brown concrete building
white and brown concrete building near green trees during daytime
a canal with boats and buildings along it
a canal with buildings and umbrellas with Bruges in the background
a man riding a bike down a street

Holiday in Amsterdam

City in the Netherlands — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇳🇱

Country

Netherlands

Type

City

Best time to travel

April to May for the tulip bloom, June to September for warm weather. April-May: Keukenhof and King's Day.

Budget/day

Getting there from Germany

Direct flight from many German cities to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), about 1 hour. Thalys/ICE from Cologne 2.5 hours.

What makes Amsterdam special as a destination?

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city of contrasts and freedom. The 165 canals that weave through the city like a spider's web are a UNESCO World Heritage site and give it a distinctive atmosphere. The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum with Rembrandt's Night Watch are among the most significant art collections in the world. The Anne Frank House is one of the most moving memorials in Europe. At the same time, Amsterdam pulses with life: The Albert Cuyp Market, the Foodhallen, and countless cafés reflect an open-minded, multicultural society. The city is a bicycle paradise — over 800,000 bikes flood the streets. From the trendy boutiques in Jordaan to the street art in Amsterdam-Noord to the innovative Floating Houses, Amsterdam showcases itself as a city that effortlessly combines tradition and avant-garde.

Culture
95
Safety
90
Urban
85
Nightlife
80
Romance
80

What are the top highlights in Amsterdam?

The top highlights in Amsterdam include Grachtengürtel, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne-Frank-Haus, Jordaan.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Grachtengürtel

The UNESCO-protected canal network from the 17th century — best experienced by boat or on foot along the Herengracht.

2

Rijksmuseum

Dutch National Museum featuring Rembrandt's Night Watch, Vermeer’s Milkmaid, and 8,000 years of art.

3

Van Gogh Museum

The largest collection of Van Gogh's works in the world — Sunflowers, Starry Night, and more.

4

Anne-Frank-Haus

The annex where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary — deeply moving and unforgettable.

5

Jordaan

The most charming district with hidden courtyards (hofjes), galleries, vintage shops, and brown cafés.

Hotels in Amsterdam

Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.

Over 700,000 hotels
Free cancellation
Price guarantee
Compare hotels in Amsterdam

* You will be redirected to Expedia.de. Their terms of use apply.

Reise-SIM für Amsterdam

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?

The best time to visit Amsterdam is April to May for the tulip bloom, June to September for warm weather. April-May: Keukenhof and King's Day.. 17-25°C, changeable In winter: 1-6°C, damp and windy

Recommended travel time

April to May for the tulip bloom, June to September for warm weather. April-May: Keukenhof and King's Day.

Summer

17-25°C, changeable

Winter

1-6°C, damp and windy

How much does a holiday in Amsterdam cost?

Budget travellers: 50-80 €/day, mid-range: /day, luxury: 180-400 €/day.

Average costs per person per day

Budget

50-80 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

Mid-range

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

Luxury

180-400 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

How do I get from Germany to Amsterdam?

Direct flight from many German cities to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), about 1 hour. Thalys/ICE from Cologne 2.5 hours.

Book a package holiday to Amsterdam

Compare thousands of package holidays to Amsterdam and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

Compare package holidays now

What travel tips are there for Amsterdam?

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

I amsterdam City Card: Includes public transport, canal boat, 70+ museums — ideal for 2-3 days.

Book tickets in advance: Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum are often sold out weeks in advance — definitely book online.

Rent a bike: The best way to explore Amsterdam is by bike. Watch out for tram tracks and other cyclists!

Amsterdam-Noord: The free ferry takes you to the trendy NDSM area with street art, restaurants, and A'DAM Lookout.

What should you eat in Amsterdam?

Typical specialities in Amsterdam: Bitterballen — Fried meat croquettes — the most popular beer snack in the Netherlands, served with spicy mustard., Stroopwafel — Two thin waffles with caramel syrup — warm from the market, an absolute must., Haring (Hollandse Nieuwe) — Raw herring with onions and pickles — traditionally eaten standing at a stall., Poffertjes — Mini pancakes with powdered sugar and butter — found at every market and fair., Appeltaart — Dutch apple pie with a thick filling and cream — best at Café Winkel 43 in Jordaan..

These specialties you must try!

Bitterballen — Fried meat croquettes — the most popular beer snack in the Netherlands, served with spicy mustard.
Stroopwafel — Two thin waffles with caramel syrup — warm from the market, an absolute must.
Haring (Hollandse Nieuwe) — Raw herring with onions and pickles — traditionally eaten standing at a stall.
Poffertjes — Mini pancakes with powdered sugar and butter — found at every market and fair.
Appeltaart — Dutch apple pie with a thick filling and cream — best at Café Winkel 43 in Jordaan.
Suitable for:CanalsMuseumsBicycleTulipsCultureFreedomUNESCO

Ready for Amsterdam?

Plan your Amsterdam holiday now with our free tools.

All destinations in the NetherlandsAll destinations in Europe