Amsterdam typically 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 in search of a winter getaway in Europe.
In the event 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 most effective there may be to see and do in Amsterdam as a vacation spot for winter weekend away (however additionally an awesome information for warmer months too!). That is your greatest issues to do within the Amsterdam information.
On this weekend journey information, anticipate a extra native perspective from the town, quite than the one-stop-shop touristic expertise. We’ll information you thru hidden gems identified to locals in terms 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 can assist you benefit from your weekend on this unbelievable 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, similar to the most effective time to go to Amsterdam, the place to remain, and methods to navigate the charming streets of this Dutch gem.
The best way to get to Amsterdam
Attending to Amsterdam is straightforward because it’s so nicely related!
By Airplane
There are day by day flights into the town’s foremost 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 practice experience 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 practice that goes straight into Amsterdam Centraal which is bang in the midst of the town, making it tremendous handy!
By Practice
Eurostar practice costs may be as low-cost as £105 return, and because the practice leaves from Kings Cross, it’s an affordable tube experience to the station too. The practice from London to Amsterdam is a 4-hour journey going by way 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 airplane to Amsterdam and each have been tremendous simple. It simply actually relies on 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 way of the town. The in depth community of trams, buses, and ferries seamlessly connects each nook of the town, guaranteeing 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 presents one other pleasant and genuine technique to discover at your personal tempo, offering an genuine and quintessentially Dutch expertise.
The perfect time to go to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a kind of cities that you may go to all 12 months spherical, it simply relies on the way you need 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 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 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.
By way of accommodations, as all the time, that is dependent in your funds and the vibe you need on your keep. Beneath is an inventory of funds, mid-range and boutique luxurious accommodations you’ll be able to keep in Amsterdam inside these central neighbourhoods.
That being mentioned, Amsterdam is kind of expensive in terms of lodging. Price range accommodations vary from £60-90 an evening, mid-range accommodations vary from £100-170 per evening and boutique accommodations vary from £200-400 per evening.
Price range
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 technique to kick off your journey than by immersing your self within the metropolis’s distinctive allure? Start your day by wandering by way 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 road for fashionable 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 greatest fries within the metropolis: Fabel Friet. If feeling peck-ish after travelling and strolling round, that is the right decide me up. However be warned, there’s nowhere to take a seat 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 way of Vondelpark. As one of many metropolis’s most beloved parks, Vondelpark gives 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 an alternate is visiting Foam, a small pictures 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 fanatics. It’s not only a meal; it’s a complete expertise that kicks off your weekend in Amsterdam good.
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 comfortable environment. Take a stroll by way 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 gorgeous, so take a digital camera with you.
Afterwards, make your technique to Toki for a espresso break and you’ll want to indulge of their famend sesame seed cookie.
Because the afternoon unfolds, enterprise to the “different aspect of Amsterdam” in Noord, accessible by a fast (free!) ferry experience throughout the canal from Amsterdam Centraal. The ferry port is on the opposite aspect of the station so both stroll round or by way 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 a lot of 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 placing architectural gem devoted to the world of cinema. It homes a various assortment of movies, exhibitions, and screenings, providing a fascinating expertise for film fanatics.
- The Straat Museum, also referred to as Road Artwork Museum Amsterdam (SAMA), is an open-air artwork house showcasing vibrant road artwork in Amsterdam-Noord. Guests can discover an ever-evolving out of doors 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 seems to be attractive!
In your means again, if you happen to’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 upset. Most eating places take bookings by way of 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 might 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 all the way down to Albert Cuypstraat Market, the most important out of doors market in Amsterdam. Right here you’ll discover stalls of every kind: recent meals stalls, classic clothes and most significantly stroopwafles from among the finest 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 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 in search of a personal boat, Pure Boats supply extra boutiques cruise excursions. With Locals can be an awesome place to discover a personal canal cruise, supplied by locals!
Sunday’s itinerary assumes you’ll should be again on the airport within the afternoon however if you happen to’re taking a later flight or practice out, there’s positively time to squeeze in a museum on Sunday too! The Rijksmuseum is epic, however to totally take pleasure in it, you’d must put aside 3 hours – so if you’re dashing, I’d decide 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 all the time and blissful adventuring…