Amsterdam Essential Travel Tips

My cousin and his wife are visiting Amsterdam from Canada soon, and it suddenly hit me, I have not featured Amsterdam on Woonlookbook yet! So, it is time to fix that and dive right into this amazing city, the capital of the Netherlands with Amsterdam Essential Travel Tips.

For a quick start: Must-See Spots: the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, and a canal cruise. For a modern touch, visit A’DAM Lookout or The Eye Museum.

Transportation

Latest information: “Thanks to the extensive GVB network, travelling within Amsterdam by public transport is easy and efficient. Connecting the city’s neighborhoods via train, tram, metro, bus, and ferry, Amsterdam’s public transport system offers seamless options for getting around. Explore how to navigate Amsterdam’s transport with a complete guide here.

Please note: GVB’s network is cashless and requires debit/credit cards, smartphones, or the Iamsterdam City Card to check in and out. From 2025, vending and charging ticket machines at metro, bus and tram stops will be widely removed”.  

Where to stay

For a convenient stay, choose a hotel within the A10 ring road and just south of the IJ River. Most locations here are either within walking distance or about 15 minutes by public transport to Amsterdam Central Station. 

Amsterdam offers hotels in all price ranges, from budget-friendly options to luxury stays. If you are looking for a historic touch, consider the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel at the Apollolaan, where John Lennon and Yoko Ono famously held their “Bed-In for Peace” in 1969. The couple, recently married, used the event to protest the Vietnam War and promote world peace. 

Map

What to visit

A few highlights for if you are staying only a few days in Amsterdam.

Central Station

Central Station or “Amsterdam Centraal” is a good starting point for your walks through the city. The building is designed by Pierre Cuypers, who is also known for his design of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. While Cuypers was the principal architect, it is believed that he focused mostly on the station building’s decoration and left the structural design to railway engineers.  

North-South Holland Coffee House

From Central Station you can walk in the direction of The Dam. On your way there are more things to discover. When you exit the station, you will see on your left the North-South Holland Coffee House, the building, designed in late Art Nouveau style, was once demolished, and rebuilt in a slightly different location. It is a departure point for tour boats and houses a steak restaurant.  

Victoria Hotel

On the corner with Damrak you will find the Victoria Hotel.  Around 1889, plans were made to build this hotel. However, not all the necessary buildings could be acquired. Two old houses on Prins Hendrikkade remained out of reach due to their high asking price. As time ran out, the decision was made to build around them. This explains the two distinctive facades now encapsulated within the hotel. 

In the novel Publieke Werken (1999) by the writer Thomas Rosenboom, the origin of the hotel is described by means of a largely fictional story. In this book, among other things, the story is told of the residents of these last two old houses around which the hotel was built. 

Dam Square 

The National Monument

Continue your walk to the Dam. The National Monument on Dam Square is a war memorial for the commemoration of war victims. The monument is central to the annual National Remembrance Day on May 4th. 

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace Amsterdam is the official reception palace of King Willem-Alexander. State visits and other royal receptions take place there. In addition, it is open to visitors as much as possible.

City Tour 

If you have read my other blogs about visiting different cities, you know I usually recommend a hop-on, hop-off tour for a first visit. While that option is available in Amsterdam, I suggest taking a canal cruise instead. It is a beautiful way to see the city’s unique architecture, with its variety of house facades, such as clock, stepped gable, spout, and neck facades. You will find the boarding points around the central station.

Museum Square

Museum Square is an essential stop. A concentration of beautiful buildings and art. This cultural hub is home to some of the city’s most famous museums, a lively public space, and beautiful architecture. Whether you are an art lover, a history enthusiast, or just looking for a relaxing spot to soak in the atmosphere, Museumplein has something for everyone.  

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands’ national museum, dedicated to Dutch art and history. It showcases masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Breitner, and Vermeer, as well as modern artists like Viviane Sassen. The museum building was designed by Pierre Cuypers and later restored and renovated by Spanish architects Antonio Cruz and Antonio Ortiz. Many of the original interior decorations have been meticulously restored, and the courtyard floors have been removed to enhance the space. The entrance to the Atrium is in the Passage. Watch out for cyclists! 

When I worked for KPN, we invited our international broadcast customers to visit the museum each year, followed by dinner at Restaurant Rijks. It was always a success, and every year, the museum guides managed to share new insights during the tour.

If it’s your first visit, be sure to see The Night Watch at the end of the Hall of Honour in the Night Watch Room. In 1715, the painting was moved from the militia hall to the city hall, now the Royal Palace on Dam Square. If you visit the palace, you can see where it once hung—and if you’re lucky, your guide might even mention that a portion of the painting was cut off to make it fit!

The Restoration of The Night Watch

Rembrandt’s masterpiece, The Night Watch (1642), is undergoing an extensive restoration and research project known as “Operation Night Watch” at the Rijksmuseum. This ambitious effort, which began in 2019, aims to preserve the painting’s rich details while studying its condition using advanced imaging technology. Over the centuries, various caretakers have trimmed, darkened, and damaged the artwork. Now, conservation experts restore it in public view, allowing visitors to witness their work firsthand. The project ensures that one of the world’s most famous paintings remains in optimal condition for future generations.

Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh Museum, does he need an introduction? If you want to read more about Van Gogh, check my blog about Van Goghs visit to New Amsterdam. 

Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum is Amsterdam’s leading museum for modern and contemporary art and design. The original 19th-century building is complemented by a striking 21st-century wing, designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects, which now serves as the main entrance. This sleek, white addition has been nicknamed “the bathtub” by Amsterdammers due to its distinctive shape. 

Royal Concertgebouw 

The Royal Concertgebouw is one of the world’s most renowned concert halls, famous for its exceptional acoustics and stunning neoclassical architecture. Opened in 1888, it hosts performances by top orchestras, world-class soloists, and jazz and chamber music artists. If you are visiting for the first time, consider attending a free lunchtime concert (on Wednesdays) or booking a guided tour to explore its rich history. Even if you are not a classical music fan, the grand atmosphere and world-class performances make it a unique Amsterdam experience. 

Moco Museum  

A smaller but trendy museum highlighting works by Banksy, Warhol, and other contemporary street artists. Perfect for those looking for a fresh and urban take on art. (I did not visit it yet, so later more about this museum). 

Anne Frank House 

The Anne Frank House is world-famous as the place where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis and where she wrote her diary. In the past, long lines were common, but now entry is only possible with a reserved ticket. Tickets are released every Tuesday for the following six weeks. Due to the building’s small size, only 85 visitors are allowed inside every 15 minutes. 

The Secret Annex (“Het Achterhuis”) is located at Prinsengracht 263, but the museum entrance is around the corner at Westermarkt. The hiding place was at the back of the house, which is why it’s called “Het Achterhuis” this is Dutch for “the back house.” 

Amsterdam North

A’DAM Lookout  

From Amsterdam Central Station, take the free ferry across the IJ River to reach A’DAM Lookout, a observatory offering panoramic views of the city. For the thrill-seekers, A’DAM Lookout features “Over the Edge”, Europe’s highest swing, where you can soar over the edge of the tower with Amsterdam beneath your feet! 

Eye Film Museum

Nearby, you will also find the EYE Film Museum, a must-visit for film enthusiasts. You can watch movies, visit an exhibition or drink and eat something in the café.

Bonus Tips

• Amsterdam’s 750th Anniversary, On October 27, 2025, Amsterdam will celebrate its 750th anniversary with a variety of special events and activities. You can find more details here.
• Holland vs. The Netherlands. Officially, our country is called the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of 12 provinces. North Holland and South Holland are just two of them. In 1806, Napoleon appointed his brother Louis as king, creating the Kingdom of Holland. After Napoleon’s defeat, the country remained a kingdom but became known as the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with Holland as just one of its provinces. 
• SAIL Amsterdam 2025. From August 20-24, 2025, Amsterdam will host the 10th edition of SAIL, a spectacular maritime event where historic tall ships, modern vessels, and international crews gather to celebrate nautical heritage and cultural exchange. Learn more here. 
• Tulip Time. If you are visiting during tulip season (late March to mid-May), you are in for a treat! While the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, located nearby Lisse, is the ultimate tulip experience, it can take up a substantial chunk of your day (around 6 hours with travel and touring). If you are short only for a few days in Amsterdam, it might be a bit much to squeeze in. Do not worry, though! Amsterdam itself celebrates tulip time in a big way. You will find tulips everywhere – decorating parks, lining canals, and brightening up shops and markets. 

Enjoy your stay in Amsterdam and do what my father always said:  

“Do not forget to look up because it is precisely above the shop windows that you see the most beautiful things Amsterdam has to offer”. 

P.R.J.M. van Grieken