5 days in Amsterdam

Day by day

1. Day 1: Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum

   Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark, then A'DAM Lookout in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Rijksmuseum

      Head straight to the Gallery of Honour at opening, then explore the quieter medieval and 20th-century floors. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Van Gogh Museum

      Book the earliest or latest slot of the day, when the galleries are quietest. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Stroopwafel

      Market stalls at the Albert Cuyp and Lindengracht markets make them to order.

   4. Afternoon

      Vondelpark

      Pick up picnic supplies in Oud-West and head for the lawns by the central ponds. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      A'DAM Lookout

      Take the free ferry from behind Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg, a five-minute crossing, and go up for sunset.

2. Day 2: Anne Frank House and Canal Ring walk

   Anne Frank House, Canal Ring walk and Canal cruise, then Leidseplein in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Anne Frank House

      Check the museum's website for when tickets are released and book as soon as they appear; there are no tickets at the door. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Canal Ring walk

      Walk at dusk, when lights come on in the canal houses and reflect in the water. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Raw herring

      Herring carts and fish stalls across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Canal cruise

      Choose a small open boat on a fine evening or a covered boat in winter, and compare operators rather than booking from touts at Centraal Station. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Leidseplein

      Bars, the live-music venues Paradiso and Melkweg, and late-night cafés around the square.

3. Day 3: The Jordaan and The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes)

   The Jordaan, The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) and Albert Cuyp Market, then Rembrandtplein in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Jordaan

      Visit on a Saturday morning for the Noordermarkt and the Lindengracht market, then sit outside a brown café. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes)

      Combine with the Anne Frank House at the northern end, and stop for apple pie or coffee along the way. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bitterballen

      Brown cafés and pubs everywhere.

   4. Afternoon

      Albert Cuyp Market

      Buy a hot stroopwafel made to order, then explore the cafés around Sarphatipark. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Rembrandtplein

      Busy bars and clubs, with LGBTQ+ venues on nearby Reguliersdwarsstraat.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Haarlem

   About 15 minutes by train each way. Getting there: NS train from Centraal Station.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Haarlem

      About 15 minutes by train (NS train from Centraal Station); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Haarlem

      A smaller, calmer Amsterdam with canals, almshouse courtyards and the Grote Markt dominated by St Bavo's Church, whose organ Mozart played as a boy. Best for quiet stays, culture and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Amsterdam

      Dinner: try Kroket.

5. Day 5: Stedelijk Museum and Begijnhof

   Stedelijk Museum, Begijnhof and Royal Palace Amsterdam, then Jordaan in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Stedelijk Museum

      Pair it with the Van Gogh Museum next door; the Stedelijk is usually much quieter. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Begijnhof

      Keep voices down — people still live here — and visit in the morning before groups arrive. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kroket

      Snack bars and bakeries; FEBO's automats are a late-night institution.

   4. Afternoon

      Royal Palace Amsterdam

      Check the website before going, as the palace closes to visitors when it is in royal use. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Jordaan

      Brown cafés and wine bars with a local crowd.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Jordaan ($$$) suits couples, food lovers, quiet stays and shopping. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 20–24 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 7.7 hours in December to 16.8 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Amsterdam
• 2 days in Amsterdam
• 3 days in Amsterdam
• 4 days in Amsterdam
• 7 days in Amsterdam

Questions travellers ask