Search for a place or activity

How to Get Off the Beaten Path in Amsterdam

Escape the crowds in Amsterdam with these under-the-radar spots.

A couple relax along the banks of one of Amsterdam's famous canals in the Netherlands
Hi, I'm Mandy!

Mandy Hegarty is a writer who specializes in food and travel. Currently based in Dublin, Ireland, she’s previously lived in New York, London, and Montreal. She has written for the likes of Time Out New York, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.

From the Anne Frank House to Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam has no shortage of world class, crowd-pleasing attractions. But, in case you’ve already seen the city’s main highlights, or simply want to escape the tourist crush, we’ve put together a list of the best off-the-beaten-path offerings in the city.

Visit Amsterdam-Noord

A couple talks in front of a modern building in the Amsterdam-Noord area.
Kinetisch Noord, Center for Underground Culture in Amsterdam.Photo Credit: fokke baarssen / Shutterstock

For crowd-free fun.

With so many excellent attractions packed into Amsterdam Centrum, few tourists find the time to explore farther afield. Just a short and free ferry ride away from Central Station, the hip waterfront district of Noord flies under the average traveler’s radar. Ride Europe’s highest swing at the A’DAM Lookout, go shopping in Pekmarkt street market, and admire traditional wooden houses at Nieuwendammerdijk.

Explore the Museum Our Lord in the Attic (Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder)

Inside the secret church Museum Our Lord in the Attic in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
A secret church spanning three townhouses.Photo Credit: Robert Mullan / Shutterstock

For the history connoisseurs.

Hidden in a canal house attic lies this unexpected gem: a fully fitted-out church complete with lavish marble and gilt decoration. Built in the 17th century during a time of Catholic persecution, this clandestine church—accessible through a hidden door—would have been the setting for secret masses performed in front of up to 150 worshippers.

Inspect the Willet-Holthuysen Museum

The entrance to Willet-Holthuysen Museum in Amsterdam.
Get off the beaten path at the Willet-Holthuysen Museum.Photo Credit: Dutchmen Photography / Shutterstock

Old Dutch furnishing samples in one place.

A gift to the city from Mrs. Willet-Holthuysen in the late 19th century, this little-known museum is set inside a 17th-century canal house and is filled with period furnishings and artwork. The beautifully kept interiors show how wealthy Amsterdam inhabitants would have lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Find things to do in Amsterdam

1 / 7

Keep reading

1 / 5
en
286ddfd2-ebcc-4c00-a4de-c6d70f3e896f
article
Do more with Viator
One site, 300,000+ travel experiences you'll remember—direct to your inbox.
Stay in the know