Amsterdam
5
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Five days in Amsterdam and surrounds gives you the complete depth of the Netherlands' finest region, from the Rijksmuseum's Golden Age masterpieces and the Anne Frank House through the windmill landscape of Zaanse Schans and the Delft Blue pottery tradition to Utrecht's extraordinary double-level canal wharves, the UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk and the greenhouse restaurant of De Kas in Amsterdam's extraordinary Frankendael park. This route covers the complete Amsterdam and surrounds experience from the canal ring's 17th-century heritage and North Holland's fishing villages through the finest university cities in the country to the post-industrial architecture of the Eastern Docklands and the finest urban forest in the Netherlands. Five extraordinary days in the most densely rewarding region in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Getting Around
OV-chipkaart, bicycle, train
Budget Per Day
Approx 130 to 465 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat cycling
DAY 1
AMSTERDAM
MORNING
THE RIJKSMUSEUM AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF DUTCH PAINTING
The Rijksmuseum is the most extraordinary art museum in the Netherlands, its extraordinary collection of 8,000 objects from the Dutch Golden Age including Rembrandt's Night Watch at 3.63 by 4.37 metres, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and the extraordinary Delftware collection giving the finest single museum experience in the country. The building by Pierre Cuypers from 1885 is the finest museum architecture in the Netherlands. Entry approx 22.50 euros. Book timed entry online. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE AND THE CANAL RING
The Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht is the most extraordinary heritage site in the Netherlands, the hidden annexe where Anne Frank and seven others hid from the Nazis for 761 days from 1942 to 1944, its extraordinary preserved interior and the remarkable original diary giving the most moving experience in Amsterdam. The Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anne Frank House entry approx 16 euros. Book months ahead. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE JORDAAN AND THE NINE STREETS, AMSTERDAM'S FINEST NEIGHBOURHOOD
The Jordaan is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Amsterdam, its extraordinary 17th-century canal houses, the remarkable Noordermarkt with the finest organic market in the Netherlands on Saturday mornings, the extraordinary Westerkerk where Rembrandt is buried and the remarkable Nine Streets shopping district of independent boutiques and galleries making it the finest afternoon in the city. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Begijnhof in the heart of Amsterdam is the finest hidden courtyard in the city, a medieval enclosed convent court dating from the 14th century with the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam from 1425. Entered through an unmarked door on Gedempte Begijnensloot. Entry free. Entirely unknown to most visitors on
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bakers & Roasters, Jordaan Outstanding Amsterdam breakfast at the finest brunch cafe in the Jordaan. Local bakers and extraordinary eggs. | Lunch: Brouwerij 't IJ, Funenkade Outstanding Dutch craft beer and lunch at the finest brewery in Amsterdam inside a windmill. | Dinner: Restaurant As, Amstelpark The finest seasonal Dutch cuisine in Amsterdam. Outstanding tasting menu. Book well ahead.
DAY 2
NORTH HOLLAND
MORNING
ZAANSE SCHANS, THE FINEST WORKING WINDMILL VILLAGE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Zaanse Schans on the Zaan river north of Amsterdam is the most extraordinary open-air windmill museum in the Netherlands, its extraordinary collection of six working windmills including the finest wooden windmill in the country, the remarkable traditional Dutch houses, the clog workshop and the extraordinary cheese farm giving the finest windmill experience in Europe. The windmill interiors are open to climb. Entry to the village free, individual windmills approx 5 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
VOLENDAM AND MARKEN, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FISHING VILLAGES NEAR AMSTERDAM
Volendam on the Markermeer is the most extraordinary traditional fishing village in North Holland, its extraordinary harbour of painted wooden boats, the remarkable smoked eel stalls, the traditional Volendam costumes worn daily by older residents and the extraordinary IJsselmeer views. Marken island connected by causeway gives the finest preserved fishing village character near Amsterdam. Smoked eel approx 4 euros per portion. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
EDAM AND THE FINEST CHEESE TOWN IN THE NETHERLANDS
Edam is the most extraordinary cheese town in the Netherlands, its remarkable 16th-century cheese weighing house, the extraordinary weekly cheese market from July to August, the fine collection of canal houses and the remarkable Edam Museum in a 16th-century house with a floating cellar making it the finest hidden town near Amsterdam. The Edam cheese is the finest in North Holland. Cheese market entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Broek in Waterland village north of Amsterdam, a 15-minute cycle from the city, is the finest hidden village in North Holland, its extraordinary painted wooden houses in muted green and grey, the remarkable village pond and the complete absence of tourist infrastructure making it the most authentic traditional Dutch
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: De Hoop op d'Swarte Walvis, Zaanse Schans Outstanding Dutch breakfast at the finest windmill restaurant in the Netherlands. | Lunch: Volendam harbour stalls Outstanding smoked eel and fresh herring from the finest harbour fish stalls in North Holland. | Dinner: De Fortuna, Edam The finest restaurant in Edam in a 17th-century canal house. Outstanding Dutch cuisine and local Edam cheese.
DAY 3
HAARLEM AND LEIDEN
MORNING
THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM AND THE MUSEUMPLEIN
The Van Gogh Museum on the Museumplein is the most extraordinary single-artist museum in the world, its extraordinary collection of 200 paintings and 500 drawings by Vincent van Gogh including The Bedroom, Almond Blossom and the Wheatfield with Crows giving the finest account of his development from the dark Brabant peasant paintings to the extraordinary Provence colour of his final years. Entry approx 22 euros. Book timed entry months ahead. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
HAARLEM, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SMALL CITY NEAR AMSTERDAM
Haarlem 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam is the most extraordinary small city in the Netherlands, its extraordinary Grote Markt with the finest medieval church in North Holland, the remarkable Frans Hals Museum with the finest collection of Dutch Golden Age group portraits outside the Rijksmuseum and the extraordinary Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands from 1784, making it the finest day trip from Amsterdam. Grote Kerk approx 4 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min train
AFTERNOON
THE LEIDEN BOTANICAL GARDEN AND THE HISTORIC UNIVERSITY CITY
Leiden 35 minutes from Amsterdam is the most extraordinary university city in the Netherlands, its extraordinary Hortus Botanicus garden from 1590 where the first tulip bulbs in the Netherlands were planted, the remarkable Leiden American Pilgrim Museum and the extraordinary Pieterskerk where the Pilgrim Fathers worshipped before sailing to America in 1620 making it the finest historic day trip in the country. Hortus Botanicus approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Molen van Sloten windmill in Amsterdam West is the only working windmill inside the city limits, a fully functioning polder windmill from 1847 still grinding grain and pumping water. The interior tour shows the full working mechanism. Entry approx 6 euros. Almost entirely unknown to visitors staying in the
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Brasserie Haarlem Outstanding Haarlem breakfast at the finest brasserie on the Grote Markt facing the extraordinary church. | Lunch: De Magere Brug, Leiden Outstanding Dutch lunch canal-side in Leiden near the Pieterskerk. Local gouda and Dutch brown bread. | Dinner: Ciel Bleu, Hotel Okura, Amsterdam The finest restaurant in Amsterdam. Outstanding two Michelin star Dutch cuisine on the 23rd floor. Book ahead.
DAY 4
UTRECHT AND THE SOUTH
MORNING
UTRECHT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MEDIEVAL CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Utrecht is the most extraordinary medieval city in the Netherlands, its extraordinary Dom Tower at 112 metres the tallest church tower in the country, the remarkable double-level canal wharves unique to Utrecht where the former warehouses at water level are now the finest restaurant and bar terraces in the country and the extraordinary Centraal Museum with the finest Dutch design collection in the Netherlands. Dom Tower approx 12 euros. Canal wharves entry free. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
THE KINDERDIJK WINDMILLS, THE FINEST UNESCO SITE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Kinderdijk near Rotterdam is the most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage windmill landscape in the Netherlands, its extraordinary 19 windmills built between 1738 and 1740 to drain the Alblasserwaard polder giving the finest windmill panorama in the world. The bicycle route between the windmills along the dike gives the finest experience. Entry to visitor centre approx 18 euros. Windmill interiors open in summer. Train/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
DELFT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY BLUE AND WHITE CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Delft is the most extraordinary heritage town in South Holland, its extraordinary Delft Blue pottery tradition established in the 17th century, the remarkable Royal Delft factory still producing hand-painted Delftware and the extraordinary Nieuwe Kerk where the Dutch royal family is buried and Johannes Vermeer was baptised making it the finest single afternoon in South Holland. Royal Delft factory approx 17 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Oude Kerk in Delft contains the tomb of Johannes Vermeer, the greatest Dutch painter of the 17th century, marked by a simple stone in the choir floor. The church also contains the extraordinary leaning tower and the finest collection of stained glass in South Holland. Entry approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Broers Geboers, Utrecht Outstanding Utrecht breakfast at the finest independent cafe on the canal wharves. | Lunch: Kinderdijk visitor centre cafe Outstanding Dutch lunch at the UNESCO windmill site. Local stroopwafels and Dutch coffee. | Dinner: Stads-Koffyhuis, Delft The finest restaurant in Delft on the Market Square. Outstanding Dutch seasonal cuisine. Book ahead.
DAY 5
AMSTERDAM DEEPER
MORNING
THE AMSTERDAM HARBOUR AND THE EASTERN DOCKLANDS
The Eastern Docklands neighbourhood of Amsterdam is the most extraordinary post-industrial urban development in the Netherlands, its extraordinary Java Island and KNSM Island housing by Herman Hertzberger, the remarkable Lloyd Hotel in a former emigrant hotel and the extraordinary Scheepvaartmuseum in the largest naval warehouse in the world from 1656 giving the finest contemporary architecture experience in Amsterdam. Museum entry approx 17.50 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min cycle
MIDDAY
THE ALBERT CUYP MARKET AND DE PIJP NEIGHBOURHOOD
The Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp is the largest outdoor market in the Netherlands, 260 stalls stretching 1km with the finest stroopwafels, Dutch herring, Indonesian street food and fresh flowers in Amsterdam. De Pijp itself is the most extraordinary multicultural neighbourhood in the city, its remarkable Gerard Doustraat and the extraordinary Heineken Experience brewery making it the finest neighbourhood experience in Amsterdam. Market entry free. Train/Travel: 20 min cycle
AFTERNOON
THE AMSTERDAM BOS AND THE FINEST NATURE IN THE CITY
The Amsterdamse Bos is the most extraordinary urban forest in the Netherlands, a 1,000-hectare woodland park built by unemployed workers during the Depression of the 1930s containing the finest open-air theatre in Amsterdam, a remarkable rowing course, the extraordinary Boerderij farm and the finest cycling and walking trails in the city. The goat farm at the south entrance is the finest hidden attraction in the park. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Amsterdam Pipe Museum on the Herengracht is the finest specialist museum in the city, a private collection of 25,000 smoking pipes from ancient Mesoamerican clay pipes to extraordinary Meerschaum portrait pipes in a magnificent canal house. Entry approx 8 euros. Entirely unknown to most Amsterdam visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lloyd Hotel restaurant Outstanding Amsterdam harbour breakfast at the most extraordinary hotel building in the Eastern Docklands. | Lunch: Albert Cuyp Market stalls Outstanding Dutch market lunch. Fresh stroopwafels, herring roll and Indonesian satay from the finest stalls. | Dinner: De Kas, Frankendael The finest greenhouse restaurant in the Netherlands. Outstanding seasonal Dutch produce grown on-site. Book ahead.
Where To Stay
Canal Ring, Nights 1 to 3 The Dylan or Pulitzer Amsterdam. Approx 200 to 500 euros per night. Utrecht, Night 4 Hotel Dom or Mary K Hotel. Approx 120 to 250 euros per night. Amsterdam, Night 5 Return to Canal Ring hotel or Eastern Docklands Lloyd Hotel. Approx 150 to 400 euros.
Top Tips
1. Utrecht canal wharves at dusk: the best terraces on the lower wharf level fill by 5pm. Arrive early.
2. Kinderdijk bicycle route: hire a bicycle at the visitor centre and cycle the full dike circuit. 1 hour.
3. Royal Delft factory: the hand-painting demonstration is the finest craft experience in South Holland.
4. Amsterdamse Bos goat farm: free entry, open daily. The goat cheese is the finest in Amsterdam.
5. De Kas greenhouse restaurant: book 3 to 4 weeks ahead. The most extraordinary restaurant setting in Amsterdam.
6. Leiden Hortus Botanicus: the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. The original tulip beds are marked.
Total Budget
130 to 460 EUR/day