How to See Amsterdam’s Top Attractions

“A cultural hotspot and one of Europe’s most popular citybreak destinations, Amsterdam manages to be both a historical centre and busy, modern city. Make the most out of your visit to Amsterdam by planning ahead and, where possible, ordering queue-jump tickets, so you can see and do more.

Here’s how to get to Amsterdam’s top attractions and how to beat their crowds.

Anne Frank House
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Possibly the most famous story of WW2, Anne Frank’s diary captured children’s imaginations across the globe, who read about her life in hiding and follow the ups and downs of her childhood against a terrifying backdrop.

Anne Frank’s house is now a sobering museum in Amsterdam’s city centre, at Prinsengracht 263-267, around a 15-minute walk from Centraal Station. The entrance around the corner, at Westermarkt 20 – you’ll easily spot the queues outside.

You can only buy tickets online and they are only valid for the time and day you select. Without that ticket, which you can buy up to two months in advance, you’re not getting in.

Standard adult admission is €10.50.

To get to Anne Frank House by public transport, take the 13 or 17 tram and get off at the Westermarkt stop. The riverboat tours also stop directly outside, giving you a wonderful view of her home from the water. Opening times throughout the summer are 9am-10pm.

Rijksmuseum
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Filled with art and objects collated over The Netherlands’ history, the Rijksmuseum of The Netherlands opens 9am-5pm every day. On Amsterdam’s Museumplein, it’s an easy place to get to by bicycle or on tram 2 or 12 from Centraal Station, getting off at the Rijksmuseum stop. If you’d rather take the metro, ride to stop 52: Vijzelgracht.

If you’re travelling to the museum by bus from the Marnizstraat station, take bus number 288.

Entrance is €20 per adult and free for children. The easiest and quickest way to buy your ticket is online, where there are often discounts. If you buy your tickets online, you can bypass the museum ticket desk and go straight into the museum where your online tickets will be scanned.

Van Gogh Museum
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After Rijksmuseum, head across Museumplein to The Van Gogh Museum. If you’re starting your day here, hop on a bike or take a tram to Van Baerlestraat (take tram 2, 5 or 12) or Museumplein (take tram 3, 5 or 12). For the bus, get number 347 or 357).

Queues for the museum and gallery can be long, so save time and money by booking a skip-the-line Van Gogh Museum ticket, which enables you to book a timeslot of your choice. Tickets bought online are €19 per adult and free for.

Van Gogh Museum – By Taxiarchos228, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4108013)

Dam Square and Royal Palace Amsterdam
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Dam Square and Royal Palace Amsterdam are a short five-minute walk (or two-minute cycle) down the Damrak from Centraal Station. A popular free tourist attraction and meeting place, historic Dam Square often has markets and carnivals taking place.

Royal Palace Amsterdam’s tours and exhibitions are open every day 10am-5pm. Adult tickets cost €10 and under 18s visit for free.

Heineken Experience
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As you’d expect, this interactive brewery tour is busy and popular with tourists, but you can beat the queues and save money by pre-booking a Heineken Experience Admission ticket. Tickets are also available on the official Heineken Experience website.

The Heineken Experience is at Stadhouderskade 78 on the 7, 10 or 24 tram routes – the nearest stop is right around the corner from the huge Heineken building. You won’t miss it.

NEMO Science Museum
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The NEMO is open 10am-5:30pm most days, with early mornings generally the quietest time to visit. You can easily get to the museum on foot or by bike. Turn left at the main entrance of Centraal Station, following the signs for Route Oosterdok. If you’d rather take the bus, catch the number 22 and get off at Kadijksplein.

You can buy tickets to the museum’s individual exhibits, or go all in with a whole-museum tickets. Get ahead of the game and book online at €17.50 per person over the age of 12, that way you also beat the queues.

Nemo Science Center – By WikimediaC – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, (commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42822675)

Blomenmarkt
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The Blomenmarkt is still flourishing and still floating on the Singel canal in the centre of the city, an easy bike ride or walk south of Dam Square. You can also get there by public transport, just take the 24 tram or 282/283 bus to Muntplein.

It’s a free attraction, but as it’s a working market, expect to be tempted by gift shops selling flowers, souvenirs and handmade crafts.

Looking for accommodation in Amsterdam to complete your trip? Take a look at our hotels in Amsterdam or book an Amsterdam package holiday.”