Amsterdam in 2 Days: everything you need to know
Are you going on a 2-day trip to Amsterdam? Although it may not seem like it, 2 days can be a lot of fun in the Dutch capital. Here's how.
Amsterdam canals | ©Adrien Olichon
At first glance, it might seem that a two-day getaway is not enough to experience all there is to see and do in Amsterdam. However, the capital of the Netherlands is not a huge city, but quite manageable. That's why, for 2 days, although you won't be able to explore everything in depth, you will be able to see the must-sees.
Day 1: Getting to know the best of Amsterdam
On the first day we will tackle the most interesting monuments, streets, canals and districts. It's a good opportunity to wander around and soak up the atmosphere of the city.
I'll show you how to get the most out of it on foot, but you can of course book a bike tour of Amsterdam that will reveal much of the city's charms as you cycle.
Breakfast in and around Dam Square
This historic space is dominated by the baroque National Palace and the National Monument, a 22-metre obelisk commemorating the Dutch fallen in World War II.
Dam Square is also a meeting place for locals, so there's no shortage of places to sit and have a drink. In fact, it may be the best place to start the day with a hearty breakfast. I advise you to order a typical Dutch breakfast, which includes toast with butter, cheese and jam, as well as cold meats, juice and coffee.
Nearby is one of the city's most outstanding monuments: the Nieuwe Werk, a late Gothic cathedral which you can enter for 10 € from 11:00 to 17:00 hours.
Stroll along the canals
Amsterdam has more than 160 canals and just a 10-minute walk from the Nieuwe Werk will take you to the Raadhuisstraat artery, which runs through several of them:
- Singel
- Herengracht
- Keizersgracht
- Prinsergracht
A stroll along the canals will take you just 20 minutes and is a very satisfying plan. However, if that's one of your favourite things to do, and you don't want to settle for the view from the bridges, you can take a canal cruise in Amsterdam.
Grab a bite to eat in the Jordaan district
If you've worked up an appetite, you're in close proximity to one of the city's most vibrant districts: Jordaan. It's just past the Prinsergracht canal, so you won't have to deviate from your itinerary.
It's a district full of dining options and, if you want to make the most of your time, you're in a neighbourhood full of tourist attractions that you can't miss. After lunch, you can continue your exploration of the city in the Jordaan, with the most important sights in this district:
- The Browersgracht canal
- The West India House
- Noordermarkt market
- Noordermarkt
Back to the history of the Netherlands at the Anne Frank house
The Anne Frank House is located approximately 6 minutes' walk from the Rozengracht, one of the main thoroughfares of the Jordaan. It is dedicated to the famous Jewish girl who wrote in her diary about the daily life of the Jewish community under the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
Here you can immerse yourself in the story of Anne Frank. Photos, archives, films and original artefacts help you to better understand the political and wartime context surrounding Anne Frank.
- Time: about one hour.
- Find out more... Find out all about opening times and admission to the Anne Frank House.
If you prefer, you can also take an Anne Frank tour of the Jewish Quarter, so that you can not only learn about Anne's story, but also discover the neighbourhood with a local guide.
A bit of nightlife in Leidseplein and the Red Light District
About a 15-minute walk from the Anne Frank House is Leidseplein square and its surrounding streets. It is one of the liveliest areas of the city, with its many restaurants, shops, bars and nightclubs.
Wouldn't it be great to stroll around the streets and squares and then have dinner and go out for a while? In addition, on your walk you will also come across landmark buildings such as the following:
- Municipal Theatre
- American Hotel
- The Holland Casino
Want to keep the party going? The Red Light District is about 15 minutes away in the direction of the city centre. A controversial place, but also a party area with pubs and nightclubs. In fact, there is a Red Light District tour that will show you everything there is to see.
Day 2: The museums, the Jewish Quarter and some coffeeshops
The second day will be spent focusing on a few places worth taking a closer look at, as Amsterdam has an impressive range of art on offer.
Visit the Van Gogh Museum
One of the essential visits in Amsterdam where you can get to know the work of the famous Dutch painter, a precursor for many of the avant-garde of the 20th century. Inside you can see some of the painter's most famous works, such as "The Sunflowers" and "The Potato Eaters", among others.
It has a total of 3 floors, but I advise you not to see absolutely everything. You could leave in a daze and the idea is to make the experience as pleasant as possible. To avoid this, it is best to take a guided tour of the Van Gogh Museum with a guide who knows exactly what the most important parts are.
- Opening hours: from 09:00 to 19:00.
- Duration of the entire visit: 2 hours.
- Admission fee: from 19 €.
- Duration of guided tour: 2 hours and a half.
- Price of guided tour: 79 €.
- To find out more... Visit the post about opening times, tickets and other practical information to visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
The baroque splendour of the Rijksmuseum
The Dutch School of Painting is one of the most renowned and popular in the world. It has given birth to some of the most outstanding works of art, as well as unrepeatable authors such as Rembrandt, Rubens or Vermeer. The Rijksmuseum is the National Museum of Painting, so you can see the highlights of Dutch painting.
It houses works such as Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" and Vermeer's "The Milkmaid".
- Duration: 3 hours (if you are not a painting enthusiast, less).
- Opening hours: from 09:00 to 17:00 hours.
- Ticket price: from 28 €. Except for children under 19, who get in for free.
- To find out more... Visit the post about tickets and guided tours to the Rijksmuseum.
Grab a bite to eat in the Jewish Quarter
Amsterdam had one of the largest Jewish communities in Western Europe in the 17th century, largely due to the expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal.
If you opted to take the tour of Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter the day before, you'll be back to satisfy your hunger, and if not, you'll also get the chance to see it again. In fact, it may be the perfect opportunity to do the tour if you missed it.
There you will find a wide range of restaurants, including kosher food establishments. The value for money is quite good and you can eat from as little as €6.
End the day at a coffee shop
Coffeeshops are establishments where it is possible to smoke marijuana and hashish. This is allowed by law, but only in these establishments. Far from being semi-clandestine or of dubious reputation , they are fully accepted.
They are bars in all respects, so if you just want to have a drink or even dinner, you can do that too. There are over 200 coffeeshops in Amsterdam, so it's easy to stumble across one. Most of them close at 00:00 or 01:00. If you're curious, here are some of the most popular ones:
- Dampkring: located at Handboogstraat 29.
- Bulldog Leidseplein: located at Leidseplein 17.
- The Grasshopper: you will find it at Oudebrugsteeg 16.
A bit pressed for time? Then opt for a sightseeing bus!
If you think that two days won't give you enough time to see all the sights, you can always hop on a tourist bus. This is a good alternative if you want to see the essentials without taking longer than necessary.
This gives you more time to relax in a park or, why not, add a couple of museums to your visit. Tours usually last around 7 hours and are accompanied by explanations.
And if you want to stop at a particularly interesting place, just hop off and enjoy it! Later on, you'll take another sightseeing bus to continue your exploration.