Call to speak to one of our experts 0330 094 8364
Amsterdam Canal Sunrise View

Amsterdam City Breaks

Reference WW46029
Amsterdam City Breaks & Holidays

Choose one of our cheap Amsterdam city breaks from our great choice of flights, ferries, hotel deals and you'll see a place filled with impressive architecture, world-class museums, laid-back cafés, and delicious restaurants. From museums and culture to shopping and dining, there is something to suit everyone in this capital city.

Hop on a bike and explore the city like a local – with more bikes than people, cycling in Amsterdam is a fantastic experience. Floating through Amsterdam's canals is another great way to view the city and all its treasures. Must-visits include the cities cultural beating heart, Museumplein, where you will find the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art. Outside the Rijkmuseum you will find the iconic 'Iamsterdam' letters – a favourite photo opportunity that unites tourists worldwide.

Things to do in Amsterdam
Visit the Van Gogh Museum - The World's largest collection of Van Gogh's works.
The Anne Frank House - A biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank.
Rijksmuseum - A Dutch national history museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam.
Bloemenmarkt - The world's only floating flower market.
ARTIS - Short for Natura Artis Magistra, is a zoo in the centre of Amsterdam. it is also the oldest zoo in the Netherlands
Location
Amsterdam City Break Hotel Deals

SELECT A TRAVEL EXPERT TO HELP YOU BOOK YOUR TRIP

Clare Eckersall
Worldwide Travel Specialist
View My Bio
MARIE FERRIDAY
Worldwide City and Family Holiday Specialist
View My Bio
DEBBIE BALLANTYNE
Tailor-made, Cruise & Family Holiday Specialist
View My Bio
CAITLIN MCGREGOR
Worldwide, cruise and Disney Expert
View My Bio
Didn't reach me? Send me a message and I'll call you back
Amsterdam Culture
Canals lined with culture

Just two metres above sea level, the Dutch capital is a picturesque labyrinth of Gothic buildings and canals just waiting to be explored. Whether you peruse the attractions on bike or foot, you will be taken aback by the diverse range of things to do in Amsterdam.

A trip back in time

Soak up the history of a time gone by as you meander the maze of this city. With over 100 museums to choose from, following in the footsteps of Amsterdam’s famous is as easy as can be. Whether you’re a fan of film or inspired by science, this is the place to learn about it!

Discover nature

Synonymous with Amsterdam itself, tulips are world-renowned for their link to Holland. Naturally, this means you’ll find this bold bloom sprouting up all over the city. From the bold beds in the central throngs to the pretty parks that suit on the outskirts, you won’t go far on an Amsterdam holiday without finding these flowers!

More about what to expect on your Amsterdam city break

Amsterdam wears two faces. On one, it beckons youth with its notorious Red Light District and liberal views around marijuana use. On the other, it offers discerning travellers some of Europe's finest museums and art galleries. Its houseboats, bicycles, cobbled streets, and quaint canals are a visual treat.

For tourists, Amsterdam's compactness is a plus. The old part of town is a story-book setting of narrow lanes, gabled houses and ancient bridges, and a pleasure to explore on foot. Visitors can shop boutiques for souvenirs such as Delft china or wooden clogs, or relax at cosy bars and pavement cafes.

At night even the most conservative visitors are drawn to the Red Light District's lively atmosphere, where prostitutes stand in shop windows and touts encourage passers-by to view raunchy floorshows. For the most part, travellers will find the best bars in the bustling Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.

The central area of Amsterdam is fairly compact and easy to get around on foot. The GVB public transport office at Central Station has route maps and a guide to the ticketing system, which is based on zones, with the same ticket valid on trams, buses and metros. After midnight, night buses run from Central Station to most parts of the city. Taxis are among the most expensive in Europe and renting a car is not recommended. Streets in the city centre are narrow and awkward to navigate, and parking is limited and expensive. The ideal way to get around is by bicycle. Visitors will find several rental agencies around town.

Famed for its wild nightlife, Amsterdam offers visitors something quite unique when the sun goes down. Pubs, clubs, soft drugs and the sex trade feature among the options.

The Red Light District is a major drawcard, with many tourists choosing to simply wander through and see women posing in shop windows, and hear insistent touts push sex shows. Safety is not an issue, though visitors should be wary of pickpockets and other petty criminals. Travellers should also understand that De Wallen (as locals call the Red Light District) is a nightlife hub aside from the sex trade.

Amsterdam is famously tolerant of marijuana use. Visitors can purchase a variety of strains in some coffee shops, and smoke at these establishments. Tourists should note that while marijuana use is tolerated, it's not strictly speaking legal. Some caution is necessary.

The city's mainstream nightlife centres around Leidseplein, where visitors will find the most popular bars, clubs and restaurants. Amsterdam also has a fondness for live music, particularly jazz, as many of the world's jazz legends have settled here. Music lovers can enjoy performances at fun jazz clubs, or catch world-class rock and pop acts at many venues. Bigger concerts take place at the Koninklijk Theater Carré, Heineken Music Hall, and the huge Amsterdam Arena.

For a more cultured night out, visitors can purchase tickets to a number of highly-regarded orchestras. Or, they can watch the National Ballet and Netherlands Opera. Many theatres produce shows in both Dutch and English, including De Balie, Felix Meritis, Theater Frascati, and the Vondelpark Open-Air Theater.

Being the bustling epicentre of the Netherlands' trade, Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city hosting all of the world's leading brands at shopping malls spread across the city. There is an especially impressive variety of fashion and jewellery stores at these centres. What is distinctive about shopping in Amsterdam is the opportunity for informal shopping on a large scale. The main shopping streets are between Central Station and the Leidseplein, including Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat, Heiligeweg, and Leidsestraat. Some of these areas can be rather seedy, however, so for a more upmarket experience shoppers can head to PC Hooftstraat Street. The Nine Streets area near the main canals hosts a plethora of market stalls selling curios, second-hand clothing, antiques and other miscellanies. There are also a number of unique shops in the Jordaan where you can buy popular Amsterdam souvenirs such as wooden clogs or tulips, blue and white Delft china, and Dutch football paraphernalia.

There are a number of street markets in Amsterdam, and while most concentrate on food and fresh produce there are a few with interesting curios for tourists. The largest is Albert Cuyp, while the Dappermarkt behind the zoo has been voted the best in the Netherlands. Another highlight of shopping in Amsterdam is the floating Bloemenmarkt or 'flower market', in which permanently docked barges market exotic flowers from around the world in the Singel Canal.

Most stores in Amsterdam are open until 6 pm, with extended hours on Thursdays and reduced hours on Saturdays.

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, and one of the most historic cities in Europe. Flat and blessed with a clear, crisp atmosphere, most of its attractions lie within easy walking distance. The city is perfectly navigable by foot or bicycle.

Visitors will find that a culture of art appreciation pervades Amsterdam. Indeed, two of the city's museums are dedicated to world-famous Dutch painters, namely the Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt House. The Rijksmuseum holds a collection of 17th-century Dutch artists, including Frans Hals, Rembrandt and Vermeer. These museums, along with the Diamond Museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, are located around Museum Square (Museumplein) - which is also home to the US Consulate and the famous Concertgebouw symphonic hall.

In keeping with the city's rich history, the very home in which Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during the 1942 occupation is open to visitors. Her famous diary is preserved and on display. Other popular sites include the Hermitage Amsterdam, The Jewish Historical Museum, The Resistance Museum, and the Museum of the Tropics.

Amsterdam's reputation as a liberal party city attracts many tourists as well. Visitors tend to explore the Red Light District (De Wallen), where legalised prostitution and the sale of marijuana draw revellers from across the globe. The Amsterdam Sex Museum is not for the squeamish or easily offended.

Travellers can make the most of their time in Amsterdam by purchasing an I Amsterdam card, which will give them free access to public transport, as well as discounts on museums, attractions and restaurants. The card is available at several tourist offices in the city, at some museums and online.

Behind the red lights and coffee shops, Amsterdam is home to many attractions that will captivate children. Active families will have fun strolling along the canal walkways, admiring the flower-decked houseboats, or cycling in the beautiful Vondelpark. They will also enjoy hiring bicycles and pedalling around the compact city's canals and quaint neighbourhoods.

For a more relaxing day out, parents can pack a picnic and head to one of Amsterdam's fabulous parks, such as the huge Vondelpark. Plenty of other free attractions abound, but the more popular ones involve a bit of money, such as trips to the zoo, farms, museums and theme parks. Younger children will be absolutely enchanted by Efteling and the miniature model city of Madurodam.

Cooking schools and Indoor playgrounds are an option on rainy days, while some of the city's museums will also intrigue children, like Anne Frank House.

Amsterdam is home to a huge variety of restaurants, with options ranging from French cuisine to Indonesian take-away. Naturally, visitors will find plenty of authentic Dutch dishes, which characteristically use smaller meats such as sausage, and a lot of vegetables. The city also has a very strong tradition of cafeteria dining, including 'brown cafes', so named because of their dark, nicotine-stained walls and wooden fittings. Travellers can sample local beers and staples such as steak and salads in these cosy places. The city's pricey fine-dining establishments contrast sharply with these budget-friendly options.

Visitors should certainly try some local snacks while they're in town, such as savoury pancakes (or pannekoek), pickled herring, frikadel (a snack sausage served with mayonnaise, ketchup and onions), and small windmill-shaped cookies called speculaas.

While breakfast will traditionally be served up until 10 am, lunch between 12 pm and 2 pm, and dinner from around 5 pm, the Dutch are flexible in both tastes and preferred eating hours. Indeed, several cafes and restaurants operate into the wee hours of the morning, especially on the city's vibrant Leidseplein and Rembrandtsplein squares, which are dedicated to late-night entertainment.

Service is notoriously poor in Amsterdam, as a gratuity is usually included in the bill and waiting staff do not rely on tips. It's polite to round the bill up to the nearest Euro if the service is good and to leave tips in cash rather than including them on a credit-card payment.

So what weather can I expect in Amsterdam

The oceanic climate of Amsterdam is temperate, generally mild and damp. Winters (December to February) are fairly mild, though frost can occur, while summers (June to August) are warm but seldom hot. Temperatures average between 68°F (20°C) and 71°F (22°C) in summer, and around 32°F (0°C) in winter. Cloudy, rainy days can be expected at any time of year, and light rainfall is common.

On the whole, the weather in Amsterdam is very changeable, and even mid-summer visitors should be prepared for sudden drops in temperature. Spring and autumn are particularly unpredictable.

Spring (March to May) is the best time to visit when the beautiful gardens are in bloom. Summer is the peak tourist season. Amsterdam is considered a year-round destination, though, with some travellers preferring to visit in autumn or winter when the city is at its cheapest and least crowded.

Weather
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec