Amsterdam: Best Travel Itinerary for a 2 Days Stay

Amsterdam is a city that packs centuries of history, world-class art, and vibrant local culture into its charming canals and cobblestone streets. If you're visiting for just 2 days in Amsterdam, you’ll want a well-planned itinerary to experience the best this city has to offer—without wasting time.

Luckily, I’ve crafted the perfect Amsterdam itinerary that balances must-see attractions, hidden gems, and insider tips to make your short stay unforgettable.

From the moment you step off the train at Amsterdam Centraal Station, you’ll be surrounded by the city’s unique mix of Dutch Golden Age architecture, buzzing bike-friendly streets, and an unbeatable café culture. In just two days, you can explore iconic landmarks like the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the breathtaking Rijksmuseum. You’ll cruise along the UNESCO-listed canals, sample delicious Dutch pancakes, and maybe even sneak in a visit to the world-famous Red Light District—for its history, of course!

But Amsterdam isn’t just about museums and postcard-perfect streets. I’ll also show you the best local markets, the trendiest neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, and where to grab the best stroopwafels without falling into a tourist trap. Whether you're a culture lover, foodie, or adventure-seeker, this 2-day Amsterdam guide will help you experience the city like a pro.

2-day Amsterdam travel itinerary

Now, let's see what to do in Amsterdam on each of the 2 days of our itinerary, with all the details:

– DAY 1 –

First impressions: free tour ! A good way to break the ice with the city is to join one of the many free walking tours available (note: they are free but it is always good to leave a tip). With the help of a guide you will be able to see emblematic places in Amsterdam, such as Dam Square (where you will also find the Nieuwe Kerk church, the Royal Palace and the National Monument), the controversial red light district (although the best time to visit it is at night), the Anne Frank House Museum and at the same time that you go crazy with your camera, you will be able to soak up the history and curiosities of the city…

If you don't speak English, don't worry: there are several options in Spanish . They usually last about 2.5 hours.

After this first date with Amsterdam, we bet you'll be very hungry, in which case there's nothing better than trying one of the city's specialties , such as Broodje haring (a raw herring sandwich with pickles and onions). It tastes better than it looks and is a low-cost option (you can find it for as little as €3). Another of the city's most typical street foods is French fries , and how delicious they are! We recommend the ones from the "Frietsteeg" store (Heisteeg 3).

An essential stop for any lover of local food has to be at one of the many cheese shops in the city. An interesting option is “De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam”, where you can try typical cheeses such as Gouda or Edam and some more curious and peculiar ones such as truffles or with aromatic herbs. More info .

Two of our favourite Dutch dishes are bitterballen , delicious round croquettes that are usually served with mustard sauce in most of the Brown Cafés in Amsterdam (another highly recommended foodie experience!), and erwtensoep , pea soup, which is so delicious!

Oops, we almost forgot a key tip… if markets are your natural habitat and you enjoy them more than a child in a toy store, then write down this name: “ Albert Cuyp Market ”, the largest open-air market in Europe, located in the lively Pijp district. More information about stalls and opening times .

Things to do

There is nothing better for the mind than museums , and believe us, there are plenty of them in Amsterdam! The only problem is that we don't have much time, so we have to choose which one to visit. Our advice? Don't miss the Van Gogh Museum for anything in the world , one of the most beautiful museums we ever visited, which brings together under one roof works such as "The Sunflowers", "The Potato Eaters" and "The Sower". It's truly amazing.

Other highly recommended museums include the Rijksmuseum , where you can take a step back into the Dutch past and enjoy masterpieces such as Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" or Johannes Vermeer's "The Milkmaid", among others. The Stedelijk Museum of contemporary art. Or the NEMO , the science museum, perfect if you're travelling with the little ones.

→ Here we tell you which are the 6 best museums in Amsterdam

At this point we should all agree that Amsterdam is not just about coffee shops, but we must visit at least one, right? There are a thousand and one lists with the best coffee shops in Amsterdam, we have a clear favourite: Bulldog The First (there are 5 in the city, this one is at Oudezijds Voorburgwal, 90). It was one of the first to open its doors (1974) and it has a lot of personality.

Don't know what a coffee shop is? It's very simple, but not very common. They are coffee shops where, along with a coffee, a milkshake, a soft drink or an energy drink, you can buy and smoke hashish or marijuana. Note: it is only legal to do so inside these bars!

The coffee shops don't sell alcohol, but don't panic, you can go to one of the many brown cafés in the city, the typical Dutch taverns that take their name from the colour of their wood. However, if there is one place that drives beer lovers crazy (Heineken Experience aside) it is the Browerij't IJ , where you can try craft beers in a real Dutch mill. More info .

– DAY 2 –

If you are more of an urbanite and want to know more about Amsterdam, we suggest these three plans:

1- Visit Joordan , the city's bohemian quarter , with its canals, shops and charming and surprising atmosphere (don't forget to take a cruise on Amsterdam's canals , from the water you can see the city from a different point of view). We also recommend getting lost in the Jewish quarter , one of the most interesting in Amsterdam, where you can learn more about the city's past at the Jewish Historical Museum or the Portuguese Synagogue.

2- Spend your hangover in a park , such as Vondelpark , the city's green lung, or Rembrandtpark and the smaller Sarphatipark . All of them close to the city centre.

3- Visit one or another flea market , such as the Waterlooplein , the largest in the city, where you can find bargains on clothes, records, crafts and old books. Another market not to be missed is the Bloemenmarkt, the flower market (it is essential to get some tulip bulbs to plant in your garden or balcony).

An alternative plan for the more restless is to take a trip to a village near Amsterdam. Our advice? Choose between these two excursions:

Zaanse Schans , an area full of windmills that seems straight out of a storybook from the last century.
Volendam , one of the most beautiful towns in the Netherlands, famous for its fishing port, its colorful houses and its narrow streets.

And if they are both in a single excursion … even better!

Itinerary in Passporter

Don't know Passporter? It's an ideal tool for travelers that allows you to create or follow itineraries for a specific destination, including maps, photos, notes and information. You can start your own travel project from scratch, or access a ready-made itinerary and adapt it to your liking.

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Amsterdam: Best Travel Itinerary for a 2 Days Stay

2-day Amsterdam travel itinerary

– DAY 1 –

– DAY 2 –

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