Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Amsterdam?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 laid-back 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Amsterdam?
Three days is usually not enough time to experience the laid-back 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 three days, 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 3 days 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:
- New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With Optional Club Entrance ($87)
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl ($28)
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & Canal Cruise ($32)
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.
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.
Make sure to set aside around 1 hour for The Oude Kerk, which is €13.50. It's great for couples and is known for its beautiful architecture and historical significance to the city.
It's worth around 1 hour for The Nieuwe Kerk. Entry is €22.50, students and children reduced or free. It's known for its stunning historical architecture and ongoing art exhibits.
It's worth around 1 hour for West Church. Entry is free. It's known for its historic interior and amazing views from the tower.
It's worth around 3 hours for The Jordaan Neighborhood. Entry is free. It's known for its charming streets and canals lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Amsterdam: 60-Minute Guided Private Canal Cruise with Drinks ($97)
- Amsterdam: Guided City Centre Canal Cruise with Dutch Pancakes ($37)
- Amsterdam: Experience the All inclusive Saloon boat cruise ($64)
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:
- Small Group Walking Tour in Amsterdam with Friendly and Fun Guide ($40)
- Amsterdam Private Historical Walking Tour ($152)
- Amsterdam: Experience the All inclusive Saloon boat cruise ($64)
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.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Amsterdam a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for The Anne Frank House. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for showcasing the life of Anne Frank as she and her family hid during the second world war. It's €16, children reduced price. The introductory program is extra. It's only possible to purchase tickets from the official website.
The Van Gogh Museum is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for couples. Known for its exhibits of the famous artist's work and life, entry is €20.
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for The Rijksmuseum, which is €22.50. It's great for couples and is known for its huge collection of artwork by famous European artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and others.
The Heineken Experience is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for its interactive exhibits surrounding the production of beer, entry is €35.
It's worth around 1 hour for ARTIS Micropia. Entry is around €6, kids under 12 free. Some ticket options include entrance into the planetarium or the neighboring zoo. It's known for its fascinating display of microbes and hands-on science exhibits.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, which is €23. It's great for families and is known for its wax figures of famous celebrities.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Ripley's Believe It or Not. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its strange collections of oddities and fun interactive exhibits. It's from €22.50, children reduced price.
The Amsterdam Dungeon is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families. Known for its spooky and interactive historical experience, entry is €23.
It's worth around 4 hours for The National Maritime Museum. Entry is €17.50, kids and students reduced price. City pass and city cards get free access. It's known for showcasing Dutch maritime history with hands-on exhibits and historical ships.
The NEMO Science Museum is worth visiting for around 4 hours, which is great for families. Known for its hands-on science exhibits which are great for kids and adults alike, entry is €17.50.
It's worth around 2 hours for Body Worlds. Entry is from €22.50, children at a reduced price. It's known for its biological displays of human bodies and other scientific exhibits.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for The Amsterdam Museum. It's a nice activity for families and is known for showcasing the city's dynamic history with interesting exhibits. It's €18, children free, students reduced price. Combination tickets are available which include entry to the other museums in this building.
The Houseboat Museum is worth visiting for around 1 hour, which is great for families. Known for showcasing the daily life of those who live on the canals, entry is €5.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for The Eye Film Museum. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its massive collection of films and interactive film exhibits. It's €15, children 18 and under are free.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for The Rembrandt House Museum, which is €17.50. It's great for couples and is known for its restored studio and collections of the famous artist.
The Jewish Historical Museum is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for showcasing Jewish history and culture in the Netherlands with exhibits surrounding the second world war, entry is €17.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for The Stedelijk Museum. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its wide array of modern art. It's €22.50, students reduced, kids free. Some exhibits require a specific time-slot to be booked ahead.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for FOAM, which is €15. It's great for backpackers and is known for its engaging photography exhibits.
It's worth around 2 hours for The Allard Pierson Museum. Entry is €19.50, children reduced. It's known for its historical collections of antiquities.
The Museum van Loon is worth visiting for around 1 hour, which is great for couples. Known for its beautiful historic museum-house and well-kept gardens, entry is €13.50.
It's worth around 2 hours for The Wereld Museum. Entry is €16, children reduced. City pass and other cardholders are free. It's known for its cultural exhibits on people and places from around the globe.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for AMAZE Amsterdam. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its immersive audio-visual exhibits. It's €27, students and kids reduced price.
The NXT Museum is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families. Known for its modern exhibits featuring lights and sounds, entry is €20.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for The Grachten Museum (Canal Museum), which is €16.50. It's great for families and couples and is known for its historic exhibits about the canals of the city.
It's worth around 1 hour for The Our Lord in the Attic Museum. Entry is €16.50, children reduced. City card and discount card holders get free entry. It's known for showcasing a secret historical church.
You'll want to have around 1 hour for The Amsterdam City Archives. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its historical exhibits about the city's rich past. It's from free to €10 depending on the chosen exhibit.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for The Torture Museum. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its macabre exhibits of historical torture devices. It's €9.50, children reduced.
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for couples. Known for its glamorous interior, historical architecture, and royal splendor, entry is €13.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum (Private Tour with Art Historian) ($220)
- Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Private Guided Tour ($201)
- Van Gogh Museum Tour Reserved Entry Semi Private ($185)
Live music is very popular in Amsterdam, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.
Is 4 days enough time in Amsterdam?
As a popular and famous city, Amsterdam offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. So with four days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the laid-back city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to seven days to fully enjoy the city. If you have four days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
Amsterdam
How to spend 4 days in Amsterdam
Having 4 days in Amsterdam will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.
You'll want to have around 1 hour for Dam Square. It's a nice activity for couples and is known for its historic architecture and famous buildings such as the Nieuwe Kerk and Royal Palace. It's free.
Make sure to set aside around 1 hour for The Flower Market, which is free. It's great for couples and is known for its wide range of Dutch tulips and other flowers sold in small shops along the canal.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small Group Walking Tour in Amsterdam with Friendly and Fun Guide ($40)
- Amsterdam Private Historical Walking Tour ($152)
- LGBTQI History Tour of Amsterdam in Small-Group ($41)
As the live music scene is so popular in Amsterdam, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Is 5 days enough time in Amsterdam?
Five days is the perfect amount of time in Amsterdam, as many visitors prefer to spend two to seven days here. You'll be able to explore the major attractions and take part in the city's most popular things to do such as the big city activities, the nightlife, the beautiful scenery, and the live music scene. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
How to spend 5 days in Amsterdam
With 5 days in Amsterdam, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Amsterdam is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.
Make sure to set aside around 1 hour for The Flower Market, which is free. It's great for couples and is known for its wide range of Dutch tulips and other flowers sold in small shops along the canal.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Amsterdam Private Shopping Tour ($111)
- Amsterdam: Private luxury shopping tour ($216)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
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