3 Days In Amsterdam Itinerary – How To Spend 3 Days In Amsterdam

Last Updated on 5th July 2023

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3 days in Amsterdam gives you enough time to see and do all the tourist attractions and activities and still have plenty of time to chill out and enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace as well.

I last visited Amsterdam over the New Year in 2018 so while this guide needs a little updating (meaning that I need to head back ASAP), I’ve put together a 3-day itinerary for Amsterdam below that will hopefully help you to plan your trip to this awesome and eclectic city in the Netherlands!

Where to stay in Amsterdam for 3 days

We stayed in the City Hotel Amsterdam and it was absolutely fabulous. The staff were so wonderfully accommodating, the room was very spacious and the hotel itself is located in an incredibly ideal location, just a five-minute walk from the train station.

Find somewhere to stay in Amsterdam here!

Booking.com

When we arrived on the first day, it was relatively late in the evening so we checked into our hotel and then headed straight out for some food and a little mosey around.

We decided to have a quick kebab at a place called Sabrosa (which turned out to be the first of three during our stay in Amsterdam…) but I believe it’s now shut down which is somewhat of a travesty as it was the best kebab I’ve ever had!

The Red Light District – 3 days in Amsterdam

The Red Light District is one of the most famous parts of Amsterdam and it’s where you’ll find many sex shops, museums, peep shows, brothels and more.

It’s an experience, to say the least, and even if you don’t think it’s the kind of thing you’d enjoy, I’d still recommend having a wander through the district as it’s pretty eye-opening and quite fascinating to see.

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam’s most famous attractions as it depicts the harrowing story of the young Jewish girl and her infamous diary from her experience of hiding under Nazi rule during WW2.

The museum is a sombre experience, but it’s also incredibly informative and moving and it’s fascinating to learn about Anne and her family’s life in the Secret Annex. The Anne Frank Museum is located in the actual house where the events took place, so it feels very poignant to visit.

Tickets to the museum usually sell out weeks in advance, especially during the peak season, so it’s best to book them as soon as you plan your 3-day trip to Amsterdam.

Tickets for the following month go on sale on the first Tuesday of every month and start from €14 for adults and €7 for children. The museum is open daily from 9 AM until 10 PM, unless otherwise stated on the website.

The Sex Museum

The museum is packed with graphic images, weird sculptures and plenty of quirky things to admire. It’s definitely a museum that I’d recommend visiting if you’re ever in Amsterdam as it’s not too expensive (€9 per person). Your ticket remains valid for up to three months after your visit if you feel so inclined to revisit!

Museum of Prostitution

The Museum of Prostitution is also an incredibly informative experience and it teaches you so much about the culture of sex workers in Amsterdam and its fascinating history.

Amsterdam canals

It’s hard to visit Amsterdam without admiring its many canals and bridges. Almost everywhere you look in the heart of the city there’s a different canal, bridge and pretty buildings to see and it makes for a unique and interesting walking experience compared to many other European cities.

It does feel a little like Venice sometimes, and if you’ve been to the Italian city, you’ll soon see why! There are actually more kilometres of canals in Amsterdam than in Venice, despite the latter being world-famous for its winding waterways!

Cruise along the canal

As well as enjoying the views of the beautiful canals from land, you can also book a boat cruise along the canals that will take you on a tour to see some of the top sights in Amsterdam via the waterways.

It’s a gorgeous and unique way to see the city and it’s a perfect activity to enjoy on a leisurely afternoon during your three days in Amsterdam.

Book a boat cruise in Amsterdam here!

Vondelpark

Compromising an area of 47 hectares (120 acres), Vondelpark is a fantastic public urban park that should definitely be on your itinerary for three days in Amsterdam.

It’s home to an open-air theatre, numerous children’s playgrounds, beautiful bodies of water and so many places to sit and relax in the sunshine.

Amsterdam sign

The I Amsterdam sign used to be located in the heart of the city, but you can now find it at Schipol Airport, so if you fly into Amsterdam, be sure to take a quick snap of the sign before you leave!

The Van Gogh Museum

Dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh, this museum is an awesome attraction in Amsterdam if you’re an art lover. You’ll see many of the acclaimed artist’s creations throughout the many displays and collections and you’ll also get to learn more about his life as an artist.

Tickets cost €20 per person and under 18s go free. Opening times vary depending on the season so check out the website before you go see when it’s open.

Hire a bicycle to explore the city

Amsterdam is super bike-friendly and one of the best ways to explore the city in 3 days is to hire a bicycle. You can book a guided bicycle tour around Amsterdam that will take you around the top sights and attractions or you can hire one yourself for less than £10 a day and go around at your own leisurely pace.

Not only is it a pretty cheap way of getting around, but it also means that you’ll see and do much more stuff during your 3 days in Amsterdam as you’ll be able to get around the city more quickly.

Hire a bicycle in Amsterdam for less than £10 a day here!

Dam Square – 3 days in Amsterdam

Dam Square is one of the most notable places in the city and somewhere that you’ll likely visit during your 3 days in Amsterdam on numerous occasions.

It’s home to shopping malls such as Magna Plaza and Bijenkorf and it’s surrounded by many bars, restaurants and cafes. It’s a little more expensive to eat in this area of the city as it’s so central, so avoid the eateries if you want to save a bit of money, but it’s still worth checking out the square both during the day and at night while you’re in Amsterdam for 3 days.

Dinner at Rossini – 3 days in Amsterdam

Rossini is a great Italian restaurant in Amsterdam that serves the usual suspects of pizza, pasta and other assorted Italian dishes.

It’s not outrageously expensive either, so it’s worth adding to your 3-day Amsterdam itinerary for a delicious place for lunch or dinner.

Erotic Museum

While you might be fed up with all the sex museums at this point, there’s another one to add to your list in the form of the Erotic Museum.

It’s pretty similar to the Sex Museum, but this one showcases more sex toys and works of “art” as well.

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Have you ever been to Amsterdam? How would you spend 3 days in Amsterdam? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @imjustagirl_16.