Things to do in Amsterdam: canals, museums & nightlife
- Mar 26
- 5 min read
Things to do in Amsterdam: what we actually recommend
Amsterdam has a bit of everything, canals, museums, parks, nightlife, and a more alternative side 😉
After exploring the city, these are the things we actually think are worth doing.
In this guide, we’ll show you what to do in Amsterdam: canals, museums, parks, the Red Light District, famous cafés, and the city’s nightlife.
What You’ll Find in This Amsterdam Guide
Walk along Amsterdam’s canals
One of the first things you’ll notice in Amsterdam is its canal system, and honestly, just walking around them is already one of the best plans.
The four main ones are: Singel, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht.
You’ll also come across tons of houseboats. One of the most interesting visits is the Houseboat Museum, where you can see what it’s actually like to live in one.
There are also plenty of canal cruises you can book, passing through Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht, and going by some of the city’s main landmarks.
Visit Amsterdam’s museums
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s cultural capitals.
If you’re planning to visit museums, here’s the golden rule: book in advance, tickets sell out weeks ahead.
We didn’t visit all of them, but these are the most popular ones and the ones we’d recommend prioritizing.
Some of the most recommended:
🖼️ Anna Frank House: Located along the Prinsengracht canal, in the charming Jordaan neighborhood.
It’s a powerful experience where you visit the actual hiding place where Anne wrote her diary.
Important:
From 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, only visitors with online tickets can enter
After 3:30 PM, you can also buy tickets at the door
Opening hours:
April to October: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Rest of the year: closes at 7:00 PM
🖼️ Van Gogh Museum: Home to the largest collection of Van Gogh’s work.
Inside, you’ll find over 200 paintings and 400 drawings from different periods of one of the most important artists in history.
Opening hours:
Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fridays: open until 10:00 PM
🖼️ Moco Museum: A fascinating mix of modern, contemporary, and street art.
You’ll find works by artists like Banksy, Warhol, and Dalí.
It was created to make art more accessible, especially for a younger audience.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Relax in Amsterdam’s parks
If the weather is nice, these were some of our favorite spots to slow down between museums and canals:
🌳 Leidseplein
One of the most lively areas in Amsterdam.
There’s always something happening: street artists, musicians, bars, and theaters everywhere.
🌳 Vondelpark
The largest and most famous park in Amsterdam.
It’s basically the city’s green heart: perfect for walking, spending the day outside, or just sitting at a café and relaxing.
Visit the Red Light District
One of the most famous neighborhoods in the world, known for its nightlife, sex shops, and coffee shops.
As you walk through its streets and canals, you’ll see the well-known red-lit windows, where sex workers legally offer their services.
It’s one of those places that’s worth seeing at least once, more than anything to understand how different Amsterdam feels compared to other cities.
Another thing that stands out here are the coffee shops, where you can legally buy cannabis and psychedelic truffles.
Famous coffee shops in Amsterdam
Even if it’s not your thing, it’s still interesting to see how normalized it is here.
🌿 The Bulldog: The most popular and oldest coffee shop in Amsterdam — it was the first one in the city.
Prices are good, but quality isn’t the best you’ll find.
Today it’s a whole brand with multiple locations and even a hotel.
🌿 Abraxas: A very unique coffee shop with a design made from natural materials.
Sometimes there’s live music, and they offer a wide variety of hash from different parts of the world.
🌿 Dampkring: If you’re looking for something brighter and more aesthetic, this is a great option.
It has a relaxed atmosphere with Arabic and Buddhist-inspired details.
Their menu is very detailed, explaining the flavors and effects of each product — perfect if it’s your first time.
❗ Important rules for coffee shops
You must bring your passport or ID proving you’re over 18 (no photos or copies accepted)
No alcohol is sold
You can’t smoke tobacco inside (only pure cannabis or herbal mixes)
Ask for advice — if it’s your first time, talk to the staff to avoid a bad experience
Live sex shows
Another well-known attraction in the Red Light District are erotic theaters with live shows.
We went to Sex Palace Peep Show, one of the more affordable options.
Some of the most known:
Casa Rosso: live shows mixing dance, theater, and erotic performances
Moulin Rouge: located in the heart of the district, combining sensuality and theatrical elements
One thing to keep in mind:
While these shows are definitely one of Amsterdam’s curiosities, they also get very mixed reviews.
Many travelers feel they’re more of a tourist trap than a high-quality experience.
Nightlife in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is also known for its nightlife scene.
If you’re into going out, the main areas are Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, and Dam Square, all very lively and full of clubs with international DJs.
💥 Escape: One of the biggest and most popular clubs, with multiple rooms and different music styles, house, EDM, techno, and sometimes reggaeton.
💥 Paradiso: Located inside an old church near Leidseplein.
One of the most iconic venues in Amsterdam, known for its architecture and amazing acoustics.
Watt Events & festivales
Depending on the time of year, you might find festivals or international DJ events.
Watt Events organizes parties in clubs, boats, and festivals throughout the year.
We went to see Guy J on a boat, and it was honestly a great experience.
🍪 The best cookies in Amsterdam 🍪
We tried them… and yes, they’re 100% worth the hype.
Located in the Rokin area, this is one of the most famous bakeries in the city.
They only sell one type of cookie: dark chocolate with white chocolate filling.
Simple, but incredible, in our opinion, the best cookies in Amsterdam (and maybe Europe).
Go early, there’s usually a 15–20 minute line.
Our experience in Amsterdam
Amsterdam ended up being one of the cities where we had the most fun in Europe.
We loved the mix of everything, the Red Light District, the festivals, but also the quieter side of the city with canals, cafés, and parks.
One of the things we enjoyed the most was simply walking without a plan, especially outside the main tourist areas.
It’s one of those cities where you don’t need a strict itinerary, just explore and see where the day takes you.
Keep planning your trip to Amsterdam
Amsterdam has something for everyone: canals, museums, parks, nightlife, and a very different vibe compared to other European cities.
👉 Where to stay in Amsterdam — best areas and neighborhoods
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