Amsterdam in a weekend: 12 must-sees, what to eat and where to stay
Amsterdam in a weekend means picture-perfect canals, charming neighbourhoods, museums and windmills. Here is our route for Amsterdam in a weekend: its 12 must-sees, a few food extras and where to stay without breaking the bank.
- 2 days
- 12 must-sees
- Zaanse Schans
- Budget accommodation
- Canals: Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht and the Jordaan.
- Visits: Anne Frank House, Royal Palace and Van Gogh Museum (book ahead).
- Hidden corners: Negen Straatjes, Begijnhof, Flower Market and Beurspassage.
- Extra: Zaandam and the windmills of Zaanse Schans.
- Duration2 days
- Must-seeZaanse Schans
- AirportSchiphol
- Best timeSpring
Amsterdam in a weekend: our route
If you’re spending a weekend in Amsterdam, save this route with our 12 must-sees. In two days you can explore its prettiest canals, visit a museum or two, get lost in its most charming neighbourhoods and escape to see the windmills of Zaanse Schans.
We also tell you what to eat and where to stay, because Amsterdam isn’t exactly a cheap destination.
Bridges, boats and colourful houses: the canals are Amsterdam’s best postcard.
Our Amsterdam reel
If you’d rather have it day by day, this reel walks you through it:
- Day 1: the Brouwersgracht and Prinsengracht canals, the Anne Frank House, the Negen Straatjes, fries from Fabel Friet and a Dutch waffle, the Royal Palace, the Flower Market and the Van Gogh Museum. Then a canal boat tour and, to finish, the Jordaan, the Begijnhof, the Beurspassage, the Dancing Houses and the Red Light District.
- Day 2: Zaandam and its colourful houses, the windmills of Zaanse Schans and, back in Amsterdam, the Sluishuis, one of its most striking pieces of modern architecture.
Watch our 2-day Amsterdam reel on Instagram →
Trip organised in collaboration with Viajes El Corte Inglés.
What to see in Amsterdam: 12 must-sees
We’ve listed them in the order we saw them over our two days: the first around the canals and the city centre; the second on a day trip to Zaandam and Zaanse Schans.
Day 1: canals, city centre and museums
Day 1 · Must-see 1BrouwersgrachtFor many, the prettiest canal in the city, with its old warehouses, houseboats and boats. It’s the perfect starting point for a walk around the canal ring.
Day 1 · Must-see 2PrinsengrachtOne of the great canals of the historic canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lined with stone bridges, narrow houses and moored boats.
Day 1 · Must-see 3Anne Frank HouseOn the Prinsengracht you’ll find the Anne Frank House, where the family hid during the Second World War. A very moving visit; tickets sell out, so book well in advance.
Day 1 · Must-see 4Negen StraatjesThe “Nine Little Streets” link the canals with independent shops, vintage boutiques and cafés. Perfect for wandering aimlessly.
Day 1 · Must-see 5Royal PalaceRight on Dam Square, the former 17th-century town hall is now one of the Dutch Royal Family’s palaces, and you can visit the inside.
Day 1 · Must-see 6Flower MarketThe Bloemenmarkt is a floating market on the Singel canal, full of tulips, bulbs and flowers in every colour.
Day 1 · Must-see 7Van Gogh MuseumOn Museumplein stands the Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of the painter’s work. As with the Anne Frank House, it’s best to book your ticket in advance.
Day 1 · Must-see 8JordaanThe Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s most charming neighbourhoods: quiet canals, narrow little houses, hidden courtyards and markets.
Day 1 · Must-see 9BegijnhofThe Begijnhof is a hidden courtyard right in the centre, surrounded by historic houses, and one of the most peaceful spots in the city.
Day 1 · Must-see 10BeurspassageThe Beurspassage is a covered passage with a ceiling decorated with mosaics and lamps, one of the most photogenic spots in the centre.
Day 2: Zaandam and Zaanse Schans
Day 2 · Must-see 11ZaandamGreen wooden houses and the quirky Inntel Hotel, which looks like a stack of little houses. It’s about 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal.
Day 2 · Must-see 12Zaanse SchansThe windmills and green wooden houses along the River Zaan: the perfect day trip to see the most typical side of Holland just a short distance from Amsterdam.
What to eat in Amsterdam
- Fabel Friet: fries that are worth the queue.
- Stroopwafel: the authentic Dutch waffle filled with caramel syrup, best freshly made.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Amsterdam isn’t exactly a cheap destination, so we stayed at the easyHotel Amsterdam Arena Boulevard, a great option if you want to save. It’s just a 2-minute walk from Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station and the tram stop, so you can reach the centre in about 20 minutes.
- Location: 2 minutes from Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station
- To the centre: about 20 minutes by public transport
- Discount: 10% off your bookings if you join ClubBedzzz, their loyalty programme
- Breakfast: the hotel doesn’t serve breakfast, but you get 10% off at the café opposite
Stay in collaboration with easyHotel.
Which suitcase to take to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the five destinations we recommend for 2026, along with the Dolomites, Slovenia, Marrakech and the French Riviera. For all of them we travel with our TOTTO suitcases: sturdy, light and easy to carry, whether for a weekend break or a long trip.
You can find TOTTO suitcases and backpacks on Amazon.
See TOTTO suitcases on Amazon →
Content created in collaboration with TOTTO. The Amazon link is an affiliate link: if you buy through it, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our guides to Slovenia in 3 days and Lake Sorapis in the Dolomites.
Our gear for photographing Amsterdam
In Amsterdam we discovered a different way of using the DJI Osmo Action 6: with the SmallRig Action 6 Street Photography Cage and Filter Kit we turned it into a real street photography camera: compact, easy to carry and perfect for capturing every corner of the city. The CPL filter makes a real difference, as it cuts reflections and gives a much cleaner, more cinematic look.
Watch our before-and-after reel on Instagram →
- DJI Osmo Action 6: the action camera we filmed this trip with
- SmallRig Action 6 Street Photography Cage and Filter Kit: cage and filter kit, CPL filter included
- Insta360: for the 360 videos of our routes, see our Insta360 gear and discounts
DJI Osmo Action 6 on Amazon →SmallRig kit on Amazon →SmallRig kit on their website →
Content created in collaboration with SmallRig. The Amazon links are affiliate links: if you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for your weekend in Amsterdam
- Book ahead: the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum sell out.
- Get around by bike or on foot: the centre is compact, but watch out for the bike lanes.
- Transport: trams and the metro connect well with accommodation outside the centre.
- Budget: staying outside the centre saves you quite a bit.
If you like European city breaks, also check out what to see in Bratislava or Brussels at Christmas.
Free tours and day trips in Amsterdam
If you’d rather go with a guide, Civitatis has a free walking tour of Amsterdam, an excursion to Volendam, Marken, Edam and Zaanse Schans and more tours and activities in Amsterdam. Booking through our links helps us keep the blog going, at no extra cost to you.
For a weekend, hand luggage is enough: check out our 40x20x25 backpack for Ryanair and the best alternatives.
Plan your trip to Amsterdam
- Car hire: only if you want to explore the rest of the Netherlands; in Amsterdam, get around by public transport or bike. Compare prices on DiscoverCars and save up to 70%.
- Travel insurance: the European Health Insurance Card doesn’t cover cancellations or lost luggage. We travel with Heymondo and as a reader you get a 5% discount.
- Tours and activities: book free tours, boat trips and day trips in Amsterdam with Civitatis, with free cancellation on most activities.
- To film your trip: we shoot all our videos with Insta360. Here’s our gear and discounts.
- Save when you book: with iGraal you get back part of what you spend on hotels and rentals, plus a welcome bonus.
- Sports and outdoor clothing: jackets, caps and sunglasses for your hikes and trips from SIROKO. Use code VIAJEROS10 for an extra 10% off.
- Airport VIP lounges: wait for your flight in comfort, with food, drinks and Wi-Fi, in a VIP lounge with VIPLounges. Code VIAJEROSCURIOSONES saves you 5%.
Amsterdam in a weekend: frequently asked questions
What should you see in Amsterdam in a weekend?
Our 12 must-sees are Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht, the Anne Frank House, the Negen Straatjes, the Royal Palace, the Flower Market, the Van Gogh Museum, the Jordaan, the Begijnhof, the Beurspassage and, outside the centre, Zaandam and Zaanse Schans.
Where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget?
A good option is to stay outside the centre somewhere well connected. We stayed at the easyHotel Amsterdam Arena Boulevard, 2 minutes from Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station and about 20 minutes from the centre.
What to eat in Amsterdam?
Don’t leave without trying fries from Fabel Friet and an authentic stroopwafel, the typical Dutch waffle filled with caramel syrup.
Do you need to book the Anne Frank House?
Yes, tickets are sold online and sell out well in advance, so book them as soon as you know your dates.
How do you get from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans?
It’s a short distance from the centre: you can take the train to Zaandam or join an organised tour that combines several villages.
Save it for your Amsterdam trip and tell us on Instagram which of these places you’d visit first.
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