Things to do Alone in Amsterdam

By Dom Bewley
amsterdam alone

They say that 1 is the loneliest number. But what do they know? Sometimes, having the freedom to do and see whatever you want whenever you want is just what you need. So, if you're visiting Amsterdam alone, or you have a day to yourself, what are the best things to do? Well, we're going to tell you. Right now. So sit back, scroll down, and retain all this sweet information, because these are our picks for the best things to do alone in Amsterdam!

Including:

  • Museums
  • Boat tours
  • Bike rental
  • Stadium tours
  • Brewery visits

 

Image courtesy of Gerard Arrey/Shutterstock

Artifact watching

Why not go check out a museum while you're on your lonesome? You get to stay as long as you want, and no one need drag you around any museum that doesn't interest you!

The Moco Museum is for the modern art enjoyer, with an unofficial 'residency' courtesy of street art legend Banksy. Inside, you'll find works from many artists besides the elusive stenciler, each with their own views on modern life, governance, and greed. Truly some eye-opening works lie within, and plenty of photo ops, should you dare ruin the moment with your need for social media attention.

Or, on the more classic side of art is the Rijksmuseum. Featuring works from luminaries of the Dutch Golden Age of painting, discover well-known pieces from Rembrandt, Vermeer, and many more. The museum houses over 8,000 works of art, so good luck seeing them all in one day!

Or, if science is more your jam, big and little kids will love the NEMO Science Museum. With hundreds of interactive exhibits across multiple floors, exploring everything from electricity to chemical reactions, there's something for everyone inside. Then, when you're done, head to the roof for more exhibits embedded in a luscious garden.

 

Bayside High

Or, leave your seasick friends and family at home and go explore Amsterdam on the open ocean. Well, not the ocean per se, but certainly on the city's many canals and rivers!

If you want to see Amsterdam's highlights all rolled into one waterborne trip, then why not hop on a boat tour of the city? There are multiple stops along the way, giving you the opportunity to stretch your legs, explore, and snap some sweet pics. You'll head past the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, Centraal Station, and the Anne Frank House.

Or, if you want to see what else the country has to offer, and take a roundtrip tour of The Hague, Rotterdam, and Delft! You'll tour Rotterdam's illustrious harbor by boat, see the historic Delft town center, and then onto The Hague, the governing center of the whole country. Just make sure you set aside a day for this one, because you'll be exploring for hours on end!

 

Two wheels, one rider

Another fantastic way to explore Amsterdam on your own is by bike. It's no secret that Amsterdam is the most cycle-friendly city on Earth, so why not rent one for yourself and see what all the fuss is about?

There's pretty much no place you can't go on a bike; even many of the country's freeways have cycle lanes! It's the easiest way to make your way through Amsterdam's many winding, cobbled streets as you explore the city from top to bottom. Then, swap urban for flora at one of Amsterdam's brilliant parks, which are all cycle-friendly too!

A fair warning: the cyclists that call Amsterdam's lanes home take no prisoners. If you're a bit rusty, or are getting used to the hired bike's gears, do yourself a favor and go practice in a park. There's no room for slowpokes in the fast lane, baby, and you're likely to be stared at or tutted if you fumble your way on the lanes.

 

Image courtesy of Vladimir Zhoga/Shutterstock

Stepover into history

For the soccer fans out there, you might not wish to drag your partner out to a stadium tour. Not everyone digs the beautiful game, and there probably aren't many things more boring than a non-fan to walk around a stadium staring that silverware that means nothing to them.

So, leave your soccer-hating partner in the dirt, and do yourself a favor. Go take a tour of the Johan Cruijff Stadium, home of European juggernauts Ajax. Comfortably the Netherlands' best team for decades, this 75-minute tour will take you around the team's facilities, including the changing room, down the tunnel, and even pitchside.

Then, explore the extensive trophy cabinet, with many domestic and European trophies won by soccer legends like Johan Cruijff, the stadium's namesake. Simply the best, and one of the most perfect things to do alone in Amsterdam if you're the only soccer fan!

 

Go grab a beer

Of course, one of life's many pleasures is sitting out in the sun, sipping a beer, and letting the warm calmness wash over you. Just us? Surely not. Thankfully, if that sounds like paradise to you, Amsterdam's got some treats you shouldn't miss.

For craft beer connoisseurs, hop on a free ferry from Centraal Station over to Amsterdam Noord. There, a short walk from the harbor, you'll find the Oedipus Taproom, a delightful brewery cum bar, with plenty of outside seating, friendly staff, and a comprehensive number of different beers on tap. You can even order a burger from the resident eatery 'The Beef Chief'. Don't worry; they do veggie and vegan burgers too, if murder isn't your acquired taste. And, as the staff and patrons are both incredibly welcoming, with conversations struck up left, right, and center, it's one of the best things to do alone in Amsterdam!

Or, if you want a more touristy experience, why not take a tour of the Netherlands' favorite amber export, Heineken? At the Heineken Experience, you'll tour the very first Heineken brewery, which opened nearly 200 years ago. You'll learn about the brand's heritage, how it's brewed, and what innovations they're planning to bring to the beer game. And don't worry, when all is said and done, you'll get a chance to try a couple of glasses yourself, on the house.

And those were our picks for the best things to do alone in Amsterdam!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Getting Around Amsterdam - Public transport

Often dubbed one of the greatest of the world’s small cities, Amsterdam is not a particularly monstrous city. Indeed, with a footprint of just a little over three square miles, the city center could quite easily be covered in a day on foot alone. And yet, the city is often recognized for having some of the best transport infrastructure in Europe. From the emblematic canals delightfully splitting up the Dutch capital’s neighborhoods to its famous tram system covering just about all of the city, there’s a capable range of options for getting around Amsterdam to help you explore the city on your own terms. Public Transport Bus Amsterdam boasts an extensive network of buses servicing both the city center and the surrounding neighborhoods. Operated by three companies – GVB, Connexxion and EBS – Amsterdam’s buses offer a reliable means of getting across the city fast, with many routes servicing stops close to key social hubs and attractions. The city also operates twelve night bus routes to help you get around while exploring the city’s famous nightlife scene. Each of these routes helps to connect the city center with the surrounding suburbs, and buses typically depart every 30 minutes between midnight and 7AM. Tram Second only to bicycles, trams are perhaps the most recognizable mode of transport in Amsterdam. Connecting Amsterdam Central Station to the city’s many key areas and further neighborhoods, Lines 1, 2, 5, 9, 13 and 17 are typically your best bet for getting around the city. Depending on the day and time, the frequency of trams will vary, typically arriving every 5 – 10 minutes. Metro The Amsterdam Metro system offers an alternative means of traversing the central spine of the city and accessing the outer suburbs. Operating across five lines and servicing a total of 39 stops, the Metro offers the fastest and most efficient means of crossing through the city, passing through all major business and office districts alongside many train stations. Operating Times The three modes of public transport that make up the transport infrastructure of Amsterdam all operate on roughly the same schedule and ticketing service. The majority of services begin operations at 6AM and will typically continue until 12:30AM the following morning. Tickets & Passes Tickets and passes are wholly dependent on how long you intend to stay in Amsterdam and how often you plan to use public transport. For casual use, single and return tickets are available on all services on demand. You can also purchase passes which allow for unlimited travel for periods of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, offering slightly discounted rates as long as you get plenty of use from them. If you plan on staying in the Netherlands for more than three days, then your best bet would be to purchase and top-up an OV-chipkaart from any major transport hub. This pass is heavily used by locals and can simply be scanned whenever you hop on your transport of choice. On the Water Amsterdam’s canals are more than just an iconic photo op. Originally serving as means of water management, defense and facilitating trade, the labyrinth of canals accounts for 25% of the city’s surface area. Most of the traffic on the canals now consists of pleasure sailing, both private and commercial. If you’re looking for a unique means of getting around the city, there’s a plethora of boat tours available at your convenience to get you from A to B with a little local insight thrown into the mix. Alternatively, it’s also fairly simple to rent a boat for yourself, whether it be a manual pedal-boat, a small capacity electric boat or a full-sized barge for you and your friends. Cycling You may have heard it said that Amsterdam is home to more bicycles than people, and that’s no simple exaggeration. With roughly 1.1 bikes to each resident, it’s plain to see that the locals readily uphold the age-old image of the Dutch cycling nation. With over half of Amsterdam’s 800,000 residents relying on their bicycles as their daily mode of transport, it should come as no surprise that the city caters heavily to their preferences. In fact, with over 470 miles of cycle lanes making up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, cycling can often be the easiest means of getting around. To capitalize on this trend, there is now a huge selection of bike rental stores dotted throughout the city. You should expect to pay somewhere in the range of €10/day for rentals. If you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than a month, then purchasing a second-hand bike is a much more cost-effective option, with many going for between €50 and €200. Avoid buying bicycles on the street from unverified vendors, as these are likely to have been stolen and can land you in a lot of trouble. Cycling Safety Be sure to exercise some basic cycling safety and etiquette if you choose to ride in Amsterdam. Stick to roads and dedicated cycle lanes. Keep to the right-hand side and leave space for other cyclists. Make sure you have working front and rear lights when riding at night. Observe other cyclists’ body language to anticipate their actions and signal your own. If you intend to use your phone for directions, make sure to use a legal handlebar mount. Cyclists should overtake each other on the left, but can overtake other vehicles on the right. Only ring your bell when necessary. Always stow your bike in dedicated spaces and ensure you use a reliable lock. Taxi While road traffic is fairly minimal in Amsterdam, that can be quite the boon for those who need to get themselves across the city fast. Whether you’re looking for airport transfers or need to make it to an event quickly, taxis can be your best friend. Most taxis are regulated by the municipality to charge pre-set rates, so you should never have to face a surprise fee for your journey. Like in most cities, you'll find taxi ranks at the airport and most major transport hubs. Taxis can also be ordered at your convenience by calling up your chosen taxi firm, or you can make a booking via the TCA app. Alternatively, the likes of Uber and Bolt also operate in Amsterdam.
Anne Delorean
amsterdam
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Cheap Things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, you say? Yes, it's one of Europe's finest cities, with a canal-load of things to do, see, hear, and taste. But, after a few days of sampling the city's many delights, your wallet might be suffering somewhat. You want cheap things to do in Amsterdam? You've got cheap things to do in Amsterdam! Without further ado, here's our guide to the best cheap things to do in Amsterdam! Including: Museums Bike hire Pedal boats See a new movie Cocktail tours and more!   Get Cultural Unlike some European cities, practically all of Amsterdam's museums require an entry fee. Some of these can set you back a fair price, while others are a lot more reasonable. In the spirit of our topic, let's discuss the latter! Something that makes Amsterdam stand out is its Red Light District. The city's progressive approach to sex work draws both admiration and ire from different parts of the world, but if you're interested in its erotic history, check out the Erotic Museum. Inside, you'll find art pieces, sculptures, and some hilarious forms of media that shine a light on Amsterdam's kinkier side. It's only €7 to get in, so even visitors with a passing interest may find it hard to pass up. Another big draw for tourists is Amsterdam's legalization of cannabis. While many cities, states, and even countries have now followed suit, a decade ago, Dam led the charge. Of course, the plant has a rich history with humanity, one that you can explore at the Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum. It's just €9 for entry, and you'll be able to explore multiple exhibits that show hemp's use throughout the centuries.   Get riding! Amsterdam is known for many things; progressive policies, beautiful landscapes, and the abundance of canals and rivers, to name but a few. Another of the city's most unique traits is the way it has embraced cycling. You'll find dedicated cycle lanes on nearly every main road, plenty of car-free streets, and even the city's food delivery services tend to use bikes over cars or mopeds. So why not hire a bike and see more of the city! With the fresh air in your face, you'll get the chance to avoid what little traffic Amsterdam has, and dart about the city to see the sights! Plus, plenty of cycle lanes run alongside the myriad canals and rivers, ensuring you'll have great views along the way.   Puss N Boats Recently, you may have seen a rise in the 'animal cafe' scene. For the uninitiated, these cafes are often full of adorable, fluffy friends such as dogs, cats, or other acceptable critters. Patrons can interact with them while they eat, drink, or whatever else they feel like doing there. But Amsterdam is a progressive city of the future. They don't need cat cafes anymore. They've upgraded...to cat boats. De Poezenboot, or Cat Boat, is a state-of-the-art boat full of cats. Cats that you can go and see right now. It's free to board the SS Meowsly (not the real name, but it should be), but they do accept donations from visitors who want to keep this floating cat shelter afloat. Pun intended because all puns are, whether people want to admit it or not.   Pedal to the wood If you want to actually ride those sweet canal waves at breakneck speed, you'll need a boat. But throw your motorboats out, get rid of your jetskis, and certainly ditch your luxury yachts. We're going analog, baby. As analog as it gets. Channel your inner cyclist and hire a pedal boat to burn around Amsterdam's snaking canal system. Split the cost, and the effort, with three friends, and you can hire one for just over €6 an hour. It's easily one of the best cheap things to do in Amsterdam, and a great way to see the city from a different angle!   Pancakes! The Dutch pride themselves on their pancakes. It's as simple as that. It's an infectious desire that's made its way to all corners of the Earth. There's nothing quite like those fluffy, joyous things. So, when in Rome, why not indulge in them yourself? Pancake Amsterdam offers a tasting session for a very reasonable price. €5 will get you the pancake of your choice from their wide selection of multicultural offerings. Then, if one just isn't enough, you can grab a table and order from their diverse menu of delicious treats.   Movie Magic Sure, sitting in a movie theater on your vacation might be a strange idea, but bear with us. Amsterdam's weather can be unpredictable at best, and downright alarming at worst. Should the heavens open up a split second after the sun was shining, you might yearn for the safety, comfort, and dryness of a theater. Thankfully, Filmhuis Cavia has you covered. This snug, 40-seater theater is an underground, non-profit cinema that shows arthouse films. So, if you're in the mood to delve into the mind of strange creators who live in the leftfield, then why not give it ago? Each screening will only set you back €5, so even if you tire of the sepia-toned film about hats that definitely has a deeper meaning, you can always hop up and out when the rain inevitably passes in 10-15 minutes!   Pick and Mix The spirit aficionados out there will be of gin's resurgence as one of the hottest drinks on the scene. The craft beer revolution of the past 15 years has also seen gin ride its coattails to become the de-facto spirit for the young and restless. But did you know that before gin came genever? Does the name genever fill your mind with questions? Well, have them answered at the House of Bols. For just €16, you can enter this genever distillery, tour the premises, learn all about the history of this curious spirit, and then sample some of the brand's premium spirit. What a deal. And who knows, maybe genever will usurp your love of gin and take its place as the rightful ruler? And that's our guide to the best cheap things to do in Amsterdam!
Dom Bewley
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
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Rijksmuseum Vs the Van Gogh Museum Comparison Amsterdam

Amsterdam is home to some of the finest Dutch art on the planet. Understandable, perhaps, given it’s the Dutch capital. But the sheer quantity and variety of national art you can ogle here is frankly mind-boggling. We’re talking Van Gogh, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Hieronymus Bosch and Willem de Kooning, to name just a few. We compared the collections of two of the most famous galleries – that’s the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum – to help you decide which you should visit on your Amsterdam vacation. Read on for our Rijksmuseum vs Van Gogh Museum comparison. First up… The Rijksmuseum Name: The Rijskmuseum’s name translates roughly as ‘state’ or ‘national’ museum, and is pronounced ‘rikes’. Age: The Rijsmuseum originally opened in The Hague in 1798 with an exhibition of around 200 paintings and historical artifacts, before moving to Amsterdam in 1808. It's been in its current location, a grand purpose-built gothic and renaissance confection designed by celebrated Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers, since 1885. The Rijskmuseum in brief: The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands, and the country’s largest, housing an epic collection of Dutch and international art (but mostly Dutch) that spans a period of some 800 years, from the 13th Century to the late 20th. What really sets it apart, and puts it up there with the likes of the Louvre, the British Museum and St Petersburg’s State Hermitage, is the quality of its collection; world-famous pieces here include Rembrandt’s The Night Watch (pictured above), Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, and The Merry Drinker by Frans Hals. Other European artists including El Greco, Rubens and Tintoretto also feature, and there’s a small collection of Asian art housed in the Asian Pavilion. The Rijksmuseum in Numbers: Size: It’s the largest museum in the Netherlands, with four levels and around 1.5 kilometers of walking required if you want to explore all the galleries. Number of artworks: There’s an absolutely whopping one million pieces in the Rijksmuseum collection, with around 8,000 on display at one time. Visitors: Around 2.2 million annual visitors make the Rijksmuseum one of the most visited in the Netherlands. Three Unmissable Rijksmuseum Highlights Rembrandt’s masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age, The Night Watch, is considered so important that it has a gallery all to itself. This is also partially due to its popularity (and size: a whopping 12 by 14 feet.) Don’t miss Rembrandt’s iconic (and much smaller) Self Portrait with Disheveled Hair, also on display at the Rijksmuseum. Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, depicting domestic country life in 17th-century Netherlands, is his most celebrated work. Judith Leyster is one of just a handful of female artists whose work hangs in the Rijksmuseum. Attributed to Frans Hals for 250 years, The Serenade’s masterful use of light makes it one of her very best. Entry to the Rijksmuseum is included with an Amsterdam attraction pass from Go City, which can save you money if you plan to do several popular tours, activities and attractions while you’re in town. Get more information and buy your Amsterdam pass here. Next up… The Van Gogh Museum Name: The Van Gogh Museum is of course named after (and dedicated to the work of) the Netherlands’ most famous son. Age: The Van Gogh Museum opened at Amsterdam’s Museumplein in 1973, close to the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum and Concertgebouw concert hall. The Van Gogh Museum in Brief: It’s the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to the works of the Dutch maestro, and boy is it a doozy. We’re talking the largest collection of Van Gogh pieces on the planet, comprising some 1,300 paintings, drawings and letters, including iconic pieces like Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters. There’s also a decent smattering of notable works from Van Gogh’s Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pals to ogle here, among them sculptures by Rodin and paintings by Manet, Monet and Toulouse-Lautrec. The Van Gogh Museum in Numbers Size: significantly smaller vs the Rijksmuseum. You can ‘do’ the Van Gogh Museum in around two hours, whereas you’ll need more like five to fully explore the Rijksmuseum. Number of artworks: There are around 200 paintings, 400 drawings and 700 letters charting the development of Van Gogh’s work throughout his life. Visitors: The Van Gogh Museum packs a solid punch, attracting as many annual visitors as the much larger Rijksmuseum: around 2.2 million. Three Unmissable Van Gogh Museum Highlights Van Gogh created only five paintings for his celebrated Sunflowers series, and one of them hangs proudly here in the Van Gogh Museum. If you only see one painting while in Amsterdam, you might want to make it this one. Almond Blossom – branches and pale blossoms against a clear blue sky – is a fine example of one of Van Gogh’s favorite subjects. We guarantee you’ll leave the museum shop with this in at least one format: prints, postcards, playing cards and porcelain cups are all available. Dark, coarse and challenging, The Potato Eaters is considered a Van Gogh masterpiece for its realistic depiction of peasants gathered around a plain meal of potatoes. The Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum: Which is Better? These are two very different museums, one charting the entire history of Dutch art; the other focusing primarily on one absolute master of his craft. So which of the Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum should you visit? Well, if you want to really get under the skin of Netherlands art and culture the answer is… both. The Rijksmuseum is going to tick a lot of boxes for you: old masters of the Dutch Golden Age, the Hague School, and 20th-century abstract modernism among them. But the one artist who is under-represented here (for perhaps obvious reasons) is Vincent Van Gogh (although, to be fair, the Rijksmuseum does contain his iconic Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat). So, if you love the Dutch legend’s colorful, choppy brush strokes, you’ll definitely want to take in the Van Gogh Museum too. Save on Tours, Attractions and Activities in Amsterdam Save on admission to Amsterdam attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info. Grab an Amsterdam pass and see it all while you save!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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