Amsterdam For A Week: An Exciting Itinerary For 2024!

Thinking of traveling to Amsterdam for a week? That’s plenty of time to really explore the city and the surroundings. Okay… May not be plenty of time because there is just so much to see. After living in the Netherlands for months and traveling to the capital city a multitude of times, I have still not scratched the surface!

That being said, many people spend a day in Amsterdam and try to take in the highlights of the city. You won’t be quite as rushed as them. Think of leisurely strolls down the side of the iconic canals, visits to a multitude of museums and a variety of day trips to the Dutch countryside!

Don’t forget to take a lot of photographs along the way because it is super scenic. Oh and if you are short on ideas, check out our epic list of quotes and captions about Amsterdam.

Excited? I would hope so! 

Now if you don’t know where to start when it comes to planning your one week Amsterdam itinerary, don’t panic. I’ve got you covered and I’ll make sure that you get a bit of excitement, a lot of fun and that you catch some epic sights along the way.

So join me and hit the road!

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Where To Stay In Amsterdam

Booking a place to stay in Amsterdam is pretty tricky. I have found that this is one of the expensive cities in Europe when it comes to accommodation. Needless to say, if you get a chance, book your accommodation in advance. This will give you a chance to get cheaper rates.

If you ask me, my favorite spot to stay in Amsterdam is in the hotels around the Museum Quarter. It is close enough to all the action but a bit quieter than the center of the city.

Don’t forget to try out the hostels in the city! They are great if you are traveling solo. Not only do they help you keep your budget in check, you also get a chance to meet other people.

The Bee Hostel (Budget)

⭐️ Rating: 8.6/10 (1,695 Reviews) Price: $65 per night 📍Location: Plantage Kerklaan 19, Amsterdam City Centre, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!

There are storage lockers where you can store your belongings safely. Oh and when it comes to food, there are a number of different places where you can catch a bite to eat!

Mr Jordan (Mid Range)

⭐️ Rating: 9.1/10 ( Reviews) Price: $200 per night 📍Location: Bloemgracht 102, Amsterdam City Centre, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!

Plus, you also get a free breakfast with your room which is great if you don’t want to head out in the morning. Oh and did I mention the free coffee? Definitely another big perk!

Oh and one of the things that I really love about this place is that they offer a luggage storage room. So if you check out and still have time before you flight, you can check in your luggage and still make the most of your time.

Hotel Estheréa (Luxury)

⭐️ Rating: 9.1/10 (4,158 Reviews) Price: $361 per night 📍Location: Singel 303 – 309, Amsterdam City Centre, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!

One of the best things about the hotel is the breakfast. Not only does it have a variety of fresh fruit, bread and the delicious Dutch cheese, you can also get hot items like scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon. 

Oh and if you don’t want to head out, you can catch a free coffee in the lobby and gaze at one Amsterdam’s iconic views!

Day Trips From Amsterdam

If you are in Amsterdam for a week, make sure you sneak in a few trips to the Dutch countryside.

One of the things that I’m going to be talking about when it comes to being in Amsterdam for a week, is all the day trips that you can take. Amsterdam is so well connected that it makes it so easy to visit other cities and towns in the Netherlands.

I stay in Groningen and even though it is over 200 km away from the capital, I can easily get to Amsterdam from Groningen (and back) in a day! Need I remind you that I take this trip with toddlers. That should give you a reference of just how easy it is to travel in the Netherlands.

If you feel like exploring and since you have time, I would suggest taking a two day or weekend trip away from Amsterdam. Not only will you find it cheaper but you will get a chance to check out some further cities in the country. 

Transport In Amsterdam

In Amsterdam for a week? You could rent a cycle!

If you are going to be in Amsterdam for a week, you need to know how the transport system operates in the city. Luckily, it isn’t very hard to figure out. Plus, I’m going to give you a crash course so you know what you are doing.

The best way to use the public transport is to get an OV Chipcard. You can buy one at the Amsterdam train stations. The idea is to load money on it and tap it as you use the public transport. Makes everything so convenient!

So here are all the modes of transport that you can use when you are in the city.

Walk: Amsterdam is a walkable city. This is my preferred mode of transport. It is also wheelchair accessible in almost all spots. I know this because I push our double stroller about and I normally never have issues.

Bus: There are loads of buses that traverse around the city. Not sure which one to use, ask Google maps. The app hasn’t failed me in the city. You can use the OVchipcard on the bus.

Tram: Amsterdam has loads of trams. It is a cool experience to ride in them. I remember the first time our kids saw the trams, they wanted to stay on them the whole day! Like the bus, you can use your OVchipcard in the tram too.

Train: Okay so you don’t technically use the train in the city but it helps you get between cities and even to Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

Cycle: This is probably one of the most popular ways in which Amstadammers commute. There are a couple of things that you really should know. Don’t step onto the cycle paths and walk. The traffic on these paths is more serious than on the roads and I don’t kid! 

There are rules when it comes to cycling in the Netherlands. Look them up before you rent a cycle in Amsterdam!

Pro Tip: Since you are going to be moving around in Amsterdam a lot, why not get the GVB Public transport ticket? It gives you unlimited travel around the city and makes getting from place to place really easy. The best part is that you can pick how many days you want it to be valid for. Generally the GVB Public pass is valid anywhere between 1 to 7 days.

Amsterdam For A Week: Day 1

I’m going to take it for granted that you have either had a hectic time traveling or have had a long flight into the city. So for your first day, I’m going to take it totally slow. You are in Amsterdam for a week so you have the luxury of getting up late and enjoying the city at a slower pace than most.

Breakfast 

One of the things that I really love is catching breakfast in Amsterdam. There are loads of great places to eat. On a good sunny day, you can catch breakfast at the side of the canals. Don’t worry if the weather isn’t cooperating. There are still a number of great places where you can indulge your taste buds and not worry about missing out on the view.

Here are a couple of good options:

The Breakfast Club: It has many outlets and you don’t have to get up early for this one. The Breakfast club has all day breakfast options and you can get anything that your heart desires. Flapjacks and pancakes, waffles and eggs, sandwiches and so much more.

Bakers And Roasters: This gem is located in De Pijp and is a pretty unusual cafe. Wondering how? Well to quote the cafe itself, it is a mix of New Zealand and Brazil. Intrigued? Yeah so am I! I haven’t tried it yet but it is on my bucket list the next time I am in town.

The Pancake Bakery: If you are in Amsterdam, you really should try the pancakes. Intriguingly enough, not only do you get Dutch pancakes, you can also catch a bike of American pancakes and/or French crepes. 

The Pancake bakery offers you huge pancakes that are loaded up with all kinds of sweet and savory toppings. So pick and customize your pancakes based on what your palate desires!

Visit The Anne Frank House

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The book chronicles the challenges and hardship that the family faced. I must warn you that it is an emotional rollercoaster.

Pro Tip: Once you are done with your leisurely breakfast, head out to the Anne Frank huis. Now the key to visiting this landmark is to book your ticket in advance. When I say in advance I mean waaaay in advance because it is almost always sold out.

I have heard of people trying every possible option to get a ticket because they did not know just how popular the museum is. So save yourself the misery and book your ticket online.

You can also take a life of Anne Frank and World War II walking tour

Oude Kerk

One of my favorite places to visit when visiting the city is the Oude Kerk. Literally translated, this means the ‘Old Church’. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The gorgeous church forms a very pretty backdrop for photographs. 

You can wander around the church and admire the architecture or you could head inside and see the church from within. An interesting point about the church is that over centuries this building expanded from a chapel to a church. 

Today the church serves as a place for art displays and for concerts. The way the church has been constructed makes the music really come alive. If you are in the city during one of these performances, I recommend checking it out.

Dam Square

If you are in Amsterdam for a week, you probably will make your way to the Dam square a couple of times.

Once you are done with the Oude Kerk, head to the Dam Square. This is one of the most iconic squares in Amsterdam. It is surrounded by many of the iconic buildings in the city. The square holds so many different popular events.

When you are here, you can visit some of the interesting buildings. The Nieuwe Kerk aka the New Church is one of the pretty buildings in the Dam square. You can’t miss out on the Madame Tussauds museum either. Ripley’s Believe it or Not is another interesting spot on the Dam square. 

Take A Canal Cruise

You can’t stay in Amsterdam for a week and not head out on a canal cruise.

⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (7,505 Reviews) Price: $22 per person Duration: 1 hour 📍Meeting Point: Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

So if you are in the mood for a party choose one with drinks. If you want to stay casual just pick one for the views. Or why not go with a dinner cruise around the city? I find the last one a pretty epic way to end the day. You can head out for drinks or just turn in after dinner.

Taking a canal cruise is also one of the favorite activities for families because most kids love boats and water. I know mine do!

Amsterdam For A Week: Day 2

So remember those day trips from Amsterdam that I was talking about? After a pretty laid back day in Amsterdam, I hope you are all set to get moving. Today we will head out to two very interesting cities, namely Volendam and Edam.

Our aunt took us to these cities way back when we visited Amsterdam for the first time. In fact, it was originally her advice that I echo today. Try to get out and see the countryside of the Netherlands. 

Edam

If you are in Amsterdam for a week, think about going to Edam.

Edam is well known for its cheese. In fact, it is one of the most popular cheese towns in the Netherlands. If you are visiting in July and August, try to make sure that you head here on a Wednesday because that is when the Edam cheese market is held. 

If you aren’t visiting in the right season, don’t worry. Edam is still worth the visit. There are loads of cheese shops and you can taste a variety of different types of cheese. You can even see how cheese is made. I found that one of the highlights of my trip there.

The town itself is very scenic and wandering around it is a very nice experience. 

The best way to see both these towns is to head to Edam first and then walk along the dyke to Volendam. It isn’t quite as far as you think so don’t worry.

How To Get There: The best way to get to Edam from Amsterdam is to take the bus 314 to Edam. 

Walking Along The Dyke

This is another experience that should really be on your bucket list when you are in Amsterdam for a week. The Netherlands is a country that really manages the excess water that the sea brings in. Manages being the keyword. 

Without all their water management strategies, most of the country would have been under water. One of the best ways to see this is to walk on a dyke. For those of you who don’t know, a dyke is an embankment that is used to keep the water from entering the city or land. 

When you walk on the dyke, you can see how much higher the sea level is on one side as compared to the land on the other. The dyke along the coast from Edam to Volendam is very scenic and really worth it.

Note: Do not walk on the dyke during windy weather. You can be blown off it!

Visit The Gorgeous Volendam

Volendam is another spot that you should consider visiting if you are in Amsterdam for a week.

⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (5 Reviews) Price: $590 per person Duration: 6 hours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Oh and don’t forget to eat the herring in the Dutch style. That is by picking it up by the tail.

Volendam is a pretty scenic town. It has really quaint wooden houses and loads of old fishing boats. It is a lovely place to just wander around. If the temperatures drop, consider heading to the Volendam museum. Here you can see intriguing paintings, traditional attire and mosaics from the region. Plus it’s warm indoors!

There are some interesting activities in Volendam:

• Express Boat Cruise to Marken Island
• Guided Cruise on Gouwzee Lake
• E-Scooter Rental
• 2.5-Hour Cheesemaking Workshop & Clog Making Tour
• Photo Opportunity in Traditional Dutch Costume

You can pick some of these activities and add it to your itinerary depending on how much time you have in the town. This works if you aren’t part of tour though.

Pro Tip: If you intend on taking a tour to Volendam during your week in Amsterdam, make sure that you book your tour in advance. They get sold out quickly during the peak season.

Amsterdam For A Week: Day 3

Day 2 may have seemed like a lot since you visit two different towns but trust me, it isn’t really that tiring because the towns are very close to each other. The next day we will head further south. This time it will be to head away from the crowds and explore some really iconic windmills. 

My recommendation is to start out a bit early because you will want all the daylight that you can get as both Rotterdam and Kinderdijk are exceptional places to visit.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is one of the cool day trips if you are in Amsterdam for a week.

Rotterdam is a fascinating Dutch city. It has a lot of history that is attached to it and its architecture is certainly unique. Rotterdam has always been a port city and this is one of the reasons why it is very important. 

Rotterdam did not always look the way it does now. It was bombed during World War II and the city was devastated. Instead of rebuilding the city in its original style, the Dutch decided to change things up. Today, Rotterdam has some of the most unique buildings in the world. 

The Cube houses, the market hall, the Centraal station and Depot Bojimans are just a few examples of buildings that you should visit.

How To Get There: Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Rotterdam in the morning. 

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is a cool place to visit if you are in Amsterdam for a week.

Kinderdijk remains one of my favorite spots in the Netherlands. We visited it a couple of years ago and it does take a bit of effort to get to because you have to catch a train to Rotterdam and then take a tram from there. Trust me… It is really worth it!

Kinderdijk is a collection of 19 windmills that are set in the Dutch countryside. The windmills vary in age but they all have the same function. They help pump water out of the fields and keep the land dry. 

Visiting Kinderdijk is definitely an experience. You can take a boat down the canals, have a picnic lunch or just cycle in the countryside. One of the experiences that I recommend is entering the old windmills. You can see what it was like to live in them back when they were fully functional.

Pro Tip: You can swap Rotterdam and Kinderdijk around depending on the weather. Preferably head to Kinderdijk when it is nice and sunny because you will be outdoors.

Amsterdam For A Week: Day 4

After heading out a couple of day trips, we should really spend some time wandering around the capital city. There is, after all, a lot to explore and see. That I think is the beauty of being in Amsterdam for a week. The city doesn’t overwhelm you.

By now you probably have got a feel for the city. Today we will head out to some of the iconic museums in the city. You may have a hard time picking just one of the amazing museums in Amsterdam.

Pro Tip: If you have kids in tow, swap the Rijksmuseum with the NEMO museum. I absolutely loved it. My kids loved it even more. At 2 and 3, they were some of the youngest in the museum but they learnt so much.

Rijksmuseum

⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (12,935 Reviews) Price: $26 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day 📍Meeting Point: Rijksmuseum Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Since it is popular, the entrance tickets to this museum usually sell out. So make sure to book your tickets online so you have your slot booked out.

Other Museum Alternatives: In case you don’t get into the Rijksmuseum or you have already been here before, you will find that there are other cool museums in Amsterdam that you can visit. The Van Gogh museum is just next door so you don’t have to go far!

Take A Food Tour

⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5 (136 Reviews) Price: $119 per person Duration: 3.5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Right outside of Café Papeneiland Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

If you are a foodie, you will find that Amsterdam has an incredible food scene. Sure you can just head to the restaurants and figure out what the locals in Amsterdam eat on your own. It is fun since you are in Amsterdam for a week.

The thing about this is that the restaurants fill up quickly and all too often, you don’t get into the ones you want to visit. One way to really explore the food culture of the city is by taking a food tour. Here you have a local take you around and explain all the different popular things to eat in Amsterdam.

There are a couple of different types of tours that you can choose from.

• Authentic Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan
• Dutch Street Food Market Tour
• Food Lovers Walking Tour with Tastings

If you ask me, I would go with the tasting tour of Jordan. It is one of the most highly rated food tours in the city.

Go To A Rooftop Bar

One of the best ways to enjoy the city at night is to head to a rooftop bar. This will give you a chance to take in the sights from a bird’s eye view. Amsterdam has one of the prettiest skylines. If you are looking for some of the best rooftop bars are:

• LuminAir
• Floor 17
• Mondi SkyBar
• GAPP

Amsterdam For A Week: Day 5

When it comes to being in Amsterdam for a week, you really need to experience the country like the Dutch. Yes that means hopping on a cycle and heading into the countryside! There are so many great options when it comes to this but none can beat Leiden and Lisse. 

Go On A Cycling Trip: Leiden / Lisse / Keukenhof

If you are in Amsterdam for a week, consider a trip to Leiden!

Both Leiden and Lisse are easily accessible from Amsterdam. The trip from Amsterdam to Lisse and Keukenhof really gets popular during the tulip. Keukenhof is after all the biggest flower garden in the country! There are loads of cool tulip tours from Amsterdam that make this journey easier too!

There are quite a number of other day trips from Amsterdam that you can choose from. Renting a cycle is not difficult because you will always find a rental shop in the towns.

Amsterdam For A Week: Day 6

Well day 6 of your week in Amsterdam will be spent in the city yourself. I mean after all the day trips that you’ve headed out on, you probably need a slow day to wind down.

Visit The Upside Down Museum

Looking for a really cool experience in Amsterdam? Think about heading to the Upside Down museum. All the rooms are upside down and it will literally melt your brain. Well… Not literally but it will definitely tickle your funny bone!

The exhibits are all interactive and it is so much fun! Oh and did I mention that this place is pure instagram gold? When you are there make sure to try out one of their amazing Freakshakes. Oh and the cafe is pretty instagrammable too!

Go Shopping

Amsterdam is a great place to head out shopping. I mean if you are in Amsterdam for a week, you will probably want some Dutch souvenirs to take back home, right? From cheese to those cute clogs, there are loads of options.

Aside from souvenirs, you will find that Amsterdam is a great place to get luxury brands, clothes, artwork and even food. So keep your eyes open when you are wandering around the city. 

My favorite place however is always the Albert Cuyp market. The market is set up outdoors and is a lively place. You will find both locals and tourists shopping here. From food to flowers and clothes, you can find everything you want here.

Visit The Flower Market

Don’t forget to head to the flower market in Amsterdam!

One of the things that you should really do if you are in Amsterdam for a week, is to check out the flower market. The iconic market is very colorful and is the perfect backdrop for photographs. Oh and if you are an Instagrammer then I would suggest pairing those pics with some epic captions about Amsterdam. 

I digress… The flower market is also a great place to buy bulbs and seeds for your own garden. You would have to be careful when crossing borders because many countries don’t allow the import of seeds.

For me, this is the best place to get my garden sorted because I just head back to Groningen from Amsterdam. I don’t have to worry about customs. The same is true for people who are traveling within the EU

Timings: The market is open on Monday to Saturday from 9am – 5:30pm and on Sundays between 11-30am – 5:30pm.

Amsterdam For A Week: Day 7

Unfortunately it is the last day in Amsterdam and we still have so much to see and do. I generally feel that the last day is a very personal experience when you spend a long while in a city. For me, I generally revisit something that I really enjoyed or head to a place that was closed due to unforeseeable reasons. 

So what should you do on your last day? Well take a pick!

• Take a guided bike tour of central Amsterdam.
• Fabrique des Lumières Dalí & Gaudí Exhibit Ticket
• Glow-in-the-Dark Mini-Golf
• ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo Entry Ticket
• AMAZE Immersive Audiovisual Experience
• Madame Tussauds and Canal Cruise
• Amsterdam’s Weirdest Museum: Believe It or Not!
• Cocktail Making Workshop
• WONDR Immersive Playground Experience Ticket

And that my friends is what an epic itinerary should look like if you are in Amsterdam for a week. Are there any experiences that you would add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

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