Amsterdam in 5 Days – Itinerary and Useful Tips

Amsterdam, con i suoi canali pittoreschi, le case storiche e l’atmosfera vibrante, è una città che ha sempre attirato la mia curiosità. Devo però ammettere che non sono una grande amante del freddo. Per questo motivo ho rimandato la visita per diversi anni per poterci andare in estate. Grande errore sottovalutarla perchè questi cinque giorni hanno elevato Amsterdam nella mia top 3 delle città europee da visitare, specialmente durante la stagione estiva.

DAY 1

From the airport to the city center

You have several options to reach the city center, but I recommend choosing the more affordable NS train, which runs 7 days a week. Just follow the signs to the railway station as soon as you arrive at the airport. We purchased the ticket online at a cost of €20.80 round trip for 2 people, so €10.40 each. However, you can also go directly to the gates and tap in with a contactless card, which you’ll also need to tap again when exiting. This “Tap & Go” system is also valid on the metro and trams. Remember to always use the same card per person.

Where to stay?

The first time, we stayed at Hotel Arena (you can find it HERE), located next to Oosterpark. This park, the first large green space built by the city of Amsterdam, is an oasis of tranquility and offers a perfect balance between nature and urban culture. Central accommodation options had prohibitive prices. P.S. Update after 3 years: the hotel has tripled its prices, as have most hotels in Amsterdam. I’m leaving here a list of hotels with more affordable rates, but keep in mind that it’s almost impossible to find anything under €150 per night! I created a list of some hotels I found while searching for ours in July 2025. They are all a good compromise between location and price.

Postillion Hotel: we stayed here during our trip to Amsterdam in July 2024. It’s outside the city center but just a 9-minute walk from the “Overmastel” metro stop (orange line 51), which takes you directly to the center. You can find the Booking link HERE.
Leonardo Royal Hotel Amsterdam only a 1-minute walk from the “Overmastel” metro stop (orange line 51), which takes you to the city center in 10 minutes. You can find the Booking link HERE.
Hotel Prinsenhof Amsterdam: located just a 4-minute walk from the Rembrandtplein area. The Prinsengracht tram stop, with service to Amsterdam Central Station and many of the city’s main attractions, is only 30 meters away. Booking link HERE.
Hotel Allure: a 3-star hotel located in one of the greenest areas of central Amsterdam, with a metro stop right in front. Booking link HERE.
XO Hotels Blue Tower: also outside the center but very well connected by public transport, making it a good option for the price. You can find the Booking link HERE.

After settling in, we decided to explore the city on foot. Our walk took us through cobblestone streets and along Amsterdam’s famous canals, eventually leading us to Dam Square, the beating heart of the city. Here, the majestic Royal Palace welcomed us with its impressive architecture. From there, we wandered through Amsterdam’s narrow alleyways and hidden corners.

On Singel 7, stop to take a photo in front of the famous house with a façade only about 1 meter wide, which then expands at the back. This trick was used in the 1800s to pay lower taxes. Many guides describe it as “the smallest house in the world,” although every source seems to tell a slightly different story.

For an after-dinner cocktail in a special setting, I recommend Secret Garden. You can also dine here, as we did , check out here the menu on the official website! The location is truly unique, and the concept is similar to tapas: all the dishes are placed in the middle of the table to be shared.

DAY 2

We started the day with a delicious açaí bowl at Locals Coffee. Fully charged and ready to go! We rented two bikes directly from the hotel, but you’ll find plenty of rental points all over the city. First stop: the Van Gogh Museum!

Remember to book well in advance online on the official website HERE. Note that if you have purchased the Iamsterdam Card, this museum is not included in the discounts. You can find more information about the card For more info about the card click HERE.

After the museum, we enjoyed a nice bike ride through the wonderful Vondelpark, the green heart of Amsterdam: a large English-style park right in the city center. It’s a true oasis of peace. The park, also used for events and concerts, features ponds, playgrounds, fountains, statues, and cafés, as well as a large cycling track that circles around it.

For lunch, a real treat: De Kas , a Michelin-starred restaurant that also has a Green Star for sustainability. The 3-course lunch cost €50, but they served us several starters as well as a small pastry with coffee. Everything is based on fruit and vegetables they grow themselves in the gardens and greenhouses surrounding the restaurant, which you can admire. The food was very light and delicate. In the evening the menu and prices change, but you can find everything on their official website HERE.

We then headed towards the Flower Market area. After that, we ended up in Amsterdam’s Chinatown — founded in 1910, it is actually the oldest one in Europe. Fabio made a quick stop at Manneken Pis Amsterdam for the famous fries. However, Fabio doesn’t recommend them, as he declares the best fries are definitely from“Fabel”. We ended the day with dinner at Hummus Bistro D&A. Highly recommended!

DAY 3

After a nice breakfast, we headed to the Anne Frank House. We had purchased the tickets from Italy because availability is very limited. You must book them well in advance! Reservations open every Tuesday at 10 AM, six weeks before the requested date. You can do it directly on the official website here:https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/tickets/

We then walked to Locals Coffee , the same place where I had ordered my açaí bowl the day before. This time I got a toast with hummus and vegetables — it was absolutely amazing, I’m telling you!

After that, we took the ferry boat to visit the NDSM district. You can get there by ferry (they’re free and depart about every 30 minutes) from behind Amsterdam Central Station, or by bus.

NDSM is the former shipyard turned creative hotspot. Once one of the largest shipyards in Europe back in the 1980s, the area was later redeveloped and the old industrial spaces became open cultural hubs. There are studios and workshops, but that’s not all: the entire area has been relaunched as a residential and social neighborhood. The old structures were repurposed into bars, restaurants, and offices. Concerts and events are also frequently held here. Today, NDSM is one of Amsterdam’s most alternative neighborhoods.

We decided to enjoy a bit of relaxation and have lunch at pllek one of the coolest spots in the district.

Afterwards, we took the ferry back to the city center and had an apple pie at cafè winkel 43. Without a doubt, the most famous apple pie in Amsterdam.

Spoiler alert: keep reading the article to find out where to taste the best apple pie in the city.

DAY 4

We headed to Amsterdam-Centraal Station and took a train to Zaandam. It’s a very small but charming town, famous for the Inntel Hotels building, which many say looks like it’s made of Lego bricks. In my opinion, an hour there is more than enough!

From Zaandam, you can take a bus to Zaanse Schans, a small village of about 40 houses located northeast of Amsterdam, known worldwide for its windmills and chocolate. We had lunch at Restaurant d’swarte walvis. and yes, their apple pie was delicious, I have to say!

We ended our visit with a walk along the windmill path, surrounded by a wonderful mix of scents: “cheese, chocolate, and sheep.” The strong smell of chocolate comes from the many chocolate factories in the area, and the same goes for cheese.

We’ve visited twice, in different years: the first time the smell was really strong, while in July 2025 it wasn’t noticeable at all — so it really depends on the day (and the wind!).

Back in Amsterdam city center, you can stop for a snack with the most famous cookies in town: Van Stapele!

And finally, we ended the day with a romantic dinner by the canal at brasserie ambassade. Pricey, but really good! We wrapped up the evening with one last walk through the city center and the Red Light District.

DAY 5

Wake up and breakfast at the famous and traditional De carrouselle pannenkoeken where you can enjoy their super buttery and delicious poffertjes. Perfect — now we’ve got the energy to roll into the city center!

A fun thing to do: at Tony’s Chocolonely store you can create your own personalized chocolate bar, from the type of chocolate to the packaging! A very nice souvenir to bring home.

Don’t forget to visit the Begijnhof, a hidden and peaceful courtyard in the heart of the city. It has been inhabited since the Middle Ages by women from the lay Beguine community and it also includes the oldest house in Amsterdam.
At the entrance, you’ll find a “guardian” who will first explain the rules (no loud talking, no phone calls, etc.) and ask you to respect the silence of the place, and then let you in.

For lunch, head to the Albert Cuypmarkt, the largest market in all of Amsterdam, open since 1905. You’ll find plenty of stalls and lots of street food! It’s open every day (except Sunday) from about 9 AM to 5 PM. Be sure to try Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels here.

We ended the day with a canal boat tour, which we booked through Get Your Guide HERE.

And finally… the best apple pie in Amsterdam! Where? At Cafè Papeneiland , just 2 minutes from Winkel. Thank me later 🙂