Should You Visit Amsterdam?

Is Amsterdam worth visiting?

Amsterdam is worth visiting for two to seven days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. We first visited in 2011 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with the beautiful historical canals, world class art museums, and the large and colorful flower market. Amsterdam is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including U.S. News Worlds Best Places to Go in 2023. 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.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Reasons to Visit Amsterdam

Nightlife
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.

Music
The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Museums
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.

Historical Sights
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.

Shopping
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.

Is Amsterdam worth visiting in the Summer?

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 17°C (62°F).

The peak season for travel is summer in Amsterdam, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and admire the historic sights. Also, you'll be able to dance the night away.

Is Amsterdam worth visiting in the Autumn?

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Amsterdam. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 11°C (51°F).

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and browse through museums. Also, you can experience the big city activities and the live music.

Is Amsterdam worth visiting in the Winter?

This is the low season for travel in Amsterdam. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.

The weather in Amsterdam can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 2°C (36°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene. Also, you can listen to some live music and soak up the big city atmosphere.

Is Amsterdam worth visiting in the Spring?

The weather in Amsterdam can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 8°C (46°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Amsterdam, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can check out the historic old town, the live music scene, and the nightlife.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Amsterdam

Food: Amsterdam doesn't top the list for most foodies. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Lots of Tourists
Amsterdam sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.

Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Amsterdam might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Amsterdam here or see if Amsterdam is expensive here.

Related

What is Amsterdam most famous for?

Amsterdam is most famous for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. The city is very popular for its nightlife and music. It's also known for museums, historical sights, and shopping. It is often described as party-oriented, laid-back, scenic, historic, and canal-lined.

What is the most famous sight in Amsterdam?

The most popular sight in Amsterdam is The Rijksmuseum. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Amsterdam on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Rijksmuseum and other attractions here.

How touristy is Amsterdam? Is it a popular city to visit?

Amsterdam is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Amsterdam countryside tour by car: $152
• TulipFields of Holland tour: $175
• Private Amsterdam Photography Tour with a Professional Photographer: $175
• Private tour: Your own walk through the old city: $120
• Good Morning Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Small Group: $46
• Amsterdam’s Ghostly Experiences Group Tour: $38
• Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Private Guided Tour: $204
• Amsterdam Countryside, Windmills & Fishing Villages - Private Day Tour: $267

How long should I spend in Amsterdam?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Amsterdam is two to seven days. Since Amsterdam has a variety of activities such as nightlife and music, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Amsterdam?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Amsterdam?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Amsterdam?.

More Things to Do in Amsterdam

• Is The Flower Market Worth Visiting?
• Is The Anne Frank House Worth Visiting?
• Is The Van Gogh Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Rijksmuseum Worth Visiting?
• Is Dam Square Worth Seeing?
• Is The Royal Palace of Amsterdam Worth Visiting?
• Is The Oude Kerk Worth Visiting?
• Is The Heineken Experience Worth Visiting?
• Is ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo Worth Visiting?
• Is ARTIS Micropia Worth Visiting?
• Is The National Maritime Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The NEMO Science Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is Vondelpark Worth Visiting?
• Is Body Worlds Worth Visiting?
• Is Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is Ripley's Believe It or Not Worth Visiting?
• Is The Amsterdam Dungeon Worth Visiting?
• Is The Amsterdam Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Houseboat Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Jordaan Neighborhood Worth Visiting?
• Is Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam Worth Visiting?
• Is FOAM Worth Visiting?
• Is The Allard Pierson Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Museum van Loon Worth Visiting?
• Is The Nieuwe Kerk Worth Visiting?
• Is The Wereld Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is West Church Worth Visiting?
• Is The Eye Film Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Rembrandt House Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Jewish Historical Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Stedelijk Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is Westerpark Worth Visiting?
• Is AMAZE Amsterdam Worth Doing?
• Is The Grachten Museum (Canal Museum) Worth Visiting?
• Is The NXT Museum Worth Doing?
• Is The Our Lord in the Attic Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Amsterdam City Archives Worth Visiting?
• Is The Torture Museum Worth Visiting?