This guide of what to see in Amsterdam in one day It will help you prepare an itinerary so you don't miss anything from one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
The route, which is also perfect for travelers who only have 24 hours or for your first day in the city, and want to make the most of the time, will take you through most of the city's highlights, also taking into account, that most of the city's tourist attractions are concentrated in the small historical center and the four surrounding channels, which allows you to reach all of them on foot or by bike.
Based on the time we spent in the city during our trip to Amsterdam, we have made this guide to squeeze the most Amsterdam in one day. We start!
How to go from the airport to the center?
Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, located 15 kilometers from the city, is one of the most modern in the world and has all these options to make the transfer to your hotel or to the city center:
- Train: the train, operating 24 hours, will take you to the center (Central Station) in 20 minutes for 5 euros.
- Bus 197 and N97 (night): these two lines make the journey to the center (Leidseplein, Museumplein and Rijksmuseum) in half an hour for 5 euros.
- Shuttle: The Schiphol Hotel Shuttle will leave you at any hotel located on this list for 17 euros or 28 euros, if you take a round trip.
- Private transfer: When booking this transfer here a driver will be waiting for you at the airport raising a sign with your name and will take you directly to the door of your hotel in half an hour, depending on traffic.
- Cab: It has a price of about 45 euros.
For more information about the transfer you can check this post on how to get from Amsterdam airport to downtown.
Recommended hotel Amsterdam
Keep in mind that accommodation in Amsterdam in the downtown area and on the banks of the main canals is quite expensive, so it is advisable to book several months in advance to find a good price.
We recommend the Singel Hotel, located on the edge of the most beautiful canal in the city and 200 meters from the Central Station. In addition to good communication with the airport and the historic center, the hotel has a 24-hour reception, a full buffet breakfast and one of the best quality / price ratios in the city.
For more information on the best hotels and neighborhoods we recommend you check this post of where to stay in Amsterdam.
Practical tips
Other useful tips that can help you prepare Amsterdam in one day:
- To learn more about the history of the city and not miss anything important, we recommend you book this free tour of Amsterdam for free! or this bike tour, both with a guide in Spanish.
- Be attentive before crossing any street, the bikes and trams are very quiet and you can take an unpleasant surprise with one of them.
- Try some bitterballen, fried meatballs served with mustard.
- Check if you find it profitable to buy the I Amsterdam City Card, which includes public transport and numerous tourist attractions such as the best museums in Amsterdam, the canal cruise, among others.
- Remember that the plugs are the same type as the Spanish, so you will not need to carry an adapter.
- The Amsterdam route in 24 hours It is quite dense in activities, so if you have more time, it is advisable to distribute the visits between more days.
- If you do not want to pay commissions when withdrawing money from ATMs and always have the current exchange, we recommend using the N26 card to pay and the BNEXT card to get money, our two favorite travel cards.
You can find much more information in the post of the best cards to travel without commissions. - Complete this list of the best things to do in Amsterdam and this places to visit in Amsterdam.
- If you have more time you can complete this selection of places to see in Holland essential.
For more recommendations you can consult this post of tips to travel to Amsterdam essential.
What to see in Amsterdam in one day
The first day of what to see in Amsterdam in one day Start early leaving the hotel and take a pleasant walk along the Singel Canal. This channel, next to Herengracht, are for us the most beautiful in the city and we assure you, it is worth spending time to see the beautiful facades of the buildings on the shore, the floating houses on the canal and for a good beer Craft on some charming terrace.
Amsterdam canal
The route through the canal will take you to the Bloemenmarkt flower market, which opens at 9 am. This market that has its origins more than 140 years ago, has numerous stalls with all kinds of flowers, seeds, garden items and the famous tulip bulbs, which are without a doubt, one of the best memories you can take from the city.
Remember that a good time to travel to Amsterdam is during the flowering of the tulip flower, between April and May, during which time you can visit the spectacular Keukenhof tulip field, located 30 kilometers from the city, It forms one of the most beautiful gardens in the world with more than 7 million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and many other flowers.
You can get to the park from Amsterdam by taking the Keu-ken-hof Express bus at Lei-den Cen-tral station or book this excursion to Keukenhof with a guide in Spanish.
Bloemenmarkt
When leaving the market, the Amsterdam route in one day Continue on foot to reach Museumplein, the museum area where the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum are located. Having only 24 hours, we believe that the Rijksmuseum would take you too long, so it is preferable to spend an hour visiting the Van Gogh Museum, with the largest collection of works by the brilliant Dutch painter.
Among the most famous paintings you can see inside are The sunflowers, The yellow house , Almond Blossom, Arles's bedroom, Potato Eaters and some personal items like the letters he wrote to his brother Theo.
A good way to understand the paintings and Van Gogh himself is to book this guided tour in Spanish with an art specialist although if you want to visit the museum on your own, we advise you to book this quick ticket to skip the long lines that form in the access to the museum
Van Gogh Museum
After these visits and approaching lunch time in the Amsterdam in one day, we propose two alternatives that depend a lot on the weather. If the day is sunny, you can buy food to take away in a shop around or in one of the stalls located in front of the Rijksmuseum and have a picnic in the Vondelpark, the largest park in the city and take advantage after the meal to give a Small walk along the park trails, where there is a rose garden and several ponds.
If the weather is bad or you want to eat more comfortably, we recommend you go to the popular Leidseplein square to try the local food in the Stoop & Stoop Eetcafe or the The pantry, two of the best restaurants to eat in Amsterdam. Remember to leave the restaurant, take a walk around this square or have a coffee in one of its terraces, while street performers enliven the atmosphere.
Vondelpark
In the afternoon you can book this boat cruise on the canals of the city, considered one of the best excursions in Amsterdam where during the one-hour walk you will see the beautiful houses of the Herengracht canal and the house of Anne Frank, among many others buildings known as the "Venice of the north".
For a special occasion with your partner or if you want to leave the trip for later, you have the option of hiring this cruise at night that includes luxury dinner or this candlelit walk, where you will enjoy trying a selection of Excellent cheeses and local wines.
Canal Cruise
After the walk, the route of the Amsterdam in one day It arrives at Begijnhof, a 14th-century beguinage, which is hidden near the Spuiplein Square. In this quiet garden space you can rest for a while in one of its banks and disconnect from the city. Inside the beguinage is the Houten Huys, the oldest house and one of the only two houses that preserve the wooden façade of Amsterdam, and the Engelse Kerk, an old fifteenth-century church that has the clandestine chapel of Begijnhof. Keep in mind that this haven of peace closes at 5pm.
Begijnhof
From Begijnhof you can walk along the Kalverstraat shopping street until you reach Dam Square, the main city and meeting point for tourists and locals. On one side of this lively square is the Dam National Monument, an obelisk 22 meters high that honors dead soldiers of World War II and around the square there are also historic buildings such as the Nieuwe church Kerk, the Royal Palace, the exclusive De Bijenkorf store and the Madame Taussauds museum.
After enjoying the great atmosphere of Dam Square, the Amsterdam in one day Continue walking the narrowest streets of the historic center until you reach the old church or Oude Kerk, which closes at 6pm. This church built in 1302 is the oldest building in the city and it is worth entering inside to see the impressive medieval wooden vault with paintings of the fifteenth century, the huge stained glass windows and the organ.
Oude Kerk
Upon leaving Oude Kerk you will find yourself in the popular Red Light District, famous for the red-light showcases from which prostitutes offer their services. Remember that prostitution is legal work throughout the country and taxes are paid although it is forbidden to take pictures of open shop windows, this being simply a matter of respect.
In addition to shop windows and old buildings, in this area there are numerous sex shops, shops, pubs and the best coffeshops in the city such as the Hunter's Café, places where you can have a drink or a coffee and where smoking hashish and marijuana is allowed, although alcohol and tobacco are prohibited.
In the northern part of the Red Light District is the small Chinatown, where a Buddhist temple called Fo Guang Shan was built, which can be a perfect complement to the previous one, if you have some extra time.
Red Light District
A good way to learn about the interesting history and anecdotes of this neighborhood is to book this guided tour in Spanish or take advantage of this offer that includes the guided view and the boat cruise.
Do not forget that despite the bad reputation, it is a safe and fully guarded neighborhood with security cameras, so you will not have any problem if you want to visit it.
To put the icing on the Amsterdam in one day We recommend you to dine at the original Martine's Table, a house of local hosts that prepares delicious homemade dishes, or at the Van Kerkwijk restaurant, both of the city's most recommended options.
If you have more time you can follow this Amsterdam guide in two days.
Map of the Amsterdam route in 24 hours
Do you want to organize a trip to Amsterdam?
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The best offers of Flights to Amsterdam here
The best hotels at the best prices in Amsterdam here
Book the best tours and excursions in Amsterdam in Spanish here
Book your Airport⇆Amsterdam transfer here
Amsterdam guide in two days
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
Rent your car in Amsterdam at the best price here
The best offers of Flights to Amsterdam here
The best hotels at the best prices in Amsterdam here
Book the best tours and excursions in Amsterdam in Spanish here
Book your Airport⇆Amsterdam transfer here
Amsterdam guide in two days
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
Rent your car in Amsterdam at the best price here
