Perfect 4 Days Amsterdam Itinerary for Culture and Fun

Amsterdam is one of my favourite capital cities of Europe. It’s beautiful, historical and fun! Rest assured there are so many things you can do there, that even a month wouldn’t be enough! But, luckily for you with just 4 days you can do a lot in the Dutch capital to really get to know the city and fall in love with it. This 4 days Amsterdam itinerary is covering the best things to do (+ some unique ones), day trips from Amsterdam and general travel tips.

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How to Get to Amsterdam

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, here are a few travel options, depending on where you’re coming from:

Option A: Fly directly to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which is one of Europe’s busiest hubs, offering flights from major airlines as well as budget carriers. If you’re travelling from the US or other non-EU locations, this will be the airport where you’d land.

From Schiphol Airport, you can get to the city centre by train, bus, private transfer or Uber. I chose the bus and it was super convenient and easy!

Option B: For a low-budget option within Europe, consider flying to Eindhoven Airport which is served by many budget airlines (i.e Ryanair, WizzAir). From there, you can easily reach Amsterdam by train or bus in about 1.5 hours. I recommend taking the shuttle bus because it will transfer you directly to Amsterdam city centre unlike the train where you need to get from Eindhoven Airport to Eindhoven Railway Station and then take a bus.

Option C: Many European cities offer direct connections to Amsterdam via high-speed rail, making it a comfortable alternative to flying.

How to Get Around Amsterdam

There are 3 ways of moving around Amsterdam.

My favourite is just walking around Amsterdam and exploring by foot. Obviously, you need to stay in the city centre for that, which is anyway my recommendation because everything you want to see in Amsterdam is there, so for me it doesn’t make sense to stay in the suburbs.

Another great and unique way of exploring Amsterdam is by bike! If you know a thing or two about the Dutch, you know they looove to bike, even their prime minister was spotted on a bike to work! So, if you’d love to immerse yourself in the local culture, then rent a bike and explore Amsterdam on two wheels.

📖 Read my Travel in Amsterdam Post-Cruise Ban: From Cruises to Bikes blog post.

If you’re staying a bit further away, or you get tired along the way, you can always use public transportation too!

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

If there is one advice I can give you for Amsterdam, that would be: book your hotel way IN ADVANCE!! Hotels in Amsterdam are insanely expensive! And closer to your date, the prices will just be up and up and up.

I stayed in the Bilderberg Garden Hotel. It was a 15 min walk from Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum, and some 25 min walk from the main city centre.The area was very nice, residential. It was so peaceful that we even heard birds singing in the morning. Highly recommend it!

When to Visit Amsterdam

Generally, Amsterdam is a good destination all year round, however, I would only not visit in the winter months from January to March because it can get really cold, windy and rainy (similar to London).

The best time to visit Amsterdam is during the tulip season, from late March to early May when the nearby tulip fields are in full bloom. The weather is also improving, with warmer and longer days.

Amsterdam is also a great destination to visit in the summer months when, if lucky, you can enjoy some proper summer temperatures.

The holiday season is also a great time, especially during the Light Festival.

📖 Coming to Amsterdam in the tulip season? Then check my How to Visit Tulip Fields near Amsterdam (+2025 Dates!) blog post.

How Many Days in Amsterdam is Ideal

To explore the best of Amsterdam, do some unique experiences and take a day trip to some of the best locations nearby, ideally you need at least 4 days which is exactly what we will cover in this Amsterdam itinerary.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

On your first day in Amsterdam, you will explore its museums (I recommend at least one from this list because they are all great museums and next one to another!), relax at Vondelpark and have an Indonesian rice table dinner that Amsterdam is famous for!

Rijksmuseum

You cannot come to Amsterdam and not visit Rijksmuseum! Firstly, it is located in a gorgeous 19th century building which is an art for itself.

But most importantly, it is there where you’d find the most important Dutch artworks from great artists like Rembrandt (and his Night Watch), Vermeer and Van Gogh.

Van Gogh Museum

Vincent Van Gogh is one of my favourite painters and I cannot even describe my disappointment when I realised that because I didn’t buy my tickets in advance I won’t be able to enjoy his works. I kept checking, even on the day, if some tickets got released, but sadly, it didn’t happen.

Well, I have yet another reason to return to the Dutch capital, but if you don’t want to be like me, then buy your tickets asap!

Moco Museum

I also knew I had to check out Moco Museum because of their immersive art exhibit. They also have some interesting works of Banksy there, so it is well worth checking it if you love contemporary art and immersive experiences!

Vondelpark

Vondelpark is the most famous park in Amsterdam and a great place to relax a bit, especially after you’ve checked out a museum or two!

Indonesian Rice Table

It’s not only the dinner I’m recommending here, it’s also the cultural experience.

Rijsttafel aka Rice Table is a famous dish to try in Amsterdam which was introduced by the immigrants from Indonesia who made Amsterdam their second home. Indonesia was once the most important Dutch colony, so it is obvious that you’d have their influence on the local cuisine here.

I like to refer to it as the Indonesian version of tapas because you choose your set of meals and share with whoever you’re dining with. It’s not only delicious, but is also a nice social activity and a perfect way to end your day in Amsterdam.

There are many Indonesian restaurants in the city, we went to Srikandi:

Day 2 in Amsterdam

Your second day in Amsterdam will focus on the most beautiful districts of Amsterdam: Jordaan & Damrak.

Jordaan

Jordaan is my favourite neighbourhood in Amsterdam. It is just like you imagine the city to be: colourful tiny houses on the canals full with cafes, bridges and bicycles. It is a postcard-picture place.

Definitely just spend time wandering around and chase some of the most beautiful canals. My favourite is Bloemgracht (apparently Rembrandt lived here). Also, find a cute cafe with an outdoor sitting area next to the canal and do some people-watching.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House is in the Jordaan district, so make sure to check it out. BUT, you need to buy these tickets waaay in advance!

You can only buy them on the official website. They get on sale every Tuesday at 10 am Amsterdam time for a visit 6 weeks out. So, if you want to visit, make sure you set up the alarm or reminder and buy as soon as they get released. I wish I knew that before booking my trip to Amsterdam…

✅ I recommend you to read Anne Frank Diary before visiting Amsterdam.

Dam Square

Dam Square is the centre of Amsterdam, but it didn’t impress me like other areas. It is still worth passing by because it’s anyway on your way towards Damrak.

But you can definitely check out the Royal Palace for some history time!

Damrak

After Jordaan, this is my other favourite place in Amsterdam and surely the most instagrammable one. Damrak is an avenue and partially filled in canal at the centre of Amsterdam. Definitely do not miss it!

Red Light District

Despite your personal thoughts of this place, RLD is also what makes Amsterdam, well, Amsterdam!

I went to check it during the daylight and it looked like a super hipsterish place full with cafes, bars and pubs. Yes, the windows of the brothels were covered and you know what’s happening there in the evening, but it’s a totally fine place during the day. Even families with kids strolled around, so definitely check it out, at least so you can say you were in the Red Light District!

No photos are allowed there, so I respected the rule.

I recommend Restaurant L’albero for dinner (Lebanese cuisine):

Day 3 in Amsterdam

On your third day of my Amsterdam itinerary, I recommend you to do something unique to Amsterdam.

Tulip Fields

If you’re visiting Amsterdam in the tulip season, and you love flowers, I definitely recommend you to do a day out to tulip fields near Amsterdam.

📖 I wrote a detailed blog post on How to Visit Tulip Fields near Amsterdam (+2025 Dates!), so have a look there for more!

💡In 2025 the tulip season starts on March 20 and runs until May 11 when they are in peak bloom.

Light Festival

For the 13th winter in a row, Amsterdam is holding the Light Festival that transforms the Amsterdam canals into a unique canvas for light art..

💡This winter Light Festival runs from 28 November 2024 to 19 January 2025.

To make the most out of it, I recommend getting the Amsterdam Winter Festival Card, which includes the Light Festival canal cruise, entry to the ice exhibition, public transport ticket, audio guide app for Amsterdam and 10% discount for other attractions!

If you only want to do a Light Festival canal cruise, there are many great options to choose from on GetYourGuide.

Canal Cruise

Amsterdam has 165 canals that are 100 km (60 mi) long, so one of the best things you can do in Amsterdam that are unique to it is go on a canal cruise.

Bike Tour

If you want to explore Amsterdam like a local, and with a local, then definitely opt for a bike tour.

📖 Additionally, read my Travel in Amsterdam Post-Cruise Ban: From Cruises to Bikes blog post.

Traditional Dutch Syrup Waffle Making Workshop

Stroopwafel aka Syrup Waffle is a Dutch dessert specialty, and a very delicious one!

You can find it on street food markets and around the city, but you can also join a stroopwafel making workshop to learn how to make it at home and to have some fun!

Albert Cuyp Market

And speaking of the stroopwafel and street food market, you have to check out the Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp neighbourhood. It is a little bit further away from the city centre, but it is such a cool hipsterish district with great street food!

Red Light Secrets Museum

If you’d love to learn more about the sex work in the Netherlands in what is now a former brothel in the RLD, then definitely visit a Red Light Secrets Museum.

Heineken Experience

Any beer lovers like me? If so, Heineken Experience should be on your bucket list! On a 1.5-hour self-guided tour you’ll learn about the company’s heritage, the beer brewing process, Heineken’s innovations and about what it takes to serve a world-famous beer.

Amsterdam Icebar

This really needs no further explanation, so if you’d love to have some cocktails at the ice bar, then this unique experience is for you!

Unique Museums

And finally, you can check untraditional museums that offer immersive experiences.

Day 4 in Amsterdam

On your 4th and last day in Amsterdam, I recommend taking a day trip to some of the nearby towns and/or villages.

The Hague

My choice was The Hague, and solely because I wanted to see Girl with a Pearl Earring painting by Vermeer which is kept in the Mauritshuis Museum.

I took a train from Schiphol Airport to The Hague, but you can also go on a guided tour.

The Hague is a really beautiful town, I definitely recommend it to you.

Zaanse Schans & Zaandam Countryside

Zaanse Schans & Zaandam are one of the most picturesque villages in the Netherlands and very close to Amsterdam. There you will also find the Cheese factory, and you know the Dutch are famous for their cheese!

You can get there on a train or take a guided tour.

Haarlem

Haarlem is often recommended as an area to stay due to its proximity to Amsterdam and lower hotel prices. While this is not my recommendation, I do think it is a nice day out (or half-day) from Amsterdam.

You can get there on the train, it’s an easy 10 minute ride.

While there, check out the canal cruises which is a top thing to do in Haarlem.

Utrecht

Utrecht is the 4th largest city in Amsterdam and well worth visiting as a day trip, especially to visit its De Haar Castle.

You can get there on the train or take a guided tour from Amsterdam.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a very overlooked and underrated city of the Netherlands. It is the 2nd largest one after Amsterdam and is known for its modern and quirky architecture and awesome vibes. It’s on my list next time, especially to see the upside down yellow houses where people actually live!

You can get there on the train or bus or take a guided tour.

Delft

Delft is conveniently located between The Hague and Rotterdam, so you can even combine these 3 towns into one go.

There are great guided tours from Amsterdam offering exactly this route or you can use the trains and do it yourself.

Bruges

You can even check another country while in Amsterdam and take a day trip to the fairytale town in Belgium – Bruges.

While you can reach it by the train (with one stop) or a bus, I recommend taking a guided tour to make the most out of your day trip + it is actually cheaper in this particular case.

Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting

I didn’t expect too much of Amsterdam, but as soon as I arrived, it immediately became one of my favourites and most beautiful cities in Europe. It’s a great city for walking, cycling and exploring, with lots of different and unique things to do. It suits every kind of traveller: history, art, culture, food, fun, party, leisure buffs, and the list goes on. It’s great for couples, solo, friends and family travel. So, yes, Amsterdam is very much worth visiting.

And there you go, your perfect 4 days Amsterdam itinerary for both culture & fun!

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