Things to do in Amsterdam

A city of canals, cosy cafés, tulips and bicycles, Amsterdam has a laid-back charm that pairs seamlessly with the lively energy of its world-renowned museums, cultural festivals and vibrant art scene. This winning combination of ease and excitement makes the city an unmissable adventure and with so many things to do in Amsterdam, you’ll be planning your return trip in no time.

All about Amsterdam

Lined with iconic 17th-century townhouses, romantic canals and historic bridges, the Dutch capital is known for its bicycle-friendly streets, open-minded policies, rich culture and stunning natural beauty. As one of the main trading ports for the Dutch Republic, Amsterdam emerged as a hub of art, architecture, and culture during the Dutch Golden Age. Today, this legacy is evident in its world-class museums, vibrant art scene and historic charm.

Why visit Amsterdam?

With so many places to visit and things to do, Amsterdam is the perfect destination for anyone who enjoys a unique blend of experiences. Visit museums and art galleries or explore one of the city’s more weird and wonderful exhibitions. Time your visit with one of the city’s lively festivals or plan a quieter exploration of the cosy cafés and markets. Explore the city on foot, cycle along its extensive bike paths, or see the capital from a unique perspective, with a canal cruise.

Driving to Amsterdam

Driving to the Netherlands from our Calais terminal is easy. The journey to Amsterdam is just four and a half hours and takes you past a number of iconic cities to explore en route. Why not plan a sightseeing road trip through Ghent, Antwerp and Rotterdam on your way to the canal-lined capital?

Travel along the A16 and E40 to get to Ghent and the E17 to get to Antwerp. To avoid tolls on the way to Amsterdam, stick to major routes like the E19 and A2. If you want to pass by Rotterdam (and enjoy a slightly quicker journey), take the E34 and A4.

What’s the best time to visit?

The days are longer and brighter in the summer, so it is often considered the best time to visit Amsterdam. From June to September, the city comes alive with a variety of open-air events and festivals, including the Holland Festival and Pride, making it the perfect time to experience vibrant city life.

However, the months surrounding the peak season are firm favourites for anyone looking to enjoy the city’s sights with fewer crowds. Spring brings colourful flower markets and the iconic Tulip Festival. Meanwhile, autumn is the perfect time to enjoy warm drinks in cosy canal-side cafes surrounded by autumnal shades of orange, yellow and brown. It’s also the best time to find more pocket-friendly accommodation options.

Museums and galleries in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, you’ll find an eclectic collection of both popular and smaller, quirkier museums. From the Cat Cabinet and Museum Vrolik – dedicated to cats and human specimens respectively - to NXT Museum’s psychedelic digital displays, Amsterdam really has something for everyone.

Rijksmuseum

Dedicated to 800 years of Dutch history and art, the Netherland’s national museum is an unmissable stop on your visit to Amsterdam. The Gothic revival building houses over 8000 objects and sits near both the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. 

One of the museum’s most famous pieces can be found in the gallery that shares its name, The Night Watch. The life-size painting by Rembrandt is just one of the Dutch masterpieces displayed in the museum and it shares its home with works by Van Gogh, Jan Steen and Vermeer. Don’t forget to explore the museum’s extensive collection of doll’s houses, model ships and armoury as well as its Asian art collection before you leave.

Rijksmuseum

Van Gogh Museum

Learn more about Van Gogh’s art and life at the museum dedicated to his work. Founded by the Van Gogh Foundation, the museum tells the compelling story of the man behind the art through a variety of permanent collections, special exhibitions and immersive experiences. 

Of course, the museum also features over 200 paintings and almost 500 drawings by the post-impressionist artist, including his most famous works The Starry Night, The Bedroom and Sunflowers. Visit the attraction to follow the Dutch painter’s artistic journey, learn more about his influences and discover how his work shaped artistic movements going forward.

The Van Gogh Museum

Anne Frank House

One of the most historically significant buildings in Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House is dedicated to the life and legacy of Anne Frank. Best known for her diary, Anne was a Jewish girl who hid with her family from the Nazis during their occupation of the Netherlands, until finally being discovered and sent to the death camps. The museum shares her poignant and personal account of her life in hiding.

With exhibitions about Anne Frank herself, her family, the Holocaust and World War Two, the museum attracts millions of visitors every year. The Amsterdam attraction offers visitors the opportunity to remember and reflect on our history and humanity.

Stedelijk

Immerse yourself in modern and contemporary art at The Stedelijk Museum. Here, you’ll discover dynamic and provocative collections of art, fashion, photography, immersive installations and mixed media. The museum is committed to sharing works from the late 19th-century onwards and showcases an extensive collection of exhibitions from modern and emerging artists. The pieces on display highlight bold and rebellious designers who challenge society's norms and comment on contemporary issues.

The building itself is a fusion of old and new architecture, with the original building designed in a neo-renaissance style and the newer extension featuring sleek, modern white concrete and glass. The striking building has been lovingly nicknamed “the bathtub.”

The Stedelijk Museum

Scheepvaart National Maritime Museum

Dive into the maritime history of the Netherlands at the National Maritime Museum. The museum holds the world’s most extensive maritime collection, showcasing antique maps, navigational instruments, nautical paintings, ship ornaments and decorations, and much, much more. 

The museum has a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions on show. Learn about whales through the ages in “The Tale of the Whale” exhibition - where you can actually walk into a whale’s mouth! Or explore naval paintings and portraits in the main gallery. 

Docked on the jetty outside, you’ll find a replica of the East Indiaman Amsterdam ship. Climb on deck to learn about life onboard the boat, lay in the crew’s hammocks and explore the captain’s cabin. 

Scheepvaart National Maritime Museum

Foam

In a canal-side manor in Amsterdam, this photography museum sits slightly off the beaten track and is often a bit quieter than the city’s other attractions. But don’t let the relative peace and quiet put you off, the museum shares a dynamic rotation of exciting exhibitions from iconic talent and emerging artists.

Photography enthusiasts will enjoy attending one of the many workshops and talks inspired by the rotating exhibitions held at the site and may already be familiar with the museum’s international award-winning magazine. Don’t forget to stop by the café for Koffie and Appeltaart van Kuyt – it’s the perfect time to write a postcard home from the museum shop.

Events in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is well-known for its jam-packed calendar of events, with an array of diverse festivals, exhibitions and celebrations throughout the year.

King’s Day

On the 27th of April, the city comes alive in celebration of King’s Day or “Koningsdag.” The national holiday celebrates the birth of King Willem-Alexander and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The city is painted orange with garlands, flags and banners and people even wear orange accessories, wigs, tops and face paint to commemorate the Dutch dynasty. This sea of orange is known as Oranjegekte – orange madness!

Join in the revelry at one of the many canal parades, parties, concerts or special events. 

Amsterdam goes orange on King's Day

Amsterdam Light Festival

From late November to early January, technology and creativity converge to bring the Amsterdam Light Festival to the streets. The dazzling displays from artists around the world illuminate Amsterdam’s canals with static and interactive installations centered around that year’s theme. Previous thought-provoking themes have included the environment, technology, communication and existence. 

There are a few different ways to experience the festival. Take a canal boat cruise to view the installations from the water or opt for a walking tour to enjoy the exhibits up close. You can even go on a self-guided tour using the mobile app!  

Amsterdam Light Festival

Amsterdam Dance Event

Usually in late October, this electronic music festival is unmissable for fans of drum and bass, house, techno and trance. Held in venues across the city over the course of five days (and nights), the festival brings together well-known artists, emerging talent and electronic music fans for a week of creativity and collaboration. Music lovers will not want to miss out on this electrifying weeks’ worth of workshops, panels, parties and performances.

Tulip Festival

More than 7 million flower bulbs and 800 different types of tulips bloom in the spring and the city’s parks, gardens and public spaces are transformed with their colourful display. Visit Keukenhof Gardens to stroll through the stunning flower shows, ponds and pavilions. The vibrant blooms and serene setting are ideal for selfies and those picture-perfect moments. The gardens also have a number of family-friendly facilities including a petting zoo, playground and maze. 

Just outside the city, visit the tulip fields in Bollenstreek or pick your own flowers at one of the flower farms to create your very own tulip bouquet.

Getting outdoors in Amsterdam

City life aside, Amsterdam is brimming with parks, green spaces and outdoor activities to explore.

Cycling in Amsterdam

The aptly named “Cycling City” is renowned for its extensive network of cycle paths. With routes to the capital’s attractions and further afield, cycling is one of the best ways to explore all the city has to offer. You can rent a bicycle at one of the city’s many rental companies or join a guided cycle tour to explore Amsterdam’s hidden gems with a local guide.

Vondelpark

The largest city park in Amsterdam, Vondelpark is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The park features a variety of attractions, including an open-air theatre that hosts music concerts, plays and stand-up comedy in the summer. With a large playground, numerous sculptures to explore, a beautiful rose garden, and plenty of space to run, skate, cycle, or simply relax, Voldelpark is an unmissable retreat in the heart of the city.

Amsterdamse Bos

Just a short 20-minute bike ride from the city, you’ll find Amsterdam Forest. Established in the 1930s to create employment opportunities during the Great Depression, this parkland is abundant with nature reserves, lakes, woods, and meadows that are home to a wide range of flora and fauna. As well as being a sanctuary for nature lovers, the attraction has a range of activities for the whole family. Feed the goats at the goat farm, join a cheese-making workshop, get lost in the maze or rent a canoe for the afternoon.

Unusual places to visit in Amsterdam

You won’t be lost for curious and captivating things to do in Amsterdam. The city is full of quirky experiences and attractions to keep you entertained.

The Catboat

A floating animal sanctuary, The Catboat has been keeping feline feet dry since 1968. The refuge for stray and abandoned cats is open to the public so animal lovers can stop by and give the cats some well-deserved attention. Opening hours are limited to keep the space calm for its residents, so be sure to check ahead before visiting. The sanctuary also relies on public donations, so why not support this furry cause after your visit?

The Catboat

A’DAM Lookout

Travel to the top floor of this 100-metre-high observation deck to be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. The elevator ride to the 20th floor is an experience in itself, featuring lights, sound effects, and a see-through ceiling that makes the ascent all the more thrilling. At the top, the Sky Bar and Panorama Restaurant are the perfect spots to stop for a bite to eat and drink. At the weekend, the restaurant is transformed with DJ Sessions turning up the volume, so why not take a spin around the highest dance floor in town?  Thrill seekers won’t want to miss the chance to view the city from Europe’s highest swing – take a seat on ‘Over the Edge’ for a view like no other. 

A’DAM Lookout

NDSM Wharf

This former shipyard has evolved into a vibrant hub for artistic and creative businesses. In this post-industrial landscape, you’ll find a unique blend of graffitied shipping containers, flea markets, beach bars, trendy restaurants and repurposed warehouses. History, art and eco-friendly practices come together to create an experience unlike any other you’ll find in Amsterdam. Visit the STRAAT Street Art and Graffiti Museum or take a stroll through Art City to discover a thriving community of artists. The area is known for its performances, festivals and dance parties, making it the perfect spot to experience Amsterdam’s nightlife.

Begin your Amsterdam adventure with LeShuttle

Visiting Amsterdam is easy with LeShuttle. Our services depart up to four times every hour, 365 days a year. And with crossings from Folkestone to Calais taking just 35 minutes, you’ll be in the cycling city in no time.