Amsterdam City Guide
Amsterdam is canals, crooked gabled houses and world-class art at cycling pace. Ready-made routes from the station lead you through the Jordaan and the canal belt to the great museums, with no planning needed.
🗺️ Open Amsterdam interactively – map & navigationOur walking tour of Amsterdam
The walk starts at Amsterdam Centraal and takes you on foot in 14 stops (about 8 km) through Amsterdam. The highlights:
Canals & Old Town
From Central Station, with an optional canal cruise, via Dam Square to the Anne Frank House, through the Jordaan and the Nine Streets to the flower market and Leidseplein.
- Grachtenfahrt – The canal cruises set off right by the station. Just under an hour on the water shows you the UNESCO canal belt at its best - the most relaxed start and perfect for tired feet.
- Damrak – The busy promenade from the station to Dam Square, with the famous row of crooked gabled houses reflected in the water.
- Dam & Königspalast – The city's central square with the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk and the National Monument. The palace of 1655 was once the town hall of the wealthy trading city - its state rooms can be visited.
- Anne-Frank-Haus & Westerkerk – In the secret annexe on Prinsengracht, Anne Frank wrote her diary - today one of Europe's most moving museums. Next to it rises the tower of the Westerkerk, whose carillon Anne heard while in hiding.
- Jordaan – The former working-class quarter is now Amsterdam's cosiest corner: narrow canals like the Egelantiersgracht, hidden courtyards, flower-laden bridges and brown cafés.
- Negen Straatjes – Nine little side streets between the main canals, packed with independent boutiques, vintage shops and cafés - Amsterdam's most charming shopping patch.
- Begijnhof – The quiet medieval courtyard with lawns, chapels and one of the city's oldest wooden houses - a hidden oasis behind inconspicuous gates.
- Bloemenmarkt – The floating flower market on barges in the Singel: tulips, bulbs and souvenirs, an Amsterdam original since 1862.
- Gouden Bocht (Herengracht) – The 'Golden Bend' of the Herengracht, lined with the grandest 17th-century canal mansions built by Amsterdam's richest merchants.
- Leidseplein – The lively square with the grand Stadsschouwburg theatre, plus terraces and street performers - a coffee break by day, nightlife hub after dark.
Museum Quarter & Vondelpark
Green and art in the south: from Vondelpark via the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum to the Heineken Experience - deliberately few stops, as the museums take plenty of time.
- Vondelpark – Amsterdam's green oasis just behind Leidseplein: 47 hectares of ponds, lawns, a rose garden and the round Blauwe Theehuis - perfect for a break, a picnic or people-watching.
- Museumplein & Van-Gogh-Museum – The world's largest Van Gogh collection: 'Sunflowers', self-portraits and the master's letters. Around it lie the Concertgebouw, the Stedelijk Museum and the great museum lawn.
- Rijksmuseum – The national museum of the Netherlands, home to Rembrandt's 'Night Watch' and Vermeer's 'Milkmaid' in a magnificent 1885 building. Its famous cycle passage runs right through the middle of the building.
- Heineken Experience – In the old 1867 city brewery you experience the Heineken story interactively - from the brewing process to a tasting. A fun finale, just minutes from the museums.
Getting there & around
The centre is best explored on foot; for longer stretches, GVB trams, metro and buses take you everywhere. Pay contactless with your card or phone as you board (OVpay - tap in AND out); day tickets are an alternative. From Schiphol Airport the train reaches Central Station in ~15 min. To shorten the route or take it easier, rent a bike (e.g. at MacBike right by Central Station) - Amsterdam is the ultimate cycling city. Most important rule: bike lanes belong to bikes - look left and right before every step.
Going out & nightlife
Rooftop bars
- A'DAM Lookout & Madam – Bar and viewing deck on top of the A'DAM Toren with a 360-degree view over the city and the IJ, plus the swing over the edge.
- SkyLounge (DoubleTree) – Elegant rooftop bar right by Central Station with a large terrace and sweeping views over the old-town roofs.
Nightlife quarters
- Leidseplein – The classic nightlife square with pubs, clubs and the legendary Paradiso and Melkweg music venues just around the corner.
- Rembrandtplein – Bars, clubs and terraces around the Rembrandt statue, with Reguliersdwarsstraat, the heart of the LGBTQ+ scene, next door.
- De Pijp – The laid-back quarter behind the Albert Cuyp market, with craft-beer bars, cafés and international food.
Food & restaurants
- Moeders – Dutch home cooking among hundreds of photos of mothers on the walls - stamppot and more; booking essential.
- Foodhallen – Street-food market hall in a former tram depot in Oud-West: stalls from dim sum to bitterballen under one roof.
- Winkel 43 – The café on Noordermarkt is famed for the best Dutch apple pie in town - perfect after strolling the Jordaan.
Bars & clubs
- Door 74 – Hidden speakeasy behind an unmarked door on Reguliersdwarsstraat, award-winning cocktails - book ahead.
- Tales & Spirits – Creative cocktail bar in a lane near Dam Square, with house-made infusions and plenty of vintage charm.
Stage & concerts
- Koninklijk Theater Carré – The historic theatre on the Amstel stages musicals, shows and circus in sumptuous surroundings.
- DeLaMar Theater – Major musical and theatre venue by Leidseplein with changing Dutch and international productions.