Explore the Best of Amsterdam: A 2-Day Itinerary

There is so much I love about Amsterdam, from the rich history, beautiful canals, tulips, museums and markets, to the freedom of being able to get everywhere by bike in 20 minutes! It has everything a major European capital has to offer packed into a village. It’s a city that is endless to explore and magnificent to wander (especially along the warmly lit canals at night). My partner Spencer and I moved here from the US and the UK, and now couldn’t picture calling anywhere else home. For those on a quick stop, here’s your guide to making the most of a couple days in our lovely little city.  

Where to stay

1. The Hoxton

2. The Pulitzer

3. Check out airbnb

Don't forget!

First things first, the weather is always unpredictable in the Netherlands, so you'll rarely regret having both an umbrella and sunglasses with you for a day exploring Amsterdam (and don’t forget a tote bag for any purchases)! The best way to see the city is by foot or bike. You can rent bikes all over the city, but if you are staying in the centre, Le Fiets is a solid option.

DAY 1

Start the day wandering through the quaint Jordaan neighbourhood and the nearby Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) shopping district (which is delightfully spread across the most famous canals in the city).

But first, coffee!

There are many great cafes in this area, so you can get your caffeine fix early (and often). 

• Saint-Jean: Has truly amazing  pastries, and is very popular with tourists as a result. If you can handle the line, it’s worth the wait, but you’ll get quicker service and still outstanding coffee and croissants anywhere else below.
• NU koffie & delicatessen: A really cool spot with great coffee, homemade sandwiches, quiches etc. You can sit in or take away with you. Either way, you must try their shortbread; it is to die for!  They also stock natural wine if you want to pick up a bottle for later.
• Bussia: An Italian cafe serving coffee and delicious pastries and quiches. Their Kouign Amann is my favourite pastry in the city. They also serve lunch and dinner in their restaurant.
• Coffee Corner: Situated in, of all places, a boutique jewellery shop called Solitude The Label, you’ll find this super cute coffee and pastry shop on the corner of the beautiful Leliegracht canal. It’s my go to place for coffee both on the run and when I have time to sit outside and enjoy by the canal. Tip: Coffee Corner has the best banana bread in town (trust me, I’ve tried them all!)
• Bakkerij Wolf: On this busy shopping street is one of the best bakeries in town. Order to take away from the cafe or grab a table next door to sit for a meal. We buy almost all our bread from here and far too frequently I have their almond croissant which is delicious!

Fancy some shopping…

For shopping, you can browse clothes and beauty boutiques (and some other delicious food options) throughout the Nine Streets or visit the Noordermarkt close by for fresh food, cheese and nic-nak stands if you happen to be in town on a Saturday.  

Another great spot I only recently discovered was the Antique Market in Amstelveld. This happens on the last Friday of the month and is definitely worth checking out! You can bike or walk here within 30 minutes from the centre. Don’t worry if you miss it, though, there are plenty of wonderful antique shops along the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat open throughout the week.

If you’re a little peckish.

While its TikTok fame has made the lines endless, you should still try Fabel Friet for some of the best fries of your life and no end of toppings and sauces. We recommend going with the grated Parmesan cheese and homemade truffle mayonnaise - so yummy! 

Oh, and don’t forget the renowned Van Stapele for cookies. Tip: Avoid the line by buying online and just walking in and picking up.

Culture you say!

While you might not expect it given its reputation, the Red Light District actually houses some wonderful history. As the oldest part of Amsterdam, you’ll find some gorgeous architecture (just look above the street-level tourist shops), and wandering around the RLD is definitely an experience in its own right!). We also recommend not missing the Oude Kerk while you’re there. This Calvinist church is the oldest building in the city and in addition to hosting modern art and events, is an absolute architectural and historical gem - definitely don’t skip the audio tour. 

Outside the RLD, if you enjoy modern art, you should also check out Foam, a photography museum in a beautiful 18th century building, or Amsterdam’s main modern art museum, the Stedelijk.

My personal favourite museum, however, is the Rijksmuseum, where you can see the Dutch Masters in the most beautiful setting. You could spend your whole 48 hours here, so keep an eye on the time! Tickets go quickly so plan ahead. Tip: Stop and listen to the musicians playing in the passage outside the main entrance, the acoustics are amazing!

After the Rijks, I would take a stroll or bike ride through the lovely Vondelpark and enjoy a glass of wine close by at Lillie.

What Are We Doing for Dinner?

If you want to stay near the Rijksmuseum for dinner, you can’t go wrong with any of these:

• Yerba - One of my absolute favourite restaurants in the city. Creative plant-based food in a modern casual setting.
• Café Garçon - a French restaurant with both inside and outside seating. It’s located on a corner of the trendy Johannes Verhulststraat and is a great spot for people watching!
• Batoni Khinkali - Incredible Georgian food in a lovely setting and location.

And if you are in the mood for wine, natural wine lovers can head to Glouglou in De Pijp for a cosy drink, and fans of traditional wines will love Shiraz or Bar Barolo.

Day 2 

Let’s go boating!

Rent a Sloepdelen and see the canals by your own boat (you don’t need a licence!). We still regularly do this, and either grab a coffee from one of our favourite spots or take a little picnic of wine and cheese depending on the time of day! If it is your first time I would recommend doing this when they first open at 10am, the canals will be on the quieter side!

Food before or after…

A couple of my favourite brunch spots:

• Dignita: I always get the avocado benny boy and I am never disappointed!
• Box Sociaal: I am an all kinds of egg girl but their korean-fried chicken is a game changer!

Now, a bit of culture…

Depending on where you decided to brunch I have two options:

• Westerpark: Explore this beautiful park and the Westergasfabriek. See a show at the Fabrique des Lumières
• De Plantage: Visit the city zoo Artis

I would spend the rest of my afternoon and the early evening in Noord. The easiest way to get here is by taking the free ferry from Centraal Station. 

Noord is famous for its revitalised wharf area, featuring chic restaurants, art galleries, and DJ events at the NDSM cultural centre. It’s definitely worth checking out the Street Art Museum if you have time.

In Noord there are so many cool places to eat (I can do a whole guide on this alone) but my number one spot has to be Coba. An authentic taco restaurant which reminds me very much of my experiences in Oaxaca.

A cocktail or two!

Finally for night caps my two favourite cocktail spots are Pulitzer's Bar (one of our friends set up this bar and trust us it is good!) and Rosalia's Menagerie. Both have a take on the classics in an intimate, cosy atmosphere.

These are just a few highlights and Amsterdam offers so much more. If you’ve enjoyed reading, check out our other guides and enjoy your visit! And let us know when you’re in town!

Lauren ♡