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Things to do in Amsterdam

12 places · 20 h 15 min of sightseeing · 4 days

How many days do you need in Amsterdam?

12 places add up to 20 h 15 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 4 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 6 h

2 days — 12 h

Rijksmuseum (3 h)
Van Gogh Museum (2 h)
Anne Frank Huis (1 h 30 min)
Concertgebouw (1 h 30 min)
Royal Palace of Amsterdam (1 h 30 min)
de Wallen (1 h 30 min)
Dam Square (1 h)

3 days — 17 h 30 min

Rijksmuseum (3 h)
Van Gogh Museum (2 h)
Anne Frank Huis (1 h 30 min)
Concertgebouw (1 h 30 min)
Royal Palace of Amsterdam (1 h 30 min)
de Wallen (1 h 30 min)
Dam Square (1 h)
Artis (3 h)
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam (1 h 30 min)
Westerkerk (1 h)

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

Rijksmuseum — 3 h visit. It houses the largest collection of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to the present, showcasing iconic works such as 'The Night Watch'. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00.
Van Gogh Museum — 2 h visit. It houses the world's largest collection of Vincent van Gogh's works, offering a deep insight into the evolution of his art. Hours: Sat–Thu 09:00–18:00 · Fri 09:00–22:00.
Anne Frank Huis — 1 h 30 min visit. It allows visitors to explore the authentic, hidden rooms where Anne Frank wrote her diary, offering a direct testimony to history. Hours: Mon–Sun,PH 09:00–22:00 open "Online tickets only" · Apr 27 09:00–17:00 · May 04 09:00–17:00 · 2026 Sep 20 09:00–17:00 · 2026 Sep 21 closed · 2026 Nov 07 09:00–18:30.
Concertgebouw — 1 h 30 min visit. Offers free lunch concerts, allowing you to experience world-class acoustics without purchasing a full ticket.
Royal Palace of Amsterdam — 1 h 30 min visit. Built in the 17th century, it initially served as the city hall, becoming a royal palace in 1808. Hours: 10:00–17:00.
de Wallen — 1 h 30 min visit. This is a historic district of Amsterdam, which is uniquely famous for its function as a red-light district.
Dam Square — 1 h visit. Created in the 13th century from a dam on the Amstel River, the square is home to the Royal Palace and the National Monument, unlike Nieuwmarkt.
Artis — 3 h visit. The oldest zoo in the Netherlands, additionally offering an aquarium, planetarium, and an extensive botanical garden in one place. Hours: Mar 01–Oct 31 09:00–18:00.
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam — 1 h 30 min visit. Unlike others, it presents collections of art and objects from world cultures, connecting Dutch history with a global colonial perspective. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00.
Westerkerk — 1 h visit. It has the tallest church tower in Amsterdam, known as Westertoren, built between 1620 and 1631 in Renaissance style. Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–15:00.
Rembrandthuis — 1 h 15 min visit. It is an authentic house and studio, allowing one to immerse themselves in Rembrandt's daily life and working methods, unlike an art gallery. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–17:00 · Feb 14–Mar 27 10:00–18:00 · Mar 28–May 10 10:00–19:00 · May 11–Nov 01 10:00–18:00 · Apr 27 closed.
Vondelpark — 1 h 30 min visit. Unlike squares, it serves as a free cultural center with summer concerts and performances in an open-air theater.
Nieuwe Kerk — 1 h visit. For centuries, it was the coronation site for Dutch monarchs, distinguishing it from Oude Kerk, which primarily served parish functions. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–17:00.
Nemo — 2 h 30 min visit. The interactive science museum allows experimenting with physics and chemistry, and from the roof, admiring the city panorama. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:30–17:30.
Homomonument — 15 min visit. It is a monument commemorating those persecuted for their sexual orientation, composed of three pink triangles above the canal, symbolizing LGBTQ+ history.
Museumplein — 45 min visit. This large, open city square is surrounded by three major museums and a concert hall, ideal for a picnic between galleries.
Magere Brug — 10 min visit. Its unique drawbridge mechanism, combined with evening lighting, creates a particularly picturesque view of the Amstel.
Oude Kerk — 1 h visit. As the oldest preserved building in Amsterdam, it was consecrated in 1306 and houses the largest organ in the Netherlands. Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00 · Sun 13:00–17:30.
H'ART Museum — 1 h 30 min visit. It regularly changes its exhibition program thanks to collaborations with international institutions, ensuring always new and diverse art presentations. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–17:00.
Amsterdam Museum — 2 h 15 min visit. The museum tells the rich history of Amsterdam, from its origins to the present day, in the building of a former city orphanage. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–17:00.
Munttoren — 15 min visit. The tower is part of a 13th-century city gate, and its carillon chimes a melody every fifteen minutes.
Portuguese Synagogue — 45 min visit. A functioning 17th-century synagogue that, unlike other temples, is illuminated exclusively by natural light.
Hortus Botanicus — 1 h 30 min visit. Instead of general park greenery, it showcases thousands of rare plant species from around the world, including tropical palm houses. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–17:00.
Allard Pierson Museum — 2 h visit. Its archaeological collections from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, dating from prehistory, distinguish it from museums dedicated to the history of Amsterdam.

Where to eat

Sichuan Food — It specializes in spicy and aromatic Sichuan cuisine, offering traditional dishes from this region of China.
Vinkeles — It is located in the cellars of The Dylan hotel, occupying a former nineteenth-century bakery.
Spectrum — Chef Sidney Schutte has earned two Michelin stars, which distinguishes this restaurant from others.
De Jaren — It is located in a former bank building, offering spacious interiors with high ceilings and a large terrace over the water.
Patisserie Holtkamp — It is famous for its handmade cakes, pralines, and traditional Dutch pastries, offering artisanal quality in the city center.
Flore — It received a Michelin green star for sustainable practices, which the listed restaurants Bistro de la Mer, De Juwelier, and Sichuan Food do not have.
Rijks — Located in the Rijksmuseum wing, it is one of the few restaurants serving modern Dutch cuisine, honored with a Michelin star.
Bridges — A Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in exquisite seafood dishes from the North Sea.

What to see in Amsterdam in one day?

Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square.

Ready-made notebooks for this city

Amsterdam in two days — first visit

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