Amsterdam is a unique city filled with golden age canals lining with quaint, tilting, gabled buildings; world-class museums; history; culture; diverse attractions; exciting nightlife; world-class shopping; delicious food; and so much more.  I instantly fell in love with the city and the people.  There is so much to do here, but here is my ever-growing Amsterdam Bucket List!

1. Appreciate Dam Square

This is the spot that helped give Amsterdam its name (location of the Dam on Amstel River).  Additionally, the origins of the city began around this square. Now, Dam Square is the central area or square of the city.  Around the square, there are must-see attractions, and the perfect location to start your day exploring Amsterdam! 

Recommendation: To fully appreciate Dam Square and the historical significance, take the Introduction to Amsterdam: Old Town & Red Light District Tour by Context Travel.

• 2. World War II National Monument

Located in Dam Square, the National Monument commemorates the causalities of World War II.

• 3. The Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)

Built in the 15th century, the New Church is no longer used for church services.  It is now used as an exhibition space.  However, the church is used for the most special of occasions—like royal investitures and the wedding of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.

• 4.  See the Royal Palace of Amsterdam

The Royal Palace, located in Dam Square, is the official residence of the royal family (the family actually lives in Deft).  Originally, the Royal Palace or Dam Place was the location for City Hall.  However, it was rebuilt as a statement building in the 1600s to show money and power.   Fun fact, it is built on 1,600 piles. 

• 5. Pose with Celebrities at Madame Tussaud’s

Pose with all of your fave celebrities (in wax form, naturally) inside the iconic Madame Tussaud’s.

• 6. Shop at De Bijenkorf

De Bijenkorf is a luxury department store, home to Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Valentino, etc.  It is located in Dam Square.

7. Admire the Architecture at Central Station

Amsterdam Central Station is located in the heart of the city.  This beautiful, impressive building is Amsterdam’s main railway station.

8. Buy Some Tulips at the Flower Market (Blomenmarkt)

Amsterdam = Tulips. Visit the Flower Market on Singel Canal, the only floating flower market in the world, and buy your tulip buds!

9. Catch a Flick at the Eye Film Institute

Located opposite the historic part of Amsterdam and the Centraal Station, the Eye Film Institute is in a modern building and showcases the very best of cinematic history.

10.  Eat a Dutch Dish!

There are many Dutch dishes from sweet to savory that you have to try while you are in Amsterdam! Here are just a few items to try:

Stroopwaffle= A Stroopwaffle is a think waffle cut in half and filled with syrup in the middle.

Pofferjes= Poffertjes are small fluffy pancakes served with butter or powdered sugar

Pannekoek = Pannekoek (also known as Dutch Pancakes) are thin pancakes that can be filled with delicious fillings (from bacon and cheese to strawberries and bananas).

Bitterballen= Bitterballens are pretty much deep fried meatballs!

Herring= You will see booths selling herring throughout the city.  Dutch herring is sold raw (perfectly safe to eat) and usually served with onions.

Kaas= Netherlands is famous for its cheese! So make sure to try some Kaas (or cheese).

11.  Eat the Ultra-Decadent Chocolate Cookie

You will spot the long line outside of Van Stapele Koekmakerij for the one-of-a-kind, delicious cookie. Just look at the reviews on Trip Advisor (hint: most of them say “BEST COOKIES EVER”).

12. Explore the World at the NEMO Science Museum

Perfect for families, the NEMO Science Museum has five floors filled with hands-on experiences and interactive exhibits.  Smell, feel, see, and hear how the world works!  The museum is in an unmistakable building in the city’s Eastern Docklands.

13. Experience the Heineken Experience

The Heineken Experience will take you through the brewing process, the history of the Heineken beer, and the history of the Heineken family.

Recommendation: Get your tickets here. 

 14. Explore De Hallen

In the heart of Oud West Amsterdam, De Hallen is one of Amsterdam’s most popular cultural hotspots. De Hallen has a massive indoor food market with stalls from some of the best kitchens and bars in Amsterdam. Additionally, De Hallen is also home to an art house cinema complex, a boutique hotel, and so much more!

15.  Find the West India House

The West India House was once headquarters of the Dutch West India Company.  It was here where the decision to start a small colony on the island of Manhattan, New Amsterdam (later to be renamed by the British New York).

16. Find the Remaining Gate of the City (De Waag)

Located in Nieuwmarkt, there is only one gate left from the Medieval city walls.  Therefore, it is the oldest non-religious building of the city. It was converted in to a weighing station then used as a meeting hall for the various guilds.  You can still see the emblems of the guilds above the doorways (blacksmith, painters, masons, and surgeons’ guilds).

17. Go on a Canal Tour

In a city that has more canals than Venice, the best way to start a trip to Amsterdam is on a canal tour. After all, the best vantage point in Amsterdam is from the water!  Make sure to note the three major canals – Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht.  They were dug in 1613, marking a new era in the expansion of Amsterdam.

Recommendation: If you want an in-depth, small group tour lead by a local scholar, then take the Waterways of Amsterdam Canal Tour by Context Travel.

• 18. Herengracht

The Herengracht or Lord’s Canal is the most important canal in the city.  Many of the richest merchants, noblemen, and mayors lived on this canal.  There are also 423 buildings marked as national heritage sites on this canal!

• 19.  Keizersgracht

Keizersgracht or Emperor’s Canal is the widest canal in Amsterdam.

•  20. Prinsengracht

Carved out in the early 1600s, the Prinsengracht or the Prince’s Canal is the centerpiece of one of Amsterdam’s most gorgeous areas.

•  21.  Find the Smallest House on the Canals

There are a lot of small, narrow houses on the canals of Amsterdam.  However, see if you can spot the smallest house!  Okay, I will tell you… It is located at Singel 7!

22. Go out in De Pijp

Go to the De Pijp (or “The Pipe”) neighborhood in south Amsterdam for a fun night out on the town. This vibrant district is filled with fun pubs and bars!

23. Know the Difference between a Coffee House and a Coffee Shop

This one is important! A Coffee House is a café that sells coffee, pastries, light meals, etc.  A Coffee Shop is where you can legally have marijuana.

24. Learn Some History at the National Maritime Museum

Learn about the maritime history of the Netherlands at the National Maritime Museum.  The Dutch were very big in the maritime world throughout history.  This museum hosts model ships, paintings, etc.

25.  Pay Your Respects at Basilica of St. Nicholas

Located opposite of Amsterdam’s Central Station, Saint Nicholas Church is a Roman Catholic Church and built in the 19th century.

26. Picnic at the Vondelpark

The Vondelpark is the largest and most popular park in Amsterdam. There are also ponds, an open theater, rose garden, and cafes!  In the spring and summer, relax, enjoy the sun with a picnic, and people-watch!

27. Ride a Bike

Amsterdam is one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities.  There are more than 880,000 bikes in Amsterdam (that is four times the number of cars)!  So, riding a bike is an essential part of the Amsterdam experience.

Insider Tip: Make sure you know the cycling etiquette!

 28.  See Rembrandtshuis

Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the greatest Dutch painters.  Rembrandtshuis, also known as the Rembrandt House Museum, is a museum dedicated to Rembrandt’s life in the Netherlands during the 17th century. It is the actual house where Rembrandt lived for over two decades.

Recommendation: If you want to explore more of Rembrandt’s life in Amsterdam, take Context Travel’s Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Tour.

29. Shop at the Albert Cuyp Market

The Albert Cuyp Market, named after the artist, is the largest street market in the Netherlands. Located in the De Pijp district, you can shop from almost 260 stands.

30. Stroll Around the 9 Streets

The 9 streets are the best place for an authentic shopping experience in Amsterdam.  Named after the nine side streets connecting the main canals, this trendy area is near Dam Square and Jordaan.

31. Snuggle with a Kitty at Pozenboot or Catboat

Pozenboot is an animal sanctuary for stray and abandoned feline friends in a houseboat on Amsterdam’s Singel canal.  Now, it has been refurbished to provide high-quality accommodation for those sweet little kitties.

32. Stay at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

Stay at the classic and beautiful Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam.  This hotel is associated with Virtuoso; therefore, if you book with me, I can get you the following upgrades for 2019:

• Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in-room guests
• $100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

33. Swing at A’Dam Lookout

Located on the banks of the IJ River, the A’Dam Tower is an interesting building!  You can go to the top observation deck for fabulous views of Amsterdam.  For you adrenaline junkies, you can go on a 100-meter high swing that extends over the tower!  Yikes!

34. Smell the Flowers at Hortus Botanicus

Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.  Established in 1638, it was first used as an herb garden with medicinal plants.  Now, it is a big botanical garden with more than 6,000 different plants! 

35. Tour the Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is where Anne hid with her Jewish family for more than two years during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands of World War II.  It was here that she chronicled her experience in her famous diary. This historical museum showcases Anne’s life.  You will even step through the revolving bookcase to the secret annex where the Franks lived in complete silence during the day.  It is a moving and poignant visit. 

Insider Tip: The Anne Frank House is extremely popular. So, buy your tickets online ahead of time (like months, ahead of time)! 

Recommendation: If you want to understand the history of Jews in Amsterdam and learn more about the Jews’ struggle during World War II, take the Jews in Amsterdam Tour by Context Travel.  Due to space limitations, the tour does not include the Anne Frank House.  However, it is an amazing tour that covers the history of the Jewish people in Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

36. Tour the Amsterdam Museum

The Amsterdam Museum is dedicated to the history of Amsterdam! It features a wonderful collection of furniture, art, letters and other artifacts from the Golden Age of Amsterdam.

Recommendation: To fully appreciate the Dutch Golden Age and the historical landscape of Amsterdam, take the Amsterdam History Tour: The Dutch Golden Age by Context Travel.

37. Take a picture of the Seven Bridges

Found along Reguliergracht Street, the seven bridges make for an Instagram-worthy picture!

38. Tour the Dutch Resistance Museum

The Dutch Resistance Museum has a fascinating collection of the recordings of the activities of the Dutch Resistance during World War II. 

39. Take a Beer Tour

If you want to go beyond the typical Dutch beer (i.e. Heineken), then go on a specialized beer tour that will introduce you to a breadth of Dutch craft brewing!

Recommendation: Take the Brews & Bites Amsterdam Pub Tour by Context Travel to really experience Amsterdam’s pub culture. 

40.  Take a Break from the City in Begijnhof Courtyard

For a time capsule of Dutch life in the 17th-century, visit Begijnhof courtyard.  It was originally built as a sanctuary for the Begijntjes, a Catholic sisterhood (although they did not take vows). Today, the houses are still occupied by single women.  Also, the Begijnhof includes the oldest surviving house (dating around 1420)!

Insider Tip: People still live here!  So, please be quiet and respect their privacy.

41. Tour the Gardens of the Keukenhof

Situated Southwest of Amsterdam, the Keukenhof is also known as the Garden of Europe.  It is the world’s largest flower garden!  It is open from mid-March to mid-May.

Recommendation: If you want to see the stunning and vivid flowers (and, of course, tulips) as well as learn about the history of the tulip industry, then take the Tulipmania, Then and Now: Keukenkof Gardens Excursion by Context Travel (note, it is a limited tour offered in the Spring).

42. Take a Day Trip

The iconic Windmills of Kinderdijk, the tulip fields, the Hauge, Delft, Haarlem, castles, or Rotterdam, there are plenty of options for a day trip from Amsterdam.

43. Visit the Museum District (Museumplein)

Nestled in a gorgeous square, the Museum District has so much to offer from world-class museums, restaurants, shopping, to beautiful outdoor scenery!  In the heart of the square, there is a pond where kids can swim in the summer and ice skate in the winter.  This space is also used for events, festivals, and celebrations!  You can spend several days fully exploring everything in the Museum District.

Recommendation: If you are short on time but want a wonderful tour of the two most famous museums (Rijksmuseum and Van Gough Museum), then take the Rijksmuseum & Van Gough Museum Combination Tour by Context Travel.

•  44.  Visit the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum features over 8,000 works of art, showcasing the history and the culture of the Dutch. It is also home to Rembrandt’s Night Watch(1642, of the Kloveniers or the civic watchmen), one of his most famous paintings. With paintings, riches from the Dutch explorations, Delftware, and even Golden Age dollhouses (my personal favorite), you can spend days exploring everything in the Rijksmuseum!

Recommendation: Focus on what is really important and take the Rijksmuseum Tour: Crash Course by Context Travel.

• 45. Walk through Van Gogh’s Life at the Van Gogh Museum

Van Gough epitomized the artist’s struggle through poverty and obscurity.  Only after his death did Van Gogh become a famous artist. The Van Gough Museum houses the largest collection of works (some 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters) of Vincent Van Gogh.

Insider Tip: You have to buy your tickets online!

Recommendation: Take the Van Gough Museum Tour: Crash Course by Context Travel where you will have “have an appreciation for the mastery of his paintings and a deeper understanding of Vincent—the man and the myth.”

• 46. Take a Selfie at the “I am Amsterdam” Sign

The large “I am Amsterdam” letters are a sought-after photo opportunity.  Don’t be surprised to see tourists climbing all over the letters!

•  47.  Listen to Some Tunes at Concertgebouw

Due to the highly regarded acoustics, the Royal Concertgebouw is one of the finest concert halls in the world.  Housed in a grand classical building, it is definitely worth a visit.

• 48. Tour the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art

The Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art is a museum for modern and contemporary art filled with works of art by De Kooning, Picasso, Warhol, Appel, Chagall, and so many more.

49. Visit Leidesplein

Leidseplein is one of the most popular squares in Amsterdam, especially for the nightlife scene.  You can find the most popular bars, clubs, restaurants, and cafes around the square. 

50. Walk through the Red Light District

The Red Light District is Amsterdam’s most notorious neighborhood with brothels to sex shops (prostitution is legal in Amsterdam).  The term “Red Light District” comes from the red lights that highlight the windows where the women are working.  This area is also known as “De Wallen” (the walls).

But, there is more to this area than just the “entertainment” aspect.  In fact, the Red Light District is located in the oldest part of the city and existed since the 14th century.   This area is filled with beautiful architecture, charming canals, cobbled streets, Chinatown, and even the Oude Kerk.  Here are some of the other famous attractions in the Red Light District (listed below):

Insider Tip: Do NOT take pictures of the ladies.

Recommendation: To fully understand the Red Light District (What is the district really like?  What is the history of this area?), take the Introduction to Amsterdam: Old Town & Red Light District Tour by Context Travel.  It was one of my favorite tours in Amsterdam!

• 51. Walk around Chinatown

Chinatown is located right next to the Red Light District.  It is the oldest and largest Chinatown in continental Europe.  Check out the Chinese Buddhist Zeedikj Temple, a gorgeous building with impressive colors and a Chinese roof.

• 52. Lady of the Attic Museum

Located in the Red Light District, this small canal house has a hidden Catholic Church at the very top.

• 53. Old Church

Originally a Catholic Church, the Old Church or Oude Kerk is the oldest church or religious building in Amsterdam.  Because the church grew organically over the centuries, it is composed of different styles of architecture.

54. Walk in the Jordaan District

The Jordaan District is now on the most upscale neighborhoods in the city.  It is known for boutique stores and restaurants.

55. Wander Around Westergasfabriek

Once the city’s gasworks in Westerpark, this collection of former industrial buildings is now an exciting and vibrant area.  It is home to many bars, restaurants, shops entertainment places, and cultural venues.

56. Walk through Nieuwmarkt

Located next to the Red Light District and Chinatown, the Nieumarket is one of the oldest districts of Amsterdam.  There is still a daily market.

57. Wear Wooden Shoes

Traditional Dutch wooden shoes, or clogs, are still very much part of the culture in Amsterdam.  So, go to a store and get yourself some wooden shoes! 🙂