Amsterdam canals at golden hour

Netherlands · EUROPE

The Amsterdam Travel Guide

Bicycle pace, canal light, museums you can stay all afternoon in.

Whole homes · Vacation rentals on VRBO

Prefer a full kitchen and more space than a hotel in Amsterdam?

Browse VRBO cabins, villas and apartments (Expedia Group brand).

See on VRBO →

Powered by GetYourGuide

Best things to do in Amsterdam

Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and small-group experiences in Amsterdam.

See all best things to do in amsterdam on GetYourGuide →

Powered by GetYourGuide

Day trips from Amsterdam

Half-day and full-day excursions bookable through GetYourGuide.

See all day trips from amsterdam on GetYourGuide →

When to Go

Best Time to Visit

Now in Amsterdam—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—

April–June, September. Tulip season peaks mid-April. September has fewer crowds and decent weather.

Warmest in Amsterdam: Aug (22°C / 72°F) · Coolest: Jan (7°C / 45°F) · Wettest: Oct (~18 rain days)

7°
3°
Jan
9°
4°
Feb
10°
4°
Mar
13°
5°
Apr
17°
9°
May
21°
13°
Jun
21°
14°
Jul
22°
15°
Aug
20°
12°
Sep
15°
10°
Oct
11°
6°
Nov
8°
3°
Dec

Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)

Daily Spend in USD

Budget

  • Budget

    $60/day

  • Mid-range

    $140/day

  • Luxury

    $380/day

  • Budget $60/day ≈ €52 · £45 · ₹5,700 · A$86 · C$85
  • Mid-range $140/day ≈ €120 · £105 · ₹13,500 · A$200 · C$200
  • Luxury $380/day ≈ €330 · £285 · ₹36,000 · A$545 · C$540

Converted at ECB reference rates, refreshed daily.

Hotels are tight and pricey — book early. Eating well is doable; rijsttafel dinners are an excellent value splurge.

With Kids

Family Travel

Vondelpark, NEMO Science Museum, canal boats, ARTIS Royal Zoo.

Together

Couples Travel

Canal cruise at dusk, candlelit dinners in Jordaan, day trip to Zaanse Schans windmills.

On Your Own

Solo Travel

Bike-friendly, English everywhere, plenty of co-working — built for solo travel.

Food

What to Eat

  • Stroopwafel. Warm caramel syrup waffles — eat one fresh at the Albert Cuyp Market.
  • Bitterballen. Deep-fried meat balls — pub snack with beer.
  • Herring. Raw, with onions — a stand by the canals, swallow whole.
  • Dutch Cheese. Gouda and Edam — sample at Reypenaer Tasting Room.
  • Indonesian rijsttafel. A Dutch-colonial holdover — 15+ tiny dishes; Sampurna is reliable.

Transportation

Getting Around

Bike (rent one for the day), then tram, then walking.

Watch the bike lanes — they’re for bikes only and cyclists are fast. The OV-chipkaart works on tram + metro.

Where to Base Yourself

Neighborhoods

  • Jordaan. Picturesque canals, indie shops, art galleries.
  • De Pijp. Albert Cuyp market, cocktail bars, brunch culture.
  • Oud-Zuid. Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark — the museum quarter.
  • Centrum. Canals, Anne Frank House, the Red Light District.

Get Your Bearings

Amsterdam Map & Walking Distances

City centerNeighborhoodsClick the map to enable scroll zoom

  • Jordaanneighborhood28 min walk from center
  • De Pijpneighborhood26 min walk from center
  • Oud-Zuidneighborhood2.9 km from center
  • Centrumneighborhood15 min walk from center

What to Know

Safety

Very safe. Bike traffic is the real risk for pedestrians; coffee shop laws have specific rules.

Destination Intelligence

Amsterdam scored on 8 dimensions

Editorial scores 0–10 — a lived assessment across the dimensions travelers actually weigh. Higher is better on each axis.

Family9/10

Kid-friendly, safe, stroller-easy

Romance8/10

Scenic, cozy dining, sunsets

Luxury8/10

Five-star hotels + fine dining

Budget5/10

Value per dollar (10 = cheapest)

Nightlife9/10

Bars, clubs, late scene

Food8/10

Dining depth + diversity

Walkable10/10

Compact + pedestrian-friendly

Digital nomad8/10

Wifi, cafés, community

Ready to go?

Book your trip to Amsterdam

Continue to our booking sites for live prices in Amsterdam — hotels, whole-home vacation rentals, and flights.

Hotels in AmsterdamCompare hotel prices with free cancellation on most stays.gobookt · via Booking.com Vacation rentals in AmsterdamWhole homes, villas, cabins and beach houses by owner.stayviaowner · via VRBO Flights & packages in AmsterdamFlights, car rentals and hotel + flight bundles in one search.gotript · via Expedia