Your Complete Guide to Things to Do in Amsterdam

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Fend off any jet lag and fuel up for sightseeing with a stop at Moods Coffee Corner (moods.eu). A 10-minute walk from the Centraal train station, this quality-focused coffee spot uses carefully roasted beans to prepare a variety of caffeinated beverages, and also offers a variety of homemade pastries, breakfast and lunch dishes, and fresh smoothies.

Amsterdam’s Canal District, known locally as Grachtengordel, is one of the busiest neighborhoods, with myriad bars, restaurants, and hotels. It’s the picture-perfect place to begin orienting yourself — and boat is the way to go. During an hour-long canal tour, learn about Amsterdam's rich history while taking in its best views from the comfort of a classic narrowboat (live or audio guide included). 

Continue the canal-viewing theme with lunch at Restaurant de Belhamel (belhamel.nl), a 7-minute walk from the city’s canal tour boat hub in front of the Centraal Station. It looks as good as it tastes, with chic art nouveau-inspired decor, patterned wallpaper and a cozy four-seater patio, plus a variety of French, Italian, and classic Dutch and Flemish offerings. Walk off your meal by strolling the nearby vibrant Jordaan neighborhood

Keep the momentum going with a visit to The Anne Frank Haus (annefrank.org), located on the canal at ​​Prinsengracht, a short walk from Belhamel. One of the most famous Amsterdam attractions, the museum provides biographical insight into the life of wartime diarist Anne Frank. Be sure to book tickets in advance. 

For an equally thought-provoking experience, consider Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum) (verzetsmuseum.org). Founded in 1984, the Verzetsmuseum provides an in-depth understanding of what life was like in Amsterdam during World War II, including a visual and audible recreation of the streets’ atmosphere under German occupation. 

After breakfast at your hotel, head over to Het Faire Oosten, which translates to House of Impact (hetfaireoosten.nl). The shop stocks a variety of brands with an emphasis on craftsmanship. Peruse men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion, as well as artisanal home goods, jewelry, stationery, and baby gifts. 

Take in the beauty of the canals with a 15-minute walk to Amsterdam’s Museumkwartier, where you’ll find the Van Gogh Museum (vangoghmuseum.nl) and Rijksmuseum (pronounced “rikes,” rijksmuseum.nl). While the former is dedicated to the life and works of its eponymous Post-Impressionist painter, the latter is the country’s national museum and highlights the arts and history of the Netherlands. 

Located beneath the Rijksmuseum, the Rijks Walkway is a covered passageway that permits walking—or cycling—through the actual structure of the museum’s building. Commonly referred to as ‘The Passage,’ the pathway is considered one of the city’s most distinct cycling features.

If you don’t want to spoil your appetite before dinner but are craving a snack, stop at one of the many stroopwafel vendors near the hotel before freshening up. FA. Stroop Stroopwafels (firmastroop.com) is just around the corner and a tempting option for perfectly crunchy stroopwafels with a variety of dips and toppings. For a heartier—and more luxurious—pre-dinner pause, indulge in a variety of pastries, small sandwiches, and freshly brewed tea (or bubbly Champagne) at Peacock Alley within the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. 

Pre-dinner, relax and recharge at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam’s Guerlain Spa. Known for its world-class treatments and turquoise-hued indoor pool, the space provides a tranquil oasis. The Guerlain Spa & Pool is open to hotel guests and non-guests; non-guests who book a 90-minute treatment are offered complimentary access to the spa’s pool, sauna, and steam room. 

Whatever live music you fancy, Amsterdam has a venue for it. Royal Concertgebouw is the home of one of the most storied classical music orchestras, with stellar acoustics and roots dating back to 1888 (concertgebouw.nl). A hub for the Netherlands’ live jazz scene, Bimhuis is a striking black box venue (bimhuis.nl) while Paradiso is a popular music venue for rock and pop concerts in a former church (paradiso.nl)

Fifteen minutes by car from The Hoxton Lloyd Amsterdam, NDSM Wharf (iamsterdam.com) deserves a spot on your list of things to do in Amsterdam. It presents a lively community and cultural hub of artists, restaurants, and bars on the banks of the River IJ. Situated in a former shipyard, NDSM has hosted a number of performances, festivals, exhibitions, and other events over the past few years, all against a vast, post-industrial backdrop. 

After a morning checking out Amsterdam Noord, make your way back to The Hoxton Lloyd Amsterdam for lunch at Breman Brasserie. It draws inspiration from turn-of-the-century European and South American dishes, among them, classic Dutch toasties, crispy cod sandwiches, rib-eye steak with chimichurri, and a raw bar with seafood platters and ceviche. 

Amsterdam’s largest park, Vondelpark (amsterdam.info), is a great place to get a breath of fresh air. Enjoy a stroll, jog, or snag a bicycle to tool around the park’s vast grounds. Keep your eye out for a statue of the namesake poet Vondel, a domed open-air music theater, and a kids’ playground near Groot Melkhuis, one of a few dining options.  

Come hungry to this small-group guided tour, one of GetYourGuide’s top-rated Amsterdam activities. Over the course of 3.5 hours, you’ll be treated to a guide’s anecdotes and local insights as well as samples of classic Dutch foods (kibbeling, battered chunks of fish; bitterballen; apple pie). Walk them off as you pass major attractions like the Royal Palace and Begijnof (a quaint collection of houses arranged around a courtyard), and tool around the Flower Market, known locally as Bloemenmarkt. The market’s roots go back to 1862, when farmers brought in blooms on barges; no longer floating, the stalls are perched on piles. You can buy tulips in spring and bulbs, seeds, and kitschy sounenirs all year long.

Translating to “Nine Streets,” De 9 Straatjes (de9straatjes.nl) is one of Amsterdam’s most charming areas for wandering, shopping, and grabbing a coffee or quick bite. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, this quaint 3x3 neighborhood is where you’ll likely snap your most picturesque shots, as well as procure some of your best souvenirs—and vintage items—to take home.