Amsterdam usually hailed because the “Venice of the North,” stands as considered one of Europe’s most enchanting cities and a must-visit vacation spot within the Netherlands.
Amsterdam is considered one of Europe’s hottest cities for a weekend getaway because it’s a small metropolis, however jam-packed with cosy cafe’s, fashionable shops, historic museums and artwork galleries and picturesque canal streets with wonky homes. And it’s an ideal vacation spot for these searching for a winter getaway in Europe.
In the event you’ve been craving to discover the eclectic appeal 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 stuffed with the most effective there’s to see and do in Amsterdam as a vacation spot for winter weekend away (however additionally an important 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 town, moderately than the one-stop-shop touristic expertise. We’ll information you thru hidden gems identified to locals on the subject of locations to go to and locations to eat, together with the basic must-see points of interest in Amsterdam. I’ve crafted this 3-day itinerary that will help you profit from your weekend on this unimaginable metropolis and to cowl the most effective issues to do in Amsterdam.
Earlier than we dive into the main points, let’s cowl some fundamentals, resembling the most effective time to go to Amsterdam, the place to remain, and find out how to navigate the charming streets of this Dutch gem.
Find out how to get to Amsterdam
Attending to Amsterdam is straightforward because it’s so effectively linked!
By Airplane
There are each day flights into town’s foremost airport, Schipol Airport from all main European cities.
If flying from the UK, flight costs vary between £56-180. It is determined by the time of yr flying, however the most cost-effective time to fly to Amsterdam is from Jan-March and October-November. Schipol Airport is a brief practice experience from the centre of city. Flying is a speedy and swift strategy to get to Amsterdam.
Arguably, the preferred strategy to get to Amsterdam, particularly from the UK, is the Eurostar practice that goes straight into Amsterdam Centraal which is bang in the midst of town, making it tremendous handy!
By Practice
Eurostar practice costs will be as low cost as £105 return, and because the practice leaves from Kings Cross, it’s an inexpensive tube experience to the station too. The practice 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 practice and a aircraft to Amsterdam and each had been tremendous straightforward. It simply actually is determined by your funds 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 town. The intensive community of trams, buses, and ferries seamlessly connects each nook of 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 possibility for exploring Amsterdam’s myriad points of interest.
Moreover, town’s bike-friendly infrastructure presents one other pleasant and genuine strategy to discover at your individual tempo, offering an genuine and quintessentially Dutch expertise.
The perfect time to go to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a type of cities which you can go to all yr spherical, it simply is determined by 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 most effective issues to see and do in Amsterdam, all yr spherical.
The place to Keep in Amsterdam
As talked about earlier than Amsterdam is small and really straightforward to get round so so long as you select to remain inside 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 resorts, as at all times, that is dependent in your funds and the vibe you need on your keep. Under is an inventory of funds, mid-range and boutique luxurious resorts you possibly can keep in Amsterdam inside these central neighbourhoods.
That being mentioned, Amsterdam is sort of expensive on the subject of lodging. Funds resorts vary from £60-90 an evening, mid-range resorts vary from £100-170 per evening and boutique resorts vary from £200-400 per evening.
Funds
Mid Vary
Boutique Luxurious
So with out additional ado, let’s soar 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 strategy to kick off your journey than by immersing your self within the metropolis’s distinctive appeal? 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 outlets, classic shops, and cosy cafes.
Runstraat is the primary avenue for fashionable clothes shops, 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 world ushering folks 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 fashionable 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 gives a tranquil escape from the city hustle and the right strategy 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, ebook 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 every part – from mouthwatering burgers to contemporary sushi. The vibe is laid-back, the décor is stylish, and also you’re surrounded by fellow meals fans. It’s not only a meal; it’s an entire expertise that kicks off your weekend in Amsterdam good.
DAY 2 (SATURDAY): The West (Haarlemmerdijk), Noord & The Crimson Gentle District
Start your day with a leisurely brunch at Café Thijssen, a restaurant that’s beloved by locals with a comfortable ambiance. Take a stroll by means of Haarlemmerdijk, a lesser-known neighbourhood of Amsterdam however up and coming with all of the classic and stylish design shops popping up there. The canal views from there are beautiful, so take a digicam with you.
Afterwards, make your strategy to Toki for a espresso break and make sure you 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 experience 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, fashionable eateries, and a singular mix of business and inventive landscapes. There are lots of cool museums and points of interest right here, however the ones price 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 fans.
- The Straat Museum, also called Avenue 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 all over the world contribute to the colorful narrative of this dynamic neighborhood.
- The Nxt Museum is an immersive expertise that blends artwork and expertise. This revolutionary museum showcases digital and interactive artwork installations, offering guests with a singular and futuristic exploration of the intersection between artwork and expertise
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 appears attractive!
In your manner again, should you’re curious, pop over to the notorious Crimson Gentle District and have a stroll round. It’s undoubtedly 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, ebook 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: fashionable restaurant meets full of life cocktail bar, with the bonus of lush botanical décor that units the temper good.
Different fashionable eating places I’d suggest 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 can be within the space, you’ll discover them under. The brunch scene in Amsterdam is superb, actually!
Different brunch locations in De Pijp:
After brunch, wander right down to Albert Cuypstraat Market, the biggest outside market in Amsterdam. Right here you’ll discover stalls of every kind: contemporary meals stalls, classic clothes and most significantly stroopwafles from probably the greatest 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 actually not least, spend the early afternoon taking a canal cruise. There are lots to select from! Captain Jack presents small group excursions from 40 euros, whereas the larger corporations like Blue Boat and Stroma canal cruise excursions begin at 18 euros per individual. In the event you’re searching for a personal boat, Pure Boats provide extra boutiques cruise excursions. With Locals can also be an important place to discover a personal canal cruise, provided by locals!
Sunday’s itinerary assumes you’ll should be again on the airport within the afternoon however should you’re taking a later flight or practice out, there’s undoubtedly time to squeeze in a museum on Sunday too! The Rijksmuseum is epic, however to completely get pleasure from it, you’d have to put aside 3 hours – so if you’re 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…