Things to Do in Amsterdam (Beyond the Tourist Hotspots)
Skip the crowds and discover Amsterdam's lesser-known side, from hidden neighbourhoods to local favourites off the tourist trail.
Amsterdam: the perfect base for your Dutch adventure
Canals, culture and the gateway to the Netherlands' best day trips
Amsterdam is where most Dutch adventures begin. With its UNESCO-listed canal ring, world-class museums and a compact centre made for wandering, it's easy to fill days here - and just as easy to reach the countryside, tulip fields and fairytale villages beyond it. Whether you have one day or a full week, here's how to make the most of the city and everything around it.
Top things to do in Amsterdam
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Eat a Stroopwafel (or even better, make your own!)
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Enjoy a walking Food Tour around the city
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Be brave and explore the city by bike!
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Wander the Jordaan neighbourhood and its canalside bars
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Take in the view from the Skinny bridge at sunset
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Wander local markets like Albert Cuyp Market
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Visit the Anne Frank Haus
Be Inspired and Plan Your Visit
Still deciding how to shape your days in the city? These guides make it easy:
Amsterdam on the map
Other popular towns & things to see
Looking to venture further? Explore Zaanse Schans for its working windmills, Volendam & Marken for traditional fishing village charm, or Utrecht for a canal city with a smaller-town feel.
Giethoorn
The car-free canal village known as the Venice of the North
Keukenhof
The world's largest flower garden, open every spring
Tulip Fields
The Netherlands' iconic bulb fields, in full bloom each spring
Volendam & Marken
Traditional fishing villages on the IJsselmeer
Zaanse Schans
Historic windmills just outside Amsterdam