Itineraries
Where to stay
The canal ring for first-timers who want to walk everywhere; the Jordaan for quieter canal lanes; De Pijp for markets and cafes; Oud-West near Foodhallen for a local feel.
The areas: Canal ring, Jordaan, De Pijp, Oud-West.
Where to stay in Amsterdam: areas and adviceHotels in AmsterdamPlaces to see
All things to do in NetherlandsMarketAlbert Cuyp MarketAmsterdam's best-known street market, about 260 stands in De Pijp selling herring, stroopwafels and more.Entry: Pay as you go
TransportAmsterdam Airport SchipholThe main international airport of the Netherlands, 14 to 17 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal by train.Entry: Train station under the terminal
TransportAmsterdam CentraalAmsterdam's main railway station, with trains across the country and free ferries to Noord behind it.Entry: Tap in with a contactless card
MuseumAnne Frank HouseThe canal house whose annex hid Anne Frank and her family for two years, now a museum.Entry: Online tickets only, for a time slot
MarketBloemenmarktA daily flower market whose stalls sit in glass houses along the Singel canal.Entry: Free to browse
MuseumCentraal Museum, UtrechtA museum in central Utrecht with changing exhibitions, open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.Entry: Buy online or at the desk; some major exhibitions carry a surcharge
ViewpointDam SquareAmsterdam's central square, home to the Royal Palace, the king's official reception palace.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumDe Kat windmill, Zaanse SchansA working dye mill at Zaanse Schans, open to visitors except December 25, 26 and 31 and January 1.Entry: Pay at the mill
FoodDe PijpA neighborhood of mixed cuisines, terraces and cafes around the Albert Cuyp Market.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointDom Tower, UtrechtUtrecht's medieval church tower, climbed only on a guided tour that starts at Domplein 9.Entry: Guided tours only; book a time
FoodFoodhallenAn indoor food hall in De Hallen, with street food stalls around a central bar, open daily from noon.Entry: Pay as you go
NeighborhoodJordaanA neighborhood of narrow streets, canals, galleries and cafes, with the Nine Streets shops to the east.Entry: Free to visit
FoodLeidsepleinThe square at the heart of the theater district, ringed by terraces, restaurants and late-night bars.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointMagere BrugThe Skinny Bridge, a white drawbridge over the Amstel that is lit up at night.Entry: Free to visit
NeighborhoodMuseumpleinThe lawns between the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw, the city's museum quarter.Entry: Free to visit
FoodNieuwmarktA square around De Waag, a city gate built in 1488, lined with brown cafes and restaurants.Entry: Pay as you go
FoodOudegracht wharves, UtrechtUtrecht's old canal, where wharf cellars at water level now hold restaurants and cafes.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumOur Lord in the AtticA canal house museum with a church hidden in its attic; first-Sunday and holiday hours vary.Entry: Online booking advised
MuseumRembrandt House MuseumThe house where Rembrandt lived and worked for 19 years, with his etchings on display.Entry: Reserve a time; check seasonal closing hours
MuseumRijksmuseumThe national museum of the Netherlands on Museumplein, open every day including public holidays.Entry: Book a time slot
TransportUtrecht CentraalUtrecht's main railway station, with direct trains to Amsterdam and Rotterdam.Entry: Tap in with a contactless card
MuseumVan Gogh MuseumThe museum of Vincent van Gogh's paintings and life story, beside Museumplein.Entry: Book a time slot online
NatureVondelparkAmsterdam's best-known park, with paths, ponds and an open-air theater that stages free shows in summer.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumZaans Museum, Zaanse SchansA museum at the edge of the Zaanse Schans village, open daily, with a free audio guide.Entry: Audio guide included
NeighborhoodZaanse Schans, ZaandamA village of wooden houses and working windmills by the Zaan river, free to enter all year.Entry: Free to visit; mills and museums charge
FoodZeedijkThe narrow street at the heart of Amsterdam's Chinatown, known for Cantonese restaurants and the He Hua Temple.Entry: Pay as you go