The Perfect 2 Day Amsterdam Itinerary

We have been to Amsterdam a handful of times now and it just keep getting better with every trip. The more you can venture out into surrounding neighborhood of Amsterdam. If it is your first time in Amsterdam, the tourist activities as a must – so I have included those in this guide so you don’t miss out. But, I have also included some less-known activities for you to enjoy as well! I hope you enjoy your 2 days in Amsterdam as much as we have!

For a quick background on the city, Amsterdam started as a small fishing village in the 13th century and quickly became one of the most important port cities in the world during the Dutch Golden Age.  The city was built around a dam in the Amstel River, and early settlers began to call this village “Amstelledamme” first recorded by 1275.

Today, Amsterdam is considered one of the most well planned cities in Europe largely thanks to its 400-year-old waterways, which are crisscrossed through the city and outnumber those in Venice. 

In this post, I am going to share the perfect 2 day Amsterdam Itinerary!

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How many days do you need in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is perfect for a 2-day weekend, or a long 3-day weekend trip. If you have more time around the area consider adding on some day-trips. Some of my favorite day-trips from Amsterdam are:

• Zandvoort, Netherlands
• The Hague, Netherlands
• Utrecht, Netherlands
• Alkmaar, Netherlands
• Kinderdijk, Netherlands
• Cologne, Germany
• Brussels, Belgium

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?

Tulips in the Spring

Now let’s start with my favorite time of year to visit Amsterdam, Spring. Yes this is mainly driven by my obsession with flower fields. Cut to me chasing lavender fields in Provence or Cherry Blossom trees in Bonn or Paris. However, visiting in Spring also offers other benefits like cooler temperatures, less crowds, low precipitation averages, etc.

So if you are taking my advice and visiting Amsterdam in April to mid-May you must visit the tulips fields.  The Flower Bulb Region in the Netherlands is where you will find the world renowned Dutch flowers.  This region lies west of the city of Amsterdam, starting in Haarlem and continuing south toward Leiden. You can explore the region by bicycle or stroll through the Keukenhof, the largest flower park in the world.

Visiting Amsterdam in the Summer

Summer in Amsterdam is defined as June through August, as with most other European cities. If you plan to visit during the summer you will experience the city when it is most alive and enjoy long, warm days. However, this is also the most popular time to visit, so expect longer wait times at popular tourist attractions and pricier hotels.

Visiting Amsterdam in the Fall or Winter

If cooler temperatures or higher chances of rain don’t scare you away, visiting in the Fall or Winter months is a very good option. This will give you the most chance to live like a local in Amsterdam.

Where is the best place to stay in Amsterdam?

Staying within the city limits of Amsterdam is going to cost you a pretty penny. Hotel prices have soared over the past years due to the tourist demand in the city, especially in the summer months. In 2019, over 20 million people visited the city of Amsterdam alone. If I were to splurge and stay within the city limits, I personally would look for a traditional house along a canal via Airbnb for the best experience. Check out this dream Airbnb for starters.

If you are looking for a hotel stay near the city center, I can recommend the Hoxton or the Hotel Estherea.

If you would prefer to cut costs in the accommodation department, I would suggest looking at a neighboring town to stay. We have previously stayed in Utrecht and Amersfoort for the weekend and driven into the city by car.

2 Day Amsterdam Itinerary: Day 1

Breakfast at Greenwoods

In order to get your day started off right, I always suggest grabbing a good breakfast. At Greenwoods breakfast is actually served all day. With a pancake and egg centered breakfast menu, you will surely be fueled up and ready to start the day.

Make sure to check out the end of this post for additional recommendations on places to eat in Amsterdam!

FREE walking tour of Amsterdam – Morning

The free walking tours in Amsterdam are some of the best in all of Europe. Normally I would suggest staying away from free things after an incident at the “free museum day” at the Met in New York when I couldn’t see any actual art because of the crowd.

However, a free walking tour is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam to get the lay of the land. I always suggest these as one of the first things you do when you arrive into a new city, after breakfast of course. I have found that the tour guides on the free walking tours in Amsterdam are very passionate, knowledgeable, and energetic!

We used the Freedam tours on our visit and have nothing but rave reviews. Some other great companies to use for your free walking tour in Amsterdam are Free Walking Tours Amsterdam, Guru Walk, and Sandemans.

As advertised in the name, these walking tours are totally free, however you will be asked at the end of the tour to TIP what you felt the tour was worth to you. Be prepared for this, think about it in advance, and know that these guides work entirely for tips.

Anne Frank House Museum – Afternoon

The Anne Frank House Museum takes you on a tour through the actual house where Anne Frank and her family hide during WWII. There are a few plaques to read, but the main point of the museum is to show you the small living quarters that so many lived in, in fear during those times.

The most important thing to know is that tickets go on-sale online 3 months in advance.  There is no option to show up and buy tickets the day of. If you have a specific date and time you would like to visit the Anne Frank House museum plan 2-3 months in advance to buy tickets. 

Pro Tip: Since you are already in the area, stop by the “Westerkerk” or West Church which is a 1 minutes walk away and is the same church with the church bells that Anne writes about in her diary.

Explore Joordan – Afternoon

There are many neighborhoods in Amsterdam like De Pijp, one of Amsterdam’s most hip and trendy areas, Jordaan, lined with indie boutiques, cozy pubs and hip eateries, Oost, currently undergoing something of a foodie renaissance, and Noord, on the far bank of the IJ River. 

Rijksmuseum – Afternoon

The Rijksmuseum is one of the most famous museums in the world. The collection features masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age including paintings by Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, Frans Hals, and of course Rembrandt. If you really want to see everything in the museum, then give yourself about 3-4 hours to explore. I have about 1 hours max attention span for any museum.

Enjoy the Canals at Dusk – Evening

There is something magical that happens in Amsterdam when the sun starts to set, the lights on all the bridges start to illuminate and the crowds begin to thin out.  Grab a seat and watch the historic houses come to life and the reflection on the canal intensify.  This is my favorite time of day in Amsterdam.  Pick your favorite canal, grab a stroopwafel (a waffle made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel filling) and enjoy this peaceful view of the city.

Dinner at John Dory Restaurant

Only open for dinner, John Dory is a culinary experience with a menu that changes every day based on the local catch. An extremely reasonably priced menu, you just select whether you want 4, 5, or 6 courses and the rest is up to the chef. The courses are all centered around seafood, however vegetarian or meat courses can be accommodated if requested at the time of booking. You must make a reservation ahead of time!

Make sure to check out the end of this post for additional recommendations on places to eat in Amsterdam!

2 Day Amsterdam Itinerary: Day 2

 The Heineken Experience – Morning

The Heineken Experience is a cool and interactive museum that takes you through the history of how the Heineken’s built their company.  This was the one thing we didn’t have to buy tickets in advance for, so if you have a few hours to spare this is a great activity, but not a must do.

I would suggest that you book the earliest ticket possible before the museums gets to crowded. The tour ends with a complimentary Heineken beer in the Best Dam Bar in Amsterdam, with views over the city. I know drinking a beer early in the morning sounds strange, but you want to enjoy your beer at the bar before it gets way to crowded.

We purchased the Heineken Experience + canal boat tour tickets which gets you access to the museum as well as a one-way ride through the canals back to the center of the city.  The museum is on the outskirts of the city, so we parked near the museum where the daily rates were cheaper and used the canal ride to get us to the city center of Amsterdam where we spent the remainder of the day.

Shopping in Downtown

You will definitely want to set aside some time to browse all the wonderful local delicacies in Amsterdam. The two main shopping streets in Amsterdam’s city center are the Kalverstraat and the Leidsestraat. Some of the best souvenirs to buy in Amsterdam are:

• Stroopwafels
• Wooden clogs
• Gouda Cheese
• Dutch Licorice
• Tulip bulbs (spring only)

 Canal Boat Tour – Afternoon / Evening

Everyone has always told me that a canal boat ride was a must in Amsterdam to get a different perspective of the city.  Honestly, we probably wouldn’t have done one unless it there was a combination Heineken Experience + canal boat tour ticket available at the Heineken Museum. 

This is a fun way to cruise around the canals while having a glass of wine.  You can find these boats all over Amsterdam, especially at the tourist information booth right outside the main train station.  Don’t pay more than 10 – 15 EUR for on adult or your are over paying.  Try this company, Rederij P. Kooij for a genuine Amsterdam family business of touring the canals dating back to 1922.

Take to the canals yourself – Afternoon / Evening

If you are looking for a boat tour that is more authentic and less crowded, you can actually rent a boat and drive yourself and a group of friends (furry friends included!) around the canals of Amsterdam. 

We brought our own snacks and drinks (yes wine and beer is allowed), turned up the iPhone speakers and truly enjoyed the freedom of navigating the canals ourselves.  There are a few companies out there, but we went with Boaty Rent a Boat and had a blast! Bring a max of 6 people per boat, and for 89 EUR you have access to the boat for three hours of cruising.

A’DAM Lookout in Noord – Evening

The A’DAM Lookout is a 360 degree platform where you can see a panoramic view of the city and many historical landmarks from above. If you are feeling adventurous, you can test out the “over the edge” swing that goes back and forth over the edge of the building 100 meters high. For those looking to keep their feet on solid ground, there is also a restaurant and rooftop bar for you to enjoy! You can get your tickets in advance here.

Dinner at Moeders

If you are looking for a traditional Dutch meal that has been served in Amsterdam for the last 30 years flawlessly, then look no further than Moeders. Actually standing for “Mothers” in Dutch, Moeders, is a local joint that welcomes returning locals and tourists alike. It is said that when they first opened, they asked everyone that came to eat to bring their own plates and glassware. These are the same plates and glassware that are used to serve meals today. Believe it or not, that is the kind of Dutch experience I want!

Make sure to check out the end of this post for additional recommendations on places to eat in Amsterdam!

Best Places to Eat in Amsterdam

For a few additional suggestions for lunch or dinner, here are some of our favorite restaurants in Amsterdam that we also try to go back to when we are in town. If you like no-fuss Chinese food, then Nam Kee is your spot! If you are feeling seafood, Stork is an amazing option with river views. When you are wanting to treat yourself, make sure to check out what fresh farm-to-table ingredients De Kas is cooking up this week!

Breakfast

Omelegg – de Pijp, Ferdinand Bolstraat 143 – $

This is a family run breakfast spot that boasts the best omelet in Amsterdam. They have over 24 different types of omelets ranging from a spicy omelet to savory ones with peanut butter and bananas.

Miss G’s Brunch Boat, Pick Up Point, Keizersgracht 177 – $

If you don’t already get it from the name, this spot does a mean brunch. Anything from chicken & waffles to eggs benedict can be at your brunch table at your request. Some come for the brunch, but everyone stays for the cocktails. There are over 9 different types of bloody mary’s on the menu to cure any hangover from the night before.

Dignita Hoftuin, Nieuwe Herengracht 18a – $

There are two things in this world that I could eat for breakfast everyday, hash browns and eggs benedict. Really healthy I know. To my stomach’s pleasure, Dignita Hoftuin has a dish that combines these two (using a hash brown instead of an English muffin) and I will never suggest another brunch spot more now! The restaurant is also part cake shop, need I say more?

Lunch or Dinner

Nam Kee, Zeedijk 111, Amsterdam- Asian Restaurant – $

Now I’m spilling one of my best kept secrets here. If you like Asian food, you will love this hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the Chinese district of Amsterdam (near the Buddhist Temple).  Authenticity pours out of every meal and the staff is super friendly and accommodating.

We have visited three times and have yet to have a bad meal here. There is an extensive, no-frills menu with everything you can dream up to fill your belly. This is one of those places that is an unspoken rule that we will return to every time we are in Amsterdam – it’s just that good.

Stork, Gedempt Hamerkanaal 201 – Seafood – $$

Situated along the Ij River this restaurant offers a wide menu of seafood of the season.  They will be closed on random local holidays so make sure to call ahead or check their website.

De Kas, Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 – Farm to table – $$$

If you are celebrating a special occasion, or just ready to splurge on some quality food, check out this restaurant located in greenhouses dating back to 1926 which daily creates a single menu based on the harvest of the nursery.  You simply pick the number of courses you want and you will be indulged with the fresh local vegetables that surround you as you dine, supplemented with fish and meat from local suppliers.

Final Thoughts!

I hope you have found this post helpful for planning your itinerary for Amsterdam. Whether it is your first time, or 50th time in Amsterdam there is always a new restaurant to try or area to explore. Let me know in the comments if you have any other suggestions!

Looking for more travel inspiration? You may also enjoy these posts:

• 12 Unique Things to Do in Cologne (Advice From a Local)
• Where to Find the Best Fields of Tulips in The Netherlands
• 11 Best Things To Do: Ghent Day-Trip Itinerary
• A Weekend in Bruges, Belgium
• The Perfect 2-Day Brussels Itinerary

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