Perfect 2 Days in Amsterdam for First Time Visitors
If you only have two days to spend in Amsterdam as a first-time visitor, you’ll find the city compact, pedestrian-friendly, and visually stunning. From strolling along the iconic canals and exploring historic neighborhoods to discovering world-class art museums, Amsterdam offers travelers a variety of experiences. If you are hoping to spend 2 days in Amsterdam, we have the perfect itinerary for you to check out!
Visiting Amsterdam for the First Time?
Visiting Amsterdam for the first time is an exciting experience, but there are some things you need to know before you go!
The city is compact and walkable, with excellent public transportation including trams, buses, and ferries.
Many people also choose to bike, and you will need to be very mindful of bikers in the same way you are mindful of cars.
Cyclists have the right of way, and if you step into a bike lane, you could really get hurt.
Amsterdam’s main attractions frequently sell out, so booking tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak seasons.
If you plan to visit many tourist attractions, consider getting the I Amsterdam City Card.
It provides access to many popular Amsterdam attractions, as well as unlimited access to all GVB bus, tram, and metro lines in Amsterdam.
One of the most asked questions we get is whether or not Amsterdam is safe.
The crime rate is relatively low, but you will still need to use the same caution and common sense that you would in other European cities.
Another question we often receive is whether or not Amsterdam is family-friendly. It absolutely is, despite the reputation for open drug use and the Red Light District.
Speaking of the Red Light District, while it is a tourist attraction, it is also a working neighborhood, and there are strict rules in place to protect workers. Do not take photos or videos of sex workers, avoid staring and pointing, and just overall be respectful of others.
Coffeeshops are not what you think (or maybe they are). These are places to purchase marijuana and use cannabis products.
Some do sell coffee, but it is more like a dispensary that also allows you to use marijuana while inside. Cash is king in coffeeshops.
Like in most parts of the Netherlands, English is widely spoken, so if you greet them in English, you will find that the Dutch will freely speak to you in English.
How to Spend 2 Days in Amsterdam
Spending two days in Amsterdam gives you just enough time to soak in the city’s charm.
On your first day, you can get yourself acquainted with the city through a canal tour, explore numerous museums, and stroll through its beautiful parks & neighborhoods.
Day two will have you exploring the unique neighborhoods on foot, seeing stunning architecture, and visiting historic places where Rembrandt and Anne Frank once lived.
Day One: Amsterdam Cruise & Oud-Zuid (Old South)
I would suggest that you begin your day by taking an Amsterdam Canal Cruise.
A cruise along the canals will give you a good perspective of the city while listening to important details about Amsterdam.
The rest of your day in Amsterdam should be spent in Oud-Zuid, one of the city’s most elegant neighborhoods, where you will find tree-lined streets and historic 19th-century townhouses.
It’s home to the famous Museum Quarter, where you’ll find the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and others, as well as the green space in Vondelpark, a favorite spot for locals to relax.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the National Museum of the Netherlands and contains more than one million objects.
The vast collection of 800 pieces that are on display consists of Dutch art & historical artifacts.
The museum is best known for its masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals.
Don’t miss seeing Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is dedicated to the life and works of Vincent van Gogh and houses the world’s largest collection of his paintings, drawings, and letters.
You will be able to see iconic works such as Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and Almond Blossom.
The museum also offers a deep look into his artistic journey with exhibits that focus on his friends who became the subjects of many of his paintings.
Lunch at Food Crib
No need to leave the area to grab a meal. There is a set of street food vendor stalls on the green space walkway between the museums.
Choose from a few different Dutch vendors serving up sausages, sandwiches, and Stroopwaffels.
If you are a fan of Chrissy Teigan, you might remember her viral post about the sausages she had from Crib. This is where you will find it!
There is plenty of seating, or you can pack a blanket and sit on the green space near the Van Gogh Museum.
MOCO
The Moco is a contemporary art museum located in a historic townhouse on Museumplein.
Unlike the other museums in this part of Amsterdam, this one highlights pop art, street art, and digital immersive experiences.
While small, the exhibitions are contemporary and modern, featuring works by Banksy, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama, and more.
Don’t miss the fully immersive section of the museum, which offers a multisensory experience of art.
Plan for about 1-1.5 hours, and you should book your tickets in advance so that you don’t miss out on the experience!
Vondelpark
This is the largest park in Amsterdam and one you will certainly want to explore.
Depending on the time of year or day that you visit, you might find a concert or dance performance taking place at the open-air theater (SEE LIST OF EVENTS).
Some of the features you should take time to see are the bronze statue of Dutch poet Vondel, for whom the park is named, and the concrete fish sculpture by Pablo Picasso.
De Pijp Neighborhood
Spend the late afternoon and evening walking the streets of De Pijp.
This is one of Amsterdam’s most vibrant and lively neighborhoods, which is filled with cafés, bars, and a great mix of restaurants.
It will be a great place to grab dinner on your first day in Amsterdam.
Heineken Experience
Beer drinkers will want to make time to visit The Heineken Experience while in this part of the city.
It is set inside Heineken’s original 19th-century brewery, and you will be able to learn the history of the beer, the brewing process, and at the end, you get to enjoy 2 pints of this famous Dutch beer!
This tour is open to anyone who is 18 and older and is done in English.
It is best to book your time in advance and you can do so online.
Day 2: Grachtengordel (Canal District)
Central Station
More than likely, you will go through Amsterdam Centraal several times while visiting Amsterdam.
It is the central hub of transportation in the city and is where you should start your day on Day 2 in Amsterdam.
If you didn’t do a canal tour on your first day in Amsterdam, on day two you will still have the opportunity!
The Canal District, or Grachtengordel, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Amsterdam.
You will find cobblestone streets, charming arched bridges crossing the canals, and narrow gabled houses that were built during the Dutch Golden Age.
While exploring the area by water is amazing, you should also take time to walk around on foot to take in all the details.
This is Holland
If you want to learn more about the Netherlands as a whole, a fun way to experience it is at This is Holland.
This is an immersive attraction that takes you on an aerial journey over the Netherlands that is similar to Soarin’ at Disney World & Disneyland, where you will see the country’s most iconic landscapes.
You will fly over tulip fields, windmills, canals, and the coast.
The experience combines motion, wind, mist, and scent effects to make you feel as if you are really flying over these locations.
It’s a fun way to see the beauty of Holland from a whole new perspective.
You will want to book this in advance because it is quite popular for tourists and larger tour groups (including schools).
Rembrandt House Museum
Rembrandt is considered one of the greatest Dutch painters of all time, and for a period of 20 years (1639-1658) he lived in Amsterdam.
The Rembrandt House Museum is his former home and studio and has been restored to look as it would have during his time there.
The 17th-century building has been carefully restored based on detailed historical inventories made when he went bankrupt.
You will be able to see his living quarters, art studio, and a room filled with objects that inspired his work.
You can almost imagine what it would have been like during the time that Rembrandt would have been painting some of his greatest masterpieces.
If you are a fan of Rembrandt, you will enjoy being able to see a collection of his etchings.
Anne Frank House & Museum
One of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam is to visit the Anne Frank House.
This deeply moving experience takes you through the real place where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II.
The museum begins in the space that was once used as Otto Frank’s business, and continues on through the narrow stairways to the Secret Annex that lay hidden behind a bookshelf.
As you move through the museum, your audio guide will explain about the persecution of the Jews during Second World War and what life was like for Anne Frank and the others living with her.
You will find the rooms are left just as they once were, with Anne’s room containing the original wall decorations made of magazine cutouts.
The museum also has wonderful exhibits that share the story of her life, her actual diary, and the family’s tragic fate.
There is no photography allowed to maintain respect for the space.
Tickets must be booked in advance as this museum has timed entries. It is very popular and frequently sells out, so book you time well in advance of your trip.
Dam Square
Dam Square is the historic heart of Amsterdam and is home to the Royal Palace, among other historic buildings.
Near the square is the National Monument, a tall white obelisk commemorating Dutch soldiers who died during World War II.
This is a great area to explore and enjoy both during the day and at night.
9 Straatjes (Nine Streets)
Located just behind Dam Square, this picturesque area comprises nine quaint streets lined with boutiques, vintage shops, cafés, and restaurants.
This area is renowned for its historic canal houses, which are among the most photographed structures in the city.
This is where you should grab dinner on your second day in Amsterdam.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the area of 9 Streets.
2 days in Amsterdam will give you the chance to see what makes this city so remarkable. First-time visitors can cruise down canals and take in historic landmarks while also experiencing its world-renowned museums and lively neighborhoods.
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