More about: Amsterdam in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit
Many tourists decide to take advantage of flight deals and come for just 24 hours to discover this incredible city. If that's your case, pack your backpack because we're off to discover the main attractions you can see in Amsterdam; from the city centre and Dam Square, to Anne Frank's house and the Flower Market, ending with one of the most typical plans: the Red Light District. Let's get started!
- Amsterdam Offer: Van Gogh Museum Tickets and Canal Cruise
- From £34
- At your own pace
- See more than 200 works by Van Gogh and other artists such as Gauguin and Monet.
- Skip the line access
- Cruise included
- Book now
- Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter Anne Frank Tour
- From £29
- At your own pace
- Tour the Jodenbuurt, the Anne Frank House and the Jordaan district
- Small groups
- Local guide
- Book now
- Amsterdam Canal Cruise
- From £14
- 1h
- You will pass by the narrow bridge, the Anne Frank House, the rich Golden Curve and the red light district.
- Medium sized groups
- Audioguide
- Book now
Start your day with a visit to the Van Gogh Museum
The best starting point for a cultural day out in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum, which opens early and allows you to enjoy its impressive collection at your leisure. Here you can see some of his most famous works, such as The Sunflowers and The Bedroom at Arles, as well as learn about his personal life. To avoid wasting time queuing, it's a good idea to buy your ticket for the Van Gogh Museum in advance or even book a guided tour to further enrich the experience. The museum is well connected and easy to get to from anywhere in the city centre.
Read more about the Van Gogh Museum
- Where: Museumplein 6
- How much: from €40 with cruise
- Duration: 1 h
- Interests: modern art and Van Gogh's biography
Stroll through the Flower Market
From the museum, a 15-minute walk takes you to the famous Flower Market, also known as Bloemenmarkt. This is a floating market, built on barges, where you will find bulbs, seeds and botanical souvenirs. Traders originally travelled on boats selling flowers along the canals, and this market retains that unique spirit. It's a short but charming stop, perfect for admiring the colourful stalls and discovering the role of the canals in the city's daily life. You'll also be very close to the canals in the centre of Amsterdam.
Read more about it
- Where: Singel Canal
- Price: free of charge
- Duration: 30 min
- What you'll see: bulbs, souvenirs and lots of colour
Take a break and try some authentic french fries
It's time to recharge your batteries with a typical snack. Fries are almost religion in Holland, and you'll find one of the most famous in the area: Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx, where you can choose from dozens of different sauces. A perfect snack before exploring further.
Read more about
- Where: Voetboogstraat 33
- Price: approx. 5 €.
- Duration: 20-30 min
- Tip: ask for the 'Joppie' sauce if you want to try something local.
Visit the centre: Dam Square and the Royal Palace
Dam Square is the nerve centre of the city. Demonstrations, concerts and events are held here throughout the year. Opposite the Royal Palace you will find the Nieuwe Kerk and nearby the Amsterdam Wax Museum. You can also take the opportunity to shop at De Bijenkorf, the capital's iconic department store.
More information about Amsterdam
- Where: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
- Price: from £13
- Duration: 1 h
- Tip: enter the Palace if you have time
See Anne Frank's house
After lunch, it's the perfect time to continue with one of the most important stops of the day: the Anne Frank House Museum. This historic and moving place allows you to tour the rooms where Anne and her family lived in hiding during the Nazi occupation. It's an emotionally charged visit that leaves a lasting impression, and booking an Anne Frank tour of the Jewish Quarter can help you understand the historical context even better. The proximity to the centre makes it very accessible on foot and an essential stop for any visitor with only 24 hours in the city.
Read more about the tour
- Where is it: Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV.
- How much does it cost: around €10.
- Visiting time: up to 1 hour with a guided tour.
- What does it offer: a journey through the recent history of Europe through the eyes of a young girl.
Take a walk through the 9 Streets
To clear your mind after such an impressive visit, a stroll through the 9 Streets Quarter is ideal. This area, located between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat, combines designer shops, art galleries and charming cafés. Strolling through its cobbled streets allows you to immerse yourself in one of the city's youngest, trendiest and most photogenic areas. This stop is a regular part of Amsterdam's many city tours and is a great place to relax for a while and soak up the local flavour.
Read more about
- Where is it: Between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat.
- How much does it cost: Free walk, expensive shops.
- Visiting time: about 40 minutes.
- What's on offer: a modern, alternative side to Amsterdam, perfect for exploring at a leisurely pace.
Get to know Amsterdam's oldest building
As the day draws to a close, I suggest you head to the Red Light District to visit one of the city's architectural treasures: the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam's oldest building. This 1302 church is of enormous historical value, and its central location makes it easy to include it on your route. Although it is already impressive from the outside, if you have time you can go inside and explore the Gothic interior.
Further information
- Where is it: Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX.
- How much does it cost?
- Visiting time: between 20 minutes and 1 hour.
- What does it offer: a window into the city's medieval past.
Take a sunset cruise along the canals
There's nothing better to end the evening than one of the city's most typical plans: a boat trip along the city's canals. Enjoying the sunset on board while cruising Amsterdam's historic canals is a magical experience. There are many options, but if you prefer to avoid queues and guarantee a seat, it's best to book your Amsterdam canal cruise in advance.
Find out more
- Where is it? Next to the Red Light District and the city centre.
- How much does it cost: from 14.
- Visit time: 1 to 2 hours.
- What's on offer: a comfortable and visual tour to end the day on a high note.
Put the icing on the cake with a delicious dinner
After the cruise, the city centre is full of options for fine dining. From gourmet offerings like Vermeer or Martine of Martine's Table, to charming restaurants like Bridges, there's something to suit all tastes and budgets. It's the best way to round off a full day in the city.
More information about the city
- Where is it: In and around the centre of the Red Light District.
- How much does it cost: between 20€ and 120€.
- Time of visit: 2 hours.
- What's on offer: varied and quality gastronomy for all types of travellers.
End the day with a drink in the Red Light District
Finally, after dinner, you can end your day by discovering one of the most iconic and talked-about neighbourhoods in the world: Amsterdam's Red Light District. Although it is famous for its lights and window displays, it is also home to pubs and cafés that allow you to enjoy the local atmosphere. It's all done legally and respectfully, and experiencing it up close is part of understanding the city as a whole. A good way to get to know it in depth is to book a guided tour of Amsterdam's red light district.
Find out more
- Where is it: between Damrak Street and Nieuwmarkt.
- How much does it cost: Pubs and coffee shops cost between €10 and €50.
- Visiting time: about 2 hours.
- What's on offer: a unique, trendy and lively nightlife district.
What is the best way to get around Amsterdam?
Although Amsterdam's city centre can be comfortably explored on foot, there are other convenient ways to get around the city. As you know, Amsterdam is the bicycle capital of the world, so a great idea is to book a bike tour of Amsterdam and discover it like the locals do. You can also opt to rent a bike on your own and move around at your own pace.
The tram is another convenient option, ideal for longer journeys. If you want to explore the city quickly and flexibly, you can hire a seat on the City Sightseeing bus and hop on and off as many times as you like. In any case, cycling is one of the best ways to get around Amsterdam.
For more information on cycling in Amsterdam, see
- On foot: ideal for the historic centre.
- Bicycle: fast, environmentally friendly and 100% local.
- Tram: connects neighbourhoods and museums to the centre.
- Tourist bus: practical if you are short on time.
Basic tips for visiting Amsterdam
For the perfect getaway, consider these Amsterdam sightseeing tips if it's your first time in the city:
- Book in advance: tickets for museums and tours tend to sell out quickly, especially in high season.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking, even if you combine it with a bike or tram.
- If you're looking for a coffee, avoid the coffee shops (they sell marijuana there); look for a bakkerij or a traditional coffee shop.
- In the Red Light District, be respectful: it is forbidden to take pictures of the shop windows and discreet behaviour is expected.
- Check the weather before you go out: rain can come at any time, so always bring a mackintosh.
Amsterdam is a city that is as enjoyable for its history as it is for its modern, liberal atmosphere. In just 24 hours you can get a full and intense experience if you plan your tour well.