- Book Anne Frank House tickets online as soon as they are released
- Trains from Schiphol reach Centraal in about 15 minutes
- Eurostar runs direct from London in about 4 hours
- Hotels are pricey, so look at De Pijp, Oost or Noord
- Airports
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
- Best time to go
- April-May and September-October
- Type
- City
Amsterdam rewards the curious. Beyond the postcard canals there are world-class museums, neighbourhood cafés, markets and parks, all in a compact, flat city that is a joy to explore on foot, by bike or by boat.
It is one of the easiest city breaks from the UK, with a one-hour flight from many airports or a direct Eurostar from London. The catch is cost: hotels here are among the priciest in Europe, so a little planning goes a long way.
Why go to Amsterdam
- Museums: the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House are reason enough to visit.
- The canal ring: the 17th-century Grachtengordel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Easy to explore: short distances, frequent trams and bikes everywhere.
- Year-round appeal: tulips in spring, terraces in summer, cosy bruin cafés in winter.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) | Classic Amsterdam, central and photogenic, at a price |
| Jordaan | Pretty streets, independent shops, brown cafés |
| Museum Quarter | Next to the big museums and Vondelpark; quieter at night |
| De Pijp | Lively, foodie, home to the Albert Cuyp market; good value |
| Oost | Relaxed, green, near the Artis zoo; often cheaper |
| Noord | Creative, across the IJ by free ferry; modern hotels |
The free GVB ferries from behind Centraal station cross to Noord in a few minutes and run day and night.
Top things to do
- Rijksmuseum: Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer and Dutch Golden Age masterpieces.
- Anne Frank House: the secret annex where Anne wrote her diary. Tickets are sold only online, in timed slots.
- Van Gogh Museum: the world's largest collection of his work, also on timed tickets.
- A canal cruise: an hour on the water is the best introduction to the city; small open boats feel more personal.
- Jordaan and the Nine Streets: wander, browse and stop for apple cake.
- Vondelpark: the city's green lung, ideal for a picnic or a bike ride.
- Markets: Albert Cuyp in De Pijp and the Saturday Noordermarkt.
- Day trips: Zaanse Schans windmills, Haarlem, or Keukenhof gardens in spring (open roughly mid-March to mid-May).
See our Netherlands guide for more of the country.
Getting there and around from the UK
By air: flights take about an hour from London and many UK regional airports. From Schiphol, trains run to Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 minutes, several times an hour.
By train: Eurostar runs direct from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal in roughly four hours, city centre to city centre. Station rebuilding works at Amsterdam Centraal mean some weekends see changed or cancelled services, so check before you book.
Getting around: trams, metro and buses are run by GVB and accept contactless bank cards; no cash on board. A 1-7 day GVB ticket is good value if you will ride often. Cycling is the local way to travel, but watch the busy bike lanes and never walk in them.
Best time to visit
April and May bring tulip season and King's Day (27 April), when the city turns orange; book well ahead. September and October are mild and a little quieter. Summer is busy and hotel prices peak. Winter is chilly but atmospheric, with the Amsterdam Light Festival usually running from late November to January.
Budget tips
- Stay outside the canal ring: De Pijp, Oost or Noord offer better value, and everything is close.
- Factor in tourist tax: Amsterdam's city tax is 12.5% of the room price in 2026 (on top of 21% VAT) and the city plans to raise it to 16% in 2027; check whether a quote includes it.
- Travel midweek: Sunday to Thursday nights are often cheaper than weekends.
- Eat like a local: broodjes, Albert Heijn supermarkets and market stalls beat touristy restaurants.
- Walk or cycle: the centre is small and a bike hire for the day costs little more than a few tram rides.
Top attractions in Amsterdam
MuseumAnne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank hid for two years and wrote her diary, now a moving museum on the Prinsengracht.
MuseumRijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and 800 years of Dutch…
Amsterdam on the map
Frequently asked questions
How do I get Anne Frank House tickets?
Tickets are sold only on the museum's official website, in timed slots, usually released weeks in advance. They sell out quickly, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Is it better to take the Eurostar or fly to Amsterdam?
Flying is quicker door to door from northern England and Scotland. From London and the south east, the direct Eurostar is competitive, more relaxed and lands you in the centre. Compare prices and check for engineering works.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Two to three days covers the main museums, a canal cruise and a couple of neighbourhoods. Add a day for Haarlem, Zaanse Schans or Keukenhof.
Is Amsterdam expensive?
Accommodation is, especially at weekends and in spring. Food, transport and many sights are reasonable, and lots of the city's charm, such as its canals, markets and parks, is free.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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