funny tour amsterdam

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• 10 Unusual Tours To Take...

10 Unusual Tours to Take in Amsterdam

Amidst the hundreds of tours available in Amsterdam there are several more unusual excursions that deserve special attention. These offbeat, quirky and unconventional tours include airborne excursions over Amsterdam’s city centre and cheese tasting adventures by tuk tuk.

Helicopter experience.

During this exclusive tour above Amsterdam’s skyline, guests will fly over the city’s main sights and experience its charming historic centre from the air. The helicopter holds up to four passengers and it is possible to arrange smaller parties upon request.

Tuk tuk tour with cheese and wine

Due to their size and speed, tuk tuks are able to weave between Amsterdam’s many cycle paths with ease. This tour through the city’s centre is completely conducted by tuk tuk and passes by many famous sights including the Royal Palace . There’s also a cheese and wine tasting pitstop half way through the excursion at Henri Wellig Amsterdam .

Cultural ganja walking tour

Ever wondered how cannabis became legal in Amsterdam? Or why the drug is only available from coffee shops ? Then make sure to check out this 2-3 hour guided tour that retraces the history of cannabis in Amsterdam. There’s several smoke breaks throughout and the tour always stops at least two coffeeshops.

Pedal boat rental

Amsterdam’s fleet of pedal boats mainly gravitate around the city’s iconic canal belt and roam freely through several historic waterways including Singelgracht, Prinsengracht and Liedsegracht. These leg-powered boats are available for 90 minutes and embark from three piers around Amsterdam.

Alternative tour

Throughout the late 20th century, many subcultures emerged in Amsterdam and helped shape the city’s political climate, urban layout and art scene. During Amsterdam’s Alternative Tour participants will learn more about these groups whilst discovering the city’s long list of left-field landmarks.

Panorama rail restaurant

This luxurious rolling restaurant departs from Amsterdam’s Centraal Station and then takes diners on a trip through Holland’s scenic rail network. The ride takes approximately three hours and passes by several glorious landscapes beyond Amsterdam.

Eat like a local in Amsterdam

After meeting their host, guests on this tour are shown around Amsterdam’s de Jordaan neighbourhood and told about this picturesque quarter’s fascinating history. The next portion of the evening takes part inside a 14th-century monastery, that has been converted into a townhouse, where guests sample an enticing selection of homemade Dutch delicacies .

House of Bols cocktail and Genever experience

Amsterdam’s oldest distillery offers a self-guided tour through its headquarters on Museumplein which ends with a cocktail sampling session inside House of Bols’ Mirror Bar. The tour covers several aspects of liquor production and professional mixologists are on hand to explain the art behind cocktail creation.

Small-group Amsterdam beer tour

This 12 person tour retraces the history of Dutch brewing by taking guests on an odyssey through Amsterdam’s most colourful and historic watering holes. After stopping by several authentic Dutch pubs and a delightful 16th-century cloister where nuns brewed their own beer caches, the tour ends inside the Red Light District’s only brewery.

Pancake Boat

The Pancake Boat moors on Amsterdam’s trendy NDSM-wherf neighbourhood and embarks on several voyages through the city’s docklands throughout the day. During this scenic voyage passenger are treated to an unlimited supply of delicious, freshly baked pancakes and unrivalled views across Amsterdam’s waterside vistas.

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81 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Amsterdam

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As far as cities with bold personalities, it’s hard to go past Amsterdam as Europe’s most enthralling destination.

With such a unique geographical layout — one flush with bridges, canals, houseboats, and more — and an incredibly exciting culture featuring everything from world-class art to a sleepless Red Light District (not to mention the legal shenanigans), there’s no shortage of things to do in Amsterdam .

And with a wonderful mix of cultural attributes and hedonistic adventures, it’s an equally classy and lively destination for visitors of all types. When you’re not filling your brain with knowledge at the various museums and art galleries , you can relax in beautiful public parks, or sample some delicious treats.

Or if you want to get a little rowdier, hit up the trendy bars, or dive into some unique interactive exhibits. And you can even complement the experience with visits to nearby towns, all showcasing different sides of the Dutch experience.

Walk and bike, sit and sip, learn and laugh, as you explore every nook and cranny of this captivating city. You’ll soon see why it’s become an international destination… it’s not just the risque stuff!

1 – Cruise through the canals

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without seeing it from its iconic canals !

It’s a great chance to check out the city’s different neighborhoods and how they sprung up: the 13th-century medieval core built on swampland, the 1600s golden age-era, and the hip new neighborhoods!

Or take an evening cruise to see the beautiful city under lights.

Want to try your hand at captaining? Then rent a pedal boat and start exploring!

Navigate the many lovely routes of the canals, seeing classic Amsterdam tourist attractions and out-of-the-way spots, getting a  comprehensive view of the city.

It offers all of the fun of a traditional tour, with the added flexibility of self-guided excursions.

• boat tours in Amsterdam

Read more about the best Amsterdam canal cruises and discover the best boat tours in Amsterdam .

2 – Browse the Rijksmuseum

This museum is simply one of the world’s best.

Where else can travelers explore 800 years of Dutch art and history from the country that birthed some of the world’s greatest artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer, then settle in for a Michelin star meal at the onsite restaurant Rijks?

Visitors love Rembrandt’s The Night Watch.

• Rijksmuseum tickets & tours

Read more about Rijksmuseum tickets price .

3 – Take a cheeky tour of the Red Light District

Any list of things to do in Amsterdam has to include this risque segment.

Travelers are fascinated by the Prostitution Information Center which dispels myths and prejudices about the industry, and the Oude Kerk – Amsterdam’s oldest church which became wealthy when the nearby sinners would cleanse their spirits by donating a ‘sin tax’.

Squeeze your way through the narrowest street in the city, and check out the ambience at some historic pubs.

And of course, if you’re feeling more adventurous,  you can even explore more of the sex industry in the city, including the famous window shows.

These fascinating tours are a great way to see one of the city’s most infamous areas in a new light!

• Red Light District tours

4 – Visit Anne Frank’s House in the Jewish Quarter

One of Amsterdam’s most historic and enigmatic neighborhoods, learn about the city’s troubled past and how World War II affected the lives of all those in the city – but also how the Dutch resisted occupation by offering secret hiding places for Jews!

At its center is the famous Anne Frank house and her moving diaries.

You’ll learn all about the Frank family and their lives in this humble home, and how one teen girl’s diary changed the world forever.

Note that admission to the house costs extra, though it’s well worth stopping in at the end of the tour!

• Jewish Quarter tours

5 – Try some local crops with a coffee shop walking tour

Plenty of travelers choose Amsterdam for its cannabis culture, taking place largely within its ‘coffee shops’.

Let your guide show you the best shops and snacks, with samples of course!

You’ll even visit a coffee shop and order some goodies after your guide goes over Amsterdam’s best ganja finds, and shows you how to roll a joint (all legal in this city, of course).

Check out the iconic Grey Area, where celebrities like Snoop Dogg have paid a visit; or enjoy the wood accents and communal atmosphere of Original Dampkring , or swing by Green House United , where you can light up while watching a beautiful display of fish swimming through the aquarium built right into the floor!

Creative, classy, and communal, these spots are well worth lingering at.

6 – Become a connoisseur at the Heineken Experience

Get the scoop behind one of the world’s favorite drinks!

See how Gerard Adriaan Heineken’s beloved beer has been enjoyed for over 150 years with a glimpse into his vision, innovations, and the ingredients that go into the beer!

If the visit worked up a thirst, make sure to get yourself a glass before you leave.

• Heineken Experience tickets

7 – Absorb the mellow vibes of Candlelight Concerts

The stage is set. The musicians prepare their instruments. The concert begins, with the gentle flickering of flames in the background.

You’re at the Candlelight Concert series, and life will never be the same. With a soothing ambiance and world-class talent, it’s an intimate and stylish occasion for any music fan.

Relax to the sounds of Vivaldi, rock out to the music of Queen, or immerse yourself in the movies with a medley of film soundtracks.

• candlelight concerts tickets

8 – Go behind the scenes at the Johan Cruijff Arena Stadium

Football fans won’t miss the opportunity to step out onto sacred ground at Ajax’s home stadium!

Stand in the dugout and dressing room, and see the glimmering trophy cabinet that would make a goldsmith blush!

Finally, if you can, watch Ajax play and delight their home crowd for an intoxicating experience!

• Johan Cruijff Arena Stadium tours

9 – Explore Amsterdam on a hop-on hop-off bus and boat tour

With all the great things to do in Amsterdam, the bus and boat tour is a great way to get your itinerary in order!

Explore the city at your own pace and don’t worry about transport – hop on whenever you like, hop off wherever you like, and there’s always another one just around the corner, complete with an audio guide!

• Amsterdam hop-on hop-off tours

10 – Make your way to the Hague, Rotterdam, and Delft

Holland’s second city, Rotterdam , has a buzzing nightlife, as well as stunning architecture, so stay the night if you can!

Charming Delft is the resting-place of choice for most Dutch princes, but has plenty of incredible monuments and the world-famous porcelain factory!

Finally, The Hague ’s Peace Palace is a symbol of international cooperation and peace.

Hot tip; Check out our full list of fun things to do in The Hague .

11 – Embrace the passion of a F1 race in Zandvoort

Happening at the end of August every year, the Dutch Grand Prix is a highly anticipated event on the F1 calendar. Zandvoort, the circuit which sits about 30 kilometers west of Amsterdam, is one of the most challenging tracks on the roster, making the F1 weekend all the more thrilling.

Along with the racing action, there are always several high-energy concerts and parties happening around the city. With a 3-day pass in hand, you can enjoy all the festivities, including practice, qualifying, and the race itself.

Hot tip: try to secure seats in the Eastside Grandstand for spectacular views of turns 11 and 12.

• Dutch Grand Prix tickets

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Sip and paint in the dark at this unique workshop!

This retro-futuristic experience combines the thrill of painting with a fluorescent twist, offering a brush in one hand and a choice of drink in the other. The musical backdrop adds to the atmosphere, making it a perfect outing for friends. By the end of the night, not only will you have had an unforgettable experience, but you’ll also leave with a personal masterpiece to proudly display at home.

• See price and reviews

12 – See Sunflowers at the Van Gogh Museum

200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters from one of history’s greatest artists take you not only through his artwork, but into his exceptional (although tormented) mind.

See just how his art has reached and influenced so many people, but only after a struggling Van Gogh had already given up on his aspirations.

As you explore the various galleries, you can learn all about the different movements that influenced him, and how he, in turn, impacted other artistic mediums.

And if you want even more context for the works you’re seeing, you can even book a guided tour!

• Van Gogh Museum tickets & tours

Sold out? Learn how to book Van Gogh Museum last-minute tickets .

13 – Do a city-wide scavenger hunt

There’s more to Amsterdam than meets the eye!

With your smartphone as your treasure map, you’ll get a thrilling tour of the city full of fun facts, hidden history, and recommendations of great activities off the beaten path.

Best of all, you can pause the hunt if you want to stay somewhere a little longer.

• scavenger games in Amsterdam

14 – Check out the beautiful Jordaan district

This is the part of Amsterdam you see on postcards!

The former working-class neighborhood is now hot property, keeping its rustic 17th-century charm intact.

Canals, courtyards, bridges, and backstreets are abundant – look out for young artists and entrepreneurs making their mark on the area while you listen to the tales of the magical Jordaan district.

• Jordaan district tours

Hot tip: Join the best walking tours in Amsterdam to explore the city’s artistic legacy, from the narrow lanes of the Jordaan to the grandeur of the Museumplein.

15 – Take the high road at the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum

You’ll find this marijuana museum smack-bang in the heart of the Red Light District!

There are real plants growing along with pipes and paraphernalia from across the world, but visitors will be surprised at the many uses for hemp!

Fabric, food, fuel – there’s a reason why Holland became the hemp capital of the world!

• Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum tickets

Uncover Jewish heritage at the Jewish Museum

Visit the only museum dedicated to Jewish history in the Netherlands and uncover Jewish life and culture. At the Jewish Museum, you can tour the Portuguese Synagogue and pay your respects at the National Holocaust Memorial.

You’ll also be able to explore Jewish heritage through numerous artifacts and 3D presentations as part of this informative experience.

• See price & reviews

16 – Discover good fashion in Fashion for Good

Did you know we buy 60% more clothing now than in the early 2000s, but only keep each garment for half the time?

This causes severe environmental impact which doesn’t need to be!

Visit Fashion for Good and get the lowdown on finding clothes that are as stylish as they are sustainable, as big brands like Adidas and Lafayette jump on board!

17 – Discover how the city got so cool at the Amsterdam Museum

How did this awesome city produce artists, sportspeople, red lightworkers, and manage to colonize every corner of the world?

At the Amsterdam Museum, you can find out all about these amazing stories – and tons of obscure facts you may never have thought of!

Housed in an equally historic building from the 1500s, the collection features a nice mix of authentic artifacts and modern presentation techniques.

Get the lowdown on how the spice trade gave birth to the Amsterdam we know and love today in a totally interactive museum that will leave you appreciating the city on a deeper level.

• Amsterdam Museum tickets

18 – Read the Confession Wall at the Museum of Prostitution

The world’s only sex work museum!

It’s in a former brothel where visitors can see what it’s like on the other side of the Red Light District windows!

Learn how Amsterdam embraced sex work and the taboos, anecdotes, and dangers facing prostitutes.

Visitors love browsing the Confession Wall for juicy, eye-opening content.

• Museum of Prostitution tickets

19 – See a very out-of-place Church at the Oude Kerk

At the center of the Red Light District is … a Church?

Contrast doesn’t begin to describe it – Amsterdam’s oldest and most significant Church is surrounded by cannabis shops and brothels.

The Oude Church is decked out with art, yet more famous than its decorations is its reputation: they say people after a night of excess in the Red Light District would donate money to the Church!

• Amsterdam city tours

20 – Sip a few at the best rooftop bars

Blending style with delicious drinks, the rooftop bars of Amsterdam are some must-see spots!

Start things off right at SkyBar 747, where you can admire the airport with a celebratory arrival drink in hand.

Or get your winter sports fix at Floor 17 , with great views of curling and hockey matches.

And if you’re visiting during the summer, don’t miss Level Eleven, a seasonal pop-up bar with expertly curated gin selections.

Settle in and enjoy the scenery!

21 – Put on your detective hat and do an Escape Room

The world-famous Escape Room has been delighting people all over the world!

Enter a themed room like The Gallery or The Orient Express where all at once, the door behind you shuts.

All you have are 60 minutes, whatever is in the room, and your talented brain to solve the room! Are you ready?

• escape rooms in Amsterdam

22 – Go tilting at the Zaanse Schans Windmills

The most iconic Netherlands pics have to be the canals and the windmills!

Take a day trip from Amsterdam out to the stunning sea of different-colored tulips in the Dutch countryside, then the charming windmill village appears in front of you – a testament to the country’s aim to be more eco-friendly and cool all at once.

• Zaanse Schans Windmills tours

23 – Have a drink at the Mirror Bar at House of Bols

Step into the world of Lucas Bols, the brand providing Amsterdam with top-class liqueurs since 1575!

Experience the history through aromas, film, sound, and the Hall of Taste with all 38 liqueurs on show – before a bartender at the Mirror Bar will concoct one in front of your eyes to try!

• House of Bols tickets

24 – Get the best views of the city at the A’DAM Toren Lookout

With free telescopes and 360-degree views of Amsterdam from the observation deck , this is a great place to begin exploring the city!

For those who dare, the Over the Edge swing will stop you just short of launching into the city – meanwhile, party-goers prefer the Madam bar and nightclub to dance on top of the world.

25 – See the world’s largest flower garden at Keukenhof Gardens

15 kilometers of paths through 32 hectares of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils feels like you’re walking through a giant painting!

The floral fragrances and flowers in any color you can dream of are literally at your feet. Travelers love the themed gardens, particularly the English garden, Japanese garden, and historical garden!

• Keukenhof Gardens tours

Read more about Keukenhof Gardens tickets price .

26 – Let your imagination come to life at Ripley’s Believe It or Not

This isn’t your ordinary museum!

This bizarre, eclectic place will freak you out, yet you’ll be unable to look away.

Whether it’s the shrunken heads, a robot made from car parts, underwater Amsterdam, or the world’s longest fingernails which when laid out are the length of a three-story building… you’ll never guess what’s next!

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not tickets

27 – Look inside yourself at Body Worlds

200 real people on display at an exhibition like no other!

The models seem like they can jump back into life at any moment, all showcasing the intricacies and vulnerabilities of the incredible human body!

The Happiness Project exhibition shows how happiness lifts our health, meanwhile, the adults-only basement exhibition may make your jaw drop!

• Body Worlds tickets

28 – Be the king or queen at Castle Muiderslot

If these walls could talk, they would tell a great story or two!

Luckily, a tour guide can take over the moat into this castle that’s over 700 years old, and tell you all the tales of this turbulent place!

It’s amazingly well preserved, down to the historical herbs growing in the garden!

• Castle Muiderslot tickets & tours

29 – Stroll through the Vondelpark

Amsterdam’s largest park is not just easy on the eyes, it’s full of activity and life!

Aside from the usual dog-walking and people-watching, the open-air concert hall hosts free dance, comedy, and music performances!

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby, as well as a stunning statue of the poet Vondel surrounded by flowers.

30 – Spot wildlife and Van Gogh at Hoge Veluwe National Park

A little out of Amsterdam, the national park is a great place to hike or cycle while looking out for the deer, mouflon, and wild boar!

Although the park is just an hour from the city, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a piece of Europe’s rural past as you explore!

Wander through thick forests and admire the expansive plains, as you learn all about this valuable ecosystem and its remarkable residents.

Most travelers will then head to the nearby Kroller-Muller Museum, the second-largest collection of Van Gogh’s art anywhere in the world, and a 160-sculpture garden among the nearby nature!

• Hoge Veluwe National Park tours

31 – Ride a bike through Amsterdam

This is how the locals get around!

Local guides love leading bicycle tours where travelers can cover a lot of ground and get into those narrow streets for the city’s secret spots that only a local knows, in between stopping at the major landmarks and getting the lowdown on Amsterdam culture!

• bike tours in Amsterdam

Hot tip: The best city tours in Amsterdam cater to all interests, from cycling tours that follow the city’s bike-friendly paths to culinary walks that sample Dutch delicacies.

32 – Go canoeing in the Wetlands

For adventure-loving travelers, or anyone who just needs a few hours away from the busy city, the Wetlands are a great escape!

The rural Netherlands by the Wetlands is literally picturesque – Rembrandt painted it!

With birds tweeting and the aroma of wildflowers, this is a perfect setting for a sunset over the flat countryside.

• canoeing tours in Amsterdam

33 – Hit up the beaches of Zandvoort and Scheveningen

Craving a swim at the sunny beaches?

Zandvoort, known for being the home of the Dutch Grand Prix, and Scheveningen are two great seaside cities a stone’s throw from Amsterdam!

Travelers spend hours rolling down Zandvoort’s sand dunes and hitting the casino, or surfing and playing volleyball on Scheveningen’s beaches.

34 – Get on a segway

A guided tour on a self-balancing segway lets you do things you can’t do on a tour bus.

Zip by the canals, down Skinny Bridge, and through the Botanical Gardens while your guide captivates you with great finds, anecdotes, and local recommendations for things to do in Amsterdam!

And don’t worry, Segways are easier than they look!

• segway tours in Amsterdam

35 – Fly over Amsterdam in the 5D THIS IS HOLLAND experience

This brings a whole new meaning to Flying Dutchman!

Get the best of the Netherlands in this fully immersive sensory experience! Soar through the sights, sounds, and smells of Amsterdam and the Dutch countryside – all while putting your feet up in the flight simulator.

Fly over heritage sites, canals, windmills, and all! Or, if you prefer the real deal, you can opt to book a true flight experience !

• THIS IS HOLLAND tickets

36 – Meet Shrek, Van Gogh, and Nelson Mandela at Madame Tussauds

Artists, singers, royals, superheroes, Nobel Peace Prize winners, and more on display – then swing by the recording studio to belt out a tune and get the footage sent to you!

• Madame Tussauds tickets

37 – See Studio Irma at Moco Museum

Amsterdam’s contemporary art scene is as cutting edge as the grandmasters that came before it.

Banksy’s Laugh Now is a popular highlight for visitors, as is Dutch-born Studio Irma’s celebration of female artistry in her piece Reflecting Forward.

Studio Irma’s powerful art ensures all visitors to Moco return with a shared, empathetic understanding!

• Moco Museum tickets

38 – Be stimulated at the Sexmuseum Amsterdam Venustempel

This titillating museum touches on a taboo topic in a remarkably insightful way!

With a mixture of art, sculpture, humor, and eroticism, it looks at the role of sex in human life from the ancient Greeks, the steam machines used to cure ‘female hysteria’, and the increased sexual liberation of today.

Who says museums can’t be fun?

39 – Get a taste for Amsterdam on a food tour

Explore Amsterdam through your taste buds on private food tours to all of the local hidden gems.

Feast your way through the Jordaan district, where diverse and lively restaurants mingle with the vibrant energy of the city.

As you learn firsthand culinary secrets from your guides, you’ll also gain some new perspectives on Dutch society and history – with some pretty delicious results!

It is definitely the most delicious way of experiencing the culture and traditions of the city as you learn about all the rich history of authentic dishes including the signature stroopwafel – a delight for any sweet-tooth!

• food tours in Amsterdam

Hot tip: The best food tours in Amsterdam take you on a gastronomic journey through historic neighborhoods, tasting authentic Dutch bites along the way.

40 – Be scared out of your pants at the Amsterdam Dungeon

BOO! Scared? Okay, maybe not.

But the dungeon show will make your hair stand up on end!

Experience Amsterdam’s dark side with shows full of live actors, creepy history, jump-scares, gruesome sets, torture chambers, and a good dose of dark comedy!

Travelers are intrigued by the gallowfield, where all those sentenced to Death Row once congregated.

• Amsterdam Dungeon tickets

41 – Take a sketch class at the Rembrandt House Museum

Visitors can take paint and sketch classes where the great artist lived and worked until his bankruptcy.

The house and its decor scream 17th-century brilliance and exhibit Rembrandt’s rare pieces and personal collection.

To dive deeper into his art, there’s a display that uses modern technology to reveal details of his paintings that the naked eye can’t spot!

• Rembrandt House Museum tickets

42 – Cross the border into Belgium

Since Amsterdam is at the heart of Europe, travelers can take the chance to explore great places!

Bruges in Belgium – known as ‘the Venice of the North’ – is close enough for a half-day or full-day trip complete with beautiful water, famous chocolate, historic district, and bustling marketplace – with free time to spare!

Stop into some charming little shops for souvenirs, enjoy the unique city views, or relax and people watch in the public squares.

You can even stop by the Basilica of the Holy Blood and see a vial that supposedly holds the blood of Jesus himself – not bad for a day trip!

• Bruges tours from Amsterdam

Hot tip; Don’t miss our selection of fun things to do in Bruges .

43 – Just try the herring

Travelers might detect a strong fishy scent as they walk past food carts.

That’s the herring, and trying a plate is one of the most essential things to do in Amsterdam!

It’s not raw, and tastes like a salty sashimi.

It’s a perfect hangover cure, lowers cholesterol, and boosts the immune system. So go on, try one!

44 – Hit up a music festival

Every Easter, DGTL ’s eco-friendly festival unearths the top of underground electronica for a long weekend of hectic light shows, sick beats, and dancing like no one’s watching!

Loveland is another incredible electronica and techno festival, with a giant pool party!

Or for something completely different, Klassifest is all about classical music touching the souls of its listeners.

45 – Board a vintage ship at the National Maritime Museum

How did the Netherlands conquer the seas to have colonies from New York, to South Africa, and across to Indonesia?

They discovered new land – see the old atlases where they sketch it down for the first time!

Then follow the adventure of an 18th-century sailor as you board a replica period ship!

• National Maritime Museum tickets

46 – Walk Giethoorn’s Old Town

Drive out of Amsterdam on polder landscape – land which was taken from the sea – and head to one of Holland’s most scenic villages!

Cars are banned from the old city to preserve Giethoorn’s character, so you can only explore on foot or on a boat through its canals!

Visitors love the curious thatched-roof houses.

• Giethoorn tours from Amsterdam

47 – Take the ferry to Marken

Up until the 1950s, Marken was stowed away from the mainland where it built up a really unique character which it still has!

It was originally built in the middle of the Zuiderzee, an oceanic bay with incredible scenery.

The village’s distinctive traditional culture made it a magnet for anthropologists, and ever since the water was dammed, it has remained as a relic of yet another bygone era.

Check out the colorful wooden houses on stilts, the wooden shoe factory, the old-school fishermen on Lake Markermeer, and the lighthouse that brought them to safety.

• Marken tours from Amsterdam

48 – Haggle at IJ-Hallen flea market

Europe’s biggest flea market with 750 stands pedaling clothes, antiques, jewelry, books, furniture, and everything in between!

To get the most out of your visit, get in early before the good stuff goes, or come in Sunday afternoon when vendors will slash prices on stock they don’t want to take home.

And don’t forget to haggle!

49 – Find the Our Lord in the Attic Museum

Anyone walking past the 17th-century houses would miss it.

At a time where Catholics couldn’t pray openly, a Catholic Church hid in plain sight.

Visitors love walking through the corridors and staircases of an ordinary house, to find a church hidden in the attic that has escaped the public eye for centuries!

• Our Lord in the Attic Museum tickets

50 – Be dazzled at the Diamond Museum

Diamonds are forever – and so are the memories you’ll take from this museum!

This museum is definitely easy on the eye, and plain fascinating!

Learn how billions of years and a 200-kilometer journey from the center of the Earth goes into every diamond.

Visitors love the diamond ape skull and the diamond-encrusted Starry Starry Night.

• Diamond Museum tickets

51 – Experience 19th-century life at the Willet-Holthuysen

The glamorous house and its collection were left by the wealthy Mrs. Willet to the city of Amsterdam for all to enjoy!

Sitting proudly in the middle of town,  this opulent home was once home to one of the 19th century’s most prominent couples.

They were known for their impressive art collection and decorating skills, all of which paid tribute to the even more lavish Romantic era.

Stroll through the French-esque ballroom, the lush garden, and the museum with a collection of art and antiques – to get a taste of the life of the wealthy and their servants!

• Willet-Holthuysen tickets

52 – See real resilience at the Dutch Resistance Museum

It’s 1940 and the Germans have taken Holland. What do you do the next day?

Learn how the shocked locals were forced to drastically change their lives under the new regime; while finding ways to resist by smuggling weapons, hiding Jews, and cooking with flower bulbs!

It’s a tale of resilience and standing up under pressure.

• Dutch Resistance Museum tickets

53 – Dine at a Michelin-star restaurant

We get that you can’t have salted herring and pot brownies every meal.

Treat yourself to the sweet and sour contrasts in De Kas , the creative use of vegetables at Choux , the incredible Asian food and cocktails at Geisha , or the relaxed ambiance and simplicity of Elkaar – to name a few!

54 – Stay cool at the XtraCold Icebar

Literally the coolest bar in Amsterdam.

Swap your tees for thermals and gloves and chill out in the -10 degree polar pub where everything – even your chair and your glass – is made from ice!

The funky colorful lighting adds an incredible ambiance which is the perfect way to begin or end any night on the town!

• XtraCold Icebar tickets

55 – Travel the world at Tropenmuseum

This is a museum about the world with a slight twist.

Instead of trying to emphasize the differences between peoples and cultures worldwide, the museum invites visitors to find similarities and universal themes that connect everyone!

Get up close and personal with fascinating items from around the world, and see the unusual ways in which they relate to each other.

Along the way, you can delve into the themes that drive our personal lives, from worship and conflict to parties and grief rituals.

There’s even a junior wing of the museum to keep the kids entertained, making it a must-visit.

• Tropenmuseum tickets

56 – Go cheese-tasting with Henri Willig

Go behind the scenes at an authentic cheese factory as you sample the finest local cheeses with a matching beer or wine in hand!

Henri knows the As to Zs of all things cheese, visitors will learn a thing or two about how cheese is made, and how to tell your gouda from your goat’s milk.

• cheese tasting in Amsterdam

57 – Find Woodcutter at the Stedelijk Museum

Packed to the brim with dynamic modern-art masterpieces, this is heaven for art-lovers!

With the likes of Picasso, Cezanne, and De Stijl gracing its halls; visitors cannot stop browsing the 90,000-strong permanent collection including moving images, graphic design, industrial design, and installation!

Visitors also love hearing about the stolen masterpieces!

• Stedelijk Museum tickets

58 – Get the star treatment at the Hard Rock Cafe

You can’t have stroopwafel and cheese every night, so grab a hearty dinner at the Hard Rock! Munch on burgers, mac-and-cheese, ribs, or vegan options – they’re just some of the tasty food options on the menu.

After you order, be sure to check out all the rock memorabilia!

The cafe has Eddie Van Halen’s guitar and Marilyn Manson’s silver bodysuit on display.

59 – Be mystified on an evening canal cruise

Cruise your way through the evening as you are taken through the canals of the city, lit by thousands of lights along the bridges and buildings.

Amsterdam will feel like a fairytale as you sail through the city center and illuminated merchant houses.

If you are after a little evening romance, this is the experience for you!

• Amsterdam evening cruises

60 – Learn that size doesn’t matter at the Micropia Museum

Most travelers haven’t thought about microbes since high-school science, but they’re fascinating things!

We can’t even see them – yet they clean our water, cure diseases, and create energy!

Delve into the planet’s most important and successful critters and how much we need them at this award-winning museum which you don’t need a science degree to enjoy.

• Micropia Museum tickets

61 – Go on a brewery tour

Holland’s breweries are some of the best in the world!

As well as global names like Heineken, the more hipster craft brewery scene is serving up some incredible beers to delight your taste buds.

Going with a guide ensures travelers find their way to the best brewhouses, and get a sense of the history in every glass.

• brewery tours in Amsterdam

62 – Indulge yourself in a chocolate tour

Chocoholics and sweet-tooths will love checking this off their list of things to do in Amsterdam!

The city’s been slinging chocolate for hundreds of years and it’s absolutely perfect.

See how it’s made, try the samples, and learn a little about how it transformed from a rare delicacy to a common favorite.

• chocolate tours in Amsterdam

63 – Make some feline friends at the Cat Cabinet

The Cat Cabinet is the cutest and most cuddly canal house in town!

The cats basically run the house, you’ll see them on the vintage sofas, antique woodwork, and possibly scratching at the plush curtains.

They’re so adorable and friendly that you’ll pat them for hours and not notice the cat-themed art and paraphernalia!

64 – Take a class at FOAM Photography Museum

Still hunting that perfect Instagram pic?

One of Europe’s best photography museums with a mix of established artists and young talents is at your fingertips to inspire you with its eclectic display!

If that’s not enough, the museum also hosts tours, talks, and workshops to get the creative juices flowing for any aspiring artists!

• FOAM Photography Museum tickets

65 – Laugh your head off at the Boom Chicago Comedy Show

For over 25 years this hilarious show has launched the careers of comedians like Jordan Peele and Seth Meyers!

The show mixes improv, music, video, and witty writing to leave audiences in hysterics!

Audience members also love the full bar, along with exciting pinball machines and classic arcade games.

• Boom Chicago comedy show tickets

66 – See the magical Light Festival from the river

If winter nights seem gloomy and cold, this is for you!

Amsterdam waits for winter to illuminate its historic city with colorful light projections and cheerful sculptures, best seen from the water.

Sail past more than 20 intricate works, showcasing the city’s creativity in fine fashion.

You’ll soon find yourself in a world of wonder and excitement, as you cruise under brilliant arches, admire fantastical sculptures, and evoke your childlike sense of joy.

A guide will show you its highlights as you sip on a hot drink under a warm blanket to escape the cold!

• Light Festival tours

67 – Let the butterflies land on you at Artis Royal Zoo

From elephants to penguins, wolves to fish, and even a planetarium with daily shows – this zoo has it all within its charming 19th-century historical buildings!

Opened in 1838, this magnificent park is the perfect stop for science enthusiasts, with great opportunities to commune with hundreds of dynamic species from the air, land, and sea.

As you see amazing animals from all over the globe, you’ll also be able to enjoy some of the local nature, including some of the oldest trees in the city!

Travelers love the onsite restaurant by the aviary to sip coffee and watch the birds, as well as the thousands of colorful butterflies in the Butterfly Garden!

• Artis Royal Zoo tickets

68 – Show off your Dance Dance Revolution skills at TonTon Club West

Neon lights, retro arcade games, Japanese-American fusion food, and a place to dance the night away!

This cool and casual club is a unique night out in every way – chomp down a ramenburger, play some arcade shooters, and sip on an alcoholic milkshake to loosen you up for the dancefloor (or Dance Dance Revolution)!

69 – Ride the Baron 1898 roller coaster at Efteling Theme Park

This massive park is based on fairy tales and myths.

From the moment visitors enter through the House of the Five Senses, they are transformed into a place of wonder and fantasy!

There are water slides and roller-coasters for thrill-seekers, but the Aquanura is stunning: a fountain with four frogs doing a water ballet!

• Efteling theme park tickets

70 – Get some new threads at the Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet

Time for a new wardrobe?

250 of the top fashion and lifestyle brands like Hugo Boss and Armani with almost half offering 30% to 70% off ought to do it!

Outside of the trendy fashions, this outlet offers perfumes, chocolate, jewelry, and home items – so everything can be as cool as your new clothes.

• shopping tours in Amsterdam

71 – Be a kid again at the WONDR Experience

This takes all the fun of being a kid to a whole new level.

A giant ball pit, marshmallow pool, walk-through jungle, and karaoke booths are the perfect playground for adults – they are part of 15 play-areas created by some of Amsterdam’s most fun and artistic minds for grown-ups to embrace their inner children!

• see prices & reviews

72 – Get your clogs, cod, and cheese at Volendam and Edam

A retro fishing village, getting lost in Volendam’s seafood restaurants and its labyrinth of narrow streets is bound to end in you trying the local seafood (cod and herring are must-haves) and buying some fashionable clogs!

Then head to beautiful Edam to see how they make the famous cheese, before trying some yourself!

After stocking up on some delectable dairy, take some time to wander through the town’s historic streets, and admire some stunning architecture from the 1600s.

These lovely towns showcase the charms of the Dutch countryside, and offer some amazing chances to learn, relax, and shop – a perfect day trip!

• Volendam tours

73 – See a show at Ziggo Dome

With the likes of Trevor Noah, The Weeknd, and Snoop Dogg set to sell out the arena; the atmospheric Ziggo Dome is one of the world’s best concert halls!

Built in 2008, this renowned concert space was designed specifically for good acoustics, with a world-class audience experience as part of the bargain.

And its architecture reflects this democratic approach to live music; it’s designed to offer an equally good view and listening experience to all of its 17,000 audience members.

For travelers willing to splurge a little, try a pre-show 3-course meal in the Restaurant Member Lounge, which lets visitors get into Ziggo Dome through an exclusive entrance!

74 – Go Turvy-topsy at the Upside Down Amsterdam

Strike a pose and post this on your reel of things to do in Amsterdam!

As the biggest Instagram-focused museum in the city, it’s the perfect place to snap some memorable vacation photos – and get a little wacky in the process!

Explore 25 different creatively themed rooms, each exploring the concept of “New Dutch” style – a world of art and culture that transcends the standard imagery of flowers and windmills.

It will push your creativity and expand your mind as you make your way through this equal part museum, amusement park, and illusion hall – full of opportunities for that perfect mind-bending picture that will make you49 look twice.

75 – See a residence fit for a queen or a king at the Royal Palace Amsterdam

The (not-so) humble abode of the Dutch Royal Family is sure to make your jaw drop.

Visitors love the Citizen’s Hall – a 30-meter high room saturated with natural light, complete with glimmering marble floors inlaid with world maps, a throwback to Holland’s exploration days, and a 6-meter statue of Atlas holding the world on his shoulders.

You can opt to purchase your own ticket or visit the palace on a fun and interesting walking tour !

• Royal Palace tours

76 – Make science come alive at NEMO Science Museum

While you’re in the city, indulge your curiosity at NEMO Science Museum!

Although it’s geared toward younger travelers, people of all ages will love the hands-on scientific experience!

Hundreds of games and self-guided tours covering engineering to chemistry, and chemistry to the human body.

Explore five floors’ worth of adventurous experiments; dive into the human mind, surround yourself with giant bubbles, or walk in the footsteps of great innovators of the past.

When you’re done, check out the rooftop terrace for some underrated city views and decide where to go next.

• NEMO Science tickets

77 – Pick your next houseplant at Hortus Botanicus

One of the world’s oldest and most beautiful botanical gardens started as a place to grow medicinal herbs and plants and just grew from there!

Since 1638, this gorgeous set of gardens has been home to domestic and international plants, and its creative landscaping is half the beauty.

And during those frosty winters, you can head inside the sprawling hothouse and immerse yourself in a world of tropical plants and ecological design.

A couple of interesting nuggets for visitors are the 2,000-year-old agave cactus, and that a single coffee plant here is the ancestor of all coffee in Central and South America!

78 – Visit the Grave in the Gutter at the Begijnhof

This beautiful group of houses around a secluded courtyard was home to the Beguines – unmarried religious women who chose chastity.

According to legend, Cornelia Arents, a 17th-century resident of the convent, asked to be buried in the courtyard rather than the Presbyterian-run church.

After being entombed in the church, her coffin mysteriously turned up in a nearby section of land, and after multiple incidents, she was buried there, in keeping with her wishes.

Learn about the Miracle of Amsterdam where the holy bread was pulled from the fire intact, and see the flowers in the gutter where sister Cornelia Arens is believed to have been laid to rest.

79 – See a concert

Amsterdam has one of the best and broadest music scenes in the world!

Dauphine is an intimate venue with soul, funk, and R&B; Paradiso is a former church that puts on a pop music show; Bourbon Street is jazz heaven; and the beautiful Muziekgebuow aan‘t IJ has the best backdrop to classical music going around!

80 – Watch a film at EYE Film Institute Netherlands

For over 70 years, this museum has preserved Dutch film and spread the word on the truly unique and awe-inspiring Dutch film culture!

With a staggering 54,000 films in its collection, this museum is the perfect place to explore the art of Dutch cinema in all of its forms.

And with an incredible catalog that stretches from the beginning of the medium to the present day, you’ll be able to get a unique insight into the wide world of the movies.

Whether you want to learn a little more about film as an art-form, or just watch a classic or modern film in their state-of-the-art cinema; there is something for any film lover to enjoy!

81 – Meet your new best friends on a pub crawl

Experience Amsterdam’s famous nightlife!

Get ready to dance (and drink) the night away as a local guide takes you to the hip and energetic bars and clubs – while meeting the other travelers on the crawl.

With free drinks at every venue and bottomless spirits at the start, however, we can’t promise you’ll remember their names the next day!

• pub crawls in Amsterdam

How to get to Amsterdam?

Whether you’re arriving from the sky or the sea, there are some great transfers available.

Schipol Airport is a major hub for Europe and other international destinations, with lots of shuttles and private vehicles to choose from.

And if you’re embarking on a cruise, you can get taken directly to the port.

Where to stay in Amsterdam?

Surround yourself with history at NH Collection Amsterdam Doelen , which offers contemporary trappings in a gorgeous 17th century structure.

Or get a taste for the city life at Eden Hotel Amsterdam , a palatial building with great canal views and Rembrandt Square just around the corner.

CitizenM Amstel Amsterdam is the place to be for easy access to attractions like the Dutch National Opera & Ballet and the Artis Zoo, as well as a relaxed, upscale atmosphere.

Health and happy travel go hand in hand at Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Center , where you can come back from a day of exploring to enjoy delicious meals and a top-notch fitness center.

And as you enjoy the charming modern trappings of Joy Hotel , you can also enjoy the luxuries of the surrounding area, from restaurants and shops to a walkable metro station.

• best hotels in Amsterdam

Visiting Amsterdam on a budget?

Hit the streets and see the sights the local way, with some amazing free walking tours . Or buy an Amsterdam City Card to access some of the most beloved attractions with one convenient ticket.

Even better, you’ll be able to visit these sites at a discounted price, leaving even more money for further fun!

Where to go next?

From its striking architecture and historic neighborhoods to its gorgeous artwork and renowned green spaces, Rotterdam is a perfect example of post-World War II regrowth – and a great place for travelers!

And when you’re ready to explore some other countries, Brussels , the vibrant capital of Belgium, is just a short trip away. Looking to extend your trip? Make sure to check out Ghent and Antwerp , both fantastic destinations. If you wish to explore Germany, Hamburg is perfect for a romantic weekend gateway.

With its rich cultural and culinary scenes, Belgium is perfect for long-term exploring; but you can also soak up some of its delights on a day trip from Amsterdam .

Looking for more adventures?

Book a multi-day trip to absorb some of the area’s highlights, from parties to markets to windmills; or combine it with trips to other nearby showstoppers such as Paris.

Then keep exploring some of the other best places to visit in Europe – it’s a beloved continent for a reason!

With a stellar combination of easy travel and diverse cultures, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can hop from cityscape to mountaintop, weaving through little towns and gazing at world-famous monuments.

It’ll be a holiday like no other!

Final thoughts

There are plenty of adventurous things to do in Amsterdam, from the red light district to the marijuana cafes. But if you just focus on the risque aspects, you’re missing out!

With thrilling immersive experiences, world-class music and art, and centuries of rich culture, it’s the sort of destination that captures the imagination.

Long after you return home, your memories of Dutch adventures will linger… so get started with your planning!

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95 Fun & Weird Things to Do, See and Eat in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in the world, and for good reason. With its laid back reputation, gorgeous canals, dozens of museums and vibrant nightlife, it has something for everyone. It’s also an ideal base for those who want to explore surrounding countries and cities.

But you don’t have to take it from us. Plenty of people have added Amsterdam to their list of favorite cities. Here’s a list of 95 fun things to do, see and eat in Amsterdam and the surrounding regions, including top suggestions from the ladies on the Girls LOVE Travel® Facebook group.

50 Top Things to Do in Amsterdam

Looking for the best things to do in Amsterdam? There’s so much to do and see in the city, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed trying to take it all in.

Don’t worry, though, because Amsterdam’s bicycle-friendly layout and easy-going culture make it one of the easiest European cities to navigate. Here are 50 places to visit and things to see as you explore.   

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kari D. (@karidephillips) on Aug 12, 2017 at 7:43am PDT

1. See Electric Ladyland

Sure, it’s a Jimi Hendrix album, but it’s also a museum of fluorescent light in Amsterdam. Visitors to Electric Ladyland can explore fluorescent minerals and even create their own fluorescent art. Visiting this trippy, large-scale art installation is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam.

2. Stroll Through the Keukenhof Gardens (Hint: Tulips!)

Besides windmills and wooden shoes, tulips are arguably the thing most closely associated with Amsterdam. If you love these charming, bright flowers, you’ll want to plan your visit around spring, when the tulips pop up in shades of red, pink, purple, yellow and orange.

Tulip fields are all around the outskirts of the city, but you can also get your fill of flowers at Amsterdam’s Keukenhof Gardens . According to the Gardens’ website, the best time to visit is around mid-April, but weather fluctuations can affect blooming times, so check back closer to your trip.  

3. Visit the Anne Frank House

Amsterdam is a city that is steeped in history, and this is one landmark that you don’t want to miss. For anyone who has read The Diary of Anne Frank , you know what a profound and heart-wrenching story lies behind this historical house. It might not be the typical light-hearted faire that you find in Amsterdam, but this is definitely worth the trip. With 1.5 million visitors every year, the Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam’s most visited tourist destinations. The website recommends purchasing tickets well in advance, as demand often exceeds the number of available tickets.

4. Swing Through the Red Light District

For many visitors, Amsterdam’s Red Light District is both tantalizing and a little bit scary. What is it, exactly? Is prostitution really, truly legal? Can you take your grandma there?

As the official Amsterdam tourism site explains , the Red Light District is in some ways exactly what it sounds like. However, it’s got a lot more to offer, including historical areas that make up the oldest parts of the city. If you like architecture, for example, you won’t want to miss Oudezijds Armsteeg, which features six restored Delft Blue houses. There’s also plenty of adult fun ranging from bars and nightclubs to sex shoes and the popular Sex Museum of Amsterdam. No matter what you’re into, it’s definitely worth a quick stroll through the streets and alleyways. (If you’re looking to keep things more tame, we definitely recommend going during the day.)

5. Get a Birdseye View (and Swing on Europe’s Highest Swing Set) from the A’DAM Lookout

Adventure seekers will love the A’DAM Lookout , an observation deck and swing that lets you literally see the whole of Amsterdam from the edge of your seat…in a swing set. There’s also a rooftop restaurant and bar, as well as a high-tech interactive city exhibition that lets you explore Amsterdam with both feet safely on the ground. If you’re a creative in the city, A’DAM&Co is a private club you might want to check out – they have sister clubs in NYC, Paris and London, too.

6. Visit Museum Vrolik

Into weird medical stuff? The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia often makes headlines for its collection of odd and sometimes gruesome collection of medical specimens, but you can find an even bigger collection in Amsterdam. Home to 10,000 medical and anatomical curiosities, Museum Vrolik’s collection dates back to the 1700s .

7. Windmill Through Zaanse Schans

What could be more Dutch than windmills? If you came to Amsterdam to see them, you shouldn’t miss the neighborhood of Zaanse Schans , which is home to historic windmills and quaint wooden houses. Located on the River Zaan, this residential area will take you back to what life was like in 18th and 19th century Amsterdam.  

8. Play in Efteling Park

The United States isn’t the only place you can find theme parks. The Dutch know how to do big, bold entertainment, and they prove it at Efteling Park  – which quite frankly, has some pretty creepy stuff . Often referred to as “The Dutch Disneyland”, it’s the largest theme park in the Netherlands. It’s open 365 days a year, which makes planning your visit really easy.

9. Visit the Van Gogh Museum

Home to the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings in the world, the Van Gogh Museum is located in Amsterdam South. As a bonus, it’s within easy traveling distance of the Stedelijk Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Concertgebouw, so you can make a day trip out of it. You won’t find Van Gogh’s most famous painting, Starry Night , here, but this sprawling collection of works presented chronologically is as moving as it is education.

10. Book a Street Food Tour with Hungry Birds

Love immersing yourself in local culture? Love eating? You can do both with a street food tour with Amsterdam travel company, Hungry Birds . Pick from Daytime, Evening, Breakfast and East Experiences. (Just wear your comfy pants.)

  View this post on Instagram   It’s very Amsterdammy out by the canal tonight. ? #heinekenexperience #amsterdam #amsterdamcanals #chilling #expatlife A post shared by Kari D. (@karidephillips) on Jun 13, 2018 at 11:54am PDT

11. Take the Heineken Beer Factory Tour

Heineken has been around since 1864, and it looks pretty darn good for its age. The famous beer factory gives Heineken Experience tours 365 days a year — all led by ‘Dam locals who can tell you lots of fascinating information about their city.

12. Visit Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

History buffs won’t want to miss Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder , which is located about five minutes from Central Station on foot. Built in the 17th century, the museum is a Catholic church built on top of a canal house. Known as a “schuilkerk” or “clandestine church,” the museum allowed people in past centuries to worship without fear of religious persecution.

13. Rent a Bike and Get Lost in the City

One of the first things you’ll notice when you visit Amsterdam are the bicycles. They’re everywhere! In fact, there are more bicycles than actual residents in the city, making bike tours one of the top things to do in Amsterdam.

Like many medieval towns, Amsterdam struggled to adapt when cars came on the scene. After a period of high pedestrian deaths, city officials launched a massive campaign to build bike paths in the 1970s.

As a result, bicycling has become practically synonymous with Amsterdam. As you realize when you get there, it’s incredibly easy to move around the city on two wheels. You can find bicycle rentals just about everywhere.

14. Wander Through Jordaan

If you like antiquing and picking up unique works of art, the quaint neighborhood of Jordaan is probably right up your alley. The narrow streets are home to an eclectic collection of shops, cafes and art galleries.

15. Foodie? Get Thyself to Foodhallen

Who doesn’t want to visit a place called Foodhallen? We don’t even need to speak Dutch to know it’s exactly kind of spot we need to check out. At Foodhallen , you can sample the best culinary creations Amsterdam has to offer.  

16. Visit Zandvoort Beach

If you’re hitting up Amsterdam in the summer, you don’t want to miss Zandvoort Beach , a long stretch of soft sand with plenty to do and see. There’s even a nude beach if you’re into that sort of thing. With all the biking you’re likely to do in Amsterdam, you’ll probably have a beach body ready if you’re inclined to show it off.  

17. Eat Some Herring

Next to bicycles, herring carts are probably the most common thing you’ll see on every street corner in Amsterdam. It’s served raw, but don’t let that scare you. The fish is caught fresh, and it has a sweet taste. You can also request a “broodje haring” to get your fish served on bread with pickles and onion.

18. Grab a Selfie with the IAmsterdam Letters

If you visit Amsterdam, you have to get your photo taken with the city’s iconic letters , which stand over two meters tall. Until December 2018 , you were able to visit the letters in the square behind the Rijksmuseum, however, the city council had them removed because they were deemed to be “too individualistic.” But never fear! You can still visit the letters (and take a killer selfie) in other locations, including in Noord and in front of Schiphol airport.

19. Book a Walking Tour

Many people get around Amsterdam by bicycle, but walking tours can also be a fun way to explore the city. Knowledgeable guides show you historic sites and interesting places. You can find pretty much any kind of walking tour you’re looking for, including food tours and even treks through the Red Light District.  

20. Visit Albert Cuypmarkt

Started in 1904, the popular Albert Cuypmarkt boasts over 300 stalls that sell a variety of food, flowers and clothes. This is also one of the best places in the city to enjoy a freshly made stroopwafel!

21. Relax in Vondelpark

Nature lovers will want to check out Vondelpark , which was designed by landscape architect L.D. Zocher and features restaurants, cafes and an open-air theater.  

22. See a Show at The Royal Theatre Carré

Opened in 1887, The Royal Theatre Carré features musicals, concerts, variety shows, cabarets and dance.  

23. Ice Skate at Leidseplein

Visiting Amsterdam in the winter? You don’t have to skip outdoor fun. Leidseplein (Leiden Square) features festive holiday days and ice skating around a bustling shopping area.   

24. Visit the Dutch Resistance Museum

Located in the Plantage neighborhood, the Verzetsmuseum features exhibits from the Dutch Resistance during World War II. You can buy tickets online ahead of time, and tickets are good for six months from the date of purchase.  

25. Check Out the Amsterdam Zoo

Located in the center of Amsterdam, Artis (short for Natura Artis Magistra) is one of the oldest zoos in mainland Europe. In addition to exotic animals, there’s a botany and zoology library, as well as 27 historic buildings to explore.  

26. Shop at The Nine Streets

Located in the Jordaan neighborhood, The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) is a shopping district filled with boutiques, home decor, cafes and specialty shops.

27. See Science Center NEMO

If you’re traveling with kids — or you just love science — you’ll want to check out Amsterdam’s Science Center NEMO , a museum that features both exhibits and hands-on experiments.

28. Tour the Rembrandt House

It’s called Museum het Rembrandthuis in Dutch, and it’s a favorite destination for fans of the famous 17th century painter. Rembrandt lived in the house between 1639 and 1656, and the interior has been reconstructed to depict life during the time period. You can also see Rembrandt works of art during your visit.  

29. Visit the Royal Palace of Amsterdam

England isn’t the only European country with a royal family. The Dutch have one too, and you can tour one of their three official residences by visiting the Royal Palace of Amsterdam . It’s located in the heart of the city and boasts a number of historical, architectural and artistic masterpieces.

30. Explore the Museum van Loon

Built in 1671, the Museum van Loon is a canal house still owned by the family that built it. History buffs might be interested by the fact that the van Loon family had a hand in founding the Dutch East India Company, one of the world’s first megacorporations.

31. Squeeze Into the Narrowest House

Although you can’t venture inside (it’s privately occupied), you can visit the outside of the narrowest house facade in the world. At only 1 meter (3 feet) wide, it’s definitely a cozy one.  

32. Visit the Bags and Purses Museum

Love purses? The Museum of Bags and Purses has exhibits dating all the way back to the Middle Ages. There are over 5,000 items on display.

33. Chill Out at the Icebar

When you visit Amsterdam, you soon learn that the nightlife is hot…and cool. The Amsterdam Icebar is made entirely of, you guessed it, ice. Bring your coat, because the inside temp is kept at a constant -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). The website recommends purchasing tickets online ahead of time, as the bar can fill up fast, leaving you out in the cold.

34. Hike Through an Artificial Forest

Amsterdam Forest (Amsterdam Bos) is one of the largest parks in Europe, which is pretty impressive considering all of the trees were planted by hand. You can explore nature, grab a picnic lunch, go sailing or even snuggle up with goats. Although the park is man-made, the landscape is very real.

35. See Chinatown

Amsterdam’s Chinatown is the oldest in Europe. The neighborhood got its start in the early 1900s, when Chinese sailors migrated to the city to work on Dutch steamships. The area is within walking distance of the Red Light District, so it’s easy to plan a day or evening around both sites.

36. Stop at the Torture Museum

Who says vacations have to be relaxing? Europe is known for its medieval past, which featured grisly public executions and centuries of warfare. At the Torture Museum , you can get up close and personal with the more unpleasant parts of the past.

37. View Some Rare Books

Are you a fan of Dan Brown? The author was inspired by books found at Amsterdam’s Ritman Library , which is home to over 23,000 books, including rare collections. The museum is located in the Jordaan neighborhood.

38. See Amsterdam’s Oldest Building

Founded around 1213, the Oude Kerk (Old Church) is the oldest building in Amsterdam. Prostitutes use the square around the church to solicit business, which is just about the most Amsterdam thing we’ve ever heard.

39. Peek in the World’s Loveliest Public Urinal

As they say, when you gotta go, you gotta go. In Amsterdam, you get the privilege of doing your business in a public urinal designated a National Monument. Located near the old City Hall building, the urinal was built in 1926, which might explain its aesthetically pleasing design.  

Of course, the gents are a bit more privileged than the ladies when it comes to public bathrooms in Amsterdam. According to Atlas Obscura , there are just three public ladies’ rooms compared to a whopping 35 for men.

40. Decorate with Droog

Sweden has Ikea, and Amsterdam has Droog — a uniquely Dutch take on interior design. Housed in a 17th century former textile manufacturing building in the center of Amsterdam, Droog is a store, cafe and tearoom.

41. Stroll Through the Waterlooplein Flea Market

Amsterdam is home to a lot of old stuff, and the Waterlooplein Flea Market is no exception. In fact, it’s the oldest in the Netherlands. In addition to hundreds of stalls, there are food trucks featuring cuisine from all over the world. Located in the center of the city, the market takes its name from the 1815 Battle of Waterloo.

42. Check Out the Library

Libraries don’t often make people’s list of must-see travel destinations, but Amsterdam’s Central Library (Oosterdok) is definitely something to behold. For starters, it’s 10 stories tall and offers 1,200 places to sit. In addition to books, it also sports several museums, a gorgeous terrace and a restaurant. It’s also free to visit.

  View this post on Instagram   Current mood: cat lady ????????? #Latergram #depozenboot #amsterdam #catlady #catladiesofinstagram #catsofinstagram #workation #digitalnomadgirls #longday A post shared by Kari D. (@karidephillips) on Oct 3, 2017 at 12:52pm PDT

43. Calling All Cat Ladies: Visit De Poezenboot

De Poezenboot . Yep, it’s the cat boat. A boat with cats. If you love kitties, check out this unique floating sanctuary for stray and abandoned cats.

44. Explore the Begijnhof

Known as an almshouse in English, the Begijnhof is a collection of houses built around a courtyard in the heart of Amsterdam. Although there were similar almshouses in Amsterdam, the Begijnhof is the oldest, dating back to the 14th century. The houses were once communities for women known as Beguines, who chose to dedicate themselves to religious life without taking the formal vows of a nun.  

45. Take a Canal Cruise with Those Dam Boat Guys

Amsterdam isn’t known as The Venice of the North for nothing. The canals are gorgeous, and they’re definitely worth exploring. You can make a whole day of it with a tour from Those Dam Boat Guys , who operate canal tours starting from Cafe Wester. According to their site, passengers can bring whatever food, drinks or smokes they wish when they board.  

46. See the Rijksmuseum

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum , the national museum of the Netherlands. The museum houses a vast collection of Dutch art, including works by Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer.

47. Smell the Flowers at Bloemenmarkt

Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt is the only floating flower market in the world. You can buy tulips, of course, along with many other types of flowers. The flowers are placed on barges, which is how they used to make their way into the city before modern times.

48. Recharge (or Kick Back) at a Coffee Shop

If you’re a coffee lover, you’ve come to the right place. Amsterdam has over 250 coffee shops. Marijuana is legal in the Netherlands, so you can also enjoy a smoke with your coffee if you prefer. The legal age for consuming cannabis in the Netherlands is 18, and you must have ID. Here’s a list of 15 of Amsterdam’s best coffee shops , ranked by locals.  

49. See Central Station

If you plan on hopping a train, you’ll need to visit Amsterdam Centraal station out of necessity, but the building is worth visiting in its own right. Opened in 1889, it’s the largest train station in the Netherlands. If you love Gothic or Renaissance architecture, it’s definitely worth adding to your list.    

50. Take a Dip in Flevopark

Sometimes you just want to reconnect with nature. The city can get hot in the summer. Fortunately, Flevopark offers a way to cool down and relax. It’s Amsterdam’s only outdoor swimming pool, with paths for jogging, walking and bicycling. There’s also plenty of green space for picnicking.  

10 Restaurants to Try

Between sightseeing and adventuring, you’re bound to work up an appetite. Fortunately, Amsterdam’s more than got you covered. Here are 10 restaurants to check out while you’re in town.   

1. Dine at Ristorante Due Napoletani

You don’t have to hop a plane to Italy to enjoy excellent Italian cuisine. Ristorante Due Napoletani , which is run by a husband and wife team, is Kari and Kelly’s absolute favorite restaurant in Amsterdam. With a homey family vibe, amazing service, and some of the most incredible food you’ll find anywhere in Amsterdam, this is one dining experience that you absolutely won’t want to miss. All the food is made fresh daily by Chef Nunzio, and no matter what you pick off the menu , you’re sure to be blown away. However, some of Kari and Kelly’s favorites are the carpaccio, the pasta al parmigiano — and don’t forget to save room for one of 50 delicious varieties of tiramisu prepared daily!

2. Amsterdam Pancakes. ‘Nuff Said

Belgium has its waffles, but Amsterdam is known for its pancakes, and that’s just fine by us. In Amsterdam, you can eat pancakes with just about any topping you can think of, and some of the top 10 pancake restaurants in Amsterdam feature unique locations like carousels and boats.

3. Drink Beer Under a Windmill

Amsterdam has eight windmills inside the city, and the De Gooyer windmill stands right next to a the IJ Brewery (that’s Brouwerij ‘t IJ for the locals). The beers are certified organic, and you can sample indoors or outside on a large terrace.  

4. Eat at Omelegg for Breakfast

Love omelettes? You’ll want to stop at Omelegg Amsterdam for breakfast — or lunch or dinner. Omelegg gets rave reviews on travel sites, with visitors calling their meal “hands down the best breakfast we have ever had.”   

5. Pick Up a Steak Dinner at Black and Blue

Carnivores will want to check out Black and Blue , an Amsterdam restaurant known for its steaks. Located in the Jordaan neighborhood, visitors praise its friendly servers and welcoming atmosphere.

6. Dine on Top of the World at Moon Restaurant

Located on the A’DAM Tower, Moon Restaurant offers phenomenal food and an unbeatable 360-degree view of the city. The dining room rotates, so you can explore the city from 19 stories up.   

7. Le Garage

The name is so good, it just begs to be left alone. Le Garage offers French cuisine (but of course), and reviewers say it’s a bit pricey but worth it. It’s more of an upscale place, so you might want to plan your wardrobe accordingly.    

8. Go for Some Gs

With a website URL of “really nice place,” you can bet Gs is, well, really nice. The restaurant has three locations: De Pijp, Jordaan and a brunch boat that travels the canals. Gs is best known for its brunch and bloody marys, which come in no less than 13 versions.

9. Make a Reservation at MOS Amsterdam

Conveniently located near Central Station, MOS earned a Michelin star in 2016. It uses traditional French culinary techniques with Dutch ingredients. As one reviewer put it, “If you are addicted to food don’t miss this amazing restaurant on the Amsterdam IJDock.”

10. Eat Dutch Fries at Wil Graanstra Friteshuis

Love French fries? Then you need to try Dutch fries. Specifically, you need to try fries at Wil Graanstra Friteshuis . The fries (frites) stall has been open since 1956 and regularly sells out by the middle of the afternoon. You can get them with ketchup, but locals typically eat them with mayo.         

25 Day Trips to Add to Your Schedule

One of the best things about Amsterdam is its close proximity to some of the most amazing historical and cultural sites in the world. When you stay in the ‘Dam, a sizable chunk of Europe is at your fingertips — or at least within a short drive.

If you’re going to spend time in Amsterdam, here are 25 day trips you don’t want to miss.

1. Visit Utrecht

The city of Utrecht has all the good things Amsterdam has to offer, without all the tourists. Located just 30 minutes away from Amsterdam, Utrecht offers canals, cafes, cozy coffee shops and plenty of beautiful green space to explore.

2. Relax on the Beach in Den Haag

When most people think of Amsterdam, they don’t picture the beach. Fortunately, reality is a lot more exciting than your imagination. Den Haag (The Hague in English) has a fabulous beach , complete with a pier, ferris wheel, bars and a boardwalk. In fact, there are 11 kilometers (6 miles) of coastline.  

3. Check Out Bruges

Aside from being the hometown of Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies, Bruges makes for a great day trip if you’re based in Amsterdam. You’ll see spectacular churches, drink plenty of amazing beer and even see Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child.

4. See Vianden Castle

If you’re a castle lover, you have to check out the fairy tale castle in Vianden, which is located north of Luxembourg — about four hours south of Amsterdam. Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, Vianden Castle is one of the biggest castles from the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

5. Get Your Cheese on in Gouda

Love cheese? Never mind, that’s a rhetorical question. Gouda gets its name from the city of Gouda , which is located south of Amsterdam. As you might guess, it’s famous for its cheese, but it’s also a great place to find picturesque churches, gorgeous scenery and marketplaces foodies will swoon over.

6. See Haarlem

Hankering for a quick day trip? Haarlem is the perfect spot to do it. Located just 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train, it’s got a huge street market, medieval architecture and a breathtaking cathedral dating from the 14th century. Because the city is compact, you can explore without feeling like you’re up against the clock.

7. Go Ghent

Ghent is about two hours southwest of Amsterdam, and it makes for a lovely day trip through some of the best medieval architecture in Europe. Many people describe Ghent as a “best-kept secret” because it doesn’t generally attract the same amount of tourist traffic as other cities.  

8. Visit Antwerp

If you fancy a short trip to Belgium, you can spend a day or two in Antwerp , which is just under two hours southwest of Amsterdam. Antwerp has a lot to offer, including the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the only museum in the world to hold a title as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

9. Make a Day Trip to Delft

If you’re a fan of blue and white porcelain, you don’t want to miss Delft . The city is the home of the famous pottery, which got its start in the 16th century.

10. Hang Out in The Hague

The Hague isn’t just the home of the International Court of Justice. A 45-minute trip from Amsterdam, the city of over 1 million offers museums, gardens, shopping and a beautiful beach. You don’t want to miss Den Haag.

11. Rock Rotterdam for a Day

Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re traveling to Amsterdam. Located around an hour southwest of Amsterdam, it’s home to Markthal, a covered market hall and apartment complex that spans over 13,000 square yards.  

12. See Clervaux Castle

Dating back to the 12th century, Clervaux Castle has been completely rebuilt, so you can get a look at what life was like before the time of indoor plumbing and Netflix. It’s located in northern Luxembourg, which is about four hours from Amsterdam by car.

13. Spend a Weekend in Giverny

Amsterdam is a great base for exploring surrounding cities and countries. Case in point, you can travel to Giverny in northern France in just over five hours by car. There, you can visit the famous Monet Garden , which inspired the artist’s work.

14. Get a Small Town Feel in Zwolle

For some people, one of the downsides of traveling is feeling lost in the big city. If you crave a small town vibe, check out Zwolle , a charming hilltop city with a medieval core that overlooks four rivers.      

15. Tour the De Koningshoeven Brewery

Founded in 1884, De Koningshoeven Brewery is operated by Trappist monks inside Koningshoeven Abbey. Reviewers on Tripadvisor describe it as “the best beer I have ever had in my entire life” and the brewery tour as a “must do beer experience.”

Koningshoeven Abbey is located in Berkel-Enschot, a village that borders Belgium. It’s about an hour south of Amsterdam, so you might want to make a day trip out of it.    

16. Visit Maastricht

Love history? You’ll want to take a day trip to Maastricht , one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. It’s home to Saint Peter’s Fortress, which allowed the Dutch to defend the city from the French in the early 18th century. The city also has a wealth of medieval sites to explore.      

17. Cruise Through Giethoorn

If you can’t make it to Venice, you can still experience travel by canal. Giethoorn village in the northeastern province of Overijssel is almost entirely free of car traffic. Instead, locals get around by canal, and most people live in thatch-roofed cottages. You can also check out the village farm museum to learn about the region’s agricultural history.

18. Spend Time in Edam

Located about 35 minutes from Amsterdam, Edam is a charming countryside village with canals, markets and museums that showcase the region’s history. Edam is also known for its cheese, which sailors in the 17th century used to buy for long voyages. The cheese has a long shelf life, and you can still see farmers bring it to town by boat and horse in the summer.  

19. Get a Little Luxembourg on the Side

Just four hours away by car, Luxembourg is a popular destination for people who use Amsterdam as a European jumping off point. The small country (just 1,650 square kilometers) is surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany, which gives it an interesting cultural mix. There are 10th century castles, UNESCO World Heritage sites and famous thermal spas fed from underground spring water. Yes, please!  

20. Visit Naarden

Want to visit a town shaped like a giant snowflake? You can, if you take a trip to Naarden . Located just 30 minutes east of Amsterdam, the fortified town is one of the best preserved in all of Europe and makes up one of the medieval fortifications of Amsterdam.

21. Check Out Muiderslot Castle

If you watch a lot of television shows about the Middle Ages, you might have seen Muiderslot , which is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. Located at the mouth of the Vecht river, the castle has turrets, suits of armor and over 750 years of history to explore. It’s also just 25 minutes from Amsterdam.  

22. Take a Day Trip to Leuven

Leuven is a city near Brussels, Belgium and a little over two hours from Amsterdam by car. Fans of Gothic architecture will want to see the Stadhuis, the city’s impressive town hall, which perches above cobbled streets. There’s also the Oude Markt — a string of pubs and bars so extensive it’s been called “the longest bar in the world.”

23. Say Cheese at Alkmaar Cheese Market

Just 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train, Alkmaar Cheese Market is open every Friday morning and Tuesday evening between April and September. This is the place to go for a full-blown Dutch experience, from cheese bearers in traditional costume to Dutch girls in wooden shoes. The market has been going for 400 years, and the town even had to demolish homes to make room for it as it expanded.  

24. Go Back in Time in Marken

Marken is a small village on a peninsula in North Holland, about an hour from Amsterdam by car. Because the village used to be an island, many of its cultural customs and architecture have been preserved. You’ll find quaint green seaside houses, as well as picturesque lighthouses and sailboats.    

25. Get Starstruck at Bourtange

If you travel to Bourtange , you’ll want to see the town’s magnificent fortress, which is built in the shape of a star. Constructed in 1593, it’s known as the fortress that has never been conquered. The village, which is home to under 500 residents, is located inside the fortress itself.

10 Festivals You Have to Experience

Amsterdam hosts over 300 festivals every year, so it’s a safe bet you’ll be able to add at least one to your trip itinerary. From music and dance venues to film and culinary events, there’s a festival for every interest. Here are 10 Amsterdam festivals you have to see.    

Milky Way in English, Melkweg got its start as a milk factory in the 19th century. Today, it’s a sprawling music venue that offers live music, festivals and cultural events.

The Amsterdam Dance Event is a five-day electronic music festival held each year in October. Attendees can see world-famous DJs and mingle with music and technology professionals.

3. Mysteryland

Mysteryland is an electronic music festival held in Amsterdam every year over the summer. The festival features 17 stages, which showcase performances across a variety of musical genres, including hip hop, house and trance.

4. Bacchus Wijnfestival

What’s better than a wine festival? A wine festival in the heart of Amsterdam. The Bacchus Wijnfestival takes place in the summer every year and features live music, plenty of food and wine from all over the world. Attendees can purchase a pre-paid credit card with credits, so there are no worries about getting tipsy and losing your wallet or purse.

5. The Parade

The Parade , which travels through the Netherlands, has been going for nearly 30 years. This unique roving festival starts in Rotterdam and winds its way through the countryside before ending its route in Amsterdam. There are over 80 different musical, dance and theater performances, along with food, drinks and barbeque.    

6. Amsterdam Gay Pride

For a party on the canals like no other, you’ve got to see Amsterdam Gay Pride . People celebrate on boats, bridges and streets, and then head to after parties at various venues near Central Station. Amsterdam Gay Pride takes place the first weekend of August every year.   

7. Lowlands

If the U.S. has Woodstock, the Netherlands has Lowlands — only the Dutch have kept their celebration going strong for decades. Started in 1967, Lowlands takes place every year over the third weekend in August. The main events are musical performances, but there is also dance, theater and even stand-up comedy.  

8. Light Festival

Although many of Amsterdam’s most famous festivals take place in the summer, you can also find lots of exciting celebrations in the winter months. The Amsterdam Light Festival is held anytime between early December and late January. Light designers from all over the world head to the city to display their installations around the canals. The water reflects the light, making this a festival you’ll want to see after dark.   

9. King’s Day

Pack something orange, because King’s Day is all about celebrating the Dutch Royal Family, which is known as the House of Orange. Held on April 27 (the current king’s birthday) every year, King’s Day is a city-wide celebration in the streets and on the canals. The partying starts in the morning and doesn’t end until well after sundown.    

10. Awakenings

Unlike a lot of other music festivals, Awakenings takes place at several locations throughout the Netherlands over several weeks. The main genre is techno, and fans gather from all over the world to hear the most popular DJs and musical groups perform live.

Ready to Spend Time in Amsterdam? (Ja!)

So there you have it — 95 of the best things to do in Amsterdam. The best part of this list is that it’s just a starting point. Amsterdam has so much to offer, you’ll want to come back again and again.

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Comedy Walks

Een stadswandeling met een comedian als gids!

Amsterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven and Berlin

What is a comedy walk©.

A Comedy Walk© is a unique City Walking Tour with a local stand-up comedian as a guide. Our local comedian-guides are enthusiastic insiders who will show you the most iconic sites and share their in-depth knowledge about the city’s history, cultural heritage and local culture. The fun anecdotes and personal tales will turn this City Tour into a unique and unforgettable experience.  A Comedy Walk© is by far the most fun way to see a city!

The most fun way to see a city, book your comedy walk in amsterdam, book your comedy wall(k) in berlin, book your comedy walk in eindhoven, book your comedy walk in utrecht, laugh with us, gregory shapiro.

Comedy Walks Amsterdam – Greg has so many stories to tell, he’s made them into numerous solo shows. Now, Greg takes you to the locations where the stories took place.

Jelle brouwer.

Comedy Walks Utrecht – Jelle will take you to the hidden gems of Utrecht and his casual insensitivity to local customs will make you feel, breathe and act like a local, even if you are a local.

Rachid larouz.

Comedy Walks Amsterdam – Combining relatable, highly personal stories with the kind of sights you wouldn’t see on a regular tour, Rachid’s Comedy Walk is an afternoon well spent.

Timothy guiney.

Comedy Walks Amsterdam – Timothy is Ireland’s most talented story teller and he shares several with you during his Comedy Walk in Amsterdam. As a long-time expat he is the right person to explain the quirks and peculiarities of Dutch culture to you.

Hermes ahmadi.

Comedy Walks Eindhoven – Hermes’ comedy is witty, intelligent and skillfully constructed. Despite Eindhoven’s, so to say, remarkable architecture, he makes Eindhoven look like the most fascinating place on earth!

Rachel morton-young.

Comedy Walks Utrecht – Rachel is a happy British comedian which is quite rare after UK’s separation from the EU mainland. Her profound understanding of the Dutch educational system will leave you in tears, also of laughter.

5-star reviews are no laughing matter....

Fantastic and funny way to see places you wouldn't normally go to when visiting a city. Great to do with friends, family, or whoever. Even when you think you know the city!!

We have done this comedy tour with 10 women during a surprise party for a friend. It was a nice city walk combined with many humorous stories. The comedian responded to the group and adjusted his jokes.cI can recommend this tour if you are looking for a fun and active event.

Had a great time walking and laughing around Amsterdam. Great experience! and learned so many things about this wonderful city. Hats down for the best, most funny and knowledgeable guide, Kor! Thank you for the lovely time! No better option for a Saturday afternoon!

Exactly what we were hoping for, our guide was very knowledgeable about the city and was brilliant at adding some humor to it! Thank you for the very pleasant tour!

A great way to get to know the city, it's not my first trip to Amsterdam so it was a fun way to get to know it some more, who wouldn't want to laugh while learning?! Thanks, Tim!

Unique way to get to know more about Amsterdam and Dutch people. The group was a mix of Dutchies/Tourists and the activity was very fun for both. Good entertainment!

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Funny boat tour - Flagship Amsterdam

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Funny boat tour

Very nice team on the boat - Albert, Fran and Isabelle G - also good cheese and wine, thank you for having us! Cheers from Switzerland.

Hi!  Thanks so much for leaving us such a stunning review! We’ll be more than happy to see you back on our boat trip here in Amsterdam!  Have the best day!  Kind wishes,    Gabriela - Head Operations Customer Care, Flagship Amsterdam 

Relaxed atmosphere. Excellent hosts. Funny stories and the best storytellers. Will recommend this trip to everyone

Ahoy!  Thank you a lot for expressing your positive experience; we truly appreciate your input. We’re so happy that you felt so comfortable with Flagship, on our canal boat here in Amsterdam.  A big shout out to your hosts, of course, for their incredible efforts.  Have an amazing day.    Kind regards,  Gabriela - Head Operations Customer Care, Flagship Amsterdam 

Great boat tour - Virginia was a funny and informative guide and Chuck didn't crash the boat! Would recommend

Hi there, It’s so lovely to read that you enjoyed yourself on board with us, on this Amsterdam boat trip.   Thank you for choosing Flagship; we’re very grateful to have had you on our canal cruise.  We wish you a beautiful day!    Kind regards,  Gabriela - Head Operations Customer Care, Flagship Amsterdam 

Great trip! Fun facts. Helene and Dani were amazing. I would highly recommend the experience to anyone with kids.

Dani and helene, made the trip welcoming and enjoyable and great information about Amsterdam, would definitely recommend!

Ahoy! Thank you for your lovely review; we are thrilled to know that you shared such a great  time with us, touring through the canals of Amsterdam. We wish you an amazing day!  Kind regards,  Gabriela - Head Operations Customer Care, Flagship Amsterdam 

It was amazballs. Helene and Dani were awesome. They let my little brother help drive the boat. I would recommend to a friend.

Ahoy! Thank you so much for your review and fantastic rating; we appreciate it. It was a pleasure to guide you through the wonderful canals of Amsterdam and share a bit of magic with you.  We wish you a great day.    Kind regards,  Gabriela - Head Operations Customer Care, Flagship Amsterdam 

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10 Best Tours in Amsterdam

By Clodagh Kinsella

Knowing where to direct your steps in Amsterdam is far more complicated than just keeping an eye out for the constant onslaught of bikes: between the major museum renovations, the cutting-edge architectural innovation, and the chameleonic food scene, the city is enjoying a renaissance akin to its Golden Age glory days. While there are brilliant specialist operators running tours of the highlights—whether of food, art, or local photo opportunities—others, lingering longer in the memory, focus on the shadowy flipside to that 17th-century luminosity, from Amsterdam’s colonial past to its misprized sex industry. We've rounded up our favorites—be it an Amsterdam canal cruise, Amsterdam bike tour, Amsterdam walking tour, or one of the many highlighting the city's cultural offerings—including one standout through the Red Light District, to lead you in the right direction. No matter which one you choose, one thing remains: take to two wheels or the water if you really want to go Dutch.

Eating Amsterdam, Jordaan Food Tour Arrow

The Amsterdam spin-off of ace tour company Eating Europe—in six cities and counting—this isn’t a makeshift affair, and you’ll get well-produced local food maps as part of the package (but make sure to reserve ahead). The focus is very much on insider knowledge, with four-hour guided walking tours of the Jordaan district’s lesser-known corners, including a dozen stops for Dutch delicacies, and ample meet-and-greets with artisanal food heroes. Your companions: two historians, two professional chefs, and an architect—plus a local whose family have lived in Jordaan for generations, and an Indonesian/Dutch guide for explaining the former colony’s worthy contribution to the food scene. The vibe is fun and interactive, and the main course comes with an appealing slice of history on the side.

Black Heritage Tour of Amsterdam Arrow

Black Heritage Tours founder Jennifer Tosch is on a one-woman mission to shed light on the presence, and little told past, of the African diaspora in the Netherlands (she’s now added tours in NYC and, by request, Brussels). Rigorous, interactive three-hour boat trips are the big draw, luring two to 90 people via celebrities like activist and author Angela Davis (average group size is 10-20 guests). Eye-opening is the word here. Once you’ve been alerted to the hidden past of Amsterdam’s beautiful Golden Age museums and canal houses, you’ll start seeing signs of the city’s sinful colonial legacy everywhere. A visit to the Rijksmuseum (usually included) or Royal Palace won’t be the same again. Definitely book ahead—especially outside of summer, when trips are less frequent.

MokumBoot Arrow

There are a million Amsterdam canal cruises, and a million other tourists to take them. Sidestepping that, and exercising your navigational skills for two hours (or more, if you like) is a bit of a no-brainer. With a 50-strong fleet of slick monochrome electric motor boats, and six hire stations across town, this is the king of skipper-yourself boat rentals, but with the laid back attitude of a playboy prince. Not that they aren’t organized: Mokum (an old nickname for Amsterdam) take care of pillows (or ponchos and blankets, depending), suggested sailing routes, and instructions on how the boats work. Affable dock personnel go beyond, so you’ll get a super-clear brief on how to operate the boat, but if you want to escape the traffic or visit a particular spot, they’ll happily tailor your itinerary to that. For sunny weekends, reserve at least two days ahead to get the prime early-afternoon slots.

Architour Half Day Tours: IJburg & Golden Age Walk Arrow

As the market-leader for architectural tours in Holland, the brilliantly organized Architour can handle groups ranging from two to 240—whether town planning offices, Rotary Clubs, or architecture students. Their regular two-hour-long small group tours, for ten people max, and private tours, for up to 20 people, need advance booking. The two tours listed here are both on foot, though they also offer bike and canal tours. Directors Paul Vlok and Anneke Bokern (an architect and architecture journalist, respectively) have handpicked a dozen local architects to serve alongside them as guides. Fluent in Dutch and English (and some even German, French, and Japanese), all have personal insight into Dutch building culture, and how that stacks up against other countries, so no question is too specific.

Jessica Puckett

Anna Borges

Karthika Gupta

WeBike Amsterdam City Tour Arrow

Cycling is part of the Dutch DNA, and there are over 880,000 bikes in Amsterdam alone—though three-hour tours by this excellent indie outfit generally top out at around seven cyclists. Between the rave reviews online and the intimate numbers, it’s definitely best to reserve your slot in advance. Like many Dutch kids, mainstays Thijs and Jasper grew up on the back of a bike, and know how to combine humor with brilliant historical and architectural titbits. You’re not just following the leader here, but engaging in regular chat as you cruise from one fascinating spot to the next. If you want to bring babies or small kids, they’ve got the (well-maintained, comfortable) bike for that. In fact, there’s really no limit to the crowd you’ll be riding with, but safe to say that it’s not the same set that comes to Amsterdam for the weed and red lights, and people who never learned to bike really shouldn’t start here.

Context Travel's Rijksmuseum Tour: Crash Course Arrow

This is a formidable operation established and executed by tour experts, and you’ll only need to share the joy with five other equally sophisticated tourists. The Rijksmuseum docents are all art historians, ranging from Vermeer experts to TV personalities—so you can be staring at a Rembrandt in the company of an acclaimed author on the subject. Despite all this they don’t talk down to tour members, and many manage to be funny as well as brilliant (sigh). Itineraries are docent-dependent (and group-dependent), so it’s worth doing your research if you’re set on getting that Rembrandt expert, but in any case the master’s works will be par for the course—not least his masterpiece The Night Watch , enjoying pride of place at the heart of the museum. More obscure rooms are also on the agenda, and having a guide to navigate them may leave you with a lasting love of 17th century ceramics, furniture, or model ships.

PIC's Wallen Tour Arrow

Walking tours of Amsterdam’s Red Light District aren’t hard to find, but no other operator tells the story of the notorious neighborhood from the perspective of sex workers. Run by invaluable non-profit the Prostitution Information Center (PIC), walks aim to encourage an open debate about the misunderstood industry and increase respect for sex workers (the term preferred by prostitutes). Turn up to PIC’s community center, café, and exhibition space a few minutes before the tour—or come earlier to consult the sex library over coffee and cake. Guides are either ex-sex workers, ready to open up about their own stories, or researchers on the industry who are able to answer literally any query from how much money you can make in a shift to the ancient origins of the trade. Given PIC’s mission to change hearts and minds, there’s absolutely nothing rote about the delivery here—this is a real passion project for guides, and you might find yourself shedding a tear.

Amsterdam Photo Safari Arrow

This is really best for those with a vested interest, as the one-on-one attention is brilliant for making swift progress, and if you opt for a longer tour (they run from three to six hours, with four a recommended minimum) you’ll really be able to get off the beaten track. Your safari group might range from total amateurs getting to grips with the basics of composition to pros with pricy DSLRs looking for the inside scoop on the best places to shoot in the city. You can bring a friend with an iPhone or other handheld camera device for around 90 percent less than the regular tour price, so it might end up feeling like a private tour (those are available too, and are strongly recommended for people with mobility issues). Night safaris, beginning a couple of hours before sunset, are absurdly picturesque, as the lights start to come on over the city’s bridges, casting fairytale reflections over the canals (even amateurs will soon be capturing boats’ light trails with tips on the best long exposure settings).

Rederij De Jordaan Private Boat Tour Arrow

Slick, slick, slick. As VIP canal cruises go, captain Reinhard Spronk’s historic saloon boat tours (aboard 1932 teak beauty Welmoed , or 1908’s smaller Farahilde ) are really the business. He and his partner Miloe run the show, taking private groups (reservations necessary) on bespoke tours of Amsterdam’s legendary canals. Pick-up is from your waterside hotel or Cafe Van Puffelen, by their office. This is going to be the highlight of your European tour, combining an utterly beautiful vintage boat, the most sophisticated company in town, and (for a supplement) red roses, gourmet finger food, and bottomless champagne.

Brouwerij ‘t IJ Arrow

Compared to neighboring Belgium, the Netherlands isn’t exactly known as a beer powerhouse, but the big news is that the capital now has craft breweries to shout about. So skip the queues at the mammoth, more famous Heineken Experience, and head to signature local craft brewer ‘t IJ, which was raising the bar on specialty brews long before ‘small batch’ was a hipster rite of passage. Finding the venue, opened in 1985 in an old bathhouse, is child’s play: the biggest wooden windmill in the Netherlands is next door. Friday to Sunday afternoon tours of the Funenkade HQ are a snappy 20-minute crash course in the magic of malt, hops and yeast. With only 20 spots going, and no pre-booking, get to the bar early to grab tickets (a free beer is included with the entry fee). Don’t bother bringing your bachelor party though – after one too many messy experiences in the past, they’re now officially barred.

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15 Unique Things to Do in Amsterdam that are Different + Fun!

Posted on Last updated: January 18, 2024

Typical Amsterdam activities can feel a bit touristy for seasoned travelers. While the city’s red-light district or the beautiful bridges and boat canals are always going to be an essential part of the Amsterdam experience, here are some of our favorite unique things to do in Amsterdam that will help you experience the city like a local and feel the true spirit of Amsterdam and its lovely surrounding areas in 2022. 

These things to do will be fun for travelers and might even surprise some locals with something different and out-of-the-box. Let me know which ones you enjoy in the comments below!

Before Visiting Amsterdam

Before you head to Amsterdam, you must know some things about this incredible city. This is the famous city where bikes have the right of way over people, with hundreds of canals, incredible architecture, iconic ‘coffee shops,’ and plenty of museums.

Amsterdam can get VERY crowded in the summer and quite cold in the winter. Many agree that it’s best to visit in the shoulder seasons, and also one of the best places to visit in Europe in June too. Make sure to check the weather before your trip!

Amsterdam has some iconic museums and attractions you can visit with the iAmsterdam City Card . Public transport is extremely efficient (although many choose to rent a bike) and Amsterdam is well connected with all of the Netherlands/Europe with busses and trains too.

Amsterdam is served by the massive hub of Schipol airport, which has many airlines that fly to many countries. If you want to explore Amsterdam on a layover, there are lots of reputable places to store your luggage in the city.

Mini Golf in the Dark

How many cities offer glow-in-the-dark mini-golf experiences to their visitors? The best thing about mini golf is that everyone can play it – you don’t need years of training to be decent at it. The glow-in-the-dark aspect adds an extra layer of excitement to the whole adventure, making the experience visually enticing and so much fun.

If you are in Amsterdam with a couple of friends or family, or maybe you are looking for a fun activity for a birthday celebration, this is a cheap and fun way to spend the evening as it only costs €8 for 45 minutes.

Food Tour in the Jordaan District

Food tours are often some of the best ways to experience a place and discover what gastronomy makes it unique, so I always recommend them! Getting away from. Jordaan is a more hipster area of the city and the absolute perfect place for a unique Dutch food tour.

Taste food at six or seven different places of all different kinds and flavors (yes, you heard that right – hello food coma). Of course you will also learn a bit more about the area in a more fun and tasty way!

Europe’s Highest Swing at the A’DAM Lookout

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Did you know that Amsterdam is the home to the highest swing in Europe? Apart from being simply fun, the A’DAM Lookout swing also opens up to the city’s best view since it is located at the top of the A’DAM Tower. Swing over the entire city, with views of the canals, city, port, and more.

Now, the swing is not for the faint of heart! If you’re afraid of heights, you can skip the swing and still see the view from the safety of the sky deck, behind the railing/glass. But if you are a true adventurer, opt for this epic and unique 360 swing soaring over the city.

The A’DAM Lookout and many other museums, bikes, cruises, and transport are covered in the iAmsterdam City Card. Book One Here!

Learn Some Science at Micropia, the Microbe Museum

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Yes, it’s true, there’s a museum all about MICROBES in Amsterdam. It’s weird, wonderful and so worth popping in to see what you find. It’s actually quite an enlightening visit as you would never guess (or think about) what a role microbes play in your everyday life, and how many places they live… in your food, as vitamins, and even on your body!

Learn about the roles of these tiny organisms and also see real scientists hard at work from the other side of a glass window. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for the unseen! (Also included in the iAmsterdam Pass)

Visit a Free Show at Vondelpark

Vondelpark is a beautiful park located in the city, a common place to visit in Amsterdam. But for one of the more unique things to do in Amsterdam, visit a show there in summer.

This time of year it turns into an Open light theater or “Opnelichttheater ” as the locals call it. During the summer, you will find various shows, workshops, Cabaret performances, and other events under the open light, as the name would suggest.

The park has its website where you can see the schedule for the upcoming shows, so make sure to go over it to find your perfect Opnelichttheater show.

Visit Electric Ladyland, the “First Museum of Electric Art”

If a museum of electric art isn’t unique, I don’t know what is! This museum invites you to participate in rooms full of fluorescent art in all kinds of neon colors illuminated by backlights. You can also see what different materials and minerals look like in normal light compared to fluorescent light, and see different art pieces in a (literally) new light too.

Albert Cuypmarkt Street Market

People in Amsterdam specialize in farmers’ markets, and this attitude is best demonstrated at Albert Cuypmark. From Monday to Saturday, Amsterdam’s biggest market is in full swing from 9:00-17:00.

Albert Cuypmarkt is the biggest daily street market in Europe. It’s not only food, though; people sell second-hand items, clothing, art, decor, etc. It is a unique environment that will inspire you to shop locally and intentionally even after your Amsterdam trip. 

Visit the Woonbootmuseum, House Boat Museum

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live on a houseboat in Amsterdam, you can now do just that. Visit an early 1900’s houseboat whose owners have opened it up to the public along with plenty of information on the history of that particular houseboat and also houseboats in Amsterdam in general.

Check out a Music Festival

Amsterdam is one of the world’s music festival meccas, and there are dozens going on in and around Amsterdam during the summer months. From one-day events in the park to warehouse raves to three-day camping festivals, the Netherlands really have it all. Check out the best music festivals in the Netherlands to pland yours.

Check Out the Ice Bar

Speaking of unique things to do in Amsterdam, one of the most interesting destinations for locals and tourists is The Ice Bar. The temperature inside the ice bar never goes higher than -10°C. The bar serves a variety of ice cocktails, and the interior is unique and memorable.

Having to hang out in a freezing place helps break the ice, no pun intended. To get into the Ice Bar, you will need a ticket. The bar offers a variety of ticket packages for clients to choose from. One of these packages can get you an entrance ticket in addition to a cocktail and 2 beers for under €20.

Rijksmuseum Faily Game

The Rijksmuseum houses over 400 masterpieces from artists like Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals to showcase masterful and iconic art throughout the centuries. But, it’s one of the most well-known things to do here. For something more unique, try getting together with your family and friends to play the Rijksmuseum Family Game.

This game will make exploring the museum SO much more fun as you search for different quests throughout the museum experience with your own rented device. Find the secrets of the Rijksmuseum that have been hiding in plain sight!

The Windmill Tour

Windmills are an essential part of the Dutch landscape. That’s why it’s not surprising that there is also a 3-hour bike tour of the windmills, considering that country is probably the most bike-friendly in the world.

But if the 3-hour bike tour sounds a bit too exhausting for you, you can also take a Bus tour with the Canal cruise. The bus tour will take you to Zaanse Shans windmills, and the best part is that it is free! You can explore the Dutch countryside and leave the noisy city behind for a few hours. You can even hit up one of the famous Dutch cheese farms there. 

Fly High at the THIS IS HOLLAND 5D Flight Experience

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Book a spot in advance to check out what is SURELY one of the most unique things to do in Amsterdam… a 5D flight experience! This epic ride takes you up above a spherical screen and makes you feel like you are TRULY flying over different locations in the Netherlands in very high definition.

The 9 minute experience shows you over 20 different locations in the Netherlands and shows you a journey through past and present Dutch landscapes and culture.

Be Mortified at the Torture Museum

The torture museum is surely one of the most… interesting things to do in Amsterdam, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. This museum goes through all kinds of methods of torture that have been used throughout history. Some are brilliant(ly scary), some are just gruesome, and some are unexpected. You’ll have to visit to see for yourself!

Keukenhof Garden – The Famous Tulip Gardens

This last one is also technically outside Amsterdam, but it only takes an hour to get there, so you can go to the Keukenhof Garden during the day and still go out to party in Amsterdam in the evening. Keukenhof is one of the largest spring gardens in the world, and if you love nature and can appreciate beautiful scenery, it’s a must when going to the Netherlands. 

There is a direct bus from the city center to the gardens. To make the experience more enjoyable, you can also get a skip-the-line ticket to see the gardens without waiting in long lines. These gardens can get pretty crowded, especially in the summer. 

How to Stay Safe While Traveling Through Amsterdam

Like any popular tourist destination, Amsterdam has its fair share of scammers and pickpockets trying to make some money by taking advantage of inexperienced when going to crowded places; something to keep places is to carry a bag you can see and hold easily.

Backpacks are great for long roads, trains, and bus rides, but if you are going to a crowded bar, like, for example, the Ice Bar, it’s best to get a belt bag or something of a similar style. 

Apart from that, it’s important to start prioritizing digital safety. Most of us use Google Maps to get around a new town, look up popular cafes, and make plans for the evening. This also means that we are using public Wi-Fi at least from time to time.

This is especially dangerous when you go to a tourist-heavy city like Amsterdam, where scammers know that visitors will need to use public Wi-Fi, and they will most likely do that in the city’s busiest places. To keep using public Wi-Fi without giving access to your connection to hackers, use a VPN when surfing the web so that no one can access your personal details through an unsecured network.

Was that enough ideas for unique things to do in Amsterdam? Is there any more I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments below!

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The 14 Best Amsterdam Tours

Dive into this famously liberal city and its beautiful countryside with the help of a guided tour.

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Exploring Amsterdam via its famous canals is a great way to see the city.

Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

There are so many can't-miss sights in Amsterdam , from the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum to the city's famous canals, houseboats and windmills. With the help of a friendly local, you're sure to see it all and gain some insider tips. After analyzing both traveler opinion and expert research, U.S. News determined the best Amsterdam tours. Whether you're hoping to walk or cycle your way through the city or even cruise its canals, you'll find each tour highlights the unique qualities only found in Amsterdam.

Stromma – Open Boat Tours Amsterdam

This cruise takes participants through the city's famous canals to view its top sights, including the Van Gogh Museum , the Amstel and more. Plus, because this boat is smaller than a normal tour vessel, you'll get to explore some of the lesser-seen waterways. Reviewers say this is a relaxing tour with captains who provide plenty of information. Boats run multiple times daily from three departure points; tours last about 75 minutes. Tickets start at 22.50 euros (about $24) for adults; children travel for half that. The company also offers dining cruises.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

Mike's Bike Tours Amsterdam – Countryside Bike Tour and Cheese Tasting

Get your fill of windmills and the beautiful Dutch countryside on this bike tour that runs up to 3 1/2 hours and covers about 10 miles. It also includes stops at a clog factory, a public park and a cheese farm, where cheese samples are offered to visitors. Reviewers praise the scenic countryside and the stop for the cheese tasting. They also appreciate the well-maintained bikes and the friendly guides. Tickets start at 42 euros (about $42) for adults and 39 euros (about $37) for youths ages 12 to 17; the trip is not suitable for children younger than 12. This tour runs daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The company offers many bike tours, including tours of the city and private cycle trips.

[View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 .]

With Locals – The 10 Tastings of Amsterdam

Get a "taste" of Amsterdam on this guided food tour that features 10 tastings, including beverage samples. In-the-know locals lead the three-hour walk that takes you through the De Pijp area of the city, as well as an outdoor market. Food samples could include a stroopwafel (a wafer cookie), herring and local cheeses. Reviewers highly recommend this tour, describing it as "fun" and "flavorful." They also extol the guides for their friendly, cheerful demeanor. Ticket prices vary depending on how many people tour; a couple can expect to pay around 95 euros (about $99) per person. The tour runs Monday to Saturday at multiple times each day. The company also offers tours of the city by bike or boat.

Free Walking Tours Amsterdam – Classic Tour

Learn about Amsterdam, its liberalism and the Dutch culture on this two-hour walking tour. Stops may include the red-light district, the canal belt area, the Waag building and more. Keep in mind each guide takes a slightly different route. Reviewers highly recommend the tour for travelers interested in a brief introduction to Amsterdam history. Tourgoers also applaud the guides for their engaging, funny storytelling. Tours depart daily at 10:30 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 and 4 p.m. The tour operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis, but you'll need to pay a city-mandated entertainment tax of 1.55 euros (about $2). The company also offers a food tour and an alternative tour of the city that explores Amsterdam's counterculture.

360 Amsterdam Tours – Anne Frank Walking Tour

See World War II through the eyes of Anne Frank on this two-hour tour through the Jewish Quarter. Highlights include the Portuguese Synagogue, the Hollandsche Schouwburg Museum and the Anne Frank House. Reviewers praise the guides' storytelling abilities and their knack for weaving in a substantial amount of information about Amsterdam and its role in World War II. Tickets start at 28.50 euros (about $30) per person and discounts are available for children. Tickets do not include entrance to the attractions on the tour. Tours operate daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The company also offers an Anne Frank bike tour, among other options.

Courtesy of Hungry Birds

Along this tour with Hungry Birds, you'll eat like the locals do and learn about their favorite spots.

Hungry Birds – Original Experience

This delicious trip focuses largely on Amsterdam's street food and shares information about the city's culture, daily life and the people who make the dishes. During the 4 1/2-hour outing, you'll sample plenty of eats favorited by locals and you'll also try traditional foods like herring and Dutch cheese. Reviewers say the tour includes plenty of food and is a great introduction to local culture. Participants recommend coming hungry. Tours are generally available Monday to Saturday at 11 a.m. and start at 89 euros (about $93) per person; children younger than 6 can join for free. Food and drink samples are included in the ticket price. If you want to explore on your own, try Hungry Birds' self-guided bike tour.

We Bike Amsterdam – City Tour

Sightsee your way through the city using the preferred method of transportation among Amsterdammers: a bike. On this three-hour cycling tour, you'll see some of the most popular neighborhoods, as well as hidden spots frequented by locals. Top stops on the tour, which is limited to 11 people, include Vondelpark , the Jordaan neighborhood , the Western Church and the Rijksmuseum. Reviewers say this is a great way to see the city and that guides maintain a comfortable pace. Tickets cost around 30 euros (about $31) for adults with discounted fares for children. Tours depart daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The company also offers a private bike tour and a countryside tour.

Lovers Canal Cruises – One Hour Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise

See how Amsterdam comes to life after dark on this hourlong cruise that tours the incredible canals, traveling under illuminated bridges and past the historic city center. Boats are equipped with panoramic roofs, sliding windows and audio commentary. Reviewers say they enjoy seeing Amsterdam by night and that the audio guide is informative. Others wish the boat was less crowded. Tickets start at 19 euros for adults (about $20); children receive discounted tickets. Tours leave daily every half-hour from about 5 to 9 p.m. Lovers Canal Cruises also offers a variety of daytime cruises.

Those Dam Boat Guys

Over and over again, travelers praise Those Dam Boat Guys for a fun and informative tour of Amsterdam. During the canal cruise, guides share information about their city and offer helpful hints to make the most of your stay. Tours run on either covered or open boats (depending on weather and boat availability), so you won't have issues seeing the amazing sights. Up to eight passengers will be on the boat – another aspect of the tour travelers praise. Trips last about 90 minutes and run multiple times daily. Fees start at 29.50 euros (around $31) for adults. Private tours for up to 10 are also available.

SANDEMANs New Europe – Free Tour of Amsterdam

Learn about Amsterdam's rich history, including the Nazi occupation, its trade heritage and the city's enthusiasm for biking, on this three-hour walking tour. The excursion will also take you by the city's incredible canals, over its bridges and to see some of its best architecture. Reviewers describe the tour as "amazing" and say the guides are passionate and energetic about their city. Tours are free, but you will need to pay an entertainment tax of 1.50 euros (about $1.50) per person. Additionally, you are welcome to pay your guide what you wish at the conclusion of the tour. Tours are available daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; keep in mind you must reserve your slot online in advance. If you want to learn more about Amsterdam's famous red-light district, take the fee-based Red Lights and Dark Amsterdam tour.

Wooden clogs are one of the best-known symbols of the Netherlands.

Tours & Tickets – Countryside and Windmills Tour from Amsterdam – All-In Tour

Reviewers praise the number of activities packed into this nearly six-hour excursion and say the tour provides a great overview of the Netherlands. During the daytrip, you'll visit the village of Zaanse Schans to see more than 10 of the Netherlands' iconic windmills. Then, it's off to Volendam and Marken for a tour of a cheese factory and a wooden clog-making demonstration. Plus, along the way, you'll have access to an audio guide to enhance the commentary provided by your live guide. Tickets start at 45 euros (about $47) for adults and 22.50 euros (about $24) for children ages 4 to 13. Tours depart at 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. from Amsterdam Central Station from spring through early fall. Tours & Tickets operates multiple excursions in and around Amsterdam and Belgium.

Eating Europe – Jordaan Food Tour

Once a working-class enclave with roots dating back to the 17th century, the hip Jordaan neighborhood is the focus of this 3 1/2-hour walking tour. Learn about Jordaan's history, discover hidden areas and sample about 12 local delicacies from Dutch beer to apple pie to herring. Reviewers, who rave about the food, say this is a great way to sightsee through Amsterdam. Tours are available daily at 11 a.m. Tickets cost approximately 90 euros (about $94) for adults, 70 euros (about $73) for teens ages 13 to 17 and 55 euros (about $57) for children ages 4 to 12. Eating Europe also offers a food tour that includes a private canal boat ride.

FreeDam Tours – Free Walking Tour

For a crash course in the city's history, the future of the red-light district, Amsterdam's famous bike culture and lenient drug policies, consider this free walking tour. Along the 2 1/2-hour, 1.5-mile tour, you'll pass by a variety of popular areas, including Chinatown, the University District and the Royal Palace, among others. Reviewers recommend this tour if you're hoping to see a variety of top landmarks with a knowledgeable guide by your side. Tours operate daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and start at the Stock Exchange. There is no cost for the tour, but you'll have to pay the city-implemented tourist tax of 1.50 euros (about $2). The company also asks you to tip what you feel the tour is worth at the conclusion of the trip. FreeDam Tours also offers a private walking tour of the city.

Babylon Tours – Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Combo Tour

If you're hoping to explore the artsy side of Amsterdam, this semiprivate tour is for you. Guides take you and up to seven other participants through both the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum to talk about famous and lesser-known Dutch painters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh, of course. The roughly six-hour experience includes tickets to both museums, which get you to the front of any queues that form. Tourgoers admit it's a long day, but the art smart guides and incredible works make it all worth it. Fees start at 199 euros (about $208) for adults, 179 euros (around $187) for kids 10 to 17 and 139 euros (approximately $145) for children 9 and younger. The outing includes a stop for lunch, which is at your own expense. Tours depart at 10 a.m. daily. If you're short on time, Babylon Tours also offers shorter, two-hour strolls that visit just one museum.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
• Best Hotels in Amsterdam
• Best Places to Visit in Europe
• Best Paris Tours
• Best London Tours

Tags: Tours , Netherlands , Travel , Vacations

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• # 4 Bora Bora

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27 Unique & Fun Things to Do in Amsterdam

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

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If you’re currently wondering what to do in Amsterdam, I’m really sorry.

This post is about to make your life really difficult.

Why? Amsterdam is one of those cities that has a little something for everyone, whether your idea of fun is getting drunk on a boat with bottomless cheese cubes, or darting from museum to museum until your sanity begs for mercy.

… Which of course, makes choosing pretty difficult.

But don’t worry! After five unforgettable trips to this beautiful city, I’m a bottomless pit of recommendations and honest opinions, meaning yes – I’m ready to slander some of the so-called “best things to do in Amsterdam” as recommended by most travel guides because (to be very honest with you) I don’t think they best capture the essence of this magical Dutch city.

So, read on for a list of Amsterdam’s top fun and unique activities, from a crazed Amsterdam superfan who won’t quit until everyone sees how wonderful it is.

Save this list of Things to Do in Amsterdam for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

MONEY SAVING TIP: If you plan to do a lot of paid attractions during your time in Amsterdam, it may be very worthwhile to get an I amsterdam card, which includes most major attractions for one set price. You can read my full honest review of the I amsterdam card for more info.

My Free Map of Things to Do in Amsterdam

For a free map that includes all the activities below (plus recommendations for food, drink, etc.), head to my VIP Zone!

1. Hop on a canal cruise

Browse best cruises | Some included in I amsterdam Card

Looking for THE best, most “Amsterdammy” thing to do during your visit? My friend, it’s time to hurl yourself on a boat.

Is it painfully cliched? Sure. But if there’s one touristy thing you treat yourself to in Amsterdam, a canal cruise is non-negotiable.

It’s the best way to admire the city and get a quick overview of its famous picturesque canals, plus, for bonus fun points, you can book REALLY indulgent ones like this bottomless wine and cheese cruise (which I can vouch for, having done it myself recently!) or this pizza cruise.

My tip? Go at sunset. It’s just dreamy.

2. Visit the Red Light District

Okay, I couldn’t make a list of the most unique things to do in Amsterdam without including the Red Light District, so I’ll get it out of the way.

The Red Light District is an infamous and oft misunderstood part of Amsterdam known the world over for legal prostitution, sex workers in windows, erotic performances, erotic shops and even a whole museum about the history of prostitution .

To be honest, I don’t think this area is a particularly exciting place to visit, unless you’re really into tourist crowds, vape shops, dodging public urination, and the ever-present scent of Mary Jane. Or… you know, actual prostitution. In which case, go wild.

… but hey, the Red Light District is truly one of those things that most visitors feel they need to check off their list. So go, indulge your curiosity, but don’t get your hopes up – I doubt a visit here will be the highlight of your trip.

NOTE: If you want some more context to the Red Light District along with a tour of the city’s famous “coffee shops”, this experience might be what you’re looking for.

3. Gorge on Stroopwafels

Now, for something a little more my speed – the utter perfection that is the Dutch Stroopwafel.

If there’s one treat you need to try in Amsterdam, make sure it’s this one!

Stroopwafels are a very thin cookie-like treat that are made by sandwiching two thin waffle wafers together with caramel in the middle. They originated in Gouda and are absolutely delicious, especially if eaten while still warm.

As a purist, I must implore you to try a plain one rather than one of the more ‘aesthetic’ ones coated in chocolate and other toppings. A truly excellent Stroopwafel will shine just fine on its own… and they don’t need to be fancy or expensive either.

My personal favourites are the big multipacks you can buy from the supermarket, but shhh – don’t let the foodies know I told you that.

4. Stuff your face with all manner of fried snacks

Amsterdam is known as a city of vice and indulgence, and if your indulgences come in the form of mysterious things deep-fried to oblivion, I have great news!

Dutch food is a true wonder. From chocolate sprinkles on toast for breakfast ( Hagelslag ) to tiny bite-sized pancakes doused in sugar ( Poffertjes ), there is no caloric limit to what these magically tall people consume.

Some of the best treats though are the fried ones, and honestly, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Amsterdam, I’d like to suggest a grand tour of the Netherlands’ most prized snacks:

• Frieten: Frieten or patat are both Dutch words for fries (or chips) and this is another thing the Dutch do very well. The traditional Dutch serving of fries comes with mayonnaise or you can order ‘patat oorlog’ (which means potato war!) which will come with a mix of mayonnaise, sate sauce and raw diced onions, OR patat speciaal which comes with curry sauce, mayonnaise and (optional) diced onions.
• Bitterballen: Bitterballen are small, round, deep-fried balls of a kind of beef stew that’s been coated in breadcrumbs, usually served with some mustard to dip them in. There are other varieties to try as well though, including vegan bitterballen.
• Kroketten: A kroket is mainly a bigger version of bitterballen, with a meat stew coated in breadcrumbs and shaped like a sausage, then deep fried. It originates from the French croquette, but this is the Dutch version!
• Kibbeling: Kibbeling is the Dutch answer to fish and chips, only they coat the small fish pieces in a very thin marinade/batter and deep fry them rather than using a thicker beer-type batter. They are also delicious, especially with some fries and the typical mayonnaise-based garlic sauce that they are served with. It’s kind of like tartar sauce but not exactly.
• Frikandel: This is sort of like a Dutch hot dog, although they don’t look as appealing as they actually are! Frikandel is a type of minced-meat sausage that’s usually deep-fried rather than cooked in a pan or on the BBQ. They’re often served with curry sauce on a bun as a broodje frikandel (frikandel sandwich), in pastry a bit like a sausage roll or frikandel speciaal where you just get a sausage topped with diced onions and curry sauce.
• Kaassoufflé: Think of a crumbed and deep-fried kroket (only flat), and it’s filled with gooey cheese!

5. Get your culture on at the Rijksmuseum

Buy Tickets | Included in I amsterdam Card

Let’s take a break from the fun foodie Amsterdam must-dos and move onto a bit of culture, starting with what is quite possibly Amsterdam’s most famous cultural institution: the Rijksmuseum, AKA the national museum of the Netherlands.

The Rijksmuseum is to Amsterdam as the Louvre is to Paris. It’s an astounding collection of 8000+ pieces representing centuries of Dutch art and history, all housed in a grand building that will give you neck pains from all the inevitable oohing and ahhing.

BUT – and I say this with love, do not force yourself to go to the Rijksmuseum if you’re not particularly interested in art and history.

It’s expensive, busy, and quite a time commitment, given the museum’s massive size. If you only have a short time in Amsterdam, I might recommend stopping by to admire the building’s exterior, then focusing on some of the other activities on this list.

If you do decide to go though, here’s my tip – visit just before closing to avoid crowds and don’t miss the hidden library!

PS: One of my favourite Amsterdam fun facts is that there’s actually a branch of the Rijksmuseum at Amsterdam Schipol Airport – the first museum to be opened in an airport!

If you’re more into modern art then the nearby Stedelijk Museum may be more your speed – it’s dedicated to modern art and design, with lots of bold and interesting installations.

6. Head to the Van Gogh Museum

Located a nerdy skip away from the Rijksmuseum is another one of Amsterdam’s most famous cultural must-dos: the Van Gogh Museum.

This is one spot I’d recommend to anyone who is familiar with Van Gogh and is a fan of his work. After all, this is world’s largest collection of his works, with hundreds of paintings, drawings, and letters on display for your nosy perusal.

While here, not only do you get to treat your eyeballs to some of the most famous and well-known paintings in history, they’re all contextualized beautifully with tidbits about Van Gogh’s life story.

If you’re easily moved like me (or perhaps just hormonal – also like me), then this Amsterdam must-do may make you a bit emotional. Bring tissues.

7. Stop by the world’s largest street art museum

Buy Tickets

STRAAT is one of the coolest museums in Amsterdam – hands down. It’s located across the River IJ and about a ten-minute (free!) ferry ride from Amsterdam Centraal in the hip NDSM-Werf neighbourhood.

Once you get there, look for the giant mural of Anne Frank and then head inside what was once a ship-building warehouse to see a massive museum dedicated to street art. This huge space is filled with equally large canvases, along with some quirky installation art and sculptures – including a truck hanging from the ceiling with murals on each side of it!

The pieces on display here are truly breathtaking and there are more than 160 artworks by over 150 artists from all around the world. There’s even a cool interactive art piece in one of the side rooms and the café looking out over everything is also a great spot for some refreshment.

8. Visit a quirky museum

Okay, listen – if I were to continue listing every single Amsterdam museum as a must-do, we’d be here for weeks, and I’m sure you want to get back to your loved ones in a timely manner, so let’s just summarize some of the funnier, weirder ones I think you might like.

• The Pipe Museum | Included in I amsterdam Card : The world’s largest collection of elaborate pipes, tucked away in a little pipe shop. Run by volunteers. Super cute and quirky.
• The Upside Down Museum | Buy Tickets : Exactly what it sounds like, this museum has been designed so it seems like you are upside down in all the rooms! It’s a wonderful spot if you want some cute and quirky photos for the ‘gram.
• Kattenkabinet Cat Museum | Buy Tickets : This museum is dedicated to art depicting cats, and it’s absolutely packed with all manner of feline-themed items. From ancient Egyptian cat statues to posters, magazine covers and even a costume from the musical Cats, any cat-lover won’t want to miss this one!
• Our House : An immersive museum experience dedicated to dance music with exhibitions on the history of dance music along with installations, immersive shows and DJ-curated exhibits.

9. Photograph your heart out

Amsterdam is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in Europe. Narrow, crooked houses squished against each other, lining picturesque canals as an endless stream of bikes glide over bridges like some kind of utopian postcard?

Honestly, one of the best things to do in Amsterdam is just stare at everything. And drool. I’d be happy spending days doing just that.

But if you’re wondering where exactly to drool, here are some can’t miss photo spots:

• Damrak: Just outside Centraal Station is the avenue known as Damrak. Here is where you can get a shot of the famous “dancing houses”, a set of crooked canal houses just behind some water where lots of canal tours depart.
• Dam Square: Amsterdam’s most famous square. Visit the inside of the Royal Palace if you can ( buy tickets ), but otherwise beware of pigeons here… they are awful!
• Jordaan: The neighbourhood known as Jordaan is to the west of the city centre, and is known for being one of the prettiest areas of the city. Here are many cute cafés, restaurants, boutique shops, hotels and homes lining canals, making it a lovely spot to wander around.
• Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug): Amsterdam is known for having many bridges crossing all the canals, but the Magere Brug (which means skinny bridge in Dutch) might be the most famous. This picturesque little wooden bridge featured in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever , and at night it’s lit up by lots of little lightbulbs, making it very cute and romantic.

10. Stop by the Anne Frank House 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a list of unique Amsterdam experiences without mentioning the famous Anne Frank House, by far one of the most solemn but important places that the city contains.

Anne Frank was a German-born Jewish girl who was living in Amsterdam when the Nazis invaded, and subsequently spent two years hiding with her family in tiny concealed rooms at the place where her father had worked.

She kept a diary during this period, which was published posthumously by her father (the only member of the family to survive the war) after the family was discovered and she died at a concentration camp.

This book, The Diary of a Young Girl , is one of the most well-known books in the world, and when you’re in Amsterdam you can actually visit the building and rooms where Anne spent those years of her life in hiding.

This was by far one of the most memorable stops on my first visit to Amsterdam, and now (almost a decade later) I can still remember the way it felt to walk within those same four walls where Anne penned her famous diary over 70 years ago. A tough, but important place to visit!

11. Have a bumble through De Negen Straatjes (the Nine Streets)

The Nine Streets are located within the Jordaan right in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Site section of canals. This area is most popular for the many independent boutiques, art galleries and cosy cafés, making it a prime destination for some shopping – or just window shopping.

Many of the businesses are located in original canal houses, making it much more charming and traditional than other shopping areas in the city centre. Some of the attractions located within the Nine Streets include the Museum of the Canals, Huis Marseille – a museum for photography, cute (and delicious) cafés like Pluk, as well as a number of lovely hotels.

When it comes to shopping, make sure to visit De SnuifDuif, which translates to ‘the snuff pigeon’ but is actually a luxury perfume boutique rather than a tobacco shop! If you’re into vintage clothing, head to Laura Dols which specialises in 1950s fashion.

12. Enjoy an amazing view

There’s no shortage of places for a view in the city, which is why one of my favourite simple things to do in Amsterdam is simply hunt for the best one!

Here are some spots for the best Amsterdam views:

• NEMO Science Museum Roof Terrace: The highest square in the city, with great views! PS: The museum is great for kids too, and included in the I amsterdam Card .
• OBA Library Rooftop: Sweeping views over the city from the café on the top floor, and free to visit!
• A’dam Lookout: The observation deck on top of A’dam Toren (Amsterdam Tower), which is located directly across the river from Amsterdam Centraal Station.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Skylounge: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel next door to Amsterdam Centraal has a gorgeous rooftop bar called the Skylounge, which is perfect for enjoying a cocktail and some bar snacks while watching the sunset.

13. Visit the world’s only floating flower market 

On Amsterdam’s Singel Canal is a stretch of flower stalls that are all located on floating platforms on the water.

This Bloemenmarkt (which just means flower market) is the only floating market of its kind and a great spot to buy some fresh tulips, tulip bulbs or other tulip-themed souvenirs.

I’ll be honest: this is a very touristy spot… and for the most part, you don’t even realize you’re standing on a ‘floating’ market at all. Nonetheless, it’s a nice spot to quickly browse, especially if you’re aggressively into tulips.

14. Find some peace at the Begijnhof

Hofs (or hofjes – which means courtyards) are basically little gardens surrounded by homes and the Begijnhof is one of the most beautiful in Amsterdam, and the most famous.

It was constructed in the Middle Ages, which means it’s actually located below the modern street level, so you go through a little archway and down into a garden that’s hidden from the surrounding busy streets.

This particular hof was originally a Béguinage, which means it was housing for Beguines – religious women who lived in a community together but took no vows and had more freedom than nuns.

There are two churches located within this inner garden/courtyard area, including one which was constructed as a secret church after the first one was confiscated during the Protestant takeover of Amsterdam in 1578. Today you can visit either of these lovely churches or just enjoy some peace and quiet in the little garden area.

Keep an eye out for the black wooden building, which was one of only two wooden buildings to survive a fire in the 16th century, after which wooden houses were banned in Amsterdam. This one is the oldest wooden building in Amsterdam as it was originally constructed in 1528!

15. Snoop around a canal house

The ultra-slim canal houses of Amsterdam are one of the city’s signature elements, but do you know what’s better than gawking at them from afar?

… Getting to step inside one!

Of course, there are a few ways to do that, including…

• Staying in a canal house: Hotels like The Pulitzer , The Dylan and The Hoxton are housed in beautiful canal houses that have been updated with all the modern conveniences, and usually plenty of gorgeous art.
• Visiting a museum in a canal house: I can highly recommend Huis Marseille if you like photography (it has a really cool garden!). Otherwise, there’s Museum van Loon and Museum Willet-Holthuysen, both of which are unique house museums that show you what life would have looked like in one back in the day.
• Booking a restaurant or bar housed in one: Have a meal or a drink in a converted canal house like Brasserie Ambassade , Restaurant Café Van Puffelen , Bluespoon Restaurant and Bar or Flying Dutchmen Cocktails .

16. Snoop around a houseboat

While we’re in a snooping mood, another distinct thing that makes Amsterdam Amsterdam is its multitude of unique houseboats. Plenty of Amsterdam residents live on these boats, as they’re a bit cheaper than an actual house.

Again, here are a few ways to check out the inside of one…

• Staying in a houseboat yourself: There are many different houseboats that are available as temporary accommodation in Amsterdam, a quick Google search will help you find one that you like!
• Visiting the houseboat museum: The Houseboat Museum is basically just a houseboat you can go into to have a look around, and it’s very small but it’s a good way to see what it would be like to live on one without actually committing to it.
• Drinking and dining on a houseboat: Aside from a canal cruise (or the pancake boat !), there aren’t any bars, cafés or restaurants located on houseboats in Amsterdam, probably due to local laws. There is, however, one café called Café P96 where you can take your food and drinks from the main bar to the boat across the pavement and sit there to enjoy the canal. They’re only open for lunch or bar snacks and drinks though. The Botel (a boat hotel) in NDSM-Werf has its own bar but probably isn’t that exciting to visit unless you’re actually staying there.

17. Explore Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter

Looking for more offbeat things to do in Amsterdam? The area between Nieuwmarkt and Plantage was historically known as Jodenbuurt (the Jewish Quarter) and today there are a number of historically important preserved buildings here to explore.

The Jewish Cultural Quarter is an organisation that manages all the places that you can visit here and is dedicated to preserving Jewish culture in Amsterdam.

One ticket will gain you access to the Portuguese Synagogue, the Jewish Historical Museum, The National Holocaust Memorial Hollandsche Schouwburg, the National Holocaust Museum and the Jewish Museum Junior which is especially aimed at young visitors.

You can also visit the library Ets Haim– Livraria Montezinos, the oldest active Jewish library in the world, as part of a guided tour. This entire area is very interesting to visit especially if you want to know more about the life of Jewish people in Amsterdam from ancient times until today.

18. Wander around De Pijp

De Pijp is another cool neighbourhood in the Oud-Zuid (old south) of Amsterdam, which used to be a working-class area but is now a multicultural and bohemian zone brimming with cafés, restaurants, coffee shops and bars.

It’s also home to the famous Albert Cuypmarkt, the largest daily market in Europe which takes place Monday – Saturday from 9.30am until 5pm and is an excellent spot to try some fresh local treats like stroopwafels, as well as affordable groceries, clothing and more.

There are also plenty of Syrian, Moroccan and Surinamese restaurants here, along with Islamic butchers, as well as Surinamese, Spanish, Indian and Turkish delicatessens and grocery stores. Basically, if there’s a food you want, you can probably find it in De Pijp!

Sarphatipark is the lovely green park in the middle of the neighbourhood if you want to go for a walk, otherwise, I recommend checking out Woof & Me (a dog-café!), the Armoury Bar for board games and cocktails, MOAK Pancakes for truly epic pancakes or Coffee & Coconuts for some good coffee.

19. Venture out to Amsterdam-Noord

In the complete opposite direction is the neighbourhood of Amsterdam-Noord, which is directly across the river from Amsterdam Centraal Station. Luckily you can reach it in about three minutes via a free ferry, and from there you can explore A’dam Toren (Amsterdam Tower), the Eye Film Museum and This is Holland.

A’dam Toren features the fabulous viewing platform I mentioned earlier, as well as a swanky revolving restaurant, a cool cocktail bar up high, a hotel, an underground nightclub and a burger joint with foosball and ping pong tables!

This is Holland is a really fun 5D ‘flight simulator’ experience, where you get to ‘visit’ lots of places in the Netherlands in one place! The Eye Film Museum is also really interesting if you’re interested in the history of film.

If you go further via the metro to Noord ‘proper’ you’ll also find a large shopping mall with plenty of Asian supermarkets and restaurants. This is a more residential area so there aren’t any major tourist attractions, but it’s good if you’re trying to hunt down some authentic ingredients or just want to shop at a big Mediamarkt, Hema or Decathlon.

20. Check out NDSM-Werf

A bit further up the river via a different ferry (it leaves from the same spot as the ones to Noord, so make sure to check the sign) is NDSM-Werf, a former ship-building yard.

This is where the STRAAT street art museum is located in an old ship-building warehouse, but there are a number of artsy attractions and hip places to eat and drink here as well.

NDSM-Loods for instance is a kind of warehouse city where there are lots of little artistic businesses inside another former ship-building warehouse.

There are some great cafés in this neighbourhood as well, including Pllek inside old shipping containers, the Noorderlicht Café, Blast Galaxy which is an old-school arcade hall with games and cocktails or Cannibale Royale for the hard-core carnivores.

NDSM-Werf is also where lots of cool events take place, from dance music festivals to the largest flea market in Europe!

21. Peek Inside the Fascinating Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

Included in I amsterdam Card

Looking for something a bit more offbeat to do in Amsterdam? Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder is home to a fascinating secret church, one of many “clandestine churches” that popped up in the 17th century when Catholics weren’t able to worship in public anymore due to the rise of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Built into the top floors of a canal house, this secret attic church is one of the most interesting secrets of Amsterdam, and the audio guide tour which leads you through the many floors offers fascinating insight on the history of the house and what life was like back in the day.

Really, this is one of the few museums where I listened to every number on the audio guide! It’s that good. I highly recommend it.

22. Get cozy in a brown café

One of the funniest quirks about Amsterdam is that they call the places where you go to get weed a coffee shop and the place to get coffee is a café. Then there’s what’s known as a brown café, which is basically like your local pub!

Brown cafés are informal neighbourhood spots that serve beer and usually simple traditional meals. They’re called ‘brown’ cafés because of their typically brown interiors – think lots of dark brown wood and dim lighting. They’re usually much homier and more relaxed option than a posh cocktail bar, so if you’re looking for a chill place to wind down later in the evening, they’re a great option.

Some of the best ones include Café Chris in the Jordaan, Café Ruk & Pluk in Oost and In ‘t Aepjen next door to the Red Light District.

Wondering which one to prioritize? I can highly recommend In ‘t Aepjen. It’s located inside the other still-remaining wooden house in Amsterdam, and if you’re wondering why it’s filled with monkeys, that’s due to the historic fact that sailors used to buy beers with monkeys as currency here during the golden age of the Dutch Empire!

Apparently, there were so many monkeys running around that customers complained about the fleas and they were given to someone who put them in his garden, which then formed the beginning of Amsterdam’s Zoo. Now you can enjoy a drink surrounded by monkeys, without the fleas!

23. Hunt for the tiniest houses in Amsterdam

Once upon a time, those paying attention while prancing down Westerstraat were treated with a quirky little surprise: tiny canal houses wedged between number 54 and 70.

Unfortunately, the houses are no longer there, but here’s a photo to help you visualize their charming cuteness:

24. Stop by the world’s first specialty condom shop

Amsterdam is known for its tolerant attitude to all sorts of vices, including drugs and prostitution, but the city is also serious about…… safety 😉

The Comdomerie opened in 1987, making it the oldest shop purely dedicated to selling condoms, and lubricant.

While you can get many of the regular brands you might expect or want, they also have a wide variety of novelty condoms (that aren’t meant for use, FYI), including Formula One car condoms, a Pink Panther condom and even Matryoshka doll condoms.

It’s perfect if you want a unique, funny and slightly risqué gift to bring home from Amsterdam for someone!

25. Visit Amsterdam’s largest park

Amsterdam has many lovely green spaces, but Vondelpark is the largest and most popular city park.

This park was opened in 1865 and covers 120 acres of space not far from Museumplein. It’s filled with biking and walking paths, as well as wide-open spaces for picnics, a number of cafés, playgrounds, ponds and statues, along with an open-air theatre.

In summer it gets very busy but any time of year is nice to explore the different pretty sections and it’s especially good for dog spotting, as many dog-walkers bring their clients here during the day.

PS: If you’re looking for more scenic green space, I’ve heard Westerpark is beautiful too!

26. Enjoy Amsterdam’s “Secret Garden Days”

While there are a number of pretty hofjes (or gardens) in Amsterdam to visit, many of the most beautiful are hidden away in private residences.

However, if you happen to be visiting in summer, there is a three-day period known as the Open Garden Days where many of these ‘secret’ gardens are made accessible to the public!

More than 30 different canal houses open their gardens for three days each June (usually the third weekend of the month), and if you purchase a ticket then you can visit each house once during this Friday, Saturday and Sunday period.

You can purchase tickets for this event ahead of time on the Museum Van Loon website , and be prepared to be wowed by some of the most stunning private gardens in Amsterdam!

27. Attend a candlelight concert

And if you’re nosy like me and want to see inside more historic buildings in Amsterdam, here’s a fun hack for you – one magical way to experience them is by booking a candlelight concert!

Long story short: these are concerts they host throughout the year where pretty venues like churches and concert halls are decorated with a bunch of LED candles and have musicians play a gorgeous set list based on the evening’s theme (which can range from Taylor Swift and Coldplay to Hans Zimmer and Vivaldi).

The organizers kindly invited me to the  Taylor Swift one in Vancouver recently and I was pretty much on the verge of tears the whole time – Bridgerton vibes to the max! Just be sure to get tickets in Zone A for the best possible experience, and arrive early as seating is first come, first serve within zones.

Click here to see their upcoming concerts in Amsterdam.

NOTE: The venue really matters a lot for these concerts though, so make sure you pick one that’s hosted somewhere beautiful!

Here’s a photo from one of their concerts I went to in Vancouver:

BONUS: Indulge your most shameless inner tourist

Lastly, it has to be said: for better or for worse, Amsterdam is a city that has tons of ‘made for tourists’ activities that most locals would sneer at (as they smugly glide past on their bikes).

But hey, my philosophy with travel is that so long as you’re enjoying it, it’s not a tourist trap, so with that in mind, if you’re still looking for fun things to do in Amsterdam, I’d like to list off some final touristy Amsterdam activities that you might find interesting:

• Beer Bike Tour | Buy Tickets : You know those giant bike things where everyone is sitting at a mobile bar and also pedalling? You can do one of these while exploring the Sloterdijk district!
• The Heineken Experience | Buy Tickets : Explore the birthplace of Heineken and tour the original brewery, with some tastings, of course!
• Madame Tussauds | Buy Tickets : Get up close to famous Dutchies from history, and modern celebrities, made of wax at the Amsterdam Madam Tussauds.
• Ripley’s Believe it or Not | Buy Tickets : Also called “Amsterdam’s weirdest museum”, here you can see all sorts of curiosities and wacky art from around the world.
• Amsterdam Dungeon | Buy Tickets : This is quite an entertaining way to learn about some of the darker aspects of Dutch history, with live actors and a labyrinth.

Did I Miss Any of Your Favourite Fun Things to Do in Amsterdam?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more Amsterdam activities to the list!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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Fun Things to Do in Amsterdam

Unusual Things to Do Amsterdam

Home / Amsterdam Tours / Fun Things To Do

Top 5 Must-See Activities in Amsterdam

These are the most famous Amsterdam tourist attractions & sight tours which sees thousands and millions of visitors each year:

Van Gogh Museum Tickets

Rijksmuseum Tickets

Amsterdam City Pass

Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tours

Heineken Experience

Best Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Amsterdam

Are you a fun seeker on a visit to Amsterdam and you seems not to get where and when to have fun? Don’t worry, though Amsterdam is a flat city with no much high towers or buildings but there is way more fun-filled activity to do here than just cycling around, visiting the red-light district and chattering a boat on the canals. Many Unusual and fun-filled events are all hidden in this beautiful city, it takes a good researcher to get these activities.

So join us as we go down the list of 15 unusual and fun-filled activities to do in Amsterdam.

Fun Things To Do In Amsterdam

Unusual things to do in amsterdam, spend your night at leidseplein.

One of the fun filled activities you shouldn’t miss is to spend more than one night in Leidseplein, because Leidseplein has so much to offer, it’s hard to see everything in one short trip. From the attraction as the square gets illuminated with colourful light when the sun goes down; to the nightclubs that serves as live venues that host some of the world's best musicians and artists.

Chess lovers would also find Leidseplein a fun filled place to go because there lies a chess museum (Max Euwe Centre); admission is free as visitors are shown the history of chess. A lot of unusual activities like street performing, drinking competitions, etc. do happen on this square. Catch fun as you mix with locals and foreign in your night crawl on this square.

Bus Tour Highlights:

1. Amsterdam City Tour by Tuk-Tuk with Cheese Tasting

• Electric tuk-tuk tour around Amsterdam during two-hours
• Cheese tasting and a drink to have a happy ending of the tour.
• Live commentary from the local guide to learn more fascinating facts about the city.

Amsterdam City Tour by Tuk-Tuk with Cheese Tasting

What Will Do

• Get exclusive insights about where to buy the best local products, the best restaurants and places to go out.
• Explore the city in a unique way, the tuk-tuk will not only take you to the highlights but also to secret places.
• Taste great cheese and have a typical Dutch beer to feel like a local.

What Inclues

• 4 cheese tasting with dips and mustard
• Beer or wine or non alcoholic beverage

Travellers Talk

• Had a great time! Enjoyed the whole experience.
• Great personable tour. You learn a lot in the comfort of a tuk tuk and you do not get run over by bicycles.

Is It Right

• For sure! In fact, this tour is right for everyone!
• Families, group of friends and couples can enjoy every second of it.

Von Gogh Museum

One of the unusual activities to be done in Netherlands as a whole on a visit is Reading and Viewing Von Gogh's astonishing works. Von Gogh is one of the world most respected iconic artists of all time, born in Zudert (Netherlands), isn’t it amazing that an entire museum is dedicated to his life and his work. Surprisingly, it is amazing to know that this museum houses 400 drawings, 200 paintings and 700 letters by Vincent Von Gogh. Grab yourself together and bang into the Museum to mesmerize yourself with fun-filled sighting.

Opening Hours

2. Amsterdam Private Food Tour with Local Including 6 or 10 Tastings

• The best Dutch and international treats in Amsterdam with stops at a family restaurant and Albert Cuyp Market.
• Three-hour private tour covering all the flavors that have influenced the Dutch cuisine.
• Mouth-watering Dutch snacks from sweet to salty.

Compare Ticket Prices:

Amsterdam Private Food Tour with Local Including 6 or 10 Tastings

• Have a taste of the most popular Dutch snacks and drinks.
• Spend a lovely time with your group and the tour guide as you discover interesting facts about the Dutch culture.
• Explore the Albert Cuyp Market as never before with the help of your professional guide.
• Surinamese snacks, Dutch cheese + 5 other delicious tasting
• 1 local beer
• Local, trained and knowledgeable guide
• Make on-the-spot changes to the tour
• Martin was absolutely amazing. We highly recommend him for any of your tours. We learned a lot and ate delicious treats.
• A really, really great tour with so many interesting Amsterdam food items to try out.
• No doubt it is the right choice for you and for anyone.
• Everyone over the age of 14 is welcomed.

Artis Royal Zoo

Another fun-filled event in Amsterdam is a visit to the oldest Zoo in Holland. It is always fun-filled to view caged animals perform through a well-protected and guided tour in a Zoo, and no doubt this Zoo in Amsterdam provides the best of it. With more than 900 different species of animals, 200 different types of trees, this zoo provides the best of its kind experience. Something unusual and about this Zoo is the availability of an Aquarium, a planetarium, insectarium (featuring 750,000 different species of insects) and finally a Butterfly Pavilion (where guests and butterflies can move freely within one another) OMG, this is a surreal and incredible experience that one must not miss.

3. Amsterdam Pizza Dinner Cruise Including Drinks

• A picturesque ricer cruise and a unique dining experience.
• An opportunity to combine sightseeing and enjoying tasty food.

Amsterdam Pizza Dinner Cruise Including Drinks

• Cruise on Amsterdam's canals to the city's historic centre.
• Choose from a selection of piazza's and drinks.
• Share a sociable evening with your companions and fellow passengers.
• Evening cruise.
• 2-course dinner.
• Unlimited drinks.
• Live guide.
• This is very highly rated tour with an average 4.5 out of 5-star rating across 3 credible sites.
• Participants have described this tour as an excellent experience.
• Ideal for foodies!
• This is a great way for families and friends to spend an evening in the city.
• This tour should appeal to people who want to combine fun, dining and sightseeing.

360 degree view at Canvas

Isn’t it amazing to have a 360 degree view of Amsterdam through glass walls and rooftop terrace? Located on the 7th floor of a former Newspaper building in the Industrial east of Amsterdam is Canvas giving an unusual view of the city.

Apart from getting beautiful views from the 7th floor, you can also do some little dancing on the terrace with your spouse. Also, there lies a bar, the serve is good, formal and friendly and the menu is original. So it would be fun-filled having a drink in your hands and giving your eyes a good view of the city. Over day time, the venue functions as a Lunchroom and restaurant (plus great afternoon view of the city) but it is turned into a night Club on Friday and Saturday nights (giving an illuminated view of the city)

4. Small-Group Amsterdam Beer Tour

• The informative beer tour highlights the places essential for the beer industry in Amsterdam, as well as various interesting points of interest.
• Along the way, the participants visit different places where they can sample beer and ale.

Small-Group Amsterdam Beer Tour

• The activity isn't only about famous brands, such as Heineken and Amstel, but also about other Dutch beers.
• Familiarize yourself with various types of Dutch beer, including Grolsch and Amstel.
• Visit places that are essential to the Dutch Beer Brewing Industry, such as the Heineken Building.
• Visit breweries of Amsterdam and taste various sorts of beer.
• Knowledgeable guide.
• Samplings of three types of beer.
• Complimentary Dutch bar snack.
• He showed us some awesome bars and we tried some great beers.
• It felt like hanging out with a couple of pals while walking the streets of Amsterdam.
• So much information and such good company to talk to.
• Joining the small-group guided tour is the right thing to do for fans of Dutch beer.
• People fond of beer and ale are strongly recommended to book the activity.
• Only persons over 18 years of age can take part in the tour.

VR Game House Amsterdam

Oops!!! We bring you the highest fun-filled activities in Amsterdam. Apart from canals, museums, and bus tour activities, the Virtual Reality Gamehouse right in the center near Dan Square is also on our list of the unusual things (filled with fun to do) in Amsterdam.

Enjoy the fun as you play games in Amsterdam's first Virtual Reality Gamehouse, there you play games like boxing, running, wrestling, motor driving, Adventure games, VR first Person Shooting games, flying games, robot stimulated games using their high quality virtual reality equipment. Isn’t that interesting to hear? Game Lovers, the VR Gamehouse is a must - to - go place in Amsterdam, they provide the most affordable VR-Experience centre in Netherlands as a whole.

5. 30 Minute Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Amsterdam

• Flytographer 30-Minute Vacation Photo Shoot Connect with a local hand-picked professional photographer in Amsterdam and capture your most memorable moments during this private photo shoot. Get insider tips on the best things to do in Amsterdam, including where to eat & what to see from your vacation photographer. Return from your trip with...

30 Minute Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Amsterdam

Labyrinth cocktail bar.

Guests enjoy delicious soul food while listening to poets, storytellers and spoken word artists perform their works, this place is truly blessed. This fun-filled Bar is one which you should be prepared to visit on your tour to Amsterdam. Even though they aren't the cheapest but when you consider the quality and service, they're definitely worth it.

6. Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Amsterdam

• Flytographer Private Vacation Photo Shoot Connect with a local hand-picked professional photographer in Amsterdam and capture your most memorable moments during this private photo shoot. Get insider tips on the best things to do in Amsterdam, including where to eat & what to see from your vacation photographer. Return from your trip with...

Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Amsterdam

Relaxing at strandzuid.

Located in the southern part of the city between Amsterdam RAI and the Beautrix part, this inland beach complex also provides a beautiful lake view and boasts its guests liveliness with a chic restaurant embedded with a spacious beer drink and so much fun activities (going there is experiencing it). Going there makes you remember Amsterdam for a long period of time.

7. Amsterdam Countryside, Windmills & Fishing Villages - Private Day Tour

• This wonderful tour covers the magnificent Dutch polder landscape with its ribbons of farmland north of Amsterdam. You will please yourself with the visit of fishing villages marked by windmills, lakes, dikes and dams.This tour allows you to visit a working windmill, a visit to a wooden shoe manufactory and cheese...

Amsterdam Countryside, Windmills & Fishing Villages - Private Day Tour

Have a unique nude beach experience at zandvoort.

One of the unusual activities people don’t really take note of is visiting one the city’s nude beach. It is always fun-filled for first time visitors of Nude beaches because they got to enjoy the warmth of nature on their naked bodies.

Nude beaches usually have less services to offer than textile beaches but the large Zandvoort nude Beach offers you the opportunity to feel the nature nakedly. Unlike every other, Zangvoort beach requires no clothing at all both inside and outside because the owner really enjoy and encourage nudism everywhere. Moreover, the atmosphere is truly nature friendly, so it encourage naturism as you don’t need to start covering up. Build your confidence of going around shamelessly like it was in the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned.

8. Volendam & Zaanse Schans Tour: Dutcher than Dutch

• This tour offers you pure Dutch culture. Discover the ultimate windmill town of the Netherlands, visit the country’s most famous fishing village, learn about cheese making and watch how a shoemaker crafts traditional wooden clogs. Volendam is the most famous fishing village in the Netherlands, and not without reason. It used to be the...

Volendam & Zaanse Schans Tour: Dutcher than Dutch

Visit huis marseille.

Children can view the collections for free. Adults will pay a small 5 euro fee. Students, senior (65 and over), and group consisting of 8 and more person all receive a discount to 3 euros. You can visit their website www.huismarseille.nl for pictures of what you are likely to see there.

9. Private tour to Zaanse Schans &Volendam: Cheese, Windmills, clogs

• Avoid the inconvenience of renting a car and maneuvering through unfamiliar country roads. With a personal driver/host , your tour becomes effortlessly smooth and stress-free. Be Dutch for a day! A day full of windmills, cheese and traditional wooden clogs. Covered with water, cows grazing the fresh grasses, colourful flowers and...

Private tour to Zaanse Schans &Volendam: Cheese, Windmills, clogs

Swing on europe’s highest swing.

Do you want to have a complete fearless fun- filled event in Amsterdam? Then you’ve got to swing here. Located on the A’DAM Tower is a giant swing on the edge in almost 200 meters height, it provides a good view of the city as you are strapped to this swing. Viewing the Flat-Shaped Amsterdam city also comes with fun on this viewpoint because you will be pushed front and back having Amsterdam city below your feet, it only takes the strong-hearted to do this. If you know you are not strong enough, don’t try it please! But it is good to build one’s boldness and Amsterdam has provided the opportunity for you. Daredevils and Thrill seekers will find this interesting and highly fun-filled. You can get friends to help you with the digital memory as you balance up above the city without risking your life. A’DAM tower is also filled with amazing rooftop bar and an interactive Amsterdam exhibition where you will learn about everything you’ll see from the top.

10. Keukenhof Skip-the-line Tickets Countryside & Farm, private Tour

• Combine a tour of the authentic Dutch countryside with the blossoming tulip fields of the Keukenhof. (21 march 2024 - 12 may 2024) When people come to visit the Netherlands, there is one thing they really don’t want to miss: the tulips. That’s why we offer you the private Keukenhof Tour in combination with the picturesque Dutch...

Keukenhof Skip-the-line Tickets Countryside & Farm, private Tour

Have a coffee shop and ganja tour.

It is hard to find the best out of the over 250 coffee shops in Amsterdam, so in this directory you will find 10 of the most... This is one of the interesting fun-filled things to do in Amsterdam. It is good to know that Coffee shops in Amsterdam and Netherlands at large means a bar/café to smoke legal drugs so it is obviously a tour for 18+ and retired people. Enjoy the Fun as you mix with locals to have this fun-filled activity.

It is hard to find the best out of the over 250 coffee shops in Amsterdam, so in this directory you will find 10 of the most popular, famous and best coffee shops in Amsterdam.

• (A). Barney’s Coffeeshop (Haalemmerstraat 102, 1013 EW Amsterdam)
• B. Dampkring (Handboogstraat 29, 1012 XM Amsterdam)
• (D). Green House Centrum (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191, 1012 EW Amsterdam)
• (E). Amnesia (Herengracht 133, 1015 BG Amsterdam)
• (F). BlueBird (Sint Antoniesbreestraat 71, 1011 HB Amsterdam)
• (G). Grey Area (Oude Leliestraat 2, 1015 AW Amsterdam)
• (H). Abraxas (Jonge Roelensteeg 12-14, 1012 PL Amsterdam)
• (I). The Bulldog (The Bulldog Palace, Leidseplein, 1015 BG Amsterdam)
• (J). BlueBird (Sint Antoniesbreestraat 71, 1011 HB Amsterdam)

You just have to go with an ID card to be allowed to enter these fun-filled places to have you smoke your choice of cannabis and weed.

This is one of the interesting fun-filled things to do in Amsterdam. It is good to know that Coffee shops in Amsterdam and Netherlands at large means a bar/café to smoke legal drugs so it is obviously a tour for 18+ and retired people. Enjoy the Fun as you mix with locals to have this fun-filled activity.

11. Best Kept Secret Private Walking Tour of Amsterdam

• If you’ve never been to the Netherlands before then famous and notorious city of Amsterdam with its picture perfect cityscape is probably exactly what you imagined the city to be like. After all, here you will not only find historical monuments, a palace, beautiful houses with classical facades along canals, hidden courtyards, houseboats and...

Best Kept Secret Private Walking Tour of Amsterdam

Lodge at the cocomama hotel.

Are you thinking of where to stay in Amsterdam? Are you thinking of a fun-filled place to lodge in Amsterdam? Don’t go right or left, COCOMAMA is the perfect place for you to stay. It is the first boutique hotel in the city of Amsterdam. It is a Dutch-themed mixed-sex dorms and private rooms in a contemporary hostel with a guest kitchen.

This Hotel is the perfect place to lodge because apart from the beautiful interior décor and design, COCOMAMA understands what their travelers are looking for: an easy-going atmosphere, cheap bike rentals, private hostel boat tours, free pasta nights and more activities that you’ll find fun-filled. Don’t miss this Hotel because it is just a place like HOME.

12. Royal Flower Auction - Small Public Tour from Amsterdam

• Go off-the-beaten tracks with a multiple award winning tour operator and visit Royal FloraHolland, generally known as the Flower Auction. This public group tour for max 6 travelers departs from Amsterdam Central Station (hotel pick-up and drop-off optional). 'Together we are strong' is the notion upon which the world's largest trading...

Royal Flower Auction - Small Public Tour from Amsterdam

Visit the floating flower market.

You wouldn’t want to miss this unusual and fun- filled place in Amsterdam. It is quite unusual because it is a Floating market, the only of its kind in the World. Isn’t that intriguing? The Bloemenmarkt as called by locals is founded in 1862 on Singel Canal between Muntplein and Koningsplein in the city’s southern canal belt.

It would be an offence on yourself if you visit Amsterdam without buying a flower in this floating Flower Market. Ordinary Flower markets are romantic enough but is it not more romantic when it is a Floating Flower Market. So, grab your babe, take you phone (for gallery update) and land on the Flower Market.

13. Amsterdam Private Boat Trip with Pizza and Unlimited Drinks

• Private pizza cruise for 1,5 hours on the famous canals. Discover Amsterdam with your group and make a unique tour with pizza and drinks on the canals. The local skipper/guide will let you see the best hotspots of the...

Amsterdam Private Boat Trip with Pizza and Unlimited Drinks

Get drunk at the ultimate party pub crawl.

There is more fun for Night lifers in Amsterdam because getting drunk at the Ultimate Party Pub Crawl is an experience you won’t forget in your life time. You and your friends can play the drinking game here and it would be fun capturing the fun-filled moments on your phone. If you are in Amsterdam, it is a must-to-do activity of having a crazy night in this Pub.

14. Amsterdam Salsa Lovers Dancing Experience

• Great opportunity to meet with like minded travelers, share some similar interests, culture, make friends and to practice your salsa moves. We will take you to the most popular salsa venue in...

Amsterdam Salsa Lovers Dancing Experience

Easylaughs in amsterdam.

There is nothing more fun-filled than having a Good Friday outing laughing your ass out in EasyLaughs. Enjoy the intriguing moments of fun as you watch improvised comedy at the CREA café.

Laughing they say increases lifespan, so don’t get serious all the time even if you are in Amsterdam for a serious business trip, land yourself straight away at the EASYLAUGHS on Friday and we know by the time you are out of this place, your lifespan would have been increased with some years depending on the way you laugh. LOL

15. Private countryside tour: the highlights of Holland with guide and car

• Experience Holland with Holland Windmills, our small and local tour company. We are born and raised here and love to show you the best places during your holiday in Holland. We also love telling you stories about Holland! See famous windmills, taste cheese, try wooden shoes and walk through scenic villages. We know the best sights, what to...

Private countryside tour: the highlights of Holland with guide and car

We believe this our guide of fun-filled events and activities to do in Amsterdam will give you an experience you won’t forget in your lifetime. And don’t forget to have your gallery updated in each of these fun-filled places and events. Wish you the best of fun as you follow our guide.

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Things to Do in Amsterdam

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Low Season deals: Book your Boat trip with discount! Up to 40% OFF Until April

COZY & FUN CANAL TOUR

Small Group

4,8 star review.

We highly recommend our Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour from 30 Nov – 21 Jan.  Daily Shared Cruise: Eur 34,- incl Open Bar.

Private Tours start at Eur 340 Please contact us for information

Cheese & Drinks Tour  and Cozy & Fun Limited Available during the period.

BEST-SELLING AIRBNB EXPERIENCE

Welcome aboard! Get comfy and relax on our well-equipped and 100% electric boat. Enjoy a drink of choice while we take you through the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city. During your canal cruise in Amsterdam, our hosts will share local tips and must-sees, as well as stories and history about our city. You will get to see hidden gems and spectacular canals that other big boat tours just can’t reach. We offer a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on boar

Next to the Bulldog Hotel at the dock at the waterside

Tour Highlights

• Certified captains are also your enthusiastic guides along the way
• 100% electrical boats with good view over the city and art works!
• We are child friendly so children of all ages are welcome
• Pets are welcome
• LGTBQ respect and equality is our life’s philosophy
• Our aim for our guests is to meet as strangers, but leave as friends
• 100% electrical boats with good view over the city and art works.
• Experienced skipper as guide
• Comfy cushioned seating
• Drinks & snacks are available at reasonable prices
• Not wheelchair accessible

Tour Route & Sights

• Red Light District
• Maritime Museum
• NEMO Science Museum
• Old Jewish Quarter
• Botanical Garden
• Golden Bend
• Seven Bridges
• Skinny Bridge
• Dancing Houses
• Hotel de Jaren
• Old City Wall

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! We love kids! We have several sizes of life jackets for children here that can be borrowed free of charge to wear on our boats.

That’s allowed as long as it’s folded in and you have informed us in advance. If there are other families on board with a buggy or wheelchair, we have to plan and coordinate it perhaps to another timeslot.

It is allowed to take a dog with you on a boat, but make sure you bring your own rug for the dog to sit on. A maximum of 2 dogs can be brought on board per cruise that fits between the legs. Note: if someone on board is afraid or allergic to dogs, the tickets may have to be moved to a different departure time.

No. It is not allowed to play amplified music on the boat.

Rain or shine, the tour will go on, our boats can be covered in case of bad weather. The tour can always take place, except in case of storms or when the canals are frozen (unique situation).

No, all our skippers can tell you everything about the city in English. We choose to have a live guide/host(ess) as we are keen on interacting with our guests.

If you want to cancel your private /public tour, you can do this within 7 days after booking. If you reschedule this more than 14 days before the start of your trip, we do not charge any costs. In case of cancellation 14 to 7 days before the start of the tour, we will charge 50% of the costs. If you cancel 7 days or less in advance, we are obliged to charge the total cost of the cruise.

MORE INFORMATION? Please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +31684040040

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Discover Amsterdam’s enchanting canals and captivating history. Embrace a unique perspective of the city. Don’t wait – reserve your unforgettable journey today!

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Discover Amsterdam from a unique perspective with our boat trips. See the city’s famous landmarks and hidden gems while cruising the picturesque canals. Book now and embark on a memorable adventure with Amsterdam Boat Trips!

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24 Fun Things to do in Amsterdam at Night

Are you an active traveller looking for fun things to do in Amsterdam?

In that case, there are plenty of activities and attractions to visit.

While nighttime means slowing down in other places, the darkness infuses even more energy and a heightened sense of adventure to this capital city of the Netherlands.

The Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket provides 2 days unlimited access to 25 + clubs, nightlife experiences and drinks for just 10 Euros. Make sure you check it out!

Explore world-renowned museums and experience the nightlife.

Alternatively, you can discover the elaborate canal system.

Indeed, you are assured that there is no shortage of fun things to do in Amsterdam at night.

Table of Contents

1/ Amsterdam Canal Ring Cruises

Built in the 17th century, Amsterdam’s canal ring is made up of a complex of waterways surrounding the Old Town.

The canal ring district has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

This is because of its immense historical and cultural merit.

Exploring the canal ring will be an adventure in itself!

Truly, you will have numerous special events, festivals, pubs, restaurants, museums, and canal cruises in the area to choose from.

2/ Sightseeing Dinner Train

Get onboard this unique train attraction in Amsterdam for a wonderful experience.

This sightseeing tour includes a 4-course dinner.

Specifically, each course is specially prepared in accordance with the city you are passing by.

You will start the journey with a welcome drink as you prepare yourself for this adventure.

Afterwards, you will learn more about each city with background information given on the tour.

In addition, you will dine on freshly-prepared meals while enjoying the sights of the Dutch countryside.

You will board the train at 7:00 pm, and the tour will last for 2.5 hours.

Book Dinner

3/ Dining in the Dark Restaurant

Enjoy this exclusive experience of having dinner without the lights on – literally a blind date to remember.

As you arrive at Ctaste – Dining in the Dark, you will be instructed to leave all light sources in designated lockers.

The specially-prepared 3-course dinner features unique flavors and textures to make up for the lack of sight.

In addition, this also encourages the use of your sense of touch, sound, and taste more fully in the complete darkness.

In particular, visually-impaired staff will guide you through the experience.

Indeed, this will truly awaken your other senses and give you a new perspective on how the blind go about their daily lives.

Ctaste Dining in the Dark restaurant is open Wednesdays to Sundays until 11:30 pm.

4/ Red Light Secrets Museum

Get a glimpse of life in the red light district when you visit the Red Light Secrets Museum.

Notably, it is the only museum of prostitution in the world.

It is situated in a 17th-century canal house (a former brothel) right in the center of the red light district.

Truly, the museum gives you an intriguing peek into the world’s oldest profession.

Moreover, you will even have the chance to visit the room where a prostitute works and sit in front of the window while waiting for another client.

Furthermore, listen to the prostitutes’ secrets and the challenges they face.

You will also listen to visitors’ confessions of their experiences – and gain a different perspective on what the red light district truly represents.

You can visit the Red Light Secrets museum daily, from 10:00 am until 12:00 midnight.

Book Tickets   Official site

5/ Red Light District

The Red Light District is a must-see attraction (and experience) when you are in Amsterdam.

While it is more well-known for the adult entertainment options, there is much more to explore and have fun within the area.

There are approximately 300 one-room cabins illuminated by red neon lights.

These are rented by the working ladies where they conduct their business in the city’s Old Town.

There are actually three red light districts in Amsterdam.

Specifically, De Wallen is the best known and largest.

Subsequently, the other two are Singelgebied and Ruysdaelkade.

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary in the area, visit the beautiful gothic Oude Kirk (Old Church) in De Wallen.

This is Amsterdam’s oldest building and oldest parish church.

Pass through Zeedijk (“sea dike”), one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam.

Correspondingly, it was once considered dangerous and where the sailors went to get their nightly entertainment.

Now, Zeedijk and the red light district are filled with the vibrant energy of pubs and restaurants.

Indeed, the friendly, safe vibe offers tourists and locals alike with a uniquely enjoyable experience.

Be warned, though – it is forbidden to take photos of the working ladies.

Above all, please respect this rule while in the red light district.

6/ Explore the Jordaan District at Night

The Jordaan district represents a trendier, slightly slower-paced Dutch life in Amsterdam.

Indeed, this area is much quieter compared to the other parts of the city, such as the red light district.

Considered as the city’s most famous neighborhood, Jordaan is filled with a host of restaurants, bars, and unique art galleries.

Visit the iconic Westerkirk church, where the remains of the artist Rembrandt are buried.

Continue the nighttime Joordan district exploration to the Anne Frank House.

Walk through the Flower Canal and enjoy the picturesque view surrounded by abundant leaves and floral arrangements.

7/ Anne Frank House

Go back in time and relive a piece of World War II history involving the city of Amsterdam.

Make sure you visit the Anne Frank Museum and learn more about the life of one of the Holocaust’s most celebrated victims.

Step into the room where Anne and her family hid for two years from the Nazi soldiers.

More importantly, this is where she diligently wrote about their daily activities and struggles on a diary.

The posthumously-published The Diary of a Young Girl (also known as “The Diary of Anne Frank”) became one of the most published books in history with more than 60 language versions.

Alternatively, you can viisit the Auschwitz Monument.

It was constructed to commemorate those who perished from the Auschwitz concentration camp (and other extermination camps) during World War II.

The monument is made of broken mirrors representing the idea that “the sky is no longer unbroken after Auschwitz”.

With a few date exceptions, the Anne Frank House is open daily until 10:00 pm (from 1 November to 1 April, umtil 7:00 pm; Saturdays until 10:00 pm).

Check Tours   Official site

8/ Experience the Coffee Shop Culture

A coffee shop in Amsterdam is much more than just a regular cafe.

This is where one can legally buy and smoke weed.

Specifically, some coffee shops offer specialty products laced with weed such as space cakes or cookies.

To avoid confusion, such establishments have a green and white sign outside with the words “coffee shop”.

However, if you are planning on enjoying an adventure in an Amsterdam coffee shop, there are strict safety regulations that need to be followed.

For example, no alcohol is allowed (for purchase or consumption) as Dutch law prohibits the mixing of these two substances.

Moreover, you are also expected to buy something from the shop – either a drink or something to eat.

More importantly, the establishment is not purely for smoking weed.

Furthermore, tobacco is also banned, so mixing it with weed is not allowed.

There is a limit to the weed you can purchase, and using it is restricted to the inside of the coffee shop.

Above all, using the substance outside the coffee shop is illegal and will lead to an arrest.

9/ Madame Tussauds

Founded in 1970, the Madame Tussauds Museum located in Dam Square at the city center is its first branch outside the UK.

Get to see stunning lifelike wax figures of world-renowned celebrities in sports, politics, the music and entertainment industry, show business, and the Royal Family.

Similarly, you can rub shoulders (quite literally) with the famous people who led prolific lives in the Golden Age of Dutch history.

Get the chance to experience how it feels like to be a TV host in an interactive TV studio, where you can test out your own presentation skills!

You can visit Madame Tussauds daily until 8:00 pm, with a few exceptions when the museum may close earlier or a little later.

Book Tickets

10/ Van Gogh Museum

Visit the museum dedicated to the works of one of the most celebrated artists in the history of Western art, Dutch Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh.

It is also one of the most visited museums in the Netherlands and in the world.

Certainly, it houses the most extensive collection of Van Gogh’s work – over 500 drawings, 700 letters, and 200 paintings.

Get the chance to learn more about the artist’s life and work.

This includes his early years until the tragic end when he committed suicide due to his problems with poverty and mental illness.

Marvel at the artist’s remarkable paintings of still life, landscapes, portraits, and self-portraits which often feature bold colors and brushwork.

The Van Gogh Museum is open daily, Saturdays to Thursdays until 5:00 pm, and until 9:00 pm on Fridays.

Check Tours

11/ Amsterdam Dungeon

Ready for something new in Amsterdam?

Spend some time out of the red light district and in the Amsterdam Dungeon.

At any rate, this is where you will get to relive the sinister parts of Amsterdam’s history by taking part in an interactive adventure.

This unique fun attraction uses theatrical actors and cutting-edge special effects to bring you to the most hilarious or most fearful discoveries.

There is no shortage of darkly funny moments with 12 interactive shows.

In the same way, they show the bleakest moments in 500 years of Amsterdam history.

The final tours of the day, which last approximately 80 minutes each, start at 6:00 pm on Sundays to Thursdays; on Fridays and Saturdays, last tours begin at 7:00 pm.

12/ Body Worlds Amsterdam

Looking for an exhibit that features something other than paintings and artwork?

Check out this one-of-a-kind exhibition which shows how our physical forms are greatly influenced by our happiness.

Notably, the exhibits use donated human specimens formed into whole body plastinates and translucent body slices.

In addition, Body Worlds Amsterdam’s theme “The Happiness Project” will give you a clear idea of how the body functions and reacts to your happiness level.

Truly, you will be amazed at the significant impact a positive outlook can have on physical health!

Enjoy Body Worlds Amsterdam daily, Sundays to Fridays until 8:00 pm. On Saturdays, and during holidays & vacations, the place is open until 10:00 pm with the last admission allowed one hour before the closing time.

13/ Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Get inside one of Amsterdam’s most thrilling attractions, which can be enjoyed by the whole family.

See bizarre artifacts and the equally strange stories that come with these items – are you ready to see a real, human shrunken head from the Amazon?

View a real “transformer” – a 7-foot tall robot constructed purely out of car parts.

Enjoy some Dutch and American refreshments while you relax at the lounge, which also offers a clear view of the Dam Square.

With more than 500 artifacts and exhibits, plus 19 themed galleries, there is something to fascinate everyone in Ripley’s Believe It or Not Amsterdam.

You can explore this fascinating world daily until 10:00 pm.

14/ Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum

The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam is a unique exhibition that showcases paintings & prints featuring the use of cannabis in the past, present, and future.

It shows the importance of cannabis as a valuable source for a variety of purposes, such as in the development of medicine, clothing, agriculture, sea travel, and a lot more.

Through this exhibition, you will discover that hemp & cannabis, which come from the same plant, have for thousands of years to date been included in daily lives.

You will also get to see the largest collections of medicinal cannabis bottles in the world, dating back to the 19th century.

The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum is open daily until 1o:00 pm.

15/ A’DAM Lookout

View the beauty of Amsterdam from the top, at the A’DAM Lookout.

The 22-storey high observation deck gives you breathtaking 360-degree views of Amsterdam’s attractions, including the gorgeous architecture of the gothic buildings, the vibrant port area, and the intriguing canal system.

Thrill seekers will have the chance to literally go “Over the Edge” – the highest swing in Europe – which will involve swinging 100 meters over the edge of the tower, with the entire city of Amsterdam spread below.

Learn more about Amsterdam’s culture and history through an engaging interactive exhibition.

Dine and drink while you are surrounded by spectacular views of Amsterdam in the Panorama Restaurant & Rooftop Bar.

Enjoy the attractions and the view from A’DAM Lookout daily until 10:00 pm.

16/ Foam Photography Museum

Learn more about different facets of historical to contemporary photography at the Foam Photography Museum, which is in a beautiful canal house more than 100 years old.

There are two or three international and local (photography, multimedia, and video) artists’ exhibits changed every 2-4 months, giving the audience an opportunity to view both famous and up-and-coming artists’ works.

Enjoy different activities ranging from educational events, publications, exhibitions, and debates.

The public educational programs organized by Foam are for the general public and professionals alike.

Visit the Foam Photography Museum on Saturdays to Wednesdays until 6:00 pm, and until 9:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

17/ THIS IS HOLLAND

Are you ready for the most amazing flight of your life?

THIS IS HOLLAND gives you a bird’s perspective or how the Netherlands was created through a spectacular 5D experience.

It will truly feel like you are soaring over the Dutch landscape, thanks to fantastic special effects, breathtaking filming, and a stunning aerial perspective as showcased in a thrilling 9-minute film.

You will be part of a group of 40 people suspended under a gigantic domed screen, your feet and arms dangling to give you a realistically free experience as you “fly”.

You will even feel the wind in your hair as you soar on top of the most beautiful places in the Netherlands!

During winter – until 28 March 2019 – THIS IS HOLLAND is open until 8:00 pm, with the last adventure (which lasts for approximately one hour) starting at 7:00 pm.

18/ Modern Contemporary Museum

The Modern Contemporary (Moco) museum focuses on eye-opening, modern art that speaks to a wide audience.

They feature artists who use irony to show their views towards modern society, making the exhibitions they showcase truly unique.

The collection of contemporary art is made even more special with the often humorous and political street art of British artist Banksy.

The museum is in the Villa Alsberg, a stunning mansion overlooking the Museumplein in the center of Amsterdam, at the opposite end of the square from the Rijksmuseum.

Visit the museum Sundays to Thursdays until 7:00 pm, and Fridays & Saturdays until 8:00 pm.

19/ Laser Tag Battle

Looking for the adrenaline rush with one of the most fun things to do in Amsterdam?

Try out the laser tag battle with your friends for an exhilarating time!

Enjoy the intense physical activity in a 450-square meter arena, which can accommodate 20 players at a time.

This game gives you the excitement of a paintball game, without the mess and the bruises.

Rules and safety guidelines will be given before you start your missions in an instruction room.

After that, it is time to get your laser gun and cutting-edge LED vest, so you can head on into the arena.

Get ready to compare score sheets with your friends after the battle, to determine which player reigned supreme in laser tag.

Experience the laser tagging adrenaline rush from Mondays to Wednesdays until 11:00 pm; Thursdays until 12:00 am; Fridays and Saturdays until 1:00 am; and Sundays until 10:00 pm.

20/ Heineken Experience

Your trip to Amsterdam will not be complete (and fun!) without visiting the old Heineken brewery in the heart of the city.

This is where you will discover the Heineken family history, as well as the evolution of the logo.

Go on a journey that starts with the water used in brewing beer, on to the bottling stage.

It is quite mesmerizing to behold the huge fermentation tanks, and you can just imagine the millions of glasses of Heineken beer each tank can hold.

Take a short, simulated city tour and take a virtual ride on an old brewery wagon pulled by Shire horses.

Afterwards, there is no better way to cap off the Heineken experience than to relax and enjoy the free tasting sessions.

The Heineken Experience can be enjoyed daily, Mondays to Thursdays until 7:30 pm, and Fridays to Sundays until 9:00 pm.

Check Tours   More Brewery Tours

21/ Bars, Clubs and Pub Crawls

One of the most fun things to do at night in Amsterdam is to indulge in a pub crawl.

This activity gives you a chance to truly experience the city’s vibrant nightlife scene as you go through some of the most popular bars and nightclubs.

There are two routes you can take for the best nightlife experience in the city.

Leidseplein is known as the center of Amsterdam’s dynamic nightlife scene, with pubs and clubs that will keep you partying the night away.

Meanwhile, the Red Light district is more than just an area where the world’s oldest profession thrives; it is where bustling bars and clubs will keep you up way past midnight with the best drinks and partying.

Check Pub Crawls

22/ House of Bols

Make sure to include this one-of-a-kind experience in your Amsterdam itinerary.

The Cocktail and Genever Experience at the House of Bols is an interactive adventure that will show you everything there is to learn about genever – the juniper-flavored traditional liquor of Belgium and the Netherlands.

Although some may interchange the two, genever is different from gin, the former being the product which the latter evolved from.

Learn more about cocktails, bartending, and liqueurs, and the oldest distilled spirit brand in the world – Lucas Bols.

Your experience will also include a visit to the Hall of Taste for a peek at how all 38 Bols liqueurs are made, and to the Bols Genever room.

Head to the Mirror Bar for your choice of liqueur and Bols Genever cocktail, as prepared by the most talented bartenders.

Enjoy this adventure daily, Sundays to Thursdays until 6:30 pm, and Fridays & Saturdays until 9:00 pm.

23/ Xtra Cold Ice Bar

The Xtra Cold Amsterdam Icebar is the place to go if you want to cool off – literally.

Everything in the bar – the bar itself, the furniture, even the art – is made completely out of ice and is kept at a constant arctic temperature of -10°C.

Make sure to wear your thermal coat as you indulge on your favorite drinks served in ice glasses.

Watch as the special lighting makes it appear like the ice turns into every imaginable color.

Try not to look like you are slowly turning into an ice cube!

Aside from the ice bar, there is a warmer area where you can just lounge and enjoy your drink while listening to music.

Experience the coolest attraction in the city Sundays to Thursdays until 1:00 am, and Fridays & Saturdays until 2:40 am.

24/ Concerts & Special Events

The nightlife experience in Amsterdam is made even more memorable with some of the most celebrated concerts and performances.

The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam is one of the top concert venues in the world, renowned for its international lineup of programs and top-notch acoustics.

This venue is home to remarkable concerts such as the Master Pianists Series, and performances by The Bach Choir and Orchestra of the Netherlands, and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.

A truly romantic ambience awaits you at the Portuguese Synagogue, where burning candles form the backdrop for once-a-month concerts featuring everything from classical concertos to Balkan folk music.

Enjoy a magical experience with the remarkable acoustics of this synagogue, located in the Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam.

Check Concerts & Events

Your Amsterdam trip will take you on a fascinating historical and cultural journey that will stimulate all your senses.

As you go around the city’s attractions, you will soon discover what makes this city a truly fun destination.

Of course, there are many other fun things to do in Amsterdam, so if you know more, please share them in the comments below.

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29 Fun Things to Do in Amsterdam (+80 cool ideas to rock the city!)

This is your super handy guide for everything you need to know for having fun in Amsterdam .

And there is way more than just cycling around, visiting the red-light district and chartering a boat on the canals. Have a look at all the fun things to do we found for Amsterdam – including Darth Vader!

1. Hunting Street Art

Amsterdam is a creative city! Go for some street art hunting at the street Spuistraat and area. I am not just talking about graffiti. There is much more to it.

Have a look at the bikes decoration, tiny public libraries, and other small items. Just keep your eyes open. You can also join an alternative tour .

The tour lasts 2 hours and costs 14€ per person only. The tour is about subcultures, the hidden life in Amsterdam like prostitution and drugs, street art and so much more.

Literally, an alternative tour!

2. Boat Tour (even Pizza Boat Cruise!)

This one is quite obvious. We really liked it, we really recommend it! There are many different boat tours and cruises. Just have a look at Get Your Guide to find different cruises in Amsterdam .

Here is a list of all the cruises in Amsterdam:

• Food: Burger Cruise with Unlimited Drinks
• Sightseeing: 1.5-hour evening canal cruise
• Luxury Version: 4-Course dinner on a cruise
• Romantic: Candlelight Cruise (with unlimited drinks 😉 )

Buuuuut…here is the way more fun experience.

Pizza and Booze Cruise

Check out this pizza-and-booze-cruise . You get hot pizza, unlimited drinks (wine, beer and soft drinks), Audio guide, and even free WiFi. Seriously, this is the cooler option to have a fun night out. I mean, how often do you have the chance to party a bit on a boat in a “gracht” in Amsterdam?!

For sure one of the unique things to do in Amsterdam .

Compare prices for Pizza Cruise : Get Your Guide | Tiqets

3. Escape Room (with awesome story-telling)

Ever heard of an Escape Room? An escape room is a room filled with riddles and puzzles.

Here’s how we had a blast in an Escape Room in Prague. You and your buddies have to solve the puzzle, find the solution and ultimately the key to escape the room. It is perfect activity for a rainy day and outside the box.

Popular escape room in Amsterdam are Locked in Amsterdam, Sherlocked and AfterMath. You can also find Escape Rooms on GetYourGuide .

Tpyically, an Escape Room is for 2 to 5 players and takes 60 minutes.

4. Mini Golf in the Dark (from 8€!)

I’ve to admit, I really enjoy the Mini Golf . It is simple, fun, and cheap. And basically everybody can play it. Play a 45 minutes game at Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf.

What does that mean?

It is actually not pitch dark, it is magical black light providing an exciting effect. This is a perfect activity for families with children, birthdays and even maybe a date. It only costs 8€ and takes 45 minutes . Perfect for things to do in Amsterdam when it rains, for instance.

Compare prices at : Get Your Guide | Tiqets.com

5. SWING on Europe’s highest swing

You know what? This fun thing to do in Amsterdam doesn’t require a big explanation. It actually only needs a cool WOW!

You can seriously hop on Europe’s highest swing ; over the edge. You will be strapped on a swing on the edge in almost 100 meters height. Have a look at the video below.

On top of that, you have the best view overall Amsterdam. Since the city is quite flat, meaning there’s not a lot of tall houses, you can identify so many sights.

There’s more. The swing is located on top of the A’DAM Tower. Here you enjoy a 360° sky deck; regardless if you hop on the swing or not, it’s worth it. The LOOKOUT is also your entrance to the interactive Amsterdam exhibition and the Madam panorama bar-restaurant-club.

Check the video below, it shows everything.

Price : Prices start from 18.50€ with Tiqets . The ticket with Get Your Guide is 19.50€ and includes 2 drinks.

Ticket : You’ve to have a valid ticket to enter!!! You cannot enter without.

Opening hours : Daily from 10:00 – 22:00 hour, last entry at 21:00 hour.

Update : You can now only book the tickets for Amsterdam Swing on their website.

6. Coffee Shop and Ganja Tour (here is a full list!)

Alright alright…so many people asked and yes, it is a cliché thing to do, but here you go. We’ve found this list of all coffee shops in Amsterdam .

There are also super interesting tours covering the background of the coffee shops.

Good to know : Coffee shop in the Netherlands means a bar/ café to smoke legal drugs.

These tours are for everyone above 18 years, including retired people. Very interesting as this is part of the culture!

7. Get drunk at a Pub Crawl

It is no secret Amsterdam has a vibrant nightlife. There is endless clubs and bars to go wild.

If you plan to explore the real nightlife, we found a way to enjoy the coolest clubs in town plus saving money! I highly recommend joining a Pub Crawl. That means party and nightlife as well. You can join many different Pub Crawls and even red-light district tours – we come to this later.

Find prices and schedules for Pub Crawls here .

So, Mr. and Mrs. Party Animal, make sure you check it out.

One thing : I am not your mommy, but please drink responsibly. You are old enough, though, right?!

8. Rijksmuseum

In Amsterdam you have many many museums. For me, the highlights are:

• Rijksmuseum
• Van Gogh Museum
• Anne Frank House

At Rijksmuseum, you admire over 400 masterpieces by great artists such as Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Vermeer and of course Rembrandt.

See the beautiful doll’s houses, a wealth of silverware, and much more.

Admire one of the most famous Dutch Golden Age paintings: The night Watch and get impressed not only by its size ( It is 363 cm x 437 cm = 11.91 ft x 14.34 ft).

The dramatic static paint will come alive with the use of light and shadow.

Make sure you get your Skip-The-Line Ticket on the phone BEFORE queuing here.

Compare prices for Rijksmuseum at : Tiqets | Get Your Guide

Good to know: download the Museum app for a free audio guide (8 different languages available).

9. Red Light District Tour (Seriously, recommended!!!)

Sure, everybody is curious about the red light district in Amsterdam, right?!

You can take a Red Light district tour directly here. Tours start from 15€ /$16 and it takes 2 hours.

We joined a tour by Ecomama and had a great time. The tour guide had interesting insider stories to tell, and it gives you access to a hidden world.

Highly recommended!

Seriously, this tour is not about prostitutes and drugs. This tour actually gives you deep insight and lets you understand the modern Amsterdam.

If you’re not staying at Ecomama , the 5 Star Hostel, then you’ve two choices:

• Change your reservation and go to Ecomama
• or get your tour for red light district online

Compare prices : Get Your Guide

10. Free music, Comedy, and shows at Vondelpark

Talking about Vondelpark, there is way more you can do besides a lovely picnic.

In summer there is an open-air theater called “Openlichttheater” (Open light theater).

• and other special events.

The schedule varies. Make sure you check out their website for the agenda of Openlichttheater .

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Tanja, a local guide gives you an introduction on 18 Free things to do in Amsterdam .

Photo by Vondelpark_openluchttheater

11. Van Gogh Museum

The world-famous Van Gogh Museum .

This should be your Amsterdam Culture block.

Admire more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 letters from the Dutch master. Discover the parallels between Van Gogh and Munch in an exclusive new exhibition.

Good to know : Book your ticket online and skip-the-(long)-line with Tiqets or Get Your Guide

12. Explore Albert Cuypmarkt

The largest market in Amsterdam takes place every day from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 – 17:00. In fact, it is Europe’s biggest daily street market.

You can find here basically everything from food, 2nd hand, souvenirs, smoothies, art, fashion, and so on. A beautiful market for spending some time. Find more information about Albert Cuypmarkt Amsterdam .

Photo by @halloamalina

13. Neighbor-food

First of all: we love the pun! And 2nd, we are big fans of local markets! Once a month there is the Neighbor-food fest. A small hidden gem for the food-lover.

Check out the  facebook page to keep updated with their events.

14. Ice Ice Baby: The Icebar

The coolest venue in town, the ICE BAR .

Walk-in and get a jacket so you can stand the -45°…well okay, it’s “only” -10°c, still cold! Come here for a cocktail.

The ambiance is so different from the usual bars, it is definitely worth it. You need an entry ticket to get inside. With this Icebar ticket , you even get 3 free drinks (1 cocktail, 2 beer for 19.50€)

Important : There is no need to bring your own warm jacket. The ICE Bar will provide everything. Just bring a good mood!

Get prices at : Get Your Guide   | Tiqets

15. Windmill Tour (Volendam, Marken & Windmills)

We all love them: The windmills! Join a day trip to the Windmills just outside the city.

Option A: Bike Tour

There is a 3-hour bike-tour to the windmills , along the canals. It includes as well a cheese-tasting. YUMMY and perfect for a sunny day. It helps to be a bit fit, although you won’t cycle for too long.

Option B: Bus Tour with Canal Cruise

The other, less sporty option is this day trip to the Windmills . It takes you to Volendam, Marken & Windmills with Free 1-Hour Canal Cruise.

Explore the Dutch countryside and leave Amsterdam behind for a half-day tour with free canal cruise included. See the famous Zaanse Shans windmills, explore the quaint fishing villages of Volendam and Marken and stop at a traditional Dutch cheese farm.

Find more information and prices for the tour here .

We took this photo in Rotterdam, NOT in Amsterdam. The windmills north of Amsterdam are equally beautiful, but we did not take any good photo there 🙁

16. Festivals (and there are a lot)

Amsterdam is known for its party-party-party festivals!

It wouldn’t make sense for us to list here now every single festival, as there are more than 300 per year, so check out the tourism website.

They have all the schedules for every single festival in Amsterdam .

17. Get a drink at Hanneke’s Boom

When the weather allows, this place is just awesome.

It is a small house right on the canal.

Order a drink, take a seat and mingle with the locals. Don’t forget the sun cream in summer!

Photo credit HannekesBoom

18. Heineken Experience

After the epic Pub Crawl and the XTRA cold Ice bar, we LOVE the Heineken Experience.

If you are into beer and especially Heineken, go for iiiiiiit!

Come and discover what lies behind the doors of the former Heineken® brewery and learn everything there is to know about the world’s favorite beer.

I mean, we won’t pay your beer, but cheer for us…CHEERS!!

Compare prices at: Get Your Guide   | Tiqets

19. Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

Berlin has one, London has one and so does Amsterdam.

We consider the Madame Tussauds something you should have visited somewhere in the world.

Dance with Lady Gaga, touch Justin Bieber, take your photo with Robbie Williams and be dazzled by George Clooney!

See your favorite stars cast in wax at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam and enjoy interactive photo sets of the stars of the screen, TV, politics, music and more.

What I am I writing…you already know what’s madame Tussaud about, right?!

Get your Fast-Line ticket here to skip the queue.

Compare prices at : Get Your Guide

20. Spend a day in Haarlem

You can cycle to Haarlem, a picturesque village, west of Amsterdam.

It is halfway to the Atlantic coast and beach, near Keukenhof. We love it here, and so will you!

The photo below shows a beautiful beach bar next to Haarlem.

Now that we think about it…

Actually, you can spend a day in Haarlem as well.

It is the local small version of Amsterdam. It gives you an idea of the authentic Netherlands. Because, trust us, when we say: Amsterdam is not the typical Netherlands.

Same as Berlin is not the typical Germany and Barcelona , not the typical Spanish city.

In Haarlem you can cycle to a beautiful beach and get lost in the  Zuid-Kennemerland National Park .

In the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, you can see many animals:

• fallow deer
• west European hedgehog
• European rabbit
• the red fox, and…

Good to know: visit the information point and ask where the wisents are, they can tell you exactly where they are.

21. Rent a bike and cruise around!

It is seriously the best way to get around, and we encourage you to take the bike! Ask at Ecomama or Cocomama for a bike rental, they have their own bikes.

Here you have more bike rentals:

• 24h bike rental with thief insurance and lock
• Bike rental with FREE coffee

Fun Fact : Did you know many Amsterdameses have several bikes?

One for daily life, and one at night for going out. In case it gets stolen…well, that’s at least, what we’ve been told!

22. Join a Fun Bike Tour

Instead of touring on your own, you can join a historical bike tour .

Amsterdam is perfect for cycling, although you have to pay attention to it. There is a lot of bike traffic! It is also the perfect city for an actual bike tour.

You can join a 3-hour bike tour with a local guide. The tour takes you around the

• city center,
• the canals,
• New Market,
• Old Church,
• the famous Red Light District,
• Royal Palaca, Jordaan District
• and many more.

It is easy cycling with several breaks and lots of curious information about Anne Frank, 1000 years of history, the red light district and today’s situation.

23. Become a local (5 Secrets)

Personally, we are bored by tourist guides. This is why we share our best-kept secrets for different destinations all around the world with you.

In our secret guide to Amsterdam we introduce you to 5 local spots:

• Lovely hidden Café right at the canals
• a Restaurant for delicious breakfast, lunch & dinner
• local Park to hang out with locals
• Fashion, Design, Art: This concept store will be your Lil heaven!
• Escape the heat and party with locals & ex-pats – a must-do!

You can directly download it here:

Not sure? Have a detailed look at what’s inside this email guide .

24. Peep Show

During the red light district tour, the tour joins as well a peep show.

What is a peep show? It is a piecewise presentation of live sex show which is viewed through a viewing slot. The slot shuts after the time paid for has expired.

Well, those are well-invested, curious 1€-2€!

25. A live-sex show

How about watching people having live-sex? Okay okay…this is getting weird, we know.

Let this idea sink in a little bit, after all, you’re in Amsterdam!

The  Casa Rosso is the most popular venue for this kind of event.

Don’t feel forced to join just because you’re here. But we actually heard many interesting opinions about Casa Rosso and their venue.

26. Eco-systems of Amsterdam

Okay, okay…this one may sound quite odd (again), but it’s actually really cool and you can learn a lot…well, we just made it sound boring again, right?!

The nature guide in Amsterdam is unique and interesting for everyone looking for a different kind of experience.

You can find all the details about the tour directly with The Nature Walk Amsterdam .

27. The Sky is the limit – Roof Top Bar

The Sky Lounge is the Amsterdam answer of sky bars in Bangkok and other metropolitan cities around the world.

However, I still think the Amsterdam Swing is cooler (more on #3). Just my opinion, really.

28. Keukenhof Garden – Tulips Paradise

Alright you made ALL the way to Amsterdam and the Netherlands. I am sure you would love to see the world-famous dutch tulips. Right?

It is time to leave the city for a short day trip and hop over to Keukenhof Gardens. It is roughly 1 hour from Amsterdam.

This is one of the most beautiful day trips from Amsterdam for families and couples. As a solo-travelers, I would not really recommend it unless you are very interested in tulips.

Keukenhof is known as one of the world’s largest spring garden. And it is seriously beautiful. Have a look on the video below.

You can take an organized direct bus from Amsterdam city center to Keukenhof Gardens. It also gives you the skip-the-line ticket to see the stunning flowers and floral displays at your own pace.

Good to know : Especially in summer, the queue can be too long! Skip The Line Ticket is here as well a good idea!

How to get here : You can either take an organized tour or the public bus. The public bus takes around 30 minutes long, yet it is cheaper.

Check  maps.google.com for bus schedule.

29. Live Jazz at Studio K

Studio K is a cinema, restaurants, and venue for so many events, run by students. Definitely an alternative thing to do in Amsterdam, and perfect for a fun night out.

Check out the Studio K to see what’s going on when you’re there. The schedule always changes!

Photo by Studio k

30. Amsterdam Light Festival

Witness the canals of Amsterdam light up the city made by the best light artists from Holland and other countries.

The Amsterdam Light Festival is a yearly tradition you can catch from December to early January. The city center glows up with dozens of innovative and high-quality light art installations from (inter)national artists from 17:00 to 23:00.

Aside from seeing the wonderful lights, you can also take part in voting the best light display which will be awarded at the end of the festival. You can find all types of tours and activities here .

You can enjoy the festival by all means – by foot, by boat, on a bicycle. Whichever you prefer. Here are tours and itineraries you can join.

• Lovers Light Festival Cruise
• Tickets for Amsterdam Light Festival from Central Station
• Light Festival Bike Tour
• Amsterdam Winter Walking Tour

Compare tour prices here : Tiqets | Get Your Guide

31. Join quirky events in Amsterdam

Enjoy the city as the locals do.

Roest is the place to be!

You can join

• pool parties here
• DJ sessions
• live concerts
• or simply hang out in the unofficial living room of Amsterdam.

Find the full agenda of Amsterdam Roest here .

Photo by cristianonuncacasa

32. GeoCaching

Ever heard of GeoCaching?

It is a game, and a perfect tool to explore different spots around an area.

There are endless GeoCaches, hidden all over Amsterdam. Just get the free app or the paid app for the advance nerd – and start. You will be surprised!

There is even a list of GeoCaches around Amsterdam you should check out

Photo by Superhappyhippo

33. Walk around as Darth Vader

Well, okay, we have no idea what this guy in the Darth Vader costume is doing here in Amsterdam…

BUT: It looks like fun.

Maybe it’s Darth Vader spending some free days in Amsterdam, not sure. Either way, fun!

34. Food trucks, buddy!

Quite new, and trendy right now all over Europe. There are now as well as food truck festivals in Amsterdam.

You can find the dates of the “rollende keukens” (rolling kitchens) here .

35. Anne Frank Walking Tour

This may not be an entertaining activity, but certainly, one we highly recommend.

The NEW Anne Frank walking tour. If you are not visiting the usually crowded Anne Frank House, then this is the tour to go.

The tour is only $27 and you can find sched ule and tickets here .

Good to know : For actually visiting the famous Anne Frank House , you have to book on their website. Tickets are made available only exactly 2 months before.

36. Dining in the dark

This is quite self-explanatory, isn’t it?

Dining in the dark has become quite trendy. And you can try it here in Amsterdam as well. The CTASTE is such a place and the most popular one in Amsterdam.

This photo made by us shows how we imagine a dinner in the dark looks like.

Important : You have to book your table. It is always busy.

37. Neighborhood Markets

Now, this one we especially enjoyed! There are so many different neighborhoods around Amsterdam, and each one is unique. You can find all the Amsterdam Markets with the tourism board.

38. Have an easy laugh

How about improvised comedy?

The comedy shows are in English, so don’t you worry about your dutch. The shows are held every Friday (unless it’s summer break) at CREA Café. The schedule for the shows? Here you go!

Photo by easylaughsamsterdam

39. Visit the “I Amsterdam sign” – in the early hour

Update 2019 : The iAmsterdam sign was removed by the city council. For more info, read here .

Everybody wants this cool photo, right?! However, it is always crowded, and taking a cool photo with only you, well, it is almost impossible!

The I Amsterdam sign is right next to the Rijkmuseum. Remember it is important to get your ticket beforehand to Rijkmuseum to skip the loooong queue!

Compare prices for Rijksmuseum at   Tiqets | Get Your Guide

Oh, and by the way, this is how the sign looks like……..when you’re too late:

40. Go to the local beach

You can take a ferry from the main train station crossing the big canal. Pllek is an amazing place with a cool interior design, and a nice beach front.

Even when it’s cold, it’s pretty awesome here. Bring some hunger and thirst, there is plenty of choices to eat and drink. This could be also a cool place for dates in Amsterdam or with friends to hang.

Pllek offers a wide variety of good food and drinks.

Good to know : Just check before how to get there, so you do not get list. Happened to us. Anyway, we had the offline map from Maps.me. One of our favorite travel apps .

80 Things to do in Amsterdam – a handy list

Obviously, there are so many things to do in Amsterdam.

We had a look around and collected some of the coolest collections. Overall you can find more than 80 things to in Amsterdam.

Just browse to get some ideas.

Top 20 Things to do in Amsterdam – A cool guide to show you 20 things to experience in Amsterdam. There are quite the basics included, but a great introduction to get an idea.

20 Instagrammable places in Amsterdam – according to a blogger

City Guides to Amsterdam

The Amsterdam guide of Little Black Book is a fantastic resource you cannot miss. Many different restaurants, bars, cafés – and most of them have a design background. For every curious traveler, we also found 14 incredible secrets you did not know about Amsterdam .

Confession time: There are some secret spots we also did not know about – yet, a good reason for us to always come back!

Where to stay in Amsterdam?

The city is covered with different options to stay. Here is a detailed guide on where to stay in Amsterdam as first-time visitor.

Fantastic Hostels :

We found the coolest hostels in town:

• Cocomama – great for female solo travelers and couples (max 4 person groups!)
• Ecomama – a top pick for solo travelers and groups
• ClinkNOORD – wide mix

Read our full guide to the best hostels in Amsterdam .

(We have visited all hostels in Amsterdam in person to actually review them!)

Ecomama Hostel is recommended for solo-travelers. The Cocomama Hostel  is the best hostel for couples in Amsterdam.

How to book hostels? We wrote a guide on how to book hostels with Hostelworld . Your Swiss-knife to booking is Hostelz.com. They list all hostels in Amsterdam and they compare the prices for you on the major booking sites.

Traveling in a group or with your partner and want to stay on your own?

Airbnb is a popular option. I can totally recommend these two sweet Airbnb near the Damn Square:

Here’s our guide on how to use Airbnb + 35€ discount .

If you prefer an apartment, my personal recommendation for an apartment is  Keizersgracht Suite 471 .

It has the perfect location, next to a canal with lovely views, and a top design I enjoy.

You can find thousands of hotels in Amsterdam. So many, that it can be difficult to choose one.

For Luxury and High-End Hotels, check out these amazing boutique hotels in Amsterdam .

I would go for one of the smaller ones like Mr. Joordan Hotel.

Conveniently located, Mr. Joordan is a modern and clean hotel.

They have a quaint common area where you can grab a free coffee and meet other travelers.

How to get around Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a really walkable city. Yet, you have almost every single option for transport you can imagine.

• even ferries

My best recommendation for getting around Amsterdam easily and fast is the Public Transport Ticket .

Experience Amsterdam stress-free with an unlimited travel card for all public transport networks. Purchase a ticket that best suits your plans – valid for a day or a multi-day ticket.

Using your ticket is easy and convenient.

Simply check-in on boarding a tram, bus or metro, and then check out when you exit or disembark the vehicle. The ticket will be validated on first use and can be used for unlimited travel until the end of its validity.

Summary: Fun Things To Do in Amsterdam

Seriously?! You are still here? We just gave you the most amazing hostel in Amsterdam and a huge list for having fun in Amsterdam. We hope this big summary of activities around the most popular Dutch city is helpful. Can’t get enough? Read our complete travel guide to Amsterdam .

Would you like to add anything?

Do you have another cool idea for spending time in Amsterdam? Then leave a comment below.

We are always keen to improve this article and add more and more!

And now, have fun!

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Can’t wait to see it for myself. Visiting when covid ends

Epic post as always, You can also create a family game together.

Absolutely, Tino! There is family-friendly Escape Rooms, the Mini Golf can be great fun too. There is SO MUCH to do in Amsterdam!

Safe travels, Matt

IAmsterdam sign is gone

Hey Mydudes,

Thanks a lot, just saw it on the news. I updated the article. Cheers, Matt

Well, that’s a lot ideas for my next travel to Amsterdam 🙂 Thanks for that 🙂

A nice list and can confirm all those places are definetely worth visiting=)

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