Amsterdam is famous for many reasons, from its beautiful canals to its little coffee shops, famous museums, and the red light district – it’s a city with a lot to offer. Unfortunately we only spent 1 day in Amsterdam during a layover from Helsinki, but we managed to explore some of its historic centre .
The city centre is a very short train ride from the airport so if you have a small layover you should be able to leave the airport for a couple of hours. If you’re looking for advice about where to go in the city and how best to get around, there is an I Amsterdam office located in the airport as well as in the city centre. They’ll be able to provide you with detailed maps and information about the various areas in the city. You can also purchase an Amsterdam City Card or the Amsterdam transport pass which is a great way to save money.
There are a lot of great bucket list locations to visit in Amsterdam. If you’re only spending 1 day in Amsterdam you can still check out lots of neighbourhoods outside of the historic centre that are often overlooked. For example, Oud Zuid is home to some amazing museums and is one of the more elegant neighbourhoods with boutique shops and restaurants. Or if you’re looking for a more hip area, Oost has a great cultural mixture of shops and places to eat, as well as clubs if you’re looking for a night out in Amsterdam.
For those of you travelling on a tight schedule, I would recommend making a list of places to visit in Amsterdam beforehand so you know what you want to see and how far apart everything is. There’s a lot you can do in Amsterdam in one day and there’s nothing worse than missing something you really want to see because of bad planning. Here’s an alternative guide to spending 1 day in Amsterdam on a budget.
What to do during 1 day in Amsterdam
Take a photo with the “I amsterdam” sign
The first thing you need to do as you step outside of the airport is to snap a photo with the famous I amsterdam sign. The last time I was in the city it was in the centre but now you can find it just outside the airport doors. It’s one of the many free things to do in Amsterdam as well – and that’s before you even get to the city centre.
Admire the train station
The train station in Amsterdam is a beautiful building and I’m sure many people don’t properly look at when they exit. So, as you walk into the city centre, make sure you turn around and take a look over the canal at it. It’s not the most exciting thing to do during 1 day in Amsterdam but it’s a great photo opportunity.
Walk around Dam Square
Dam Square is located a short and direct walk from the train station, and is home to the Royal Palace which is open to the public as often as possible. There’s a lot of things to do in this area if you have the time and it’s always a busy place. If you’re looking for souvenirs in Amsterdam, there are loads of shops around here too.
Indulge in lots of cheese
Henri Willig is a family run business that makes the best cheese in the Netherlands, with plenty of options to choose from. If you find one of their stores in Amsterdam you can sample all of the flavours before you commit to buying any. If you want some Dutch cheese to bring back home as a souvenir or gift for someone, this is where you need to go.
Find some street markets
There are lots of street markets dotted around the city, so if you see one make sure you take a few minutes out of your schedule to have a look. We came across a lovely artists market while walking through the city. Even if you only have 1 day in Amsterdam to spare, any of the markets you come across are worth a quick look.
Try some peppernuts
Peppernuts are a popular snack in the Netherlands and date back to the 16th century. During this period a variety of spices were brought back by Dutch trade ships and used in a new kind of bread. This was later changed into the tiny cookies that are still sold today. There are many peppernut flavours to choose from and their small size makes them easy to store away in your luggage. Visiting one of these shops is a must during your 1 day in Amsterdam.
Grab lunch at The Avocado Show
If you’re wondering about where to eat in Amsterdam, I’ve got you covered. The Avocado Show makes all of their dishes using avocados in some way and it’s probably one of the most unique places to visit in Amsterdam. If you can’t decide what to choose from their fantastic menu I would recommend the salmon poke bowl, an avocado burger, or avocado waffles.
Before you leave, don’t forget to buy their cookbook and so you can try out all of their recipes at home! If you’re planning on spending 1 day in Amsterdam, and love avocados, you have to stop by for lunch.
Enjoy walking along the Amsterdam canals
There’s nothing better than taking a walk along the canals in Amsterdam. If you’re spending 2 days in Amsterdam, the canal cruises are very popular and a memorable experience. I would also highly recommend going to visit Anne Frank’s House but make sure you purchase your tickets in advance because they’re almost always sold out on the day.
If you’re planning to spend 1 day in Amsterdam and have any questions regarding things to do or places to eat, please drop me a message or contact me on Instagram. Remember to look both ways when you’re crossing the sidewalk or road too, because the cyclists in Amsterdam will stop for no one.
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