Amsterdam 5 Day Itinerary

Amsterdam 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Central Exploration

  • 🏨 Accommodation: Stay in the city center for easy access to attractions. Consider options like The Student Hotel, Pulitzer Amsterdam, or citizenM Amsterdam City.
  • 🌐 Check-in and freshen up.
  • 🚉 Transportation: Purchase a GVB Day Pass (72 hours) for unlimited travel on trams, buses, and metros in Amsterdam.
  • ☕️ Morning: Start your day with coffee at Café de Jaren along the Nieuwmarkt square.
  • 🏛️ Afternoon: Visit the Rijksmuseum, home to works from Rembrandt, Vermeer, and many more Dutch masters. Nearby, explore the beautiful Van Gogh Museum.
  • 🌐 Evening: Stroll around the Jordaan neighborhood, known for its charming houses, independent boutiques, and cozy bars like Café de Luwte.
  • 🍴 Dinner: Savor traditional Dutch cuisine at Brasserie Brunel or try modern Dutch dishes at De Kas.

Day 2: Canals & Anne Frank House

  • ☀️ Morning: Take a Canal Cruise with Grachtenhopper to see Amsterdam from the water.
  • 🏠 Afternoon: Visit the Anne Frank House and learn about the life of Anne Frank during World War II.
  • 🍴 Lunch: Grab lunch at Foodhallen, an indoor food market featuring a variety of international cuisines.
  • 🚲 Afternoon: Rent a bike (or take a guided bike tour) and explore the city’s parks, such as Vondelpark or Oosterpark.
  • 🌐 Evening: Walk along the Leidseplein square, where you can find various restaurants, bars, and live music venues like Paradiso.
  • 🍴 Dinner: Try Indonesian cuisine at Blauw, one of Amsterdam’s best-rated Indonesian restaurants.

Day 3: Artis Zoo & Eastern Docklands

  • ☕️ Morning: Visit the Artis Zoo to see a wide variety of animals, including giant pandas.
  • 🍴 Lunch: Have lunch at Winkel 43, known for its delicious apple pie.
  • 🚢 Afternoon: Head to the Eastern Docklands and explore the modern architecture, such as NEMO Science Museum, the Eye Film Institute, and the A’DAM Lookout tower with its swinging over the edge experience.
  • 🌐 Evening: Take a sunset stroll along the waterfront and enjoy dinner at Pllek, a sustainable restaurant with unique decor.

Day 4: Museum of Bags & Purses & Red Light District

  • 🏰 Morning: Visit the lesser-known Museum of Bags and Purses to learn about the history and artistry of handbags.
  • 🍴 Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Dutch snack like herring or patat (fries) at Vleminckx Friteshuis.
  • 📷 Afternoon: Explore the Red Light District, taking care to respect the residents and their privacy. Learn about its history at the Prostitution Information Center.
  • 🌐 Evening: Stroll along Dam Square and see the Royal Palace. Have dinner at a local favorite like De Kas or Bazar.

Day 5: Departure & Last Minutes

  • ☕️ Morning: Spend your last hours wandering the streets, perhaps discovering a hidden gem café like Terpentijn or Kadir’s Coffee Shop.
  • 🌐 Check-out from your accommodation and head to Schiphol Airport.
  • ✈️ Departure: Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute souvenirs at the Albert Cuyp Market or a leisurely lunch at Café de Dokter Wunderlust near the airport.