As the largest city and capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam is steeped in Dutch history with narrow houses with steep gables and its canal system, many constructed in the 17th century. Bikes rule the road in Amsterdam during the summer, its a charming city to explore for a few days. In Amsterdam for two days with my best friend, we walked beside canals as we went from art museums to the frequent street markets. Each day included at least one stop at a cafe for Dutch treats. Here are the top things to do in Amsterdam for two days on a girlfriend getaway.
Best Things to Do in Amsterdam in 2 Days
Anne Frank House
Pancake House
Rijksmuseum
Heineken Experience
Canal Evening Cruise
Outdoor Cafe for Bitterballen
Rembrandt House
Waterlooplein
Amsterdam Flower Market Bloemenmarkt
Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Noordermarkt
Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting
Amsterdam was added to our extended European itinerary due to its large international airport and large train station. It was easier to get inexpensive flights out of Amsterdam and we arrived via the train from Belgium.
dueAmsterdam is a lovely mix of 17th-century facades and canals with bridges connecting them all. Bikes are everywhere. However, we choose to walk. In fact, during a three-week trip of Europe, I clocked about 13 miles a day in Amsterdam.
I usually only tour one art museum in a day. I have found too many art museums even avid art lovers stop appreciating the art. In Amsterdam, I included one museum and one cultural site on each day. Amsterdam loves its beer so we stopped for several during our trip.
Overall, it was one of my favorite destinations in Europe. Up there with London and Paris. I am actually planning to return as soon as possible.
Day 1 Anne Frank House
Read by students across the world, The Diary of Anne Frank is a poignant diary of a Jewish girl in Amsterdam whose family went into hiding during WWII. Unfortunately, the story did not have a happy ending for the student.
Located on the Prinsengracht canal, close to the Westerkerk in Central Amsterdam, It is high on my must-do list when visiting.. The exterior looks modern, and the first-floor lobby has modern visitor services.
The tour is an audio guide in multiple languages. It starts with background information on the Frank family and Amsterdam at the beginning of the war.
It is not necessary to have read the book. However, I had and entering the Secret Annex where the Frank family lived was haunting. I saw the furniture and how they had concealed the entrance.
The Secret Annex was an addition to the main building, and few people knew it was there, even employees working in the front part of the building. I saw where she wrote the entire book and spent the final two years of her life during the occupation.
Anne Frank and her family went into hiding on July 6, 1942. Another couple and a single man later joined them. They were discovered on August 4, 1944, and arrested.
They were each sent to separate concentration camps in Germany. All perished before the liberation, except for Otto Frank, Anne’s father.
How to Get Sold Out Anne Frank House Tour
During my visit, I missed the original ticket availability for the days I would be in Amsterdam. I was visiting in late June, which is high season for Amsterdam.
I checked the calendar for cancellations and saw a few. However, they were never for my time. I did notice Anne Frank House released a new block of tickets two weeks in advance at 10 a.m. CET. I set my alarm for my local time with tickets released and secured the first tour of the morning.
Tip: Book the Anne Frank House tour first, then arrange the rest of your itinerary around it.
Located at Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are a must and only available on its website. Adult tickets are €23, kids (10 to 17) are €14, and those 9 and younger enter for €8. Tickets sell out shortly after they are released during the busy season. A week’s worth of tickets are released six weeks before the tour date.
Time to Spend: 1 hour
What’s Closeby: Pancake House
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The Pancake Bakery
Dutch pancakes are a must for a trip to Amsterdam. They are flat like a crepe and cooked with fruit or savory ingredients.
We stopped by the Pancake Bakery overlooking the Prinsengracht canal, that’s been at the location for 40 years. I choose the ham, apple and cheese. My bestie had one with bacon and cheese. Both were delicious.
Located at Prinsengracht 1911015 DS Amsterdam. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is one of the top art museums in the world. It is a top destination in Amsterdam and is dedicated to the art of the Netherlands.
It was founded in The Hague in 1798 and moved to Amsterdam in 1808. The building it is located in opened in 1885. The Rijksmuseum anchors the Museumplein, a museum district.
At any given time, the Rijksmuseum has 8,000 objects on display. Its entire collection features 1 million pieces of art and objects from 1200 to 2000.
Rijksmuseum 1-Hour Tour
During my visit, I took a guided one-hour tour. I was able to get an additional ticket when I arrived. However, I had made online reservations to enter the museum before I arrived.
The tour guide gave us an excellent overview and I learned about the building as well as the highlights in it. We saw the 1642 The Nighwatch, by Rembrandt van Rijn, which is the size of one side of a gallery and protected by a glass wall.
Another Rembrandt is 1663 The Sampling Officials, followed by a self-portrait. If you aren’t familiar with Rembrandt’s work, he created nearly 80 self-portraits. Another Dutch artist, the 1660 The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer is at Rijksmuseum.
After the tour, I finished browsing the museum. For art museum lovers, it is a must for a visit to Amsterdam. Its gift shop is top-notch, and it features a lovely cafe and fine dining restaurant. Be sure and walk through its garden.
Located at Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is €22.50 and free for kids 18 and younger.
Time to Spend: 2 to 4 hours, depending on interest
What’ Closeby: The Heineken Experience
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Heineken Experience
After starting the day with a somber tour followed by four-plus hours of enjoying Amsterdam’s largest art museum, it’s time for a gear change. I recommend taking the Heineken Beer tour, followed by a drink on the rooftop (seasonal).
The Heineken Experience starts with a history of the venerable beer brand that some don’t realize is made in Amsterdam. I particularly enjoyed seeing the copper kettles used for brewing.
Part history, part interactive, visitors learn about how beer is made. Then, the Heineken Experience shared its advertising history as we covered several floors.
It wouldn’t be a beer tour without samples, so I added to the experience by selecting the Rooftop Bar experience. The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed an additional beer overlooking Amsterdam and its canals. We found seating and it includes an indoor and outdoor area.
I enjoyed this experience without my kids. Those under 18 are not allowed inside of the Heineken Experience.
Located at Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam. 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tour + Rooftop is € 27.50 and includes The tour is offered separately € 23 and includes two small beers. Reservations are recommended and late afternoon tours fill up the fastest.
Time to Spend: 2 hours.
What’s nearby: Blue Boat Canal Evening Cruise
Blue Boat Canal 90-minute Evening Cruise
Cruising the Canal Ring is one of the top things to do in Amsterdam. I chose an evening cruise since it stays light until after 9 p.m. during the summer.
It was a great way to cap off a day of exploring in Amsterdam. The Blue Boat cruise explored several canals, and we floated by several destinations in Amsterdam, like the Amsterdam Central Station and Nemo Science Museum.
Located at Stadhouderskade 501. Evening adult cruise prices start at €20.50 and kids are €16. Reservations recommended.
Time to Spend: 2 hours.
What’s nearby: Museum Plein
Snack on Fries
Served in a paper cone straight out of the fryer, the fries in Amsterdam are the ultimate street food. In the evening, there’s a line for this popular snack food.
I tried Manneken Pis Damrak and enjoyed every last fry. It even offers a selection of condiments, like mayonnaise and mustard.
Located at Damrak 41, 1012 LK Amsterdam. Open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight.
Day 2
One of my favorite things to do in Amsterdam was walking by the canals and enjoying the scenery. I recommend taking different routes as you walk around central Amsterdam.
During our visit, we’d duck into boutiques. Each morning, we grab a cup of coffee and croissant for a quick breakfast.
Museum Het Rembrandthuis or Rembrandt House
Amsterdam boasts two rockstar artists: Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent Van Gogh. From 1639 to 1658, Rembrandt lived and worked in a house in Jodenbreestraat and it has been turned into a museum.
For 19 years, he operated a small gallery downstairs where he sold his work. Upstairs, he taught his students. Throughout the house, I found personal objects like furnishings in the living areas, the kitchen and Rembrandt’s personal collections.
The Rembrandt House offers an intimate look at the life of Rembrandt and his complicated personal life. An artist extraordinaire, his life was clouded by both deaths of family members and an eventual bankruptcy.
Located at Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is €19.50 and kids are €6.00. Reservations are recommended.
Time to Spend: 2 hours
What’s nearby: Waterlooplein
Waterlooplein
Named after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the open-air square is on the Amstel River. It is the home to the Waterlooplein Flea Market, the oldest in the city.
During my visit, I walked through and saw many tantalizing finds. Best of all this market is open most days.
Located at 1011 PG Amsterdam. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is free to enter.
Time to Spend: less than 1 hour
What’s nearby: Amstel River
Bloemenmarkt or Amsterdam Flower Market
Holland is legendary for its bulb production, which is shipped worldwide. Unfortunately, U.S. citizens can’t bring bulbs through U.S. Customs from their Amsterdam trip.
I recommend you walk through the Bloememarkt. I did with my flower-loving best friend. We both love gardening and flowers, so I found the Amsterdam Flower Market inspiring.
Located at Singel 630, 600 Amsterdam. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free to enter.
Time to Spend: Less than 1 hour
What’s nearby: Torture Museum Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum
Along with Rembrandt, Van Gogh is one of the most recognizable artists in the world. The Van Gogh Museum offers the largest collection of his artwork in the world.
Visitors will see Van Gogh’s florals, like Sunflowers, Irises and Almond Blossom. The Van Gogh landscapes are another draw and you’ll see Wheatfield with a Reaper, Field with Poppies and Field with Irises near Arles. There are also Van Gogh self-portraits.
Located Museumplein 6 1071 DJ Amsterdam. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March to September, with seasonal hours during the rest of the year.
Adults admission is €22 and kids 18 and under are free.
Note: I do not recommend purchasing tickets via your phone. Take care to ensure that you are, in fact, buying tickets for the actual museum and not a Van Gogh Attraction.
Time to Spend: 2 hours
What’s nearby: Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Along the Prinsengracht canal in a canal house, this petit museum offers a history of the tulip. In front, there is a well-stocked gift shop that’s free to enter.
Located Prinsengracht 116, 1015 EA Amsterdam. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission €5.
Time to Spend: less than 1 hour
What’s nearby: Amsterdam Cheese Museum
Noordermarkt
This vintage market offers a selection of vintage clothes, food, housewares, jewelry and more. I visited and saw a collection of unique treasures.
Located at 1015 NA Amsterdam,. Open Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free to enter.
Time to Spend: less than 1 hour
What’s nearby: Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Enjoy an Outdoor Cafe
During the summer the weather is warm and the evenings are long. On my visit, we stopped at several outdoor cafes. I totally recommend doing it for the ambiance and the people-watching.
At an outdoor table, we sipped local beer and ordered some Bitterballen, fried balls melty cheese. They are the ultimate pub snack in Amsterdam.
The Red Light District and Coffee Shops in Amsterdam
OK, my best friend from grade school and I were on an extended girlfriend getaway in Europe, spending two days in Amsterdam. We agreed we wanted to walk through the infamous Red Light District to see it.
Here is what we saw. As dusk falls in the city, there are, in fact, red lights illuminating storefronts on the side streets in Central Amsterdam. Each offered a large picture window and the tenant.
We wanted to be respectful, so we googled the rules. We weren’t rude, and we didn’t stare. During our visit, we saw only open and closed windows.
Down one street, we saw a group of young dudes with different goals for the night other than saying we had walked through the Red Light District.
My take way, if it bothers you, it is easy to avoid. Central Amsterdam is full of families and kids, so there is no reason to fret; just avoid the area. It is well marked on maps and the red lights are obvious.
Coffee Shops in Amsterdam
If you want to see and enjoy a cup of coffee and a croissant, you visit a cafe. In Amsterdam, coffee shops sell marijuana. We don’t smoke, but it became very obvious where the Koffie Huis were located if you took a deep breath.
Again, if you want to stay clear, just distract your kids when you smell the obvious.
Dam Square at the Amsterdam Centraal
This lively spot is hard to miss when traveling on the train. It is filled with travelers and locals, all coming and going.
The Amsterdam Centraal Train Station is the backdrop of the square and built in 1889 in a Gothic and Renaissance Revival style. During my stay, I used the train to arrive from Brussels and to travel to the Amsterdam International Airport.
