THE ULTIMATE AMSTERDAM 3-DAY ITINERARY: WHAT TO DO AND SEE

Read the perfect Amsterdam 3 day itinerary right here!

Amsterdam is one of the most famous cities in the world, so I’m sure this classic European destination is on your wishlist. To me, Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and it offers a massive amount of content.

It would take weeks to properly enjoy Amsterdam, but 3 days is enough to experience the essential parts of this fun and special city.

Keep reading to find out what to do in the best three-day itinerary for Amsterdam!

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ABOUT AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is one of the most entertaining cities in the world, so you will need a detailed itinerary to see everything the city holds. Unlike other cities like Rome or London, Amsterdam isn’t a city full of landmarks you must see but more a city which offers experiences you must try. This itinerary is a perfect mix of both, so save it for your trip to Amsterdam!

DAY 1 IN AMSTERDAM

RENT A BIKE

The first thing you must do is rent a bike. Not only are you going to fit in better and get the most out of the city, but you also need bikes to survive. Amsterdam isn’t overly pedestrian-friendly. Yes, you can walk around the city but distances that will take you 45 minutes to walk are only 15 minutes by bike and the traffic is more bike oriented so everything will be easier on a bike.

You can rent cheap bikes at MacBike, but if you don’t want such a touristy bike, you can go to De Stadsfiets. Our bikes were 21 euros per person for 2 days, which is one of the cheapest expenses we’ve had!

VAN GOGH MUSEUM

Probably the most popular museum in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum. If you’re interested in the life of Vincent Van Gogh and his masterpieces, you have to visit this museum. The museum houses some of Vincent’s famous paintings as well as some of the paintings of his role models and mentors.

The museum is on Museumplein and it’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can buy your tickets (around 20 euros) directly on the museum’s website or the GetYourGuide link below.

RIJKSMUSEUM

Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and it houses some of the most important pieces of Dutch history. It is only a couple of minutes away from the Van Gogh museum so they’re a perfect pair to visit on the same day. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the tickets, which are 20 euros, can be bought on their official website.

VONDELPARK

My favorite place in Amsterdam is definitely Vondelpark. This massive park is an escape from the city crowds for all people of Amsterdam. You can ride your bike through the park and feel like a true citizen of Amsterdam, which is a really unique experience.

My favorite thing to do in the park is to have a picnic. Each time we come to Amsterdam we usually get some takeout food, have a picnic and people watch. It’s one of the most interesting things you can do in Amsterdam.

BOAT CRUISE

What’s an Amsterdam trip without cruising the canals of the city? You can take a boat tour if you don’t feel like doing it yourself, but you can rent a boat for 80 euros and cruise through the Amsterdam canals for 3 hours or even longer. Get some snacks and drinks, rent a boat in the evening and have the most romantic sunset of your life!

DAY 2 IN AMSTERDAM

NDSM

NDSM as a place mostly appeals to young, creative people. If you’re one of them, then you must visit this industrial shipyard which turned into a unique oasis for the young people of Amsterdam.

NDSM is often the go-to place for many flea markets, concerts, and festivals so whenever you come something will definitely be happening at NDSM. Get to NDSM from Amsterdam Central – there is a free ferry going every 15 minutes. The ride lasts around 15 minutes and you can even take your bike with you!

ANNE FRANK HOUSE

A place everyone wants to visit once they come to Amsterdam is Anne Frank’s house. Anne Frank, a  young Jewish girl, became well-known for writing a diary during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. She was hidden, along with her family, in a secret annex in one of the houses in Amsterdam.

They were later found and sent to Auschwitz. Anne died at the age of 15 from typhus in a concentration camp. The house where they had been hiding is today the museum called Anne Frank House. You can get your tickets only on the museum’s official website.

ZAANSE SCHANS

Leave Amsterdam for a while and take a short day trip to Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans will take you back to the historical Dutch windmills dating back to the 1970s. It is only 11 kilometers from Amsterdam and it’s a 20-minute drive if you go by car.

You can also get there by train or bus. Zaanse Schans is an incredibly unique place filled with well-preserved windmills and several museums showcasing the life of the Dutch people back in the day. For more details read my blog post about our day trip to Zaanse Schans!

GO TO A COFFEE SHOP

An activity you probably won’t miss out on is going to a coffee shop. Amsterdam is famous for its legal marijuana, so it’s in the spirit of the city that you at least try some. There are many coffee shops around the city but the most famous one is Bulldog.

Bulldog is Amsterdam’s oldest and most famous coffee shop and it has many different locations all over the city. Keep in mind that in Bulldog you can pay with a card, but many other local coffee shops take cash only, so have some ready!

NYX

If you’re up for a night out, you should go to one of Amsterdam’s famous nightclubs. My recommendation is NYX. Club NYX is a club where everyone’s welcome. On its four floors, all with different music, it is a place where you’re bound to have fun. Get some drinks and dance the night away!

DAY 3 IN AMSTERDAM

HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE

If you’re a beer lover, the Heineken experience is something you can’t miss. The old Heineken brewery has turned into a fun and educational corner where you can learn all about how Heineken was created and what steps are taken to make one of the best beers in the world. The tickets are available on their website or the GetYourGuide link below!

ALBERT CUYPTMARKT

Albert Cuyptmarkt is the biggest and most popular outdoor market in the Netherlands, it’s situated in the De Pijp neighborhood. This is the place you’ll often see many locals present because you’ll find anything from clothes to food there. Once you’re there, try the famous Dutch Stroopwafel and get some souvenirs.

Read more >>> TOP 5 BEST THINGS TO DO IN AMSTERDAM FOR FREE

UTRECHT

Another perfect day trip from Amsterdam is Utrecht! Spend your last afternoon in a smaller version of Amsterdam which is only 45 minutes away.

You can access it by car, bus or train and there are many different activities to do there like kayaking through the canals, boat cruises, cathedrals, bars and restaurants along the canals…. Be careful with parking though, we paid 5 euros per hour our parking at the city centre.

RED LIGHT DISTRICT

You haven’t experienced Amsterdam without strolling through the Red Light district. Probably the most famous part of Amsterdam, the Red Light district is a totally unique experience.

The big windows with the blinding red lights are home to many sex workers there. You aren’t allowed to take pictures of them but are welcome to pay for their services. In any case, just a walk through the district is going to be an experience in itself.

What’s the place you’re most excited to visit in Amsterdam?