How to Spend Three Days in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Why You Should Visit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Amsterdam, and the Netherlands as a whole, are famous for many things—bikes, tulips, canals, the red light district, legal drugs… I could go on, but instead I’m going to tell you how to spend three days in Amsterdam to make the most of the vibrant city! Whether you love history and art museums, flowers, strolling through adorable European architecture, or want to party the night away, there’s something for everyone to do in Amsterdam.
What You Need to Know Before You Go to the Netherlands
Marken, Netherlands
General
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, with a metro population of approximately 2.5 million people. And I swear, there are more bikes than humans. The streets, especially close to the oldest parts of the city, are pure chaos. Keep your eyes and ears open while you’re out exploring so you don’t get hit. One of our tour guides told us people are injured more often from bikes than cars!
Starting in 2026, travelers to the Netherlands (and other EU member countries) will need to fill out the new ETIAS form.
Money
The currency in The Netherlands is the Euro (EUR). We paid with credit cards the entire time, and most places don’t accept cash at all.
Language
Dutch is the national language, though most people speak English and well. We had no issues communicating anywhere!
Safety
Amsterdam is safe, but parts of the city near the Red Light District can be sketchy. Alcohol, sex, drugs, all of them together can bring out certain sides in people, so if you go, especially later in the evening/night, just be aware of your surroundings.
Tips for Travelers with Anxiety in Amsterdam
Honestly, watch out for bicycles. And mopeds/scooters! They go SO FAST through the streets and give zero fucks for real. And even cars yield to bikes. So basically, bikes are king of the streets of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is busy. As you get closer to the oldest parts of the city especially. Between the cars, bikes, people who live there, masses of tourists, there aren’t many spots that aren’t crowded. If large crowds bother you, I’d definitely avoid peak travel months in the summer and opt for late fall trips or early spring. We went in June, so not quite the highest peak, and still we were having to wait to get a glimpse of the most popular art at the Rijksmuseum.
Amsterdam is not clean. This actually shocked me, given the city’s focus on green energy. I expected the streets to be pristine—save for the graffiti that covers so many buildings in Europe—and closer to what we found in Copenhagen. Instead, trash was everywhere. Cigarette butts, half torn open trash bags, boxes, plastic…and a lot of them ended up in the canals. Our cruise captain dipped a glass into the canal water and asked if anyone wanted to drink it, claiming that it was actually safe to consume. Spoiler art, no one was tempted. It wasn’t for a lack of trash cans either. The most litter was right beside them!
How to get to & around Amsterdam
library in the Rijksmusuem
Amsterdam has one international airport Schipol (AMS), which you’ll fly into. It’s about 30 minutes to one hour outside the city center, depending on traffic if you’re driving. It’s also possible to take public transport to the city center, which can be hit or miss. While we were there, there were news stories about massive delays, strikes, and more that would have made the route to and from the airport insanely difficult to navigate, even without our extra luggage.
We opted for an Uber on our first trip, which wasn’t bad price-wise, but on our second trip back to the airport, we took a taxi because it was 50 Euro versus 90 for an Uber. Check with your hotel on their prices, just so you have them to compare.
***Our time in Amsterdam was part of a longer trip to Africa. Check out my luxury Rwanda Safari post and combine the two itineraries for an epic, adventure-filled vacation!***
Otherwise, Amsterdam is very walkable, especially if you stay in the heart of the city, like in the Museum Quarter, Canal Ring, or Jordaan. Or live like the locals do and rent a bike to zip around the city!
When to Plan Your Three Day Amsterdam Trip
So, how should you spend three days in Amsterdam? Peak season is the summer, and while you’ll enjoy the nicest weather then, it will be far more crowded. You’ll likely have to wait in line for major attractions or book your tickets in advance. That’s why I always recommend shoulder season travel, especially if you have anxiety. But note for Amsterdam, there is a HUGE influx of tourists during April for the tulips.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
We stayed in one hotel on either side of our Rwanda Safari for two days: Leonardo Boutique Museum Hotel.
Leonardo Boutique Museum Hotel
The hotel is located in the Museum District, actually right next to the Rijksmuseum. So many restaurants (including ones with gluten free options!) are steps away. There’s also a lovely canal where you can catch a cruise, or have a coffee beside it at one of the many cafes. The location is perfect for spending three days in Amsterdam.
Rooms
Leonardo Boutique Museum Hotel offers a variety of rooms to suit your needs: Cozy Single, Cozy Double, Cozy Double Subterranean, Deluxe, or Cozy rooms with extra beds. We stayed in a subterranean room each time. One thing to note, these are TINY. When they sat cozy, they mean cozy. Our second room felt more spacious, because we could actually open one of our carry ons and leave it open. The bathroom barely fit one person, and we got water everywhere when we showered. And also accidentally set off the fire alarm, but that’s a different story… 😅
Amenities
On onsite restaurant offers food options for when you don’t feel like going out. While breakfast is not automatically included, you can pay extra for it. For the quality of the buffet, I recommend! Especially since many other breakfast restaurants don’t open until 8AM or later. So if you have to leave early for the airport, definitely grab breakfast there. They also have gluten free bread they can heat up for you!
Outside, there is a lovely garden. One night, we weren’t super hungry, so we grabbed some authentic cheese (more on that below), bread, pepperoni, and wine from the Albert Heijin, and had a little picnic. It was perfect for unwinding after a long day of sightseeing!
There’s also a bar if you just want to grab a quick drink inside too.
Extras
If you stay at Leonardo Boutique Hotel, they can arrange a taxi to and from the airport. It’s a fixed rate (approx 50 EUR at time of writing), which may or may not be cheaper than an Uber.
They also have bike rentals available!
Three Day Amsterdam Itinerary
Now, what you’ve been waiting for. How to spend three days in Amsterdam! There are so many things to do, it’s hard to pick. But we’re not huge museum people, so for us we opted to experience a variety of the city’s many offerings.
Day 1: Arrival, Dinner, Explore
Flower Market along a canal in Amsterdam
Depending on what time you arrive at Schipol airport, you may have more time to explore, so this day can be flexible. Also because who knows whether or not you’ll be able to sleep on your overnight flight? I’m here to tell you it’s totally okay to take it easy if you’re wiped out. That’s actually why we broke up our Rwanda Safari with a few days in Amsterdam on either side.
But anyway, you’re here for all the Amsterdam recs. So whether you arrive at 2PM (our first arrival) or 8AM (our second arrival), there is plenty for you to do. Once you’ve checked into your hotel or dropped off your luggage until you can, head out for your first meal—because we all know about airplane food.
If you stay at the Leonardo Museum Boutique Hotel, here are a few restaurant recommendations that have gluten free options:
Breakfast—Blushing, Pancake corner (the apple cinnamon pancake was delicious)
Lunch/Dinner—Pizzeria IL PALIO, Case de Sergio
But there are a ton of options if you type “gluten free” into Google Maps. You’re sure to find something close by!
Afterward, wander toward the Royal Palace. This route will guide you down many popular streets in Amsterdam with shopping, food, and more. Once you’ve arrived, attempt to take a picture without people crowding it. Or the pigeon man stealing the show. Yes, he’s always there, and there are always pigeons on his shoulders, at his feet, etc. It’s wild.
Honestly, no matter which way you stroll through the streets of Amsterdam, you’re sure to find picturesque canals, adorable houses, blooming flowers, and cute cafes. Don’t forget to stop at a cheese shop like Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, Amsterdam Cheese Company, or Henri Willig and grab some authentic Dutch cheese. You won’t regret it. Nor will you regret stopping for a stroopwafel (gluten free packages available at Melly’s by the Royal Palace), a traditional Dutch desert with syrup smashed between two waffles.
Day 2: Day Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken
Unfortunately for this one, the best way to see all the lovely small towns and windmills is with a group guided tour. We booked this the day before, so I’m not sure if there are small group tours available, but ours was a 30 person bus. And when we left, there were five or six other buses of similar size leaving too.
This day trip is one of the only ones available from Amsterdam, so I understand why it’s so busy/touristy. But I will say, it’s worth seeing if you can tolerate the large groups.
I highly recommend this tour because you get to experience so many fun aspects to Dutch culture! From cheese tasting (and omg is the cheese so good) to a wooden clog making demonstration, and adorable waterfront towns where you can have a relaxing lunch, the day trip is totally worth it.
Everything is included in the tour price except the cost of your lunch. We ate in Volendam at Thirty5, which had an absolutely delicious cod filet (GF!) with tartar sauce. My husband had a burger that looked delicious too.
This tour will take up most of your day, so when you return to Amsterdam, plan to have dinner along one of the canals in the city center and enjoy the rest of your evening!
Day 3: Rijksmusuem, Canal Tour
On your third full day in Amsterdam, plan to visit the Rijksmuseum and take a canal tour. The earlier you arrive at the museum, the better chance you’ll have at being able to stop and appreciate the works of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and more! While Starry Night isn’t there, you can still a Van Gogh self portrait (and even more at his museum just down the road). Night Watch is currently undergoing restoration too (which was fascinating to watch).
The downside is that all those popular pieces will have competition for a stolen moment viewing them. We ended up going around 3:30 one day, which only left us about 90 minutes to see the art, and it was packed. We didn’t make it through every floor in that time, which is why I think going first thing in the morning is probably better. If you want to tour every floor and every room, you probably need about three hours.
There’s also this stunning library you HAVE to see, especially if you’re a bibliophile like me.
Note that you can only buy tickets online, so purchase them on your phone before you go so you can breeze right in once you’re there.
Once you’ve wrapped up your tour of Dutch art throughout the centuries, wander around for lunch or a quick snack.
For a canal tour, you have plenty of options. There are many that you can walk right up to and hop on prior to their departure. Others you can book online to reserve a spot. The sunset ones are super popular, so if you want to cruise the canals at that time, I’d book that in advance. Many also come with wine and cheese tastings. Honestly your options for enjoying a canal cruise on your three days in Amsterdam are endless!
Other Things to Do with Three Days in Amsterdam
a quiet morning in the Red Light District
While we didn’t do any of these with our time in Amsterdam, they’re definitely on our list for the future.
Anne Frank House—Yes, this is the house in which she and her family hid, preserved after the end of WWII! These tickets are only online and sell out quickly. You definitely need to purchase beforehand. Check our their website for more details on how to book.
Van Gogh Museum—Learn about the famous artist’s life and see most of his masterpieces on display!
City Walking Tour—There are tons of these to suit every interest! Pick which one works best for you.
Red Light District—I’m pretty sure everyone who knows anything about Amsterdam knows about the sultry side of the city. We never managed to stay up late enough for the full experience, but this is the place to go to unleash your wild side.
Royal Palace Tour—This wasn’t available when we went because the Dutch Royal Family was in residence, but it’s possible to tour it at other times.
Final Thoughts on How to Spend Three Days in Amsterdam
Have I convinced you to spend three days in Amsterdam yet? With Schipol airport highly connected, it makes the perfect stopover destination! If you’re curious on how to book a stopover on your way to Africa, check out my favorite travel hack post!