Top Things To Do In Amsterdam

Tailoring each tour to your wishes by locals who love their city

Local guide showing a tourist around Amsterdam on a sunny day

Top things to do in Amsterdam

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

Wondering what to do in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a gabled gem teleported from the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age and embellished with quaint coffee shops, humble markets, cozy restaurants, and stylish stores all chilling out along the iconic canals. The things to do in Amsterdam range from the classic to the cutting-edge. You could soak up centuries-old architecture, browse a floating flower market, sample Dutch delights at an old cheese shop, or visit cool cocktail bars and tiny tasting rooms in the trendy Jordaan. No matter where your Amsterdam tour takes you (whether by foot, boat, or bicycle) you won’t ever be far from phenomenal food, treasure-packed museums, and an intoxicating nightlife scene.

Meet some of our Amsterdam local hosts

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Tourists posing near the Amsterdam city sign on a sunny day

The five faces of Amsterdam

The things to do in Amsterdam can differ greatly depending on where in the city you are. Amsterdam-Centrum is a hotspot of historic landmarks, cozy pubs, and narrow canals; edgy Amsterdam-Noord, once used for heavy industry, is today a haven for the city’s cool kids and artists. Leafy Amsterdam-Zuid is home to high-end boutiques and wealthy neighborhoods, while Amsterdam-Oost, loved for its residential vibe, is lined with beautiful 19th-century buildings. Diverse Amsterdam-Wes, on the other hand, is a street food nirvana with a global gastronomy scene and plenty of exciting things to do.

Tourists relax in a lush green park on a sunny day in Amsterdam

Highlights and hidden gems

From artistic attractions like historic architecture and the Van Gogh Museum to the provocative red-light district and nightlife scene, there are countless reasons the city lures so many types of travelers to its tightly-packed streets. You won’t need to search high and low for famous things to do in Amsterdam, but it’s the lesser-known landmarks and hidden gems loved by locals that make the city such a memorable destination. A private tour with a local is the perfect way to uncover the true spirit of the city (and experience some of the best things to do in Amsterdam in the process).

Amsterdam local introducing a tourist to delicious street food in their city

The best of Dutch delicacies

For anyone visiting the city, sampling Dutch delicacies should make the top of your list of things to do in Amsterdam. Sit-down dinners in upmarket restaurants are great, but Amsterdam’s most iconic bites are ideal for on-the-go snacking on a tour of the city. Small, crunchy bitterballen, cubes of fresh Dutch cheese, and crispy thick-cut fries – all typical local cuisine – are served in perfect tasting portions at the city’s humble markets brimming with simple street food. Save a little room for later, because one of the best things to do in Amsterdam is downing a beer at a centuries-old pub.

Amsterdam travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Amsterdam and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Wendy was amazing, showed me so much and was a pleasure to deal with. Even walked me back to my hotel as she was worried I would get lost. Can’t thank her enough.

November 2023

Angela G
Anna was a truly exceptional host! She catered the day just for us and we were able to see and experience parts of Amsterdam that we otherwise would have had no idea about. She took the time to review our preferences and what we would enjoy, and built a day for us that was truly awesome. She was also very adaptable with some weather we experienced and didn't skip a beat with providing us with options, considering the weather. I highly recommend Anna and this tour company. Thank you!!

November 2023

Kelly B
Spent 4 hours walking Amsterdam with Masa. Excellent local history discussed, She was attentive and answered all of our questions. It was a fabulous tour showing us the true Amsterdam. There were 4 of us in total. It was a little hard to hear the guide sometimes unless you were right next to her.

October 2023

Laurie W
Anna provided a wonderfully curated tour of the highlights of Amsterdam. She was so friendly that I immediately felt like I was taking a stroll with an old friend. She helped me get oriented to the area around the hotel, then led me through all of the interesting sites around Amsterdam and taught me so much history. A perfect tour!

October 2023

Robin Q