Amsterdam

Is 2 days enough for Amsterdam?

Yes. You won't see everything. But you can get a real feel for the city without rushing. The trick is skipping the tourist traps and walking like a local. This plan burns about 25,000 steps per day. Wear comfortable shoes.

Day 1

Morning: Anne Frank House and Westerkerk (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM)

Ticket is EUR 16. You must buy it online six to eight weeks in advance. The queue without a ticket runs two to three hours even in July 2026. Go at 9 AM when it opens. The house itself is small. The story is enormous. Give yourself 90 minutes. Afterward, walk to Westerkerk (free entry, donation suggested). Climb the tower if open (EUR 10, 10:30 AM to 4 PM, 184 steps, no elevator). The view of the city from the top is worth the climb. Skip the line at the nearby 'I Amsterdam' sign. It is always crowded and frankly boring.

Late Morning: Jordaan neighborhood walk (12:00 PM to 1:30 PM)

From Westerkerk, head west into the Jordaan. This is the real Amsterdam. Narrow streets, hidden courtyards called hofjes, and indie shops. Walk down Prinsengracht toward Noordermarkt. On Saturdays (July 11 is a Saturday) the organic market is here until 4 PM. Buy a stroopwafel from a stall (EUR 2.50, fresh, warm). Ignore the souvenir shops on the main canals. Turn into any random alley. The quieter the street, the better.

Lunch: Local spot in Jordaan (1:30 PM to 2:30 PM)

Eat at "De Kaaskamer" on Runstraat (EUR 12 for a cheese sandwich and soup). Or try "Winkel 43" on Noordermarkt for their apple pie (EUR 6.50 per slice, legendary, often a 10-minute wait). Do not eat on Damrak. The food is overpriced and forgettable.

Afternoon: Rijksmuseum (3:00 PM to 5:30 PM)

Ticket is EUR 22.50. Book online at least three weeks out for July 2026. Go at 3 PM. The morning crowds thin out. Focus on the Gallery of Honour: Rembrandt's Night Watch, Vermeer's Milkmaid. Do not try to see everything. Pick ten paintings. Spend 90 minutes. Then walk through the museum garden (free) to the I Amsterdam sign out back. This one is less crowded.

Late Afternoon: Vondelpark and canals (5:30 PM to 7:00 PM)

Exit the museum and cross the street into Vondelpark. Walk 15 minutes south toward the open-air theatre (free concerts often in summer). Grab a beer from a park kiosk (EUR 4.50) and sit on a bench. Watch the locals. Then stroll back north along the Spiegelgracht canal. This stretch has antique shops and quiet houseboats.

Evening: Dinner in de Pijp (7:30 PM to 9:30 PM)

Take tram 12 from Rijksmuseum to Albert Cuypstraat (5 minutes). Eat at "Bazar Amsterdam" on Albert Cuypstraat (EUR 18 for a main, Middle Eastern, busy, good vibe). Reservations recommended on a Saturday. After dinner, wander the Albert Cuyp market if it is still open (closes at 5 PM on Saturday, so skip it tonight and come tomorrow). Instead, have a drink at "Café 't Smalle" on Egelantiersgracht (EUR 5 for a beer, canal-side terrace).

Day 2

Morning: Albert Cuyp Market and breakfast (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM)

Sunday, July 12. The market is open 9 AM to 5 PM. It is the largest outdoor market in Europe. Eat a fresh herring from a stall (EUR 3.50, eat it raw with onions, hold it by the tail). Buy a bag of poffertjes (mini pancakes, EUR 4). Walk the full 1.5 km length. Do not buy cheese from the market. The quality is average. Buy cheese from a specialist shop instead.

Late Morning: Canal cruise (11:00 AM to 12:30 PM)

Book a small-boat tour with "Those Dam Boat Guys" (EUR 27, 1.5 hours). They take max 10 people. No recorded commentary. The captain tells you stories. Larger boats cost less (EUR 16) but the experience is louder and more crowded. Departure is from Prinsengracht, a 10-minute walk from the market. Bring a jacket even in July. It gets windy on the water.

Lunch: Foodhallen (12:30 PM to 2:00 PM)

From the canal cruise, walk 15 minutes north to Foodhallen (Bellamyplein). It is an indoor food market with 20+ vendors. A gourmet burger is EUR 12. A bao bun is EUR 5. A craft beer is EUR 6. It gets packed from 1 PM to 2 PM. Go at 12:30 PM to get a seat. Skip the lobster rolls. Overpriced and small.

Afternoon: A'DAM Lookout and free ferry (2:30 PM to 5:00 PM)

Walk to Amsterdam Central Station (20 minutes from Foodhallen). Take the free ferry behind the station to Buiksloterweg (3 minutes). The ferry runs 24 hours. On the other side is the A'DAM Lookout (EUR 14.50 for the observation deck, EUR 19.50 with the swing). The view over the city is sharp. The swing is a gimmick for Instagram. Decide if that matters to you. Spend 90 minutes max. Then walk 5 minutes to the EYE Film Museum (free entry to the lobby and cafe). Sit on their terrace with coffee (EUR 3.50) and watch the ferries cross.

Late Afternoon: Return to Central and walk the Red Light District (5:00 PM to 6:30 PM)

Take the ferry back. Then walk 10 minutes east through the Red Light District. Do this only in daylight. The area is safe but intense. Do not take photos of the workers. It is illegal and disrespectful. Walk down Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal. Look at the Oude Kerk (Old Church, EUR 10 entry). Skip the sex museums. They are tacky and overpriced.

Evening: Last dinner in the Negen Straatjes (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM)

The Nine Streets district is between Prinsengracht and Singel. Eat at "De Silveren Spiegel" on Kattengat (EUR 38 for a three-course dinner, classic Dutch, reservations required). For a cheaper option, try "Café de Klos" on Kerkstraat (EUR 20 for spare ribs, no reservations, queue moves fast). After dinner, have a last drink at "Café Papeneiland" on Prinsengracht (EUR 5 for a beer, historic interior, Anne Frank once visited here).

Where to stay for this itinerary

• Jordaan / Nine Streets: Central for both days. Expect EUR 180-250 per night for a double room in July. Quiet at night.
• De Pijp: Trendy, near the market and museums. EUR 120-180 per night. More affordable.
• Amsterdam Noord: Cheap (EUR 80-120), quiet, but a 10-minute ferry ride from Central. Good if you are on a budget.

Practical tips

• The Amsterdam City Card (EUR 65 for 48 hours) includes public transport and most museums. But it does not include Anne Frank House. Only buy it if you plan three or more museum visits.
• Book Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and Van Gogh Museum tickets online before you arrive. July tickets sell out 4-6 weeks ahead.
• Avoid hotel breakfast buffets. They cost EUR 18-25. Instead, buy a fresh croissant at a bakery for EUR 2.50.
• Watch for bicycles. They come from all directions. Do not walk in the bike lanes.
• Cash is not required but some market stalls only accept cash or Dutch Maestro cards. Bring EUR 50 just in case.