Things to do in

North Holland

Climb aboard a canal boat to experience Amsterdam at its most beautiful - when the sun goes down and the city lights are switched on. Enjoy bar service as you see thousands of lights highlight the hundreds of bridges and the iconic buildings alongside the canals. You will cruise along some of the most scenic waterways of Amsterdam’s Canal Belt, passing the illuminated buildings, bridges, and boats that give the city an almost fairytale appearance. Enjoy an open-air space in both winter and in summer.  A host will welcome you aboard and tell you many stories, legends, and historical facts about Amsterdam as you sail. Sit back to learn about the local hotspots, including notable restaurants and nightclubs.

Enjoy hassle-free and efficient transportation from central Amsterdam to Keukenhof Gardens, and journey by comfortable bus at a time to suit you. Arrive at the world's largest spring garden in just 55 minutes, and benefit from fast track entry on arrival. Buses to Keukenhof Gardens depart daily from the 'This is Holland' experience, opposite Central Station. Simply take the free ferry from Amsterdam Central Station to the opposite side of the IJ, where 'This is Holland' is a mere 2-minute walk away.   Board the bus, and then admire the Dutch landscape en route to Keukenhof Gardens. Watch a video presentation about Dutch history, the colorful landscape and interesting information on why Holland is so famous for its flowers. Upon arrival at Keukenhof Gardens, skip the long lines and explore the floral displays of the spring garden at your own pace. Marvel at up to 7 million bulbs in bloom, and see vibrant flower beds and fragrant floral displays. Enjoy the Keukenhof Gardens at your leisure, and benefit from frequent departures with guaranteed seating on a luxury coach back to Amsterdam between 1 PM and 6:30 PM. Get a free copy of the Amsterdam city map to help you find your way around the city as a bonus.

Sit back and relax while you enjoy a 75-minute city cruise highlighting the city's famous landmarks and culture and listen to stories from its rich trading history. Seeing the city of Amsterdam aboard a covered and heated boat is the best way to discover one of Europe's most exciting cities.  During your cruise, your skipper will take you through to many of the city's highlights, as you relax and take in all the sights and sounds. This cruise is conducted in a group with a maximum of 24 people, and will provide you with both an immersive and interactive tour. There is also enough time during the tour for questions and recommendations you might require for the rest of your stay as you enjoy this beautiful city. Choose between a standard option where you can add unlimited drinks, or book right away with Dutch cheese, wine and other beverages all included.

Find out more about Anne Frank on a small-group or private guided walking tour of Amsterdam, led by an expert guide. Discover the city’s centuries-old Jewish Quarter in a small group setting while your guide weaves in anecdotes about Anne Frank's life and World War II. You will hear all about Anne Frank’s family dynamics, their move from Germany, their time in hiding and her father’s life after the war. Start the tour outside the Portuguese Synagogue, a 17th-century Sephardic construction that still functions as a synagogue today. Find out about the background of the original Jewish neighborhood and how it developed over the centuries. Your guide will share stories of Anne Frank’s love of writing, the conditions she lived through in 1930s and 1940s Amsterdam, and how her diary became so famous. You will also hear about the Dutch Resistance during the Second World War and see where secret hiding places were located. Over the course of the tour, you will walk by the Jewish Historical Museum, stop at the Auschwitz Monument and see the outside of the Anne Frank House façade. Finish the tour with a small surprise at a local Dutch cafe.

Discover the best of Amsterdam on a canal cruise, where you’ll see some of the best of this historical city. Admire new buildings, bridges, and much more in a city that’s rooted in history but continues to change. Choose between two departure points and take in the views of the 17th-century buildings lining the canals, and the cosmopolitan 21st-century city that Amsterdam has become. See the many sides of the city from the Golden Bend to Overhoeks, the city’s newest quarter, and from the Music Building in the harbor to the VOC ship. You can also add an optional snackbox to your cruise for something to munch on as you see the sights.

Experience Amsterdam stress-free with an unlimited travel card for all public transport networks operated by GVB throughout the city. Purchase a ticket valid for a day or a multi-day ticket that best suits your plans. Travel on the metro, trams, buses, and ferries and experience the city like a local. Using your ticket is easy. Simply check in when boarding a tram, bus, or metro, and then check out when you exit or disembark the vehicle. Your ticket will be validated on first use and can be used for unlimited travel until the end of its validity. If you have additional questions, or your ticket appears to be defective, you can easily go to one of the designated pick-up locations or call the number presented on your mobile voucher for assistance.

Immerse yourself in the culture of the Netherlands on a tour through the jewels of the Dutch countryside. Visit a cheese producer, a clog factory, a fishing village, and see the iconic windmills. Start your tour at Amsterdam’s Central Station and head in the company of your guide to the first destination of the day, Zaanse Schans. Admire the typical Dutch windmills of the town, and learn about how they are still used today. Next, drive to the Waterland area to arrive at the second stop of the tour, Edam. Walk around some of the town’s most historical sites, including the town square where the famous cheese market used to take place. Then, head to Volendam to visit a local cheese producer, learn about the production of Edam and Gouda cheeses, and try a cheese tasting. Head towards a clog factory next to discover the secrets of this typical Dutch shoe. Finally, travel back in time to the 17th century as you wander through the fishermen’s houses in the Marken, and explore this quintessential fishing village.

Experience the excitement of the Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium on a 75-minute guided tour that can be conducted in either Dutch or English. During the tour, your enthusiastic guide will take you to see the dugout and also the holy pitch. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to go behind the scenes, with special access to areas that are normally reserved for only players and officials. Your guide will also take you into the official dressing room of Ajax, when it is not in use on match days or during training sessions. Don’t miss this chance to feel the thrill of the history of this iconic site.

At Madame Tussauds Amsterdam you can sparkle among the stars. Right in the heart of Amsterdam you can drink a cup of coffee with George Clooney, get your picture taken with members of the Dutch Royal family and pick up your paintbrush alongside world-famous artists such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt. If you are you dreaming about a career as a real TV-host, come and discover your presentation skills at the new TV studio by reading the autocue. Or is music more your thing? How about recording a duet with Adele in the recording studio, or joining DJs Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Hardwell or Martin Garrix in the DJ booth. Immerse yourself into this amazing interactive world. You’ll never see as many stars in Amsterdam as at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.

Admire Amsterdam’s picturesque waterside landmarks on a 100% electric, luxury cruise. Take in incredible views of the city’s famous landmarks and experience the most relaxing way to sightsee, free of traffic. Learn informative and entertaining insights about the sites along the route. See the 17th-century buildings lining the famous canals, as well new stylish buildings showcasing the influential 21st-century city that Amsterdam has become. Sail by the Hermitage Museum then glide past the Skinny Bridge and the posh Amstel Hotel.  Enjoy an open-air boat experience on a sunny day or stay warm with a protective covering on cooler days. In the winter months, relax on an enclosed boat to keep you warm. Benefit from the flexibility of a one-use ticket that can be used on any one of the cruises departing within the hour you booked.