Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Amsterdam?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Amsterdam?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Amsterdam, Netherlands? Most people spend two to seven days in Amsterdam during their visit. After all, the party-oriented city will let you soak up the big city atmosphere, grab some drinks at a bar, admire the wonderful scenery, and enjoy the live music scene.
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and it is filled with canals and narrow row houses. The city is famous for its party-hard atmosphere, but it's also rich in history and culture. There are many famous museums, including the world renowned Rijksmuseum. Cycling is a huge part of the Dutch culture and you'll see bikers commuting everywhere in the city.
Do you have one or two days to visit Amsterdam? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Amsterdam?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the party-oriented city of Amsterdam, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to soak up the big city atmosphere, grab some drinks at a bar, admire the wonderful scenery, and enjoy the live music scene. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Amsterdam
When visiting Amsterdam, you can't miss the Rijksmuseum as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & Bottle of Champagne ($31)
- Amsterdam Private Self Guided Pub Crawl ($22)
Amsterdam is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Amsterdam?
To do everything that Amsterdam has to offer, you'll need more than a weekend, but two or three days does allow you a bit more time to explore. You'll have a chance to experience at least some of the highlights. In addition to the great big city activities and fun nightlife, visitors can enjoy the live music, museums and landmarks, and charming old town. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here, and we have some suggestions below.
Amsterdam
How to spend 2 days in Amsterdam
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Amsterdam will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Given that Amsterdam is a large and popular city, give yourself a full day to uncover the diverse neighborhoods, captivating attractions, and engaging activities scattered throughout the area. Be sure to include visits to some of the city's premier landmarks and quintessential neighborhoods, too. The city is filled with historic architecture, canals, and lovely houseboats.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Amsterdam: Guided Open Boat Canal Cruise with Drinks Option ($22)
- Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Local Skipper-Guide ($22)
- 2 hours Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab ($223)
Amsterdam is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Amsterdam: Guided Open Boat Canal Cruise with Drinks Option ($22)
- Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Local Skipper-Guide ($22)
- Private Walking Tour through the Streets of Amsterdam ($6)
Public transit in Amsterdam is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Amsterdam, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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