If you think that 72 hours will be more than enough to get the best out of Amsterdam, you are completely wrong, this city though compact in size, it has so much to offer, and never runs out of entertaining options all within walking distance, a quick tram trip, or a short cycling ride.

If you are flying into Amsterdam direct, the first thing you will be welcomed by is Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport making it hard for you to exit, but once you step out and head to the city you will immediately fall in love with it, giving you; from museums & attractions requiring at least half a day to tiny ones that would only take an hour or two to enjoy; a museum for jewellery, another for purses, diamonds, and human body, in Amsterdam whichever place you will go to, you will be given an experience, not just a visit.

Photo Courtesy: MorBCN

Why Do I Love Amsterdam?

• It’s a walkable city, so you don’t have to worry about transportation or ways of commuting from one place to another, it’s all about cycling, walking, and enjoying the atmosphere
• Each place/museum/attraction you visit will offer you an authentic experience that you will never forget
• It’s not the typical European city where everything closes early, and streets are deserted from 9 PM
• The canal houses, canals, and cat hotels –though not a big fan of cats but the idea is heart-warming

Getting From The Airport To The City

• Direct Train: Buy yourself a train ticket from the vending machines, or through counters at the Airport, the train runs every 10 minutes and takes 13-18 minutes to Amsterdam Central Station, the station is only 10 minutes walk or even less from Amsterdam’s centre; Dam Square.
• Airport shuttle bus: also runs every 10 minutes but takes more time to get to the city, and also stops in too many stations.

Suggested 72 Hours Itinerary

Day 1

• Breakfast at Rembrandtplein: though Dam Square is known as Amsterdam’s main square, Rembrandtplein remains my personal favourite given the variety of outdoor cafes & restaurants where one can really enjoy a cup of coffee or a lavish meal
• Head to Singel where Bloemenmarkt -flower market- is: not only a Dutch landmark, but the world’s only floating flower market where one can simply enjoy looking at the offered for sale blooming tulips, flowers, and vivid plants. This is also a place for cheese-tasting and buying.
• Dam Square to check it out, grab some Vlaamse Friet -dutch fries- with curry sauce- and spend a couple of hours at Madame Tussauds –liked it more than London’s
• Roam the city on foot
• Hop on a night lit canal-boat tour

Day 2

• Rent a bike for the whole day
• Heineken Experience: don’t be fooled by thinking that this is only a place for beer consumers, I have been to there twice and had a great time. It’s an interactive experience where you get to know the history of Heineken, how beer is made, shown old and new Heineken Ads, and you even go into a simulator where you go into the process of beer making, and experience being a bottle of beer.
• Van Gogh Museum: my favourite art gallery, not only because Van Gogh is an outstanding artist, but the fact that the gallery takes you 1 to 2 hours maximum to enjoy. You will get to see a fair amount of lovely art without having to waste half or a whole day.
• Picnic at Vondelpark: the best way to give yourself a break from the city and enjoy greenery. This is a great place for a walk, a run, or a cycling ride, one can also meditate, or read a book.
• Rijksmuseum: if you want to visit the Louvre of Amsterdam, this is the place to be.
• I amsterdam sign: no matter how hard you try you will never resist the temptation of taking a cliché photo there
• Evening at Leidseplein: this place is good to have dinner, and to dance your heart out at one of its clubs

Day 3

• You’d never get enough of this charming small city, however a 4-5 hours cycling trip to the countryside is an absolute must; where you will get to some of the Netherlands’ Windmills, a clog maker, and a cheese factory.
• Artis Royal Zoo
• Anne Frank House: I left with a heartache as it showed us how exactly it was like for Anne, and her family to be living in this house breathing freedom from a tiny window on the rooftop, sleeping in a room that would make one suffer from claustrophobia, with quotes all over the place explaining their saddening experience
• Body Worlds Museum: in this interactive museum you will understand how the human body works, and how happiness can be diffused in our system, believe me, you will need a happiness dosage after going to Anne Frank House

What You Shouldn’t Be Missing According To The Season Of Your Visit

Spring

• Keukenhof Tulip Gardens: happening at the beginning of spring till end of May, this one is in Lisse, and not Amsterdam it’s the opening of Keukenhof Gardens to the public, the most beautiful display of blooming tulips.
• The Queens Day: happening end of April, you’ll see everybody dressed in orange with a festive mode is on, concerts and music is played all over the place.

Summer

• Summer sales
• Outdoors activities such as cycling all the way to the countryside
• Picnics at Vondelpark and Vondelpark’s Open Air Theatre
• Music festivals, stand-up comedy, cabaret performances, and live dancing performances
• Amsterdam Roots Festival:  in July
• Grachtenfestival of Music: in August

Autumn

• Many of the summer outdoor festivals are taken indoors
• Amsterdam Marathon: in October
• November marks the arrival of Santa Claus –Sinterklaas- Parade; a boat and street parade

Winter

• Have a snowy Christmas and enjoy shopping at one of Amsterdam’s Christmas Markets
• Winter sales
• Party hard to kick-off the New Year

Amsterdam’s Main Hubs

• Dam Square
• Rembrandtplein
• Museumplein
• Leidseplein

*Plein refers to square

Must Eats

• Stroopwaffles: 2 squarely shaped thin waffles -similar to ice cream waffles- glued to each other with a layer of caramel
• Argentinean Steak –you’ll ruin the experience if you don’t eat it medium rare
• Indonesian Cuisine: Indonesia was once a Dutch colony, therefore you will find mouthwatering Indonesian food with a Dutch fusion
• Goat Cheese: some places offer it melted in a bagel with some basil and
• Egg Royale or Egg Benedict
• Bagels
• Vlaamse Friet -French well Dutch fries- in curry sauce

Must Buys

• Clogs: you don’t have to buy the real thing as they are hectic to use, you can get soft ones, or made of glass to decorate your house, as fridge magnets or a keychain
• Green Pesto Cheese: if there is one thing you could buy as a gift then it must be Green Pesto cheese

**There is a huge shop on your right when Dam Square is on your left, with huge clogs at the doorstep, that’s a relatively affordable place for souvenir shopping**

Your trip to the land of tulips starts right here..

About the Author

Passainte Assem

A former lawyer, travel junkie and adventurer from head to toe. Whether broke or out of vacation time, always on the lookout for the next destination. Keen to share her travel stories, planning tips and photographs to give you a real sense of place.