MORNING: Wander medieval streets
Oude Kerk (Old Church), Amsterdam’s oldest building.
While you’re in the area, consider stopping by the Museum Our Lord in the Attic, a 17th-century townhouse with a Catholic church tucked up on the top floor. This bizarre-yet-beloved hidden gem won’t take more than an hour to explore.
Travelers say: “This museum is inherently interesting and a relic of hidden Catholic Amsterdam, but it has been so carefully and thoughtfully curated that it becomes as much about the history of the space over time, the history of domestic life in Amsterdam, and the history of tolerance too. The tour is self-guided with an easy-to-use audio guide. We loved it.”
AFTERNOON: A busy Dam Square and a very quiet courtyard
Begin our day at the very busy Dam Square. take an hour to do the self-guided tour inside the massive Royal Palace, which lets us marvel at its opulent rooms stuffed with chandeliers and statues. The palace is still in use by the royal family, so it won’t hurt to check ahead to see if it’s open.
Make your way south on the pedestrian-only Kalverstraat. If the popular shopping street causes sensory overload, you’re in luck: Begijnhof, a quaint and peaceful medieval courtyard—one of the oldest in the city—offers a break from the retail bustle.
Cross over to Canal Ring and hit the Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), which has been selling tulips and other blooms since the mid-1800s. Plus, it’s a hot spot for inexpensive souvenirs. (wooden tulip, anyone?).
AMSTERDAM CITY CENTER TOUR OPTIONS
If aimless wandering stresses you out or you just can’t deal with maps, this 2.5-hour walking tour is a genuinely great intro to the medieval city center, giving background on major attractions and lesser-known sites.
This colorful four-hour walking tour, led by a local, introduces you to Amsterdammers, from a sex worker to a coffee shop owner. You’ll weave through the Red Light District and beyond, with stops in a coffee shop (the cannabis kind), microbrewery, and a brown cafe for a slice of Dutch apple pie.
Fact: You can cover a lot more terrain on wheels, as this three-hour Bike Tour of Amsterdam’s Highlights and Hidden Gems proves. It takes you pretty much everywhere, from the Canal Ring all the way to Vondelpark, with a stop in Begijnhof in the city center.
EVENING: Rijsttafeland live music
Now that you’ve pre-gamed with dessert, have dinner at Sampurna, a long-running Indonesian restaurant in the historic center. This is your chance to try a city staple—“rijsttafel,” a Dutch take on an Indonesian specialty. The slew of small seafood, meat, and veggie dishes is meant for sharing and balanced by a big plate of rice.
If you still have gas in the tank, it’s just a 10-minute walk or quick tram ride to lively Leidseplein. There are lots of after-hours options here, like The Waterhole Live Music Bar, which has all the good vibes necessary for a night out. Plus, Dutch drinks are flowing, including local beer brands like Bavaria and “jenever,” gin with a hint of juniper.