10 Best Things to Do in Amsterdam: A Solo Traveler’s Personal Guide
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Amsterdam was always one of those cities that I had high on my list. Not just because I am Dutch by background, because it looked like one of those cities full of life, energy, and amazing people. What I didn’t realize was how quickly I would fall in love with the city and the culture. Whether I was pedaling through one of the parks, walking through the streets, making sure I didn’t get run over by a bike (and trust me you will), or enjoying a canal ride taking in a different perspective of the city, I felt incredible connected to the city and myself. In this guide, I will break down all of the things to do in Amsterdam that you may want to include in your itinerary. Now, let’s dive in!
Introduction: Things to do in Amsterdam
When you think about Amsterdam, you think about tulips and canals, but honestly, Amsterdam is so much more than that. This city is full of culture, history, museums, and offers something for every kind of traveler. In this guide, I have curated a list of the best things to do in Amsterdam, that I feel like needs to be on everyone’s Amsterdam itinerary. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, and everything in between, I have them for you! Let’s get into it!
1. Amsterdam Canal Cruise
One of the best and most iconic things to do in Amsterdam is to take a canal ride through Amsterdam’s UNESCO canals through the incredible city. This offers you a completely different perspective of the city, and it feels most intimate doing some sightseeing from a boat versus the streets. Because of these canals, Amsterdam is often described as the Venice of the north, which after doing a canal ride, I can see why. This canal ride also allowed me to see some things in Amsterdam that I may have missed, and I was able to go back and visit. Whether you a solo traveler, like me, or visiting with friends and family, taking a canal ride through Amsterdam is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to explore the city, and it’s absolutely one of top things to do in Amsterdam.
2. Van Gogh Museum
If you are into art, even just a little bit, then the Van Gogh Museum for sure needs to be added to your itinerary. Van Gogh is one of my favorites, and this museum was by far one of the best museums that I have ever been in. If you do visit this museum, my tip is to start at the top, which is the early years, and work your way down and follow his journey that way. Just standing in front of some of his masterpieces gave me chills and was just an incredible experience. Another tip is to book these tickets ahead of time as it is one of the most popular and most visited museums in Amsterdam.
3. Anne Frank’s House
When I saw visiting Anne Frank’s house was one of the most moving experiences of my life, I am completely serious. As you walk through her hiding place, you will get this feeling of heaviness, very similar to how I felt visiting Auschwitz. It is a very emotional experience, and a place you need to visit, but just be prepared to have a wave of emotions as you walk up the narrow stairs and into the Secret Annex. Just standing in front of her diary, you can imagine what it was like for her and what she went through. Visiting Anne Frank’s House is another one that is top on my best things to do in Amsterdam list. If you are planning on visiting, and you should, please make sure you get tickets ahead of time as time slots sell out weeks in advanced.
4. Amsterdam Bike Ride
Another great way to see the city is by bike, especially since everyone in Amsterdam rides a bike. I would honestly recommend biking through Vondelpark, as the city is very busy with cyclist, and they will literally run you over if you aren’t a confident biker or know exactly where you are going. In Vondelpark, you can rent a bike and enjoy people watching through the park. It’s a great way to explore without the stress of biking in the middle of the city. I stopped at one of the benches and got a coffee on my ride, and just enjoyed the people walking around, and took in the moment.
5. Jordaan Neighborhood
One of my favorite neighborhoods in Amsterdam is the Jordaan neighborhood. It is incredibly picturesque with fun little shops, flowers on the stoops, and little cafes where you can sit outside, enjoy the weather, and sip and delicious espresso as you watch the locals go on about their day. There are lots of fun little paths that you can take, and get lost in this little neighborhood, which is something I love doing while I am exploring new cities. Getting “lost” in the city allows you to stumble upon hidden gems and find fun things you may not have found otherwise. There are also lots of fun Instagram photo op spot in this neighborhood, so take full advantage!
6. De 9 Straatjes
If you are into cute vintage shops, boutiques, and fun bookstores, then De 9 Straatjes (9 streets) is the place for you. I actually stumbled upon this street while getting lost in the city and I am solo glad I did. It was such a fun hidden gem, and I loved how relaxed the vibe was and I felt like I was on a treasure hunt with all of the vintage shops. If shopping isn’t your thing, I still think this is a fun area to visit because there are tons of great photo ops with the canal bridges, and the boutiques that are around.
7. NDSM Wharf
Did you know that you can take a ferry to Amsterdam-Noord, and the best part? IT IS FREE! Yes, you read that right, free! This was a great escape from the city, and I spent the entire afternoon looking at street art (always a favorite of mine) and enjoying the creative energy, which I felt like surrounded me. This was a fun little afternoon escape, and I highly recommend adding it to your list of things to do in Amsterdam.
8. Rijsttafel
One of my favorite things about traveling the world is getting to try all kind of of amazing food. I very much enjoy trying as many local foods as I possibly can. What I didn’t realize who how amazing the food in Amsterdam was. As a solo female traveler, I very much enjoy trying fun restaurants that allow me to meet other solo travelers or locals, and going to a Rijsttafel is an absolute must. This was such a fun experience and allowed me to sample lots of different foods without feeling rushed and it was such a fun social atmosphere. This is a great thing to do in Amsterdam, especially if you are a solo traveler.
9. Rijksmuseum
Another museum that you must visit while in Amsterdam, is the Rijksmuseum. This Museum us enormous but is the home of several famous Dutch masterpieces. Other than Van Gogh, Rembrandt is another favorite of mine, and here you can see one of Rembrandt’s famous pieces, The Night Watch. There is something about just aimlessly walking the halls of a museum that really makes you feel sophisticated. IF you are planning on visiting this museum, then I recommend downloading the free app and taking full advantage of the free self-guided tour versus paying for a tour guide.
10. Albert Cuyp Market
Checking out local markets is another favorite of mind, and the Albert Cuyp Market did not disappoint. The local markets actually have the best local food for a fraction of the price, and you can watch them make it, and try various foods fresh and while they are hot. I was able to sample a stroopwafel, which was incredible and some Gouda cheese, which I snacked on later. There are tons of food options, places to buy souvenirs and just stopping and smelling the flowers. No, literally you can. There are tons of fresh flower stalls at this market as well.
Conclusion: Things to do in Amsterdam
As a solo female traveler, I loved Amsterdam even more than I could possibly imagined. The city welcomes solo travelers, and really any travelers, and there are so many things to see and do. This list of my favorite things to do in Amsterdam shaped my experience and made my trip even more memorable. Whether it’s your first visit or tenth, I hope this list of things to do in Amsterdam makes your trip as incredible as they did mine. Need help planning your trip? Reach out anytime!