Discovering the 15 Top-Rated Places to Visit in Amsterdam

The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northwestern Europe. Also known as the ‘Venice of the North’ due to its network of canals, Amsterdam houses a vibrant repository of Dutch culture and tradition in the city's numerous museums.

The historic landmarks of Amsterdam, part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its historic canals, along with picturesque locations make it one of the most rewarding vacation spots in Europe. With this city well-connected with Europe via rail and flights, it is an easily accessible place for tourists as well!

Let’s read more and discover the best places to visit in Amsterdam.

Iconic Places to Visit in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a cultural epicentre of Europe with a series of charming architectures from the industrial age. In the upcoming sections, we will take a look at some of the best places to visit in Amsterdam along with their general timings and fees -

1. Van Gogh Museum

Dedicated to the works of the world-famous painter Vincent Van Gogh, this museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Amsterdam. This museum contains the world’s largest repository of the works of Van Gogh, who is renowned as the painter of The Starry Night and considered the father of the Expressionist school of paintings.

In this museum, which was opened in 1973, you can witness vibrant pictures of Van Gogh along with the tragic life of the artist.

• Location: Museumplein 
• Timing: 9 am – 6 pm
• Entry Fee: €20

2. Amsterdam Royal Palace

One of the most sought-after attractions in Amsterdam, the Royal Palace was originally built as a town hall for the city and thrown open in 1655. King Louis I converted this place into his Royal Palace. Presently, it stands as a notable icon of Dutch history and serves as one of the tourist-favourite places to visit near Amsterdam Central Station.

The palace is constructed with yellow sandstones and is a grand example of the baroque architectural style. In the interior part of this palace, you can find exquisite works such as a sculpture of the Greek deity Atlas with earth on his shoulders.

• Location: West of Dam Square
• Timing: 10 am – 5 pm
• Entry Fee: €9 - €13

3. Vondelpark

Spread across 120 acres of land, Vondelpark is a popular tourist park and among the best places to visit in Amsterdam. Spacious grasslands and a giant pond in the middle of the park make it a leisurely and comfortable place to relax and wind down. Opened in 1865, it is the largest public park in the city.

In recent years, it has become a favourite among tourists for different kinds of fun activities that are offered in the park. The pond side of Vondelpark is a great place for picnics. Depending on your choice, you can explore the park on foot or by bicycle.

• Location: Amsterdam
• Timing: Open 24x7
• Entry Fee: Free Entry

4. Artis

Artis is the shortened name for Natura Artis Magistra, a zoo and botanical garden located in Amsterdam city. This 180-year-old zoo offers a naturalised space for several species of animals. On your trip to Artis, you can find elephants, giraffes, lions, penguins, and numerous other animals in a natural and comfortable habitat.

The zoo also accommodates a historic aquarium. Built in 1882, it has undergone several renovations to attract tourists in the present time as well. Furthermore, Artis contains a library with rare and scholarly books on the history of zoology and botany.  All in all, Artis is among Amsterdam’s best places to visit if you are a wildlife enthusiast.

• Location: Plantage Kerklaan
• Timing: 9 am – 5 pm
• Entry Fee: €5 - €27.50

5. Nemo Science Museum

The façade of Nemo Science Museum is an innovative architectural marvel. It is a great place to hang out with family, as there are plenty of exciting activities to partake in inside the museum. You can participate in various science experiments and learn cool things about space, the human body’s functioning, and more.

Another remarkable feature of this museum is its rooftop, which can be easily accessed to appreciate the surrounding landscape of Amsterdam from heights!

• Location: Oosterdok
• Timing: 10 am – 5:30 pm (Monday Closed)
• Entry Fee: €17.50

6. Anne Frank House

This is one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam for those interested in world history. Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who lived in secret in this house during the time of Nazi occupation. Her diary was published posthumously and rose to prominence as an important document of Nazi atrocities.

The house, in the present day, serves as a museum with various possessions of Anne Frank. You can also see the movable bookcase that reveals the hidden rooms here.

• Location: Westermarkt
• Timing: 9 am – 10 pm
• Entry Fee: €16

7. Heineken Experience

This historic brewery was founded in 1867 and served as Heineken's primary brewing facility for more than 100 years. While more breweries were set up later, this one continues to serve as a visitor centre for tourists.

If you are a beer aficionado, this place must be at the top of your tour itinerary of the best places to visit in Amsterdam. Here, you can get a full tour of the facility and learn about the fascinating process through which beer is made.

• Location: Stadhouderskade
• Timing: 10:30 am – 7:30 pm (Sunday – Thursday) | 10:30 am – 9 pm (Friday – Saturday)
• Entry Fee: €14.50 - €18

8. Albert Cuyp Market

One of the bustling markets in Amsterdam, the street market is named after the 17th-century Dutch painter Albert Cuyp. It started in 1905 and is the largest open-air street market in Amsterdam. Initially serving the locals, the market has risen to prominence as one of the top places to visit in Amsterdam in recent years.

Although the market offers various products and items, it is primarily known for its food. You can enjoy a variety of delicious street food as you explore the market. The market truly gives you a multicultural vibe with popular street foods from around the world.

• Location: Albert Cuypstraat 
• Timing: 9 am – 5 pm (Sunday Closed)
• Entry Fee: Free Admission

9. Foodhallen

Established in 2014, this food court has quickly become a favourite location for tourists from all across the world. It blends an iconic multicultural experience with a variety of flavours and cuisines. If you are willing to try different sorts of dishes, this is your place to find everything.

Foodhallen, one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam for food connoisseurs, offers an eclectic assortment of seafood and meat dishes as well as vegetarian platters for you to enjoy. Catering to both small and large groups of tourists, this place attracts a huge number of locals and tourists alike due to its food and vibrant atmosphere.

• Location: De Hallen Amsterdam
• Timing: 12 pm – 12 am (Sunday – Thursday), 12 pm – 1 am (Friday – Saturday)
• Entry Fee: Free Admission

10. Bloemenmarkt

Bloemenmarkt is a one-of-a-kind attraction in Amsterdam. Reportedly the world's first and only floating flower market, it was founded in 1862 and is located on the Singel Canal. In this market, you can discover flowers from all over the world, creating a magnificent bouquet of bright colours.

Bloemenmarkt is among Amsterdam’s best places to visit for photographers, as the canal and flowers contrast each other to create some memorable frames. The market has a few souvenir shops as well where you can buy gifts.

• Location: Singel
• Timing: 9 am – 5:30 pm (Monday – Saturday), 11 am – 5:30 pm (Sunday) 
• Entry Fee: Free

11. Rijksmuseum

As a national museum of the Netherlands, Rijksmuseum must be on your checklist if you are a history buff. This has one of the largest collections of artefacts in the country’s museums and presents different ages of Dutch history through its repository of art and crafts. 

The museum houses an extensive collection of the Dutch painter Rembrandt. It has Rembrandt’s famous ‘The Night Watch’ on display here as well. You can also find other contemporary paintings in this legendary museum.

• Location: Museumstraat
• Timing: 9 am – 5 pm
• Entry Fee: €22.50 for adults (free for people under 18)

12. Amsterdam Canal Ring

This district is among the best places to visit in Amsterdam if you want to explore its heritage canals, which have been showcased in famous literary and cinematic works. The 17th-century district is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts a large number of tourists every year for its cultural and historical value.

You can take guided tours around the district to explore the site. With Amsterdam being famous for its cycle enthusiasts, a great way to explore the complete canal district is to take a cycle or bike tour. You can easily rent a cycle to roam as you please or be a part of a group and explore the city.

• Location: Amsterdam
• Timing: Open 24x7
• Entry Fee: Free Admission

13. The Nine Streets

The Nine Streets or ‘De 9 Straatjes’ is a tourist haven due to the sheer variety of experiences one can find here. It consists of 9 alleyways of exotic stores and small boutiques, making it one of the favourite places to visit in Amsterdam for tourists. This market also houses a few quaint cafes for you to relax during your daylong tour.

These streets are located between the houses of Anne Frank and Rijksmuseum, making it an easily accessible market.

• Location: Wolvenstraat
• Timing: Open 24x7
• Entry Fee: Free Admission

14. Waterlooplein Flea Market

This is one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam if you would like to dive into a shopping spree! The market was established almost 150 years ago and contains some hidden gems of stores and stalls. You can find virtually everything in this market - from antique books and artworks to thrift clothing, furniture, and jewellery.

As a flea market, Waterlooplein Square offers exciting prices for you to shop to your heart’s content (if you can bargain a bit!). Other than that, you can also socialise with locals here and get to know the surroundings better.

• Location: Waterlooplein
• Timing: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm (Sunday Closed)
• Entry Fee: Free

15. Melkweg

One of the best places to visit in Amsterdam for music and artistic performances, Melkweg (the ‘Milky Way’ in Dutch) is a happening venue that has hosted some of the most iconic concerts and music programs - world-renowned artists like U2, Arctic Monkeys, Nirvana, and more have thrilled their audiences in this venue!

A bustling hotspot of Amsterdam’s nightlife, it hosts some of the most high-profile concerts and shows. You can experience the events of international DJs, world-famous artists, films, and more from around the world.

• Location: Toneelgroep Amsterdam
• Timing: N/A
• Entry Fee: Variable

How to Secure Your Trip with Policybazaar UAE?

As one of the oldest and most eminent cities in Europe, Amsterdam has something for each tourist - from museums and markets to canals and vibrant nightlife options! With our list of the best places to visit in Amsterdam, you can have a great starting point to initiate your trip planning.

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