Weekend in Amsterdam

Looking to visit Amsterdam? Take a look at some of our recommendations for spending a weekend in the Dutch capital.

By Robert Heaney
Bridge in Amsterdam illuminated at night

Home to some of Europe’s most important cultural hotspots and one of the best nightlife scenes on the continent, Amsterdam truly offers something for everyone. With many of its top attractions and best venues housed within a compact city center, you’d be hard pushed to find a better European city break than a weekend in Amsterdam.

Nightlife

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Few destinations in Europe are as lauded for their vibrant nightlife scene as Amsterdam, and that isn’t without good reason. Much of the city center is replete with charming restaurants, classy bars and bustling clubs, making it a perfect weekend destination for young tourists looking for some of the best evening atmosphere on the continent.

One of the most popular areas to start a night of drinks is the infamous Red Light District, known officially as De Wallen. Aside from renowned after-dark shows and other such hedonistic appeal, the area is also home to a host of popular pubs and bars. Most notable are the Café Hill Street Blues, with its grungy, street-art interior, and The Old Sailor, adorned with all manner of traditional nautical instruments.

Another regular haunt at the beginning of the evening is the Jordaan area, for its vast selection of trendy bars and cafés. Among these are the vibrant speakeasy Bar Oldenhof, the warm and cosy De Zotte and the stylish JD William’s whisky bar for more of an intimate evening.

If you’re looking for a true weekend of partying in Amsterdam, then you’re bound to find yourself looking for some of the city’s most vibrant clubs. Some of the most bustling and tourist-packed clubs can be found on Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, with the likes of Paradiso, Melkweg and Escape truly taking the cake.

Retail Therapy

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A weekend in Amsterdam is the perfect opportunity to try to pick up some local bargains, a souvenir or two or even some high-class European fashion. Spread throughout the city are a number of spots where you can quench your shopping thirst, from quaint streets lined with traditional independent stores to sprawling malls populated by top brands and retailers.

While exploring the city’s famous canal district, you’re bound to stumble across the Negen Straatjes, or ‘Nine Streets’. These narrow, historical streets are home to a variety of charming cafés and restaurants, alongside a variety of stores from unique independent businesses to chain boutiques.

If you’re serious about shopping, though, then Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat are the places to be. Undisputedly the beating heart of Amsterdam’s retail offerings, the two are also connected by the Kalverpassage shopping mall, offering smooth passage between streets alongside a variety of top retailers.

For more of a typical mall experience, the Magna Plaza is a stunning building inside and out, lined with a handful of charming shops offering everything from souvenirs to fashion products. De Bijenkorf is your one-stop shop for all things luxury, with its vast collection of haute couture brands complemented by a selection of luxury beauty treatments.

Cultural Hotspots

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While many come to Amsterdam for a weekend of partying and pleasure, that isn’t to say you can’t enjoy more of a quiet and cultured trip away from the raucous crowds. One of Amsterdam’s greatest boasts is its vast selection of world-class museums and art galleries dedicated to its wealth of complex national history and celebrated artistic output.

Taking pride of place is the renowned Rijksmuseum, whose sprawling Renaissance- and Gothic-style halls boast an impressive collection of historical artifacts and famous artworks. The most important museum in the Netherlands, its collection chronicles over 800 years of Dutch history, complemented by the works of such artistic legends as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.

Nothing reflects Dutch artistic accomplishment quite like the Van Gogh Museum, standing as a tragically ironic juxtaposition to the artist’s anonymity in life. The museum houses over 1,400 of the Post-Impressionist painter’s works, from paintings to letters, amounting to the most complete collection in the world by far.

The various grand artistic claims of the Netherlands often overshadow its extensive and complex history. The Amsterdam Museum serves to remedy that, documenting the development of the Dutch capital from original settlement to the modern metropolis we know today, exploring periods of nautical domination and ground-breaking progressiveness.

Easily the most visited historical site in Amsterdam, though, is the Anne Frank House, housing a museum dedicated to the victims of Nazi persecution within the very same canal house in which the family of the famous wartime diarist escaped German capture. Although the site now stands empty of most original furnishings, it remains a potent reflection of life during one of the darkest periods in recent European history.

Iconic Activities

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Although Amsterdam is largely famous for its iconic streets, squares and waterways, it also offers a variety of engaging activities for visitors of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re a family looking for a great day out or a couple with a taste for Dutch pilsners, there’s plenty on offer to keep your weekend trip jam-packed.

On the topic of Dutch pilsners, few have quite the same worldwide reach and rapport as Heineken. Those with an interest in the brand or Dutch beers in general are likely to find the Heineken Experience a real thrill. Visitors are offered a tour of the Heineken brewery along with insights into its entire production cycle, rounded off in style with a refreshing bottle of the beer at the heart of it all.

If you’re looking to explore the best sights in the city, there are few better ways to do so than atop its iconic canals. Various operators offer canal boat tours throughout the popular canal district, complemented by local insight into some of the city’s top attractions. Alternatively, a hop-on, hop-off boat tour offers much the same, with the added benefit of allowing you to get on and off at various points to better discover the areas that most interest you.

Something bound to offer families, couples and individuals alike a great day out is the ARTIS Royal Zoo. Combining a gorgeous botanical garden filled with endangered plant life with a vast zoological garden housing over 900 animals from all corners of the globe, the site is a great place to discover many of the wonders of the natural world, or simply sit down for a picnic and rest on a pleasant day.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Getting Around Amsterdam

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.
Robert Heaney
Amsterdam's Munttoren behind a canal
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Amsterdam in July

At the height of summer, Amsterdam in July positively oozes life and culture. Some of the largest crowds flock to the capital over the summer period to bask in the Dutch sun and explore the city’s cultural hubs, hedonistic pleasures and world-famous nightlife scene. So long as you’re prepared to put up with larger queues and busier streets, a trip in summer is sure to be a thrilling one. Visiting Amsterdam in July Average Temperature: 54 - 70°F • Average Rainfall: 12 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 6 hours/day It likely comes as little surprise that visiting Amsterdam in July – and just about anywhere else in Europe around this time – will land you amid one of the city’s most bustling periods. The Dutch capital positively brims with life throughout summer, as the waves of families and vacationers flock to see just what the country’s cultural center has to offer. Naturally, this comes at the cost of sharing the city with many more tourists than during the low season. Lines for attractions are likely to be longer, and accommodation rates will be at their highest. However, that also allows the nightlife scene to really come into its own, and the city as a whole will have a much more electric atmosphere. Your trip to Amsterdam in July will likely be complemented by overall mild to warm temperatures. While you aren’t guaranteed the same summertime heatwaves of more southern European destinations, July’s climate is prime weather for exploring the iconic streets and squares of the Dutch capital. That being said, it also wouldn’t be a terrible idea to pack an umbrella just in case. Things to Do in July No matter the time of year, any trip to Amsterdam would be incomplete without discovering at least some of its famous cultural hubs. Taking precedence is the emblematic Rijksmuseum towering over the Museumplein, housing a vast collection of renowned artworks and historical artifacts. Where historical insight is concerned, the Anne Frank House stands as the most potent recounting of life in the Netherlands during the Second World War. As a city with more bicycles than people, there are few better ways to explore Amsterdam than on your very own pair of wheels. Over 470 miles of cycle paths make up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, making for a fantastic excuse to take a more physically active approach to exploring the capital. Many bike rental stores offer daily rates somewhere in the region of €10. There’s no better time than summer to make the most of Amsterdam’s many sprawling green spaces. The weather in July offers a perfect opportunity to take a stroll among Vondelpark’s ancient trees and stunning lakes, and grab a seat at one of its many charming park cafés. Equally, why not have a picnic in Westerpark, make the most of its live summertime events and shows, or even catch a viewing at its very own arthouse cinema? Second only to cycling, Amsterdam’s emblematic waterways offer a uniquely alternative means of seeing the city. You can choose from a large variety of tour operators offering their own canal boat excursions, often including tours of the capital’s key landmarks accompanied by local insights into their cultural and historical significance. Amsterdam’s nightlife scene is never better than in summer, when you can expect most bars and clubs to be brimming with life. Popular venues can be found throughout the city, but as a general rule of thumb, the old area of Jordaan is typically very popular with young people for its trendy bars. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are particularly popular for their club offerings, while the street of Nes often attracts more of an intellectual theater crowd. Events in July Over Het IJ Festival Held on the waterfront of the River IJ in Amsterdam, the 10-day Over Het IJ Festival stands as a combined celebration of theater, art and culture. With the backdrop of Amsterdam’s iconic wharves, piers and shipping containers, the festival offers a variety of theatrical performances, visual arts and interactive installations for visitors to enjoy. The waterfront location allows for visitors to enjoy the festival’s jam-packed program of location-specific shows and activities while enjoying the best of the Dutch summertime weather. The event is publicly accessible for visitors to explore at their leisure, with a variety of delicious food stands and chill spaces scattered around the venue. Amsterdam Pride As the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, nobody knows how to celebrate Pride more than the Netherlands. Now a multi-day festival, Amsterdam’s Pride Festival typically attracts around half a million visitors each year in late July in celebration of equality, diversity and personal identity. Should you happen to visit around this time, you’ll find local bars and clubs veritably thriving with festivity. Various street parties and events bring together thousands of revelers dressed in the full color spectrum to enjoy live music performances and Amsterdam’s famous Canal Parade, during which over 80 official vessels celebrate the past, present and future of the LGBT community. Milkshake Festival Organized as a collaboration between two of Amsterdam’s most prominent clubs, Air and Paradiso, the Milkshake Festival is a multi-genre music event built around central themes of inclusion and freedom of expression. The event promotes diversity in every sense of the word, as thousands of music fans flock to enjoy the festival’s many different stages and performances in a safe, open environment. North Sea Jazz Festival The North Sea Jazz Festival is the world’s largest indoor music festival. Hosted in Rotterdam, just over an hour away from Amsterdam by train, the event takes place over three days and features performances from various music genres. Although primarily considered the world’s most important jazz festival, the festival also offers blues, funk, hip hop and world music performances from local and international names both big and small. As many as 70,000 visitors flock to Rotterdam each year to enjoy live music from over 1,000 musicians performing across 15 stages.
Robert Heaney

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