Amsterdam in 3 days – Ultimate Itinerary

Amsterdam is a classic tourist destination in Europe, the capital of the Netherland is a must-visit for everyone who is looking for a weekend gateway in Europe or to complete a European trip.
If you are looking for ideas on how to visit Amsterdam in 3 days, this travel blog is written especially for first-time visitors.
Three days in Amsterdam is a good number of days to visit the most popular attractions and also to head out of town for a day trip. (I will give you some options at the end of the blog.) 

How to get around in Amsterdam:

Starting your trip from the airport, you can go to the city center using public transportation, bus or train. Mind that to use the transportation from the public to the city center any special offer for transport in Amsterdam is not valid, you will definitely need to buy a separate ticket.
Once you head to the city center you can purchase a travel card for 3 days which costs around 28 euros. (This was the way I chose.)
Also, another way is to buy the Iamsterdam City Card, you will have free usage of public transportation also free admission to almost all the museums in the city! best way to visit Amsterdam in 3 days.

Amsterdam in 3 days – Day 1

1. Gingerbread Houses

Once you leave the central station, straight down you will see the Gingerbread Houses, one of the most iconic attractions of Amsterdam. Here’s also the starting point of many boat tours. Take a boat tour or head down to Nieuwebrugsteeg Street for more stunning architecture, so, this way you will check out a lot of wonderful buildings around the city. 

2. Aerial View from Oude Kerk

Located in the Red Light District, this point offers a great view of the city. For a better experience, you have to climb to the top of the tower for a 12 euros fee or free if you have Iamsterdam Citycardard.

3. Dam Square

Located in the heart of the city, it’s the most famous square of Amsterdam and home to the Royal Palace, National Museum, and New Church. This square will connect you with the most famous shopping streets and also here you can find the best coffees and restaurants.

4. Mount Tower

Munt Tower is where the coins are made and is definitely worth your attention.

5. Flower Market

Are you looking for some unique souvenirs, well, then in the Flower Marked you will have the possibility to choose between thousands of different types of flowers, who wouldn’t love a unique tulip-seed flower for example?

6. Rembrandt Square

Walking away from the Flower Market, once you see the Rembrandt statue, you are in the right way. The square is surrounded by cafes and shops, and why not you can choose one to take a short break and try the local beer before your last activity of the day.

7. Canal Cruise

Sunset is the perfect time to enjoy the Canal Boat Tour. Regardless of the season, I assure you of the stunning views during this boat tour. I suggest you spend some money and take a small boat tour and not a big one, with an open boat (not a closed one) for a better experience.

Amsterdam in 3 days – Day 2

1. Rent a bike

You will not leave Amsterdam without renting a bike, won’t you? Probably the most bike-friendly city in the world, Amsterdam is well known as the cycling capital of the world. There are more bikes than persons in Amsterdam, so you will experience how is to ride a bike in this city. Certainly this way, you will discover more hidden gems and will have a wonderful experience around the city.
Attention! Keep on the right and don’t stop in the middle of the road, also pay attention to the tourists as the city often can be very overcrowded.

2. Museumplein

Considering as the city’s biggest museum, you should take a bike ride in this museum.

3. Rijksmuseum

Where art and history meet together. The perfect place to spend quality time, and at least 3 hours enjoying all the collections this museum has to offer. One special thing about this museum is that you can pass by foot or by bike inside the museum.

4. Van Gogh Museum

Heading out the Rijksmuseum, firstly you will see a stunning garden with tulip vases. After taking all the pictures, walk a little more and you will see the other most famous museum I want to suggest to you: Van Gogh Museum. One thing I want to suggest to you is to avoid the midday hours visiting this museum as it can be very crowded.

5. Anne Frank House

Everyone knows the story of Anne Frank so a visit to the iconic Anne Frank House, especially if you have read the Diary of Anne Frank, is a must. Make sure to book the tickets in advance (sometimes the tickets are sold out even 2 months before, so pay attention to that) and to check the opening hours so as not to miss this must-do visit.

6. Other suggestions:

For the rest of the day, I will suggest you visit one more museum according to your preferences, as Amsterdam has A LOT of museums and is impossible to visit them all, so choose wisely which of them you want to spend the time for your first time in Amsterdam.

Also Before leaving Amsterdam, I will suggest two main things you have to try:
Eat the most famous fries in Amsterdam
Eat a stroopwafel

7. The red light district

You can’t leave Amsterdam without a visit to the Red Light District. Make your experience unique by visiting the neighborhood that the whole world is talking about.
Wandering the canal rings along the Red Light District by night is totally an experience itself

Amsterdam in 3 days – Day 3

For the last day in Amsterdam, I highly suggest you take a day trip. Here are my top suggestions:

1. Keukenhof

Main things to see:

Keukenhof Gardens – Known as The Garden of Europe, this is the world’s largest flower garden. If you are going to visit Amsterdam, Keukenhof Gardens are a must.

Keukenhof Castle – If you want to add one more detail to your trip to Keukenhof, don’t miss the Keukenhof Castle. It is slightly shaded by the Keukenhof Garden, but trust me, it’s totally worth a visit.

How to reach Keukenhof Garden from Amsterdam:

The easiest way is to take the bus 858 from the airport. You can go from Amsterdam city center to the airport by train (the cheapest way) or by bus. Then go to terminal 4, in the exit you will find bus 858 easily noticeable by the tulips design on it.

The roundtrip ticket for the adults plus the skip-the-line ticket for Keukenhof Gardens cost 14.5 euros. The ticket can be purchased at the departure location and this bus line starts at 07:45 and runs 6 times per hour.

This is a direct transfer and will take you about 30 minutes to the main entrance of Keukenhof Gardens.

How to reach Keukenhof Castle from Keukenhof Gardens:

You can reach Keukenhof Castle by renting a bike (the best way) and also by foot, it’s only 30 minutes walk from the main entrance of the Keukenhof Gardens.

2. Zaanse Schans

If you want to get a fuller taste of The Netherlands, then visit the countryside and windmills. Zaanse Schans is the perfect place to meet those criteria in one place. 

This small town is totally worth a visit. Is considered the home of some historic windmills but also gets its charm from the little greenhouses, another characteristic of this village. The best way to visit Zaanse Schans is by bicycle, but also by sailing is also a nice alternative.
Make sure to save some time for this little and cute town, and don’t forget to stop along the way and take pictures.

How to reach Zaanse Schans:

Zaanse Schans is a neighbourhood of Zaandam, located in north Amsterdam only 40 min away. You can reach it by bus 391 or by train. Two economics way.

On the same day trip also you can also visit Inntel Hotels, reach by train in only 12 minutes away from Amsterdam. You can stop there on the way back to Amsterdam.

Inntel Hotels

Inspired by the traditional houses of the Zaan region, this is also an iconic place you shouldn’t miss when you are visiting Amsterdam.

Also, I want to highlight some NOT TO DO in Amsterdam:

Don’t take photos or make videos of the girls in the Red Light district.
You must not smoke drugs outside a coffee shop and mind to not mistake coffee shops for cafes.
Don’t buy drugs from street dealers.
Everybody knows they shouldn’t accept drinks from strangers, this is valid even more in Amsterdam.
Don’t get drunk, you could fall into a canal or even worse.
Most important: Don’t book only 3 days in Amsterdam. Make sure to do at least two-day trips. Keukenhof Gardens and Zaandam Village are a must.