Three days in Amsterdam: canals, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, the Jordaan, markets and a bike ride, with tram and walking times.
Updated
Three easy days in Amsterdam with friends: canal walks around the Jordaan, a full day of museums on Museumplein, and a beer at Brouwerij 't IJ. Climb the Westerkerk tower on the first day and save Vondelpark for a slow last afternoon.
Per person for 3 days: a room shared by two, food, local transport and sights. Flights are extra.
Budget
$210–240
Mid-range
$320–420
Comfort
$520–650
A rough guide from typical local prices; yours depends on season and choices.
A travel eSIM gives your phone mobile data in Netherlands as soon as the plane touches down: maps, ride apps and messages work at the airport, with no roaming bill and no SIM card to swap. Set it up at home in a few minutes; your own number keeps working for calls and texts.
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Day 1 · Amsterdam, Netherlands
Browse the flower stalls at the Bloemenmarkt, walk along Prinsengracht, stop at Café de Twee Zwaantjes, then climb the Westerkerk tower for a look over the rooftops.
Your base for the next 3 nights: Jordaan, Amsterdam
Days 1 to 3 start and end here, so you only unpack once.
Where to stay ↓12:00 PM · 45 minutes
Take the direct train (Sprinter or IC) from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal (25 mins, €6.50), then tram 2 or 5 westbound to Westermarkt (5 mins). Walk into Jordaan from there.
1Amsterdam's floating flower market on the Singel canal. April is peak tulip season: pick up a bunch of fresh bulbs to take home. Just south of Jordaan, a 10-minute walk from Westermarkt.
Insider tip: The stalls closest to Koningsplein have the widest choice; Tuesday to Saturday morning is quieter than afternoon.
2Walk the western stretch of this major canal from Westermarkt south towards Leidsegracht. Stop at a bench or café terrace to watch the water and houseboats. You're in the heart of Jordaan now.
Insider tip: Walk on the west bank between Prinsengracht and Westerstraat; fewer crowds, better light on the canal facades.
A proper brown café (bruine kroeg) on Prinsengracht with wood panelling, a local crowd, and no frills. Order a Dutch beer and jenever (Dutch gin). A 20-minute walk south from Westermarkt.
Insider tip: Sit on the terrace if the weather holds; sunset is around 8:38 PM so you'll catch golden light on the water.
4Climb the tower for a sunset view over Jordaan's rooftops and canals. The church sits on Prinsengracht north of the café. 40-minute walk back, or 5-minute tram ride.
Insider tip: Book the climb online beforehand (€10); the last slot fills quickly in April. Golden hour ends around 9 PM.
If you land early
Optional, close to your stay, before the plan above.
Popular experiences worth booking ahead.
Half day
You'll see seven million tulips across the gardens and surrounding countryside in one morning, then have the afternoon free in Amsterdam.
Book now
2-3 hours
Skip the daytime tourist cruises; an evening boat glides through lit canals while you eat local cheese and drink Dutch wine.
Book now
3 hours
A local guide takes you through narrow streets, stops at three local spots (bitterballen, herring, stroopwafels) and tells you why Amsterdammers actually eat this way.
Book nowBook in Jordaan proper, between Prinsengracht and Westerstraat: you're steps from the flower market, brown cafés, and the westbound canal boats. Avoid the tourist strip along Prinsengracht near Westertoren; pick a quieter street like Karthuizersstraat or Lindengracht.
Want more choice for your 3 nights? See everything in Jordaan, Amsterdam, or an apartment or house (good for families and groups).
Old wood, locals nursing beers. Order bitterballen and a cheese sandwich. Small, tight, real.
Canal-facing, warm light at dusk. Spring vegetables, croquettes, local beer. Book ahead or arrive by 6pm.
Day 2 · Amsterdam, Netherlands
Spend the day on Museumplein with the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, then head to Brouwerij 't IJ for a beer together.
Prefer a guide? · 3-4 hours
Cut an hour of queue time and head straight to Rembrandt and Vermeer; the Night Watch justifies the visit alone.
Book this tour
1Amsterdam's masterpiece museum: Vermeer, Rembrandt, and the Night Watch fill three floors. Plan 2.5 hours minimum. From Jordaan, take tram 2 or 5 south to Museumplein; 15 minutes.
Insider tip: Arrive by 8:30 AM to skip the midday queue. Skip the ground floor gift shop; go straight upstairs.
2The plaza between the Rijks, Van Gogh, and Stedelijk museums, ringed by trees and water. Grab coffee and a pastry on the grass or at a cafe bench. Walk straight out of the Rijksmuseum's rear exit.
Insider tip: The 'I Amsterdam' photo spot is here but crowded; the south side of the plaza is quieter and better framed.
Prefer a guide? · 2-3 hours
The world's best collection of his work in a manageable space; timed tickets get you straight in without the Rijksmuseum crowds.
Book this tour
3The world's largest Van Gogh collection, chronologically arranged across four floors. Sunflowers, Irises, and his journey from dark Dutch landscapes to bright colour. A 2-minute walk across Museumplein.
Insider tip: Start at the top floor and work down; you'll see his growth in reverse and avoid the ground-floor crush.
4A craft brewery and tasting room in a converted bathhouse east of the museums. Try the Columbus (IPA) or Natte (dark ale) with a plate of cheese and bread. Tram 2 or 5 north, then walk 10 minutes, or 20 minutes walk from the museum.
Insider tip: Order at the counter; sit on the garden benches if it's sunny. Go before 5 PM to avoid the after-work crowd.
5A one-hour cruise through the Canal Ring and waterfront, best at golden hour (depart around 7 PM). See 17th-century gabled houses and bridges from the water. Return to the museums area and walk to the departure point at Prins Hendrikkade (Weesperplein stop, tram 2 or 5).
Insider tip: Sit on the upper deck at the back for the best light and no glare. Book a ticket online to skip the kiosk queue.
6A waterfront cafe and dinner spot on the Amstel river, five minutes walk from the cruise dock. High ceilings, good cocktails, and solid Dutch and European food (mains 16-24 euros). Reserve or go early to snag a table by the window.
Insider tip: The peppercorn steak is reliable. Sit upstairs on the terrace if the weather holds; the view of the Magere Brug (bridge) lit up is worth the wait.
Corner spot in Jordaan with strong coffee and thick toast. Go early, grab a window seat.
Near Rijksmuseum. Seasonal salads and fish. Light, won't slow you down for afternoon galleries.
Canal-side in Jordaan, back to base. Slow-braised meat, Dutch classics. Book ahead for sunset views.
Day 3 · Amsterdam, Netherlands
Graze through Albert Cuyp Market, have a long lunch at De Kas, walk it off in Vondelpark, and finish with a night out at Melkweg.
1Amsterdam's liveliest street market: 100 stalls of flowers, cheese, stroopwafels, fresh juice and clothes. It's packed but worth it for the food and people-watching. A 12-minute walk from Jordaan base, or tram 2 or 3 south.
Insider tip: Get there by 8:45 AM to miss the worst crowds. Buy fresh stroopwafels from stall 46, they're warm and ten times better than packaged ones.
2Michelin-starred restaurant in a greenhouse overlooking a garden: seasonal, refined small plates in a relaxed setting. Book a lunch table to keep it lighter than dinner. A 10-minute tram ride north (tram 2 to Linnaeusstraat) from Brouwerij 't IJ.
Insider tip: Lunch menu is €60–80, much friendlier than dinner (€150+). Sit by the garden window if it's a clear day.
3Amsterdam's biggest urban park: 47 hectares of walking paths, open meadows, ponds and trees in full spring leaf. Perfect for wandering and eating an ice cream. A 15-minute walk or tram 2 from De Kas south to the park entrance.
Insider tip: Skip the main entrance near Stadhouderskade. Enter from Overtoom side and head toward the Japanese Garden for quieter paths and better light at sunset.
4Cultural venue with a cafe, gallery and music space in a former dairy, just outside the park. Stop here for a drink, snack or to check what's on. A 5-minute walk from Vondelpark's west edge, on Lijnbaansgracht.
Insider tip: Order a Dutch cheese board and a spritz, then sit on the terrace to catch the last light. Quieter than brown cafes and good for a lingering evening.
Early sourdough and pastries. Go before 9am, the queues build fast.
Albert Cuyp Market stall. Fresh bowls and juices, eat standing or on a bench.
Canal-side spot near Jordaan. Pork belly or fish, outdoor terrace catches sunset glow.
What travellers ask about Amsterdam, answered.
Open mid-March to mid-May, peak bloom is mid-April. Go early in the month if possible; later April can feel picked over. Book tickets online at keukenhof.nl to skip queues.
One hour is standard and enough. Evening cruises (sunset cruises, about 19:00-20:30) are magical in April when days are longer, and the city lights reflect on water. Book the night before.
The Rijksmuseum is essential for Dutch masterpieces (Vermeer, Rembrandt). The Van Gogh Museum is busier but unforgettable. Go early (before 10:00) to avoid crowds. Buy tickets online first.
Try stroopwafels (syrup waffles, €2-3), bitterballen (fried meat ragout balls), herring from a street stand, and Indonesian rijsttafel (rice table, €25-40). Albert Cuyp Market is a must for cheap street food.
Expect 8-13°C (46-55°F), so bring layers: a light jacket, sweater, and closed shoes. Rain is common, so a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket earns its weight.
Spoken here: Dutch. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and museums, and almost everyone under 40 speaks it fluently.
Useful phrases
• Dank je wel (dahnk yuh vel): thank you
• Alstublieft (ahlstoo-BLEFT): please
• Hoeveel kost dit (HOO-vay cost dit): how much does this cost
• Een koffie, alstublieft (ayn KOH-fee, ahlstoo-BLEFT): a coffee, please
• Waar is het toilet (vahr is het TOY-let): where's the toilet
Amsterdam is very safe. The main thing: watch for cyclists (they own the roads and won't slow down). Keep bags zipped on public transport, though theft is rare.
Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It’s free and works from any phone, including a foreign mobile.
Service is typically included in restaurant bills. Round up for good service (5-10%) or leave loose change in cash. Tipping taxi drivers isn't expected but rounding up is polite.
• Keukenhof gardens close mid-May, so don't miss the tulips: visit early April if possible, and book online to skip queues.
• Rent a bike (€12-15/day) even for one day: you'll move faster than walking and blend in with locals.
• Skip the Red Light District crowds by visiting after 11pm when tourists clear out.
• Grab stroopwafels fresh from a market stall (€1-2) rather than tourist shops; the ones at Albert Cuyp Market are the real deal.
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