The best ways to immerse yourself in Dutch life, from museums and music to technicolour markets

The Dutch capital is a smorgasbord of Golden Age delights, from its centuries-old gabled houses to its picturesque canals to its art museums brimming with 17th-century masterpieces. There are must-dos for any first-time visitor: a canal cruise stops at the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, and drinks in a venerable brown cafe. After you’ve ticked those essential items off your list, it’s time to dig a bit deeper. Check out the wonderfully diverse neighbourhoods just outside the city centre: hop the ferry to the reinvigorated NDSM Wharf, browse the boutiques of trendy De Pijp, or venture to the lively, multi-cultural Amsterdam Oost. By day, relax in one of Amsterdam’s many beautiful parks before gearing up to explore the city’s vibrant nightlife. Read on to make the most of your trip with our favourite things to do in Amsterdam.

Can you do Amsterdam in 3 days?

Yes. You can explore nearly all of the Amsterdam attractions in three days, from visiting the city’s ‘Big Three’ museums to enjoying a canal cruise. If you want to expand your horizons, we recommend spending an extra day or two in the city to explore Amsterdam’s off-the-beaten path activities or even indulge in a day trip to Rotterdam.

1. Visit the ‘Big Three’ museums

Everything you’ve heard about Amsterdam’s famous trio of art museums is true – they are without a doubt among the best in the world. Known as the Big Three, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum all sit alongside the grassy expanse of Museumplein. The largest museum in the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum spans 800 years of art history and houses more than one million objects, but most come for the phenomenal collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings in the Gallery of Honour. Beneath the arched ceiling of this long hall hang masterpieces by Vermeer, Frans Hals, and Rembrandt, whose enormous painting The Night Watch takes pride of place at the very end. An essential visit for any van Gogh fan, the Van Gogh Museum houses the world’s largest collection of his work, including iconic paintings like The Potato Eaters, The Bedroom, and one of his many Sunflowers, as well as hundreds of his sketches and etchings. For modern and contemporary art and design lovers, the Stedelijk Museum showcases a wide range of works in its permanent collection, including pieces by Chagall, Mondrian, Max Ernst, El Anatsui, and Steve McQueen, as well as furniture designs by Le Corbusier and Gerrit Rietveld. Temporary exhibits are uniformly excellent and well worth checking out.

Addresses: Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat 1, 1071; Van Gogh Museum, Museumplein 6, 1071;  Stedelijk Museum, Museumplein 10, 1071

2. Cosy up in a brown cafe

Amsterdam’s version of the classic British pub, brown cafes (also known as brown bars) have served as neighbourhood watering holes for centuries. Sample local beer, jenever (Dutch gin) and regional liqueurs while soaking in the historic atmosphere of these dimly lit, wood-lined haunts. In the Red Light District, squeeze into one of the handful of tables at the pocket-sized Proeflokaal de Ooievaar, which dates back to 1782, and choose from a vast array of liqueurs and jenevers or one of six beers on tap. Around the corner, in a building dating from the 15th century, In’t Aepjen (which translates to “In the Monkeys”) is small in size but big in character, with statues, oil paintings, and vintage posters of monkeys everywhere you look. A short stroll from Dam Square, the minuscule Cafe de Dokter, founded in 1798, packs plenty of personality into its 18 square metres, with a jumble of antique chandeliers, clocks, and birdcages. Along with beer and wine, there’s a nice selection of whiskies, plus a cool jazz soundtrack.

3. Cruise the canals in luxury

Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal belt is particularly magical when viewed from the water, as you glide past 17th-century gabled houses and beneath iconic bridges. Skip the typical tourist canal cruises and sail in style on a 1909 saloon boat owned by the five-star Pulitzer Amsterdam – and no, you need not be a hotel guest to hop aboard. Seating just 12 people, the Tourist is a beauty: all polished teak and gleaming brass, with leather seats, a marble-topped bar, and original bevelled-glass windows. You can join a tour (€39 per person) or book a private cruise and add luxe touches like champagne or a picnic lunch (from €200). Even Winston Churchill was a fan: he toured the canals on this very boat in 1946.

Address: In front of the Pulitzer Amsterdam, Prinsengracht 323, 1016

4. Explore the city’s most diverse market

Since 1910, the Dappermarkt has served the Oost district, now one of the most vibrant, culturally diverse neighbourhoods in the city. Among the 200-plus stalls, you’ll find flowers, fresh fish, and fruit and veg, plus a huge range of specialty foods, spices, and colourful textiles from Turkey, Suriname, Morocco, and the Middle East – reflecting the area’s melting pot of nationalities. There are also plenty of Dutch products on offer, from stroopwafels to Gouda cheese. Prices here are much cheaper than what you’ll find at other markets, making it worth the short trip east. The Dappermarkt is open every day except Sunday.

Address: Dapperstraat 74, 1093 BX Amsterdam, Netherlands

5. Spend half a day exploring ARTIS

In the 19th century, the majority of European zoos were in private hands. However, inspired by the establishment of London Zoo in 1828, ARTIS aimed to make itself accessible to the affluent middle class by opening its doors to the public. Initially situated in what is now the location of the Children’s Farm, it was originally referred to as the ‘Buiten Middenhof’.

Over the last two decades, ARTIS has undergone a comprehensive modernization initiative aimed at enhancing its social relevance for the future, transitioning from a traditional zoo to an educational institution. In a world where the delicate bond between nature and humanity is increasingly precarious, ARTIS is dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation and responsibility towards nature, aspiring to become a leading institution in this domain. This commitment to advancement is reflected in ongoing renovation efforts, which prioritize the expansion of habitats for animals and plants, as well as facilities for education and preserving heritage.

On May 12, 2022, ARTIS unveiled a new museum. After 75 years of closure to the public, the Groote Museum welcomed visitors with a fresh conceptual approach. Within its walls, visitors encounter not only the distinctions and resemblances but, above all, the interconnectedness among all living beings: humans, animals, plants, and microbes. This reopening marks a significant milestone in ARTIS’s future vision to encourage visitors to perceive our world through a new lens.

Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Book tickets: https://www.artis.nl/en/