There is no place quite like Amsterdam. Yes, Amsterdam is drenched in history and culture, and it feels lived-in as you walk its famed, canal-lined streets. But at the same time, the city is youthful and active, with locals whizzing past you on their bikes, wearing the coolest, chicest, and most minimalist outfits you’ve ever seen.
Having only one day to devour Amsterdam is a daunting task, but sigh, it’s all I had when I visited. At the time, I was on my way to my friend’s family home in the countryside near Friesland, and I had just one day in the city to play. The task sounded impossible, but it led to a jam-packed day that was incredibly dreamy, and in just a few short hours, I was falling head over heels for this lovable city.
While in Amsterdam, I don’t necessarily want to sit for hours in a café as the afternoon drifts by. What I really want is to sink my teeth into every corner of a city that feels absolutely electric. Amsterdam is always in motion, and it makes you want to explore every inch of this cooler-than-cool place.
This Girl’s Guide to One Day in Amsterdam highlights the perfect mix of strolling scenic canals, diving into Dutch history, and enjoying some of the city’s most popular food, so you can experience Amsterdam in all its tulip-lined glory, even on a tight timeline.
Morning
Cafés, shopping, & canal life
Okay—ready, set, go. A good breakfast is of utmost, tippity-top importance to set up your day of sightseeing just right. Toki is the perfect place to do just that. Toki is a cozy neighborhood café with good food (think fabulous soft scrambled eggs and chunky sourdough toast) and even better coffee. And the Dutch know what they’re doing when it comes to pastry, so ordering something sweet is an absolute must before you leave!
Amsterdam is a very walkable city with a compact city center, so chances are you can reach many of the city’s most desired attractions, restaurants, and bars on foot. After breakfast, tie up your laces and head to the Jordaan District and The Nine Streets.
In Jordaan, spend some time wandering without a plan, so you have the chance to stumble into quaint cafés, hidden gardens, and some of Amsterdam’s most charming architecture. Here, you’ll find the city’s famous narrow buildings lining its iconic canals. Basically, the Jordaan looks like the quintessential version of Amsterdam you might picture when you close your eyes and imagine yourself walking around with a cone of fries (yum, but more on that later).
Next up is The Nine Streets. As the name suggests, this neighborhood is made up of nine picturesque shopping streets woven between the city’s main canals. You may—or may not—do some serious shopping here, thanks to the vintage shops, local boutiques, and specialty stores that make this one of Amsterdam’s most fashionable areas.
There is nothing quite like Amsterdam’s legendary canals, and they truly make the city so special. Be sure to spend some time exploring its most beautiful canals, like Herengracht. This particular canal is lined with elegant 17th-century canal houses that transport you back in time. Walking along Herengracht with a hot drink and (another) pastry is what being in Europe is all about (according to moi).
Afternoon
Food crawl & museums galore
The most exciting part of your day will, without a doubt, be lunchtime. If you’re anything like me, food rules the day while on vacation. What am I eating? When am I eating? When can I eat again? There are so many staple Dutch dishes, and you really should try as many as possible. A food crawl around the city center is the perfect way to do just that. As you walk around, you’ll spot local vendors throughout the area selling local favorites.
If you only have so much room in your stomach, my top three recommendations are herring, Dutch fries, and stroopwafels. Herring is a salty, cured fish that, while not the most appetizing to look at, is incredibly delicious. Next up, the fries. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Seriously? I didn’t travel all the way to Amsterdam just to eat fries for lunch? No, no, my friend. There are fries, and then there are Dutch fries. Dutch fries are practically a meal in and of themselves because they are thick-cut, piping hot, and come with a pile of toppings and sauce. Oma’s Friet or Fabel Friet are two popular shops for fries.
Lastly, finish it all off with the iconic stroopwafel. A stroopwafel is a waffle with thin, crispy edges and a soft, gooey center. Delicious. Although touristy, Van Wonderen Stroopwafels is the most popular place to get them.
Amsterdam has so many lovely museums and cultural activities that highlight the city’s impact on history and culture. My two favorite art museums are the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Both museums showcase works by some of the Netherlands’ most renowned artists. Lastly, no first trip to Amsterdam is complete without touring the Anne Frank House. This tour lasts about an hour and is a powerful and emotional experience to walk through this historic home.
To finish off the afternoon, take a stroll through Amsterdam’s Damrak waterfront neighborhood. This lively area is lined with iconic narrow houses, bustling cafés, and boats gliding through the canal. It’s quintessential Amsterdam and a postcard-worthy spot to grab a coffee and refuel before the rest of your night.
Evening
Canal cruise, dinner, & drinks
One of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam is to take a canal cruise. Much like other waterfront cities, there is no better way to get a feel for Amsterdam’s unique energy than actually being in the water. This way, you’ll get a different perspective of the sights you experienced on foot earlier in the day, and this time, with the help of a local guide. And better than that, sunsets and boats just kind of go together, right? There’s no place more magical to be than in the canals of Amsterdam with a glass of champagne, as you see the sun go down on your day.
Now, for a very, very, very (very) important decision for your one night in Amsterdam: where to eat dinner. To get the job done just right with the perfect kind of food, drinks, and overall fabulosity, I can’t recommend Little Bonfire enough. The menu is small, simple, and packed with the crowd pleasers you’ll actually want to eat after your long day of sightseeing. Think mussels and fries, fried potatoes, steak, and most importantly, passionfruit cheesecake.
Kiss your day in Amsterdam goodbye with a nightcap. I’m sorry, it’s our one-night-only special in Amsterdam, and I don’t make the rules! Just a short walk over from dinner is the perfect place to wet your tongue on a sexy cocktail or two— Flying Dutchmen Cocktails. This is a mood-lit, cozy, yet elevated bar that is renowned for being open the latest in Amsterdam—4 am, to be exact. Flying Dutchmen Cocktails has been named the “best bar” by all kinds of publications, and I second that it’s worthy of the title. They have any kind of cocktail, spritz, or gimlet you can think of, and your drink is sure to be served perfectly every time.
