4 Days in Amsterdam: Best Itinerary, Map and Travel Tips
TRYING TO PLAN AN ITINERARY FOR 4 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM? I’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
If you’ve ever heard me talk about my favorite place in the world…you already know it’s Amsterdam. I just took another 4-day trip to Amsterdam this past October with my husband, and we did so many things in this itinerary again! Plus, I’ve added in some of my new favorite places after visiting Amsterdam this fall!
Look, who doesn’t love Amsterdam? With the beautiful cobblestone streets, stunning canals, and incredible museums I can never get enough.
There is just nowhere else that even compares. If you’re able to spend 4 days in the Netherlands, consider yourself lucky!
The first time I visited back in 2013, I swear I could’ve spent forever in Amsterdam. I fell in love with the city, and, DAM, I just keep coming back.
But, Amsterdam can be overwhelming. It is so easy to get caught up in tourist attractions that are not worth your time (I’m looking at you, Icebar), or spend all of your time trekking back and forth across the city because you didn’t plan your itinerary well.
To help, I’ve put together the top things I’ve done over multiple trips to Amsterdam in a 4 day itinerary that helps you make the most of your time and makes sure you don’t miss anything!
Trust me, I’ve done an Amsterdam trip the right way…and I’ve done it the wrong way.
Read on for travel tips, what to see first and the best way to plan your itinerary.
Map of Amsterdam Attractions
A Perfect Itinerary for 4 Days in Amsterdam
I’m obsessed with Amsterdam, and pretty soon, you will be too! Get ready for an amazing ride, and some of the best 4 days of your life!
Day 1: Cruise Around the Canals of Amsterdam to See the Main Sights
Spend your first day in the city getting a lay of the land. Explore Amsterdam via boat and take in some of the main sights.
✅ Take a Canal Tour
Start your 4 days in Amsterdam right outside Central Station– the main train station in Amsterdam. As the sun comes up, you’ll find the canals beginning to bustle with life.
Your first day is the perfect time to begin exploring the heart of Amsterdam.
Hop aboard a canal tour and see the canal ring of Amsterdam, which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Most people would assume that a walking tour is the best way to orient themselves to the city…but they’re wrong! The best way is by boat.
I’ve taken so many canal cruise tours in Amsterdam. There are plenty of canal cruises to choose from, but they all tend to wind their way past the most popular sights in Amsterdam.
On the boat tours, you’ll get acquainted with the Skinny Bridge, sail near the Jordaan neighborhood to pass by the Anne Frank House and Westerkerk, and loop back through the Centraal Station area to see the NEMO Science Museum.
✈︎ I highly recommend either a Flagship Canal Cruise or a cruise with my new favorite, Captain Jack (you can read all about my Captain Jack review here)- both include a live guide, free Dutch snacks, and drinks!
✈︎ If you’re looking for something a little fancier, or a more unique experience, try a private canal cruise!
✅ Try Belgian Fries (Vlaamse Frites) and Mayonnaise
The first place I visit for food when I step foot in Amsterdam is Mannekenpis. No lie. Every time! It’s one of my favorite places for frites in the city.
Chances are you’ll be pretty hungry after you hop off your canal cruise. Luckily, Mannekenpis is in the area!
If you haven’t heard of Vlaamse Frites before now…you heard it here first. These Belgian-style fries are ah-ma-zing. They are served in a paper cone and come topped with whatever sauce your heart desires.
Take your pick of more than 20 sauces at Mannekenpis.
But, if you’re looking for the best one, you want your frites topped with mayonnaise or fry sauce!
✅ Wind Your Way Down Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat
Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat streets are two of Amsterdam’s central avenues that wind their way throughout the city.
They’re lined with restaurants, boutiques, and small shops of all kinds. To be honest, you could spend all day just meandering along these streets. I know I have.
Take your time popping into places that catch your eye and sampling delicacies from the windows of bakeries along the street. You can also meander to many nearby places like the Begijinhof or the popular Van Stapele Koekmakerif (those delicious cookies you’ve seen on Tiktok!).
⭐ Make sure you stop on this street and try a freshly made Van Wonderen stroopwafel! It’s one of the things you must try in Amsterdam! The one topped with speculaas (a Dutch cookie) is my favorite!
✅ Visit Dam Square and the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace of Amsterdam)
Dam Square is a central hub in Amsterdam. It’s worth passing through, but I wouldn’t recommend spending a ton of time here!
Located in the Northern Central part of the city, this square is buzzing with performers, nightlife, and visitors at any time of day.
On the side of the square, you’ll find the historic building that is the Royal Palace of Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis). Pop inside for a tour of one of the most important buildings in Amsterdam. This palace, originally built in the 17th century, is still used as a reception palace for the Royal House.
Guided tours of the palace are available, or you can pay for entry and tour yourself.
Other options to explore in Dam Square include Madame Tussaud’s, the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), or The Magna Plaza mall just behind the square.
✅ Stop and Smell the Tulips at the Bloemenmarkt (Floating Flower Market)
As you continue winding your way downtown, you’ll eventually run right into the Bloemenmarkt. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see all the tulip bulbs randomly on the side of the canals…lol.
No, seriously. The Bloemenmarkt, located on the Singel Canal, began in 1862 and is essentially a floating flower market. It’s one of the most popular street markets in the city!
This is THE place not only to admire beautiful blooms, but also to purchase some pre-packaged bulbs or other Dutch souvenirs to take home with you.
It goes without saying that you should grab some of the stunning tulip bulbs that Holland is most well-known for.
✅ Dutch Cheese (Kaas) and Wine Tasting Class
My favorite cheese in the entire world (I think all normal people have a favorite cheese-right?) is from Amsterdam.
It’s literally called Old Amsterdam. It is strong and flavorful and I would legit eat it all day long every day if I could. And the best part? Old Amsterdam is just ONE of MANY fantastic cheese shops in Amsterdam.
In fact, pop into any of the numerous cheese shops you find while wandering– they ALL give free cheese samples! One of the most fun experiences I’ve had in Amsterdam – a thing that must be on your Amsterdam itinerary- was a cheese, wine, and beer pairing class.
We were taken to a private part of the store, given a tour of the beginnings of cheese-making in Holland, and had a five-course cheese and wine spread.
⭐ The Cheese and Wine Tastings fill up quickly due to the size of the shops in Amsterdam.
✈︎ Book this amazing cheese tasting at Henri Willig!
✅ Enjoy Dinner at Cafe de Waard
One of the places I always visit when I’m in Amsterdam is Cafe de Waard. Literally I have eaten here so many times, and it is always better than I remember.
It is a stunning restaurant located right on the square in Leidseplein, specializing in delicious Dutch dishes with contemporary twists.
I particularly love this restaurant because of the fantastic outdoor seating. This is the perfect place to get cozy in the wicker chairs. Blankets and heaters are provided for winter, and the scenery is just so cozy!
Plus, Leidseplein is always busy, meaning you’ll have plenty of people-watching to keep you busy during your meal.
😉 Pro Tip: Order the avocado toast with poached egg at Cafe de Waard. It is to die for! I had it three times during our last trip! The bitterballen are great too!
✅ Spice Up The Evening With Some Amsterdam Nightlife in Leidseplein
Leidseplein holds a special spark for me. It is such a lively part of the city that just has its own character.
When you’re in Leidseplein, you know it.
Cafes and stores by day, a wild time by night.
This is one of the best places to enjoy some nighttime fun in Amsterdam. Jump on a bar crawl, experience an Amsterdam coffee shop at The Bulldog Palace (one of the most popular coffee shops in the city housed in what was once a police station!), or see a concert at the ever-popular Melkweg.
⭐ Tip: When that evening hunger sets in, pop into Wok2Walk. It’s just fast food, and you swear it can’t be that good, but TRUST ME, it is.
It is the perfect late-night snack to grab and go. And, when you’re walking back to your Amsterdam hotel at midnight listening to the city come alive at night around you while you’re housing that Wok2Walk…just remember, I told ya so.
Day 2: The Anne Frank House, Jordaan, Dutch Food, and Negen Straatjes!
Day two of your 4 days in Amsterdam is filled with all kinds of Dutch culture! Enjoy typical treats, learn about the history of Amsterdam, and explore some of its most unique neighborhoods like Jordaan!
✅ Visit the Anne Frank House
Anne Frank is one of the most well-known Jewish voices from World War II and the Holocaust.
Anne, 13 at the time, hid from the Nazis with her family and a few others in the attic above her father’s warehouse in Amsterdam.
For two years, friends of the Frank family brought provisions to those living in the Secret Annex, until they were betrayed (by who, the world still doesn’t know) in 1944 and deported to concentration camps.
Out of the 8 who lived in the Annex, only one, Otto Frank, survived the Holocaust.
He went on to preserve the hiding place and open it as a place of education where visitors can not just learn about the horrors of the Holocaust, but also look forward to how they can fight injustice and persecution themselves.
I’ve been to the Anne Frank House countless times…with my students, my parents, my husband, by myself…and it never gets old.
It is still just as moving and stunning now as it was the first time I visited. The house is preserved mostly as it was when Anne hid there.
You will walk through the warehouse, up past the swinging bookshelf, and through the cramped living quarters of the Frank family as you learn what life was like for them.
Don’t get me wrong, the Anne Frank House is a heavy place to visit, but it is important and worthwhile and inspiring just the same.
It is one of the most visited Holocaust museums and a must-include for any Amsterdam 4-day itinerary.
🚨 Tickets to the Anne Frank House SELL OUT CONSTANTLY.
Tickets are released for an entire week at a time, six weeks in advance. every Tuesday at 10:00 AM (Amsterdam Time).
Set an alarm and buy your tickets early!
✅ Grab a Bite at Foodhallen
Foodhallen is one of the coolest places you will ever eat. It is a restaurant concept many have tried (and failed) to pull off.
It’s just what you might expect from the name-More than 20 food and drink stands make up Foodhallen, offering something new to try for everyone!
Have your pick of cuisines from around the world. I loved the Bitterballen sampler from De Ballenbar- it came with so many types to try! And the pizza from Renato’s and sushi from Mr. Temaki were delicious.
✅ Shop Around Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets)
Negen Straatjes, or Nine Streets, is one of the premier shopping districts in Amsterdam.
The 9 streets are made up of a 3 by 3 section of the city which overlaps the four canals designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
There is a little bit of everything in the Negen Straatjes.
You’ll find quirky boutiques, vintage antique shops, delicious restaurants, and even galleries tucked away inside the alleyways of this city area.
Spend an hour or two winding your way through the streets, window-shopping and perusing to your heart’s content. Each shop offers hand-curated items you likely won’t find in many other places…so keep an eye out for that special gift to take home!
✅ Enjoy Peace and Quiet at the Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is a charming escape from the bustle of Amsterdam.
Originally built as a sanctuary for a group of nun-like Catholic sisters, this area is still home to single women today.
Pop inside for a breath of fresh air and a moment in nature as you walk around savoring the silence.
Trying to pack for your time in Amsterdam? Make sure you have the top must-have travel items for Europe in your bag!
✅ Visit a Market: Boekenmarkt Het Spui or Noordermarkt
On Saturdays, my favorite market in Amsterdam, the Noordermarkt, sets up in the Jordaan neighborhood. It is more of a locals market, where you’ll find a little bit of literally everything.
Produce, amazing cheese, clothing, souvenirs…our time perusing here was the highlight of our most recent trip.
Alternatively, on Fridays, the Boekenmarkt Het Spui creates a haven for book lovers right in the middle of Amsterdam.
More than 20 booksellers set up shop here, filling the area with used books in a variety of languages and subjects. I’ve found stunning prints, well-loved books, and unique artifacts at Boekenmarkt Het Spui.
✅ Try a Traditional Indonesian Rice Table (Rijsttafel Dinner)!
There is still a heavy influence of Indonesian culture in Amsterdam remaining from the time of colonization.
Therefore, Indonesian restaurants are found all across the city, offering a unique dining experience called a rijsttafel dinner that you must try if you have 4 days in the Netherlands.
Rijstaffel, meaning “rice table” in Indonesian, creates a table where you can help yourself to what looks tasty! Multiple Indonesian dishes are placed- with rice, of course- in the center of the table, and you can pick and choose what to sample.
Or, sample it all!
The excitement of sampling so many delectable dishes is not something you’ll soon forget. It is one of the best experiences we had during our time in the city.
⭐ I’ve tried quite a few Rijstaffel dinners by now. One I would recommend is Srikandi. One I would not recommend is Restaurant Blauw.
Day 3 of Your Amsterdam Itinerary: Take a Day Trip Outside the City
With 4 days in the Netherlands, you have enough time to get out of town.
A fantastic thing about Amsterdam is its proximity to other cities and towns of note in the Netherlands. There are so many options for a day trip outside the city (even to places as far away as Germany!), and most of them only take a half-day to enjoy.
For your third day, take your pick of my three favorite day trips below!
✅ Option 1: A Day in Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken
Look, some people will tell you that Zaanse Schans is a waste of time. That it’s kitschy and touristy and over-rated. It is one of the main attractions in the Netherlands.
I personally didn’t find any of that to be true. I loved it!
Zaanse Schans is a large town meant to be a replica of early life in Holland. Here, you can climb up into a working windmill, taste cheeses, watch clogs being made, and even visit the very first Albert Heijn.
The scenery in this town is beautiful and peaceful. Little cottages with lush lawns and picket fences are dotted along the canal in the area.
✈︎ Book This fantastic day trip that includes Zaanse Schans PLUS visits to the harborside fish market town of Volendam and the town of Marken.
Tip: When in Volendam, make sure you stop and grab some fish and chips or other local seafood as you spend your time winding around the shoreline boardwalk and into shops and restaurants.
✅ Option 2: The Tulip Fields at Keukenhof Gardens
Holland is exceptionally well-known for its tulips. And, if you’re visiting in the spring, it’s the perfect time to catch these world-famous tulips in full bloom.
Keukenhof, Holland’s world-famous garden, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Netherlands. Here, you can wander around 79 acres filled with more than 7 million bulbs- mostly tulips.
Jump on a tour that departs from Central Station and takes you directly to Keukenhof. You’ll skip the line and be able to explore the gardens for a few hours, enjoying the scenery and escaping from the city.
A tour is a great way to have a stress-free visit. It ensures you have entry to Keukenhof and arranges all of your transportation for you.
✈︎ Book your tour of Keukenhof now, as it does sell out frequently since the gardens are only available for a few weeks each year.
✅ Option 3: Fairy Tale Village of Giethoorn
Giethoorn is well-known for being the “Venice of the Netherlands,” a beautiful fairy-tale-like town of islands and canals.
In Giethoorn, the city center does not allow cars. Visitors and inhabitants can only get around by boat, by bike, or by walking.
Book this tour that includes a boat tour around Giethoorn as your first introduction to this tiny town where you’ll see farmlands and thatched-roof cottages galore. Then, spend your afternoon exploring the town on your own.
Can’t make up your mind?
✈︎ This full-day tour combines both Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn so that you can see more during your 4 days in the Netherlands!
✅Have Dinner at Upstairs Pancake House (Upstairs Pannenkoeken)
You should be back in town just in time for dinner. And one place you don’t want to miss is Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs.
This is a new gem we found during our most recent trip, and it did not disappoint! Climb up some very steep Dutch stairs to what is likely the smallest restaurant ever.
Seriously, there are FOUR tables in the entire restaurant. But they serve up some of the best Dutch pancakes I’ve ever had. We tried the nutella and banana one and the ham and cheese. They were both great, but I’d recommend the ham and cheese first!
🚨 You MUST call in advance to get a reservation for Upstairs Pancake House (yes, call). Otherwise, you will be turned away. They speak English and will help you reserve a table!
Day 4 in Amsterdam: Biking, Vondelpark, & the Red Light District
Your 4 days in Amsterdam is coming to an end! On this last day, we’re getting out of your comfort zone and seeing some more amazingly Dutch cultural things that Amsterdam has to offer!
✅ Ride a Bike Through Vondelpark
One of the most Dutch things to do is to ride a bike in Amsterdam.
This is one of those things that I truly did not appreciate until I witnessed it first-hand. EVERYONE rides bikes in Holland. In the snow, in the rain, long distances, short distances, you name it…they’re riding bikes for it. And it’s SO efficient!
You’ll find yourself wondering how the Dutch just zip around in such an organized fashion. I mean, there are even bike traffic lights! They’re fantastic.
To begin your last day in the Netherlands, rent a bicycle and spend a few hours getting your exercise around the city.
A particularly peaceful place to ride is through Vondelpark, a beautiful park right downtown. This is a good place to begin and get your bearings before you try to manage city streets, stay in a bike lane, and pay attention to riding etiquette.
Try not to get overwhelmed! Chances are you’ll get beeped at a few times (or yelled at in Dutch-ha!). Just be polite and try your best. You’ll be fine!
🚨 Tip: For the love of God, please DO NOT stand in the bike lane. EVER.
This is legitimately the best piece of advice I can give you for visiting Amsterdam.
✅ Grab Local Dutch Food at the Albert Cuyp Market
The Albert Cuypmarkt is one of my favorite places in Amsterdam. Every single time I’m in the city, I make it a point to stop here.
Why?
Because there’s always something new to try as far as food in Amsterdam goes.
The Albert Cuypmarkt is a local market nestled in the De Pijp neighborhood.
It is brimming with stalls and stores of local Dutch street food, souvenirs, clothes, produce, and other items. It is the best place, in my opinion, to find treats that are made on the spot.
You have to try the poffertjes (with Nutella and whipped cream, of course) and the hand-made stroopwafels. You will never be the same.
✅ Explore Museumplein: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, or Stedelijk Museum
The Museumplein is a place unlike anything I’ve found anywhere else in the world.
It is an oasis in the city. Relax here and take in the pond and food stalls.
The sprawling courtyard has so much green space, and you’ll frequently find locals and tourists alike running around, relaxing on a picnic blanket, or enjoying a quick bite.
Around the outskirts of the open park, just a short walk away, are some of Amsterdam’s most popular museums (hence, Museumplein!).
Pop into a museum to find a new appreciation for art. The most popular are the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, a museum dedicated to the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh, both within steps of the Museumplein. You can also visit the nearby Stedelijk Museum as well!
Tip: If none of these museums sound exciting, consider visiting other popular museums in Amsterdam such as the Rembrandt House Museum, the NEMO Science Museum, or the Amsterdam Tulip Museum.
Would you believe there is even an Amsterdam Cheese Museum?
✅ Taste Brews at the Heineken Experience (Or Skip it and go to Brouwerij ‘t IJ)
I have tried numerous beers in Amsterdam, and you should too!
One of the larger breweries, Heineken, has called Amsterdam home since it began brewing beer (and delivering it by horse-drawn carriage) more than 150 years ago.
Now, the brewery has been partially turned into an “experience” where you’ll learn all about the world of Heineken as you explore with all five senses.
The Heineken Experience is both informative and interactive at numerous different parts of the tour. Plus, visitors get a taste in the tasting room as well as tokens for fresh brews upstairs in the lounges. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for an easy city-center beer tour!
🍺 However, if you’re looking for a local beer experience, hop on the tram to the Pontanusstraat or Hoogte Kadijk tram stops (about a 15 minute ride from center city) and visit Brouwer t ‘IJ!
If you as my husband, this was the most awesome thing we did during our last trip. We were surrounded by locals, had delicious beer in an outdoor beer garden, and enjoyed live music. It was a much more authentic experience than you’ll find at the Heineken Experience.
✅ Have Afternoon Tea at De Bakkerswinkel
I swear to you that De Bakkerswinkel is basically the best-kept secret in all of Amsterdam.
I randomly came upon it one rainy afternoon, and after looking through the warmly lit windows and staring at the mouth-watering desserts, I ran inside.
De Bakkerswinkel is the most fantastic bakery, cafe, and restaurant all wrapped into one and tucked on a side street near the Red Light District (at least the location I usually visit is!).
Their afternoon tea is a MUST-HAVE! It is more food than you will ever be able to eat, but it is delicious! Sandwiches, teas, cakes, scones, quiche….it is a dream.
Do yourself a favor and head in for a spectacularly good time and some warm Dutch hospitality.
✅ Explore the Red Light District in De Wallen
You knew it would be in here somewhere, right?
Let me be the first one to tell you that the Red Light District is NOT what you think it is. Okay…literally, I suppose it is, but not in the American way we have thought it to be.
This area is a thriving piece of culture in Amsterdam that is worth seeing during your 4 days in the Netherlands. Sure, it is evocative (and provocative), sometimes lewd, often shocking…and yet, interesting. It is another way of life almost.
Before visiting my first time, I was worried I would feel unsafe and strange in the area. But you don’t. To be honest, you really don’t even know you’re in the Red Light District until you happen to see a store or look down an alleyway and see a red light.
There are definitely mature topics broadcast in store windows or viewing areas. And it is certainly a shock to walk by the first red light window you come across and realize that-wow- this really is a thing here. But it’s not as graphic as all that.
The women are in lingerie and they are certainly…um…trying, BUT, in my opinion, it is worth seeing this piece of Dutch culture. First, to be able to say you’ve seen it- ha!
But, second, to be able to better understand why things like prostitution are legal in Amsterdam, and better understand that these are people just engaging in what they consider to be their career.
This part of town is much less intimidating if you’re with a group.
✈︎ Join this walking tour to learn all about the history of the area and visit a Coffee Shop as well!
✅ Have Dinner and Drinks in Rembrandtplein
End your time in the Venice of the North by enjoying your final evening in the nearby Rembrandtplein.
This square in particular comes alive in the evenings. You’ll find it bracketed all around by restaurants, bars, and coffeehouses.
It is magical to simply sit outside and relax as night falls around you. Rembrandtplein is a brilliant spot for people-watching, and you’ll often find performers of all kinds in the area.
Enjoy a Radler and some dinner and take in the sights and sounds of Amsterdam one last time.
Tip: One place I really love in Rembrandtplein is The Old Bell. It is a spectacular Irish pub with a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for a pint!
Day Trips from Amsterdam
Here’s a little add-on to sprinkle some extra magic on your Amsterdam trip—two favourites that make perfect day escapes:
Zaanse Schans
Just a quick hop (about 20 minutes by train) takes you to a picture-perfect village of working windmills, green wooden houses, and buzzing little workshops.
You can peek inside traditional mustard, cheese, and clog mills, then wander into the Zaans Museum to see how Old Holland made everything from linseed oil to paint. It’s an easy, charming step back in time—and totally doable before dinner back in the city.
Giethoorn
About 1½ hours northeast of Amsterdam, Giethoorn is the “Venice of the North,” with no roads—only canals edged by thatched cottages and 176 wooden bridges.
Rent a whisper-quiet electric boat or paddle a canoe through its winding waterways, grab a latte at a waterside café, and soak up the fairytale vibes. It feels like another world, but you’ll be back in Amsterdam by evening for more canal-side fun.
How to Get Around Amsterdam
With so much time in Amsterdam, you’ll be covering a lot of territory. You will need to figure out the best way to get around the city.
Walking Around Amsterdam
To be honest with you, I typically walk my way around Amsterdam.
It is a lot of steps, but Amsterdam is so walkable and friendly that I almost feel like you miss out on things if you’re just jumping from place to place quickly.
I’ve found some of my favorite stores and restaurants by meandering around the city, and I recommend that you do the same.
Amsterdam Via Tram
Tram lines are incredibly convenient in Amsterdam. We use them constantly the entire time we’re in town.
They are cost-effective, and they connect just about everywhere.
You can check out current transportation card options and pricing here, but you don’t really need to, as you can now just tap on (AND REMEMBER TO TAP OFF!) with your Apple pay or tap credit or debit card.
Literally the most seamless process ever.
⭐Worth Noting: The IAmsterdam City Card includes free public transport! Check my comparison of city cards here to see if it’s a worthwhile expense for you!
Getting Around Amsterdam By Boat
Since there is such a large network of canals in the city center, you technically CAN get around by boat.
However, it is not convenient, as there are only stops in certain areas, and it does cost significantly more.
I would not recommend it.
How to Get to Amsterdam City Center From Schiphol Airport
Getting downtown is relatively easy, as Schipol is not terribly far away.
In order not to waste any time, you’ll want to head into the city center quickly!
✔ Getting to the City Center By Train
Getting to Amsterdam’s city center by train is by far the easiest way.
There are direct train lines underneath the airport that will take you right from Schiphol to Centraal Station.
Once at Centraal, it is incredibly easy to hop on a tram or walk to most city center hotels.
All of the tram lines have access to Centraal right outside the main doors, and there are
tourist centers available that can help you figure out what line to get on if you should need
assistance.
✔ Getting Downtown By Bus
Depending on where your accommodations are, it may make more sense for you to catch a bus into the city center.
There are bus lines at Schiphol Airport that will take you to further south to neighborhoods such as Museumplein or Leidseplein.
You can check for tickets, times, and routes here.
✔ Amsterdam City Center By Taxi or Hotel Shuttle
You can book a taxi online to take you directly to your hotel in Amsterdam.
Alternatively, hotel shuttles run continuously.
These are a more cost-effective way to get to your hotel, though the shuttles hold 8 people, which means they aren’t private.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
Although you can save money by staying outside the city, I really only recommend that you stay in central Amsterdam.
I personally prefer to pay extra in order to be as centrally located as possible.
Staying in the center of the city means you’ll be able to walk outside your door and, realistically, get to almost anything quickly. However, even within central Amsterdam, there are so many areas in which you can stay.
Most of them are designated by the tourist attractions in the area. My personal favorite areas to stay are near Dam Square, Rembrandtplein, or the Museumplein and Vondelpark areas.
I would not recommend staying near the Red Light District or Leidseplein unless you are comfortable with people being out at all hours of the night.
Amsterdam is literally the city that never sleeps!
All of the following hotels are within walking distance of almost all of the main tourist attractions.
⭐ Looking to save some money? Read about the top Amsterdam hotels that offer a free airport shuttle!
✔ My Favorite Hotel: Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre
It is beautiful and clean and it has THE BEST location ever.
You will feel at home here in the evenings thanks to the courteous staff. They are always happy to help with a recommendation or need, and the safety of the area is top-notch.
Tip: Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre is located next to In The Wildeman– one of THE most fantastic bars in the city.
It has more than 250 beers on tap and is filled with locals at any hour! I cannot recommend it enough!
✔ Best Mid-Range Hotel: Eden Hotel Amsterdam
The Eden Hotel is a very close second to my top pick. This hotel sits right off of Rembrandtplein Square, with tons of cafes, bars, and shops less than a two-minute walk away.
It is within walking distance of absolutely everything in Amsterdam Central, and the rooms are enormous and comfortable. Breakfast here is delicious, too!
✔ Best Lavish Hotel: Park Plaza Victoria
You can’t get more central than the Park Plaza Victoria, located directly across from Central Station.
It is an updated, modern hotel with a delectable Dutch restaurant inside.
✔ Best Budget Hostel: The Flying Pig Downtown
Just a 3-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station, this hostel is located right on the Nieuwendijk.
Shared, clean dormitories are available, as well as private rooms. The property has a bar inside as well as communal areas.
Looking for somewhere different? Search all hotels in Amsterdam here!
Is 4 Days in Amsterdam Enough?
Yep! 4 days in Amsterdam is the perfect amount of time. You’ll have enough time and space to explore multiple parts of the city and hit all of the big must-sees of Amsterdam in four days.
After three days, you’ll feel like you’re missing out on something and won’t have time to wander outside the city.
By the fourth day, you’ll finally know the layout of Amsterdam enough to know where you are, but you won’t be bored or jaded quite yet.
Conclusion: 4 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary
Whatever way you cut it, 4 days in Amsterdam will be the best DAM time of your life. It is one of those places you just cannot miss; it is well worth a visit.
Savor the contrast of a busy city paired with relaxing hideaways and fall in love with one of my favorite spots on the planet.
Trust me, you’ll be wanting to go back before you even leave.
If you’re headed to Amsterdam soon, here are some more helpful tips:
✅ My favorite itinerary for one day in Amsterdam!
✅ All the Canal Cruises I recommend in Amsterdam- including private tours!
✅ An Amsterdam Bucket List to complete!
✅ Everything you need to know for visiting the Anne Frank House
✅ Top Weekend Trips from Amsterdam
✅ Review on my #1 Place to stay in Amsterdam
✅ If you’re biking around the city, here’s what you need to know!
✅ Wondering if you can speak English in Amsterdam? Or do you need to greet in Dutch?
