5 Days in Amsterdam: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

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How to spend 5 Days in Amsterdam: The Best Itinerary + Where to Stay

You want to spend 5 days in Amsterdam and you’re looking for the best things to do?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you this 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam.

Five days is the perfect duration to discover the best places to visit in Amsterdam as well as the city’s surroundings.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

You will see, planning your trip to Amsterdam will be super easy!

So, what are the best things to do in Amsterdam in 5 days? Where to stay? 

How to avoid waiting in line (and save a lot of time!) at Amsterdam’s tourist attractions

With more than 18 million tourists every year, Amsterdam is simply one of the trendiest destination in the world!

Visiting an European capital such as Rome, Madrid or London often means large crowds of people (we are talking about tens of thousands of tourists a day!) and Amsterdam is no exception.

Unfortunately, this means endless waiting lines in front of iconic monuments and museums such as the Royal Palace or the Rijksmuseum.

Hopefully, there are a few ways to avoid this 😉.

You actually have 2 options that will allow you to save a ton of time (and money!) during your 5-day visit to Amsterdam.

You will see, it’s very simple: I am going to tell your everything is this guide and you will just have to follow my advice for a perfect stay!

So, here are the two best solutions to save time:

1. City Card I Amsterdam

Your first option to get priority access to the top attractions and save money is to get the City Card I Amsterdam.

Valid for a period between 1 and 5 days (depending one what you choose when booking), the City Card entitles you to free or reduced entrance to the main tourist attractions.

It also gives you free access to public transport, including trams, buses and the metro.

In my opinion, it’s really the perfect choice for a 5-day stay in Amsterdam.

Once you have placed your order online, you will receive an email with the instructions to redeem your City Card on arrival.

With the I Amsterdam City Card, you will get:

  • Free entrance to the city’s museums (including the the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum of course!)
  • A canal cruise
  • Discounts on certain attractions such as the Amsterdam Dungeon and the Heineken Experience
  • 25% off bike hire and in certain restaurants
  • Unlimited use of public transport during your 5 days in Amsterdam.

To buy your I Amsterdam City Card and see the full list of attractions included, simply click on the button below:

2. Priority tickets for Amsterdam’s best tourist attractions

Your 2nd option to avoid queuing during your 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam is to buy skip-the-line tickets.

In Amsterdam, you can buy fast track tickets for the main museums as well as for the most popular activities such as the canal cruise or the bike tours.

Here is the list of all skip-the-line tickets and excursions I will be talking about in this 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam.

To view the prices and to book, simply click on the links below (you will also find them throughout the article):

5 Days in Amsterdam: Must-See Attractions:

One Last Tip for a Perfect 5-Day Stay in Amsterdam

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!), you should really book your accommodation.

As Amsterdam is one of the most touristic cities in the world, the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Amsterdam by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at traveler’s favorite hotels in Amsterdam.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Amsterdam, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

5 days in Amsterdam: recommended itinerary

Let’s now plan your 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam!

For this itinerary, I assume you will be spending 5 full days in Amsterdam and purchased, the I Amsterdam City Card or your fast track tickets.

That’s the best way to save time and money during your stay!

If you still have questions after reading this guide or need help planning you holiday, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section located at the end of this article.

So, what are the best places to visit in Amsterdam in 5 days?

Day 1 – Discover the historic center

itinéraire Amsterdam jour 1
5 Days in Amsterdam – Day 1

Day 1 visits: 

A. Dam Square and the Royal Palace
B. The Amsterdam Dungeon or the Amsterdam Museum
C. The Béguinage (Begijnhof)
D. The flower market
E. Zuiderkerk and Nieuwmarkt
F. Red Light District
G. Oude Kerk

A. Dam Square and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam

Let’s start you 5-day visit to Amsterdam in Dam Square, the city’s main square located in the heart of the historic center.

There, you will find:

  • The National Monument
  • Nieuwe Kerk church
  • The Royal Palace of Amsterdam

Serving as the Town Hall from the 17th to the 19th century, and then as a royal residence, the palace’s rooms are worth a look for their period furniture, paintings and sculptures.

Entrance to the palace isn’t included in the City Card, so you should buy your skip the line tickets in advance. It would be silly to waste time before visiting your very first attraction of the day!

The price is the same as at the ticket office and the audio guide is included.

You need to book your tickets to the Royal Palace of Amsterdam here:

Voyage Tips - Advice

To get to Dam square, you have 2 options:

  • A 10 minute walk from the central station on Damrak street or Nieuwendijk.
  • Take the tram from anywhere in town.
place du Dam Amsterdam
Dam square and the Royal Palace – 5 days in Amsterdam

B. The Amsterdam Dungeon or the Amsterdam Museum

For your 2nd visit, you will have the choice between 2 attractions, both relating to the history of the city but in a totally different style.

  • The Dungeon of Amsterdam, where you can witness a session of torture, a trial during the Inquisition or witches burning at the stake. These staged productions with actors in period costume are the perfect opportunity to discover the country’s dark history. 

And the great part is that you will be invited to join in and participate during this 1h15 show!

Personally, I really enjoyed it, the acting and costume are great and it was a lot fun.

The City Card I Amsterdam entitles you to a 25% discount on your entry ticket.

If you don’t have the City Card, you need to book your priority tickets by clicking here.

  • The Amsterdam Museum

If you prefer a more traditional visit, you can go to the Amsterdam Museum, dedicated to the 1000-year history of the capital of the Netherlands. Interactive, modern and instructive, it’s the perfect choice to discover the rich history of the Dutch capital.

Free entry with the City Card. Otherwise, you need to buy your tickets by clicking here.

The Dungeon and the Museum are both located less than 5 minutes from Dam Square on foot.

Voyage Tips - Advice

If you’re not interested in the Dungeon or the Amsterdam Museum, in the same area there is also the Body Worlds exhibition, Madame Tussauds wax museum and the Ripley’s museum.

Amsterdam Dungeon
Amsterdam Dungeon

C. The Beguinage

Following a morning of indoor visits, you should dedicate the rest of the day to discovering the city center on foot.

You should start by visiting The Beguinage (“Begijnhof”), one of the city’s oldest inner courtyards, located near the Dungeon and the Amsterdam Museum.

It was once occupied exclusively by a community of women known as the Béguines, hence the name.

There, you can also admire the last wooden house in Amsterdam. This type of construction was banned in Amsterdam centuries ago because of the high fire risk.

Begijnhof
Begijnhof

D. The flower market

Continue your walk for 5 minutes and you will reach the canal where one of the most popular attractions is located: the famous flower market.

In the Bloemenmarkt, you will find several nice small shops selling the iconic flower of the Netherlands, the tulip!

They come in all shapes, colors and materials: fresh flowers, bulbs, and even wooden sculptures.

You can also take advantage of your visit to the flower market to buy souvenirs. You will find the usual postcards and magnets as well as some more typical options such as the famous wooden clogs. 

I have no doubt that you will find at least a little something to bring back from your 5-day trip to Amsterdam!

marché aux fleurs Amsterdam
Amsterdam flower market

E. Zuiderkerk and Nieuwmarkt

Let’s continue your itinerary and head to Zuiderkerk Church, a 10-minute walk from the market via the Kloveniersburgwal canal.

If you’re lucky, you might be able to climb up the bell tower to contemplate the city. However, the opening hours are a bit random, and you will have to be accompanied by a guide to get up there.

But that’s doesn’t stop you from taking a look!

Not far from Zuiderkerk, there is another famous square in the city: Nieuwmarkt square.

The small castle with red shutters built in the center once was the gateway to the city. Nowadays, the ground floor houses a café and restaurant.

If you continue a bit further north, you will stumble on the tiny Chinatown district of Amsterdam, with traditional Asian grocery stores and shops.

Nieuwmarkt Waag
Nieuwmarkt – 5 days in Amsterdam itinerary

F. The red light district

Now comes the hottest part of the day!

Yes, it’s time to visit the famous Red Light District.

You’ve probably already heard of this iconic district of Amsterdam, known as a hotspot for prostitution.

It’s in this district that you’ll find the famous brothels’s red-fronted windows, behind which you can see the prostitutes waiting for their clients.

However, you shouldn’t take photos as a souvenir: it’s strictly forbidden, and you will have problems if you do.

To go deeper into the subject (and no, that’s not what you’re thinking! 😅), you can opt for a Red light district guided tour. You need to book it here:

Voyage Tips - Advice

Here are some slightly less traditional but equally instructive visits:

red light district Amsterdam
Red light district, in Amsterdam

G. Oude Kerk

In the Red Light District, you can also find Oude Kerk, the oldest church in Amsterdam, built in the 1300s.

Personally, I really liked Oude Kerk typical architecture, with red bricks and large stained glass windows.

If you have the City Card Amsterdam, you can visit the inside for free, but it’s in my opinion not worth paying the 15€ admission fee otherwise.

In fact, you’re mostly paying to see one of the contemporary art exhibition they usually host inside, which in my opinion don’t really fit the place and are not really worth it.

Oude Kerk Amsterdam
Oude Kerk Amsterdam

Best things to do and see in Amsterdam on Day 2

itinéraire Amsterdam jour 2
5 days in Amsterdam –  Day 2

Day 2 visits: 

A. Jordaan
B. The cheese museum
C. Anne Frank’s house
D. Visit to a museum: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, MOCO or Stedelijk
E. Vondelpark
F. Canal cruise

A.  Jordaan district

After a good night’s sleep, you should spend the morning visiting a very typical neighborhood of Amsterdam: The Jordaan.

This district located to the west of Dam Square is especially famous for its traditional red brick houses lined along the canals.

While strolling around, don’t miss the beautiful Westerkerk church, the largest Protestant church in the country.

Voyage Tips - Advice

The best way to discover the Jordaan and learn more about Amsterdam is to book a guided tour.

The best 2-hour guided visit needs to be booked here:

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And if you’re a food-lover, you should opt for this fantastic food tasting tour by clicking there!

quartier Jordaan Westerkerk
Quartier Jordaan / Westerkerk

B. The cheese museum

In the Jordaan, you will also find the cheese museum.

To be honest, it won’t take you long at all to visit the museum itself: it’s just a small exhibition located in the basement of a cheese shop, with a few explanations about how cheese is made.

The shop on the ground floor offers a wide selection of cheese and free tasting. It’s thus the perfect place to taste all kinds of Gouda, an excellent local cheese that comes flavoured with pesto, chilli or truffles

Voyage Tips - Advice

True cheese-lovers might prefer to replace this visit with a tasting workshop!

The one I have selected allows you to taste 5 of the best Dutch cheeses, made by Henri Willig, famous for his high-quality traditional cheeses. And to make it even better, it’s accompanied by local wines and beers!

Simply click on the green button below to try the best cheese during your 5 days in Amsterdam:

musee du fromage
Amsterdam cheese museum

C. Anne Frank’s house

Still in the Jordaan neighborhood, there is another place you should visit during your 5 days in Amsterdam: The Anne Frank house.

This is where the young girl wrote her world-famous diary, the diary of Anne Frank.

It tells the story of her entire family, who were forced to hide in a part of that house to escape the deportation of Jews during World War II.

You can visit several rooms of the house, decorated with photos, objects and newspaper articles that will immerse you in the family’s living conditions during this horrific period.

Before visiting Anne Frank’s house, you should be aware: admission tickets can only be purchased online on the official website by clicking on this link.

80% of tickets are sold 2 months in advance and the rest are released every day from 9.00 am. These tickets sell very quickly and you should really buy yours as soon as possible.

The house is located close to the cheese museum, across the canal.

Voyage Tips - Advice

If you couldn’t get tickets or don’t want to visit the house, you can instead opt for a guided tour of the Jewish quarter.

It’s a great way to learn more about Anne Frank and life in Amsterdam during WWII.

You need to book your 2h guided tour by clicking here:

maison d'Anne Franck Amsterdam
Anne Frank House – Amsterdam

D. Visit to a museum: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, MOCO or Stedelijk

After your visit to the Jordaan, it’s time to discover one of Amsterdam’s world-famous museums.

Most of them are located around the Museumplein, which translates as “Museums Square”.

To get there from Anne Frank’s house, you have 2 possibilities:

  • A 30 minute walk along the canal
  • By tram in 20 minutes.

The most famous museum is without a doubt the Rijksmuseum, the largest in the city.

There, you will be able to admire a huge collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.

Some of the masterpieces on display include:

  • Vermeer’s The Milkmaid
  • Rembrandt’s The Night Watch
  • Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait in Grey Felt Hat.

Entry to the Rijksmuseum is included in the City Card I Amsterdam or the  Amsterdam Pass. If you don’t have one of these city passes, you need to buy your skip-the-line tickets for the Rijksmuseum by clicking here.

Depending on your interests, you can also visit:

  • The Van Gogh museum, dedicated to the famous Dutch painter. There, you can admire more than 200 of his paintings. Free entry with the City Card and Amsterdam Pass. Otherwise, you need to buy your skip-the-line ticket here.
  • The MOCO is dedicated to contemporary art with an exhibition on Banksy. Free entry with the City Card and 10% discount with the Amsterdam Pass.
  • Stedelijk Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. Free entry with the City Card and 10% discount with the Amsterdam Pass.
Rijkmuseum
Rijksmuseum

E. Vondelpark

To get some fresh air after a few hours at the museum, you should go relax at the Vondelpark.

The city’s largest public park is only a 5-minute walk from the Museumplein.

There, you will find several lakes, walkways for walking or cycling and playgrounds for the children.

Voyage Tips - Advice

You would rather enjoy a little pick-me-up after visiting the museums?

In that case, you should rather go to the House of Bols Experience. You won’t have to go very far as it’s located in a building right next to the Museumplein.

You will learn everything about the process of making the oldest spirits brand in the world, and get to taste an excellent cocktail at the end of it!

You need to book your tickets by clicking here.

Vondelpark
Vondelpark

F. Canal boat tour

To end your 2nd day in style, you can do the most iconic activity of Amsterdam: a boat tour on the canals.

It’s something you shouldn’t miss during your 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam!

Sit comfortably in the boat and discover the architecture of the capital from a new angle.

As there are lots of different cruises to choose from, I have selected the 5 best for you (simply click on the links for details and to book):

Voyage Tips - Advice

Note that if you have the City Card I Amsterdam or the Amsterdam Pass, you are entitled to a free canal cruise.

Croisière canaux Amsterdam
Amsterdam canal cruise

Day 3: Best places to visit in Amsterdam

itinéraire Asmterdam jour 3
5-day itinerary in Amsterdam: 3rd day

Day 3 visits: 

A. The Albert Cuypmarkt
B. Heineken Experience
C. Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)
D. Visit to a museum or guided tour of Amsterdam by bike
E. A’DAM Lookout

A. The Albert Cuypmarkt

Let’s start the 3rd day of your 5-day stay in Amsterdam at the Albert Cuypmarkt.

This market is one of the largest outdoor markets in Europe. In addition to classic fruits and vegetables, you will find local products, food stalls, flowers and souvenirs.

Albert Cuypmarkt is located in Pijp district and is open from Monday to Saturday.

B. Heineken Experience

Before lunch, you can enjoy a pint of beer at the Heineken Experience, just 5 minutes walk from the market.

You can visit the former premises of the famous brewery and learn more about the history of the company.

Of course, you will also learn everything about the different stages of beer production!

And at the end of your visit, you indeed get to enjoy a good pint of beer.

You need to book your tickets in advance here.

Heineken Experience Amsterdam
Heineken Experience Amsterdam

C. Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)

You can finish the morning with a photo break at the Skinny Bridge or “Magere Brug”.

Film buffs and fans of the James Bond saga will recognize the bridge that appears in the film ‘Diamonds are For Ever’.

This bridge dates back to the 17th century and was originally so narrow that only two people could cross it at the same time. This earned it the nickname of “Skinny Bridge.”

Since then, it has been enlarged twice to allow a few more people to cross at the same time, and it can also be opened to allow boats to pass.

Visually, it’s nothing exceptional, but it’s still an interesting historical anecdote of the city of Amsterdam.

Magere Brug
Magere Brug

D. Visit to a museum or guided tour of Amsterdam by bike

In the afternoon, let’s continue your 5-day visit to Amsterdam.

You have different options:

  • Visit a museum

There are a few museums located close to the Magere Brug:

But as Amsterdam isn’t that big, you can also easily return to the Museumplein and visit one of the museums you didn’t have time for yesterday.

  • Rent a bike or join a guided bike tour to discover the city like a local!

Amsterdam is famous for its numerous bike paths that run all over the city. If the weather is nice, you should really take a bike ride to immerse yourself in the local culture.

As you may know, biking is by far the favorite means of transportation of the Amsterdamers.

The easiest way to rent a bike, is to book it here:

And if you prefer to go on a guided bike tour to discover the best of the city with a local, you need to book it there:

  • If you are going on this 5-day trip to Amsterdam with your family and you’re looking for an activity that the kids will enjoy, you should go to the Amsterdam Zoo or the NEMO Science Museum for a great fun activity.

Voyage Tips - Advice

At any time during the afternoon, you might also want to stop and relax at a coffee shop. Consuming cannabis sitting comfortably in a dedicated café is another Amsterdam institution, and it’s completely legal here!

There is are also a really good Cannabis and coffee shop guided tour that you need to book here:

Amsterdam velo
5 days Amsterdam itinerary -Bike tour

E. This is Holland/A’DAM Lookout

At the end of the afternoon, return to Amsterdam Central Station.

From the other side of the building, you can take the free river shuttle boat and cross the river. You will arrive at Buiksloterweg dock.

You will then have to walk less than 5 minutes to reach the next activity of the day: This is Holland.

This attraction allows you to virtually fly over the Netherlands for about ten minutes. To complete the experience, the seats move and you can even smell the tulips as you pass over the fields.

A discount is offered with the City Card.

You need to book your tickets by clicking here. 

And to end your day in style, you can go to the top of A’DAM Lookout, Amsterdam’s observation deck. It offers a nice view over the whole city.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try the highest swing in Europe!

Entry to A’DAM Lookout is included in the Amsterdam City Card.

Adam Lookout
A’dam Lookout

Day 4 in Amsterdam – Zaanse Schans windmills

After exploring the city’s best places to visit during your first 3 days, you should continue your 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam with the visit of the surroundings.

So today, let’s go to Zaanse Schans, a village famous for its waterfront windmills. You will for sure have seen photos of it while in Amsterdam, as it’s featured on all postcards!

I won’t hide that it’s a very touristy place, with shops selling cheeses, clogs, souvenirs (more expensive than in Amsterdam) but it’s well done and everything was built while respecting the traditional architecture.

There are also 2 small museums: one on watchmaking (a craft specific to this village) and the other dedicated to windmills and their operation.

You can also visit the inside of the windmills for free with your Amsterdam Pass/City Card (€5 each otherwise) and take a short boat tour to see them from another angle (also free with the Amsterdam Pass).

You have several options to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam:

  • Take bus no. 391 or 891 from the central station. It runs every 15 minutes or so.
  • Take the train to Zaanse station (20 minutes) and walk 15 minutes to reach the windmills.
  • Opt for an organized day trip with transport and guide included. The hassle free solution! You need to click here to book it.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans

As the visit to the windmills will probably not take you all day, you should then head to the beautiful village of Haarlem.

You can get there by train.

You will first have to take the train to Amsterdam (20 minutes) and then another train to Haarlem (15 minutes).

When I was planning my 5-day visit to Amsterdam, I had not really heard of Haarlem and I am quite surprised because this small town is really worth a visit.

You will for sure love this very picturesque place, with beautiful brick houses, cobbled streets and a very impressive church (entry fee: 2.50€).

To ensure you don’t miss anything of this charming town, you should first go to the tourist office located on the church square. For 50 cents, you can buy a map with visit routes that takes in all the highlights. It’s called “Monumental Haarlem”.

Voyage Tips - Advice

In addition to the day trip I mentioned above, there are other organized day trips to visit the windmills, as well as some of the famous villages around Amsterdam like Edam and Volendam.

In this itinerary, you will see that I am suggesting you to visit these places during your 5th day in Amsterdam.

However, you can totally opt for one of these for Day 4 and do something else on the last day.

For details and to book your day trip, simply click on the orange links below:

Haarlem
Haarlem, a beautiful village near Amsterdam

Day 5: The villages of Waterland

itinéraire Amsterdam jour 5
5-day itinerary in Amsterdam – Day 5

Spending 5 days in Amsterdam gives you enough time to discover another really nice place close to the city: the Wateland villages.

These authentic and traditional villages are nicknamed ‘Waterland’ because they are crossed by canals and some are located on the seafront.

To make your life easier, you should purchase the “Waterland Day Ticket” for 10€ from the automatic ticket machines at Amsterdam central station. You can use it for all your bus journeys between Amsterdam and the villages.

You should also go to the information center located inside the station to get the bus route map and timetables.

Here are the 7 villages of Waterland that you can discover during the day:

  • Broek in Waterland, famous for its small wooden houses and its church ceiling painted with angels
  • Monninckendam where guests can visit the Waterland Museum and St. Nicholas Church
  • Marken: a pretty little island with a harbor and restaurants by the water.
  • Volendam: a very cute village, with a lot of small shops and restaurants towards the harbor.
  • Edam: a typical village, you will enjoy walking there to admire the beautiful houses.
  • Purmerend: you can skip that one, it’s much less traditional and not that interesting (it just looks like a regular small town)
  • Beemster: listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its polder, an artificial stretch of land claimed by draining water. Beemster Lake was drained from the 17th century using 43 water mills, a technical feat!
Voyage Tips - Advice

If you prefer to opt for an organized day trip, remember they all include a visit to the windmills of Zaanse Schans. So if you already visited the attraction yesterday or took an organized day trip, you don’t need to do it again.

Otherwise, here are the day trips I mentioned:

Instead, you can go to Zandvoort, a seaside resort 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam. It’s perfect if you want to enjoy the beaches. 

A bit further away (1h35 by car), you will also find the village of Giethoorn, known as the Venice of the North. This day trip needs to be booked here!

And if you’re going to Amsterdam between mid-March and mid-May, you should really visit Keukenhof park and its millions of tulips. Ticket with transport from Amsterdam needs to be booked  there.

Volendam
Volendam

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Now, you know what to do in Amsterdam in 5 days.

There’s one last thing you need to take care of: choosing the perfect hotel for your stay!

In order to help you out, here is my selection of the best hotels in Amsterdam depending on your budget:

  • Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam: Youth hostel 400 metres from the Rijksmuseum and 10 minutes from the Vondelpark. Bed in a dormitory from 26€, including breakfast. Strong points: the location, the warm welcome, the atmosphere. An excellent choice if you’re looking for a cheap accommodation in Amsterdam!
  • Motel One Amsterdam: Located 2 km from the Rikjsuseum and the Albert Cuyp Market. Clean and well-decorated double room from 110€ per night, breakfast 11.50€. Strong points: helpful staff, location 2 minutes from the metro, the good breakfast.
  • Jaz Amsterdam: Situated a 15-minute metro ride from the centre. Spacious and stylish room from 110€, breakfast 16.95€. Strong points: very friendly staff, good facilities, the fabulous breakfast.
  • Motel One Amsterdam-Waterlooplein: Situated close to the Zuiderkerk and a 15-minute walk from Dam Square. Warm room with very comfortable bed linen from 154€, breakfast 11.50€. Strong points: close to the centre, delightful staff, good and varied breakfast. It’s my favourite for its excellent value for money in Amsterdam!
  • Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre: Situated just a 10-minute walk from the railways station and the centre of Amsterdam. Spacious, modern and comfortable room, some with a river view, from 190€, breakfast 25€. Strong points: location, comfort, friendly staff, access to the sauna included. The best hotel for a high end stay in Amsterdam!
  • NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky: Located right on Dam Square, this luxury hotel offers rooms with a sleek and modern decor from 310€, breakfast included. Strong points: central location for exploring Amsterdam on foot, exceptional bed linen, the excellent breakfast. Perfect for a romantic break in the heart of the city!
  • Hyatt Regency Amsterdam: 5* hotel situated 800 metres from the zoo. Bright and elegantly decorated rooms from 360€, breakfast 28€. Strong points: the staff are concerned to ensure the well-being of their guests, the decoration, the location, the excellent restaurant. The best hotel in Amsterdam for a luxury stay!

And if you prefer to rent a luxury apartment for your stay in Amsterdam, the Keizersgracht Suite 471 is the best address in the city!

Voyage Tips - Advice

If these hotels are full or don’t suit you, you should take a look at the traveler’s favorites by clicking here: The Best Hotels in Amsterdam.

Since I had a very early flight home on the morning of my departure, I also tried out the Ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport situated 10 minutes from the airport (free shuttle). And I was pleasantly surprised: the rooms are modern, comfortable, and you can’t hear the planes at all.

Visiting Amsterdam in 5 days with your family

If you plan to visit Amsterdam for 5 days with children, you will be happy to learn that Amsterdam is the perfect city to discover with your family.

Everything is easily accessible on foot and if the kids are tired, you can always take the tram to get around.

Regarding this itinerary, apart from the Amsterdam Dungeon which isn’t suitable for young children, this whole itinerary can be enjoyed with your kids.

Here are the best things to do during a 5-day stay in Amsterdam with your family:

Voyage Tips - Advice

You can also add visits especially for them:

More things to do during your 5 days in Amsterdam

If you want to modify this 5-day itinerary according to your interests, add activities or include guided tours, you should read my detailed guide of Amsterdam here: The 30 best things to do in Amsterdam.

Renting a boat in Amsterdam

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day on Amsterdam’s canals, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip on Amsterdam’s canals? 😊

Map of your 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam

To help you visualize your daily itineraries during your 5 days in Amsterdam, I have created this map with all the places to visit day by day. You can view the legend of the map by clicking on the top left button, the one with a little arrow.

You can thus see the suggested itineraries for each day.

5-day itinerary in Amsterdam: Flight prices and tips

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices.

To check the rates and schedules for flights to Amsterdam, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

Once you will arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, you will have 2 options to reach the city center:

  • Take the train to the central train station
  • Take the #397 bus to go to the Museumplein.

You should choose according to your hotel location!

For the “Schiphol airport – Amsterdam city center train”, you should really book your tickets in advance. You will save a lot of time when you will arrive!

You will get the ticket directly on your mobile (no need to print it), so you won’t need to queue at the ticket counter or vending machines.

To book your round trip “airport – city center” train ticket, simply click the button below:

If you don’t want to take a flight, you can also get to Amsterdam by train from many European cities.

To check the schedules, the rates and to book your tickets, it’s right there:

Need help organising your 5-day itinerary in Amsterdam? Feel free to ask me any questions you may have in the comments section below!

Book your trip now and save money!

You’re traveling to the Netherlands? These articles will help you !

Discover all my articles about Amsterdam: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Amsterdam are listed there.

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Best places to visit in Amsterdam in 5 days
Best places to visit in Amsterdam in 5 days
Anonymous

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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