A 48-Hour Itinerary To Amsterdam You’re Going To Love!
Amsterdam; the multi-culty capital of The Netherlands and my home away from home for the past 15 years. Amsterdam is one of the trendiest cities to visit these days. It is colorful and filled with charm and unique character. The coolest thing about Amsterdam is that you can enjoy its big city appeal in a cozy small town way. It is like a big village really! Here you will feel the true meaning of relaxing.
Amsterdam is famous for its 165 canals, 1,200 bridges, beautiful cobblestone streets, palaces, old old stunning architecture, as well as coffee shops, and the red light district. It's one big exciting package to explore! Amsterdam has also become culinary heaven in recent years.
Having just 48 hours to spend in Amsterdam isn’t very long considering all the city has to offer. Museums, art, history, food, fashion, and sightseeing. I have created this itinerary for you so you can enjoy your visit here to the MAX!
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Rokin, Amsterdam
Practical Information For Amsterdam
Best Time To Visit The Netherlands
The best time to visit is from May through to September. The weather here changes quite rapidly, some days you can have two seasons within a few hours, from May to September is a safer bet so to speak weather-wise. April and October, for example, can be fabulous too, however, it can also be rainy and gray, there's no way to really know in advance.
How To Get Around Amsterdam
Bike around ~ Amsterdam is easy to explore, it’s small and very accessible. A great way to explore is by biking your way around. A word to the wise ~ Please be careful! The locals ride their bikes like no one else you have ever encountered! They have I’m sorry to say zero tolerance for tourists on bikes. Red light doesn't always mean they will stop so watch out.
Pro Tip ~ Are you renting a bike? Make sure you lock your bike whenever you park them even for a short time, trust me!
Public transportation ~ This is a good way to go. There are trams, buses, and subways connecting all parts of the city. Public transport runs very frequently, it is prompt and cheap. If you plan on using public transport throughout your stay it will be wise to buy a day card for 24, 48, or 72 hours. One card valid for one hour will cost you 3.20 euros while a day card valid for all forms of public transport, will cost you 7.50 euros.
On foot ~ Wandering the streets on foot is always a great choice. It is the best way to get the feel of the place, find hidden gems, and interact with locals.
A typical sight in Amsterdam, bikes whereever you look!
Best Areas And Hotels To Stay In Amsterdam
Great neighborhoods in Amsterdam to stay at are Museumplein, Utrechesstraat, around Waterlooplein, and de Pijp. They are quite central, everything is within easy access to you, and they offer a nice buzz & atmosphere. Some prefer the area of Central station & the red light district, these areas are very busy and noisy, and after dark, the second might not be everyone's cup of tea.
There are many MANY options as far as accommodations go. There is something for every budget and style. Booking.com is my go-to site as far as hotels go.
Before you start your search for your accommodation read this post ~
A list of the best hotels in Amsterdam!
Check, compare and book your hotel directly using the search bar below
Bonus Travel Tips For First Time Visitors
Amsterdam has many wonderful museums, the majority are big and time-consuming so if you only have two days you’ll have to pick well! I would recommend these three as a MUST: The Anne Frank House.
Moco: Showing expos by Banksy, Warhol, and Dali.
One master, the Van Gogh museum.
Tickets to the different attractions and activities in Amsterdam are best bought online. Now that Corona restrictions are still a thing, it has become a must. You can not buy a ticket at the door. If you don’t want to be turned away, arrange your visit beforehand!
For Discounts And Special Offers Book Your Tickets Here
Most restaurants, especially during weekends, require a reservation. Walk-ins are not always possible as weekends tend to be very busy. Many restaurants will be closed on Mondays.
Have an early start to your day.
Purchase a local sim card for your phone.
So where should you start? What can you absolutely not miss? Let’s GO!
A 48-Hour Itinerary To Amsterdam
Day 1
Start your day off with a walk in Vondel park; our (mini) version of Central Park. A green lung in the heart of the city; trees, grass, water, and ducks, all come with a very calming effect. During spring and summer, the park is buzzing! It’s where the locals jog, hang out with their friends, relax on the grass and water’s edge, sunbathe, and have picnics.
You can have an enjoyable breakfast or a coffee break in the park at the Vondelpark3 restaurant which offers views of the park from a huge and gorgeous terrace. Another option is to stop by ‘Joe & the juice’ for a yummy smoothie and a sandwich.
The courtyard of Moco Museum in Amsterdam
The next stop is The Museum Quarter. Please don’t be disappointed but the very famous sign of ‘I AMSTERDAM’ has been taken away recently to another part of the city. In this area you will find the majority of the museums, it’s time to take your pick. The biggest and possibly the most popular is the Rijks museum You will need at least five to six hours if not a whole day to explore this museum as it is HUGE!
Both The Stedelijk and Van Gogh museum will take you about two hours to explore.
Moco is a boutique museum with a wide range of modern and contemporary art, it takes about an hour to complete a tour around.
Pro TIP ~ Arrange your tickets to the museums of your choice in advance! If not, you’ll find yourself standing in line for what will seem like eternity...
Time for lunch! In general, aim to avoid restaurants & cafes inside the museums or busy touristic squares as you’ll end up paying more for the same. As far as food and drinks go, the options are endless! Amsterdam is one culinary party!
Breakfast And Lunch Addresses You’ll love!
Lebanese cuisine in Amsterdam
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the area
Have lunch where calories don’t count and the food is to die for ~ The Corner Bakery The menu includes healthy options as well as freak shakes and beautiful pancakes.
MOMO ~ A stylish hotspot in the Park Hotel offering Asian dishes.
Fenicie ~ Lebanese cuisine, done so well!
For the sushi lovers: SUMO has an ‘All you can eat’ concept, delicious! They feature a large menu to choose from including meat, fish, seafood, and noodles, it's great value for money.
For sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, burgers and finger food check out Café in the city
From here continue to the famous P.C Hoofdstraat; this is our version of Rodeo Drive so if you have exclusive shopping on your mind, this is the place. Continue walking toward Leidse Square & the Leidsestraat which will take you into the center of the city.
Walk through the flower market and turn right towards Rembrandts Square. On sunny days, the terraces, as well as the grass, are packed with people enjoying the sunshine.
Cocktails in Amsterdam
Continue straight ahead and cross over the Blue Bridge. This bridge has the most beautiful views of them all! You can see the Skinny Bridge and the Amstel River on the one side, and typical Dutch architecture on the other. Spectacular views indeed!
There are many markets in Amsterdam, my personal favorite and most authentic in my view is Waterloo Square market, about 5 minutes walk from the bridge, behind City Hall. There are many treasures to be found here. You can have a walk around in the Plantage neighborhood and what was the Jewish Quarter before the horrors of World War II hit.
Wandering around the city has given you I'm sure a serious appetite for food as well as a cold beer or a beautiful cocktail. Am I right?
It’s Dinner O’clock! Enjoy A Meal In One Of These Hotspots
Dinner in one of the many hotspots Amsterdam has to offer.
For Italian food lovers, there are so many great restaurants to choose from! At the top ~ Impero Romano
The White Room in the Krasnapolsky Hotel; where the design of the space, as well as the food, will blow you away!
SATCHMO is a new, modern restaurant and cocktail bar accompanied by live jazz music.
Miss Moneypenny is about shared dining inspired by street food from around the world.
Mr. Porter ~ The Duchess are both beautifully designed and the food is divine.
If you feel like something quick and low key the go to the recently opened in Magna Plaza Food Department. The top floor has been transformed into small restaurants and bars, showcasing food from around the world. From poke bowls to Chinese delights, burgers, and Greek food to seafood and Israeli bites.
Cool Bars To Enjoy Drinks In Amsterdam
Law and Order Bar
The Tailor
Super Lyn
The top floor of the W hotel
The Sky Lounge at the Hilton Hotel
The Pulitzer bar
The legendary Door 74
Hiding in Plain Sight
Day Two
Let’s start today in the 9 streets. This neighborhood is pretty filled with vintage and unique designer shops, specialty stores, and cozy cafés to enjoy. I recommend breakfast or a coffee & treat break here.
From here you can continue to Anne Frank’s House if you've planned a visit here. Don’t forget to arrange your tickets well in advance! The house is very narrow so the amount of people allowed in at any given time is limited, not to mention the lines for tickets are crazy!
Continue ahead and stroll through the nearby Jordaan; picturesque and colorful streets along the canals, offering artsy vibes and modern art galleries to peek through. What started originally as a working-class/emigrants area has become one of the most expensive and upscale neighborhoods in the country.
Views from the Blue Bridge in Amsterdam
Lunch Options In The Area
Gs ~ Don’t miss out on their Bloody Mary!
Moeders ~ Traditional Dutch cuisine in an atmosphere & space that looks more like a living room than a restaurant.
For the steak lovers: Black and Blue or Venus & Adonis.
Another option to consider is having High Tea at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel ~ very luxurious indeed!
The Jordaan, Amsterdam
Afternoons are perfect for taking a cruise, granted it is a very touristy thing to do, Amsterdam from the water is so different from what you see on land. It takes about 45 minutes and I highly recommend it! You can walk to the iconic Dam Square and the Royal Palace, walk 5 minutes further towards the central station and you'll find many cruise stations.
Take the ferry from behind the central station (it’s free) to the other side of the water called Amsterdam Noord. Go up the ADAM Tower ~ Spectacular views, restaurants, and one major attraction await you~ The swing on the edge of the 22 floors, 100 meters up! Not for the faint-hearted, after all, it’s the highest swing in Europe!
The swing on the ADAM Tower
Have Dinner Overlooking The City
If you choose to return to the city to spend the evening in town, spend it in the De Pijp neighborhood, a very popular and trendy area of the city.
There are many hotspots this side of town, here a few favorites frequented by locals
And so, all good things must come to an end, I hope this made your stay in Amsterdam a great one!
The view from the Blue Bridge
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me! You can email me at fromadifferentangle@gmail.com
Before you go, follow me on social for travel guides and tips ~ @mytrendytrail
Yours,
Diti.