Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
daily reminder
The biggest Amsterdam sights—the Rijksmuseum, the Van
Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House—are open daily
year-round. The city's naughty sights, as you might expect,
stay open late every day (Erotic Museum until 24:00, Damrak
Sex Museum until 23:00, and the Hash, Marijuana, and Hemp
Museum until 22:00).
Sunday:
These sights have limited, afternoon-only hours
today—the Amstelkring Museum (13:00-17:00) and Old
Church (13:00-17:00). The Westerkerk church and tower
are closed, as is the Waterlooplein flea market.
Monday:
The Houseboat Museum is closed today. From
September through May, NEMO is closed today (but
open in peak season). Many businesses are closed
Monday morning.
Tuesday:
The House of Bols is closed.
Wednesday-Thursday:
All recommended sights are open.
Friday:
Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are open late
(until 20:30 and 22:00, respectively).
Saturday:
All recommended sights are open.
turned Holocaust memorial, a zoo, and a botanical garden). Rem-
brandtplein, another nightlife center, is a five-minute walk away.
Planning Your Time
Amsterdam is worth a full day of sightseeing on even the busi-
est itinerary. While the city has a couple of must-see museums,
its best attraction is its own carefree ambience. The city's a joy on
foot—and a breezier and faster delight by bike.
Amsterdam in One Day
9:00
Follow my self-guided Amsterdam City Walk, which
takes you from the train station to the Rijksmuseum,
with stops at the peaceful Begijnhof, the Amsterdam
History Museum, and the flower market. Break up the
walk with a relaxing hour-long canal cruise (departs
from Spui dock or from near Leidseplein).
14:00
Visit Amsterdam's two great art museums, located side
by side: the Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum.
18:30
Tour the Anne Frank House. (Consider ordering tickets
online to skip long lines at sight.) Arrive earlier off-
season, when it closes at 19:00.
19:30
Wander the Jordaan neighborhood, enjoying dinner by a
canal or on a cobbled, quiet street.
21:30
Stroll the Red Light District for some of Europe's most
fascinating window-shopping.
