W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
A M S T E R D A M
P L A N N I N G
Amsterdam’s compact size and efficient public transport make it a relatively easy city to navigate.
As always, we've set up this suggested itin in line with our philosophy of balancing more leisurely outdoor activities with incredible museum visits, to make sure that you have space in your head to process, remember, and most importantly enjoy everything that you experience.
The best time to visit depends on what you are after.
In spring (April–May), the tulips are in full bloom, but you will find that many of your fellow travellers have had the same idea, to the point that the city can be exhaustingly inundated with visitors, especially on weekends.
In early autumn (September–October), the summer crowds have dissipated, but the weather is still mild.
Winter has its own charm, with festive markets and ice-skating rinks, though shorter daylight hours mean of course that it’s dark more.
For accommodations, consider staying in the central Canal Belt (Grachtengordel) for historic charm or Jordaan for its boutique vibe. For a quieter retreat, the De Pijp neighborhood offers a local, laid-back atmosphere while remaining accessible to the city center.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
Rijksmuseum: Open daily, the museum can get crowded, especially mid-morning. Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended. Our guides can bring the intense and sophisticated world of the Dutch Golden Age to life. Special exhibitions can book out months in advance, depending on the draw.
Van Gogh Museum: Timed-entry tickets sell out quickly, particularly in high season. New rules require visitors coming with a guide to book one of the limited spots which allow this, and also require often many weeks’ notice.
We highly recommend discussing this with one of our guides well in advance. It might be tempting to take a museum house guide, but our general experience of house-bound museum guides in most places has overall been fairly dim, to be diplomatic.
Anne Frank House: Tickets must be booked online well in advance, often weeks, or months during the spring/summer season. Aim for the first or last time slots of the day to avoid overwhelming crowds.
Canal Tours: Many operators offer options ranging from simple daytime cruises to luxurious evening dinner boats. Private canal tours, while more expensive, allow for a more tailored experience, and our guides can help you with this as well.
Floating Bloemenmarkt: While no tickets are required, early visits mean you'll have a bit more elbow room. Combine this with a stroll along the Singel Canal.
A’DAM Lookout: This modern observation deck provides panoramic views of the city. Book tickets online to secure a spot and avoid queues.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
Art, Canals, & Old-World Amsterdam
Begin your day with a visit to the Rijksmuseum. Explore its vast collection, and don’t miss highlights like Rembrandt’s The Night Watch (in the opening scene of Jean-Luc Godard's 1982 film Passion, the painting is re-enacted with live actors), and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid.
Lunch: Head to a nearby café for a casual Dutch lunch. Try a broodje haring (herring sandwich) or make space after lunch for a warm slice of appeltaart (apple pie).
Afternoon: Wander the historic Canal Belt on foot or by boat. A private canal tour is an unforgettable way to see the city’s beauty from the water. Potential stop at the Bloemenmarkt during this part of the day.
Evening: Enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Jordaan district, known for institutions with inventive takes on Dutch cuisine.
DAY II
Potentially Van Gogh & Anne Frank House – or Portuguese Synagogue
Caveat, as above in the planning section: New rules at the Van Gogh museum mean guides have to have a license spot booked well in advance, likely at least a month during the high season.
Anne Frank tickets go onsale two months out. It’s tough to make this work during tulip season, and if you are visiting on a weekend, immensely more difficult.
If all of this sounds like it’s a bit much – and we are delicately trying to warn you that this is quite possibly the case if you are visiting Amsterdam during the tulip season – you could also skip straight to going for a day trip as suggested below.
Morning: if you’ve arranged the Van Gogh Museum, here’s your chance to delve into the life and works of this celebrated artist. If time allows, stroll through Vondelpark for a breath of fresh air.
Lunch: lunch in the De Pijp neighbourhood for a blend of international and Dutch flavors.
Afternoon: If you’ve arranged the Anne Frank house, this is a good time, otherwise, the Portuguese Synagogue is a lovely and vastly less complicated and busy option, along with a bit more Jewish heritage story.
Evening: Head to a lively bar or a canal-side restaurant for a relaxed evening. Sip on local craft beer or try a tasting flight of jenever.
DAY III PLUS
You Might Also Want to Stay Longer, and Here’s Why We Think You Should:
There are a variety of lovely day trips possible from Amsterdam, some easier to access and more or less crowded than others.
Zaanse Schans: A day trip to this picturesque village offers a glimpse into traditional Dutch life with working windmills, wooden clogs, and charming farmhouses.
The Kröller-Müller Museum: about an hour from Amsterdam, this is a spectacular private collection covering an incredible range – impressionists, pointillism, many Van Gogh paintings, and a lovely sculpture garden. It’s easiest to take private transportation for this one, if you can.
Keukenhof Gardens: If visiting in spring, a trip to these famous tulip gardens is an unmissable experience. Note that on weekends this will be immensely full and busy and probably this is not a great idea. Try to avoid planning your visit to Amsterdam on the weekends during the tulip season.
Haarlem: Just a short train ride away, this historic town is a quieter alternative to Amsterdam with its own rich culture, cobblestone streets, and the magnificent Grote Kerk.
The Hague & Delft: Combine these cities into a day trip to explore The Hague’s art galleries and government buildings and Delft’s iconic blue-and-white pottery.
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.
