Have you been thinking about making a trip to Amsterdam? With so much to see and do, in and around the city, it makes the perfect holiday destination!

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Because of its proximity to other great European cities, Amsterdam makes a great “home base” to stay in while you make day trips to other cities!

Amsterdam is absolutely worth a visit. While there are many more great things to do in this beautiful city, here are my top five recommendations of things to do when visiting Amsterdam!

Top Five Things To Do

1. Visit the Anne Frank House

To merely recommend this museum does not do it justice. This incredible piece of history is powerful and should make it to the top of every Amsterdam bucket list. View the hidden entrance to the annex, Anne’s original diary and the walls that she decorated with photos and postcards to make hiding more bearable.

This museum is open 364 days a year. They close on September 28th for Yom Kippur. Visitor tickets must be purchased on the official website prior to visiting. Both a visiting date and time are required to complete a ticket purchase. Entrance to this museum almost always sells out.

Cost: 10.50 euros (adults), 5.50 euros (10-17 years), .50 euros (0-9 years)

Hours:

November 1st to April 1st: 9:00am – 7:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am – 10:00pm

April 1st – November 1st: 9:00am – 10:00pm

Address: Westermarkt 20, 1016 DK Amsterdam

For the most up-to-date information, including ticket prices and hours, click here.

2. Enjoy the Heineken Experience

This museum is located in what once was Heineken’s first brewery. Because this first location is on the smaller side, it closed in 1988 due to being unable to keep up with demand. The self guided tour will take you through the history and brewing process of one of the most popular beers in the world.

At the end of the tour, you’ll get the chance to learn how to pour the perfect draught. After this, guests get to enjoy two ice cold beers. Open 365 days a year.

Cost: 21 euros

Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm, 10:30am – 9pm (weekends). The last admission into the museum is 2 hours prior to closing.

Address: Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam

Click here for their website.

3. Rent a Bicycle

You can spend hours riding through the canal streets that give Amsterdam it’s nickname of the Venice of the North. Check out Bloemenmarkt (the only floating flower market in the world), find the new location of the famous IAmsterdam sign, make your way through the red light district and see the beautiful architecture of Amsterdam Central Station.

This beautiful city should be viewed like the locals do, on a bicycle!

4. Enjoy the Food

Feeling adventurous? Stop at one of the many herring booths that are scattered throughout the city. In Amsterdam, herring is most often served raw with onion and gherkins. Pick the deboned fish up by the tail and lower it into your mouth, just like the locals do!

Less adventurous? Try poffertjes, stroopwafels or kroket. The delicious poffertjes are fluffy little pancakes served with sweet syrup, a dollop of butter, and powdered sugar.

Although packaged and readily available just about anywhere these days, a freshly made stroopwafel from a street vendor is the best way to enjoy this treat. You can’t go wrong with hot caramel sandwiched between two thin waffles.

Krokets are deep fried rolls of meat ragout that have been covered in breadcrumbs. They are absolutely delicious and the perfect snack to enjoy with a beer. Amsterdam knows how to do finger foods and sweets well!

5. Go On a Canal Cruise

Enjoy a day cruise as you wind your way through the famous canals and see famous landmarks or book an evening cruise with dinner and see the city at night.

Either way, you will learn some of the history of the city while relaxing on one of the city’s famous salon boats.

Where to Stay

The Inntel Hotel Amsterdam Zaandam is the perfect place to stay if you are looking to stay just outside of the city and close to public transportation.

The hotel is located right next door to the Zaandam Train Station, giving you easy access to public transportation. A short, 12 minute train ride from Zaandam Station will have you arriving at Amsterdam Central Station to begin your sight seeing.

We stayed in a Taste Deluxe Room. The room was very clean and we loved the minimal, industrial decor. The staff at the front desk were kind and more than helpful. We had a really fantastic stay at this hotel and would absolutely return.

Comment below and let me know some of your must-see experiences in Amsterdam!