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Top 20 Things To Do in Amsterdam
Discover Amsterdam's must-see attractions and highly-rated experiences. Our expertly curated guide helps you plan the perfect visit with insider recommendations and traveler favorites.
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Amsterdam Travel Guide
Amsterdam enchants visitors with its unique blend of artistic heritage, laid-back charm, and progressive spirit set along picturesque 17th-century canals. Cruise the UNESCO World Heritage canal ring at sunset, explore world-class museums housing Van Gogh's masterpieces and Rembrandt's treasures, and cycle along tree-lined streets just like the locals do. Discover the moving history at the Anne Frank House, wander through the vibrant Jordaan neighborhood's cozy cafés and vintage shops, and experience the lively atmosphere of the famous flower markets. Amsterdam's culinary scene surprises with everything from traditional Dutch pancakes and stroopwafels to innovative international cuisine reflecting the city's multicultural spirit. The compact city center makes it perfect for leisurely exploration on foot or by bike, while charming neighborhoods like De Pijp offer authentic local experiences away from tourist crowds. With its tolerant atmosphere, rich cultural scene, and undeniable charm, Amsterdam consistently ranks among Europe's most beloved destinations.
Top 20 Ranked
Best Attractions in Amsterdam
Our expertly curated list of the top experiences, tours, and attractions based on traveler reviews and ratings.
#1
Top Rated
Amsterdam: Guided City Centre Canal Cruise with Dutch Pancakes
4.9848485 (66)
Explore the historical center of Amsterdam on this amazing canal cruise while we take you through the hotspots (Amstel river, Skinny Bridge, Anne Frank House, Jordaan and many more!) and tell you the best stories about the city. To top it off, we will serve you hot Dutch pancakes. Warning: Dutch Pancakes might become your new habit! This tour also includes a (non-)alcoholic drink. This cruise is very exclusive since this is the only canal cruise that takes you through the Unesco World Heritage listed canal belt combined with Dutch Pancakes. Get your ticket now if; - You love to meet new people - You like to learn more about Amsterdam - You adore Dutch Pancakes. No worries about the weather. In case of rain we have a luxury canopy for the boat.
#2
Top Rated
Private tour: Your own Amsterdam: walk through the old city
5 (24)
The old inner city of Amsterdam is incredibly picturesque! Here you can see the narrowest houses, crooked alleyways, hidden yards and gardens for butterflies! During this tour, we would like to tell you about Dutch history, traditions, national character and, most importantly, figure out how this place was built below sea level, became one of the freest and most progressive countries in the world! We will meet you at the Amsterdam Centraal, where we will share some wonderful facts about its history, and talk about relationships between Catholics and protestants after the 80 Years' War. Slowly strolling along cozy canals and enjoying the view of old brick buildings and majestic churches, we will find out more about this multifaceted city. We will talk about old and modern lifestyle of Amsterdammers. More tours(food, history, street art, architecture, modern art, museums, small towns, countryside, by bikes, ships, balloons, photo tours) in the Netherlands on Snurk.Travel.
#3
Top Rated
Amsterdam City to Schiphol Airport Transfer
5 (19)
☑ Qualified drivers with 20 years of experience. ☑ Comfortable and smooth ride. ☑ Free Hotel/Cruise port/Train station pick up. ☑ VIP Meet & Greet. ☑ The driver will patiently wait 20 minutes after the agreed pick-up time. ☑ Every single request will be dealt with individually. ☑ Available 24/7 in your service. ☑ The rates cover all taxes, tolls and fees.
#4
Top Rated
Amsterdam Revealed in Portuguese: 2 Hours of Great Exploration
5 (12)
During this amazing two-hour boat trip along the canals, you'll have a unique opportunity to see Amsterdam's most popular attractions from the water! What's more, our skipper will give you some great tips to help you decide which points of interest you'd like to visit once you're back on dry land. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks on board to enjoy as you cruise through the magical World Heritage-listed Canal District. As this tour is longer than most others, you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the many views of the city. Your captain can also improvise a sailing route that suits your interests, making this tour totally customizable. In two hours, you can experience the charming canals, the impressive IJ and Amstel rivers, and much more. This is undoubtedly the best way to make the most of your visit to Amsterdam!
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#5
Top Rated
Amsterdam Essence in German: 90-minute waterway trip
5 (13)
See the canals of Amsterdam like never before. Accompany skipper Paap on his cruise through the small canals of Amsterdam. We can adapt the tour to your wishes and needs.
#6
Top Rated
Half-Day Private Guided Sightseeing Tour of Zaanse Schans
5 (14)
What does make the Netherlands so special and memorable? Many travelers would definitely say: 'bicycles, endless tulip fields, and, of course, the windmills!' And this is true :). Dutch landscape with a lot of old windmills and green wooden houses is definitely one of the most beautiful things to look at. Together with you, we would like to travel back in time and enjoy this beautiful day in countryside! We will meet at the Amsterdam Centraal Station, from where we will take a train to the fairy-tale windmill village, which only takes 15 minutes to get to. Over there we will have a huge amount of local sightseeings on the way and we will definitely try to visit all of them, strolling along an incredibly beautiful landscape with a view of polders, old wooden houses, movable bridges, wild swans and white lambs. More tours(food, history, street art, architecture, modern art, museums, small towns, countryside, by bikes, ships, balloons, photo tours) in the Netherlands on Snurk.Travel.
#7
Top Rated
Rijksmuseum & Amsterdam City Center - Exclusive Guided Tour
5 (9)
Enjoy a 5.5 hour exclusive guided combo museum & walking tour that will take you first to one of the most famous Amsterdam museums: the Rijksmuseum and then go for a historical walking tour in Rembrandt’s Nightwatch headquarters and other places to compare the past with the present. Your historian guide will tell you all you need to know about the 18th and 19th century, the most famous pieces and some handpicked gems.
#8
Private Day Trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn including boat tour
4.6 (10)
Join this full day tour from Amsterdam to Giethoorn with a private guide. Explore the Venice of the Netherlands called Giethoorn, a must see when visiting the Netherlands. Get picked up at your hotel and get personal service by a professional guide that will drive you to Giethoorn. Here your guide will give you a private walking tour of Giethoorn where he will show you all its sights. Explore the beautiful Dutch countryside, the many waterways and small farmhouses. Next, your guide will get you on 1-hour boat tour of Giethoorn, this way you can truly explore the village since the only way to get around the center is by boat. Following your boat tour you have the option to have some free time to explore the village yourself, take some pictures and visit the many small shops. Since it is a private tour the guide is very flexible and will customize the tour to your needs. After the visit of Giethoorn the guide will bring you back to your hotel in Amsterdam.
#9
Top Rated
Discover The Netherlands Tour (from Amsterdam)
5 (17)
This tour gives you an unforgettable experience of The Netherlands! Visit 5 iconic destinations in 4 different provinces in 1 day. See the windmills of the Zaanse Schans in all its morning glory, admire the world famous Afsluitdijk, walk through Sloten, one of the legendary "Frisian eleven cities", stop by at the historic fishing village of Urk and get a sense of the middle-ages in the fortified Hansa- town of Elburg. This day-trip has it all!
#10
Top Rated
Historic private boat tour Amsterdam
5 (9)
* Private boat tour in Amsterdam for groups up to 12 people, lasting 90-120 minutes. * Explore the 17th-century canal area on a historic 100-year-old Dutch boat. * Tour themes include culture, heritage, and history, guided by a professional art historian. * Meeting point at H'ART Museum, Amstel 51, Amsterdam; no pickup options available. *Tour available in Dutch, English, French, and German; not wheelchair accessible.
#11
Top Rated
Small Group Hidden Gems Tour in Amsterdam
5 (12)
Go off the beaten path to discover Amsterdam’s untold stories and hidden spaces. Between the Amstel River and the soaring National Opera, your guide will give a flying overview of Amsterdam’s history. You’ll then stroll through the frenetic area surrounding Waterlooplein hearing stories from Amsterdam’s BIPOC, Jewish, LGBTQ+, and women’s history. The beautiful Plantage neighborhood contains stories of colonial feminism, international peace efforts, WWII Resistance fighters, and a groundbreaking union. From there, your guide will take you back down the “new” canal belt to the Amstel River, telling stories of Amsterdammers who changed the world. You’ll leave the tour inspired, with a great understanding of this unique city.
#12
Top Rated
Private tour: Follow Anne Frank to Camp Westerbork
5 (6)
Anne's famous diary ends a few days before she, and the others, were suddenly arrested and put on transport, ultimately to her death. In a one-day tour outside Amsterdam we will take you to Camp Westerbork, the transit camp from where Anne Frank, and more than a 100.000 Jewish people with her were sent to Auschwitz and other camps. Not many would return. By following her footsteps, we will learn about many more people, places and events to tell the story of the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War 2. By visiting the sites and telling the stories of normal people under extreme circumstances we will bring the time of the war closer to home. With the use of authentic photos and videos, and by explaining the events from all perspectives, we will find out about the motives of the people involved, and we will ultimately ask the question: Could this happen again in our time?
#13
Top Rated
VIP Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer
5 (5)
☑ Amsterdam City / all areas to Schiphol Airport. ☑ Qualified drivers with 20 years of experience. ☑ Multi-Language drivers (English, Arabic, Dutch) ☑ Comfortable and smooth ride. ☑ Private and luxurious limousine service. ☑ Free Hotel/Cruise port/Train station pickups. ☑ VIP Meet & Greet. ☑ Almost the same rate as a regular Taxi. ☑ Every single request will be dealt with individually. ☑ Available 24/7 in your service. ☑ The rates cover all taxes, tolls and fees (excl. extra waiting time).
#14
Top Rated
Van Gogh Museum Private Tour
5 (5)
Embark on a captivating two-hour guided walking tour, and allow yourself to be transported into the mesmerizing world of Van Gogh at the renowned Van Gogh Museum. Prepare to be enthralled as you immerse yourself in the museum's permanent collection and witness the sheer brilliance of Van Gogh's iconic paintings. Marvel at the profound introspection conveyed in his self-portraits, tracing the evolution of his artistic style. The vibrant and vivacious "Sunflowers" series will leave you breathless. Not to miss out on the Almond Blossom and the Yellow House! Our knowledgeable guides will bring Van Gogh's art to life, sharing invaluable insights into his life, struggles, and artistic genius. Don't miss out on this unforgettable opportunity to explore the Van Gogh Museum
#15
Top Rated
Private WW II Tour: Nazi Concentration Camp & Battle of Arnhem
5 (7)
On this private tour "In the footsteps of WW2" we dive into history. This is a great addition to tours on Jewish history in Amsterdam and the Anne Frank House. We build on our existing tour to Nazi concentration Camp Vught with a visit to the sites of Operation Market Garden, A Bridge Too Far, General John Frost and the battle of Arnhem. On this tour we will learn more about this fascinating part of Dutch history. We visit a former Nazi concentration camp, with its barracks, memorials and crematorium. Corrie Ten Boom was imprisoned here during the war. Many Jewish children were sent to Poland from here and hundreds of resistance members were executed. We will also visit the sites of Operation Market Garden and the battle of Arnhem: what was the plan and how did it fail? What were the implications for the Dutch people and the Allied forces? The exhibition at the Airborne Museum in Arnhem, the war cemetery and the John Frost Bridge are a must see on this tour.
#16
Top Rated
Private day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam
5 (6)
Explore Bruges with a private guide on a day trip from Amsterdam. Visit the historic center, join a boat tour, learn more about Belgium’s world-famous beers and see the historical houses that date back from the medieval times. Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel or any other desired location. From here he will drive you Bruges in a comfortable vehicle. When arriving in Bruges you will see why the historic center of Bruges was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the historic city center, learn more about Belgium’s world-famous beers and see the Church of Our Lady. Explore the charming area around the Dyver canal, and then stroll the cobbled square of Walplein. After exploring Bruges by foot your guide will take you on a 1-hour boat tour of Bruges. This is included with the tour. You also get the option to do a Belgium Beer and chocolate tasting. After the tour the guide will drive you back to your hotel.
#17
Top Rated
Private Amsterdam Red Light District tour with food tastings
5 (6)
Explore Amsterdam's notorious Red Light District and learn about Dutch food culture on this 2-hour private tour. Start at the Amsterdam Central Station to meet your tour guide. Walk to the Red Light District and see several well-known sights like the Old Church, China Town and the narrowest street of Amsterdam. Listen to your knowledgeable, local guide as they provide you with an educational insight to the area and its coffee shop culture. Learn about Dutch food culture, what locals eat and what the traditional Dutch snacks are. Taste 3 Dutch foods, such as a kroket, Dutch cheese and the famous stroopwafel. End your day at Dam Square.
#18
Top Rated
Brussels City Tour: Day Trip from Amsterdam
5 (5)
Explore the ‘Capital of Europe’ on a day trip from Amsterdam. Marvel at the medieval Grande-Place and try world’s best artisanal beer, Belgium’s liquid gold. Visit the Comb of the Unknown Soldier and of course the Atomium, the biggest iron atom in the world made of stainless steel. Brussels is a true capital city. Besides the main attractions like the Triumphal Arch, the Comb of the Unknown Soldier and Manneken Pis, there is so much more to explore! The chauffeur at Dutch Tours and Transfers know Brussels as if it were Amsterdam and your personal driver will be able to customize this Brussels City Tour not only to meet, but to exceed your expectations. If you’re an architecture lover, you will be given all the time in the world to become mesmerized by the Gothic structures in this incredible city, if you’re a foodie you will be taken to the finest chocolateries and waffle-bars. Our task is to provide you with the best service, your task is to never forget this experience.
#19
Top Rated
Amsterdam Private Boat Trip With Skipper, Burger and Beers
5 (5)
Hang out with your friends with beers, burgers and on a private canal cruise on the famous canals of Amsterdam, this is an unique experience! The start location is close to the Central Station in the real city centre and the cruise is inclusive local skipper/guide.
#20
Top Rated
2.5 hours Amsterdam Pedicab Tour
5 (7)
In this 2,5-hours tour by pedicab (rickshaw/biketaxi), you will enjoy a sightseeing tour by rickshaw (biketaxi/pedicab) around the historic center of Amsterdam with live commentary from your professional driver/guide. Discover the city's main highlights. While comfortably seated in your rickshaw, you will be able you to reach the major scenic spots in the city. This tour is private and your guide will be happy to personalize your itinerary according to your own preferences.
Review counts and ratings based on Viator and Tripadvisor data
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