Amsterdam culture itinerary with the I amsterdam City Card

Day 1

9:00-10:00: Breakfast at The Pancake Bakery

Prinsengracht 191, 1015 DS Amsterdam

Did you know pancakes are a Dutch speciality? Dig into a stack of freshly baked pancakes with a great variety of toppings and flavours, from chocolate and banana to cheese and bacon. Don’t forget to try poffertjes, a Dutch mini-pancake guaranteed to become your new favourite.

10:30-12:30: Rijksmuseum

Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam

(regular price €22.5 – free with the City Card)

Explore this stunning museum and see some of the art world's greatest works, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch and Vermeer's The Milkmaid, up close. More than 2,000 paintings from the 17th century provide a fascinating look into a historical era.

12:45-13:45: Canal cruise

(regular price €19 – free with the City Card)

Revel in the beauty of Amsterdam's old centre from the water on a canal cruise. As cyclists zip along the cobblestone streets, you'll pass by historic buildings and duck under bridges. There's simply no better way to see the city.

14:30-16:00: Jewish Historical Museum

Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL Amsterdam

(regular price €17 – free with the City Card)

Learn about Jewish history, culture and practices at this museum, the only institute of its kind in the Netherlands. A fascinating collection of objects brings this religion, and its people, to life. Entrance to the museum includes access to four other locations in the Jewish Cultural Quarter.

16:30-18:00: Rembrandt House Museum

Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam

(regular price €17.5 – free with the City Card)

Discover 17th-century Amsterdam at the Rembrandt House Museum. The painter's world comes to life as you wander through his cosy studio and look at nearly 300 of his etchings. There's also a rotating series of exhibits and a few things for kids.

18:30-20:30: Dinner at De Blauwe Hollander

 Leidsekruisstraat 28, 1017 RJ Amsterdam

Treat yourself to an evening of typical Dutch food, including herring, a variety of stamppot options (stew with mashed potatoes) and freshly baked apple pie with whipped cream for dessert.

Day 2

10:00-12:30: Stedelijk Museum

Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

(regular price €22.5 – free with the City Card)

Wander through this museum of modern and contemporary art and marvel at pieces by the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, Roy Lichtenstein and Jackson Pollock. There's also an extensive design collection that includes jewellery and furniture, as well as special exhibitions.

12:30-14:00: Lunch at the Ten Good Food Cafe 

Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

Have lunch at this hip restaurant, part of the Stedelijk Museum, and choose the perfect lunch, from grilled ham & cheese farmers' bread to a classic beef burger. The interior is quirky and colourful, with the glass walls providing a sweeping view of Museumplein, and there’s a lovely terrace for sunny days.

14:30-14:45: Catch the ferry to Amsterdam Noord

Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam

(free!)

Jump on the ferry and ride across the IJ to Amsterdam Noord, brushing elbows with locals and taking in the site of the city along the way.

14:50-17:00: Eye Filmmuseum 

IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam

(regular price €12.5 – free with the City Card)

An Amsterdam icon, this waterfront museum is housed in a bold modern building. Inside, you'll find an antique movie camera, interactive exhibitions and listening benches where you can learn how films are made and much more.

17:05-17:30 A’DAM LOOKOUT

Overhoeksplein 5, 1031 KS AMSTERDAM

Finish your day of exploration with a fine view of Amsterdam from this panoramic sky deck. Grab a bite in the rooftop bar or swing over the edge on Europe’s highest swing.

18:00-22:00: Dinner and a show at Boom Chicago 

Rozengracht 117, 1016 LV Amsterdam

(25% discount with the City Card)

Boom Chicago has been making people laugh since 1993 with a fierce combination of improv and sketch comedy. Grab dinner in one of the restaurants that carry a pre-theatre menu in time to catch their latest show.

Day 3

8:15-8:45: Train from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans

9:00-10:00: Breakfast at Pancake Restaurant De Kraai

Kraaienpad 1, 1509 AX Zaandam

Tuck into the hearty goodness of authentic Dutch cuisine at Restaurant De Kraai. Their giant pancakes and relaxed atmosphere make this the perfect start to a traditionally Dutch three-day vacation.

11:00-14:00: Explore the windmills and shops at Zaanse Schans

Schansend 7, 1509 AW Zaandam

(regular price over €42 – free with the City Card)

Wooden houses and windmills from all over the region were relocated to the Zaanse Schans to create a typical 18th/19th-century village. Explore the quaint shops and iconic windmills to get closely acquainted with Dutch culture and history. Zaanse Schans includes the house of Tsar Peter, the windmill museum, a weaver’s house and the Zaan Time museum – all compact enough to explore in one go.

15:00-17:00 Zaans Museum and Verkade Experience

Schansend 7, 1509 AW Zaandam

(regular price €14.50 – free with the City Card)

Find out about the history of the region in the Zaans Museum and the art of chocolate-making at Verkade. With an interactive factory interface, you can try your hand at packing bonbons, explore the machinery of the early 20th century and develop your own chocolate wrapper.

17:30-18:15: Train back to Amsterdam Central Station

18:30-19:30: Dinner at Wagamama

Amstelstraat 8, 1017 DA Amsterdam

Dig into oodles of noodles at this popular Japanese-inspired restaurant! You'll also find spicy curries, tasty salads and different types of donburi – rice bowls packed with all kinds of goodness. Wash it down with a cold beer and call it a day.

20:00: Catch a show at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ 

Piet Heinkade 1, 1019 BR Amsterdam

(25% discount with the City Card on tickets purchased on the day of the performance)

This concert hall is one of Amsterdam's most striking buildings and offers a programme of innovative and inspirational performances from leading orchestras, singers and other musicians. Afterwards, watch the lights from Noord twinkling across the water.