Article mis à jour le 7 May 2025
My must-see places to visit in Amsterdam in 3 days
The first rays point their nose, tulips bloom… I don’t know about you but me, it makes me immediately want to go for a ride and go on a weekend in Amsterdam! This beautiful city with free and creative energy, in which it is good to live to stroll and take your time. But then, what to do in 3 days?
With the many holidays coming up, you’re probably already looking for THE ideal destination! So let me suggest you the must-haves to enjoy 3 days in Amsterdam. Between nice walks, good addresses, cultural and artistic discoveries, I have concocted a small guide to let you get carried away by the local atmosphere.
For practical information to help you plan your 3 days in Amsterdam: where to sleep, how to get there and move around etc. See you at the end of this article!
What to do in Amsterdam in 3 days?
Day 1 of the route
Stroll through Amsterdam’s prettiest district: Jordaan
We start gently in my favorite neighborhood: Jordaan. A concentrate of charm! Between its cobbled alleys, flower-lined canals and a multitude of trendy little cafés, you can emerge gently.
Social Box Brunch
After this morning stroll, head to Box Sociaal, a cool brunch address with a warm atmosphere. The plates are ultra generous, filled with fluffy pancakes, eggs bénédicte, avocado toasts well spiced, and quality coffees. Special mention for their wide choice of veggies options!
Address: go there with Google Maps
Walk the Flower Market
You can then go directly to the Bloemenmarkt with a detour. It is a flower market so colorful and so emblematic of Amsterdam. You can also take the opportunity to bring back tulip bulbs, they have all kinds!
Adresse : Stins Flowermarket
Visit the must-see Anne Frank House
It is impossible to visit Amsterdam in 3 days without mentioning the Anne Frank House. It is a touching and memorable visit, which gives another dimension to the history that we all know.
I advise you to go there early in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid the crowds. Think about booking online well in advance, the places are going very fast!
If you never have the opportunity to visit the museum, I recommend this guided tour around the life of Anne Franck. You will discover the history of its newspaper, the Jewish quarter and the organization of the resistance during the Second World War. The activity is available in French!
Going out in the evening in the Red District
At nightfall, I recommend you go to the Red District. It’s worth seeing at least once during your stay in Amsterdam to enjoy an evening with an underground and festive atmosphere!
After a certain time, the streets light up with red neon lights, the windows come alive and the alleys become very lively. Beyond its sultry reputation, it is above all a very lively district of Amsterdam, where curious tourists, groups of friends, couples and locals mingle.
Day 2 to visit Amsterdam
Discover the Moco Museum and the Van Gogh Museum
Start the day with a shot of inspiration at the Moco Museum. This modern and committed museum honors artists such as Banksy, Keith Haring or Basquiat in a colorful, contemporary and striking atmosphere. And small bonus: the place is very photogenic! Book your tickets
Just next door, head to the Van Gogh Museum for a more intimate experience. Immerse yourself in the artist’s world, between his moving letters and his most famous works, such as Les Tournesols or La Chambre. Book your tickets
Test febo burger dispenser
After this cultural morning, we have lunch on the go! And what’s better than having an unusual lunch with Febo? Here, you choose your burger directly from a vending machine. You pay, the small door opens… and hop, it’s ready. It is not necessarily great gastronomy, but it is fast, unprecedented, and frankly very Dutch!
Address (among others): Febo Amsterdam Leidsestraat
Exploring the city by bike
You can now go on a discovery of the city like a local! In Amsterdam, cycling is not just a means of transport; it is a lifestyle. Bike paths are everywhere and motorists pay attention, which makes it easy to feel comfortable quickly.
Make a stop at the Rubber Duck Store
You can take advantage of your bike ride to make a short stop at the Rubber Duck Store, a shop entirely dedicated… to the plastic ducks! There are hundreds of them, all more delirious than the others: superheroes, celebrities, etc. It’s really nice to see!
Address (among others): The Rubber Duck Store
Enjoy delicious nachos at Brug 34
At the end of the day, Brug 34 is the perfect place to relax with soft nachos and a good local beer. The atmosphere is very cool, with a good playlist and top service!
Last step of your 3 days in Amsterdam
Experience the Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience is a must-see in Amsterdam for beer lovers. Housed in the brand’s historic former brewery, this tour is halfway between a museum, an amusement park and a giant tasting. We discover the history of Heineken beer, the manufacturing process, brand anecdotes… all with a very immersive scenography!
Book the Heineken Experience online
Lunch at Bali Brunch 82: a delicious Balinese brunch
Big crush for this Balinese brunch to fall on the ground! A cozy and sunny break in the heart of Amsterdam, with colorful, fragrant and hearty plates. On the menu: smoothie bowls, nasi goreng, coconut pancakes, iced coffees… Served in a cool, tropical atmosphere with touches of wood, rattan and dried flowers.
Canal Walk & Art Galleries – Spiegelgracht
For a last afternoon in slow life mode, head to Spiegelgracht, a charming area nestled between museums and canals. Here, there is no rush or too much tourist shopping, just pretty facades and that peaceful atmosphere we love in Amsterdam.
I really liked this neighborhood while discreetly, walking around the small art galleries and finding nice memories!
Grab a cone of Dutch fries to go
To end this 3-day visit of Amsterdam, we add a delicious cornet of Dutch fries to the tour! Thick, crispy and served hot, they are an integral part of the local gourmet landscape.
The most? Accompany them with mayonnaise, samurai sauce, or the famous special sauce (a sweet-savory mixture quite surprising but delicious!).
You will find stands all over the city, often with a queue – that’s a good sign!
For foodies, you can also participate in a Dutch cheese tasting experience.
City tour by boat
To finish this tour of Amsterdam, you can be tempted by a cruise with breathtaking views of city. You can even pick up an option with unlimited drinks!
Bonus: my favourite thrift shops in Amsterdam!
Because you never leave a trip empty-handed, especially when you love beautiful vintage pieces. And as an amateur, here are my favorite addresses:
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- Zipper: a little sharper, perfect for the 90’s fans.
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- Amsterdam Vintage Clothing – AVC: for 2000’s streetwear.
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- Episode: well-known, wide selection of articles, never disappoints.
Amsterdam in 3 days: some practical tips…
When to leave for Amsterdam?
As you know, Amsterdam is in the north of Europe. The city has 4 seasons, one of which is less interesting: winter. Indeed, the city does not bring any interest in winter because there is no relief and very rarely snow to beautify the landscapes. I recommend visiting Amsterdam between April and October. In April/ May to enjoy the beautiful blooming or in summer for good weather and higher temperatures. October can be interesting for more peace and lower prices.
How to get there?
Amsterdam is very accessible from France, especially by train. The simplest (and most environmentally friendly) way is to take a Thalys or Eurostar: from Paris, it takes about 3.5 hours to get to the heart of the city, at the central station.
You can also consider using bus for a more economical version, especially with companies such as Flixbus.
And if you come from further afield, the plane is still an option since Schiphol airport is well connected! We recommend you to compare the best offers and book your flight on Ulysse. You can benefit from -10€ on your first flight booking on Ulysse by registering via our link!
And if you’re coming from further afield, flying is still an option as Schiphol airport is well served!
How to move?
Once you’re there, you don’t need a car to visit Amsterdam – it’s all on foot, by bike, or by tram. The town is very well-appointed. You can rent a bike for a day (or more) easily.
Otherwise, the tram and metro network is super efficient, especially if you want to explore a bit more remote corners. Think of take a rechargeable transport card (or a day pass), for even more simplicity.
And for a more romantic touch, you can also embark on a canal boat ride !
Where to stay in Amsterdam: the best hotels
Amsterdam offers a wide range of accommodation, whether you prefer to stay in a hotel, youth hostel or cozy Airbnb, there is something for everyone!
If you want to be in a good place without blowing your budget, look no further than De Pijp, Jordaan, or around Vondelpark : it’s central, charming and quieter than the Red Light District. I recommend the Boutique Hotel View, close to the centre, reasonably priced for Amsterdam and well rated.
You can also try a more local experience, floating houses such as Houseboat BNB The floating Nest.
And for the budget, hostels are often well decorated, warm, and perfect to meet people. In the hyper centre, the Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Stadsdoelen has been recently renovated and offers excellent value for money.
Dutch specialities to taste!
- The stroopwafel (caramel waffle), a nugget
- The raw herring, for the more adventurous
- The bitterballen for an aperitif
- And of course… a local beer .
I sincerely hope that this itinerary to visit Amsterdam in 3 days will please you and make you have a wonderful stay in this beautiful city. For my part, I was able to experience it in summer and winter, and they were always weekends full of charm!
Consultante en communication et créatrice de contenu à temps plein, ma liberté géographique me permet d’assouvir ma passion du voyage, des jolies découvertes et de l’aventure. Animée par l’envie de partager toutes ces expériences, j’espère vous inspirer à explorer quelques destinations !
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