Amsterdam 3-Day Itinerary
When it comes to finding Hidden Gems, Amsterdam and the Netherlands certainly have their share to discover. Visit the country we called Holland. It will take you at least three days just to get around Amsterdam and truly enjoy our Amsterdam 3-Day Itinerary.
Robin and Cos visited Amsterdam in the Spring of 2022 and will be returning in the fall of 2023. Cos had actually worked in Amsterdam for six months in 2001. Clearly, they both love the place.
The Dutch, Holland, The Netherlands and Amsterdam
The Netherlands, also mistakenly known as Holland, is a country located in Western Europe. It is famous for its beautiful landscapes, windmills, and tulips. People from the Netherlands are called Dutch because of the historical and linguistic origins of the word. The Netherlands is also known for its vibrant cities and rich history. Amsterdam, the capital city, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Holland vs. the Netherlands
Many people use the terms Holland and the Netherlands interchangeably, but they are not the same. Holland refers to two provinces in the Netherlands, North and South Holland. These two provinces are home to some of the country’s most famous cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.
Getting There
Whether you are trying to get to Holland or The Netherlands, your path will probably take you through Schiphol Airport. This is a less crowded airport than the more popular ones in London, Paris and Frankfurt, so we like to use it as an entry point not only for Amsterdam and the Netherlands, but also for other European cities. Schiphol Airport is home to KLM Airlines. With its US partner Delta Airlines, it is a great airline to fly. For more airline information please see our Airlines Post.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the most famous city in the Netherlands. It is known for its beautiful canals, historic buildings, and vibrant nightlife. Amsterdam is also known for its unique liberal views being the first place that we know of that legalized marijuana. It also legalizes the world’s oldest profession: prostitution, with its famous Red-Light District.
Try Our Amsterdam: 3 Day Itinerary
- Day One: Museum Day – Van Gogh Museum and Moco Museum
- Day Two: Rijks Museum and Heineken Tour
- Day Three: Ride the Canal/Hit the Pubs
You can hit the Pubs and do this is any order you want. Just make sure you save some time to do at least all these six activities.
Amsterdam: 3 Day Itinerary – Museums
The city is home to some of the world’s most famous museums, including the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Moco Museum. You must get a reservation in advance in order to visit these museums as they are very popular. We were lucky to see a special addition to the Van Gogh, the series of paintings of olive trees painted when he was institutionalized in Arles.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to the works of the famous Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh. It houses the largest collection of his paintings and drawings in the world. In our opinion, it is the #1 place you must visit in Amsterdam. Cos will be returning for what will be his fourth visit and Robin’s second in the fall of 2023. As a result of our visits, we have become avid Van Gogh addicts, searching out his paintings all over the world. We recently saw the Van Gogh’s at the Met in New York and, while there, also saw another special collection of his cypress tree paintings, again, painted while in Arles.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is another famous museum in Amsterdam. It is home to some of the most important works of art from the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The pictures below the Night Watch are of William of Orange who in 1580 led the effort to rid the Spanish rulers from The Netherlands. Also, a merry jester in a picture that really comes to life as well as a picture depicting the takeover of the Catholic Churches by the Protestants in 1566.
Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is a newer addition to Amsterdam’s museum scene. It features contemporary art from artists like Banksy and Salvador Dali. While most know Dali well, Banksy is a little less well known. However, his street art has become quite famous, in spite of his reclusiveness. This museum is a Hidden Gem, located between the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum in an area known as the Museumplein.
Amsterdam: 3 Day Itinerary: Canal Cruises and Leaning Buildings
One of the best ways to see Amsterdam is by taking a canal cruise. The city’s canals are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer a unique perspective on the city. We were fortunate to find a semi-private cruise on a classic wooden boat, powered by electricity as are most boats in the canals. With the high water level, there are many leaning buildings in Amsterdam. Many of the city’s historic buildings were constructed on wooden piles, and over time, they have started to lean. The most famous of these buildings is the Oude Kerk, a 14th-century church located in the red-light district. However, the Dancing Houses on the Damrak Canal, shown below, are also quite classic.
Windmills and Tulips
The Netherlands is famous for its windmills, which were used for centuries to pump water and grind grain. Many of these windmills are still standing today and have been preserved as tourist attractions. These windmills are in Kinderdijk which you can visit on a Rhine cruise.
Kinderdijk – The Myth of the Cat in the Cradle
According to legend, the Saint Elizabeth’s Flood of 1421 ravished the land around Kinderdijk and drowned up to 10,000 people. The following day, an infant girl was found drifting in a crib. The baby had remained afloat by the tireless efforts of a cat jumping back and forth on the cradle to keep the water out. Harry Chapin made the 1974 song “Cat in the Cradle” famous by referencing the myth. We were charmed to see this depiction below.
Tulips
Tulips are very important to the Netherlands. Every spring, millions of tulips bloom in the fields surrounding Amsterdam, creating a stunning display of color. Unfortunately, we missed the tulip bloom by a few weeks, so we only have the windmills to show.