Things to Do in Amsterdam

Even in the dead of winter there is never a shortage of things to do in Amsterdam. This city is home to some of the finest and most famous museums in Europe, and fortunately many of them are bunched together in one convenient area called the Museumplein, or Museum Square. Check out our Attractions section for more in-depth suggestions on the museum and major attractions scene. But especially when the weather is good, there are plenty of other things to do throughout Amsterdam.

Canal tours

These mellow and informative cruises are a great way to get a quick orientation to the city when you first arrive. There are many operators and prices are quite reasonable. In the evenings some of the tours take on themes and have alcohol available, but just the regular tours are the best way to see everything in the city quickly. You’ll see why once you arrive, because in Amsterdam the canals go almost everywhere but the streets do not.
>>more information on Amsterdam canal cruises

Coffeeshops

That’s right, it’s all one word here, and the coffee isn’t the major attraction. If you are interested in the soft drugs (marijuana) scene here you’ve already got this high on your list, if you’ll pardon the pun. But even if you weren’t thinking of this you might want to pop into one or two of these places to see what it’s all about. They are legal, friendly, and mellow, so there is no need to worry about feeling intimidated if you want to come in and sample an espresso or mango tea or exotic juice to just soak in the atmosphere a bit.
>>more information on Amsterdam coffeeshops

Outdoor markets

There are two major outdoor markets that each run 6 days a week. The one closer to the city center is surrounding the opera house at Waterlooplein (Waterloo Square). This market is like an old time flea market with everything from souvenirs to antiques to used tools to almost anything else you can imagine. The other market is called the Albert Cuyp Market and runs along Albert Cuyp Street in the neighborhood known as De Pijp, not far from the Heineken Brewery. The Albert Cuyp Market is where many of the locals do a lot of their shopping. It has few knick-knacks and used items, but it’s loaded with food vendors, clothing booths, and almost anything else the locals need for their day-to-day lives. If you are in the market for some fashion without a high price tag you should check this market out before you buy elsewhere.
>>more information on the Waterlooplein flea market
>>more information on the Albert Cuyp street market

Rent a Bike

– Once you arrive in Amsterdam you’ll probably be overwhelmed by the constant crush of bicycle traffic. This might be the most bike-friendly city in the world. Almost every citizen owns a bike and very few of them own cars, so using only a bit of caution a visitor can join in the fun by renting a bike for a day or more. There are many places to rent bikes, some near the train station and another large one in Waterlooplein. Just a quick word of warning though, bike theft is a huge problem in Amsterdam so renting a good lock and using it correctly is a must if you hope to see that bike again.
>>more information on bike rental in Amsterdam

Live music

Being a major European capital, Amsterdam draws nearly every important touring act to the city eventually. The list of upcoming concerts is enviable to even much larger cities, so this compact town can provide some great live music opportunities. There are a couple of large venues for the most popular acts, as well as two excellent mid-size venues for up-and-coming artists. Check out the concert listings at Underwateramsterdam (click on the What’s On link) for the dates you’ll be in town.
>>more information on live music in Amsterdam

Clubs and discos

Amsterdam has been one of the brightest stars on the club music scene since the early ‘90s. Trance music, in particular, never seems to go out of fashion here so there are always events going on if you want to sample some of the better local DJs. Hip-hop has made inroads here as well so it’s not hard to find clubs that feature it if you look around a bit. There are clubs all over town, but the more famous and glamorous ones are mostly bunched in and around Rembrandtplein.
>>more information on nightclubs in Amsterdam

Day Trips

There are many very interesting sights just outside the Amsterdam city center, as well as quite a few notable cities that can be reached in under an hour by train. If you are only in the city for 2 or 3 days then these might not be worth it, but for a longer trip you should definitely investigate some of these options.
>>more information about day trips from Amsterdam

For a good look at the city you should check out some of these Amsterdam videos that give you a sense of the place. In just a few minutes you can see what a coffee shop is like, as well as the Red Light District, a canal tour, and bicycling in the city.