Things to do on a layover in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, counted 881.933 residents on January 1st, 2022. This great but, in a way, small city attracts millions of visitors each year. The city is known for its beautiful UNESCO’s World Heritage canals, its rich history, the Anne Frank House, its coffeeshops, the Red Light District, diverse cultures, thousands of bicycles, quirky architecture and a lively nightlife.

Since the Dutch government removed the Corona restrictions in The Netherlands, many tourists are rediscovering this exciting, vibrant and cosmopolitan city again. If you only have a limited amount of time, for example during a layover in Amsterdam between flights, consider booking a Layover tour and get to see the best of the city in a short period of time with a personal driver and a personal guide.

Check out the Amsterdam tour package options at www.layovers.amsterdam

If you have some more time, here’s a list of the most extensive list of

THINGS TO DO IN AMSTERDAM

Bike ride

Do as the locals do, hop on a bike and ride.

Heineken Experience

Interactive tour through beer giant’s history in former brewery, with a tasting room finale.

Canal Cruise

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without an Amsterdam canal cruise. Get to know the beautiful Dutch capital on a charming canal boat.

Red Light District

Walk through the Amsterdam Red Light District which is one of the most talked-about neighbourhoods in the city, due to its housing of the world’s oldest profession.

Madame Tussauds

Visit Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and many more celebrities at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Dungeon

Advertised as ‘bringing to life 500 years of the Dutch dark history’, the Amsterdam Dungeon attraction is a horror theater show.

Ajax soccer stadium

Step into the world of Champion AFC Ajax by visiting the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

Albert Cuypmarkt

The Albert Cuyp Market is a famous street market.

Royal Palace

In the middle of the capital stands the Royal Palace, King Willem-Alexander’s official reception palace.

Dam Square

Dam Square or the Dam is a town square. Its notable buildings and frequent events make it one of the best-known and most important locations in the city and the country.

Foodhallen

Foodhallen is home to a wide range of high-quality concepts and a household name for foodlovers.

Coffeeshops

Coffeeshops are not only to smoke weed. They are real social places where you can easily meet people and spend some good times with friends.

A’dam lookout

360 Amsterdam & Sensation Swing is an observation deck with an unrivalled panoramic view of the city. Elevator with a light show to a 20-story rooftop with a restaurant/bar & an over-the-edge swing.

VISIT ONE OF ITS FINE MUSEUMS

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch arts and history.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is a Dutch art museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries.

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is a writer’s house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank.

EYE Filmmuseum

The museum for film and the art of the moving image in the Netherlands.

Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, colloquially known as the Stedelijk, is a museum for modern art, contemporary art, and design.

NEMO

NEMO Science Museum is a science centre in Amsterdam for both kids and adults.

Hermitage

Hermitage Amsterdam is a branch museum of the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Amsterdam Museum

The Amsterdam Museum connects residents and visitors of Amsterdam with each other and with the city.

Jewish Historical museum

Museum dedicated to Jewish history, culture and religion, in the Netherlands and worldwide.

Amsterdam Tulip Museum

Small private museum which shows the history of the Dutch fascination with the tulip.

Tropenmuseum

Ethnographic museum. The museum accommodates eight permanent exhibitions and an ongoing series of temporary exhibitions, including modern and traditional visual arts and photographic works.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum holds one of the world’s largest and most notable maritime collections including paintings, ship models, navigation instruments and sea charts. Docked right beside the museum is the replica of a Dutch East Indiaman ship.

GO FOR A WALK IN ONE OF THESE PARKS

Vondelpark

Public urban park of 47 hectares close to the museum square.

Begijnhof

The Begijnhof is one of Amsterdam’s best known hofjes (almshouses).

Amsterdamse Bos

The Amsterdam Forest is one of the biggest urban parks in Europe.

SHOP TILL YOUR DROP

Kalverstraat

Kalverstraat is a busy shopping street. It runs from Dam Square to Muntplein square.

PC Hoofdstraat

PC Hooftstraat – and the adjacent Van Baerlestraat and Hobbemastraat – are Amsterdam’s most exclusive shopping area, home to big names, including Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.

Leidsestraat

The Leidsestraat and the Kalverstraart are the two main shopping streets and they are exactly what you’d hope for and expect in a major city’s principal thoroughfares.

De 9 Straatjes

The name of Amsterdam’s Negen Straatjes district translates as the ‘nine little streets’. Chic and central, the area is home to some of the Dutch capital’s smartest boutiques and is dotted with stylish cafes and hotels.

SPEND THE NIGHT WITH THEATER & COMEDY

Carré

The Royal Theater Carré is a Neo-Renaissance theatre, located near the river Amstel.

Stopera

The Stopera is a building complex housing both the city hall of Amsterdam and the Dutch National Opera and Ballet.

DeLaMar

DeLaMar is a theatre near Leidseplein.

De Kleine Comedie

De Kleine Komedie is today the oldest theatre in Amsterdam, dating from 1788.

De Balie

19th-century courthouse hosting debates, theater & talk shows with a social or political focus.

Boom Chicago

Renowned English-language comedy troupe performing topical sketches, improvisations & songs.

Toomler

Toomler has been the home base for many Dutch comedians. For many it is a springboard to theatre shows throughout Holland. Many international comedic talents come to perform here as well.

ENJOY A NICE CONCERT

Concertgebouw

The Royal Concertgebouw is a famous concert hall. A great example of Neoclassical architecture. Its superb acoustics place it among the finest concert halls in the world, along with Boston’s Symphony Hall and the Musikverein in Vienna.

Ziggo Dome

The Ziggo Dome is an indoor arena.

Paradiso

Paradiso is a Dutch music venue and cultural centre.

Melkweg

Melkweg is a popular music venue and cultural centre.

OR GO TO THE MOVIES

Tuschinksi

The Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski is a movie theatre. The architectural style is an extraordinary mix of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Jugendstil and Amsterdam School.

Pathé de Munt

A spacious and modern cinema for large and small events.

Rialto

Rialto is a cinema at Ceintuurbaan in the De Pijp neighbourhood in Amsterdam. Rialto exhibits quality, innovative films from film directors from all corners of the world for a wide, diverse public.