Things to do in

North Holland

Relax on a canal cruise through the UNESCO Heritage listed Golden Age Canals of Amsterdam. View city highlights like the Skinny Bridge, the Red Light District, and the Old Harbor. Have the option to choose standard tour or a tour with unlimited delicious Dutch cheese, wine, and other drinks. Board the ship and let your local skipper tell you about local history as you sail past sights in the Jordaan district and the Skinny Bridge on the the Amstel River. Admire views of parts of the Red Light District, the former city locks, and Old Harbor. Capture pictures of the stately architecture of the Maritime Museum and the prestigious Gold Bend neighborhood. See pieces of history as you sail by places like the Anne Frank House. Ask your guide questions about the city and get recommendations for things to do and places to eat.

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, benefit from fast track entry on arrival, and stay for as long as you please. 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.

Experience and discover the beautiful historic city center of Haarlem from a unique perspective as you cruise around the Old Town's canals on a 50-minute cruise. After meeting your professional skipper and boarding the boat in the city center, begin your journey of discover of Haarlem's unique architecture, picturesque buildings, and romantic canals. Once onboard, admire attractions such as the Molen de Adriaan, the Teylers hofje, Frans Hals Museum, and the Jopenkerk. Munch on complimentary snacks and drinks as you sail in the company of a crew with many years of experience on the water of Haarlem. The boat is heated for your comfort.

As one of Amsterdam's most popular attractions, the Van Gogh Museum draws over a million visitors each year. With this ticket, discover over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and more than 750 letters from Van Gogh at your own pace. Access a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions.  Home to the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam transports visitors on a fascinating journey through the life of the artist and his contemporaries. The museum introduces the complete story: the artist, the context, Van Gogh’s personal ambitions, his emotions, the myths that surround him, and his influence right up until this very day. The Van Gogh Museum’s collection includes world-famous paintings such as Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and The Potato Eaters.  The museum also organizes 3 temporary exhibitions every year. The Van Gogh Museum is open 365 days a year. Tickets are available online only. Don’t miss out, book in advance. Visitors can discover more about Van Gogh and his contemporaries with the multimedia guide, available in 11 languages. With more time to enjoy inside the museum, you can dive straight into the fantastic collections on display.

Admire Amsterdam’s picturesque waterside landmarks on a 100% electric, luxury cruise. Take in incredible views of the city’s famous landmarks from an open boat and experience a 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, the posh Amstel Hotel and the charming neighbourhood of Grachtengordel. 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.

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 the view as you see thousands of lights highlight the hundreds of bridges and the iconic buildings alongside the canals. 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 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. Complete your experience during the canal cruise by buying some drinks and snacks in the ticketing office prior to boarding.

1867 was a good year for beer. It was the year Gerard Adriaan Heineken built a new brewery in the heart of Amsterdam. In the pumping heart of the old brewery, you can dive into the world of Heineken beer.   On a 1.5-hour self-guided tour you’ll learn about the company’s heritage, the beer brewing process, Heineken’s innovations, and about what it takes to serve a world-famous beer. There will be a short presentation in English provided inside the factory.   Find out the 4 natural ingredients that make this beer, and discover the brand’s sponsorship activities with Formula 1, the UEFA Champions League and the Rugby World Cup. And sure enough, at the end of the tour you can raise your glass with new friends.

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.

Explore the Spaarne river on a sightseeing cruise. Stay comfortable aboard ships that are semi-open in the summer and fully-heated and covered in the winter. Get carried away on the Spaarne river and see the city center and the Unicorn and Adriaan windmills from the water. Check in at the activity provider's office and board the river boat. Settle into your chair and have the option to purchase snacks and drinks as you sail along. Capture pictures of the 18th-century Adriaan windmill. Glide past the historic Waag weigh house. Take in views of the Teylers Museum of art, natural history, and science. Make your way past colorful houseboats and verdant parks as you go towards Heemstede. Go by the 17th-century Unicorn windmill before heading back to the starting point of your cruise.

Experience the excitement of the Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium on a guided tour. 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.