Rijksmuseum
Rembrandt's Night Watch, Vermeer and the Dutch Golden Age. Allow half a day; under-19s free.
Book a timed ticket online
Must-see attractionsMuseum Quarter Museum Quarter Jordaan Various Dam Square Noord Oosterdok Spui Jordaan Singel
The ten that justify their fame
Book every major museum online; the Anne Frank House releases tickets six weeks ahead and sells out within the hour. Check current prices and opening hours on the official sites before you go.
Van Gogh Museum
The world's largest Van Gogh collection, hung chronologically.
Sells out days aheadAnne Frank House
The secret annexe. The most moving 90 minutes in Amsterdam.
Online only; tickets release six weeks aheadCanal cruise
Amsterdam was built to be seen from the water. Sunset sailings are best.
Alcohol-free private boats availableRoyal Palace
The 17th-century town hall of a merchant republic, with marble galleries.
Often overlookedA'DAM Lookout
360° panorama across the IJ, reached by the free ferry from Centraal.
Free ferryNEMO Science Museum
Hands-on science for children; free public rooftop square.
Family favouriteBegijnhof
Medieval courtyard of almshouses; quiet and free. People live here, so enter quietly.
FreeWesterkerk & Jordaan
Rembrandt's burial church and the small streets of flower boxes and courtyards.
Free to walkBloemenmarkt
The floating flower market. Buy only export-certified bulbs.
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Shopping
Where to shop
| Area | Type | What you'll find |
|---|---|---|
| PC Hooftstraat | Luxury | The Netherlands' most exclusive shopping street, next to the Museum Quarter. |
| De Negen Straatjes | Boutiques | Nine small canal streets of independent boutiques and concept stores. |
| Kalverstraat & De Bijenkorf | High street | Main shopping street plus the city's grand department store on Dam Square. |
| Albert Cuypmarkt | Market | Daily street market in De Pijp; fresh stroopwafels, fabrics and food stalls. |
| Dappermarkt & Javastraat | Market | Multicultural market and the east side's halal high street. |
| Kinkerstraat & Jan Evertsenstraat | Halal high street | West-side shopping streets lined with Turkish and Moroccan bakeries and grocers. |
| Batavia Stad Outlet | Outlet | Designer outlet in Lelystad, about an hour away; good for a half-day trip. |
Looking for modest fashion, perfumes or Islamic books? The Premium Guide has a chapter on Islamic clothing, perfume houses and bookshops.
Evenings
Alcohol-free evenings
Amsterdam's nightlife is easy to enjoy without bars. Take an evening canal cruise on a private boat with halal catering, watch the city lights from the A'DAM Lookout, go for dessert at a Syrian or Moroccan patisserie, or walk the illuminated bridges of the Reguliersgracht. In winter the Amsterdam Light Festival turns the canals into an open-air gallery.
Parks & nature
Green Amsterdam
Vondelpark for picnics and playgrounds, the Amsterdamse Bos for rowing and cycling, Westerpark next to the Westermoskee side of town, and Sarphatipark in De Pijp. Disposable barbecues are allowed in designated park zones; halal butchers will marinate meat for you.
Day trips20–40 min from Amsterdam 30–45 min from Amsterdam 30–45 min from Amsterdam about 2 hours from Amsterdam 27 min by train from Amsterdam 30 min by train from Amsterdam
Beyond the city
Zaanse Schans
Working windmills, clog and cheese workshops, green wooden houses on the Zaan. Go at opening time.
Volendam & Marken
Harbour promenade with fried fish (kibbeling), and a ferry to the old island village of Marken.
Keukenhof
Mid-March to mid-May only. Seven million bulbs in bloom; go at opening or after 15:00.
Giethoorn
Car-free village of canals and thatched farmhouses; rent a whisper boat.
Utrecht
Medieval canals with wharf-level cafés and the Dom Tower.
Zandvoort beach
The nearest North Sea beach. Quieter family beaches lie further along the dunes.
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The Premium Guide covers each day trip with transport, costs, timing and where to eat halal on the way.