Amsterdam

Travel Guide

Red Light District featuring a city and a river or creek
Old Town Amsterdam showing a city and heritage architecture
Flower Market which includes a river or creek
Leidseplein which includes a city, night scenes and street scenes
Old Town Amsterdam featuring heritage elements

Amsterdam Travel Guide Video

Wander around a fairy-tale lattice of canals and captivating neighborhoods, where old-world charm is fused with modern luxury and world-famous nightlife.

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital city and an important European hub with a rich and multicultural character. Explore the historic harborside and admire the distinctive 19th-century architecture of the tall, narrow buildings that huddle over meandering canals. Forming a U-shape around the historic port, the city’s medieval center features charming façades that front boutique stores, art galleries, coffee shops and atmospheric bars.

The city’s best-known area is its Old Center, which is crisscrossed with arched stone bridges and cobblestone streets. Explore Dam Square and its historic landmarks, including the neoclassical Royal Palace, the Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the National Monument that honors victims of World War II. The square is adjacent to the city’s notorious Red Light District. The neighboring districts of Plantage and the Canal Ring feature beautifully preserved buildings from the 17th and 19th centuries, as well as leafy parks and tree-lined canals. Check out the Jewish Heritage Museum and the Amsterdam Botanic Gardens nearby Waterlooplein. A short walk will bring you to the Artis Zoo and a selection of fascinating museums. Popular museums are Stedelijk, the Van Gogh Museum and Hermitage Amsterdam.

Discover the renewed district of Jordaan, where a former working-class neighborhood transformed into a chic area for galleries, cafés and shops. Further south from here is Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter. Stretch out on the grassy lawns of Vondelpark with a cold beer or peruse the stalls at Albert Cuyp Market. Grab a table in the hip De Pijp district to experience fantastic multicultural cuisine.

Explore the city on a scenic canal boat tour or rent a bicycle to experience the streets the true Dutch way. Don’t miss trying local sweets, such as stroopwafels and licorices. Amsterdam has a fast and reliable public transit network that is comprised of buses, trams and trains. Reach the picturesque harbor city by plane to Schiphol Airport, on a cruise ship or via intercity train from several major hubs in Europe. Visit in summer to experience the city’s lively peak period or in winter to enjoy the romance of the snow-dusted Old Center.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Flower Market showing a city, a river or creek and markets

Amsterdam City Centre

4.5/5(2,270 area reviews)

Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt Square are a few top attractions in Amsterdam City Centre. Hop around the city on the metro at Nieuwmarkt Station or Waterlooplein Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, charming cafes, and popular shops.

Amsterdam City Centre
Amsterdam Tulip Museum showing street scenes and signage as well as a small group of people

Jordaan

Upscale modern art galleries thrive in this historic area, while markets bustle at Noordermarkt, Westerstraat, and Lindengracht. Explore tranquil gardens and hidden courtyards (hofjes), or visit the Anne Frank House nearby.

Jordaan
Red Light District showing a city, a river or creek and a sunset

Red Light District

Explore this vibrant area with a mix of architectural styles and colorful streets known for adult entertainment. Visit local coffeeshops and the museums in the neighborhood for a unique experience.

Red Light District
Rijksmuseum showing a pond, views and a city

Museum Quarter

4.5/5(1,225 area reviews)

In the heart of Amsterdam-Zuid, Museumkwartier boasts major museums like Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, and Van Gogh Museum. Enjoy concerts at Concertgebouw, unwind in Vondelpark, and access tram lines 2, 3, 5, 12, 16, and 24.

Museum Quarter
Amsterdam which includes a river or creek, boating and a city

Canal Ring

4.5/5(1,372 area reviews)

Discover Amsterdam's Grachtengordel, where 17th-century canal homes and small bridges adorn the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht canals. Visit the Anne Frank House and other nearby museums for a rich cultural experience.

Canal Ring
Amsterdam showing a city, street scenes and a river or creek

Binnenstad

While you're in Binnenstad, take in top sights like Dam Square or National Monument, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Dam Stop or Paleisstraat Tram Stop.

Binnenstad
citizenM Schiphol Airport
citizenM Schiphol Airport
4 out of 5
Jan Plezierweg 2, Schiphol
$118 nightly
The price is $137 total per night from Aug 6 to Aug 7
$137 total
Aug 6 - Aug 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Schiphol. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,053 reviews)
Give it a try…a great hotel!!
"Always easy, always convenient, always excellent."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

citizenM Schiphol Airport
citizenM Amsterdam South
citizenM Amsterdam South
4 out of 5
Prinses Irenestraat 30, Amsterdam, North Holland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$100 nightly
The price is $122 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$122 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"Literally the best bunch of people that work in a hotel ever, they were angels, what a high vibrational, beautiful place and people to be around."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

citizenM Amsterdam South
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
4.5 out of 5
Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam
$209 nightly
The price is $254 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$254 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,053 reviews)
"It was a great experience"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cityden Zuidas
Cityden Zuidas
4 out of 5
Professor J.H. Bavincklaan 3, Amstelveen
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Amstelveen. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (973 reviews)
"A nice safe property near public transit"

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

Cityden Zuidas
Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
4 out of 5
285 Schipholweg, Badhoevedorp, NH
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Badhoevedorp. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (413 reviews)
"Good space but lacked items such as dishcloths and dish soap, etc."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
Bob W Noord
Bob W Noord
2 out of 5
Papaverhof 71, Amsterdam, NH
Stay at this aparthotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and housekeeping. Popular attractions Dam Square and Rijksmuseum are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (66 reviews)
"I did not like the fact that there was no daily cleaning and you had to get supplies for yourself from the communal room. Also, our room was not ready by 3pm and they made is wait for 1 hour. They also charged me 70 Euros for a microwave plate that could easily cost 15 Euros. That is like the cost ..."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Bob W Noord
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Amsterdam

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3227
5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
1132
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
177
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
29
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
6
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love you Amsterdam.! I will visit you again and love you despite how much others make me feel otherwise about you.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I have planned this trip my whole life. I have relatives in Friesland and Groneigen and my grandparents and mother were born in the Netherlands. Although we have not it to the Netherlands yet due to the coronavirus the checked off sites I visited

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very disappointed the museums were closed due to COVID-19, but did get to take a canal tour, Brussels trip, and tour of the countryside. Will be back soon to see the museums, my sole purpose for going to Amsterdam.

5/5 - Excellent

Ocprtony

My favorite place in the world! A must visit if you have not been here

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

I really hope to come back some day and enjoy the city. I'm sure it's wonderful. All of the museums shut down, and now the country is basically under lock down, so we just had bad timing.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

This is what the tourist industry calls a 3 day city. you can see most of the major sites in three days. Too much emphasis on weed and the bike lanes, plus tram lanes, plus cars make it very challenging with kids.

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