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Amsterdam is a city that is so charming, it’s hard to leave. I never get tired of walking around the canal-surrounded streets and uncovering more parts of the city. From the museums and the beauty of the canals to the hidden-gem restaurants, Amsterdam is such a fun city to explore.
Once you decide on where to stay in Amsterdam, it’s time to make a plan. If you don’t want to follow my two day Amsterdam itinerary, then this post will give you the 8 highlights of Amsterdam that you shouldn’t skip! You’ll also find a few honorable mentions, so if you have even more time or want a bite to eat, this list has you covered.
1. Back to Black for Coffee
Back to Black is a must visit when in Amsterdam. There’s two different locations, but the one you’ll want to visit is the one on Weteringstraat. This cafe has so much charm! Not only was it a great place to sit and catch up with an old friend, grab a bite to eat, or warm up from the cold, but there’s a cat mascot. I’m serious – there’s an orange and white cat that walks around the shop and it may even join you.
On my first visit, I was enjoying coffee here with a friend that lives in Amsterdam and the cat came and sat on my lap! On my second visit to Amsterdam, Back to Black’s seats were full so we grabbed our coffee to go. We didn’t leave before sighting the precious mascot kitty! Back to Black coffee is excellent and they also have an assortment of pastries if you’re looking for a snack.
2. Bagel Boy for breakfast
Luckily, there’s three different locations of Bagel Boy in Amsterdam which means you don’t need to go out of your way to eat here. We enjoyed Bagel Boy so much that we went back the very next morning for breakfast again. Not only is every ingredient in the bagel sandwich high quality, but the fresh cinnamon rolls and incredible coffee bar makes this an all around positive experience.
On both visits, we walked to the Bagel Boy on Weteringschans – a short walk from our hotel. I ordered the BEC bagel that has bacon, egg, and american cheese. I added avocado and my husband added the chili aioli. I didn’t get a chance to try their matcha lattes, but they looked so good and is on my list for next visit.
3. Linguini for dinner
Linguini has more than one location in Amsterdam; the one I recommend is in the Jordaan neighborhood. (Address: Herenstraat 22, 1015 CB Amsterdam, Netherlands.) As you’re walking down the block, you could almost miss Linguini if you didn’t know it was there. The restaurant is quaint, but where it lacks in space, it makes up for in Italian flavor.
I recommend making a reservation – we didn’t and luck was on our side as there were seats open at the bar! Our Italian server was funny and clearly loved his job. My husband and I both ordered carbonara – our favorite Italian dish. It’s safe to say, we were blown away by the cuisine. We both walked away very stuffed, refusing to leave a single drop on our plates. This would be a place we’d return to if we ever visit Amsterdam again.
4. Take a Canal Cruise
Honestly, I was unsure if this would be a tourist trap or actually worth the time. The verdict is that a canal cruise is definitely worth your time when in Amsterdam. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the canal on a boat, passing by the unique houses and bikers around the city. Please prioritize a boat tour in your trip to Amsterdam – it’s even better if you book a sunset river cruise with unlimited drinks.
If you’re unsure what kind of canal cruise is best for you, don’t worry. There are several choices for canal tours, which means you’re sure to find one that best fits your vibe.
Traditional canal cruise:
- Covered boats with glass roofs
- Offer audio guides in multiple languages
- Great for first-timers or those on a tight schedule
- Usually 60-75 minutes
- Great for a small budget
Best for: Quick sightseeing with historical commentary
Evening & Dinner Cruises
- Sunset and night views of the illuminated canals – like this one
- Often include drinks, cheese platters, or full dinners
- Romantic and slower-paced
- Opt for budget friendly or splurge
Best for: Couples or anyone looking for a unique dinner setting
Private or Small Group Boats
- More intimate experience
- Some are electric and silent, adding to the charm
- BYOB or catered options available
Best for: Families, friend groups, or special occasions
5. Visit one of these Museums
The Anne Frank House
If you know you’re going to Amsterdam, I highly recommend booking The Anne Frank House tickets as soon as you can. On my first visit to Amsterdam, the tickets were sold out and I was unable to go. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, note that tickets are released every Tuesday for six weeks in advance. They are released at 8:00 am local Amsterdam time, so if you’re not in Europe or in that time zone, set your alarm and best of luck!
If you are able to secure tickets to the Anne Frank House, I think you’ll find the experience to be very impactful. There’s a lot of information to soak in while you’re there. Most visitors spend an average of 1-2 hours at the museum. I’d plan for at least two hours so you don’t have to rush.
The Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum opened its doors in the 19th century and is the largest museum in all of the Netherlands. The museum is open daily and you can find the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings in the world here. The museum is also surrounded by beautiful parks to picnic in the summer.
The Red Light Secrets Museum
The Red Light Secrets Museum is something that is 100% out of my comfort zone, but my friend who works in Amsterdam Tourism took me there and I am thrilled that he did. I learned a lot about the history of Amsterdam surrounding the Red Light District. The tickets are also very inexpensive!
The museum was extremely educational about the Red Light District, and it was worth time spent there.
6. Attend a Stroopwaffel class
Attending a stroopwaffel class was never on my radar on my first visit to Amsterdam. On my second visit to Amsterdam, I visited in the cold, winter months and knew I wanted some activities indoors. This led to discovering this class, and I would recommend it to anyone!
This class is great for those on a budget, couples looking for something to do, or even solo travelers at a chance to meet other travelers during their visit to Amsterdam. The stroopwaffel class was less than an hour, inexpensive, and a ton of fun. I don’t think I can ever eat a stroopwaffel that isn’t fresh ever again!
7. The Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience was actually encouraged not to visit by some of my local friends, but my husband wanted to check it out since we enjoyed the Guinness Factory when we were in Dublin. I am so happy we visited the Heineken Experience – we enjoyed every single part of it. The workers clearly loved their job, and you learn so much about the history of Heineken in an interactive and fun way.
Our tickets were under $30 per person and included two drink tokens each. I’d plan for about two hours here – the tour is for the majority of the time self guided, and you don’t want to feel rushed. I do think the Heineken experience deserves its own post, so be on the lookout for that. In the meantime, you can view this video sharing some of our experience:
8. Take a day trip outside of the city
Have you really been in the Netherlands if you haven’t seen a windmill? Or been to the tulip fields? Consider booking a day trip to Zaanse Schans, with entrance to a traditional Dutch cheese farm included. You’ll watch a live cheese-making demonstration and indulge in a cheese tasting with different local cheeses.
Honorable Mentions
While the following honorable mentions aren’t in my top 8 highlights of Amsterdam, they are still worth considering if you’re looking for more inspiration when visiting Amsterdam.
Fabel Friet
Fabel Friet has taken the tiktok world by storm. Leading up to our trip, I had seen so many videos online about the long lines and the picture perfect photos of the orders. With all this fuss, I had to learn what is was all about.
Scandinavian Embassy for coffee
Recommended by another fellow traveler, Scandinavian Embassy was a pick-me-up for when my legs started getting worn out. They don’t have any mocha sauce, and honestly the latte with only sugar was tasty enough. Their coffee is high quality and although I didn’t have a chance to try pastries, I’ve heard nothing but good things!
Bijn Queen
My friend, Alex, brought us to Bijn Queen for lunch and honestly, I never would’ve known to come here on my own! It’s kind of a hole in the wall place, situated on a crooked building on the canal. However, Bijn Queen is home to the best specialty pancake I ever had. I opted for a savory pancake filled with chicken, pesto, and tomato and I hope I can create a dupe to make at home.
Pat’s Poffertjes
If you like Dutch pancakes, then I think you’ll like this iconic Amsterdam location. As you step into this brick and mortar store of Pat’s Poffertjes, the aroma of the pancakes and toppings are mouthwatering. We were truly so eager to try these Amsterdam staples, but we walked away feeling indifferent.
The batter on the outside and the toppings are truly delicious. THe price point is also not too bad for what you get. It’s the middle of these pancakes that we were unsure about – they are still very gooey on the inside with the batter. This is how they’re intended, but for us two with American pallets, we just couldn’t get past the texture.
Cocktail Bars
If you’re looking for a bit of fun, try:
- Sins of Sal
- Tales & Spirits
- Super Lyan
- Bar Mokum
- Rum Barrel West
Recommendations from a local
- Dumplings
- Madre
- Bakkerji Wolf Wolvenstraat
