With its canals lined with red brick mansions and stately museums filled with masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, you might think the capital of the Netherlands is all about history. But there’s a modern streak, too: a creative food scene, an open-minded attitude, and an innovative culture of design. The best part? You can experience every facet of this easily walkable city in one visit. Or even in the span of a few hours. Tip: Those bike lanes can be a little intimidating. Read the rules of the road before you rent that fixed gear.

Photo by Sander Baks
Amsterdam Travel Guide
Best Places to Stay in Amsterdam

The Best Hotels in Amsterdam
From serene boutique hotels to a former music conservatory and a converted publishing house.

The Best Airbnbs in Amsterdam
At these rentals, you can experience the city like a real Amsterdammer.
Editor Hotel Recommendations
De L'Europe Amsterdam$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14A regal grand dame in the beating heart of AmsterdamRead full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
The Dylan$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Keizersgracht 384Clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, a perfect location in the central canal belt—what's not to like?Read full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam by IHG$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Professor Tulpplein 1This ritzy historic hotel offers a genuine glimpse into Amsterdam's past.Read full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Pulitzer Amsterdam$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Prinsengracht 315-331The hotel seamlessly melds 17th-century canal house style with modern Dutch design.Read full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Conservatorium Hotel$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Van Baerlestraat 27A dazzling renovation by Milanese designer Pietro Lissoni of a 19th-century bank turned music school.Read full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, by Hyatt$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Prinsengracht 587The Andaz truly stands out from other local hotels with the one-of-a-kind design by Wanders. You also can't beat the canal-side location.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
Kimpton De Witt Hotel$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5The first Kimpton hotel to open in EuropeRead full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Dam 9A historic grand dame that came under the Anantara flag in 2022 following a five-star renovationRead full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam$$$ | The Netherlands, Amsterdam, Herengracht 542-556A tasteful sanctuary in a historic city.Read full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Rosewood Amsterdam$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Prinsengracht 432 – 436A playful opening in Amsterdam is 10 years in the makingRead full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
The Hoxton Lloyd Amsterdam: First In$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Oostelijke Handelskade 34A hotel fit for Amsterdam in the shiny new millenniumRead full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
The July - Boat & Co. Amsterdam$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Revaleiland 500An affordable stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, Boat & Co. makes for an easy breezy weekend getawayRead full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197A historic stay on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal that lives up to the name.Read full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
Top Activities in Amsterdam
Brought to you by GetYourGuide
Van Gogh Museum
Rijksmuseum
Fabrique des Lumieres exhibit
75-minute canal cruise
Heineken Experience
The Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
15 Best Things to Do in AmsterdamWhether you want to go beyond the biking and the canals, or you only have a day
10 Best Tours in AmsterdamHow to see the most the city has to offer, by foot, bike, or even water.
10 Best Museums in AmsterdamThe institutions in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter—and beyond—have never been better.
10 Best Shops in AmsterdamWhere to go and what to buy for some of the best finds in town.
3 Best Day Trips from AmsterdamAll easily accessible by train.

A Guide to Landelijk Noord, the Amsterdam Fishing Village Locals Love
This is where Amsterdammers go to escape the tourist traffic of high tulip season.
Editor Recommendations
Huis MarseilleNetherlands, Amsterdam, Keizersgracht 401The oldest photography museum in the Netherlands is all about contemporary work.Read full review
Eye Film MuseumNetherlands, Amsterdam, IJpromenade 1
Oude KerkNetherlands, Amsterdam, Oudekerksplein 23A Gothic church turned contemporary art space, located in the Red Light DistrictRead full review---Erik-Smits---2015.jpg)

Anne Frank HouseThe Netherlands, Amsterdam, Westermarkt 20A visit to the house is a must, no matter how much you think you know about Anne Frank’s story.Read full review
Van Gogh MuseumNetherlands, Amsterdam, Museumplein 6This must-visit museum is home to the most van Gogh paintings in the world.Read full review
Rederij De Jordaan Private Boat Tour$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Egelantiersgracht 18CThis is going to be the highlight of your European tour.Read full review
Ferry to Amsterdam-NoordNetherlands, Amsterdam, Ferry Terminal, Amsterdam Centraal StationAmsterdam’s free ferry system is an essential part of the city’s transportation system.Read full review
Portuguese SynagogueNetherlands, Amsterdam, Mr. Visserplein 3One of Europe’s largest and oldest active synagogues.Read full review
WestergasNetherlands, Amsterdam, Haarlemmerweg 4A massive former gas plant turned lively entertainment hub.Read full review
STRAAT MuseumNetherlands, Amsterdam, NDSM-Plein 1, 1033 WCSome 86,000 square feet devoted to street art in the heart of trendy NDSMRead full review
A'DAM Toren$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Overhoeksplein 23-BA must for thrill-seekers, or just those that love a fabulous view.Read full review
Moco Museum AmsterdamNetherlands, Amsterdam,This edgy contemporary art venue boasts an impressively large Banksy collection.Read full review
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Amsterdam
20 Best Restaurants in AmsterdamWhether you're after traditional Dutch eats or something more international, we've compiled the best places to eat, according to our editors.
18 Best Bars in AmsterdamCocktail culture has officially reached this city.
10 Best Local Eats in AmsterdamYou don't have to go upscale to taste test Amsterdam's homegrown classics.
8 Best Clubs in AmsterdamWhether you're after endurance-testing, all-night parties or cocktails and low-key indie pop, Amsterdam's got you covered.
Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
Stubbe’s Haring$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Singel, 1013The ultimate herring rite of passage among Amsterdammers for decades
Café de Sluyswacht$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Jodenbreestraat 1An old-school, lopsided pub with fab canal views and well-priced beers
Yerba$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Ruysdaelstraat 48Stop for quiet night out to catch up with a friend, especially if one is vegan or vegetarian.
Moon$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Overhoeksplein 3Moon is the kind of place you go to impress a date or a client: Chef Jaimie van Heije's multicourse tasting menus have as much wow factor as setting on the 19th floor of the A'DAM Tower, with panoramic views of the city.
Café Schiller$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Rembrandtplein 24Stop in for a drink and some snacks to take refuge from the tourist crowds just beyond the door.
De Kas$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3The truest definition of farm to plate: The restaurant is literally inside a pair of greenhouses.
Rijks$$ | The Netherlands, Amsterdam, Museumplein 2Culture enthusiasts who visit the Rijksmuseum can have a meal that's equally world-class here.
Rijsel$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Marcusstraat 52Since opening in 2012, it remains perennially packed with locals who come for expertly-prepared Flemish classics like Russian salad, fish soup, juicy roast chicken, or côte de boeuf.
Daalder$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Lindengracht 90Chef Dennis Huwaë's tasting menus bring Asian influences to this cafe, with contemporary mash-ups like codfish with carrot, curry, and rose or langoustine with broccoli and green nori.
Vermeer$$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Prins Hendrikkade 59-72Vegetable-centric Vermeer is located in the NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace Hotel, one of the first buildings you'll see as you exit Centraal Station.
Balthazar's Keuken$$ | Netherlands, Amsterdam, Elandsgracht 108The restaurant serves set multi-course menus; wine pairings are available.

The Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands Beyond Amsterdam
Here's how to fill out your trip to the land of windmills, canals, and tulips.
More from Amsterdam

Places to Stay
My Favorite Airbnb: A Stylish Studio in Amsterdam’s Jordaan District
A chic flat in the Jordaan District near top-rated restaurants, local shops, and famous markets.

Cruise
Amsterdam Took a Major Step Toward Banning Cruises—What It Means for Upcoming Voyages
Amsterdam's city council approved a plan to move the cruise terminal out of the city, but changes have yet to be fully enacted.

Destinations
What to Do in Amsterdam-Noord, the Dutch Capital’s Coolest Neighborhood
Amsterdam has taken steps to manage tourism in some of its most popular districts—but in this funky, revitalized enclave beyond the city center, the party is just getting started.

The Latest
Amsterdam Wants to Ban Weed for Tourists
It’s one way the city hopes to reduce overtourism.

Destinations
What to Do in Amsterdam This Spring
Here's what's happening in the city in April, May, and June 2019.

Inspiration
Why We Keep Going Back to Amsterdam
Neat as a pin but not afraid to get messy. Amsterdam doesn't really care what people think. And yet it pleases more than any other capital in Europe right now.

The Latest
Amsterdam Cracks Down on Mass Tourism (Again) By Removing Famous ‘I Amsterdam’ Letters
They were briefly replaced by "Huh?" in response.


The Latest
Amsterdam Takes Aim at Tourists in Red Light District
It will now take "extra action" to reduce pressure on the city and clean up the neighborhood.

Destinations
16 Best Hotels in Amsterdam
When it comes to where to stay, this charming European city has options aplenty.


Get There
12 Days of Travel: U.S. to Amsterdam From $470 Round-Trip
The perfect time of year to beat the crowds.

Shopping
Sorry Bros, Amsterdam Just Banned Your Favorite Drinking Pastime
There go your weekend plans.

Inspiration
How Amsterdam Is Solving Its Overtourism Problem
In a quest to keep visitors and residents happy, the city has turned to technology to help make things more manageable for everyone.

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