BEST Amsterdam Travel Guide (2023)

Discover the ultimate Amsterdam travel guide to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Full of culture, history, and plenty of things to do for travelers of all styles. With its thriving cafe culture, world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, and some of the most beautiful streets in the world – it truly is a place like no other. However, a visit to Amsterdam comes with many questions:

What is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
What should I pack for visiting Amsterdam?
Where is the best place to stay in Amsterdam?
How do you get around Amsterdam?
What are the best restaurants in Amsterdam?
What are the best cafes in Amsterdam?
What are the best things to do in Amsterdam?

Planning your visit and understanding the city is the best way to optimize your time and not leave with regrets about things you wish you’d done and seen. Keep reading for the most complete Amsterdam travel guide where all your questions will be answered.

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In This Post

Complete Amsterdam Travel Guide

Amsterdam downtown - Amstel river, old houses and a bridge. Nice view of the famous city of Amsterdam. Travel to Europe. Amsterdam, Holland, Netherlands, Europe.

When to Visit Amsterdam

The best time to visit Amsterdam depends on a few things.

The cost to visit Amsterdam varies depending on the time at which you visit. If you are looking to visit Amsterdam on a budget it is best to visit Amsterdam in December or one of the winter months.

Typically the summer months are the most expensive for flights and accommodation, but this is typical for most places. As for the spring months, you will likely find Amsterdam in April to be more pricey because of the tulip fields and Kingsday.

Here is a rundown of the best times to visit Amsterdam.

Cheapest time to visit: November, December January
Most Expensive: April, June, July, August.
Best Weather: May, June, and September.
To see the Tulip Fields: April
Less touristy: October

Overall best times to visit Amsterdam May, June, and October for optimal weather, fewer tourists, and moderate prices.

Beautiful sunrise over Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with flowers and bicycles on the bridge in spring

What to Pack for Amsterdam

Packing for Amsterdam largely depends on the season you are visiting.

What to pack for Amsterdam in spring:

Raincoat
Umbrella
Water-resistant shoes
Light jacket
Scarf
T-shirts
Long sleeve tops for layering
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunglasses

What to pack for Amsterdam in summer:

Umbrella
Comfortable walking shoes
Dresses
Skirts
Flowy pants: for comfortable biking without overheating
T-Shirts

What to pack for Amsterdam in the fall:

Water resitence shoes
Raincoat
Umbrella
Warm sweater for under your raincoat
Long sleeve shirts for layering
Long pants
Warm socks

What to pack for Amsterdam in winter:

Water resistance boots
Raincoat
Umbrella
Warm winter jacket
Scarf, hat, and mittens
Long sleeve tops for layering

Amsterdam Packing List Essentials

Amsterdam is a unique city for multiple reasons. Below are some things you need to bring for your visit to Amsterdam.

Small backpack
Hostel essentials: Lock, earplugs, sleep mask, shower shoes, towel.
Power Adapter
Unlocked phone: Be sure to unlock your phone in your home country so you can get a sim card in Amsterdam
Refillable water bottle: Tap water is drinkable in Amsterdam so use that to your advantage
Umbrella
Sneakers
Bucket Hat

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Centrum is the center of Amsterdam. This is where all the action usually is for tourists and within this area, almost all major attractions are within walking distance. Centrum is the most popular place to stay in the city, which also makes it the most expensive. If you value close proximity over price, then centrum is a good option for you. The best neighborhoods within the center of Amsterdam are:

Jordaan – The Jordaan is the nicest and most expensive area within Centrum and all of Amsterdam (in my opinion). The whole area is full of nice restaurants, cozy cafes, trendy shops, and stunning streets. This is usually everyone’s favorite area in Amsterdam and is a dream location to find accommodation.
Canal belt – The canal belt lies along the bottom edge of Centrum and is a less expensive but still beautiful area to stay in. This area is a nice central spot that can get you to centrum and Zuid very easily.
De Pijp – This is a hip and amazing area of Amsterdam. There are no canals in this area but there are a ton of shops and some of the best restaurants in the city. Accommodation prices here are much lower and perfect for seeing a beautiful area of the city.

Some of the best hotels in Amsterdam are:

Luxury

Budget

Booking.com

How to Get Around Amsterdam

Biking is the main form of transportation in Amsterdam. There are actually more bikes than people in the city! The quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to get around Amsterdam as a local and as a tourist is by bike. Be sure to read my guide on biking in Amsterdam to prepare yourself as it is pretty hectic and if you aren’t a confident biker I would highly suggest NOT renting a bike.

Alternatively, Amsterdam has an amazing and super easy public transportation system. The number one thing you need when traveling on Amsterdam’s public transportation is an IAmsterdam City Card.. This card gives you free access to all public transport, world-class museums, and more!

Amsterdam also has Uber, Bolt, and Taxis. This is the most expensive way to get around and can sometimes take longer than public transportation.

Best Restaurants in Amsterdam

Some of the best restaurants in Amsterdam:

Bam Boa
Impero Romano
Happy Happy Joy Joy
De Pizzabakers
Milo
Bulls and Dogs
Vegan Junk Food Bar

Restaurant tables lining the beautiful canals of Amsterdam under blue skies during springtime, Netherlands

Best Cafes in Amsterdam

Check out this post: Best Cafes in Amsterdam for a more detailed description of all the cafes below:

Things to do in Amsterdam

There are so many amazing things to do in Amsterdam. Check out this post for more detailed descriptions of the top things to do in Amsterdam.

Go for an Early Morning Walk
Have a Drink at The Dylan
Enjoy the Best Pastries at Fort Negen
Have a Beer at Cafe Brandon
Apple Pie at Winkel 43
Go to a Festival / Event
Evening Canal Boat Ride
Go on a Day Trip
Breakfast at Happy Pig Pancake Shop
Have a Beer at Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Enjoy Rooftop Drinks
Join a Calming Yoga Class
Dinner at Impero Romano
Go to an Interactive Museum
Coffee at De Koffieschenkerij
Get a Croissant from one of the many bakeries
Spend an Afternoon at a Classic Museum
Explore NDSM
Bike Down the Amstel
Catch a Film at Pathé Tuschinski
Evening at Ton Ton Club
Go to a Street Market
Try Poffertjes
Stroll Around the Botanical Gardens

Travel Insurance

Getting travel insurance before you travel is a MUST. It’s the number one thing you should always pack before travelling that can save you a lot of money, time, and stress. With how crazy travel has gotten recently you need that peace of mind that no matter what happens there is something protecting you from losing out. I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should.

I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should. Below is my favorite travel insurer Safety Wings, enter your details to get a free quote!

Use this Amsterdam travel guide for your visit to Amsterdam and prepare to fall in love with the city!

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