The ultimate itinerary for a memorable 3 days in Amsterdam

Before my visit, I didn’t know much about Amsterdam, or the Netherlands for that matter.

Some of us might remember the famous childhood story about the young lad saving Holland by sticking his finger in the dyke. I also knew about Dutch wooden shoes and windmills, the fact that the country was lower than sea level, and that it was the place that F1 star Max Verstappen was from.  That was about it!

So when I got the chance to tack a few days onto the end of a business trip in October, I was all over it – what could I see and learn in just 3 days in Amsterdam? The answer is – a lot!  

Planning for 3 days in Amsterdam

There are tons of things you can fit into your 3 days in Amsterdam. From windmills and stroopwafels to poignant history tours and Dutch cheese overloads, Amsterdam is an unforgettable destination.

In fact when I was trying to plan, I had to wade through about 200 highly-rated tours and things to do to find the ones I wanted. I added canal cruises, a taste of Dutch liqueurs, and a moving walk through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter — and in short order I had myself a full itinerary.

So this is your guide to Amsterdam. You’ll see what I chose to do and what other highly-rated activities there are for you to choose from. My hope is that you can use this information to build your own exhilarating itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam that’ll help you understand more about this fascinating city and country.

Getting into the city from the airport

Every flight I’ve ever taken from America to Europe have been overnight flights, and this one was no exception.  I flew from Charlotte in North Carolina through Philadelphia to Amsterdam’s Airport Schiphol, which is nine miles south-west of the city. As usual I arrived shortly after sunrise

Airport Schiphol is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger traffic, but getting out of the airport and finding the train line to the center of Amsterdam (to station Amsterdam Centraal) was relaxed and easy. The one-way ticket cost about 5 Euros.  However the wait for the train was about 30 minutes and I found myself having to watch the signs and incoming trains carefully to be sure to catch the correct one.

The Amsterdam Centraal train station was a bit more confusing than the airport and it took me a while to figure out how to get out onto the Dam Square in the city center as there seemed to be turnstiles wanting money everywhere!  But I finally found the turnstile-less door and made my way out onto the main city square, where I could walk about 10 minutes to my hotel, the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam.

Day 1: Canals, Stroopwafels, and looking for the open-top bus tour

Initially my 3 days in Amsterdam was so packed with tours I’d booked that I thought I might not have enough time to get from one tour to the next.  

But then two of the six tours cancelled: one because of a guide that had fallen ill and the other through some unfathomable scheduling error.  Both tour companies were very nice about it and offered alternate tours instead, but I was so fully booked I couldn’t take the other tours they offered.  I received full refunds instead.

My first stop after arriving was the open-top hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Amsterdam. If you’ve been following my travels at all, you’ll know I love to do one of these when I first arrive. It’s a great way to get a quick overview of your destination and determine where you’d like to invest the rest of your time.  

The Amsterdam version of this tour came with an optional upgrade for boat tour of the city’s famous canals. So I booked both.

As it turned out, it was a good thing I did because I couldn’t find the tour bus stop — at all!

Despite following the app’s directions, asking locals, and even hitting up a nearby ticket office, the bus remained elusive. So, defeated but determined, I headed to the canal tour starting point to salvage my day.

And things continued to go awry, but in a good way.

Armed with my ticket, I somehow ended up on a boat operated by a different company. No one seemed to mind, and I figured a boat tour’s a boat tour. So off I went, cruising Amsterdam’s famous 17th-century canals (a UNESCO World Heritage site).

The cruise route makes a large loop around the city, offering a peek at Amsterdam’s well preserved and historic architecture.

Fun fact: some buildings lean like tipsy tourists, thanks to Amsterdam’s soft, below-sea-level terrain. Engineers have installed triangle-shaped wedges to hold things together—a very Dutch approach to problem-solving.

The canals themselves? Packed with moored houseboats and busy tourist vessels. Watching the captain navigate tight turns (sometimes with a little help from the canal walls) was entertainment in itself.

The crowded and enclosed nature of the boats make taking pictures of the scenery difficult – there’s always interior reflections.  Some tour boats have an uncovered rear deck that would eliminate that issue.  My boat was totally enclosed and crowded and I would have loved to have been on an open deck.

▶︎ Check price and availability:
Amsterdam: hop-on hop-off bus and boat options (4.1 stars)

Day 1 evening: A workshop for making ooey-gooey Stroopwafels

That evening, some friends and I went to a hands-on Stroopwafel-making class. What’s a Stroopwafel I hear you ask – good question!

Stroopwafel has been a beloved Dutch specialty since the 18th century. It’s a warm waffle sandwich oozing with caramel, or better yet, topped with a parade of icing and other sugary goodness. 

It’s as indulgent as it sounds, and making one yourself is even better. 

The class is a mix of culinary chaos and sweet success. Our workshop kicked off with a lively Stroopwafel expert showing us how it’s done before turning us loose. We mixed the dough, pressed it in a waffle iron, and then went wild with caramel and toppings. 

Let’s just say restraint was not the vibe. The best (and messiest) part? You had to eat your creation at the end. 

While my Stroopwafel was undeniably delicious, it was also a bit substantial. After a hefty lunch earlier in the day, even one was a challenge to finish. But hey, no regrets.

This Dutch treat is popular in Amsterdam. During my 3 days in Amsterdam, I noticed several Stroopwafel shops as I walked around the urban center of the city. So if a workshop isn’t your thing, grab one from one of these shops instead—you won’t regret it.

▶︎ Check price and availability: Stroopwafel workshop (4.9 stars)

Day 2: History and culture

Initially, I had the day starting with an early-morning cruise on the canal, as I expected it would not be as busy and I’d enjoy the calm, peaceful waters of morning. But, as mentioned, it was one of the two tours that were cancelled. 

On the positive side, I had been a bit concerned about making it to the following tour so the cancellation eliminated that worry but I’ll be trying to book it again next time I’m in Amsterdam.

Day 2 morning: A historic Dutch village at Zaanse Schans

Old-time windmills are one of the things most people associate with the Netherlands.  So when I saw that this three-hour tour included real working windmills, I knew that I had to go sometime during my 3 days in Amsterdam.

The tour to Zaanse Schans whisks you to this historical village just 17 minutes northwest of Amsterdam in Zaandam, where working windmills, cheese factories, and wooden shoe workshops bring Dutch history to life.

The trip starts with a pickup from Amsterdam’s downtown square, and you’re chauffeured in style—a small Mercedes bus for about ten people. After a short drive, you arrive in the quaint Zaandam suburb and enjoy a pleasant walk across a river bridge, where you catch your first sight of those iconic windmills.

They’re like giant fans from another era, their blades spinning in the midst of a meticulously restored 18th/19th-century village.

Highlights You Can’t Miss:

• The Windmills: These beauties aren’t just for show. One grinds pigments from rocks — this windmill once supplied Rembrandt and Van Gogh with the paint used to create their masterpieces. Watching these windmills in action is like stepping into a time capsule. Fun fact: their roofs can be manually rotated to catch the wind, and the sails can be adjusted depending on wind strength. Seeing all of these historic machines spinning in unison was a magical sight.

• Cheese factory: Ever wondered how Gouda is made? You’ll learn everything here, with samples of every kind—aged, young, and everything in between. A lively demonstration walks you through the process, and yes, the tasting is as good as you’d hope.

• Wooden shoe workshop: Traditional Dutch wooden shoes might not be in your wardrobe, but they’re fascinating to watch being made. Modern machines speed things up, but the museum showcasing countless designs proves they’ve been a Dutch staple for centuries.

Please keep in mind that some of these picturesque historic houses in Zaanse Schans are also residences, maintained with strict historical accuracy. Respect the privacy of the locals as you wander through this postcard-perfect setting.

They have a nice little cafeteria there where I had a cup of tea and they threw in a nice liqueur with really good whipped cream on top of it – very recommendable!  

▶︎ Check price and availability: Zaanse Schans Small Group Tour (4.8 stars)

Once back in the city, I had some time between tours and stopped in for a cuppa tea at Cafe Brasserie/ Cafe van Leeuwen, just one of the many cafes around the city.

You can also spend your afternoon exploring one of Amsterdam’s bustling markets, like the Albert Cuyp Market. It’s a treasure trove of souvenirs, street food, and local vibes. Grab some poffertjes (mini pancakes) or stock up on Dutch chocolates.

Day 2 afternoon: Remembering Anne Frank and Amsterdam’s Jewish quarter

If you don’t know about Anne Frank, you should.  She was a young Jewish teen who hid with her family from the Nazis in Amsterdam during the second world war. The Nazis eventually found them and took Anne and most members of her family to be murdered in the concentration camps.

She kept a diary about her experiences. It was published posthumously and has since become a world-famous testament to the atrocities committed during WWII.

Originally I thought I’d like to see the place where she and her family hid, but I quickly found out that you need to book six weeks ahead for the limited number of tickets they issue to help contain the number of visitors touring through the small secret dwellings.  Since I only had 3 days in Amsterdam, that will have to wait for another, better-planned trip.

Instead, I opted for the Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, and it turned out to be an incredibly moving experience.

This small-group tour (about ten people) takes you through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, exploring key landmarks and unraveling the devastating history of the 1940s. Our guide, Kiran—a university senior studying history—was phenomenal. He didn’t just know the facts; he brought them to life with stories and photos that made you feel like you’d stepped into history itself.

We visited the Holocaust Memorial of Names, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the National Holocaust Monument—a stunning and haunting tribute made of brick walls bearing the names of 102,000 Dutch Holocaust victims. Each name’s a reminder of a life lost, and standing there amid this powerful memorial is an experience you won’t forget.

Kiran also delved into Amsterdam’s initial resistance to Nazi occupation, the February Strike, and the brutal Winter of Hunger. He walked us through locations where key events unfolded, showing us photos of what they looked like in the 1940s and pointing out the same buildings, trees, and landmarks still standing today. It was a sobering and deeply impactful experience.

This tour isn’t easy—emotionally, at least—but it’s one of the most meaningful ways to connect with Amsterdam’s history and understand the resilience of its Jewish community. It’s a must for anyone who wants to learn more about this chapter of history, even if it’s not an easy one to explore.

▶︎ Check price and availability:
Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter

If you’re hoping to see the Anne Frank House on this tour, know that you may only catch a glimpse of the exterior. The hidden annex isn’t visible from the road, though Kiran provided diagrams and photos to give us a sense of the space. 

If seeing the annex is on your bucket list, then you’ll need to plan ahead—tickets to the Anne Frank House are released every Tuesday at 10 a.m. CET and can be bought six weeks prior to your visit on the Anne Frank House website.

Day 2 evening: Jenever, and bowing to your drink

One last-minute experience I had, and possibly the most unique of my 3 days in Amsterdam, may be one you want to try.

Some friends invited me to a “spirit tasting” at a tiny cocktail bar called the Dutch Courage. These establishments serve up jenever, a clear, malted spirit that originated in the Netherlands in the 13th century. 

Here’s how it works: you step up to the bar and stare down a wall lined with over a hundred jenever flavors. Your mission? Pick one.

They’ll serve it to you in a small glass filled so full you’ll wonder how it doesn’t spill on the way over. And there’s a ritual too—bow politely to your drink, sip the top layer carefully (no hands yet), and only then can you pick it up like a normal person. It’s quirky, fun, and a very Dutch way to toast.

Being a Scot who knows his way around a whiskey, I went straight for the malt-flavored jenever. And it was pretty good—a smooth nod to my Inner Hebrides Islay adventures with a Dutch twist.

Amsterdam’s kindness shone through here too. I asked the woman next to me if she’d snap a photo of me mid-bow, and not only did she agree, but she took multiple shots to make sure I got the perfect one. That sums up Amsterdam’s vibe: if you ask for help, they’ve got you.

If you’re in the city and looking for a unique experience with a little history and a lot of flavor, I’d say Dutch Courage is worth a stop. Just don’t forget to bow.

Day 3: Art and evening cruising

The second tour to be cancelled was the Amsterdam: Guided Cultural Walking Tour, (4.9 stars) which I thought would be a great introduction to the nuances of the city. Again, next time I’m here, it’ll be on my itinerary again.

Instead, I took advantage of the pretty morning with blue sky and autumn leaves to walk to the Van Gogh museum from the AirBnB.  It took me about an hour, but it was rejuvenating after a busy week, walking through the city, watching the cruise boats on the canal, and even stopping for a vendor-stall hot dog (it was good!).

In the footsteps of Van Gogh

I stopped at the Cobra Cafe, just outside the museum, for a quick tea before meeting our guide, Kawika. The museum buildings are wonderfully detailed old-style architecture befitting the works of art within.

This tour is two hours long and Kawika was spectacularly knowledgeable about Van Gogh’s works and his life. He brandished an orange umbrella and finding him in the crowd outside the cafe was quick and easy.

Before we set off, he handed out wireless earpieces so we could actually hear him over the noise of the museum crowds—a small detail that made a big difference. It meant I could take my time with the paintings that caught my eye while still following along with his commentary.

The museum houses an incredible collection of Van Gogh’s original works, from his famous “Sunflowers” to lesser-known gems. Through the chronologically organized tour, I learned about Vincent van Gogh’s art and life and was able to view his original, genuine masterpieces on permanent display at the museum (sorry, Starry Nights is housed in New York). 

I was sent pictures of some of these masterpieces in real-time back to my artist wife, making her quite envious, which just ensured there’ll be another Amsterdam trip in our future to let her see the museum!

If you enjoy art—or even just want to experience something unique—this tour is a solid way to spend a couple of hours. There’s something grounding about standing in front of Van Gogh’s actual brushstrokes, hearing his story unfold. It’s less about being wowed and more about feeling connected to the humanity behind the art. 

It’s certainly a key tour I’d recommend if you only have 3 days in Amsterdam.

▶︎ Check price and availability:
Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Small Group Guided Tour (4.9 stars)

Cruising in the dark

The last hurrah for my 3 days in Amsterdam was another canal cruise—but this time, under the city lights. It came with the option for unlimited wine and cheese, which, let’s be honest, makes it pretty hard to say no.

With a tight window between my museum visit and this cruise, I grabbed an Uber into town to save time.

Finding the right boat was another adventure, thanks to the maze of piers and a sea of similar-looking vessels. I had to resort to showing the Viator tour description and a photo of the boat to pier officials before finally landing at the right spot. 

This vintage boat just oozes charm, and some of the views of the illuminated canals were pretty spectacular. Overall though, the darkness made it more about what was happening on the boat than outside it.  

The sights are limited after dark (although I was there in late October and it was getting quite dark early), and the noise on the boat, again, made it difficult sometimes to hear the guide.  But sipping the wine and nibbling on Dutch cheeses made it a nice way to round out my Amsterdam trip.

▶︎ Check price and availability:
Amsterdam Classic Saloon Boat Cruise, Drinks and Cheese Option (4.9 stars)

What to know before you go

Before you pack your bags and hop on a flight, here are some key things to keep in mind:

• The country’s name:  If you’re like me, you grew up knowing this country by the name “Holland”.  In fact, the country’s name has always been “The Netherlands” and Holland is the regional name of just two provinces within the Netherlands. The name “Holland” was officially replaced by “the Netherlands” in international branding by the Dutch government around 2020. 

• Currency: Amsterdam operates on euros (€). While most places accept cards, carrying some cash for smaller purchases is wise. If you’ve got a card like the Chase Sapphire (no foreign transaction fees), you’re golden. Bonus: you’ll rack up points for future travels.

• Warning, don’t pay in US $: Credit card machines will often ask, “Do you want to pay in dollars?” with a YES/NO option. It’s best to answer “NO”.
  • Why? According to American Express, if you choose to pay for items in your home currency, you may be subject to a DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) fee imposed by the merchant’s credit card processor. So you may end up paying more to use DCCs, and in some cases you might pay as much as double the basic currency exchange fee for a foreign transaction. When you enter “NO”, it may seem like you’re turning down the entire purchase, but don’t worry, the machine will proceed on its own to finish the transaction in Euros and you’ll save the extra money by paying a normal exchange rate.

• Cafés vs. Coffee Shops: This distinction is important. Cafés are where you grab a latte or a croissant. Coffee shops, on the other hand, are where you go to legally purchase and consume cannabis. Don’t be the jetlagged tourist who mixes them up like I did…  

• Be very careful – bikes have the right of way: There are bikes everywhere in Amsterdam and they are fast. Even though they all stay in the designated bike lanes, you still need to be very careful.  One of our tour guides suggested that bicyclists in Amsterdam have “a licence to kill”, and indeed I saw one elderly man with a grocery cart mowed down by a cyclist (instantly surrounded by good samaritans). Watch carefully where you are walking – the bike paths are right beside the walkways and it’s easy to stray into harm’s way. At some intersections bike paths come at you from multiple directions – take a good look around before you try to cross one.

Getting around in Amsterdam

As well as trains, you can also use the city’s extensive public transportation system operated by GVB, which includes trams, buses, and the aforementioned metro trains. You can buy daily transportation tickets that cover you for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days.

I frankly had trouble understanding which tram to take but there are maps at the stations to help you and there is a schedules app you can download to your phone called GVB reis app.  It will display either in English or Dutch – just type in your destination and it will show you what train or tram to catch and when it will arrive at your current location.

If you’re in a hurry (as I was on a couple of occasions), you can also hail a cab or use the Uber app to summon an Uber driver.  Drivers were personable and easy to talk with and were normally punctual (the only exception was the pre-ordered Uber that failed to turn up at 4:20AM as promised on the morning of my departure).

Walking is also a great way to get around — Amsterdam is the kind of city that practically begs you to wander. It’s compact, full of charm, and I ended up doing a lot of walking (my health app said that on one day I walked more than 13,000 steps!).

Depending on how much time you have there’s a lot to see when you’re on foot:  shops, canals with tour boats, architecture, and more. I was there in October, so the colors of the leaves on the trees made the city even more beautiful to walk through.

As in other trips this year, the Apple maps app on my iPhone was extremely helpful (I’m sure Google maps and Androids are just as good). When searching for a route and tapping the public transport button, it gives you very detailed instructions for every part of the trip: finding the station, getting on the train or tram, even directions for the walking part of the trip.

There’s also private and semi-private transportation. Click these links to check prices and availability:

Private Taxi Airport Transfer to or from Schiphol Airport (AMS)

But wait, there’s more… best things to do in Amsterdam 

When I first started to organize my 3 days in Amsterdam, I was taken aback at the number of top-rated activities to choose from.  So, if you want to include or substitute other things into your itinerary, or even if you want to stay a little longer and expand your list of things to do, there are literally hundreds of top-rated choices. 

Here’s some of the best things to do in Amsterdam. Note that all of these activities are rated as 4.9-5.0 out of 5 on the customer satisfaction scale, so no matter which you choose you can’t go wrong! 

(Click any of these links to check prices and availability):

Biking or walking tours

• Amsterdam: Guided Cultural Walking Tour (4.9 stars)
• A’dam Lookout: an observation deck with an unrivalled panoramic view of Amsterdam
• VIP Johan Cruijff ArenA Tour with Drink and Scarf (4.9 stars): the Johan Cruijf ArenA and discover the world-famous home of Ajax Football Club
• Guided Bike Tour in French (4.9 stars)
• Mike’s Countryside E-bike Tour, Cheese & Clogs (4.9 stars)
• Red Light District tour with a local  (5 stars): A famous yet polarizing part of Amsterdam that showcases its liberal culture.
• Queer City Walking Tour With Local Guide (5 stars)

History

• Anne Frank Walking Tour in German or English (4.9 stars)

Food

• Traditional Dutch Syrup waffle making workshop (Stroopwafel) (4.9 stars)
• Dutch Winetasting in Speakeasy Winecellar (5 stars)
• Craft Dutch Pancakes in Charming Canal House (4.9 stars)
• Boutique Dutch Food and Jordaan History Tour with up to 8 people (4.9 stars): A picturesque neighborhood perfect for wandering and discovering hidden gems.
• Food and Culture Walking Tour with Tastings (5 stars)

Canal tours

• Classic Saloon Boat Cruise, Drinks and Cheese Option (4.9 stars)
• Early Morning Canal Cruise (5 stars)
• Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Hot Drinks (5 stars)
• Private Romantic Canal Cruise Amsterdam with Bubbly and Snacks (5 stars)
• Small-Group Canal Cruise With Dutch Snacks and Drink (5 stars)
• Boat Rental (4.9 stars)

Museums & the arts

• Van Gogh Museum Tour With Reserved Entry – Semi-Private 8ppl Max (5 stars)
• Exclusive Museum Day Van Gogh & Rijksmuseum Guided Tour (5 stars)
• Rembrandt, Vermeer & Dutch Masters the Rijksmuseum Exclusive tour (4.9 stars): Home to masterpieces by Dutch Golden Age painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Photography

• Private Photoshoot Session with Edited Photos (4.9 stars)

Day trips NEAR Amsterdam

• From Amsterdam: Tulip Fields & Windmill Day Trip with Lunch  (4.9 stars)

Where to stay in Amsterdam

For the first part of the trip, I stayed at the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam—a boutique hotel right in the heart of the city. It was very pleasant and within walking distance of many attractions and tours. The staff was polite and efficient.

Here’s a map that can help you to see what is available on the dates you want to visit:

• Hover over the hotel icons to see info. Click on it to book.
• Use the + and – in the lower right corner to zoom in and out.

For the last two days of my trip, I stayed in an AirBnB along the Amstel river. The owner, Anoushka, is originally from England, so it was easy to speak with her and learn about her life in Amsterdam. She and her boyfriend had a few properties in Amsterdam and one in London, and that’s what they were working on.

The Airbnb was great. It was very clean, very well maintained and the beds were comfortable. I only really stayed to sleep at night because of my packed schedule, but I slept well when I was there!

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FAQs: spending 3 Days in Amsterdam

Conclusion: Amsterdam awaits

Three days in Amsterdam might not seem like enough, but I found it was just the right amount of time to get a flavor for the city and see some of it’s most notable attractions. It’s just the right amount of time to leave you captivated and wanting more.

Amsterdam is a city that effortlessly blends the lighthearted with the profound. You’ll walk through a city steeped in history, where every canal and leaning house tells a story. And yes, you’ll inevitably dodge a bike or two—consider it part of the experience.

So pack your walking shoes, embrace the bike-dodging culture, and prepare to fall in love with Amsterdam. Just don’t confuse the cafés and coffee shops—you’ve been warned.

Happy travels!

Have you been to Amsterdam? What tours and trips did you enjoy the most? Contact us and share the wisdom!