Planning a weekend in Amsterdam? You’ll have a harder time deciding what to leave off your itinerary than you will finding things to add. This busy city is home to more markets, museums, shops, and restaurants than you could hope to experience, and that only scratches the surface of all there is to see and do there. You’ll need to choose your agenda carefully to maximize your time!
Stuck on how to spend a weekend in Amsterdam? Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of your experience:
Eat A Pancake
Start your weekend in Amsterdam with a delicious breakfast. Pancakes are a well-loved treat in the Netherlands, and they’re slightly different than what you’d expect to find in an American restaurant – they’re larger and thinner, but not quite as thin as a crepe. These pancakes are served warm and can be topped with savory ingredients, like ham and cheese, or sweet combinations, like lemon and sugar.
Ride a Bike
The Dutch are big fans of bicycles. You can tell the moment you arrive – there are bikes absolutely everywhere. For a fun way to tour the city and get from Point A to Point B, rent a bike and take it for a spin. Just be careful and pay attention – you don’t want to start your vacation with a collision.
Explore Vondelpark
Vondelpark is a bit of a cultural institution in Amsterdam. It’s a prime spot for locals and tourists alike to relax, exercise, and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Take your bike for a spin here, or stroll around and find a decent spot for a picnic lunch.
See the City by Boat
Another great way to experience Amsterdam is to take a boat tour. You’ll get a totally different view of the city as you navigate the canals, and you’ll learn lots of interesting facts about the city’s history along the way. There are quite a few options available, including dinner cruises, so you’ll want to do some research and find the one that sounds best for you and your travel companions.
Tour a Museum
Amsterdam is home to a number of museums, but if you’re only in town for a weekend, you’ll only have time for one or two. If you like contemporary art, you can spend an hour or two exploring the Stedelijk Museum, home to works of art by well-known artists from around the world, including Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, and Jackson Pollock. Prefer a taste of history? Purchase tickets in advance to tour the Anne Frank House.
Snack on Bitterballen
Otherwise known as Dutch meatballs, bitterballen are precisely that – deep-fried balls of seasoned ground meat. They’re one of the most well-loved treats in the Netherlands, and you can find them at many local fast food spots. Grab some for an afternoon treat you can’t find anywhere else!
If you can find time in your Amsterdam weekend itinerary for these must-do activities, you’ll experience some of the best the city has to offer. While you can’t possibly hope to accomplish everything there is to do in Amsterdam in one trip, you’ll cover the basics with this list.
