More about: Amsterdam in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit
Many tourists decide to take advantage of the flight offers and come just 24 hours to discover this incredible city. If that's your case, arm your backpack because we leave to know the major attractions you can see in Amsterdam; from the center and Dam Square, to the house of Anne Frank and the Flower Market, ending with one of the most typical plans: the Red Light District. Let's start!
- Amsterdam Offer: Van Gogh Museum Tickets and Canal Cruise
- From $45
- At your own pace
- See more than 200 works by Van Gogh and other artists such as Gauguin and Monet.
- Access without queues
- Cruise included
- Book now
- Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter Anne Frank Tour
- From $39
- 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 $19.
- 1h
- You will pass near 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 visiting the Van Gogh Museum
The best starting point for a cultural day in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum, which opens early and allows you to calmly enjoy its impressive collection. Here you will see some of his most renowned works, such as The Sunflowers or The Bedroom at Arles, as well as learn details about his personal life. To avoid wasting time queuing up, it is 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 reach from anywhere in the center.
More information about the Van Gogh Museum
- Where: Museumplein 6
- How much: from 40 € with cruise
- Duration: 1 h
- Interest: 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. It is a floating market, built on barges, where you will find bulbs, seeds and botanical souvenirs. Originally, merchants moved in boats selling flowers along the canals, and this market retains that unique spirit. It's a short but charming stop, perfect for admiring the colorful stalls and discovering the role of the canals in the city's daily life. Plus, you'll be very close to the canals in the center of Amsterdam.
Read more about this tour
- Where: Singel canal
- Price: free of charge
- Duration: 30 min
- What you will see: bulbs, souvenirs and lots of color.
Take a break and try authentic french fries
It's time to recharge your batteries with a typical snack. French fries are almost religion in Holland, and in the area you will find one of the most famous: Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx, where you can choose from dozens of sauces. A perfect snack before exploring further.
More information about the area
- Where: Voetboogstraat 33
- Price: 5 € approx.
- Duration: 20-30 min
- Tip: ask for the "Joppie" sauce if you want to try something local.
Visit the center: Dam Square and Royal Palace
Dam Square is the nerve center of the city. Demonstrations, concerts and events are held here throughout the year. In front of the Royal Palace you will find the Nieuwe Kerk church and, very close, the Amsterdam Wax Museum. You can also take the opportunity to shop at De Bijenkorf, an iconic department store in the capital.
More information about Amsterdam
- Where: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
- Price: from $17.
- Duration: 1 h
- Tip: enter the Palace if you have time
Visit 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 spaces 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 center makes it very walkable 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 guided tour.
- What does it offer: a journey through the recent history of Europe through the eyes of a little 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 stores, art galleries and charming cafes. Strolling through its cobblestone streets allows you to immerse yourself in one of the youngest, trendiest and most photogenic areas of the city. This stop is a regular part of Amsterdam's many city tours, and is ideal for relaxing for a while and soaking up the local essence.
Read more about it
- Where is it: between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat.
- How much does it cost: free walk, expensive stores.
- Visiting time: about 40 minutes.
- What does it offer you: a modern and alternative side of Amsterdam, perfect for leisurely exploring.
Get to know the oldest building in Amsterdam
In the final stretch of the day, I suggest you head to the Red Light District to visit one of the architectural treasures of the city: the Oude Kerk, the oldest building in Amsterdam. This 1302 church has enormous historical value, and because of its central location, it is very easy to include it in the route. Although it is already impressive from the outside, if you have time you can go inside and tour its Gothic interior.
More information about it
- Where is it: Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX.
- How much does it cost: approximately 10 ¤.
- 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
Nothing better to end the evening than one of the most typical plans of the city: a boat trip on the canals. Enjoying the sunset on board while sailing through the historic canals of Amsterdam is a magical experience. There are many options, but if you prefer to avoid queues and guarantee a seat, the ideal is to book your cruise on the canals of Amsterdam in advance.
Read more about the Amsterdam Canal Cruise
- Where is it: next to the Red Light District and downtown.
- How much does it cost: from 19.
- Visiting time: between 1 and 2 hours.
- What does it offer: a comfortable and visual tour to end the day on a high note.
Put the icing on the cake with a tasty dinner
After the cruise, the downtown area is full of options for fine dining. From gourmet proposals such as Vermeer or Martine of Martine 's Table, to charming restaurants like Bridges, there are alternatives for all tastes and budgets. It is the best way to finish off a full day in the city.
More information
- Where is it: in the center and around the Red Light District.
- How much does it cost: between 20€ and 120€.
- Visiting time: 2 hours.
- What does it offer: varied and quality gastronomy for all traveler profiles.
End the day with a drink in the Red Light District
Finally, after dinner, you can close your day discovering one of the most iconic and talked about neighborhoods in the world: the Red Light District of Amsterdam. Although it is famous for its lights and window displays, it is also home to pubs and cafes that allow you to enjoy the local atmosphere. Everything is done legally and respectfully, and experiencing it up close is part of understanding what this city is like as a whole. A good way to get to know it in depth is to book a tour of Amsterdam's red light district and walk through it with a guide.
Read more about it
- Where is it: between Damrak Street and Nieuwmarkt square.
- How much does it cost: pubs and coffee shops between 10€ and 50€.
- Visiting time: about 2 hours.
- What does it offer you: a unique, modern and full of nightlife neighborhood.
What is the best way to get around Amsterdam?
Although the center of Amsterdam can be comfortably explored on foot, there are other very practical alternatives for getting around the city. As you know, this is the bicycle capital of the world, so an excellent idea is to book a bike tour of Amsterdam and discover it like the locals do. You can also choose to rent a bike for free and move around at your own pace.
The streetcar is another comfortable option, ideal for longer journeys. Also, 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.
More information about Amsterdam
- On foot: ideal for the historic center.
- Bicycle: fast, ecological and 100% local.
- Streetcar: connects neighborhoods and museums with the center.
- Tourist bus: practical if you have little time.
Basic tips for visiting Amsterdam
To make your getaway perfect, keep in mind these tips for sightseeing in Amsterdam if it's your first time in the city:
- Book in advance: tickets for museums and tours tend to sell out fast, especially in high season.
- Wear comfortable shoes, because you will be walking quite a bit, even if you combine with bike or streetcar.
- If you are looking for a coffee, avoid the coffee shops (marijuana is sold 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 behavior is expected.
- Check the weather before you go out: rain can come at any time, so always bring a raincoat.
Amsterdam is a city that is as enjoyable for its history as it is for its modern and liberal atmosphere. With only 24 hours you can live an intense and very complete experience if you plan your tour well.