Amsterdam in 5 Days – Itinerary and Useful Tips

Amsterdam, with its picturesque canals, historic houses and vibrant atmosphere, is a city that has always sparked my curiosity. I have to admit, though, that I’m not a big fan of the cold: that’s why I put off visiting for several years, so I could go in summer. It was a big mistake to underestimate it, because these five days bumped Amsterdam up into my top 3 European cities to visit, especially in the summer season.

In short: five days in Amsterdam let you see the city at a relaxed pace plus a day trip.
Our itinerary: day 1 the historic centre, Dam Square and the canals; day 2 the Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark and Chinatown; day 3 the Anne Frank House and the NDSM district; day 4 a day trip to Zaandam and Zaanse Schans; day 5 the Begijnhof, the Albert Cuyp market and a boat tour.
From the airport you reach the centre by NS train; around the city, getting about by bike is fantastic.

Day 1: arrival and the historic centre

In short: on the first day you arrive in the centre by train from the airport, settle into your hotel and explore on foot: Dam Square with the Royal Palace, the canals, the narrowest house at Singel 7, and dinner at the Secret Garden.

How do you get from Amsterdam airport to the centre?

You have several options for reaching the centre, but I’d recommend going for the cheapest one, the NS train, which runs 7 days a week. Just follow the signs for the railway station as soon as you arrive at the airport. We bought our ticket online for €20.80 return for 2 people, so €10.40 each. You can also go straight to the gates and tap through with a contactless card, which you then tap again on the way out: this system, the classic “Tap & Go”, also works on the metro and trams. Remember to always use the same card for each person.

Where to stay in Amsterdam?

In short: the centre is prohibitively expensive; it’s worth looking at well-connected hotels just outside the centre (with the metro or tram a few minutes away). Bear in mind that it’s hard to find anything under €150 a night, plus the tourist tax.

The first time, we stayed at Hotel Arena (find it HERE), located next to Oosterpark. This park, the first large green space created by the city of Amsterdam, is an oasis of calm and offers a perfect balance between nature and urban culture. The more central accommodation options had prohibitive prices.

Ps. An update 3 years on: the hotel has tripled its prices, as have all the hotels in Amsterdam. I’ll leave you here a list of hotels with more affordable prices, but bear in mind that it’s almost impossible to get below €150 a night!

An important note on budget: in Amsterdam the tourist tax is the highest in Europe, 12.5% of the room price, to be paid directly at the hotel. On top of that, since 1 January 2026 the VAT on hotels has also gone up (from 9% to 21%), so total prices have risen even further: factor it in when working out your spending.

I’ve put together a list of some hotels I came across while researching our stay. They’re all a good compromise between location and price:

Postillion Hotel: we stayed here for our trip to Amsterdam. Outside the centre, but with the “Overamstel” metro stop (orange line 51) a 9-minute walk from the hotel, which takes you into the centre. Find it HERE on Booking.
Leonardo Royal Hotel Amsterdam: a 1-minute walk from the “Overamstel” metro stop (orange line 51), which takes you into the centre in 10 minutes. Find it HERE on Booking.
Hotel Prinsenhof Amsterdam: a 4-minute walk from the Rembrandtplein area. The Prinsengracht tram stop, with services to the central station and many of the main attractions, is 30 metres away. Find the Booking link HERE.
Hotel Allure: a 3-star hotel located in the leafiest part of central Amsterdam, with the metro stop right out front. Booking link HERE.
XO Hotels Blue Tower: this one is also outside the centre, but well connected by all forms of transport and therefore at a good price. Find it HERE.

After settling in, we decided to explore the city on foot. Our walk took us along cobbled streets and beside Amsterdam’s famous canals, until we reached Dam Square, the beating heart of the city. Here the majestic Royal Palace greeted us with its imposing architecture. Afterwards we lost ourselves among the city’s little alleyways.

On Singel 7, stop to take a photo in front of the famous house with a façade about 1 metre wide, which widens out at the back. A trick used in the 1800s to pay less tax (buildings were taxed according to their width along the canal). Many guides list it as “the smallest house in the world”, although of course every site says something different.

For a post-dinner cocktail in a special setting, I’d recommend the Secret Garden. You can also have dinner there, as we did: you’ll find the menu here on the official website! A very unusual setting, and the concept is a bit like tapas: all the dishes are placed in the middle of the table to be shared.

Day 2: the Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark and Chinatown

In short: the second day, by bike: the Van Gogh Museum, a ride through Vondelpark, lunch at the Michelin-starred restaurant De Kas, the flower market, Chinatown and the best fries in the city.

We start with a great açaí bowl at Locals Coffee and we’re all set to take on the day! We rented two bikes straight from the hotel, but you’ll find rental points all over the city. Off we go to the Van Gogh Museum!

Remember to book well in advance online on the official website. Heads up: if you’ve bought the I amsterdam City Card, this museum isn’t among the discounts. For more info on the card, you’ll find everything HERE.

After the museum we had a lovely ride through the wonderful Vondelpark, the green heart of Amsterdam: a large English-style park in the middle of the city. It’s a real oasis of peace. The park, also used for events and concerts, has ponds, playgrounds, fountains, statues and bars, as well as a huge cycle path running all the way around it.

For lunch, a little treat: lunch at the Michelin-starred restaurant De Kas, which also holds a green star for sustainability. The 3-course lunch cost €50, but they brought us plenty of starters and even a little pastry with the coffee. Everything is based on the fruit and vegetables they grow themselves in the garden and greenhouses around it, which you can admire. All very light and delicate. In the evening the menu and prices change, but you can find everything HERE on the official website.

We then made our way towards the flower market area and ended up in Amsterdam’s Chinatown: would you believe that, founded around 1910, it’s one of the oldest in Europe. Fabio made a quick stop at Manneken Pis Amsterdam for the famous fries. Although Fabio advises against them, since he declares the all-time best to be the ones at “Fabel”. We finished with dinner at Hummus Bistro D&A. Honestly, highly recommended!

Day 3: the Anne Frank House and the NDSM district

In short: the third day: the Anne Frank House (to be booked well in advance), the creative NDSM district reachable by free ferry, and the apple pie at Café Winkel 43.

After a nice breakfast we headed to the Anne Frank House. We’d bought our tickets from Italy, because places are limited. You need to buy them very far in advance! Bookings open on Tuesdays at 10 am, six weeks before the date you want (another 20% or so of tickets are released on the day itself at 9:00, in case you miss the window). You can book on the official website.

We strolled to Locals Coffee, the little spot where we’d ordered the açaí bowl the day before. I ordered a toastie with hummus and vegetables that was amazing, I’m telling you!

Then we went to catch the ferry to visit the NDSM district. As I said, you can get there by ferry (free, one leaves roughly every 30 minutes), departing from behind Amsterdam’s central station, or by bus.

The NDSM district is the former shipyard turned space for creative experimentation. It was once one of the largest shipyards in Europe, but it closed in the 1980s. Over the years the area has been taken in hand and the spaces of the old yard have become free cultural areas. There are workshops and studios, but not only that: the area has also been relaunched as a place to live. The old structures have been restored and turned into bars, restaurants and offices, and there are often concerts and events. NDSM is now one of the most alternative districts in Amsterdam.

We decided to enjoy a bit of downtime and have lunch at Pllek, one of the coolest spots in the district.

We then took the ferry back to the centre and had an afternoon treat at Café Winkel 43: I’d say it’s hands down the most famous apple pie in Amsterdam. Spoiler: read the whole article to find out which is the best apple pie in Amsterdam.

Day 4: Zaandam and Zaanse Schans

In short: the fourth day is a trip out of the city: Zaandam and Zaanse Schans, the village of windmills, with a return to Amsterdam taking in Van Stapele cookies and dinner along the canals.

We headed to Amsterdam-Centraal station, bound for Zaandam: a very small but pretty town, famous for the Inntel Hotel, whose structure many think looks like Lego. In my view an hour is more than enough! From here you can take a bus to Zaanse Schans, a little village of 40 houses north of Amsterdam, known all over the world for its windmills and its chocolate. We had lunch at Restaurant d’Swarte Walvis. This apple pie too was delicious, I’m telling you!

One last walk along the windmill lane, with a wonderful smell of “cheese, mixed with chocolate, mixed with sheep“. The chocolate smell is down to the various factories in the area, same goes for the cheese. We’ve been twice in two different years: the first year the smell was really strong, while in July 2025 it was nothing special, so it depends on the day (and the wind).

Back in central Amsterdam, you can have an afternoon snack with the city’s most famous cookies: Van Stapele! And finally, a romantic little dinner on the edge of a canal at Brasserie Ambassade. A bit pricey but good! We wrap up with one last wander around the centre and the red-light district.

Day 5: the Begijnhof, the Albert Cuypmarkt and a boat tour

In short: the last day takes in breakfast with poffertjes, the Tony’s Chocolonely shop, the silent courtyard of the Begijnhof, the Albert Cuyp market and a boat tour along the canals. And, last but not least, the best apple pie in the city at Café Papeneiland.

Up and breakfast at the famous, characterful De Carrousel Pannenkoeken, with its super buttery and delicious poffertjes. Perfect, now we’ve got the energy to roll towards the centre!

A nice thing to do: at the Tony’s Chocolonely store you can create your own personalised chocolate bar, from choosing the chocolate to the packaging! A really lovely souvenir to take home.

Then remember to take a wander around the secret, silent courtyard hidden in the heart of the city: the Begijnhof. It has been inhabited since the Middle Ages by women belonging to the lay community of the Beguines, and it also contains the oldest house in Amsterdam. At the entrance you’ll find a “guardian” who first explains the rules (no talking loudly, no phone calls, etc.) and asks you to respect the silence of the place, and then lets you in.

Lunch at the Albert Cuypmarkt, the largest in all of Amsterdam, open since 1905. You’ll find loads of stalls and tons of street food! It’s open every day (except Sunday) from around 9 am to 5 pm. Worth trying here are the Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels.

We finished the day with a boat tour along the canals, booked on GetYourGuide HERE, where you’ll find plenty of them anyway. If you enter the code ANGELAISAI5 you also get a discount on any attraction or experience you decide to book!

And we end with the best apple pie in Amsterdam! Where? At Café Papeneiland, just 2 minutes from Winkel. Thank me laterrr 🙂

One last walk around Amsterdam, which is full of brightly coloured bikes that can become seriously dangerous if you’re not careful — it only takes a second to get run over. 🙂

What to pack for Amsterdam (the things that saved us)

Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam

How many days do you need to visit Amsterdam?

With 4-5 days you’ll see the city at a relaxed pace and can fit in a day trip too (like Zaanse Schans). We spent 5 days there and used every one of them. With 2-3 days you’ll still see the centre and the main museums, but in a rush.

How do you get from Schiphol airport to the centre?

The most practical and cheapest way is the NS train, running every day, which connects Schiphol to the central station in just a few minutes. You can buy your ticket online or tap through the gates with a contactless card (“Tap & Go” system, also valid on the metro and trams). Remember to always use the same card for each person.

Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it?

It depends how much you visit: it includes many museums, public transport and a canal cruise, but watch out — two of the most sought-after museums, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum, are not included. Add up what you want to see and compare it with the price of the card.

How much is the tourist tax in Amsterdam?

It’s the highest in Europe: 12.5% of the room price, to be paid at the hotel. On top of that, since 1 January 2026 the VAT on hotels has also gone up, so total prices have risen: keep it in mind in your budget.