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Begijnhof, Amsterdam

Itinerary · Amsterdam · Netherlands

One day in Amsterdam

A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Amsterdam, not crossing it.

Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team

Photo: Massimo Catarinella, CC BY-SA 3.0

Quick answer

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. Day 1: Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Base yourself in Canal Ring (Grachtengordel).

Key facts

Days
1
Sights covered
5
Day trips
None
Best base
Canal Ring (Grachtengordel)
Book ahead
Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum

    Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark and Stedelijk Museum, 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. Allow 3 hours.

    2. Late morning

      Van Gogh Museum

      Book the earliest or latest slot of the day, when the galleries are quietest. Allow 2 hours.

    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. Allow 1–2 hours.

    5. Late afternoon

      Stedelijk Museum

      Pair it with the Van Gogh Museum next door; the Stedelijk is usually much quieter. Allow 2 hours.

    6. Evening

      A'DAM Lookout

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

Before you go

  • Rijksmuseum: Timed tickets are sold online; book a day or more ahead in high season.
  • Van Gogh Museum: Tickets are sold online for timed slots and sell out in high season.

If it rains

  • Swap in Anne Frank House (Canal Ring): Check the museum's website for when tickets are released and book as soon as they appear; there are no tickets at the door.
  • Swap in Royal Palace Amsterdam (Old Centre): Check the website before going, as the palace closes to visitors when it is in royal use.
  • Swap in NEMO Science Museum (Oosterdok): Climb the outside steps to the roof terrace even if you skip the museum, and avoid Dutch school-holiday afternoons.

Where to stay for this itinerary

$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, luxury and culture

Canal Ring (Grachtengordel)

Gabled merchants' houses along the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 9–11 hours of visiting over one day, 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.

Getting between stops: Tram. Trams are the main way around the centre, with lines from Centraal Station to Dam, Leidseplein, Museumplein and De Pijp.

More or fewer days

Questions travellers ask

+Is one day enough in Amsterdam?

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. How many days Amsterdam needs.

+What should I book before visiting Amsterdam?

Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.