It may sound a little ambitious, but yes, you can see Amsterdam in a day with the right budget and planning. You can get around wherever you need to go with public transit or a bike, and you can enjoy the time you spend in this glorious city whether you choose to visit museums, tour the canals, or visit the historic neighborhoods. The trick is to keep it simple and easy and don’t deviate from the budget or the plan you set. This means accounting for the sense of charm in the air and the traffic you might run into. Biking is a big thing in Amsterdam for a good reason, gliding along the streets and seeing new things doesn’t have to mean traffic jams everywhere you go!
Getting Around
If you’re arriving early into Amsterdam, the first thing to consider is how you’re going to move quickly and comfortably through the city. You can’t exactly drag your bags onto the bikes, can you? Instead, you have options and that’s where Amsterdam bag storage services come in handy, which allow you to drop your luggage and step straight into the day feeling light and ready. Once you do that, you can begin your adventure without distractions. After all, many people stop over in the city for just one day either because of their flight layover or because of their train connections. Amsterdam’s train station is right in the heart of the city, making it easy to explore, even if you’re just stopping for a few hours.
Morning
Mornings in Amsterdam are slower, of course, but you can still see the canals in their best state, calm and reflective. You can see the narrow houses that lean a little and it’s the kind of place that encourages you to go with the flow rather than be strict in your movement. You can turn any random corner and find yourself led to something lovely, like a quiet bridge or a bakery or a cozy cafe with the smell of fresh coffee drifting inward. As the city wakes up slowly, you will find it easy to settle into its pace.
Find a cafe for breakfast; perhaps a coffee with a pastry, or even a full meal. If you’re headed out of the station in the morning, head through the main plaza and off to your left. Here you’ll find a number of small cafes and narrow streets. A few of the best cafes and breakfast restaurants include De Bakkerswinkel Centrum, Omelegg, and Crepes Mondial.
Renting a bike is a must (well, an option but it’s a must in our opinion) but walking does take less time and lets you take in the details. If you want to rent a bike at the station, you can get an OV-fiets (a public transport bike) for a small fee, or you can rent from one of the many private bike shops around town. Then, you can explore further, as you can get anywhere in the city center in just a few minutes.
Lunch
Street markets and flower stalls border the colorful little shops and even a short wander can feel memorable here. By midday, you’ll be hungry but you’ll find that there’s no shortage of delicious and satisfying food around. Local fries and sandwiches are popular and there’s no rush – meals are a part of the experience in Amsterdam. By 12:00, most restaurants are open and serving a variety of European and international foods.
Afternoon Activities and Museums
In the afternoon, dive into museums and galleries and if you prefer to stay outdoors, picnicking in the parks or along the canals is going to give you what you need, no pressure. If you want to visit one of the many world class museums, such as Van Gogh or the Rijksmuseum, you might want to make a reservation in advance, especially during the busy summer season. But plenty of other museums are around where a reservation is not needed, such as the Torture museum, the Maritime museum, the Holocaust museum, or Microbia.
Dinner and Departure
Evenings are softer here, with lights glowing. It’s the perfect time to find a small, local restaurant to eat like a local and enjoy one more moment before heading on. If you’re looking for something elegant, try ARCA, which is conveniently located near the train station. Or, head through Chinatown for some authentic Asian fare.
Spending just one day in Amsterdam is so much more than a box-ticking exercise. You can enjoy the feeling of just being there, and even if that’s only for a little while. Somehow, in one day in Amsterdam, you can be made to feel like you’ve truly experienced a city of wonder. All you need now is to decide your budget and start planning it properly.
Bryan has visited 61 countries, which is exactly one more country than his wife, and she won’t let him forget it! Also an avid photographer, he enjoys entrenching himself within the local culture in order to learn more about the people of a place. He is the co-founder of Budget Your Trip and loves a good adventure, an exotic meal, or a passionate conversation about global events. And he also loves to find out how much stuff costs, which is why he and his wife started Budget Your Trip.
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