Amsterdam in 5 Days: The Rijksmuseum, the Canals and the Jordaan
Begijnhof · The Anne Frank House · Amsterdam Boat Trips · Rijksmuseum · Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam · A'DAM Lookout
5-day Amsterdam itinerary. Day-by-day route, attractions and food.
Amsterdam provides a sharper, more pragmatic architectural history than Venice. While Venice relies on grand, sinking stone, Amsterdam reveals its character through dense, narrow brick houses and a deliberate engineering of water. This five-day plan prioritizes that evolution, moving from the Golden Age ring to the glass-and-steel industrialism of the IJ. It is built for travelers who prefer urban design and layered history over, preserved-in-amber aesthetic experiences.
Begijnhof
Day 1 · Historic Neighborhood Walks
Rijksmuseum
Day 2 · World Class Museums and Art Galleries
A'DAM Lookout
Day 2 · A Modern Architecture and Design Tour
Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
Day 2 · A Hidden Urban Nature Retreat
Brouwerij 't IJ
Day 3 · A Craft Beer and Dutch Distillery Experience
Paradiso
Day 4 · A Live Jazz and Independent Music Venue Crawl
Amsterdam Boat Trips
Day 1 · Canal Cruises and Waterways
Pick travel dates to see the weather for your month.
Amsterdam is cool and often damp, so pack a sturdy rain jacket regardless of the season. Mid-summer provides the longest days for exploring the canals, but the shoulder months are best if you want to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Best time to go: May through September
The whole year
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F / 7°C (cold) | 36°F / 2°C (cold) | 11 | 8:43 AM – 4:56 PM |
| Feb | 46°F / 8°C (cold) | 36°F / 2°C (cold) | 10 | 7:56 AM – 5:53 PM |
| Mar | 51°F / 10°C | 37°F / 3°C (cold) | 9 | 6:55 AM – 6:44 PM |
| Apr | 58°F / 14°C | 41°F / 5°C (cold) | 8 | 6:43 AM – 8:38 PM |
| May | 64°F / 18°C | 47°F / 8°C (cold) | 9 | 5:45 AM – 9:29 PM |
| Jun | 71°F / 22°C | 54°F / 12°C | 10 | 5:18 AM – 10:04 PM |
| Jul | 74°F / 23°C | 56°F / 14°C | 10 | 5:36 AM – 9:55 PM |
| Aug | 74°F / 23°C | 56°F / 13°C | 10 | 6:23 AM – 9:05 PM |
| Sep | 68°F / 20°C | 52°F / 11°C | 9 | 7:14 AM – 7:55 PM |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 47°F / 8°C (cold) | 10 | 8:05 AM – 6:45 PM |
| Nov | 51°F / 11°C | 41°F / 5°C (cold) | 10 | 8:01 AM – 4:47 PM |
| Dec | 47°F / 8°C (cold) | 39°F / 4°C (cold) | 11 | 8:44 AM – 4:26 PM |
- Morning
8:00 AM - Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)· 1 hr 30 min
USD 6 (~EUR 5)
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). (CC BY-SA 4.0)Arrive at Schiphol. Take the train from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal (20 min, 6 EUR) for a direct connection to the historic city center.
- Afternoon
12:00 PM - Lunch: Patatje Oorlog in Binnenstad· 1 hr
USD 8 (~EUR 7)Iconic dish
www.snack-nieuws.nl (CC BY 2.0)Try this iconic Dutch street food at a nearby stand near the canal rings.
Typical USD 4-8 (~EUR 4-7)
- Evening
7:30 PM - Dinner: Stamppot in Jordaan· 1 hr 30 min
USD 25 (~EUR 22)Iconic dish
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CC BY-SA 2.0)Enjoy a hearty traditional meal of mashed vegetables and smoked sausage in the atmospheric Jordaan district.
Typical USD 10-20 (~EUR 9-18)
Where to Stay Tonight
Jordaan
· It sits in the heart of the canal belt, keeping you walking-distance from major museums while offering a quieter local feel than the busy central station area.- Morning
- Afternoon
1:00 PM - Lunch: Poffertje in Museum Quarter· 1 hr
USD 7 (~EUR 6)Iconic dish
Illustratedjc (CC BY-SA 4.0)Eat a generous portion of tiny, butter-drenched pancakes dusted with powdered sugar at a market stall nearby.
Typical USD 3-7 (~EUR 3-6)
- Evening
7:30 PM - Dinner: Stroopwafel in Binnenstad· 1 hr
USD 3 (~EUR 3)Iconic dish
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)Enjoy a fresh, warm stroopwafel with gooey caramel filling from a street vendor while walking the canal paths at twilight.
Typical USD 1-3 (~EUR 1-3)
Staying at Jordaan since Day 1
- Morning3A
10:00 AM - Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam· 2 hrs
USD 12 (~EUR 11)Already scheduled earlier in this trip - Afternoon
12:15 PM - Lunch: Patat met in Plantage· 45 min
USD 7 (~EUR 6)Try the dish
www.snack-nieuws.nl (CC BY 2.0)Patat metEnjoy traditional Dutch fries with mayonnaise from a nearby street stall, a staple of local snacking.
- Evening
7:30 PM - Dinner: Stamppot in Oost· 1 hr 15 min
USD 22 (~EUR 20)Iconic dishDutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CC BY-SA 2.0)Warm up with a traditional meal of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and sausage at a cozy neighborhood spot.
Typical USD 10-20 (~EUR 9-18)
Staying at Jordaan since Day 1
- Morning
- Afternoon
12:30 PM - Lunch: Bitterballen in Oud-West· 1 hr
USD 15 (~EUR 13)Try the dish
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)BitterballenSavor these crispy, deep-fried Dutch meatballs often served with mustard as a classic local lunch.
- Evening
7:30 PM - Dinner: Snert in West· 1 hr
USD 18 (~EUR 16)Try the dish
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)SnertWarm up with a bowl of traditional thick pea soup, a staple of Dutch comfort food during cooler evenings.
Staying at Jordaan since Day 1
- Morning
- Afternoon
12:30 PM - Lunch: Kibbeling in Museum Quarter· 1 hr
USD 15 (~EUR 13)Try the dish
Superbass (CC BY-SA 4.0)KibbelingEnjoy freshly fried bites of white fish with tartare sauce at a local market stall.
4:30 PM - Hotel Checkout & Luggage Collection· 30 min
FREEReturn to the hotel area to settle final details and retrieve luggage before heading to the airport.
- Evening
5:30 PM - Depart from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)· 3 hrs 30 min
USD 20 (~EUR 18)Private transfer or train ride to the airport followed by international departure procedures.
Staying at Jordaan since Day 1
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Top 4 dishes to try
Tap any photo for more photos, the story, and where to find it.
Stroopwafel
Day 2 · dinner
Poffertje
Day 2 · lunch
Patatje Oorlog
Day 1 · lunch
Stamppot
Days 1 and 3
Where to eat · De Pijp, Binnenstad, Jordaan
- De Pijp · Amsterdam — Home to the Albert Cuyp Market and diverse, casual snack spots.
- Binnenstad · Amsterdam — The historic center where grab-and-go fry shops are abundant.
- Jordaan · Amsterdam — Narrow streets, historic brown cafes, and traditional Dutch pancake houses.
Good to know · meal times, tipping, water, vegetarian, payment, etiquette
- Meal times
- Lunch happens around 12:30. Dinner is early by Southern European standards, usually served between 7:00 and 8:30 PM.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not mandatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving five to ten percent for good service is plenty.
- Water
- Tap water is excellent and perfectly safe. Carry a bottle and fill it up anywhere.
- Vegetarian
- Vegetarian options are easy to find, but traditional meat-heavy dishes like stamppot often rely on sausage. Always clarify if you want the meat excluded.
- Payment
- Card is preferred everywhere. Many smaller shops or market stalls may refuse cash, so have a debit card ready.
- Etiquette
- Expect to pay for the bill at your table; card is king. Do not expect table service for coffee or light snacks in small cafes; order at the bar if it looks busy.
Top 6 souvenirs
Tap any photo for more photos, the story, and where to find it.
Salted licorice
Aged Gouda cheese
Hand-carved wooden clogs
Delfts Blauw ceramics
Climate-certified tulip bulbs
Buy specific export-ready bulbs to successfully cultivate a piece of Holland in your garden.
Rijksmuseum design homeware
Purchase curated prints and homeware inspired by Dutch Masters that you cannot find elsewhere.
Where to shop · De Pijp, De Negen Straatjes, Jordaan
- De Pijp · Amsterdam — Fresh produce, cheeses, local snacks, and eclectic fashion.
- De Negen Straatjes · Amsterdam — Independent boutiques, vintage clothing, and artisanal stationery.
- Jordaan · Amsterdam — Art gallery prints, high-end home decor, and specialty gifts.
Good to know · customs, tax refund, payment, bargaining
- Customs
- Non-EU residents can bring back most goods duty-free if for personal use. Check your home country for restrictions on raw food products or plant matter.
- Tax refund
- Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on purchases over 50 EUR. Ask the shop for a Global Blue or Planet tax-free form.
- Payment
- Card payment is the standard everywhere, and many shops no longer accept cash.
- Bargaining
- Bargaining is not practiced in Amsterdam. Prices are fixed at all shops, markets, and boutiques.
The big events across the year
Tap any photo for more photos and the story.
Keukenhof Tulip Festival
March-May
King's Day
Apr 27
Amsterdam Dance Event
Oct 14 – 18
Amsterdam Light Festival
Dec 3 – Jan 24
Christmas
Dec 25 – 26
Costs
Estimated total · For 2 travelers · 1 room · 5 days
USD 2,102Flights from your city not included.
Getting there and betweenUSD 0
AccommodationUSD 720
- Amsterdam · 4 nights1 roomUSD 720
| City | Simple | Comfortable | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | USD 120 | USD 180 | USD 240 |
ActivitiesUSD 452
- Day 1 · Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)USD 12
- Day 1 · The Anne Frank HouseUSD 38
- Day 1 · Amsterdam Boat TripsUSD 41
- Day 2 · RijksmuseumUSD 57
- Day 2 · Hortus Botanicus AmsterdamUSD 30
- Day 2 · A'DAM LookoutUSD 38
- Day 3 · Hortus Botanicus AmsterdamUSD 30
- Day 3 · National Maritime MuseumUSD 46
- Day 3 · Brouwerij 't IJUSD 30
- Day 4 · EYE Film MuseumUSD 30
- Day 4 · ParadisoUSD 50
- Day 5 · Van Gogh MuseumUSD 50
FoodUSD 750
- Amsterdam · 5 daysUSD 750
Local transportUSD 180
- Amsterdam · 5 daysUSD 180
Not included: visas, travel insurance, SIM cards, tips, shopping.
Money tips
Expensive for lodging and dining -- expect $200 per night for a basic hotel and $20-30 for a main course at a sit-down cafe. Tap water is perfectly safe and free, so carry a reusable bottle to avoid paying 3 euros per small glass.
Skip single-ride tickets and buy a GVB multi-day pass for 25 to 40 euros, which covers unlimited trams, buses, and metros. It pays for itself within three rides per day compared to the standard 3.40 euro single fare.
The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum require online booking weeks ahead; tickets sell out constantly. Do not count on walk-up entry, or you will waste a day queuing for nothing.
Book a table at a traditional 'eetcafé' for a rijsttafel dinner, a Dutch-Indonesian feast featuring 15-20 small dishes, costing about 35-50 euros per person. It is a defining local culinary experience that keeps you full for hours.
Avoid buying alcohol at tourist bars in the Red Light District where prices are inflated; hit a local Albert Heijn supermarket for beer or wine at half the cost. You can enjoy your drinks in Vondelpark legally and skip the markup.
Before you go
Travel and stays
Round-trip flight, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Day 1–5
Hotel in Amsterdam
Nights 1–4 · Jordaan · about USD 720 · Comfortable hotel range
Book ahead · most urgent first
Anne Frank House
Day 1 · Book 6 weeks ahead · Tickets are released every Tuesday at 10am CET for visits occurring six weeks later. They sell out within minutes.
Van Gogh Museum
Day 5 · Book 4 weeks ahead · This museum is extremely popular and tickets must be booked online for a specific time slot well in advance.
Paradiso Concert Tickets
Day 4 · Book 3 weeks ahead · Paradiso events often sell out early; check their schedule and book as soon as your specific artist or show is announced.
Rijksmuseum
Day 2 · Book 2 weeks ahead · While not always required, booking online ensures you avoid long ticket queues, especially for weekend slots.
Canal Cruise Boat Trip
Day 1 · Book 7 days ahead · Popular boat tours like Those Dam Boat Guys require advance booking to secure specific time slots during peak hours.
A'DAM Lookout
Day 2 · Book 7 days ahead · Timed entry tickets are highly recommended to avoid queues, especially for sunset views.
Travel tips
Use the OV-pay system to tap your contactless debit card or phone on trams, buses, and ferries; it is cheaper and faster than buying paper tickets.
Book your Anne Frank House tickets exactly 6 weeks in advance online; they sell out instantly.
Never stand in the red-painted bicycle lanes to take photos or check maps; you will be hit or yelled at by commuters.
Always carry a debit card with a PIN; many shops and smaller cafes do not accept Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
When taking the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal, look for the 'Sprinter' or 'Intercity' boards; the ride takes 20 minutes.
If you rent a bike, lock it to a fixed object with two separate locks; bike theft is the most common crime in the city.
Avoid the Red Light District after midnight on weekends if you want to escape bachelor parties and aggressive crowds.
Bring a reusable shopping bag to every store; Dutch supermarkets charge for plastic bags and rarely provide them for free.
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get EUR cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for Netherlands
Reserve Anne Frank House tickets
Reserve Van Gogh Museum tickets
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Purchase I Amsterdam City Card
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Transit card: OV-chipkaart · Amsterdam
Pen for arrival forms
The first two days anchor you in the dense, high-traffic canal belt and museum quarter, ensuring you handle the most strenuous sightseeing while fresh. Day 3 shifts focus eastward to the Plantage area, providing a slightly quieter, expansive buffer between the packed historic center and the modern, experimental architecture of the north. The final two days push outward to the West markets and the IJ waterfront, letting the pace open up as you move away from the tourist core.
This plan prioritizes a deep urban dive over regional excursions. By keeping you within the city limits, it skips the tulip fields of Keukenhof or the windmills of Zaanse Schans entirely. You lose the bucolic Dutch countryside experience, but you gain the ability to walk the IJ waterfront or explore West Amsterdam's specific market rhythm without the constraint of train schedules.
This route is right for the traveler who wants to master one city; it is wrong for those hoping to tick off multiple Dutch icons in one week. Swap Day 4's West Amsterdam markets for a day trip to Haarlem. It is only 15 minutes by train, offering the Teylers Museum, the oldest in the country, and a medieval center that feels significantly more intimate and preserved than Amsterdam's commercialized hub.
Interest coverage
3 of 6 coveredEntry and safety
| Visa & entry | Visitors from the US, UK, EU, Australia, and Canada enter the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure. |
|---|---|
| US risk level | Exercise increased cautionUpdated Aug 8, 2024 |
| Official advice | US State Department · UK Foreign Office |
| Emergency | Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112112 for all emergencies. 0900-8844 for non-urgent police. |
Money and tipping
| Tipping: restaurants | Round up or 5–10% |
|---|---|
| Tipping: taxis | Round up to nearest euro |
| Tipping: hotels | €1–2 per bag |
| Cards | Visa/Mastercard accepted; Amex less common. PIN (debit) preferred |
| Contactless | Ubiquitous |
| Cash | The Netherlands is very cashless — many places card-only |
| Payment tip | Many places prefer PIN/debit cards over credit. Maestro/V-Pay common locally. |
Plugs
| Plugs | Type C, F230V · 50Hz |
|---|
Staying connected
| SIM | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo eSIM | $8 for 1GB / 7 days | Airalo app online |
| Vodafone NL physical SIM | 20 EUR for 10GB / 30 days | Schiphol Airport arrivals hall |
Dutch retailers often reject foreign credit cards; carry a debit card with a PIN or Maestro/V-Pay support. Do not buy SIM cards from street kiosks.
About USD 2,102 for 2 travelers · 1 room · 5 days: hotels, food, activities, local transport and travel between places. Flights from your city not included.
Most western travelers do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Check the official Dutch immigration website if you hold a passport from outside the EU or Schengen zone.
No. Many Dutch supermarkets and smaller shops only accept debit cards (Maestro or V-Pay). Carry a physical debit card to avoid being unable to pay.
Use your contactless bank card or phone to 'tap-in' and 'tap-out' on the yellow readers found on all trams, buses, and trains.
Yes. Bike lanes are for serious commuters. Walking in them is dangerous and considered very rude. Stick to the sidewalks.
The train is the fastest option. It takes 20 minutes from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station.
These 3 experiences didn't make it into this itinerary
Windmills and Traditional Dutch Landscapes
e.g., Zaanse Schans, Kinderdijk
Famous City Markets
e.g., Albert Cuyp Market, Bloemenmarkt
A Contemporary Indonesian Fusion Dinner
e.g., Restaurant Blauw, Kantjil and de Tijger
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