A One Day Amsterdam Itinerary for First-Timers
Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and for good reason! This amazing city has something for everyone. If you're visiting Amsterdam for the first time, it can be hard to know what to do in one day. That's why I've put together this itinerary – so you can make the most of your time in Amsterdam!
People Watch in Vondelpark
Take a walk through one of Amsterdam's beautiful parks. Vondelpark is one of the city's most popular parks and is a great place to relax, or people watch. The park is also home to a number of events and festivals throughout the year. I really enjoyed spending an hour or so just walking around, grabbing a coffee, and people watching.
Walk Through the Hortus Botanicus
Hortus Botanicus is a botanical garden in Amsterdam. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and contains over 6,000 different species of plants. The garden was founded in 1638 by the city's mayor, Pieter van der Does, and is now a popular tourist attraction. Hortus Botanicus is also home to a research institute and a library, making it an important center for botanical study. This isn't a *must do*, but if you are looking to kill some time and are a plant nerd like me, you'll likely enjoy this older garden.
Get Artsy at The Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum in Amsterdam, located on the Museumplein. The museum is dedicated to arts, history, and culture. It has a collection of 1.5 million objects from the Dutch Golden Age, making it one of the largest museums in the world. The Rijksmuseum was founded in 1800 by order of King Louis Napoleon. The museum's first director was Wybrand Hendriks. The current director is Taco Dibbits.
Some of the most famous pieces in the Rijksmuseum's collection are Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer's Milkmaid. The museum also has a large collection of Asian art, including Buddhist sculptures and Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
This museum was so incredibly impressive. Even if you don't consider yourself a "museum person" – this is one museum that is absolutely worth a visit. I promise.
- In the afternoon, head to one of Amsterdam's world-famous museums. The Rijksmuseum is one of the most popular, and houses works by Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Visit the Anne Frank House
While visiting Amsterdam, be sure to set aside some time to visit the Anne Frank House. Through her diary, Anne Frank's story has touched people around the world and serves as a powerful reminder of the human costs of war and intolerance. As expected, tickets to visit her home fill up fast. Book in advance of your trip if possible.
You can also go on an Anne Frank Walking Tour.
Take a Canal Cruise
Taking a canal cruise is one of the best ways to see Amsterdam and its canals. There are many different companies that offer canal cruises, so it is easy to find one that fits your schedule and budget. Most canal cruises last about an hour, and include commentary from the captain about the history and architecture of Amsterdam. I visited Amsterdam around Christmas time, so their annual lights show was on display. I really enjoyed this because this particular light show focused on climate change. Plus, you got to sip some warm gluhwein throughout the cruise.
Revisit Art Class at the Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is one of the most popular museums in the Netherlands. It is located in the former home of the famous Dutch artist, Vincent van Gogh. The museum houses the largest collection of van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world.
If you're an art person you will have a field day. If you're like me and don't really understand art, you'll still have a nice time seeing many of the paintings you saw in art class in real life.
Treat Yourself at Wonderen Stroopwafels
If you want to try a delicious Dutch treat, be sure to get a stroopwaffle at van Wonderen Stroopwafels. These yummy snacks are made of two thin layers of baked dough with a sweet syrup filling in the middle. You can find them all over the Netherlands, but they're especially popular in Amsterdam. This stroopwaffle was absolutely heavenly. And, if you're planning on partaking in Amsterdam's most notrious tourist attraction, these craft stroops will come in handy. If you get my drift.
So next time you're in the city, be sure to stop by and try one (or two)!
Final Thoughts
All in all, Amsterdam is a great city to visit for a day trip. There are plenty of things to see and do, whether you're interested in art, history, or just want to try some delicious Dutch treats! Let me know what you would add to a one-day itinerary in the comments below.
