What to Do and See in Amsterdam
By Shannon McAllister, About.com Guide to Amsterdam Travel
How should you spend your time in Amsterdam? These resources cover everything from top Amsterdam museums, walking tours and canal cruises to Amsterdam's best restaurants and bars, parks and shopping areas. You'll also find information on events and day trips.
- Best of Amsterdam
- Amsterdam Museums and Attractions
- Biking in Amsterdam
- Walking Tours
- Seasonal Events, Festivals and Holidays
- Amsterdam Shopping and Markets
- Restaurants, Cafés and Food
- Bars, Cafés and Nightlife
- Amsterdam Neighborhood Guides
- Alternative Amsterdam
Best of Amsterdam
Browse my picks for the best Amsterdam has to offer, from the most idyllic canals and must-see museums to the city's best shopping streets and places to catch a band.
- Top 5 Things to Do
- Top 10 Shopping Areas
- Best Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam's Best Parks
- Best Small Canals to Wander
- Amsterdam's Best Outdoor Markets
- Best Clubs for Non-Clubbers
- Best Places for Beer-Lovers
- Best Vintage Stores in Amsterdam
- Best Live Music Venues in Amsterdam
- Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day
Amsterdam Museums and Attractions
With more than 50 museums and Europe's largest historical inner city, there's no shortage of sights to explore in Amsterdam.
- Rijksmuseum Visitor's Guide
- Van Gogh Museum Visitor's Guide
- Highlights and Paintings of the Van Gogh Museum
- Anne Frank House Visitor's Guide
- Unusual Museums and Attractions
- Museums to See in Under an Hour
- Best Museums for WWII History
- Amsterdam's Historic Churches
- Tour the Heineken Experience
Biking in Amsterdam
Biking is by far the best way to get around Amsterdam. If you decide to rent a bike while you're here, you'll feel oh-so-Dutch as you cruise along the canals. Find out all you need to know about biking in Amsterdam here, including tips, photos and FAQs.
- Top 10 Tips for Riding a Bike in Amsterdam
- Find the Right Amsterdam Bike Rental Shop
- Visual Guide to Biking in Amsterdam (Photos)
- Is It Safe for a Tourist to See Amsterdam by Bike?
- Why Are the Bikes in Amsterdam So Old and Run-down?
Walking Tours
Wandering through the Amsterdam is the best way to see the city. Find resources, tours and tips for exploring Amsterdam's streets and waterways.
- Charming Western Canal Belt
- Stately Eastern Canal Belt
- Peaceful Places in the Southern Historic Centrum
Seasonal Events, Festivals and Holidays
Find out when Amsterdam hosts its best festivals and how the Dutch celebrate holidays.
- Spring Events and Festivals
- Summer Events and Festivals
- Fall Events and Festivals
- Winter Events and Festivals
- Find Amsterdam Events by Month
Amsterdam Shopping and Markets
Look beyond the postcards and Delftware knock-offs...find Amsterdam's best shopping areas here. There's something for everyone, from modern home furnishings and stately antiques to Dutch designer clothes and funky thrift stores. And discover Amsterdam's open-air markets -- including flea markets, flower markets, art markets, food markets -- which are some of Europe's biggest and busiest.
- Top 10 Amsterdam Shopping Areas
- Amsterdam's Best Outdoor Markets
- Best Vintage Stores in Amsterdam
- Inexpensive Gifts to Buy in Amsterdam
Restaurants, Cafés and Food
With such an international population, Amsterdam offers restaurants and cafés with everything from genuine Indonesian food to Mediterranean tapas. Of course, no visit is complete without trying some tasty Amsterdam street foods, tempting baked goods and traditional Dutch fare. These resources will help you learn where to eat in Amsterdam, what to order and even how to pay the bill.
- Read Amsterdam Restaurant Reviews
- Restaurants You Won't Find in a Guidebook
- Foods to Try in Amsterdam
- What Is an Eetcafé?
Bars, Cafés and Nightlife
Whether you're looking for a wild night out in the thick of Amsterdam's club scene, or a calmer evening spent sipping handcrafted beers in a local brown café, you'll find that Amsterdam's nightlife scene caters to a wide range of visitors.
- Amsterdam for Beer-Lovers
- Amsterdam Clubs for Non-Clubbers
- What Are Brown Cafés?
- Favorite Amsterdam Café Terraces
- Best Live Music Venues in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Neighborhood Guides
One of the most exciting parts about exploring a city is discovering its many different districts. Here you'll find the highlights of Amsterdam's neighborhoods, including area attractions, restaurants and the feeling each area evokes.
Alternative Amsterdam
You've probably heard about Amsterdam's tolerant attitude toward soft drugs, the sex industry and alternative lifestyles. Find out more about these here.
