
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A'DAM Lookout | |||
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DAY 4
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DAY 4 | |||
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Nemo Science Museum
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Nemo Science Museum | |||
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STRAAT Museum
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STRAAT Museum | |||
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DAY 5
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DAY 5 | |||
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Day Trip to Zaanse Schans
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Day Trip to Zaanse Schans | |||
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Sightseeing Passes Price
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Sightseeing Passes Price | 125 EUR | -- | 124 EUR |
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Final Cost
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Final Cost | 209,50 EUR | 286,50 EUR | 233,50 |
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Final Savings
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Final Savings | 77 EUR | -- | 53 EUR |
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Booking
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Booking | -- | ||
How Many Days Do You Need In Amsterdam As A Family?
When you’re traveling to Amsterdam as a family, it can be especially important to be able to explore at your own pace. Particularly if you’re traveling with younger kids.
This means that it could take more time to fit all the essential experiences in, and you may need to stay in Amsterdam for closer to a week. Rather than just 4-5 days.
How Many Days Do You Need In Amsterdam As A Couple?
Traveling as a couple doesn’t necessarily change how many days you should stay in Amsterdam unless one person wants to visit for a shorter or longer amount of time. In which case a compromise can be made.
For instance, one person might want to spend longer getting to know the city and its history, while the other is content to just explore the main attractions. And in this case, you’d need to come to a joint decision on how many days you’re willing to spend in the city. Typically the 4-5 day rule is still applicable.
How Many Days Do You Need In Amsterdam As A Group Of Friends?
If you’re visiting Amsterdam with a group of friends then you can usually get away with spending 3-5 days there. Because if everyone wants to see something different, you could always split up; so that everyone still gets to see what they came to see.
Amsterdam Itineraries
Do you already know how many days you want to spend in Amsterdam? Then check out our itineraries ready for your trip.
2-Day Visit To Amsterdam
3-Day Visit To Amsterdam
5 Days in Amsterdam – Our Itinerary
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01 The Canals
Amsterdam’s canals are iconic, a fact that was cemented when were collectively made a UNESCO world heritage site! One of twelve that can be found in the Netherlands.
So taking a canal cruise is considered by many to be a must-have on your Amsterdam itinerary. And as an added bonus, you can see a lot of famous sites from the water. Plus, this activity is really relaxing! So it’s great to indulge in as a break from Amsterdam’s streets, which can be quite busy.
Depending on what canal cruise you book, it could take varying amounts of time to complete. But overall, it’s a fairly short activity. Just try to keep the weather in mind when you’re dressing for the day, bring a jacket if it might chilly in the water, etc.
Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise
This canal tour will only take a little over an hour, but along the way, you’ll get to pass by canal houses from the 17th century, merchant houses that date back to the Dutch Golden Age, and even a few historical sites as well.
And if you’re traveling as a family, then rest assured that this canal cruise is kid-friendly. In addition to the audio commentary that the adults will receive, there will be an audio story given to the kids. Everyone will get earphones, in order to keep the audio separate.
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02 Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
The Museum Ons‘ Lieve Heer op Solder is a typical canal house converted into a church and opened its doors to visitors to show the impressive architecture from the 17th century. The museum presents rooms, furniture, and objects from that time, as if no time had passed between these narrow walls. Here you can see rooms, an entrance hall, the church, a chapel and even a confessional. And all this in one and the same building. The Museum Ons‘ Lieve Heer op Solder enchants with the quality of restoration and preservation of the house.One of the greatest highlights of the Museum Ons‘ Lieve Heer op Solder is undoubtedly the interior of the church.
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03 The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam was built in 1655, and still stands strong to this day. It has a lot of historical significance, as it was once home to Napoleon and is still used for royal events to this day; and it’s a great example of a type of architecture called classicism.
You can technically buy tickets at the door in order to explore parts of the inside (children under 18 can have free access), but booking online in advance is always best if you don’t want to spend hours in line.
And to make this experience even better, you’ll get to see Dam Square as well. Since the Royal Palace is located on the western end of it.
Amsterdam: Royal Palace Entry Ticket And Audio Guide
This walking tour includes tickets to the Royal Palace and an audio guide for adults (plus one for children) that will talk about the history of what you’re seeing.
You’ll get to admire masterpieces of art that are displayed on the walls, enjoy a short walk through the citizen’s hall, and more during this experience.
Just keep in mind that you can’t record the interior of the palace; and smoking, food/drink, and pets aren’t allowed.
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04 Anne Frank House
The house where Anne Frank hid with her family during the Second World War has been turned into a museum/memorial of sorts. And you can currently still tour it, as well as look at it from the outside.
If you do want to go inside, you’ll need to purchase tickets ahead of time. Potentially even months in advance! Because this is a popular destination, and it tends to be booked up.
It’s recommended that you read Anne Frank’s diary beforehand so that you have a full understanding of her story when you visit, but it will be impactful either way.
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05 Rijksmuseum
Although Amsterdam contains many museums, this might be one of the most popular.
Because Rijksmuseum contains an astounding amount of art, with over one million pieces! And among these, are many works from famous artists like Rembrandt van Rijn. In fact, The Night Watch (one of his most famous pieces) is actually displayed here.
You can only buy tickets online (kids can get in for free), but it tends to get quite crowded inside. So it’s suggested that you try to visit early, perhaps even around 9 AM when it opens.
Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum Entrance Ticket
Experience Rijksmuseum in all its glory with these entry tickets, which are affordably priced and don’t include a tour guide. Meaning that you can explore the museum at your own pace, and simply enjoy the art alongside other visitors.
And although this museum is best known for its historical pieces, there’s some more modern art to enjoy there as well.
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06 Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is more than just a collection of Van Gogh’s best works, it’s almost a memorial to him in some ways. Because the museum also talks about his life and history, as well as explaining how his works shifted in style over time.
And whether or not you’re spending 3 days in Amsterdam or five; you need to put this on your itinerary if you enjoy art!
Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum Ticket
These tickets will provide you with access to the Van Gogh Museum for about an hour in a half, and you can choose which times you’d whether go based on what’s convenient for you. Additionally, while you’re booking the tickets, you can pay a bit extra for an audio guide to listen to while you explore.
Within the collection that’s available to view are two-hundred paintings, several hundred drawings, and even some personal letters!
You can only book tickets to this museum online.
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07 Red Light District
The Red Light District, also known as De Wallen, is arguable one of the most popular places in Amsterdam due to its notorious nightlife. But whether or not you want to experience that nightlife for yourself, or just take a stroll down its streets during the day; it’s still a must-see spot!
You can easily explore it yourself, but if you want to find the best spots and learn about some history at the same time, it may be worth taking a tour.
Amsterdam: Red Light District Tour
This tour will take about two hours, and will take you all throughout this infamous district. Along the way, your tour guide will discuss the past and present of the locations you see. And shed some light onto some common misconceptions about De Wallen.
And furthermore, this tour has variations in several different languages. So it’s quite inclusive as long as you book the option that’s best for you.
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08 Day Trip to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam (with Cheese Tasting Tour)
A comfortable, practical and easy way to see the famous Zaanse Schans Windmills. This 3.5 hour tour departs from the meeting point right next to Amsterdam Central Station and goes to the village Zaanse Schans. Unlike the regular buses, this one goes straight on with no other stops, is air-conditioned, and has a tour standard.
Upon arrival in the village, the guide (who speaks German, English, or Spanish) gives you all the information about the place as well as historical and curious facts. The day tour even includes a demonstration of how traditional Dutch clog shoes are made, as well as a demonstration and tasting of Dutch cheese.You still have time to explore the village on your own and take some great pictures.
The bus returns directly to the same meeting point in Amsterdam.
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09 Amsterdam: Giethoorn, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Tour
For anyone serious about seeing windmills in Amsterdam, this is my go-to recommendation – pending that they have 10 hours to spare. While it seems like a long trip, this is hands down the best way to see three different regions of the Netherlands and have a whole lot of fun along the way.
Begin your journey with a stop in Amsterdam’s Zaanse Schans. Stroll the streets and view the green homes, visit a clog-making factory, enjoy the view from the lake, or go inside an operational mill; you can do it all in this village. For your next stop, sample local delights in Volendam at Catharine Hoeve farm.
Aside from its delicious food offerings, Voldendam is also home to many brightly colored buildings and a harbor full of fishing boats. At over 100 Euros per person, this is one of the more costly tours on this list, but believe me, it’s worth every cent!
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10 Haarlem
Just a 15-minute train ride from Amsterdam, a trip to Haarlem is a quick way to see a side of the city that most tourists never get to see. In the medieval city of Haarlem, you can walk through cobblestone streets that lead to old buildings interspersed with picturesque waterways. Haarlem is considered the city of flowers in the Netherlands, as it is the center of tulip bulb production. Haarlem hosts numerous festivals, fairs, concerts, and even amusement parks.
Here, you’ll get to see a beloved windmill of Holland while strolling the canals. The city can be explored on foot and is a good option for a trip from Amsterdam or along a Dutch itinerary.
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11 Heineken Experience Tour
These are tickets to an interactive self-guided tour of the Heineken brewery, otherwise known as the Heineken Experience. You’ll be able to look through their facility, learn about the history of their beer, and even go on their “Brew U” ride (which is just as interesting as it sounds).
This experience also includes two complimentary drinks, an audio guide to carry along with you, and live presentations.
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12 Albert Cuyp Market
With about 260 stalls, the Albert Cuypmarkt is the Netherlands‘ largest and most famous open-air market! Here, you can get the best poffertjes and stroopwafel! The Albert Cuypmarkt is in the famous Pijp district, where you can find everything: souvenirs, clothes, shoes, vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, and the most exotic articles. Of course, the Albert Cuypmarkt offers numerous options for freshly made cheese and other goods.
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13 A'DAM Lookout
Every city trip includes a bird’s eye view. I love to look at a city from above and get an overall view. The best observation deck in Amsterdam is the A’DAM Lookout THAT offers you 360-degree panoramic views of Amsterdam.
To get to the A’DAM Lookout, take the Buiksloterweg ferry, which will take you from Amsterdam Central Station to the A’DAM Lookout building in a few minutes. The F3 ferry is free and runs regularly, even at night or early in the morning. You can check the departure schedule of the F3 ferry here.
I recommend visiting at sunset to get the most out of your ticket from A’DAM Lookout. If you arrive before sunset, you will see the city by day and change at night. Be sure to check the exact sunset time for the day in advance. If you want to experience this magical moment, you should be there 1-2 hours before sunset, depending on the crowd, to be on the safe side!
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14 Nemo Science Museum
The Nemo Science Museum is an excellent Amsterdam museum for adults and children because, here, interaction is essential. Instead of walking through the museum and looking at numerous exhibitions, you can participate here, touch and try out. This is what makes the museum particularly interesting for families. On four levels, you can explore different areas of physics, biology, chemistry, and technology and participate in experiments and exciting shows.
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15 NDSM Werf
NDSM used to be a shipyard, but now it’s been turned into something completely different. An arts community where creativity can thrive, and where there’s almost always a great atmosphere!
There’s beautiful graffiti that decorates the various surfaces in the area, fun museums to check out, interesting eateries for when you get hungry, and much more. They even run events from time to time. And many ships are still in the area, which you can view while you’re there.
Obviously, it’s completely free to explore NDSM Werf. Although you will have to pay for food, tickets to certain activities, etc. You should also keep in mind that you’ll have to ride a ferry to get to this location, but it’s free as well.
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16 Street Art Museum Amsterdam (STRAAT Museum)
In the middle of the alternative NDSM neighborhood is the Amsterdam Street Art Museum. Unlike traditional museums with a curator and a direction team, the Straat Museum is a community cooperation where various artists always present new expressions of the streets. Altogether there are more than 300 panels of street art, among them the grandiose street painting of Anne Frank by the world-renowned Kobra.
The works at the Straat Museum are composed of graffiti, canvases, sculptures and all in a super open and alternative space.
The large shed where is located on the north side of Amsterdam, easily reached by a free ferry from Central Station to the NDSM station.
First Day In Amsterdam Itinerary
Your first day in Amsterdam should probably be spent seeing some of the main attractions, especially if you’re not spending much time in the city.
So the itinerary for day one might include things like:
Second Day In Amsterdam Itinerary
On day two, you should probably work on knocking out some more of the classics of Amsterdam like the famous museums that reside there, or perhaps some walking tours that show off popular areas in the city.
Therefore, our day two itinerary may look something like this:
Third-Day In Amsterdam Itinerary
If you’re planning to take a day trip during your visit, then taking one in the middle of your days in Amsterdam could help keep things interesting and prevent anyone in your party (or even yourself) from getting bored.
But it’s worth noting that if you’re only spending 3 days in Amsterdam, then you’ll probably need to omit any day trips completely; since you won’t have much time in the capital city itself. And you should instead just add in anything you missed during the first two days.
So on day three, depending on how many days in Amsterdam you’re staying, consider adding a day trip to your itinerary. Such as:
Fourth Day In Amsterdam Itinerary
By your fourth day in Amsterdam, you’ll probably need a little change of pace. So now’s the time to switch things up and dig a little deeper, although you still won’t be straying too far off the beaten path!
Keeping that in mind, your itinerary for the day might look like this:
Fifth Day In Amsterdam Itinerary
When you’ve reached the last of your days in Amsterdam, you can take one of two paths. Lay back and relax, while revisiting some of your favorite places and doing a little souvenir shopping; or fitting in one more day of light sightseeing.
If you choose the latter, then the following might make it onto your itinerary:
Tips For Planning A Visit To Amsterdam
Have A List Of Places To Visit And Things To Do
Planning ahead is key! So make sure that you make a detailed list of all the sights, attractions, and venues that you want to see or visit while you’re in Amsterdam.
Not only will this help you to fill out an itinerary and choose guided tours/activities that will complement your list, but it will also help you estimate how much time you’ll need to spend in the city.
Make Sure To Schedule Down Time
A common mistake that people make, especially on their first trip to the city, is to overfill their itinerary. They want to see everything at once, but they only have a limited amount of time; so they book things back to back. And don’t leave themselves any wiggle room.
But this can ultimately lead to you feeling tired, stressed, and burnt out during your trip. Which means you may not even get to enjoy all the things you had planned.
So be sure to schedule some down time and wiggle room into your itinerary. You’ll be glad you did.
Consider Finding A Guided Tour Or Two
A lot of people enjoy exploring new locations themselves, so that they can go at a slower pace or even a faster one if they need to. But when it’s possible, taking some guided tours can really help keep things running smoothly. And if you choose the right ones, it could even take you past multiple places you wanted to see.
Frequently Asked Questions about a trip to Amsterdam
Is Amsterdam worth visiting?
Amsterdam is definitely a city that’s worth seeing; as it’s rich with history, culture, and even a fantastic (and well-known) nightlife scene. There’s truly something here for everyone.
How many days in Amsterdam is too many?
Because Amsterdam has so many things to do and see, you can easily stay in the city for a week and not get bored. And that’s not even counting the day trips you could take from there. But if you plan to visit for over a week, then just know that things could start to feel stale if you don’t have a diverse enough itinerary.
What's the minimum amount of time you should visit Amsterdam for?
Three days is really the minimum amount you should spend in Amsterdam. Because anything less than that, and you’ll only be able to scratch the surface of this capital city.
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