Planning a 3-day trip to Amsterdam? You’re in for a treat. As someone who has explored this vibrant Dutch capital multiple times, I know exactly how to make the most of a short visit. From iconic museums to scenic canal cruises, this itinerary will help you experience the best of Amsterdam in 3 days—without wasting a moment.
Amsterdam is a city of contrasts—historic yet modern, compact yet full of surprises. Whether you're here for the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, or simply to wander through the Jordaan district, you’ll find an incredible mix of culture, history, and laid-back charm. But with so much to see, it’s crucial to have a well-planned Amsterdam itinerary to maximize your time.
In this guide, I’ll take you through an efficient 3-day itinerary, covering must-see attractions, the best food spots, and hidden gems that many tourists overlook. You’ll learn how to navigate the city like a local, from using the Amsterdam public transport system to knowing where to rent a bike for a true Dutch experience.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to discover more, this Amsterdam travel guide ensures you won’t miss a thing. Get ready for a perfect Amsterdam trip, filled with breathtaking sights, delicious eats, and unforgettable experiences.
The only difficult thing, considering the numerous plans that Amsterdam offers , will be to put together an ideal route that takes us to see the main tourist spots in the city, but strategically thought out so as not to waste precious time on travel or unwanted surprises. And don't worry, we've done all the work to make everything much easier for you.
What to see in Amsterdam in 3 days: the best itinerary
We have visited it on 3 occasions so far and the 3-day Amsterdam itinerary that we propose seems to us to be the best organised and most varied according to our experience. It is clear that there are all kinds of tastes and there will be those who want to see the most important museums in Amsterdam first, those who go for various free tours to visit the city or those who prefer to stay for three days of relaxation between parks and wandering around…
But we hope that many of you agree with us and that you find it a perfect route for a first trip to Amsterdam .
Before continuing with the route to discover Amsterdam in 3 days, we leave you with several articles with useful information to organize the trip on your own:
- Tips for traveling to Amsterdam
- Free tour of Amsterdam
- Best areas to stay in Amsterdam . On our last trip we stayed at the Albus Hotel and we loved it!
- BBB Restaurants in Amsterdam
Now, we are off to a good start with our 3-day itinerary in Amsterdam. Oh, obviously you can change the days according to your tastes.
– Day 1 of Amsterdam in 3 days –
Welcome to Amsterdam! The first day starts in the best possible way: with a delicious breakfast, a hot coffee and off you go! In the morning we recommend you visit the Van Gogh Museum , dedicated to one of the most formidable artists who ever lived in the world, where his largest collection of works of art is kept. Some of the wonders you will see here are: The Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters or The Bedroom in Arles, do they sound familiar to you?
Remember to buy your ticket to the Van Gogh Museum in advance , as it is one of the busiest places in the city and you will not want to be left wanting to see it. Plus, if you do, you can skip the queues that usually form at the ticket offices.
On your way out, take a stroll through Museumplein Park , a small urban park around which many of Amsterdam's best museums are located. But time is running out and, unless you're a museum buff, we have a plot twist for you: the next great plan is a boat trip along the canals .
Indeed, it’s time to explore Amsterdam from a whole new perspective. Hop on one of the many sightseeing boats that cruise along the city’s canals, relax as you cruise between the stunning 17th-century mansions and picturesque bridges, and let yourself be carried away by the fascinating stories hidden behind every corner.
⭐ Here you can book the boat trip through the canals of Amsterdam
These tours are cheap (about €15-20), last an hour and usually include an audio guide in Spanish. There are several docks from which they leave, the one we suggest is in front of the Heineken factory and while we're at it... why not enjoy one of the most popular things to do in the city? The Heineken Experience consists of a guided tour (audio tour in Spanish available) around this cool old factory, which ends with some ice-cold beers, as you'd expect.
It's time to take a break to taste some typical Dutch dishes , don't you think? You're in luck because in this area there are many alternatives to eat delicious food at a good price.
After recharging your batteries, it's time to continue exploring the city. Walk to the next stop: the Bloemenmarkt , Amsterdam's flower market. Here you can pick up a few souvenirs such as the famous tulip bulbs, a symbol of Holland.
Not far from there is one of the most peculiar corners of Amsterdam: the Begijnhof courtyard , where the city's beguines once lived . Today it is no longer such a secret, but taking a stroll through this urban refuge will be one of the best things to do in Amsterdam.
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Before continuing to the Red Light District, we suggest you take a stroll along the Singel Canal , one of the most picturesque canals in the city, and then stop at Dam Square , the historic heart of Amsterdam. Here, among other things, you'll see the Royal Palace, the New Church, the National Monument commemorating the victims of World War II, and a host of street artists who delight visitors and locals alike with their tricks.
There's nothing better than ending the day by touring the iconic Red Light District and to learn more about its history, the ideal thing is to sign up for this super interesting guided tour that will help you see beyond the neon lights, coffee shops and shop windows.
– Day 2 of Amsterdam in 3 days –
Did you sleep well or did the night last longer than expected? Either way, get up early because on this second day in Amsterdam we have a lot of sightseeing to do, so have a nice breakfast, put on some comfortable shoes and get out!
The first stop will be one of those that stirs you up inside: we are talking about the Anne Frank House , a moving museum where we can delve into the story of that little girl who, through an intimate diary, told the world about the senselessness of the War. The Museum is located in the Jordaan neighborhood , one of the most popular in Amsterdam, full of cobbled streets, a bohemian atmosphere, street art and, of course, canals and flowers.
We continue to nourish the cultural part of the trip at the Rijksmuseum , the most visited museum in the entire country and where you can learn about the rich pictorial history of the Netherlands, with an impressive art collection that includes masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt and Vermeer.
After these emotional and enriching visits, we recommend you visit the green lung of the city: Vondelpark . If the weather is nice, our advice is to get some food to take away, either as a picnic or a prepared dish like poke, pizza, burger, sandwich... and eat surrounded by nature, it will be the mental and physical recharge you need to continue getting to know Amsterdam.
Relax, but don't go crazy, because the next plan needs your attention: we're going to a flea market, and a hell of a flea market! The Albert Cuyp Market is one of the most important in the Netherlands and among its stalls you can find everything from vintage clothes to books and typical food. It's also a good place to try stroopwafels for the first time. Be careful, it's closed on Sundays!
It is located in the vibrant heart of the De Pijp district and after walking around it, if you still feel like having a snack and a drink, a good idea would be to go to a Brown Coffee for a beer and some homemade meatballs. Cheers!
And to put the finishing touch to the second day of this 3-day itinerary in Amsterdam, we are going to suggest two plans to choose from. The first is to take advantage of the fact that you are in the Leidseplein area to enjoy its nightlife, with a wide variety of bars, clubs and cafes. And the second is to cross the IJ river with the free ferry and go up to the A'DAM Lookout , an impressive viewing point 100 metres high from where there are wonderful 360º views of the city.
– Day 3 of Amsterdam in 3 days –
If we spent the first 2 days exploring Amsterdam and its main points of interest, today we'll take a trip to another part of the country that is well worth the trip. We're talking about Zaanse Schans , a charming historic town that became popular thanks to its iconic windmills and traditional houses!
Set aside at least half a day for this getaway, which is not far from the city. You can do it on your own, taking a train from Central Station to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans (approx. 20 min) or signing up for a tour. These seem to us to be the most interesting:
- Half-day tour to Zaanse Schans , in case you don't have much time.
- Excursion to Volendam, Marken, Edam and Zaanse Schans , much more complete and ideal for those who want to visit other parts of the Netherlands.
If you have more days, we recommend expanding the itinerary with these plans:
- Rent a bike and explore the city like a local. Join the locals of Amsterdam and explore the city by pedalling along its well-marked cycle paths, discovering its charming streets, parks and canals at your own pace or on a guided tour .
- Waterlooplein Flea Market – Hunt for unique treasures and antiques at this bustling flea market.
Map of places to visit in Amsterdam in 3 days
To make things even easier for you, we have prepared this map where you can easily see the points to visit during the daily route of Amsterdam in 3 days.
Now we have reached the end of the post, we hope that it is useful to you and helps you organize a great trip to the capital of the Netherlands . Did you like our 3-day itinerary in Amsterdam ? If you still have questions, leave us a comment and we will try to answer you as soon as possible.
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