[takeaways] • Amsterdam blends 17th-century, UNESCO-listed canals with a laid-back modern vibe, plus world-class art, wartime history, and green space.
• Don't miss a canal cruise, the Jordaan neighborhood, Vondelpark, the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk — and, of course, a fresh stroopwafel.
• Spring and early fall are generally the best times to visit, with fewer crowds and more manageable weather; summer is brighter but pricier and busier.
• Carry some cash alongside your card, and book major attractions online well ahead of time.
• Tipping isn't expected in the Netherlands, but 10% in cash is a nice gesture for good service.
• A Netherlands eSIM keeps you connected to maps and translation apps wherever your Amsterdam trip takes you. [/takeaways]
The Netherlands is an absolutely fabulous country to explore, and for many people, it's one of the biggest highlights of any European tour. Its capital, Amsterdam, is an even bigger highlight in and of itself — famous for its cozy café scenes, its waterways, and fascinating history, this is somewhere you come on vacation to genuinely get away from it all.
And yet, if you've never been here before, it might be tricky to work out a plan of action to cover all the best bits. In this guide, we'll take you through the best things to do in Amsterdam if you're completely new to the city, and share a few general tips and tricks on how to make the most of any vacation to the Netherlands.
Why is Amsterdam so popular?
If you've heard plenty of people say that they'd like to travel and stay in Amsterdam, there are plenty of solid reasons why that's the case. For one thing, the city combines 17th-century canals with a curious, modern vibe. It is a famously liberal, laid-back corner of Europe, meaning the living out here is easy — even if it is a little expensive at times!
What's more, it's a region that is absolutely packed with art and wartime history. It's here where you'll be able to learn more about some of the finest Dutch artists of all time, and learn more about Anne Frank's life during the Holocaust.
Amsterdam is also world-famous for its colorful tulips, its park scenery, and, of course, its gorgeous waterways. If you don't take a canal tour while you're here, have you even properly visited?
Whether you take a guided tour of Amsterdam or not is entirely up to you, but in some ways, we'd recommend following a guide so you can pack as much in as possible. Do, however, give yourself at least a few days to break off and just relax. You don't have to see it all in one go — and as one of the most welcoming, open-minded cities on the continent, there's every chance you'll want to come back and enjoy it all again.
Whether you do or not, of course, it's still worth making sure you download a SIMOVO eSIM for the Netherlands. You'll be able to connect to the best available mobile networks, and as you pay up front for data, you won't have to worry about running up large mobile data bills back home. What's more, if you run out of data during your trip, you can just top up online whenever you need to.
[esim flag="🇳🇱" label="Netherlands" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/netherlands" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected to maps and translation apps wherever your trip takes you[/esim]
Five amazing things to do in Amsterdam
Regardless of whether you're looking for new adventures or just want to kick back and relax occasionally, here are five things to do in Amsterdam you'll want to prioritize.
[numbered title="Cruise the waterways" pill="UNESCO canals"]Amsterdam's 17th-century canals are one of the city's major highlights, and you can take them all up close by taking a boat tour. The waterways here are UNESCO-recognized, and sailing along them gives you the chance to spy historic merchant houses, bridges, and infrastructure, and local greenery. Traveling Amsterdam by boat is how you were meant to enjoy it![/numbered] [numbered title="Explore the Jordaan" pill="Boutique neighborhood"]The Jordaan is a famous neighborhood in Amsterdam that's bursting with vibrant market scenes (check out the Noordermarkt on a Saturday, for example), hidden courtyards, and leafy canal stretches. Just across the Prinsengracht canal from here, you can also tour the immensely important Anne Frank House and learn about how the Franks hid from the Nazis at the height of the Holocaust. This corner of the city offers a great selection of what makes Amsterdam so memorable in a relatively small slice.[/numbered] [numbered title="Picnic or cycle through Vondelpark" pill="Central green space"]Vondelpark is the largest and most famous green space right in the heart of Amsterdam (the sprawling Amsterdamse Bos on the edge of the city is bigger still, but Vondelpark is the one everyone means when they talk about a day in the park), and whether you'd like to cycle, read a book on the lawns, or explore one of several hidden sculptures across the fabulous grounds, it's a day out that you can shape your way.[/numbered] [numbered title="Brush up on your art" pill="World-class museums"]Amsterdam is also famous for its artistic links, perhaps most so for its Van Gogh Museum, which of course explores the incredible work and life of Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most celebrated Dutch painters of all time. Elsewhere, take time to explore contemporary art at the Stedelijk, and step back in time at the Rijksmuseum, which holds works going back centuries, such as those by Rembrandt and Vermeer.[/numbered] [numbered title="Try some stroopwafel" pill="Local treat"]Stroopwafel is the iconic Dutch snack that's made of two crispy cookie-like waffles and a gooey caramel center (a syrup called stroop). The best way to enjoy it is to find a café in Amsterdam and to place it on top of a hot cup of tea or coffee for two minutes. You'll then have a soft, runny snack that's even more joyous to behold![/numbered]
The best time to visit Amsterdam
Generally, the best time to visit Amsterdam is either during the spring or in early fall (both seasons based on Northern Hemisphere calendars). It's during these shoulder seasons that the weather is at its most manageable and pleasant, and when crowds are unlikely to be difficult to navigate through. Late fall also happens to be a sweet spot for cheaper accommodations and flights, and you'll be in a prime position to explore Christmas markets if you stay longer into winter (however, the prices will likely jump up close to the holidays).
The summers here tend to be nice and bright and offer long daylight hours, which is great news if you want to spend as much time as possible exploring the canals or cycling around the park spaces. Just keep in mind that all of that comes with the trade-off of higher prices and larger crowds!
Far be it from us to tell you when to visit Amsterdam, of course — just keep these points in mind when you're booking your vacation.
Netherlands travel tips
If you've never visited the Netherlands before, here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip and the culture you'll be stepping into for a little while.
[tip title="Carry some cash alongside your card"]You can use international cards to pay across the country to some extent, but smaller shops and some public facilities will expect you to have some Euros in change. Be sure to balance your spending between cash and card.[/tip] [tip title="Book tickets online in advance"]Some of the bigger attractions in Amsterdam and beyond get booked up very quickly — make sure to buy tickets online as soon as you know you're arriving.[/tip] [tip title="Tipping is optional but appreciated"]You usually won't have to tip while dining out across the Netherlands, but if you'd like to show your servers and kitchen staff you appreciate them, consider leaving 10% in cash.[/tip] [tip title="Pack for sudden showers"]While the region is nice and sunny across much of the year, always be prepared for sudden showers! Pack layers and waterproofing to expect the unexpected.[/tip] [warning]When wandering around Dutch towns and cities, be careful not to stand in bike lanes! These are widely used and are marked in red, indicating that you will need to stand clear as a pedestrian.[/warning] [tip title="Expect direct, honest communication"]Don't be afraid if people here are honest and direct with you — Dutch people prefer to be open communicators, so don't take certain conversational moments personally![/tip] [faq] [q]Why is Amsterdam so popular with visitors?[/q] [a]Amsterdam combines UNESCO-listed 17th-century canals with a liberal, laid-back modern atmosphere, plus world-class art and wartime history, colorful tulips, and scenic waterways.[/a] [q]What are the best things to do in Amsterdam for first-time visitors?[/q] [a]A canal cruise, exploring the Jordaan neighborhood and Anne Frank House, spending time in Vondelpark, visiting the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk, and Rijksmuseum, and trying a fresh stroopwafel are all must-dos.[/a] [q]When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?[/q] [a]Spring or early fall generally offer the most manageable weather and smaller crowds. Summer is brighter with longer days but comes with higher prices and bigger crowds.[/a] [q]Is tipping expected in the Netherlands?[/q] [a]No, tipping isn't required when dining out, though leaving around 10% in cash is a nice way to show appreciation for good service.[/a] [q]Is Amsterdam a safe city to walk around?[/q] [a]Generally yes, though pedestrians should stay alert for the city's busy, red-marked bike lanes, which are widely used and easy to accidentally wander into.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇳🇱" label="Netherlands" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/netherlands" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in Amsterdam[/esim]
