7-Day Amsterdam itinerary: Explore the best of the city

On your first day in Amsterdam, give yourself the luxury of a slow start with a visit to Vondelpark. Located just off the city centre, this multi-hectare green paradise is ideal for a stroll or a leisurely bike ride. Spend your time here sunning by the park’s duck-inhabited ponds, admiring the lush greenery, and gawking at the several sculptures including The Fish by Pablo Picasso.

An astonishing foray into Dutch art through the centuries awaits you at the Rijksmuseum. Housed in a centuries-old building that effortlessly blends Gothic with Renaissance flourishes, Rijksmuseum showcases Dutch works from AD 1200 to the modern era. The star-studded lineup of artists is fronted by Golden Age maestros like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals. Of the 8,000-plus displays, do not forget to feast your eyes on Rembrandt’s Night Watch along with models of ships, ornate costumes, intricate dollhouses, and antique treasures.

For your last stop of the day, get better acquainted with Amsterdam with a relaxing and sight-filled cruise through its historic canals. A must-do experience, the canal cruises can range from budget-friendly, hour-long tours to romantic sojourns offering multi-course, candle-lit dining experiences as you sail past Amsterdam’s landmarks.

Vincent Van Gogh died tragically and in obscurity. But centuries later, millions of visitors throng this modern museum to admire more than 200 paintings, 400 sketches, and hundreds of handwritten letters - the largest Van Gogh collection in the world. Each gallery pays homage to the artist’s trajectory - from his stark Potato Eaters produced early on to his more vivid works that showcased his mastery over colour like the Sunflowers, Almond Blossoms, and The Yellow House.

Quench your thirst for knowledge and beer at the one-of-a-kind Heineken Museum tour. The Dutch pilsner brand pulls back the curtains and gives you a peek at its history and brewing process. Along the way, indulge in interactive experiences like creating customised beer bottle labels and fun videos. End the tour sipping on crisp beers at their lively club.

This three-storeyed photography museum has garnered attention for showcasing global artists of fame (think, Henri Cartier Bresson and Richard Avedon) to exciting, new talent. Their uniquely themed exhibitions - from AI and Art to the works of women photographers from Saudi Arabia - will undoubtedly open your mind to thrilling new ideas during your visit to artsy Amsterdam.

Preserved in time, the non-descript Anne Frank House is where the young, Jewish war diarist spent two years hidden in a “Secret Annex” with her family and others during the Holocaust. The House now offers limited visitors, each day, a blend of interactive displays, showcases of her original diary entries, and photos and videos from Anne’s life. Narrow stairs lead you to the now-empty family quarters. The somber atmosphere, aided by pictures, gives you a sense of how they lived before they were discovered and Frank met her tragic end in a concentration camp. Truly, Amsterdam’s most moving experience.

After a lingering lunch, we recommend a breezy exploration of Jordaan - a posh neighbourhood, teeming with art galleries and popular eateries. Bike around the canals to get an eyeful of the tall, vintage brickwork houses with elegant gable tops. Then, hop off and weave in and out of modern art galleries, charming coffee shops serving delicious Dutch apple pie, and sample wine and cheese boards at roadside wine bars as you watch the sun set on another day in Amsterdam.

Top Amsterdam Attractions

History Buffs

Guaranteed to be the crowning moment of your trip, visiting the Royal Palace of Amsterdam is a grand way to learn a thing or two about Dutch history. Sitting pretty at the centre of Dams Square, the palace’s classical-style exterior draws you into its extravagant interior world filled with oversized chandeliers, luxe drapery, and gilded clocks. The marble sculptures and work demand special attention, especially in the citizen’s hall where the entire floor is decorated with maps. Your focus should also be on the paintings by Ferdinand Bol and Govaert Flink - both students of Rembrandt.

Get into high spirits with a tour of the House of Bols - a popular liqueur brand in the Netherlands. Learn how to mix Dutch cocktails - using carefully selected herbs, fruits, and spices - including a few recipes that are over 400 years old. They also trace the history of Genever, a traditional liqueur. End the tour by sipping on a complimentary cocktail.

Established in the medieval age, De Wallen is Amsterdam’s notorious red light district. Curious visitors and stag party cliques navigate narrow alleys, eyeing sex workers seductively swaying in red-lit windows and touring erotic theaters and strip clubs. The neighbourhood has, in recent years, expanded its offerings to the non-salacious. Amsterdam’s famed ‘coffeeshops’ offer more than a caffeine kick, traditional Dutch pubs and new-age breweries are abuzz, and there’s even a Hash, Marijuana and Hemp Museum that you can visit.

A train ride of less than an hour brings you to seaside Rotterdam - the second largest city in the Netherlands. The historic district, which sits by the waters, charms with rows of canal houses and towering windmills. The modern part of the city built post-World War II, showcases buildings made in glass and steel, haphazardly stacked cube houses that look like a post-modern marvel, and museums filled with wartime memorabilia.

Far less tourist-driven than Amsterdam, The Hague’s status as the country’s administrative capital sure does give it a stately feel. However, there is plenty more on offer, especially for the culture vultures. Spend a day here visiting the Mauritshuis Museum which features acclaimed Dutch artists. There is also the Escher in Het Paleis - a former royal residence - that now showcases the work of graphic artist, MC Escher. The Hague is also a well-known hub for modern European restaurants, cafes offering local fare, and vintage shops.

Splendid Panoramic View

Jaw Dropping Sight of Amsterdam

Feel on top of the world at A’dam Lookout - a breathtaking observation deck perched on top of a modern tower. The 360-degree views on offer include those of the historical edifices, the city’s canal network formed in concentric circles, and the waters around the port. The Lookout also offers a thrilling ‘Over the Edge’ swing experience - that sets you off the building’s precipice and has you dangling 100 metres above Amsterdam. A stop by the rooftop bar and restaurant will end your trip here on a high note.

Get brainier during your trip to Amsterdam with a visit to the NEMO Museum. Especially popular with families, the museum is over a hundred years old and delves into the workings of the human mind, space and time, the Earth’s elements and much more. The younger ones can perform interactive experiments that add to the museum’s attraction. Don’t go away without checking out the sweeping views of the city from the first-floor deck.

Get a taste of Amsterdam by signing up for food tours that serve up local treats like Poffertjes (fluffy, Dutch pancakes), cheeses, fresh herring, stamppot (mashed potatoes paired with veggies and topped with sausages), and the famous apple pie. This is a great way to meet fellow travellers and the locals too!

Amsterdam has something for every kind of shopper! Wrap up your exciting week-long trip by heading to the city’s various shopping hubs, each offering something unique to take home. Negen Straatjes or Nine Streets is a maze-like zone filled with boutiques and vintage shops. Spiegelkwartier, which sits close to Rijksmuseum, is lined with stores showcasing artful pieces from Europe and Asia. For upscale fashion, head to Beethovenstrat, Haarlemmerstraat, or Utrechtsestraat. But if you are looking to go designer, then, Oud-Zuid and Museum District offer exclusivity and showcase Dutch designers.