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Amazing Amsterdam

As an airport employee I often get asked about our beautiful city by passengers who have an unexpected layover. Good! Because there is lots to see and do and there are possibilties for every possible time frame.

How much time do you have?

5 hours in Amsterdam

There are a couple of things to choose from. Here are three options:

• Canalboat tour
• Shop, stroll and snack
• Visit an Insta classic & a streetmarket

Take a canalboat tour! This is an especially good option when you are travelling and a bit tired. The Lovers company tours start just in front of Amsterdam Central Station. And that station has a frequent connection to the airport. While you are there check out the beautiful architecture of the station building (build in the late 19th century).

Visit the lovely neighbourhood De 9 Straatjes: 9 picturesque little streets and the 4 main canals in the Amsterdam world heritage canal belt. Full of quirky shops and wonderful restaurants. The 9 Little Streets is the ideal neighbourhood to get to know Amsterdam in all its variety and richness.

If you have read (or seen) The Fault in Our Stars you can visit the bench. It’s in a quiet neighborhood close to the largest and fun street market. 

1 day in Amsterdam

Pick and choose from all of the above. A canalboat tour really is a great option when you get a bit tired.

Visit one of the museums. Discover the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. Or see Rembrandts The Nightwatch and many other Dutch masters in the beautiful Rijksmuseum.

2 days in Amsterdam

Of course you can do all of the above. Shopping at the 9 straatjes, visit one of the big museums and go for a canal boat tour.

Fun additions to your itinerary are a stop at the Tony Chocoloneley Super Store. Tony Chocolonely is as Dutch chocolate brand with a very important mission: slave free chocolate. Their chocolate is delicious, slave free and beautifully packaged. Excellent gifts, to yourself or a loved one.

Amsterdam Calendar

If you plan a trip to Amsterdam, here are some dates/events you either want to aim for, or avoid!

New Years day
January 1st. Honestly, not a fun day. Shops are mostly closed or open later. Even cinema’s open late in the day. Keep your expectations low. One fun thing to do is to visit the very quiet Rijksmuseum. It opens early at 8:00 am. It will be you and some young families.

Koningsdag
April 27th. We celebrate the birthday of our King Willem-Alexander (1967) by having many open air events such as markets and concerts. Most markets consist of people selling their stuff from little blankets on the street. You can buy fun stuff, but it will be very busy in Amsterdam.

Dodenherdenking
May 4th. On the eve of Liberation Day we remember the fallen by observing two minutes of silence at 8:00 pm. There is an official ceremony at Dam Square. The public is welcome, but in limited numbers.

Bevrijdingsdag
May 5th is the day we celebrate Liberation Day. Amsterdam hosts a open air concert every year on Museumplein (Museum Square).

Gay Pride
Every year during the first week of August Amsterdam celebrates pride with street parties and arts & culture events. On the first Saturday of August the Canal Parade is the ultimate event drawing large crowds. Pride Amsterdam is huge and relevant!

Prinsengrachtconcert
August 24th, 08:00 pm! This concert focuses on classical music. It is a beautiful event at the canal with a large part of the audience joining on boats. Check the website (in Dutch) for this years performers. The event is televised in The Netherlands and broadcast live to the world on Radio Klassiek.

Sail Amsterdam
This event takes place every five years. The next edition will be in August 2025 (20th-24th). Tall Ships from all over the globe will visit the port of Amsterdam.