24 Hours in Amsterdam: What to Do and What to See
You are in Amsterdam and have only 24 hours to spend. What do you do and what do you see? Sounds like there is so little time and so much to see and explore. Worry not as help is here! I’m going to round up some of the top attractions you can cover in 24 hours in Amsterdam. The list may look long but it is only to help make your choice of attractions according to your taste and liking. Before we begin you can use Luggage Storage Amsterdam to go bagless and explore the city freely. So let’s get started!
Start your day with a belly full of good Breakfast
Every good day begins with a good start. And a good start to a day is to have a happy tummy full of delicious breakfast. There are plenty of good choices when it comes to breakfast in Amsterdam. Depending on where you are at the start of the day, you can choose your breakfast spot from some of the ones given below:
The Breakfast Club – There are two locations – Oud-West & Westerpark
Staring at Jacob – in Oud-West
Rum Baba – in Oosterpark
Drovers Dog – There are three locations – Oost, Zuid & West
Sugar & Spice – in Centrum
Bar Spek – in Oud-West
Ane & Max – in De Pijp
Omelegg – in De Pijp
Visit a Museum
Amsterdam is famous for its Museums. A day in Amsterdam would be incomplete if you didn’t see at least one of its world-famous museums. Head to Museumplein, a grand 19th-century grassy square, that has not one but three of the most important and famous museums – the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is a stunning building with beautiful exhibits of art and history. Here you will find Dutch masterworks like The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer and the Night Watch by Rembrandt. There is also a library with a huge collection of books.
Van Gogh Museum
If you are a fan of Van Gogh and are interested in the life and work of the great artist then you must visit the Van Gogh Museum. This is the most visited museum in Amsterdam. It has the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings, drawings, and letters. Admire masterpieces like Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, and The Bedroom.
Stedelijk
The Stedelijk Museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Here you will find works of art by Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kadinsky, Willem de Kooning, and many others. It has the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in the Netherlands.
Canal Cruise
One of the best ways to see Amsterdam is to cruise along the canals of Amsterdam. Cruise through the famous landmarks of Amsterdam like the Golden Bend of the Herengracht, the Anne Frank House, the Northern Market at the Prinsengracht, and the Homomonument at the Keizersgracht. Discover a new way of exploring the city You can do a canal cruise during the day but if you are more into a night cruise, you can choose the ones with food and drinks. Sit back, relax and enjoy great views of the city under the starry night sky with delicious food and a drink in hand.
The Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is a must-visit when in Amsterdam. The house has been converted into a museum and Anne’s original diary and other notebooks are on display. Inside the house, you can see pencil marks on the wall where Anne’s parents marked her height every year. The museum has a permanent exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank and the war in Amsterdam. Learn about the life and experiences of Anne Frank and her family during their time in hiding from the Nazis. Quotations from her diary, historical documents, photographs, film images, and original objects illustrate the events that took place are on exhibit here.
Bloemenmarkt
Bloemenmarkt is the Flower Market of Amsterdam. It is the world’s only floating flower market and is on the Singel Canal. The market is a burst of colors and fragrances in the summer months. You will find all kinds of flowers. Amsterdam is known for its tulips. In springtime, the market is flooded with bouquets of tulips in every color. And the market does not disappoint during the winter months too! In the winter month of December, the market transforms into a winter wonderland selling a large variety of Christmas trees and holiday decorations. It is always a pretty picture year-round.
A’dam Lookout
A’dam Lookout is a sky deck in the A’dam Tower. From here you can enjoy 360 panoramic views of the city. If you are feeling like a daredevil, then hop on “Over The Edge,” Europe’s Highest Swing. Thrill-seekers swing back and forth 330 feet high in the sky. It is one of the most exhilarating experiences! If you are visiting A’dam Lookout in the evening, you can see the beautiful twinkling city of Amsterdam below you. And if you fancy a meal to go with the spectacular view, there is a revolving restaurant Moon on the 19th floor and a Ma’dam Restaurant & Skybar on the 20th floor.
Store unwanted bags with Left Luggage Amsterdam before you go swinging on Europe’s Highest Swing.
Vondelpark
If you need to unwind and relax from all the busy sightseeing and tourist activities, come down to Vondelpark and spend a peaceful afternoon or evening. It is the largest and most famous park in Amsterdam. There is a beautiful rose garden too with more than 70 kinds of different roses. There are lots of fountains and lakes and a playground for children too to keep them busy and entertained. You can also grab a bite or two from the numerous restaurants and cafes in the park like Groot Melkhuis, Blauwe Theehuis, Café Vertigo, Vondelpark3, and De Vondeltuin.
Rembrandtplein
Rembrandtplein or the Rembrandt Square is a major square in central Amsterdam. It is dedicated to the famous Dutch master painter, Rembrandt van Rijn. His famous painting, The Night Watch, has been recreated in the square by life-sized bronze sculptors. Click a few instagramable pictures in this famous square with the sculptors. There are restaurants, shops, and snack bars too to hang around. Wouldn’t it be a good memento to have a picture of the original painting of The Night Watch and a real-life version of it, both captured in the lens? I would say, most definitely!
Visit a Coffeeshop
You must be wondering what is so special about Coffeeshops in Amsterdam. Haven’t you heard? And if you did know then yes, it is absolutely legal to smoke marijuana or eat pot brownies (space cakes) in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is known as the cannabis capital of the world and this is a quintessential experience you won’t want to miss! These are not your regular coffee shops but are licensed Coffeeshops that can sell cannabis products in small quantities. Roll a joint or bite into your space cake and feel relaxed.
Rent a Bike
One of the cool things to do in Amsterdam is to cycle your way around the city. Amsterdam is one of the world’s most cycle-friendly cities. Biking is one of the quickest ways to see the city and you will see a lot in a short time. You can also join one of the many bike tours. Bike to important landmarks and learn about Amsterdam’s history and discover Amsterdam’s backstreets and hidden gems. Put on a helmet, follow the traffic rules, use the bike path, and have great fun pedaling through the city.
Amsterdam Centraal Station
The Amsterdam Centraal Station is the main transport hub of the city and is also a national monument. It is a beautiful blend of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance style architecture and is as gorgeous as the Rijksmuseum as they were both designed by Pierre Cuypers. The red bricks of the building light up in a beautiful golden orange hue on a sunny day. Snap beautiful pictures of the Station and add them to your photo mementos.
If you require to store your bags away for a while you can utilize Luggage Storage Amsterdam-Centraal.
Albert Cuypmarkt
Albert Cuypmarkt is a street market in the De Pijp neighborhood of Amsterdam. This is the largest market in Amsterdam where you can find a wide variety of food products. If you are a foodie, then you should visit this market. It is a great place to try out Dutch street food like raw herring, fried potatoes, warm stroopwafels, poffertjes (small pancakes), and naughtily shaped chocolates. The market also has some of the best restaurants, nightspots, and live music too!
Heineken Experience
Another popular attraction in Amsterdam is the Heineken Experience. This is one experience you wouldn’t want to miss if you are a beer lover. Heineken is one of the three largest beer producers in the world. The Heineken Experience gives you a tour of the brewery and you will learn about its heritage, brewing process, innovations, and sponsorship. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy two complimentary drinks while you relax in the bar. Non-alcoholic drinks are also available.
Red Light District
I’m sure this needs no introduction. Prostitution is legal in the Red Light District. And when in Amsterdam, you should explore this part of Amsterdam too because this is one of the things that make Amsterdam unique. Join a tour and learn interesting insider stories, and access to the hidden world of Amsterdam. The tour gives a deep insight into modern Amsterdam. A note to keep in mind when visiting the Red Light District is not to take pictures of the ladies in the window.
Foodhallen
End your day at Foodhallen. Foodhallen is a food and drinks haven. It is very popular among the locals and tourists as well. There are about 20 different food stands dishing out the best selection of both local and international food. There is also a centrally stationed large island bar with four different bars to get your drinks from. Choose from a diverse selection of food like wood-fired pizzas, Vietnamese summer rolls, Dutch bitterballen, dim sum, sushi, or Basque pintxos, top-notch tacos, gourmet doughnuts, kick-ass smoky barbecue, and much more.
This sums up the top attractions you can visit if you have only 24 hours to spend in Amsterdam. Choose the ones that interest you most and make the most of your 24 hours in the city. Of course, there is more to Amsterdam than the attractions mentioned above. If you do have time, you should explore more. Leave Luggage in Amsterdam with Vertoe and explore the city without lugging unnecessary bags and make your trip a memorable one.