bucketlist amsterdam beste dingen om te doen

- Amsterdam -

61 X best things to do in Amsterdam for your bucketlist

13 June 2023

A bucketlist of things every Amsterdammer and visitor ought to do in Amsterdam at least once in their lives: the Amsterdam Bucketlist. Popular and well-known must-dos, from the classic and refined, to the wild and new. Enough inspiration for a year full of fun things to do. Tick them off your Amsterdam Bucketlist one at a time. Too many to fit in a weekend, so you’ll always have a reason to return to Amsterdam. The following 61 things should belong on every Amsterdam Bucketlist if you ask us. Which ones did you tick off already?

Tip: Are you visiting Amsterdam in the weekend? Subscribe to the weekly newsletter from Yourlbb. We’ll tell you want to see and where to go. Did you subscribe already?

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

When in Amsterdam you want to tick off these 61 things

☐ Cycling along the canals: Nothing is better than cycling along the canals in Amsterdam. It still makes me happy every single day!

RENT YOUR BIKE AT BAJA BIKES >>

STRAAT Street Art Museum: One of the newest museums in Amsterdam is STRAAT at NDSM-werf. Learn everything about street art and the artists.

Book tickets

Amsterdam Light Festival: During the winter, Amsterdam gets decorated by many different light artworks. Sail along through the canals to see all these beautiful artworks.

BOOK AMSTERDAM LIGHT FESIVAL CRUISE TICKETS HERE>>

Mooie Boules: How fun is this? At Mooie Boules you can not only have some drinks & dinner with friends. There is also a Jeu de Boules track. If you want to be sure of a track, book in advance.

MAKE A RESERVATION

Moco Museum: Another museum you have to visit at Museumplein is Moco museum. With art works of Banksy and more you will be entertaint.
Honthorststraat 20, Amsterdam

BOOK TICKETS FOR MOCO HERE >>

WONDR Experience: For a the new Instagram sensation you have to visit WONDR experience. With a pool full of marshmellows, pink walls and many more insta-proof rooms you will take the best pictures.
Meeuwenlaan 88, Amsterdam- wondrexperience.com

BOOK TICKETS FOR WONDR EXPERIENCE HERE >>

NDSM-Wharf: You’ll never get bored at NDSM-Wharf. Check out the website to see what’s happening these days.

Ice skating at the Jaap Eden rink: The Jaap Eden ice rink is a festival area in summer time and just an ice rink in the winter months. Do you still have it?
Radioweg 64, Amsterdam – jaapeden.nl

Street Art Tour: You can find a lot of street art in Amsterdam, so follow a street art tour and see everything at once.

Cheese-tasting at Kef: Hmm, cheese. It doesn’t matter if you’re from The Netherlands or not, a cheese-tasting is something you should do at least once in your life and the one at Kef is simply the best.
Van der Pekplein 1, Amsterdam – abrahamkef.nl

Gerard Doustraat: The street where everything happens in Amsterdam is the Gerard Doustraat. Just walk around and let your mind wonder.

Brandt en Levie sausage workshop: After the cheese-tasting you should do a sausage workshop at Brandt en Levie. So good!
Archangelkade 9, Amsterdam – brandtenlevie.nl

Foodhallen Amsterdam

The Foodhallen: Every food addict should go here at least once in their life. You can also go to the movies next door at De Filmhallen, nice!
Bellamyplein 51, Amsterdam – foodhallen.nl

Concert at the Concertgebouw: An experience you’ll never forget is a concert at the beautiful Concertgebouw. Have you ever been there?
Concertgebouwplein 10, Amsterdam – concertgebouw.nl

Haarlemmerstraat & Haarlemmerdijk: Shop till you drop. Shopping for two kilometers? Who says no to that?

Van Gogh Museum: Another museum that you can’t miss on the Amsterdam Bucketlist is Van Gogh Museum. We’re pretty proud of it.
Museumplein 6, Amsterdam

BOOK TICKETS FOR VAN GOGH + CANAL TOUR HERE >>

De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets): Shopping, eating, and wandering around while you take it all in, is what you can do in The Nine Streets. There’s also lots of nice places for lunch, like Libertine Café Café for example.

Dim sum at Oriental City: Our guilty pleasure? Dim sum. Especially the ones from Oriental City. Tasty!
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 177 – 179, Amsterdam – oriental-city.com

dim sum amsterdam

Dim Sum by Oriental City

On a boat with Koningsdag (King’s Day): The best way to party on Koningsdag is on a boat. Rent a boat with friends or just join others. Everything is possible on this special day.

Museumnight: Museumnight is a night you won’t forget. Every year it’s a spectacle ’cause all the museums do everything they can to make it special. You’ll want to go there!

IJ-Hallen: The perfect place to find vintage and second hand treasures is at the monthly IJ-Hallen.
TT Neveritaweg 15, Amsterdam – ijhallen.nl

Swimming at Café De Ceuvel: Café De Ceuvel in Amsterdam North is, from now on, your favorite spot in summer time. Good food and nice people!
Korte Papaverweg 4, Amsterdam – deceuvel.nl

FOAM: When you’re into photography go to FOAM. The exhibitions change regularly so you’ll always have a reason to visit Amsterdam.
Keizersgracht 609, Amsterdam

BOOK TICKETS FOR FOAM HERE

Lookout at A’DAM Toren (Tower): There is a swing at the A’DAM Tower where you can see Amsterdam with a view. Even for the Amsterdammer it’s something for their Amsterdam Bucketlist. It’s so scary!
Overhoeksplein 1, Amsterdam – adamlookout.com

BOOK TICKETS FOR THE LOOK OUT HERE

lookout over the edge

Amsterdam Lookout over the edge

Visit a café in Amsterdam’s Jordaan: In the Jordaan you can feel the real Amsterdam atmosphere. You need to go there at least once, so go!

Amsterdam Museum: Tourist or not. Amsterdam is an impressive and special city. Go to the Amsterdam Museum and get to know the city.
Kalverstraat 92, Amsterdam

BOOK TICKETS FOR AMSTERDAM MUSEUM HERE >>

Tuschinksi: If you want to see a movie, go to Tuschinski. You’ll get the full experience!
Reguliersbreestraat 26 – 34, Amsterdam – pathe.nl

Take the ferry to North: Take the ferry to North and go to one of these 14 restaurants.

Rijksmuseum: Just like the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijks museum is also one to tick off of your Amsterdam Bucketlist. Have you ever been there?
Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam

BOOK TICKETS FOR RIJKSMUSEUM HERE >>

Have a picknick in one of the many parks Amsterdam has. Take your favorite snacks to go and go have a picknick in Vondelpark, Sarphatipark or Rembrandtpark.

Dinner at the  Vuurtoreneiland: Every winter and summer there’s a pop-up restaurant at Vuurtoreneiland and you really need to go there one time. It’s super special!

Sail along the canals: Rent a boat with friends or book a spot on one of the canal tours at Central Station and see Amsterdam from the water. Oh Amsterdam, you’re so pretty!

BOOK A CANAL BOAT TOUR HERE >>

Take a stay-in-vacation own city: Nothing is better than a stay-in-vaction because you’re getting the feeling you’re actually on a vacation. Take a look at the best hotels in Amsterdam.

Stedelijk museum: The Stedelijk Museum for modern, contemporary art and design is a museum to tick off as well. Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk museum are all located at Museumplein so you can tick them off all at once!
Museumplein 10, Amsterdam

BOOK TICKETS FOR STEDELIJK HERE >>

Eat stroopwafels (Syrup cookies) at the Albert Cuypmarkt: Dutchies are addicted to Stroopwafels. They’re so good! Especially the fresh, warm ones at the Albert Cuypmarkt.

☐ Join a festival at the NDSM-Wharf during summer time.

ndsm wharf guide amsterdam north

ndsm wharf

Eat dinner at Rijsel: Go to Restaurant Rijsel in Amsterdam East for good and ‘affordable’ food. The menu changes regularly so you have a good enough reason to book a table more than once.
Marcusstraat 52, Amsterdam – rijsel.com

Anne Frank Huis: Anne Frank, we all know her. But have you ever been in her home?
Prinsengracht 263 – 267, Amsterdam – annefrank.org

BOOK TICKETS FOR ANNE FRANK HOUSE HERE

Watch the sunset at Pllek: Do you want to go to a beach in Amsterdam? Go to Plekk in North. It’s also the best spot for watching the sunset!
TT Neveritaweg 59, Amsterdam – pllek.nl

Tropenmuseum: If you’re interested in nations, tribes and their culture, go to the Tropenmuseum.
Linneausstraat 1, Amsterdam

BOOK TICKETS FOR TROPENMUSEUM HERE

Beer-tasting at a craft brewery: Beer-tasting, it’s something you don’t have to ask your boyfriend or friends twice. Cheers!

Loetje: Loetje is the ‘beef king’ in Amsterdam, with different locations from the south of Amsterdam till the North.
Multiple locations, Amsterdam – loetje.com

Local Goods Weekend Market: Once in a while you can go to the Local Goods Market where you can buy and taste products that are made in Amsterdam.

Enjoy the view at Waterkant: Hmm, for a good summer feeling you need to go to the Waterkant. With bitterballs on the right and a cold beer on the left.
Marnixstraat 246, Amsterdam – waterkantamsterdam.nl

waterkant-amsterdam-1

☐ With the Ferry to the HEM grounds, just outside the city of Amsterdam.

Go visit Artis: I like to go to a zoo when I’m visiting a different country. Go to Artis zoo, the first zoo in the Netherlands.
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, Amsterdam – artis.nl

BOOK TICKETS FOR THE ZOO HERE >>

Bowling at Club Knijn: Bowling is hot and is perfect for the Friday night with friends. It’s time to win!
Scheldeplein 3, Amsterdam – knijnbowling.nl

Eat snacks out of a wall and ‘patat oorlog’ at FEBO on the Ferdinand Bolstraat: FEBO is the Dutch snack walhalla where you can get food out of a wall. A bit weird, but fun! They also sell bao buns now!
Ferdinand Bolstraat 89 (multiple stores), Amsterdam – febo.nl

High Tea at the Waldorf: High tea? Yes please! Go to the Waldorf for the best afternoon tea in town.

☐ And to stay at the Waldorf…… Have diner at Spectrum. The best restaurant in town.
Herengracht 542-556, Amsterdam – restaurantspectrum.com

viktor rolf afternoon tea waldorf astoria amsterdam

Afternoon tea at the Waldorf

Eat cake at Winkel 43: After a stroll over the Noordermarkt on a Monday morning you need to go to Winkel 43 for the best Dutch apple pie. Nom!
Noordermarkt 43, Amsterdam – winkel43.nl

Eat Bitterballs: My guilty pleasure are bitterballs! They don’t really look that appetizing but, my god they’re so tasty. Order them for example at The Foodhallen, testing time!

☐ Barbecuing in the park: Get your friend together, do some groceries, and find a nice spot in Westerpark. Of course last year we would have mentioned Vondelpark here but that’s history. So let’s keep Westerpark clean before they do a BBQ ban there too!

Go to a speak easy cocktailbar: How exciting is it to go to a discrete restaurant with a secret password?

See or get a striptease at La Vie en Proost: La Vie en Proost is the best topless lap dance bar of Amsterdam. Don’t say no, you need to see it at least once. After that, walk around at the Wallen, you will find a lot of nice lunch and coffee places.
Bethlehemsteeg 23, Amsterdam – lavieamsterdam.nl

Pisa Ice-cream: For the best Italian ice creams in town, you have to visit Pisa.
Scheldeplein 22, Amsterdam – Facebook page

Go watercycling over the canals: Just like cycling or sailing along the canals, watercycling is also something you need to do at least once in Amsterdam. Try not to get wet!

Eat fresh kibbeling (fried codd) at a fish stall at the Dappermarkt: Yum, kibbeling! Again, a Dutch snack that you need to taste. Get it at a market, where they’re as fresh as they can be.

Hug goats at the Amsterdamse Bos: Not really yourself these days? Go to the Amsterdamse Bos and hug some goats. Who says no to that?

See Amsterdam from a rooftop: You want to see Amsterdam from above so go to one of the spots with a rooftop. Think of places like the W Hotel and The Volkshotel.

Rollende Keukens (food truck festival): Yes, a food festival you absolutely can’t miss is de Rollende Keukens. And all the others as well actually…

How many did you already tick off of the Amsterdam Bucketlist?

Rollende Keukens 2016

Rollende Keukens

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

 | TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // € 
Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
COMFORTABLE // €€ 
Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // €€€ 
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.

More hotspots in Amsterdam

Let’s get social 

I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

 | PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>


With love,
Anne

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

Anne de Buck

Travel Essentials

Click here for 3 more tips