Few cities in the world can blend old-world charm with a contemporary vibe quite like Amsterdam does every day. Many visitors are captivated by the serene morning walks along Prinsengracht, but the city offers much more. Whether it’s enjoying drinks at one of its many bars and nightclubs, dining at restaurants lit by candlelight, cycling through the streets, admiring artistic masterpieces, or exploring its historic 17th-century architecture, Amsterdam always has something unexpected in store. And no matter what you choose to see or do, you’ll likely find yourself beside one of the iconic canals that weave through the city. Here are some of the top attractions in Amsterdam.
Artis Royal Zoo
As the oldest zoo in Europe, Artis Royal Zoo houses a wide range of wildlife and remains just as captivating as it was centuries ago. The zoo is beautifully designed, with winding paths, tranquil ponds, leafy lanes, and statues scattered throughout. It’s divided into several themed areas, including a tropical rainforest and an African savannah, each expertly recreated. Visitors often rave about the aquarium, offering a chance to explore Amsterdam from an underwater perspective. The zoo also features a petting farm and a planetarium.
Insider Tip – The zoo offers a complimentary guided tour on Saturdays and Sundays at 11.00 AM. This tour starts at Monkey Rock.
Van Gogh Museum
Attracting over 1.6 million visitors annually, the Van Gogh Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world. It houses the largest collection of Van Gogh’s works, with more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings by the artist himself. In addition to Van Gogh’s masterpieces, the museum also showcases works by other renowned artists, including Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Visitors can explore an in-depth journey through Van Gogh’s life and artistic development, from his early beginnings to his later works. Notable artists featured alongside him include Bernard, Gauguin, and Monet. It’s definitely one of the must-see attractions in Amsterdam.
Insider Tip – The museum stays open till 10 PM on Friday evenings during peak season. Several attractions such as DJ concerts and cocktail bars also kick-start at 8 PM, so make sure that you check out the website before visiting.
Heineken Experience
Heineken, a globally beloved beer brand, is known for something quite different in Amsterdam. While its beer continues to be a top seller, tourists often rank a visit to the Heineken Brewery above all else. The Heineken Experience, a self-guided tour, is a must for beer enthusiasts. It takes visitors through the history of the Heineken family, showcases iconic Heineken commercials from around the world, and even lets you create your own music video. The highlight of the tour is an immersive exhibit that simulates the brewing process—shaking, spraying, and applying heat—allowing you to feel the journey that your favorite beer undergoes before it’s bottled.
Insider Tip – Make sure that you reserve at least 75 minutes for the tour and try to arrive before noon, when the crowd is considerably lesser.
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House attracts close to 1 million visitors each year and takes them back in history to the beautifully reconstructed world of Anne Frank. The house showcases her bedroom and her actual diary sitting in its glass case depressed by all the despair mentioned within. A trip to the Anne Frank House is always known to be a powerful and moving experience. Most tourists prefer to focus on the rear house, or Secret Annexe, the very spot where the Franks lived in complete silence during the day time. The Anne Frank House is a template for the tragic history of the Jewish community.
Insider Tip – To save yourself from long queues, make sure that you arrive as early as you possibly can or after 7 PM.
1.5 Hour Canal Cruise
With about 165 circles encircling the city of Amsterdam, there is no shortage of canal experiences here. In fact, some of the best experiences can be found by the canals which makes these exotic waterways always rank high on an Amsterdam tourist’s agenda. A 1.5 hour cruise of the Amsterdam canals lets you explore them for their true beauty and enjoy fantastic views of the city. The Prinsengracht, full of funky looking houseboats and is lined by shady trees, is the most picturesque canal in Amsterdam. Another canal area worth visiting is the Brouwersgracht, one of the top residential areas in the city.
The Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is considered to be a treasure trove for art lovers. Spread over 1.5 kms, this world famous museum features close to 7500 masterpieces and hosts fascinating works by grandmasters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. The museum has managed to amass one of the largest collection of artworks in Europe which span all the way back to the 15th century. One of the biggest highlights of the museum is the Golden Age exhibit. The pale yellow lighting also helps in bringing those stills to life and paintings such as Vermeer’s Kitchen Maid and Rembrandt’s The Night Watch simply take your art watching experience to the next level. Other popular things to see at the museum include the sculpture-studded garden, the doll house and the delftware.
Insider Tip – Visit the Rijksmuseum after 3 PM to avoid huge crowds.
Vondelpark
While visiting Amsterdam, you simply cannot miss out on Vondelpark. Vondelpark is to Amsterdam what Central Park is to the city of New York. It is located right in the midst of the city and there’s no better place to spend a warm sunny afternoon. Vondelpark is famous for creating a carefree and party atmosphere where you can do whatever your heart desires. Read a book sitting under a tree, or share beer with friends at one of the many cafes, enjoy natural beauty in its beautiful gardens and lawns or explore its winding footpaths. Vondelpark is also synonymous to the culture of the city and you can always expect all sorts of music concerts and dance activities to take place between the months of June to September.
Interesting Fact – Vondelpark manages to attract almost 12 million visitors each year and offers all sorts of activities such as walking, cycling, eating, drinking, open air theaters and music performances.
24/48/72 Hour Amsterdam City Card
The Amsterdam City Card simply unlocks the entire city for exploration and offers you 24/48/72 of unfiltered access into some of the top attractions of the city. Make the most of the detailed city map and the unlimited use of public transport, enjoy free entry into some of the best attractions and museums and revel in the great offers and discounts that open up for you at various places in the city. Other highlights of this traveler-friendly card include a free canal cruise, surprise gifts, discounts on Rijksmuseum entry, free ferry from Volendam to Marken and free entry into the Zuiderzee Museum and the Zaanse Schans.
Ganja Walking Tour of Selected Coffee Shops
A ganja walking tour of selected coffee shops is something that you simply have to do while in Amsterdam. Don’t try to find excuses, just go for one. It’s an experience that you’re not likely to forget in a hurry. A ganja walking tour of Amsterdam acquaints you to the coffee shops that are famous for selling the highest quality of ganja at the cheapest prices. Most parts of the world see hippies and potheads as negative elements of the society, but Amsterdam doesn’t believe in holding reservations. The best way to understand this is by going for a 2 – 3 hour walking tour which covers highlights such as the Dam Palace, one of the oldest coffee shops in the city, and is also the perfect way to get introduced to the world of cannabis.
Insider Tip – Smoking tobacco in restaurants and cafes is banned. However, many coffee shops still allow you to smoke weed. Remember, smoking is only restricted to a joint. If you’re caught smoking tobacco, you could end up getting into trouble.
Red Light District
The Red Light District, the oldest part of the city, has gained a notorious reputation across the world. Despite this, people simply have to visit the area while in Amsterdam. Many come here simply to see what the hype is all about while others come here to indulge in activities, visit sex shops and check out outrageous sex toys. The Red Light District seems to be a cutesy version of Vegas and is one place where junkies, tourists, cops, clerics, businessmen and prostitutes freely intermingle with each other.
Interesting Fact – Most lights in the Red Light District are red in color. However, you can often see lamps that have a purple color. This usually (not always) indicates the presence of a transsexual prostitute.
Flower Markets of Amsterdam
Amsterdam flower markets have been capturing the world’s attention ever since the 17th century. The moment one thinks of Amsterdam, images of tulips, windmills and clogs spring to the mind. As clichéd as it might sound, visiting the flower markets of Amsterdam truly offers an unparalleled experience. If you’re a tulip lover, visit the Bloemenmarkt located along the Singel. All those looking for multi-flavored cheeses should visit the Raypenaer tasting room, the perfect destination for any cheese lover in the city. Finally, don’t forget to complete your experience by having a beer at the award-winning brewery Brouwerij ‘t IJ, located next to the most famous windmill in Amsterdam, De Gooyer.
Interesting Fact – The Bloemenmarkt is the only floating flower market in the world and is also known to be one of the most picturesque sights in the city.