Planning to enjoy a short trip in the Amsterdam? Then you are at the right place. This fascinating city offers a myriad of attractions that you can easily explore in just a few days . With a rich history that meets the modern culture, Amsterdam has everything you need for the perfect holiday. And with the 3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary, you can seamlessly discover wonderful attractions and activities, allowing you to indulge in the history, food, art, and much more of the Netherlands. Read on to learn all about it!
3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary for a Quick Trip to the Netherlands
Day 1: Explore the Historic Center and Museums
Begin your first day in the Amsterdam by exploring the history of the charming city.
Start your day by first going to see the Dam Square. This place is essentially a central square that features wonderful buildings. This includes the National Monument, the Nieuwe Kerk and the Royal Palace.
After exploring this square, you can head over to the check out the Royal Palace. The Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam is a 17th century city hall that is now a royal residence.
In the mid-morning time, you can check out the world-famous Anne Frank House. This place is just a short walk away from the Dam Square. Here, you will get to know about the Wartime Jewish Diarist, Anne Frank. Get an in-depth insight into her life during the World War II.
During the afternoon, you can go to see the Rijksmuseum. This is a national museum that is home to an extensive collection of art and history!
End your day with a relaxing sunset canal cruise. Here, you will get a different perspective of the Amsterdam, thanks to views of the historic buildings and the bridges.
Day 2: Explore the Culture of Amsterdam!
You can kickstart your second day by discovering the culture of the Amsterdam.
Begin your day by first heading over to the Van Gogh Museum . This place is home to the largest collection in the world of the works of the popular Vincent Van Gogh. These include around 200 paintings, 500 drawings and around 700 letters. Spend at least 2-3 hours to check out the exhibits.
In the afternoon, go on a walking tour of the Jordaan Neighbourhood. This place is a wonderful attraction that is popular for its serene canals and narrow streets. In addition to this, you will also get to enjoy a lively ambience. Apart from this, the place boasts cafés, art galleries and boutiques that you will love exploring. Some of the key highlights of this neighbourhood are the Noorderkerk (North Church), Noordermarkt and Tulip Museum.
Surround yourself with greenery in the evening by visiting Vondelpark, the largest park in the city. Here, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll after a day of cultural exploration. This 3-day Amsterdam itinerary has everything you need for an amazing short vacation in the Netherlands!
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Day 3: Indulge in the Local Experiences of Amsterdam
Begin your final day of the Amsterdam vacation by visiting the Albert Cuyp Market. This is one of the largest and most popular street markets in the Netherlands.
You will come across this wonderful place in the De Pijp Neighbourhood. While exploring the market, you will find around 260 stands. These will sell a variety of products like the traditional Dutch snacks, fresh produce, clothing and more. The market is open from Monday to Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm.
In the afternoon, make some time to explore the NEMO Science Museum. This place is essentially hand-on science museum that is perfect for families and curious holidaymakers. You will find this amazing attraction at the Oosterdok 2.
If you want an alternative place, you can head over to the Amsterdam Museum. This place will give you incredible insights into the history of the Amsterdam.
End your final day in the Amsterdam by enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant. Choose from the Moeders or the Pancake Bakery for a hearty meal featuring a wonderfully local atmosphere!
What is the Best season to visit Amsterdam?
The best time to go to the Amsterdam to see it is during the shoulder seasons. These are the months of April & May or September & October.
During these shoulder seasons, you get to experience milder climate and fewer tourists. Apart from this, you get the chance to witness the flowers of the Spring or the colours of the autumn.
In addition, the prices of the accommodation are surprisingly low and you can enjoy comfortable cycling.
Did you know? Amsterdam is perhaps one of the best places in the world for cycling!
How to get around in Amsterdam?
You can choose from variety of transportation options that are convenient to travel in the Amsterdam.
The first one is the public transportation system. In this, you can travel via the Trams, Metro and the Buses. When it comes to the trams, you can expect an extensive network. With this, you can easily travel to most of the major attractions. If quick travel is what you are after, then you can opt for the Metro to reach the outer districts. Then there are the buses which offer comprehensive night services!
But, if you want to explore the Amsterdam in a relaxing way, then you can choose cycling. Amsterdam is popular all around the world for its dedicated cycling lanes. Simply rent a bicycle to leisurely explore a variety of beautiful places!
You can also reach many of the attractions by simply walking to them. If charming views are what you want then you can head over to the canals. Here, you will come across scenic canal-side paths.
Make the most of your 3-day Amsterdam itinerary with these amazing travel options!
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Eating in Amsterdam – The Best Places to Visit
Your Amsterdam short vacation cannot be complete without relishing the tasty local food.
In order to truly indulge in the traditional Dutch cuisine, you should go to some popular local places. One of them is the De Kas which is essentially a farm-to-table restaurant. Then there is the Van Stapele Koekmakerij which boasts single-recipe cookies. In addition to this, you should also check out the Foodhallen, a modern food court with delicious local dishes!
If you want to see the local markets then there are some popular ones to explore. The first one is the Albert Cuyp Market. Then there is the organic farmers’ market, Noordemarkt. Do not miss out on exploring the trendy food district – De Pijp!
5 Pro tips for traveling in Amsterdam
- Make sure to book tickets to see the major attractions in advance. These include the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum.
- Try to use digital methods for payments. Many of the places in the Amsterdam may not accept cash. Also, keep small change to quickly complete small purchases.
- Stay alert with the Cyclists. Always, stay out of the bike lanes and look both ways when crossing.
- Make sure to download useful smartphone apps. This includes the 9292 app for the public transport. Keep Google Maps for easily enjoy offline navigation.
- Try to learn a few basic Dutch phrases. Although, many of the locals speak English, speaking in the local language will go a long way in establishing meaningful relationships with the locals.
What is the Cost of a trip to Amsterdam for a family?
If you are a family of four then the accommodations will range between €150-300. For food, you may need to spend anywhere between €100-150. This may vary depending on whether you are cooking at your place or going to a restaurant.
Then, there are the activities which make take around €50-100. If you do opt for public transport then you will need to shell out around €20-30. So, in total, you can except daily expenses of around €320-580.
Where to stay in Amsterdam?
Choosing the area to stay in the Amsterdam will go a long way in ensuring a comfortable stay. You can stay just about anywhere but there are some great neighbourhoods to choose from.
The first one is the Jordaan Neighbourhood. This area features a historic ambience and is close to many attractions. The evenings are also quite peaceful.
Then there is the De Pijp which boasts a wonderful local vibe. You get to explore great restaurants and visit the markets for fresh produce or souvenirs.
If you want to a luxurious stay, then you should head over to the Museum Quarter. This place offers a variety of cultural attractions and is relatively safe for holidaymakers!
Is Amsterdam kid-friendly?
Yes, the captivating Amsterdam is wonderfully kid-friendly. The city boasts well-lit streets and family-friendly neigbourhoods. Apart from this, you can easily navigate the city thanks to apps and public transportation. These make the city a safe place for kids to spend their holiday!
Some of the major attractions for the kids in the Amsterdam are the Vondelpark and NEMO Science Museum. Apart from this, you can also check out the TunFun indoor playground and the Amsterdam Dungeon.
Do Kids travel free in Amsterdam?
Yes, in some cases, kids can enjoy free travel in the Amsterdam. This only applies to children under the age of 4. Children also get to enjoy free canal cruises. In addition to this, some of the museums also offer free entry.
Kids between the ages of 4 to 11 receive discounts on transport passes, attraction tickets and tours. So, for families who are travelling with the kids, you can expect great deals.
This will allow you to focus more on the trip and worry less about the budget and expenses!
Amsterdam City Card. Is it worth?
Yes, the city card will come in handy for all types of travellers including the families. You can enjoy free public transport as well as free entry to the 70+ museums. In addition to this, this pass allows you to get a free one-day bicycle rental. You can also use the card to get discounts upto 25% on various events, bike rentals and participating restaurants.
The best thing about this card is that it offers a free canal cruise. So, be sure to get this card to make your 3-day Amsterdam itinerary hassle-free!
Conclusion
With this 3-day Amsterdam itinerary, you’re all set for a memorable holiday in the Netherlands. From world-class museums to beautiful neighborhoods, Amsterdam has something for everyone. However, be sure to book your tickets in advance, and consider getting the Amsterdam City Card to make the most of your holiday.
By properly planning your trip, you can easily experience the perfect fusion of culture, history and modern Dutch life in the Amsterdam. So, why wait? Kickstart your Netherlands trip today!
FAQs
If you are planning a short vacation then 3 days are the sweet spot to explore the major attractions of the Amsterdam. However, by extending your stay to 4 or 5 days, you can enjoy much more engaging day trips in which you can check out hidden gems as well!
Amsterdam may be expensive to visit but you will find some wonderful budget options for the accommodation, the food and the activities.
Yes, many travelers recommend booking the tickets to popular museums like the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.
You can avoid the tourist crowds by choosing to travel to Amsterdam during the shoulder seasons. Apart from this, try to visit the attractions in the early morning or the evening hours.
Yes, Amsterdam is generally safe during the night time. However, make sure to stay away from the busy tourist areas and the Red Light District. Also, make sure to not carry any expensive things with you if you are exploring Amsterdam during the night time.