Amsterdam in 5 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Getting around Amsterdam is quite easy. The efficient public transportation system can take you anywhere in the city in less than an hour. You can follow your instincts and wander through the city, or follow this five-day itinerary for Amsterdam to make the most of your trip.

In this 5-day itinerary, the idea is to explore the most important areas of central Amsterdam and then take a short tour of the southern and northern parts of the city. There will be a brief description of the itinerary for each day, so I won’t go into further detail here.

On the first day, it’s always a good idea to explore the city on foot, at least the most interesting spots. Plus, the city’s flat terrain and cool temperatures mean you won’t get too tired. This tour takes you to Dam Square, the Royal Palace, and the Begijnhof, before ending the day with a canal cruise.

Dam Square

The ever-vibrant Dam Square is the first place to visit. You can watch trams passing by every few seconds, hundreds of people on their bicycles, and travelers everywhere.

The National Monument is on one side and the Royal Palace on the other. I recommend spending some time enjoying your first glimpses of Amsterdam before heading to the magnificent Royal Palace.

Royal Palace in Amsterdam

Spend a couple of hours marveling at the architecture, royal furnishings, and works of art at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Admission to the Royal Palace costs 10 euros and tickets are available at the entrance desk.

Just be sure to check in advance whether the Royal Palace is open to visitors on that day, as the palace is closed to visitors when it is in use by the royal family.

Begijnhof

This area is characterized by a cluster of elegant houses built in the 14th century for unmarried women who lived as nuns and had no right to vote. The site features a beautiful, well-maintained green courtyard. Unmarried women still live in these houses to this day. Men are not allowed entry before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Canal Cruise

After a good walk, I recommend ending the day with an evening canal cruise. They’re all pretty much the same and depart every half hour from the Damrak pier. I recommend this detailed post about the prices of these cruises.

The one-hour canal cruise will take you through the famous and iconic canals, showing you Amsterdam’s highlights from the water. The canal cruise is very different from a conventional boat ride and is a must-do activity on your five-day itinerary in Amsterdam.

On this day, we’ll delve into Dutch history, culture, and art. We’ll focus on visiting Amsterdam’s best museums: the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is located on Museumplein, in the center of Amsterdam. To help you find your way, it’s near the city’s historic canals and shops.

Amsterdam’s most popular museum, the Rijksmuseum, will take you on a journey through the Dutch Middle Ages, as it displays artifacts and paintings from centuries past. The museum has an entire section dedicated to the life and paintings of Rembrandt, a notable artist of the Dutch Golden Age.

If you’re a history buff, you’ll appreciate this museum like no other. The museum opens at 9 a.m., and it’s best to arrive early to avoid the rush and lines. Tickets for the Rijksmuseum cost 17.50 euros and are also available at the ticket counter. Here is more information about the Rijksmuseum (tickets, guided tours, prices…)

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is 300 meters from the previous museum, which is about a 4-minute walk.

At this museum, you can see the masterpieces created by the world-famous Vincent van Gogh. Additionally, this museum will teach you a lot about Vincent van Gogh’s life and his paintings.

I recommend buying tickets online, which cost 18 euros. This is because access is limited to a specific number of people. Also, to clear up any questions, I recommend this comprehensive post about the Van Gogh Museum. Continuing with the itinerary, you can easily spend a couple of hours here.

Albert Cuyp Market

By now, it’s time for some street food and shopping. A must-try treat at the Albert Cuyp Market is the Stroopwafel, a thin waffle filled with caramel.

On the other hand, at the Albert Cuyp Market, you’ll have the chance to put your bargaining skills to use while shopping for clothes, accessories, and souvenirs. You can also take the opportunity to buy some nuts.

Vondelpark

Enjoy the journey from Westerkerk to Vondelpark by bike or on a leisurely walk through the well-known Nine Streets and Jordaan neighborhoods. You’ll find trendy boutiques and cozy cafés where you can spend some quality time.

Vondelpark is huge, and exploring it is a delight. The peaceful atmosphere of Vondelpark makes it a relaxing spot for an afternoon nap. Enjoy the sunset in Vondelpark by reading a book or watching the interesting street performances.

The third day of the five-day Amsterdam itinerary will focus on the famous Anne Frank House and the Red Light District. The former is the premier destination for understanding Jewish culture and its evolution during World War II, while the latter is the area that showcases the culture of prostitution in the Dutch capital.

Anne Frank House

One of the most memorable figures from the dark times of German history is the courageous young Anne Frank. She was barely a teenager when she began writing about the sufferings of Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Her family hid in a warehouse in Amsterdam and remained there for two years before being arrested by the Nazis in 1944.

This house has now been turned into a museum dedicated to Anne Frank, and the museum tour will take you on a journey through her life. Tickets to the Anne Frank House cost 10 euros, and they sell out very quickly. A handful of tickets are usually available at the entrance as well; however, I don’t recommend taking your chances. For more information on tickets, hours, and prices, I recommend this post about the Anne Frank Museum.

Westerkerk

Just a few steps from the Anne Frank House is Amsterdam’s largest church. Westerkerk is one of the city’s oldest churches, and its bell tower is quite the attraction. It usually chimes every hour.

If you’re visiting Amsterdam in June or September, I recommend joining one of the group tours organized by the church that focus on its observation deck. These tours run every half hour and offer a spectacular 360-degree view of the city center. For more information, visit the website.

Red Light District

Get ready to discover the history of prostitution in Amsterdam in the Red Light District. It’s natural to feel a little nervous about walking through the Red Light District, but you’d be surprised at how safe the area is.

The neighborhood is a magical place known for its lights, its atmosphere, and all the stories and legends surrounding it. Additionally, the neighborhood has several food stalls and even restaurants. Without a doubt, it’s an excellent way and an iconic place to end the day.

After spending the first three days in the center of Amsterdam, it would be nice to take advantage of this fourth day to explore the serene countryside of the Amsterdam region. A trip to the windmills of Zaanse Schans.

How to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam

• By bus: Take bus #391, which departs from Amsterdam Central Station every two hours from platform E to Zandaam/Zaanse Schans. The entire trip takes less than an hour, and tickets cost €7 and include round-trip travel.

• By train: From Amsterdam Central Station, take a train to Koog-Zaandijk; the ride takes just 17 minutes. Then follow the signs and walk for about 15 minutes to Zaanse Schans. It’s a straight path, so you won’t get lost.

I highly recommend taking the bus to Zaanse Schans, as it’s the most cost-effective option and you won’t have to walk.

Visit the historic windmills

The real attraction of Zaanse Schans is the historic windmills. As soon as you enter the village, you’ll be greeted by beautiful greenery, including greenhouses and vintage windmills along the river. There used to be many more along the river, but now only 13 windmills remain, scattered throughout the complex.

All these windmills offer a great glimpse into what life was like in the 17th and 18th centuries. Some have been converted into shops, while others now feature viewing platforms where you can climb up and see the town from above.

Each windmill has its own admission ticket, and generally, each one costs €3. However, if you’re interested in visiting them all, I recommend purchasing a Zaanse Schans card for €10.

Visit the country’s largest clog shop

Right at the entrance to Zaanse Schans, there’s a gift shop with multiple pairs of brightly painted wooden clogs on display on the exterior wall.

This shop is part of the Zaanse Schans Clog Workshop, a sort of footwear museum where you can see clog skates and many other unique clogs. It simply offers the largest selection of clogs in every color and size in the Netherlands.

In the past, clogs were handmade, and craftsmen could produce up to seven pairs a day; today, machines are used for this purpose; however, the clog makers still craft them by hand in the workshop.The Zaanse Schans Clog Workshop is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

Free clog-making demonstrations are held continuously throughout the day. You can watch a shoe being made from start to finish. These demonstrations last about 15 minutes.

Visit Catharina Hoeve Farm

In addition to the shoe factory, there is a cheese shop with seemingly endless samples you can try as you walk through the shop.

The variety of Gouda at this cheese farm is impressive. There’s regular Gouda, herb-smoked Gouda, chili Gouda, and even a neon green Gouda with pesto. If Gouda isn’t your thing, there are also many other types of Dutch cheese. Catharina Hoeve Farm is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Enjoy the scenery on the way back to Amsterdam

In addition to the above, and to round out your visit, you can also stroll through the village and admire the Dutch countryside. From the east bank of the Zaan River, you can see the typical rows of green wooden houses. There’s a farm across from the windmills, where you can see cows grazing freely in the area. Plus, there’s also a distillery museum and a soap factory.

On the last day of the five-day Amsterdam itinerary, we won’t stray far from the center of Amsterdam and will visit the city museum, the famous Bloemenmarkt, and the lively Leidseplein neighborhood.

Amsterdam Museum

The Amsterdam History Museum tells the story of the city over the last millennium through multimedia exhibits, religious artifacts, porcelain, and paintings. The exhibits also explore the reasons behind the rise in bicycle use.

Its gallery features group portraits of medieval guards and citizens, as well as photographs of Anne Frank and Alfred Heineken. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and admission is completely free.

Bloemenmarkt

Located in the city of Amsterdam, Bloemenmarkt is a flower market famous for its scents and pleasant atmosphere. Historically, flowers arrived here by boat from the countryside. Bloemenmarkt sells everything from all kinds of cut flowers to seeds, plants, and other gardening essentials. However, it’s not just a must-see for plant lovers, as it’s a place steeped in history and brimming with atmosphere. Bloemenmarkt is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in winter and fall, and from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM in spring and summer.

There are many reasons to visit Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt, especially since it offers a glimpse into how Amsterdam used to operate. There are 15 market stalls to visit, each offering something slightly different from the next. Bloemenmarkt is the perfect place to buy flowers and other trinkets, and it’s open year-round. I recommend stopping by the Bloemenmarkt, especially if you’re visiting Amsterdam in the spring.

Leidseplein Neighborhood

When it comes to a festive atmosphere, no other neighborhood in Amsterdam captures this concept better than the Leidseplein neighborhood. It has become a paradise for bar and pub lovers. Watching a street performance here will give you the chance to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. As soon as the sun goes down, Leidseplein becomes the perfect setting to bid farewell to Amsterdam with music and joy.