Welcome to my ultimate Amsterdam travel itinerary! In this guide, I share my top tips and recommendations for a 3-day trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands. I share a mix of food, culture, history, and architecture to pack into your next trip to the city. I also include tips on transportation within the city and the best time of year to visit. 

3-Day Amsterdam Travel Itinerary

Thank you for purchasing my 3-Day Amsterdam Travel Itinerary! Below you'll find my top tips for a 3-day trip to the city, including my recommendations on how to get around the city, and the best time of year to visit. 

Your final day in Amsterdam provides a more chill vibe as you've already seen most of the city's museums during Days 1 and 2. Day 3 provides a mix of leisure and taking in some of the city's best views and sweet treats.

Amsterdam's Red Light District (otherwise known as De Wallen) is one of the most famous districts in the city.

The district truly comes alive at nighttime - with many tourists, lively pubs and casinos, and live shows lining the streets. 

On your first full day in Amsterdam you'll quickly fall in love with the city's charm and signature tiny houses lined perfectly across each street. Day 1 includes a mix of history and culture as you orient yourself to the city. 

Amsterdam makes for a great long-weekend trip, as most of the top sights in the city can be explored over 3 days - with time leftover to get lost wandering the charming streets or to people-watch for a few hours at a cafe (or a coffeeshop if that's your thing).

Known as "Venice of the North," Amsterdam surprisingly has more canals than the famed Italian city. Amsterdam's intricate canal network can take you around the city and help to orient yourself upon arrival. 

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Tip: Be sure to choose a boat with windows that can open so you can get some fresh air during your ride and take great photos!

I recommend taking a Boat Tour early on in your trip as most of them include a history lesson on the city and can help you determine which neighborhoods you'd like to hang out in. There are many tour agencies that offer 60-75 minute canal boat tours around the city for around 20 Euros. You can buy a ticket online or the day-of and you can find many tour agencies situated across the canals, especially near the Rijksmuseum and within the Jordaan neighborhood. 

If you aren't history-ed out yet, take the short walk over to the Rijksmuseum from the Van Gogh Museum.

Once you've had your street food fix, head over to the city's Museum Quarter to give the Van Gogh Museum a visit. 

If you haven't had your sugar fix yet, head over to Van Stapele Koekmakerij to try their famous cookies.

There are more bicycles than cars in Amsterdam, as it is the primary method of transportation for many locals. Every street has a designated bike lane marked in red, making it easy for bikers to get around. There are many bike shops across the city where you can rent a bike for the day or just for a few hours. If the weather is nice and you prefer to get around by bike, consider renting a bike while in Amsterdam. 

‎GVB reis app

I bought a 4-day public transportation pass for 25 Euros via the GVB app, which allowed me unlimited usage of the city's metros, trams, and buses over the course of my 4-day trip to Amsterdam.

Tip: Be sure to familiarize yourself with the "rules of the road" when it comes to biking in the city, as there is a method to the system and you don't want to annoy the locals!

Amsterdam is a very walkable city. I found it to be very easy to get around by foot as the roads are all flat and the sidewalks are well-maintained. Most places within the city can be reached by foot in under 30 minutes. It's also a great way to familiarize yourself with the city. 

I visited Amsterdam in early October and it was a great time of year to visit. Weatherwise, it was in the mid-to-high 60's °F (18-20 °C) during my trip with no rain. Autumn is a great time of year to visit Amsterdam as the leaves begin to change color and the fall vibes set in. 

During wintertime it will be cold and oftentimes rainy, but the city will be lit up with decor and lights and the city will transform to a romantic Christmastown. If you visit during this time of year, pack accordingly for the colder weather! 

Tulip season in The Netherlands occurs annually from mid-April to mid-May. This is peak tourist season but also one of the best times to visit if you would like to see the famed tulip festival. The weather will be warming up at this time with minimal rain. Plan accordingly if you visit during this time as there may be longer waits with more tourists in the city.

Winkel 43 is a small cafe in the Jordaan neighborhood famous for their Dutch apple pie. It was so good that I went here twice during my 4-day trip. They serve it warm with homemade whipped cream and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever tasted in the best way. 

On most days you’ll see a line out the door with tourists and locals alike waiting for a slice of the cafe’s famous apple pie. That’s a sign you’re at the right place! 

After filling up on apple pie, head over to the Noordermarkt adjacent to Winkel 43. 

Held on Saturdays and Mondays only, the Noordermarkt has been rated Amsterdam's best local market and has been running since the 1600's. You can shop from local vendors and craftsmen selling a variety of items such as antiques, secondhand clothes, bags, textiles, glassware, souvenirs, and more. You can also find various street food vendors selling local Dutch snacks. 

Visiting this market is a great way to see how the locals shop and purchase an item or two to memoralize your trip to Amsterdam. Give yourself about 1 hour to explore the market. 

The Jordaan district is one of Amsterdam's most picturesque areas. The beautiful houses and aesthetic bridges line each street, with the canals as a backdrop. 

This is a great place to cafe-hop or sit at a coffeeshop for a few hours while you take in the beauty of the city. 

If you choose to rent a bike during your visit, the Jordaan neighborhood is one of the best to cycle through, as it tends to be less busy than other areas and will provide some great views along your ride.

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without visiting a museum or two. The Anne Frank Museum is one of the city's most famous museums. 

Situated inside the home Anne Frank lived while in hiding for more than two years during World War II, the museum offers a closer look inside her life through quotes, photos, videos, and original items.

If you are interested at all in history, this museum is a must-see on your visit to Amsterdam. Give yourself at least 1 hour to make your way through the museum. 

Tip: Tickets for the museum cannot be purchased at the door - only online. You should book at least 2 weeks in advance as time slots fill up quickly! 

Situated inside the Jordaan district, the 9 Streets (De 9 Straatjes) provide a charming mix of boutique shops, intimate cafes, and vintage clothing shops. 

Known as one of the best places to shop in Amsterdam, the 9 streets are worth a stroll through while in the Jordaan neighborhood. You can easily spend around 1-2 hours walking through the streets.

The Albert Cuyp Market is one of my favorite places in Amsterdam. Open daily (with the exception of Sunday's) from 9am-5pm, the market consists of a variety of stalls and vendors to browse through. 

On your second day in the city you'll branch out from the Jordaan area to explore everything else the city has to offer. Day 2 of your visit provides a great mix of food and history as you explore the city's major market and famed museums. 

Situated on a pedestrian-only street, the market is regarded as the largest street-market in Europe. It took me about 2.5 hours to fully walk through, allowing for stops along the way.

The Albert Cuyp Market is one of the best places to try the local Dutch snacks and international favorites through their many food stalls. You'll also find fresh produce, cheeses, and homemade pastries. Similar to the Noordermarkt, you will find Dutch artisans and craftsmen selling their work here. I bought a nice watch here for around 20 Euros!

The world-renowned artist was born in The Netherlands and the museum is dedicated to highlighting the work of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. Tickets are around 20 Euros and should be reserved online in advance of your trip (at least a few days prior). Allot 1.5 hours here to make your way through this museum.  

This is the largest and most famous museum in Amsterdam, so it's definitely worth a visit on your 3-day trip to the city. Housed inside a grand building from the 19th century, the Rijksmuseum offers 80 galleries that display art and various artifacts that provide insight into the history of The Netherlands.

Tickets are 18 Euros each and should be reserved online in advance of your trip (at least a few days prior). Allot 1.5 hours to make your way through this museum.  

Amsterdam is the capital of The Netherlands & an international food hotspot. The cuisine in Amsterdam is diverse and flavorful. In this guide, I’ll share the best spots to eat and the most famous food to try on your next trip to Amsterdam! 🇳🇱