2 Days in Amsterdam: A Perfect Weekend Itinerary

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I’ve always had an unexplainable passion for the Netherlands (hence why I did Dutch Studies). I visited multiple times at different stages of my life, learned Dutch, and eventually moved to the Netherlands for a few years living in both Leiden and Amsterdam.

So what is there to see and do in Amsterdam? There’s so much! With beautiful canals and historic homes, some of the world’s best museums, giant parks, and a fascinating biking culture, Amsterdam has something for everyone!

Regardless of whether you’re going for a party weekend, planning a solo cultural trip, or just taking the kids out, a weekend in Amsterdam is the perfect amount of time to explore and see what makes Amsterdam special. But I must warn you – you’ll want to come back for more. 

To help you plan your trip, I decided to write an honest itinerary full of everything you need to know for your weekend getaway. I’m not afraid to tell you if something is very boring (like the canal tour that everyone recommends for example) and how to make it way more exciting!

If you have more time I highly recommend actually getting out of Amsterdam on day trips as well as exploring some of the more unusual things to do in Amsterdam to see the real beauty of the Netherlands.

For visitors with kids I have a separate post on the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids and beyond.

Practical Tips for Visiting Amsterdam

Before we dive right into the itinerary, here is some practical advice to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Amsterdam. 

If it’s your first time coming here, I also recommend you read my guide full of useful tips for visiting Amsterdam where I go more in-depth to help make your trip a little smoother. My guide to using public transport in Amsterdam is another great resource that can help a lot in your planning. 

Best Time to Visit Amsterdam

No matter what time of the year you visit you need to prepare for any weather. It will probably rain a bit during your trip because you know – if it doesn’t rain for 3 days in a row it makes it to the local news.

Spring would be the best time to visit if you want to catch the tulip season. I also love the beginning of the winter in November and early to mid-December. There will be very few tourists during this time and while it will be cold and rainy, this season has a special atmosphere and offers fantastic winter activities.

Is there the worst time to visit Amsterdam? If you want to actually see things and experience some “normal local life” in Amsterdam avoid two events: New Year’s Eve and King’s Day. It’s absolute chaos during these events with disrupted trains and crowds.

Traveler smiling on a cheese swing at the Amsterdam Cheese Museum, a quirky stop on your Amsterdam itinerary.

Is Amsterdam Safe?

Amsterdam is very safe if you compare it to any major city in the world. After years spent living in the city, I’m yet to hear about anyone getting seriously assaulted and I’ve seen a fair share of people doing very stupid things. It’s definitely a safe place for solo female travelers or young students, so don’t worry! That being said, Tourists do fall into canals when drunk quite regularly, so please be careful while drinking! 

Amsterdam isn’t totally free of crimes, however, there are thieves, but they commit strange crimes. Bringing your bike seat to work is not uncommon as they get stolen quite often. I even had my bike breaks stolen and a friend had a front wheel stolen!

So while the crime rate is low, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t purchase travel insurance. Your trip might get canceled, you might get sick abroad and you don’t want to be stuck with a lot of bills. Before I get to our Amsterdam itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen!

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

If you’re only coming for a weekend I suggest staying within the Ring or near Museum Quartier. While neighborhoods like Oud-Zuid are great when you want to get off the beaten track, on a short trip you don’t want to waste your limited time getting around.

I have a whole post explaining where to stay in Amsterdam to help you find your perfect hotel, but here are some quick recommendations to get you started. 

Cyclists crossing a picturesque bridge over Amsterdam's serene canals, a must-see during your 2 days in Amsterdam.

Overview of the Perfect Amsterdam in 2 Days Itinerary

For this itinerary, I’ve included a little bit of everything including exploring the canals, some unique neighborhoods, and of course, the best museums in Amsterdam. 

Don’t worry, I’ve also given you all my best recommendations for where to eat and some local markets and other hot spots that you shouldn’t miss. 

The first two days of the itinerary cover all the must-sees in the city so you can cover everything without taking any time off work. But if you’re visiting over a long weekend, I’ve added an extra day of bonus activities to keep you busy. 

At the end, you’ll also notice I added some more popular attractions that I purposefully left out of this itinerary and I’ll tell you why I don’t think they’re worth your time if you only have a weekend. 

  • Day 1: Canals, Jordaan, Museums
  • Day 2: Markets, Foodhallen, museums
  • If you Have more time: Get Out of Amsterdam on a half-day trip to Keukenhof or Zaanse Schans
Iconic Amsterdam canal houses with their reflections in the water, a classic view to explore on a 2-day Amsterdam itinerary.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Day one is all about getting a feel for the city as well as seeing some of the best tourist attractions that even locals love.

1.1 Take a Walking Tour

Put on your most comfortable shoes