Amsterdam is a vibrant and diverse city offering something to suit everyone from coffee shops and bars to museums and galleries. The city is beautiful and the famous Amsterdam canals weave their way through the city making way for boats to navigate their way through. Bridges are everywhere die to the canals and make for the perfect place to marvel at the canals or take the postcard Amsterdam photo.

The whole city in a UNESCO heritage site due to the famous canals and winding streets.

Loads of the roads in Amsterdam are car free and walking and biking is the dutch way of life. As you explore the city you will see peddle bike after bike whizzing thorough the city or perched up against a building.

We have visited Amsterdam so many times and never get bored.

Amsterdam’s best attractions

A’dam lookout and swing

The A’dam lookout is an observatory deck offering 360 degree views over Amsterdam. The deck is at the top of the A’dam tower over 20 stories up. The view from the top stretches out across the whole city in different directions.

For adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers the observation deck in also home to the A’dam swing. The swing swings you off of the edge of the tower allowing you to get the view of Amsterdam from another perspective.

Cruise the canals

Walk, ride or take a boat around the city and cruise by the famous Amsterdam canals. On a sunny day the canals are packed full of boats full of friends and families enjoying the canals.

In the winter some of the canals are turned into ice rinks when the water freezes.

There is always something to explore at the canals.  

Visit Anne Frank’s house

This is a truly eerie experience, however a must to understand dutch culture today and how the city has turned into an equality hb that welcomes all.

Inside the Anne Frank house you will learn about the life of Anne Frank and the Frank family both before and after they went into hiding.

True objects that were used by the Frank family can still be found as well as entries from Anne’s book which really allow her to tell her own story.

Visiting the Anne Frank house allows you to see life as a jew back in old Amsterdam.

Buying your tickets in advance is absolutely essential as the queue can be exceptionally long and tickets sell out months in advance.

Visit Brouwerij IJ windmill bar

Windmills are a true part of Amsterdam’s history and equally absolutely beautiful to marvel at. Mix that together with a traditional Amsterdam beer bar and you have Brouwerij IJ windmill bar.

Sit outside to marvel at the windmill and taste the beers. Beer tasting platters are on offer.

Keukenhoff flower show

Be there at the right time during the Spring to get tickets to Keukenhoff flower show. You can explore all of the flowers and tulips blooming this year alongside the traditional Dutch shops and restaurants for a lovely day out.

The flower show is also home to another windmill offering you the opportunity to climb to the top for views over the flower show and surrounding flower fields.

The surrounding fields are full of colour when they are a bloom and make for the perfect place to snap a photo.

The Amsterdam sign

Be a true tourist at the Amsterdam sign. Previously located within the city centre the Amsterdam sign has recently moved to the airport. 

De Zaanse Schans

For a true Dutch experience head slightly outside of the city to visit De Zane Schans. Up to 8 windmills can be seen in this open air museum some of them still in full working order and some offering glimpses into their old trades such as making mustard and oil.

Several of the windmills allow you to climb to the top for views over the surrounding areas and views of the other windmills.

An information centre is also there to give you the history of windmills.

The windmills are located about 30 minutes out of central Amsterdam and can be reached by train, car or as part of a day trip.

People watch at the red light district

Some may find this a little seedy, however it is arguably a true part of Amsterdam’s history. There is no need to get involved with the legalised prostetution but instead head to a bar nearby and people watch for a great experience.

The whole of the red light district is packed full of sex shows, peep shows and sex museums to keep you entertained.

Visit a bar or coffee shop

Amsterdam is packed full of excellent bars and restaurants that will light up the foodie in you. Bars are always busy in Amsterdam including our favourite which claims to be the oldest bar in Amsterdam.

Coffee shops with an Instagrammable themes are also all the rage and the perfect place to enjoy your morning.

Coffee shops that also sell weed can be found across Amsterdam as the sale of marijuwana is legal in Amsterdam. Coffee shops sell splits and cakes infused with weed depending on your taste.

Heineken museum

Heineken is the beer of Amsterdam and the brewery is located right in the city centre. Watch in awe as the animation and guides detail exactly how the beer across all steps.

Fun games are planned throughout the tour and you can have a g at mixing your own beer and peddling bikes on the animated games.

At the end of the tour you are taught how to drink a beer properly to maximise your enjoyment and then get the opportunity to sample a free beer included in your ticket.

Visit the Gashourder

Music and techno lovers at heart should undoubtedly visit the Gashourder for an Awakenings or ADE special. Throughout the year several out of this world music events are planned and this is one of the best venue’s due to the sound system, space and light shows on offer.

World class DJ’s from around the world grace the stage of this arena. 

Visit the floating flower market

Step off of the side walk and onto the floating flower market on the edge of the Amsterdam canals. All kinds of varieties of tulips are sold including seeds, bulbs, toys and ornaments to make for the perfect gift for anyone.

The tulip is the flower of Amsterdam and the floating market allows you to see them in all it’s glory inside the city centre.

Foodhallen food market

Visit Foodhallen food market to dine amongst the locals with in this inside food market. The best street food in Amsterdam is on offer here and offer everything from local delicacies to burgers, tacos and tapas.

Local fresh produce is used and the market hall is packed full of atmosphere.

A bar is also located inside for local beers and wines.

Rent a bike

The way to get around Amsterdam is undoubtedly by bike. Bikes allow you to act as a local and also miss out on the busy Amsterdam traffic. Many small roads do not allow cars and this way you can weave in and out of small alleyways and streets.

Molen Van Stolen

Amsterdam’s only fully functioning and operational windmill that is still open for visitors and remains unmoved. The windmill pumps excess water from he nearby lake and tickets can be purchased to step inside to see the windmill in action.