MUST-VISIT AMSTERDAM ATTRACTIONS 2023
Best places to visit in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a fantastic holiday destination, boasting diverse attractions to fit all kinds of travelers. This vibrant city is renowned for its picturesque canals, world-class museums, active nightlife, incredible architecture, and liberal attitudes! We’ve created a list of must-visit places in Amsterdam to help you get the most out of your trip. We suggest prioritizing your top picks and booking in advance, as these tend to sell out quickly!
Top Amsterdam tourist attractions you don’t want to miss!
Dam Square
Dam Square is the most iconic and historic landmark in Amsterdam! It’s a favorite spot of many street performers and artists, adding to the square’s lively atmosphere and vibrant energy and making it an even more popular destination for locals and tourists.
The Dam Square offers a spectacular view, as it’s surrounded by the most notable buildings, including the National Monument and Royal Palace, located next to Nieuwe Kerk. This church hosted numerous coronations and royal weddings over the years. Nieuwe Kerk, built in the 15th century, means New Church. This is because the Oude Kerk, located near the Red Light District, is known as the Old Church, built in the 13th century, making it the oldest building in Amsterdam.
Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands’ national museum is one of the world’s most famous museums. Rijksmuseum houses an impressive collection of artwork from the 17th century to the present. Visitors can marvel at masterpieces created by some of the most famous Dutch artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals.
This historical building is a work of art with a stunning facade that combines elements of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Museum visitors are drawn to the museum’s famous collection of Delftware, a blue and white pottery identified with Dutch culture. Rijksmuseum also houses a vast collection of historical objects, including those related to the persecution and deportation of Dutch Jews during World War II.
Marvel the artwork and learn Dutch history!
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and cultural travelers. It has the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings, allowing visitors to delve into the life of this influential Dutch artist like never before.
Stroll through this modern museum, notable for its unique layout and interactive exhibits with incredible architecture and design. Gain a deeper appreciation of his creative process, personal struggles, and the cultural context famous Van Gogh lived in.
Red Light District
Amsterdam is known for its progressive approach to controversial topics such as prostitution and soft drugs. The city has accepted these pleasures people like to indulge in and embraced the honesty of it, which is why the Netherlands tolerates prostitution and marijuana, but not on the streets. There are coffee shops to purchase and enjoy marijuana, while women have their rooms situated behind glass windows with red neon lights that named the district.
The Red Light District is a fascinating and unique area definitely worth exploring. Remember that following the rules in the Red Light District is crucial. Avoid conflict with sex workers, police, or bodyguards, and be careful not to take pictures or film women behind their windows.
Learn the history of the unique Red Light District!
Heineken Experience
Beer enthusiasts’ favorite place to visit in Amsterdam is the Heineken Experience Museum. The immersive museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn the brewing process and history behind Heineken. Walking through the birthplace of the Heineken beer allows you to discover how founder Gerard Heineken managed to brew the finest premium lager beer.
The experience includes a short presentation where visitors get the chance to learn how to taste beer properly and appreciate the subtle flavors. The oldest Heineken brewery is also home to the world’s largest Heineken bottle and the spectacular Dam Bar. There, visitors can enjoy two complimentary drinks with their tickets and soak up the atmosphere of the iconic Dutch beer brand.
Keukenhof Gardens
The Keukenhof Gardens, or the Garden of Europe, is an enchanting destination just a one-hour train ride outside Amsterdam. It’s renowned for its magnificent displays of colorful tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other stunning flowers that bloom each spring.
The gardens offer visitors diverse themed gardens, including a historic, romantic, and Japanese garden. They can also enjoy bicycle, boat, and guided tours and increase their knowledge of the Netherlands’ natural beauty.
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House became a museum and serves as a powerful reminder of the Holocaust horrors and the importance of promoting tolerance, diversity, and human rights.
The museum is dedicated to the life of a young Jewish girl, Anne Frank. She kept a diary while she was hiding in the secret annex behind the bookcase with her family. Visitors can get a unique glimpse into the life of the Frank family during the World War II Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The exhibit includes the original Anne Frank diary, family photographs, and historical documents.
Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is an absolute must-visit Amsterdam attraction for art lovers in Amsterdam. The impressive museum boasts spectacular contemporary and modern art exhibitions from some of our time’s most renowned artists. One of the museum’s highlights is its ongoing exhibit at the Moco Museum, a collection of artwork by the elusive street artist Banksy.
Don’t miss the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking art collections!
Madame Tussauds
The Madame Tussauds Amsterdam offers a wide range of wax figures of both Dutch and international celebrities. Immerse yourself in celebrity life and walk the red carpet, take a picture with your favorite movie star, and read the autocue on a late-night talk show during your visit to Madame Tussauds Museum. Step in the DJ booth with Tiesto, Hardwell, or Martin Garrix, record a duet with Bob Marley in the recording studio or hold a brush alongside Rembrandt.
Canal Cruise
The Amsterdam Canal cruise is a fantastic way to learn about the City of Canal’s history and culture. The canal cruise generally lasts about one hour, including audio guides providing insightful information, while some also offer food and drinks on board.
Immerse yourself in a unique experience by exploring Amsterdam’s historic canal network, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and reward yourself with an amazing perspective of Amsterdam’s picturesque architecture, spectacular bridges, and scenic waterways.
Vondel Park
Vondel Park is a large public park popular among locals and tourists. Enjoy a picnic, walk, or bike ride through the natural beauty that’ll surely leave you breathless. The park features several playgrounds, a skatepark, and a rose garden. At the same time, many restaurants and cafes throughout the park make it simple to spend a whole day there relaxing.
The park also houses many cultural events and festivals throughout the year. If you visit Amsterdam during summer, you can experience the popular Open Air Theater event, featuring free concerts, plays, and spectacular dance performances.
National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum is an engaging museum giving a sneak peek at the Netherlands’ rich maritime history, dating back to the 17th century. The museum is proud of its vast collection of ship models, paintings, artifacts, and interesting maritime equipment.
The museum is located in the historical building of the Dutch East India Company, and its main attraction is the full-size replica of their ship, the Amsterdam. Visitors get to explore the ship and learn about the life of sailors on board during their expeditions. There are many interactive exhibits that allow visitors to get a taste of marine life, making this experience unlike any other.
NEMO Science Museum
NEMO Science Museum is a must-see for all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics lovers! This incredible museum promises visitors of all ages an amazing time by offering various interactive exhibits and activities! Museum visitors learn about different forms of energy in the interactive energy lab, experiment with chemicals in the chemistry lab, and explore the mysteries of space in the Earth and Universe exhibit.
Despite the museum’s focus on science, you don’t have to be a self-proclaimed geek to get amazed by all the interesting facts you learn while visiting the NEMO Science Museum.