Travel & transfer: Arrival at Schiphol and train into the city
After landing, you take the train from Schiphol station to Centraal Station in around 15 minutes. From there, continue to the hotel.
Flughafen Amsterdam Schipholapprox. €6 pp
3 days · 24 stops
Amsterdam in 3 days
Three relaxed days in Amsterdam with a fixed base in the Canal Belt: arrival with a stroll through the Jordaan, a day for history and museums, and to finish, architecture, markets and Oost.
- Pace
- Balanced
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Season
- May
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Plan with your own wishesDay 1 · Amsterdam
Arrival and Jordaan stroll
Arrival at Schiphol Airport, check-in in the Canal Belt and a relaxed afternoon in the Jordaan with apple pie, a canal walk and dinner by the water.
11:00
11:45
20 min by public transport
12:05
12:35
Stay: Dropping off luggage at Hotel Estherea
15 min on foot
12:50
14:05
Lunch: Lunch at Café Thijssen
Cosy brown café in the Brouwersgracht area with broodjes and soups, a relaxed start. Backup: Café de Reiger.
Café Thijssenapprox. 15–€25 pp10 min on foot
14:15
15:15
Café: Apple pie at Winkel 43
The famous apple pie with cream at the Noordermarkt is simply a must in Amsterdam.
Winkel 43approx. 6–€10 ppIf the queue is long, sit at one of the tables outside on the square, where it is often quicker.
3 min on foot
15:30
16:15
Sightseeing: Noorderkerk and Noordermarkt square
8 min on foot
16:30
18:00
Sightseeing: Canal walk along Prinsengracht and Bloemgracht
15 min on foot
18:15
19:00
Break: Settle into the room and rest briefly
The room is ready now. Freshen up and catch your breath before dinner.
15 min on foot
19:15
21:00
Dinner: Dinner at De Reiger
Long-established Jordaan restaurant with Dutch-French cuisine and a lively atmosphere. Backup: Café Thijssen.
Café-Restaurant De Reigerapprox. 30–€45 ppReserve a table in advance, as it is usually full in the evening.
Day 2 · Amsterdam
Golden Age and history
A day in the Golden Age: the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House and the Oude Kerk, plus bitterballen at Papeneiland and dinner in the neighbourhood around the Oude Kerk.
08:45
09:45
Breakfast: Breakfast at Screaming Beans
Screaming Beansapprox. 10–€18 pp20 min by public transport
10:15
12:45
Sightseeing: Rijksmuseum and the masters of the Golden Age
Rembrandt's Night Watch, Vermeer and the Gallery of Honour show you Amsterdam's great era. Cuypers' architecture is worth seeing in itself.
Rijksmuseumapprox. 25–€28 ppBook timed-entry tickets online in advance, then you skip the queue at the entrance.
25 min by public transport
13:10
14:15
Lunch: Bitterballen at Café Het Papeneiland
One of the oldest brown cafés in the city, known for bitterballen and apple pie. Add an uitsmijter or a pea soup. Alternative: Foodhallen.
Café Het Papeneilandapprox. 15–€25 pp8 min on foot
14:30
16:00
Sightseeing: Anne Frank House
The secret annex where Anne Frank hid is a moving part of the city's history. The walk from the café is short.
Anne Frank Hausapprox. 16–€18 ppTickets are sold only online and are often gone weeks ahead; book early.
20 min on foot
16:20
17:15
Sightseeing: Oude Kerk in the Red Light District
Oude Kerkapprox. €14 pp10 min on foot
17:30
18:15
Drinks: Beer at Café de Dokter
Tiny brown café dating from 1798 in a side street, a charming nightcap after the church.
Café de Dokterapprox. 8–€14 pp15 min on foot
18:45
20:30
Dinner: Dutch cuisine at Restaurant Greetje
Modern Dutch cuisine with seasonal ingredients, fitting the theme of the day. Alternative: Restaurant Moeders.
Restaurant Greetjeapprox. 38–€55 ppReserve beforehand on Friday evening.
Day 3 · Amsterdam
Architecture, markets and departure
Last day in Amsterdam: architecture and maritime history at the Oosterdok, botany in the Plantage, market bustle at Nieuwmarkt, then departure for Schiphol Airport.
08:30
09:30
Breakfast: Breakfast at Hartog's Volkoren
Bakkerij Mediterranean Bakery Hartog'sapprox. 6–€10 pp15 min by public transport
09:45
10:00
Stay: Check-out and luggage at Hotel Estherea
Pop back to the hotel, check out and leave your luggage in storage so you can explore unburdened.
25 min by public transport
10:25
12:15
Sightseeing: Het Scheepvaartmuseum at the Oosterdok
Het Scheepvaartmuseumapprox. 20–€24 ppBook tickets online in advance, then you skip the queue.
15 min on foot
12:30
13:30
Lunch: Lunch at Restaurant De Plantage
Restaurant De Plantageapprox. 22–€35 pp4 min on foot
13:45
15:00
Sightseeing: Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world with historic greenhouses, perfect for a quiet break in May.
Hortus Botanicusapprox. 14–€16 pp15 min on foot
15:20
16:00
Café: Coffee and cake at Café Brandon
Cosy neighbourhood café near Nieuwmarkt, where locals take a break over coffee and cake.
Café Brandonapprox. 6–€10 pp2 min on foot
16:05
16:50
Sightseeing: Nieuwmarkt with the Waag
15 min by public transport
17:05
17:35
Travel & transfer: Pick up your luggage at Hotel Estherea
Collect your backpack and suitcase and head straight on to the station.
15 min by train
17:50
Travel & transfer: Train to Schiphol Airport
Direct train from Centraal to Schiphol, about 15 minutes, every few minutes. Allow plenty of buffer time for check-in.
Amsterdam Centraal nach Flughafen Schipholapprox. €6 pp
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FAQ
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Two to three days are enough for the highlights, museums and canals. With four days you have time for trips to places like Haarlem or Zaandam and a more relaxed pace.
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in?
For most visitors, Jordaan and the Museumkwartier are the best choice because they are central and pleasant. De Pijp suits you if you like heading out to bars and restaurants in the evening.
Is Amsterdam expensive?
Yes, hotels in particular are pricey compared with many other European cities. With supermarkets, markets and lots of walking, though, you can keep your budget in check.