Three Great Days in Amsterdam

For culture, food and friendliness, it’s hard to beat three days in Amsterdam. With a little strategic planning, a city break doesn’t have to bust your budget. Click on the links for Go City Amsterdam sightseeing passes that will save you money in what can sometimes be an expensive city.

Getting to Amsterdam

Most international carriers have flights from major cities to Amsterdam, so it pays to shop around for the lowest airfares on sites like Cheapo Air. Getting from the Schiphol airport to the center of the city is easy on the train or the Amsterdam Airport Express bus.

Staying on a Canal in Amsterdam

I wanted to stay in the historic Jordaan area where hotel rooms are tiny and expensive.  An apartment on the Bloemgracht provided a more affordable option for our family of three. This charming “flower canal” street is residential and quiet, except for the booming bells from the nearby West Church. Everything we needed was close by: grocery store, specialty wine and cheese shops, fun bars and restaurants. All the major tourist attractions were within 20 minutes walking distance and the Anne Frank house was a block away. Our rental is no longer available, but you can find a similar one by searching on Trip Advisor.

View from the bedroom window of our charming vacation rental in the Jordaan District of Amsterdam, walking distance to most of the major attractions including the Anne Frank house.

When searching online, be aware that these canal houses can be oddly laid out with steep, narrow staircases. This one involved only one flight of steps outside and a few more steps inside the front door. We picked up the keys from Vivian, an Amsterdam native who took time to share a list of favorite restaurants, like Cafe de Klepel. This wine bar with great food was fully booked with happy locals, but they welcomed us to sit at the bar. This meal was the perfect start to our trip.

Neighborhood cheese store made it fun to shop and then cook in our vacation rental in Amsterdam.

Save Money on Sightseeing in Amsterdam

You should definitely check out the Go City Amsterdam pass to save money on sightseeing.  You can download and print the passes before you leave home — and check out which attractions require you to make a reservation in advance. Due to Covid restrictions, the available attractions can change but it will likely pay for itself if you are planning to visit the Rijksmuseum, take a canal cruise and go on a bus trip to the Keukenhof tulip gardens. Plus free entrance to a lot of other places — often skipping the line.

A word of caution: be aware that some popular attractions are NOT always included in your sightseeing pass. You will need to budget extra and plan way ahead to visit the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House. On the other hand, the pass allowed us to check out some hidden gems we otherwise would have missed, such as the hidden church of Our Lord in the Attic.

Beware of bicycles as you admire the views that await you on every canal in Amsterdam.

Day One

We are early risers who believe in beating the tour-bus and school-group crowds to the major attractions. After coffee and croissants in the apartment (we grocery shopped the night before), it was off to the Rijksmuseum, a brisk 20-minute hike along the Prinsengracht Canal. Not only did we skip the ticket line, we were able to get into the Hall of Fame to see Rembrandt’s masterwork “The Night Watch” before it got too crowded with selfie-takers. Although this is one of Europe’s great museums, it’s delightfully accessible to the art novice and you don’t need to do the audio tour. Pick up the explanatory cards that point out the features of most of the noteworthy  artworks. You’ll feel like an expert. Allow a full morning.

Explanatory cards make you an instant expert on Rembrandt’s masterworks at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Museum-going can tough on the mind and the feet. We were ready to sit down for savory crepes at the Pancake Bakery, followed by our canal cruise. The departure point was in the next block. We were blessed with warm, dry spring weather for the entire trip.

Later, after a brief rest stop at the apartment, we walked the Amsterdam red light district with our college-age son as the sun went down. My husband’s appetite was definitely aroused, not by the women in the windows, but by the array of sweets on offer in countless storefronts. We had to stop for Nutella waffles! Although I’m troubled by the human-trafficking aspects of legal prostitution and don’t do pot, the neighborhood had the energy of an adult theme park and didn’t feel quite as sleazy as I had feared.

Sunset in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, which feels like an adult theme park.

Day Two

Up early again for apartment breakfast and the walk to the departure point for the trip to Keukenhof.  We were glad we reserved our spots for the bus ride and admission, included with our pass. We were a bit too early in April to see the gardens in full bloom, but greenhouses provided a wealth of photo opportunities. Again, taking the morning bus means you will be able to get better pictures before it gets too crowded. During the hourlong bus ride, the tour guide explained the historical data in English, German and Spanish, then left us on our own to wander the flower gardens for about three hours. Plenty of time.

Tip toeing through the tulips at Keukenhof.

We were back in Amsterdam in time for a late lunch at the Central Library. The self-serve cafeteria on the 7th floor offers organic, fresh-made options for a reasonable price. Highlights: the french fries and the view from the terrace. Refueled, we made our way back toward the St. Nicholas Church, and on to “Our Lord in the Attic.” This little gem of a museum on the edge of the red light district recalls the days when Catholics could not openly practice their religion in this Protestant city.

Hidden church of Our Lord in the Attic is one of the hidden gems of Amsterdam that we might otherwise have missed, but we had free admission as part of our sightseeing pass.

Day Three

It’s another early wake-up call for your date with Vincent Van Gogh. In contrast to the broad sweep of the Rijksmuseum, this is a deep dive into the talented and troubled soul of one artist. On the ground floor, you meet his self-portraits at eye level. The no-photograph rule is strictly enforced, which is understandable given the crowds who would no doubt be jostling for selfies with the sunflowers if cameras were allowed. Familiar and less famous works are displayed alongside art that inspired Vincent and his colleagues in Holland and France. Outside on Amsterdam’s Museumplein, don’t miss the photo opportunity at the iconic “I AMsterdam” sign.

Iconic photo op on the Museumplein is often crowded with enthusiastic Instagrammers — and weary sightseers. It’s a great place to hang out between museum visits in Amsterdam.

Back to Jordaan for lunch. The Cafe de Oude Wester, across the canal from the church on a busy corner, is a casual stop for a pancake or a pizza, a cold beer and some people-watching. The line for the Anne Frank house winds around the church, and we’re told the wait time can be two hours. Fortunately, we visited the web site TWO MONTHS before our visit and grabbed the last three tickets for the days we were in Amsterdam.

This was the long line for entrance to the Ann Frank Museum in Amsterdam. We were able to skip the wait by reserving our tickets months in advance and entering through a special side door.

With our printed online tickets in hand, we walked past the line and reported to a special door at our appointed time. While climbing up and down the stairs and shuffling through the dark rooms where the family was in hiding, you hear the voice of the girl who wrote the diary. Small wonder that Van Gogh and Anne Frank museums draw the biggest lines: each has a personal story that visitors want to experience up close.

At the end of this emotional one-two punch, you’ll be ready for a relaxing beer! Head down the Prinsengracht to P 96, a friendly bar that has a canal barge tethered outside. They can’t serve you on the barge, so walk inside the bar, order your drinks and bring them out. Watch the sun set behind West Church as you soak up the hip and festive atmosphere.

Beer on a Canal Boat! One of the more relaxing highlights of our perfect 3 days in Amsterdam.

Bye Amsterdam!

On our way out of town, we discovered an awesome breakfast place, Broodje Mokum, just around the corner from our apartment. They open early for omelets and a “real Dutch breakfast,” served with a smile at a bargain price.

We never worked up the nerve to try Amsterdam by bicycle. Locals drive their bikes like people in my home town of Los Angeles drive cars. It’s competitive and they probably can do without clueless tourists clogging the fast lane. The plus for visitors is that the air is clear of the diesel fumes you find in many European capitals. You share the streets with trams, bikes, other pedestrians and occasionally a car. English is widely spoken. And I’m glad they’re into the whole sustainability thing because Amsterdam will be there for me when I am lucky enough to return.

Memories of an unforgettable adventure in Amsterdam that doesn’t have to break the budget — if you plan ahead.

Hat Tip: This article on Trip Advisor helped me plan this itinerary. Follow me on Trip Advisor @strangersblog and thanks for clicking on this link to book your hotel to support my blog at no additional cost to you. And let me know how it worked out if you tried the Go City Amsterdam Pass.

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