Visiting Amsterdam for the First Time? Here's What To See and Do

No visit to Holland’s capital would be complete without winding your way along the 17th-century Amsterdam Canal Ring (Grachtengordel), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And one of the best ways to do so is via a hop on hop off boat tour.

Cruises typically float past hundreds of traditional Dutch canal houses and beneath dozens of bridges that span the Amstel River. The most famous bridge is Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)—according to legend, it was originally built for two sisters in the 1600s so they could meet up with each other more easily.

Canal boat rides feature everything from unlimited drinks to all-you-can-eat pizza or cheese, so sightseeing isn’t the only thing you’ll enjoy. Plus, these are typically guided tours, so you'll get to learn about Amsterdam's vibrant history as you cruise along.

Born in the small town of Zundert, Vincent Van Gogh is one of Holland’s most famous exports. No other place pays homage to him better than the Van Gogh Museum, which is unsurprisingly home to the legendary artist’s largest collection of work.

Another world-class Amsterdam museum is the Rijksmuseum, the largest art museum in the Netherlands. If you find the thought of admiring more than 8,000 pieces of art alone a bit daunting, opt for an art history tour that hones in on pieces by European masters such as Rembrandt, Hals, and Vermeer.

Few places in the world are more accommodating to bicycles than Amsterdam, where 320 miles (515 kilometers) of bike lanes allow you to easily traverse the 62 miles (100 kilometers) of canals and its 1,500 bridges. Blend in with the locals by hiring a bike and following the bicycle lanes around town.

The best spots for leisurely biking are Vondelpark's 19th-century “green lung” and The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes), a collection of side streets featuring chic boutiques. You can explore the city even further by joining a guided bike tour, which will allow you to see it without the stress of navigating it.

Amsterdam-Noord used to be an industrial wasteland, home only to factories and shipyards. Today, however, it's hailed as the capital’s hippest district—yet it's still something of a hidden gem in Amsterdam when it comes to tourists.

Start off in the trendy NDSM Wharf, home to a skatepark and several art galleries, before browsing Pekmarkt, where market stalls sell everything from organic food to vintage clothes, depending on the day. You can also catch a film at the EYE Film Institute (EYE Filmmuseum), a modernist landmark that is also home to a cinematography museum.

Insider tip: If you like a thrill and an epic view, head to the top of the A’dam Lookout and ride Europe’s tallest swing, perched 328 feet (100 meters) above the ground.

If you’re a fan of flowers and unique experiences, Amsterdam has several attractions dedicated entirely to tulips. Don’t miss Bloemenmarkt, the only floating flower market in the world, where local florists sell flowers (both real and faux) and bulbs you can take home to plant, all from houseboats.

You can also delve deeper into Holland’s flower obsession at the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. If you’re visiting in the spring months, don’t miss Keukenhof Gardens, where 7 million flower bulbs bloom across 79 acres (32 hectares) of lush parkland—it's one of the most famous landmarks in Holland.

Once you've seen Amsterdam's attractions, head just outside the city to learn more about Dutch life. Nothing exemplifies Holland better than Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum in the fertile Dutch countryside outside of Amsterdam. Here, you can watch locals make traditional wooden clogs, see old-style windmills whirring in the fields, and, if you’re there in the spring, admire brightly-colored tulips in bloom.

Combine a visit to Zaanse Schans with a stop in Edam to sample freshly made cheese. Or, join a tour of the charming fishing village of Volendam, which once inspired artists such as Renoir and Picasso.

While Amsterdam is best known for being a joyous city to visit, it has a harrowing history, particularly concerning World War II. Nowhere exemplifies this better than the Anne Frank House (Anne Frank Huis), a canalside house made famous by Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl.

The former residence is now a moving museum that describes the Frank family’s experience of hiding during Nazi Germany. As one of the city’s top attractions, admission tickets often sell out, so be sure to reserve your time slot in advance or combine your visit with a walking tour that reveals Amsterdam’s Jewish history.

While it might be best known for its beer and balls, there’s much more to Amsterdam’s food scene than bitterballen. The best way to discover it is on a food tour, during which you’ll get the inside scoop on Gouda cheese, smoked sausage, and stroopwafel (crunchy, sweet waffles), and discover why the city has such a thriving Indonesian food scene. You can even try your hand at making your own Dutch pancakes, cheese, or cocktails during a cooking class in the city.

And while Heineken might not be considered a delicacy, the beer does hail from the city, which is why the Heineken Experience is a big Amsterdam tourist attraction. But you can find the beer on tap just about anywhere—and we do think it tastes better here than at home.

There’s a reason that Amsterdam is famous throughout Europe for its nightlife, most of which centers around the Red Light District (De Wallen), one of the most popular parts of the city to visit.

While the area is most famous for its liberal and regulated approach to sex work, it’s also a thriving canalside district bursting with culture. In addition to museums, bars, restaurants, and shops selling everything from condoms to cheese. The best way to get your bearings in the bustling enclave is on a walking tour, particularly an evening one that reveals the district in its full and dazzling glory.

Once you’ve ticked off Amsterdam’s top sights, you’ll be rewarded for going farther afield to see other Netherlands landmarks. Fast and reliable Dutch trains make getting to other parts of the country a breeze—and give you the chance to visit the grand Amsterdam Centraal Station. You can easily check out the highlights of the Hague, Delft, and Rotterdam, without having to worry about aligning your sightseeing must-dos with public transport timetables.

Top attractions include Rotterdam’s Cube Houses, Royal Delft pottery workshop, and The Hague’s Peace Palace (Vredespaleis).