Guided tour
Amsterdam: Guided Bike Tour of Central Amsterdam
48 hours in Amsterdam: The perfect two-day itinerary
The Dutch capital is known for its quiet canals and gabled, narrow houses, but there’s plenty more to discover in this compact, friendly city, from buzzing food halls to street art museums. This itinerary will help you explore Amsterdam’s highlights all within two days, guiding you from galleries to cafes to palaces, with some cycling and boating thrown in for good measure.
Day 1
- Morning
Make like a local and bike around town (3 hours)
See all experiencesAmsterdammers love getting around by bike — so much so that there are more bikes than people in this city. With miles of dedicated cycle lanes, the best way to start exploring the city is with a 3-hour guided bike tour that takes in some of its best known landmarks, as well as going off the beaten track. Starting near Central Station and covering the Western Islands, De Pijp, and The Nine Streets, you’ll certainly get your bearings.
1 - Afternoon
Feast on Dutch bitterballen (1 hour)
After a morning pedaling around Amsterdam, it’s time to refuel and there are few better ways than by trying Dutch bitterballen. A deep-fried snack filled with a variety of meats, and usually served with mustard for dipping, you’ll be able to find them at any typical Dutch restaurant around the city. But for a truly authentic experience, book onto a bitterballen tasting in the restaurant set in the former first-class waiting room at Central Station, so you can admire its fin de siècle original features by famed Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers while you feast.See all experiencesMore food activities
2 -
Experience Amsterdam’s new cultural hotspot, NDSM (2 hours)
See all experiencesFrom Central Station, take the free ferry across the IJ and discover a different side of Amsterdam at NDSM, a former shipping wharf that has been transformed into a cultural hotspot with dance parties, exhibitions, festivals, and live performances. A thriving community of artists and musicians, don’t miss the STRAAT Museum, the world’s largest museum dedicated to street art where you can see paintings, sculptures, and vast installations — book your ticket in advance to avoid the lines.
3 -
Get to the heart of Amsterdam at Dam Square (1.5 hours)
Hop back on the ferry and head to Dam Square in the city center. It’s surrounded by many of Amsterdam’s most iconic buildings, including the National Monument and the 15th century New Church, which hosts the inaugurations and weddings of Dutch monarchs as well as public concerts and exhibitions. The square is also home to the majestic Royal Palace, which is open to visit most of the year — book your tickets ahead to visit and learn more about the Dutch Golden Age.See all experiencesMore history related activities
4 - Evening
Go to a Dutch cafe at gin o’clock (30 minutes)
After all your exertions, it’s time for a break and a drink, with a side of people watching. From Dam Square, you’re ideally placed to choose an authentic cafe to enjoy some jenever, a Dutch-style gin that the Netherlands is famous for, and a bite to eat. Try Hoppe or Karpershoek, or go even more old school at Cafe de Drie Fleschjes — it’s the oldest jenever tasting house in town.
5 -
Delve into the history of the Red Light District (2 hours)
A few blocks into the historic area of Amsterdam, you’ll come across the city’s Red Light District. As night falls, it’s lit up with endless neon lights, but there’s much more to this part of town than meets the eye. Rather than joining the hoards of ogling tourists and bachelor parties, book a guided tour to find out more about the history of sex work, coffeeshops, and erotic theaters in the city’s most talked-about neighborhood.
See all experiencesMore Red Light District activities
6
- Morning
Day 2
- Morning
Have a cultural morning at Museumplein (3.5 hours)
Kick off your second day in Amsterdam at Museumplein, a square which boasts several of the city’s most significant museums. Start at the Van Gogh Museum, which is dedicated to the Dutch painter (tickets sell out fast so book a week or two in advance), before dosing up on modern art and design at the Stedelijk and, finally, spotting Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum. Pre-book your entry tickets for the Stedelijk Museum and Rijksmuseum to skip their lines and go right in.See all experiencesExtra option
1 -
Explore Amsterdam from its famous canals (1 Hour)
No visit to the Dam would be complete without a boat trip around its concentric canals, which cover 60 miles in total. Just outside the Rijksmuseum, you can catch the Canal City Cruise, which will transport you past landmarks and pretty houses and under picturesque bridges. No doubt, you’ll be regaled by local tales by your skipper, as you enjoy a cocktail onboard this open-air cruise.See all experiencesMore canal cruises
2 - Afternoon
Have the best pancakes in Amsterdam (1 hour)
Feeling peckish? Make your way from the boat to the Pancakehouse Upstairs, a tiny little gem of a place that sits in a 16th century building whose walls and ceilings are covered with hundreds of teapots. Accessed through a very narrow set of stairs that’s basically a ladder, it’s very easy to miss. Once you’ve found it and its four tables, reward yourself with its award-winning, mouthwatering pancakes — and remember to take cash.
3 -
Discover the city's favorite markets (2 hours)
Happily sated by pancakes and tea, take a short walk south to reach Bloemenmarkt and delight in one of the Netherlands’ best known exports: flowers — this floating flower market is quite the spectacle. From there, keep walking south until you reach Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp. Free to enter, it has 260 stalls with everything from shoes to antiques to cheeses and the most delicious stroopwafels. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up some gifts for home, or to snack on later. Albert Cuyp — unlike Bloemenmarkt — is closed on Sundays.4 -
Grab a beer at Heineken Experience (2 hours)
Your thirst levels might be rising again by this point, so it’s convenient that the Heineken Experience is just a few blocks away. The birthplace of one of the most famous beers in the world, the old brewery now features a museum with exclusive tastings on offer for those with VIP tickets. It’s one of Amsterdam’s most popular activities, so book your timed-entry ticket in advance and save time by skipping the line.
See all experiencesMore beer activities
5 -
Relax in Vondelpark (1.5 hours)
After a busy day exploring the southern part of the city, head to Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest and most loved park. When the weather is good, you’ll see locals making the most of its lush, green spaces with barbecues and games, so find yourself a spot on the grass and relax — or join in. There are often performances in the park, especially during summer, so do a little digging ahead of your trip and book ahead if something appeals.
6 - Evening
Dine at the famous Foodhallen (1 hour)
A short walk or bike ride away is the Foodhallen, a hip food court bursting with different stalls and bars, offering everything from hot dogs and burgers to tacos and dumplings. It can get very busy, so get there as early as you can to avoid longer waiting times. Not ready to call it a night after dinner? Make your way back to Museumplein and its south end, where you can visit the Royal Concertgebouw, a concert hall that’s home to one of the best orchestras in the world.
7
- Morning
