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24 Hours In Amsterdam | A DAM Good Guide To Exploring The City In A Day
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and one of the most popular cities in Europe. It’s extremely well connected by rail, sea and air so is ideal for a short break or weekend away.
Previously renowned for it’s ‘Coffee Shops’ and Red Light district, many visitors now realise there is much more to this port city than just partying. The charming architecture, fascinating museums, relaxing canals and green parks draw people from all around the world.
Wander the narrow streets and stare in disbelief at the tilted buildings, all to the constant backing track of bicycle bells twinkling throughout the day. The city is packed with history, from it’s humble beginnings as a 12th century fishing village to it’s Nazi occupation during WWII.
This guide will list our recommendations for how to spend 24 hours in Amsterdam, including our favourite eateries, top sights and travel tips.
Fun Fact: The folk tale says that Amsterdam was founded by two fisherman and their dog trying to escape a storm. Supposedly their dog made it to land and where it threw up from the salt water, is the site where the city was begun.
I was lucky enough to spend 24 hours in Amsterdam with my Sister and Mum as part of a HENterrailing (My Hen Do combined with Interrailing) adventure in 2023! We spent a week traveling and visited Bruges, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Copenhagen.
Navigation Menu
- FAQ’s
- What month is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
- Is Amsterdam safe at night?
- Is Amsterdam expensive?
Can you do Amsterdam in 1 day?
While spending 1-2 days in Amsterdam provides a glimpse of the city’s charm and allows you to explore its key attractions, truly immersing yourself in all that Amsterdam has to offer may require a longer stay.
Furthermore, allocating extra days to your itinerary enables you to venture beyond the city center and explore the enchanting outskirts and neighboring towns.
Where should I stay in Amsterdam?
There are so many accommodation options in Amsterdam so it can be hard to choose. If you only have a short amount of time there, we recommend staying near the top sights you want to see. However, if like us, you have an early train to catch the next morning, we chose to stay near the station, in fact we actually stayed above it.
Where We Stayed
££
Ibis Amsterdam Central – 3 Star
- Central location, above station, ideal for anyone arriving late or leaving early.
- Free Wifi
- Luggage Store
If you don’t have an early train to catch we would recommend staying further into Amsterdam as the area around the station certainly isn’t the nicest part of the city and doesn’t feel especially safe.
Getting to Amsterdam
The easiest way to get to Amsterdam is by train, with the Eurostar seamlessly linking London to the city in just 4 hours. Amsterdam boasts excellent connectivity through an extensive public transport network, facilitating easy exploration within the city and convenient travel to various parts of Europe. Depending on your starting point, there are several methods of transport below.
Train
From London, you can catch the Eurostar from St Pancras International directly to Amsterdam Centraal which takes just under 4 hours. We actually caught the train from Bruges via Brussels as part of an interrailing trip. The cost of the Eurostar can range quite a bit depending on the time of year and when you book, but as with many things it tends to be cheaper the further in advance you book.
Plane
You can also fly into Amsterdam if you are coming from further afield. The nearest airport would be Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), one of the busiest international airports in the world. Like the rest of the city there are great public transport connections from the airport to central Amsterdam. However, if you live in the UK or central Europe, train may be easier, quicker or cheaper, so always check!
Car
If you are based in central Europe you can drive to Amsterdam, but it’s worth first checking the travel time, cost of fuel and if parking is available at your hotel. Otherwise, it may be more cost effective to travel by train. There’s no real need to hire a car in Amsterdam either, as everything is within walking distance or accessible via public transport.
Boat
You can also catch the overnight ferry to Amsterdam if you live in the UK. There are regular ferries from Newcastle Upon Tyne to Amsterdam, however they do take a very long time… 16 hours 45 minutes. You can either take your car or travel as a foot passenger.
24 Hours in Amsterdam | Itinerary
24 Hours in Amsterdam is just enough to explore the canal city, taste some traditional Dutch cuisine and visit some of the top sights.
Our 1 Day Amsterdam Itinerary below includes top tourist attractions along with food recommendations and top tips.
Day 1
AM
Breakfast
Explore Amsterdam by Bike
Lunch / Rjiksmuseum
PM
Van Gogh Museum
Anne Frank House
Dinner at Moeders
Van Wonderen Stroopwafels
Breakfast
We had two mornings in Amsterdam, one when we arrived and one before our train home. So I have detailed both below as they were both delicious!
Bakers and Roasters (near Rijksmuseum)
This place was perfect ahead of our busy day! The menu was incredible and they had some great outdoor seating too. They have lots of healthy options along with New Zealand themed dishes and the classic brunch favourites. They have two locations, one in in central Amsterdam and the other, which we visited, was nearer the Rijksmuseum.
Omlegg (near Amsterdam Centraal)
If you love eggs, this is the place for you! They have two locations in Amsterdam, but we visited the one not too far from the station. It has a cute and cosy décor and serves delicious, warming food. Who knew there were so many toppings for omlettes!
Hire Bikes
This is a must do activity if you visit Amsterdam, hiring bikes is a great way to see more of the city in a short space of time. Start your morning in Amsterdam by cycling through the quiet streets, over cobblestone bridges and weaving alongside canals, be sure to cycle through Vondelpark!
Top Tip: Vondelpark is the perfect place to start your bike hire from and you can get used to your bike and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere away from the busy cycle lanes.
We rented bikes from A-Bikes (~£17 for 3 hours) and started from their base near the Rijksmuseum, which is also just around the corner from Vondelpark.
Three hours hire is plenty to cycle around the museum area, central canals and even cycle out to the windmill, De Gooyer. On the way back from the windmill, we stopped at a The Breakfast Club for a hot chocolate and snack before returning the bikes.
Top Tip: If you are in need of a snack during the day, try Amsterdam’s HOT vending machines! The chain FEBO serves freshly cooked hot burgers, croquets and more.
Lunch / Rjiksmuseum
Return the bikes conveniently opposite the Rijksmuseum and stroll through the arches, emerging into the picturesque gravel area at the rear. In this enchanting space, various vendors offer sandwiches, or you can opt for a sit-down meal at a nearby restaurant if you have a heartier appetite. We enjoyed a sandwich from the FoodCrib stall – a delightful, reasonably priced, and satisfying option. Enjoy your meal by the fountains, taking in the awe-inspiring architecture of the iconic Rijksmuseum.
For those with pre-booked tickets and a bit of extra time, consider exploring the museum’s interior, home to an impressive collection of 8,000 pieces of art, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh within its distinctive redbrick walls
Van Gogh Museum
This can be found just a short walk across the square from the Rijksmuseum. It’s another chance to see some incredible pieces of artwork, such as his iconic Sunflowers and The Potato eaters and also learn about Van Gogh’s life.
Top Tip: Aim to book tickets to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House several months in advance as these book up very fast!
Coffee and Cake Stop
If you need a quick stop to refuel, Melly’s Cookies serves some delicious banana bread and hot drinks and is centrally located on one of the main streets.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House is a sombre experience for those who visit the Museum. It’s her former home and the house in which at 13 years old, Anne and her family hid in the attic during WWII. A tour of the house and museum generally takes around 1 hour to complete.
Unfortunately as we booked a last minute trip we were unable to get tickets, so we plan to go back to see this at some point. As mentioned above, you need to book tickets many weeks in advance to visit, they are released around 2 months ahead of the dates and book up fast.
Dinner at Moeders
Van Wonderen Stroopwafels
Tasty, colourful and yet very overpriced these freshly baked Dutch Stroopwafels were undeniably delicious. For those who like me, had no idea what a Stroopwafel was, it is a Dutch cookie, where two crunchy waffles are glued together with a sweet syrup in a hot waffle iron. Customers then choose their topping, such as chocolate (white, milk or dark), smarties, marshmallows, fudge, nuts, strawberries etc., the options are endless.
If you are on a budget, it’s worth visiting even just to look at the stunning window display and traditional style shop.
Top Tip: If you are desperate to try a Van Wonderen Stroopwafel but want to save money and aren’t worried about it being warm and freshly made, the pre packaged boxes can be much cheaper and even more so if you order online.
If you have more time…
Amsterdam Oersoep is an arched passageway that has been transformed with mosaics to a green ornamental masterpiece. The artwork references Amsterdam’s famous canals and how life originates from water. It’s a lovely stop if you are passing and worth spending some time staring up at the ceilings and chandeliers made from bicycles.
FAQ's
Hopefully our 24 hours in Amsterdam itinerary has inspired you to take the leap and explore somewhere new. You might still have a few unanswered questions and that’s ok! We’ve got you covered, listed below are some of the most common FAQ’s.
What month is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is lovely all year round, but even more so when the flowers are in bloom in spring and summer. The peaceful canals, bike covered bridges and vibrant floral displays, really come alive during May – September.
Spring (April and May) – This is a great time to visit as this is when the famous tulip bloom tends to be. People travel from all over the world to see the iconic tulips, there is even a Tulip Festival! Temperature highs of around 15-17C.
Summer (June, July, August) – In Summer every European city is busy. It’s the best time of year for warm and reliable weather however the crowds can be a little overwhelming. Temperature of around 22C.
Autumn (September, October, November) – This is when the crowds begin to decrease as the temperatures get lower and the flowers begin to disappear. Temperatures may range between 4-15C.
Winter (December, January, February, March) – This is a great time to visit when traveling on a budget and it tends to be much quieter in the winter months. Temperature highs of around 6C and lows of 0C.
Is Amsterdam safe at night?
Surprisingly Amsterdam has a fairly low crime rate, however there are still a lot of pick pockets so be aware of bags and open pockets. Personally after dinner, I didn’t feel the need to be out and about, especially as the area around the train station doesn’t feel too safe. I prefer an early night and and early start the next morning.
Is Amsterdam expensive?
In short, Amsterdam is expensive, in fact, it is said to be the most expensive city in Europe.
You want to budget around €80 – 100 euros per person per day depending on accommodation costs. This will vary depending on how much you want to eat, attractions you want to visit and transport you use.
For 24 hours in Amsterdam you really don’t have to spend a lot, as you don’t necessarily have the time to go into all the attractions, the biggest spend is most likely going to be accommodation.
Thanks for reading!
Fancy spending a day in Amsterdam? We hope our 24 Hours in Amsterdam post has you inspired to book a spontaneous adventure to the Netherlands!
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Eve and Nick