Amsterdam Holidays

Things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam weekend breaks transport you to a city that truly has something for everyone: superb museums, beautiful canals, elegant architecture, gorgeous parks and some of the best shopping, restaurants and nightlife to be found anywhere. Plus, there is such a wide range of hotels you can definitely find the right spot for you, even at the last minute.

Amsterdam's top attractions

• Anne Frank's House - Embark on a self-guided tour around the house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during WWII. 
• Rijksmuseum/Stedelijk/Van Gogh Museum - Culture buffs will be drawn to the trio of world-class art museums.  
• Vondelpark - Enjoy a bicycle ride around this vast green area located in the city.
• Dam Square - The city's main square which features the Royal Palace.
• Nine Streets/Jordaan Neighbourhood - Amsterdam is a brilliant city for shopping, these areas both have independent boutiques and galleries – and the city’s famous cafés are perfect for a break.

Amsterdam Nightlife

Amsterdam weekend breaks have a fantastic night scene, whether you want to hit some of Europe’s underground clubs or just chill in a relaxed coffeehouse. As well as the bars and clubs, you’ll also find plenty of venues for live music, from intimate jazz bar to the big stadia. There is always something going on in this exciting city, so do a bit of research to find out what parties or festivals are taking place during your stay.

Top nightlife hotspots include:

• Zuidoost
• Rembrandtplein
• Leidseplein
• Oud-West

Places to eat in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s restaurant and bar scene is fantastically vibrant and varied. You’ll find everything from glitzy restaurants to traditional coffee houses, and you can eat your way around the world when it comes to the huge variety of cuisines on offer. Don’t miss out on the city’s fabulous markets, food fairs and festivals where the stalls offer a delicious array of tasty treats from thick, Dutch chips to raw herring. The main epicentre for restaurants and bars is the Leidseplein: avoid the obviously touristy places, and you’ll find lots of great, authentic options. Classic Dutch dishes for you to try include stamppot, a kind of bubble-and-squeak topped with sausages, and the delicious stroopwafel, thin waffles sandwiches with syrup.

Top restaurants in Amsterdam include:

• Restaurant Greetje
• Restaurant Vinkeles Amsterdam
• Cafe Restaurant Amsterdam
• De Silveren Spiegel
• Restaurant Lt Cornelis

Amsterdam for families

Kids will have a ball in Amsterdam, which is a very family-friendly city. When on a cheap holiday to Amsterdam, the family can enjoy a selection of more than 30 parks (some of which have petting zoos and outdoor swimming pools) where kids can run around to let off steam. In summer, you can hit the beach – there are lots of beautiful beaches within half an hour of the city centre. 

• Canal cruise - Take the kids on a trip down Amsterdam's famous canals for a fun way of seeing the sights without having to shlep them around on foot.
• Bicycle hire - Rent some bikes and join the locals getting around the city on two wheels.
• The NEMO Science Museum - The museum offers plenty of hands-on fun for kids dueto its interactivity.
• Stedelijk/Van Gogh Museum - Older kids and teens might enjoy the contemporary art at and famous paintings at these famouse art museums.

Amsterdam for couples

Amsterdam provides the perfect backdrop for romance, with its gabled mansions lining the canals, floating flower market, and charming squares. Ideal for strolling around – or biking around - it’s a fantastic place for a romantic holiday. There are lots of romantic restaurants and cafés, and the city’s nightlife offers everything from underground clubs to intimate jazz bars.

• Rijksmuseum/Stedelijk - You could take in a couple of the big museums, perhaps see the Rembrandts at the Rijksmuseum, or the contemporary art at the Stedelijk.
• Vondelpark - Head for a picnic in this expansive, gorgeous park which attracts so many looking for a lovely day out.
• Jordaan Neighbourhood - Browse through the boutiques and galleries of the arty Jordaan neighbourhood
• Albert Cuypmarket - Rummage around the Albert Cuypmarket for some bargains, before tucking into some tasty treats from the food trucks. 

Culture and history

Amsterdam weekend breaks offer you a beautiful and historic city, which still preserves many of the handsome buildings erected during its Golden Age of the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

• Canals - The remarkable network of canals, most of which were laid out during the Golden Age period, are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a canal cruise is one of the best ways to see this city built on waterways.
• Museumsplein - Other top cultural sights including the three world-class museums clustered around Museumsplein: the Rijksmuseum (the Dutch national museum), the Stedelijk (contemporary art museum) and the Van Gogh Museum.
• Anne Frank's House - Amsterdam is also home to the Anne Frank House, where exhibits relate the life of the young girl who hid out here with her family for two years before being betrayed to the Nazis.

Canal cruises in Amsterdam

One of the best ways to see Amsterdam is by boat. The city’s history is intertwined with the winding canals that can be found all around. There are 165 canals in total in Amsterdam, in fact the canal ring has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, it’s clear to see the significance that these canals hold in Amsterdam.

When in Amsterdam, you’ll have the opportunity to take a trip down the canals on a memorable boat ride. You’ll get to see all the sights that the city has to offer and have an incredibly relaxing time. Amsterdam provides a variety of canal cruises to go on. Try a hop-on-hop-off service where you can get off to see particular sights and hop back on when you’re ready to move onto the next one. There are candle-lit tours which are fantastic for a city break with your loved one. Even child-friendly trips for families.