Beyond its picturesque architecture, dreamy canals, cheese, tulips, and windmills, Amsterdam is a brilliant city with lots to offer. Unsurprisingly, it sits at the top of many people’s bucket lists. While 24 hours in Amsterdam may not be enough time to fully experience the city, it’s still enough time to get a feel for the Dutch capital.
Before your trip: Amsterdam Fun Facts
You may already know a lot about Amsterdam, but here are a few things that you may not have known.
- The city is built on 11 million poles. All of which stand on clay soil.
- Amsterdam is below sea level.
- The city has 4 times more bridges than Venice does.
- Over 2500 boathouses sit on the waterways.
- The city has 4 times more bicycles than cars.
- Amsterdam is the gay capital of Europe. The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages!
- The city has the most museums per square meter.
- The Dancing Houses are ‘dancing’ because they’re slightly tilted. The shaky ground has everything to do with this.
- Europe’s smallest house is in Amsterdam.
Planning for one day in Amsterdam
Is 24 hours enough for Amsterdam?
One day in Amsterdam is enough time to get a glimpse of the city and feel the vibe. Three to five days would be best to really explore everything that the city has to offer. Most of this time would be spent visiting museums and must-see locations that aren’t centrally located.
Can you walk around Amsterdam in a day?
Yes! Amsterdam is a walkable city, and it’s possible to see the center and surrounding areas on foot. However, a faster way to see the city would be by cycling. Luckily, the city has a huge cycling culture and is the most convenient way to get around.
Planning your trip to Bruges
A good travel plan can be a huge game changer when traveling, especially when traveling solo.
Here are a few handy resources to help you plan your one-day trip to Amsterdam.
- Transportation: Trainline, Rental Cars and Discover Cars
- Accommodation: HostelWorld, Booking and Agoda
- Activities and Tours: GetYourGuide, Viator and TripAdvisor
🗺️ What to do with 24 hours in Amsterdam.
If you’re only spending one day in Amsterdam, you’ll need to make the most of your time there by prioritizing. The city has a lot to offer, so one day doesn’t allow enough time to see everything. Here’s a quick guide to help you out:
🏺 If you love history, consider taking a walking tour around the historical districts or a visit to one of the history museums.
🎨 For Art lovers, I’d recommend taking an alternative walking tour in addition to visiting a museum or two.
🥘 If you love food, I’d recommend a cooking class or any interactive food experience during your time in Amsterdam.
🌅 Morning
- Explore the surroundings of Amsterdam Central Station.
- Head toward Jordaan and explore the neighborhood.
- Walk toward Singel and take in the canal view.
- Continue toward De 9 Straatjes and marvel at the canals.
☀️ Afternoon
- Have lunch.
- Take a canal cruise.
- Explore Begijnhof
- Head toward the Rijksmuseum/ Van Gogh Museum (or any other museum of your choice).
🌇 Evening
- Grab some snacks, head toward the NEMO Science Museum, and enjoy the view from the terrace.
- Head back toward the city and explore Dam Square.
- Have dinner.
- Head to the Red Light district.
- Grab some drinks if you’ve still got time.
- Make your way toward the central station.
The best things to do when you have 24 hours in Amsterdam
1. Explore the canals
Begin your 24 hours in Amsterdam by exploring the canals on foot. They’re undoubtedly one of the most popular things about the city, and they’re famous for good reason.
At the time of their construction, the canals were a crucial part of the city’s economy and were of great importance in transportation, irrigation, and drainage.
Today, the canals are still relevant for various reasons. To have the real Amsterdam experience, walk along the river bank and enjoy the picturesque Dutch architecture and gorgeous canals.
Some of the best canals to see in Amsterdam include Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht.
Enjoy a canal cruise
Alternatively, you can explore the canals on a canal cruise. There are so many to choose from in the city and depending on your preference, you could take a tour at the start of your 24 hours in Amsterdam or toward the end of your trip.
2. Walk around some neighborhoods
Be it the Red Light District or Jordaan (which was my personal favorite), walking around the city is a great way to get a few of it. A lot of travelers prioritize tourist spots and popular locations and often miss out on a local and more authentic experience. Since one day in Amsterdam is only enough to get a general feel of the city, exploring the neighborhoods takes that to the next level.
While you’re at it, be sure to try some local delicacies. Stroopwafels are one of the most popular Dutch treats, and you can find them very easily in the city. For a savory treat, I’d recommend Bitterballen, a crispy treat usually served as bar food.
3. Wander around Begijnhof
Speaking of cool neighborhoods, head over to Begijnhof for a truly authentic experience. This spot houses one of the two original wooden houses in Amsterdam, a lovely church, and several old houses.
This location offers a quaint city escape and is a great place to slow down and take in the scenery.
Remember not to get too comfortable. You only have 24 hours in Amsterdam, and there’s still a lot more to see.
4. Visit a museum
Amsterdam has around 60 museums, and it actually has the highest museum density in the world!
You can find galleries for nearly every style you can think of, so you’re bound to have an enjoyable time if you pick them correctly. While museums often take at least more than an hour to visit, it may still be worth visiting one even when you only have a day in Amsterdam.
Some of the top-rated museums in Amsterdam are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and the Stedelijk Museum.
A visit to Museumplient (Museum Square) could also be worthwhile because you can choose to see one of the three museums here.
If you love a good view and want to make the most of your day in Amsterdam, head to the Nemo Science Museum. The terrace is free to access and offers some of the best views of the city.
5. Take a free walking tour
Free walking tours are the best way to explore any city, especially if you only have one day.
There are several types of walking tours in Amsterdam, each of which will show you something special about the city.
Other things to do in Amsterdam in one day
If you happen to spend more than 24 hours in Amsterdam or still have time for more activities, there’s still lots to do! Some of the best things you can do when you’ve extra time in the city include:
- Meeting locals (Couchsurfing is a great way to do this)
- Visiting the Cannabis college
- Checking out the Melkweg Expo photo exhibitions
- Taking pictures at the Floating Flower Market
- Taking part in the Heineken Experience
- Strolling the Nine Streets
- Exploring the windmills at Zaanse Schans
- Seeing Damrak, Dam Square, and the Royal Palace
- Visiting a coffeeshop
How can I visit Amsterdam on a budget?
Amsterdam is at the top of many people’s travel lists, and that’s not difficult to see why. However, that also poses an issue of over-tourism that can be bad for tourists, but more so for locals. With a few tips, you can make your trip a much more enjoyable one.
CITY PASSES for discounts in Amsterdam
- Avoid peak season. This is difficult as the warmer seasons are the most convenient for traveling, but that also means higher prices and larger crowds.
- Book your accommodation and activities in advance. You’ll normally end up paying less this way.
- Plan to spend more than one day in Amsterdam if you can.
- Always lock your bike if you rent one!
- Take some cash with you. Just in case card payments aren’t permitted.
- Take a small bag with you. You won’t enjoy walking around with big bags if you’re walking around the city.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Use public transport. This is especially handy for when you’re coming into the city. Parking is super expensive, and the city is pretty walkable, so you’ll do fine without a car.
- See places outside the city. Visit some famous windmills and tulip fields or explore some of the neighboring cities. Rotterdam is a fantastic place to visit when you’re in the Netherlands.
- Travel light and cheap! Check out these cool deals on Booking, Agoda, and Omio.
Where to stay in Amsterdam for a day
Regardless of where you stay in Amsterdam, prepare to spend a little more than you would in other European cities. If you decide to extend your day trip to Amsterdam by a day or more, here are a few places you should consider staying at.
- The Bulldog Hotel is a centrally located adults-only hostel in the middle of the Red Light district.
- ClinkNOORD is a vibrant hostel for those who want to stay close to the city center without being in the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam.
- The Bee Hostel – Looking for luxury on a budget? This hostel is the place to go to BEE.
BROWSE more Hotels and Hostels
Where to eat in Amsterdam
One thing you’re certain to do in Amsterdam during your one-day trip is to eat!
There are a lot of food spots in the city that are worth trying, and cuisines range from traditional Dutch food to spicy Mexican dishes. A few cool restaurants that you may enjoy visiting include:
- Oeuf- brunch
- Celia- bottomless brunch
- Zero Zero- sandwiches
- The Avocado Show- lunch
- Munch- lunch
- Meatless district- vegan
- Madre- vegan
- Lanette-dinner
- Brioche- dessert
Day trips from Amsterdam
If you’re doing a bit of a Euro tour and looking for more places to visit near Amsterdam, check out:
- Haarlem
- Zaandam
- Gouda
- The Hague
- Volendam
- Delft
- Alkmaar
- Leiden
- Bruges
- Rotterdam
RECOMMENDED: Bruges Travel Guide | Rotterdam Travel Itinerary
💡 You may also be wondering
Where can I see windmills in Amsterdam?
Zaanse Schans is a hidden gem that is an open museum and free outdoor park with historical windmills. Another place in the Netherlands that you may love to visit for its windmills is Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Is Zaanse Schans free?
Yes. You can see Zaanse Schans free of charge!
Can you drink tap water in Amsterdam?
Yes. You can drink tap water in most places in the Netherlands.
Where can you see tulips in Amsterdam?
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens. This is the most popular place near Amsterdam, and the best time to visit is between mid-April to mid-May.
