Discover the Best of Amsterdam in One Day: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Itinerary
A Day In The Capital Of The Netherlands
On our visit to the Netherlands in 2017, we decided to do a day trip to Amsterdam. As we were driving to the city, we decided to look for a convenient park and ride facility. We parked our car at P+R RAI Amsterdam and used public transport to move around the city center. The parking rate was incredibly affordable at just 6 Euros for 24 hours. As we walked out of the parking lot, we spotted the famous ‘I amsterdam’ sign and decided to take a few pictures there before moving towards our first checkpoint.
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Arriving in Amsterdam
- Via Train or Bus: Amsterdam is centrally located with excellent rail connections through Brussels, Paris, and Frankfurt. To check schedules and book your ticket, use the Busbud platform here.
- Via Flight: Fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to experience the beautiful city of Amsterdam. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Getting Around and Staying in Netherlands
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
- Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.
A Humbling Visit to the Anne Frank House
Our first stop was the historic Anne Frank House. I read ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank during my childhood and was deeply saddened by the struggles faced by the victims of the Holocaust. Because we planned our trip a few months in advance, Mehran was able to purchase online tickets for the Anne Frank House before they were entirely sold out. The ticket cost 16 Euros per person.
Pro-tip: Secure the tour you are most interested in using the widget below.
The Anne Frank House features a moving museum on the ground floor outlining the history of the building and the families who hid in the annex. The upper floor consists of the actual secret annex where Anne Frank, her family, and others hid for more than two years. It provides an incredibly accurate representation of the lives the residents lived during World War II.
We spent around one hour at the house before visiting the museum shop. The shop had extensive literature revolving around Anne Frank’s life and the world war. I bought a few books from the shop, including a copy of ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank. The diary was available in English, Dutch, and several other languages. Afterward, we stopped at a nearby café for some coffee and snacks before moving towards our next location.
Exploring Amsterdam City and a Scenic Canal Cruise
After coffee, we decided to take a relaxing stroll around Amsterdam. As we were walking, we came across Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. We decided to skip it because we had already visited the London chapter a few months earlier.
During our walks close to the historic canals, we saw some cruise boats and decided that we wanted to experience a classic canal cruise. We took a one hour canal cruise that cost 15 Euros per person.
Prop-tip: Secure your tickets for Amsterdam Canal Cruise using the widget below.
The boat took us on a wonderful round trip around Amsterdam. From the water, we were able to spot ‘The NEMO Science Museum’, ‘Het Scheepvaartmuseum’ (National Maritime Museum), and ‘De Hortus’ (Hortus Botanicus), along with lots of beautiful bridges, bicycles, old houses, and classic boats. We thoroughly enjoyed the boat tour and would definitely recommend it to tourists. After the tour, we took the local bus service to return back to the P+R parking facility.
A Nostalgic Stop at Het Almeerderstrand (Almere Beach)
Next, we began our drive towards Het Almeerderstrand (Almere Beach). This is a beach that Mehran used to visit frequently during his childhood. It is a scenic 30 minute drive from Amsterdam. The beach is completely open to the public and has a lot of clean area where kids, pets, and adults can enjoy themselves.
Unfortunately, it was raining the day we decided to visit. Due to the rain, the beach was almost empty. While the wet weather was a bit of an inconvenience, we were able to enjoy the beautiful calm and quiet of the sea, which isn’t something one can easily experience during sunny and crowded days.
We spent an hour at the beach and then started looking for some local food. We found a restaurant a short drive from the beach that was serving freshly fried Kibbeling (Dutch fried fish). Kibbeling is one of the traditional foods that we always look forward to having loads of whenever we are visiting the Netherlands. Hence, we ordered an enormous portion of Kibbeling and ended our day on a perfect Kibbeling high.
Final Remarks
A visit to Amsterdam would be incomplete without a canal cruise. The experience of the visit to the Anne Frank House was extremely humbling for us. I would definitely recommend anyone visiting to come to Amsterdam and follow this guide to enjoy themselves to the fullest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get around Amsterdam for a day trip?
Using a Park and Ride (P+R) facility like RAI Amsterdam is highly recommended if you are driving. From there, the city’s public transport network of trams, buses, and trains makes navigating the center incredibly simple.
How far in advance should I book tickets for the Anne Frank House?
Tickets for the Anne Frank House sell out very quickly. It is highly recommended to purchase your tickets online several months in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
Is Almere Beach worth visiting from Amsterdam?
Yes, Het Almeerderstrand is a beautiful beach just a 30 minute drive from Amsterdam. It offers plenty of space for families, children, and pets, and provides a peaceful escape from the busy city center.
