What to do in Amsterdam for a weekend
If you're planning a short trip and you're worried about how to cram everything in and make the most of your limited time in Amsterdam, rest assured. We've done the homework for you and laid out our top options for day plans, nightlife, and opportunistic last-minute experiences to give you an idea of how many days to spend in Amsterdam to cover the top attractions.
Day 1: Taste Amsterdam’s bitterballen
To start with, we'd highly recommend kicking off by experiencing some local food if you travel to Amsterdam. If you’re on the go, then it’s hard to beat the crispy meatball treat called bitterballen. Fried and enjoyed with spicy mustard, these have the perfect kick to get you on your journey. Vegetarians can also keep an eye out for patat, a regional take on fries served with ketchup, curry sauce, and chopped white onion.
With some food in your belly, it's time to recharge and savour the sights with a bike ride. Amsterdamse Bos, Hortus Botanicus, Sarphatipark, and Vondelpark are just a few examples of the many beautiful parks to enjoy.
Day 2: Explore De Pijp
With a full second day ahead of you, check out some of Amsterdam’s famous museums and cultural sites. No matter the season, there are always plenty of exhibitions going on. Whether you're going with a guided tour or travelling by your own compass, it’s best to plan out your route and sites ahead of time so you don’t miss out.
If you’re after a broader taste of Amsterdam’s food potential, then De Pijp offers many fantastic restaurants and cafes. De Pijp is set around the Albert Cuyp Market, which first opened in 1905 and has been going strong ever since. Those looking for an amazing flea market can also check out Waterlooplein, an atmospheric bazaar and the perfect place to pick up a memento with some history.
As the sun sets, three popular choices stand among the best for nightlife. These include the Jordaan district, Rembrandtplein, and Dam Square. Offering everything from party culture to relaxed nightcaps, keep these places in mind and you'll be set.
Day 3: See the views from the A’Dam Tower
If you haven’t already, a cruise down the canals can be a great way to sign off on your Amsterdam experience. For a view of the city, the A’Dam Tower also offers spectacular sights, where the daring can swing out over the edge. Whatever strikes you, just remember to keep an eye on the clock, as it's easy to get caught up and risk missing your flight!
In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in Amsterdam and travel the open road.
FAQs on travelling to Amsterdam
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
To request assistance for children travelling alone, you should contact the airline you booked with. Policies between airlines can be quite different, so be sure that child travelling assistance is available on the airline website before completing the purchase process.
How can I travel with an assistance dog?
To travel with an assistance dog, you should first check airline policy before booking. If the airline allows support animals, you should enquire further with their support systems via phone or online messaging. The links will be available on the airline's website.
How do I find cheap flights to Amsterdam that have flexible change policies at Opodo?
Our search function at Opodo features a tab that can be pressed to sort flights by cost. Once on this page, click or press on a flight you're interested in to be brought to the details page. This page will display the types of fares and the different Flex plans available to check and change the different levels of policy change availability.
How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo in my destination city?
The search function at Opodo features a tab that includes both flight and hotel booking in a straightforward package. Using this feature will help you figure out where is best to stay in Amsterdam by showing accommodation results which can be sorted by cost, before heading on to choose your tickets and finalise bookings.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
Heavy baggage and items of larger sizes too big to be placed in overhead storage will need to be checked in on flights. The limits of these sizes and weights will vary per airline and can be checked on airline policy websites.
How can I check in with Opodo?
Opodo provides itineraries to be printed out so travellers can check in at the airport. We also offer online check-in with supported airlines like Ryanair, British Airways, Vueling, easyJet, Lufthansa, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Emirates, and Jet2.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from my departure city to Amsterdam?
This will depend on the ticket you booked. Flexible fares tend to be more expensive but offer lower cancellation fees. Cheaper tickets tend to include higher cancellation costs.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
Flights booked from Opodo are open to compensation if the flight arrived at the final destination at the last 3 hours behind schedule, and if the reason for the delay was the fault of the airline.
Airport code
AMS
The IATA code for the arrival airport on flights to Amsterdam is AMS
Most popular airline
Easyjet
Most popular airline with flights to Amsterdam
High season
August
According to search data from our customers, August is the busiest time to fly to Amsterdam
Low season
January
According to search data from our customers, January is the least busy time to fly to Amsterdam
All you need to know about Amsterdam
