Better days are coming, they’re called Saturday and Sunday! So it’s time to think about how to spend a perfect weekend in Amsterdam. Are you a last-minute planner, or do you prefer to look further ahead? Weekend in Amsterdam will never be the same with the weekly updates tips from this local Amsterdam Weekend Guide. To make sure you’re completely up-to-date within minutes, I’ll share the best weekend tips with you every week. Besides tips about the best events for this weekend in Amsterdam, I will also share my favourite seasonal tips to help you plan great weekends in Amsterdam.
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how to spend your weekends in amsterdam
As a local, I can tell you, that spending a weekend in Amsterdam is never dull. There’s just too much going on, and new hotspots open the doors every week! I have collected plenty of tips for you for the perfect weekend break in Amsterdam. Decide on the restaurants in Amsterdam that you are going to try. And reserve your tickets for the best museums in Amsterdam or finally plan that (food) tour that is on your Amsterdam bucketlist.
Have fun!
weekends in Amsterdam; the best tips in the Amsterdam weekend guide JANUARY 16, 17, 18 & 19
➊ Hotelnacht Amsterdam // January 18
One of the best nights for a staycation in your own city. But did you know that even if you don’t manage to secure a hotel stay, you can still attend all the fun parties and events organized during the Mastercard Hotelnacht? Through the app, you can buy a ticket that grants access to the program and the afterparty. From pool parties to silent discos, cocktail workshops to boat rides. Download the app for the full program and grab the last tickets before they sell out! More info >>
➋ Last Weekend: Amsterdam Light Festival in 2025
What a joy to cycle along the canals and Oosterdok in the dark this winter, right? There are 27 beautiful light artworks, each depicting a unique ritual. You can still admire them for one last weekend, as this is the final weekend of the Amsterdam Light Festival!
The BEST THING about this amazing light art festival is that it’s accessible to all Amsterdam residents and visitors and free of charge. For a small fee, you can download the special app to learn more about the artworks. Want to experience the Light Festival from the water? You can also check if there are any boat tours available to book.
These are the websites where you can buy tickets for canal cruises and boat tours during the Amsterdam Light Festival. I would definitely recommend checking out these sites, as they sometimes offer discounts or special promotions!
- Lovers.nl
- Tours & Tickets
- Get Your Guide (for a boat tour with unlimited drinks)
- Viator
- Tiqets
➌ Museum Market // Sunday, January 19
With the ice rink and the Museum Market, the Museumplein on Sunday, January 19 is the place to be for a delightful winter afternoon in Amsterdam. The market is full of small entrepreneurs, from local makers to delicious food stalls that you can smell from afar. You can visit the Museum Market between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and entrance is free. More info >>
| TIP: Saturday, January 18 is National Tulip Day, and the Museumplein will be full of tulips that you can pick for free! The picking garden opens at 1 PM, and you can pick a free bunch of tulips! More info >>
➍ Whiskeyfest Amsterdam // Saturday, January 18
Whiskey lovers, take note! This weekend, the first edition of WhiskeyFest is organized at the historic Hollandsche Manege. Various whiskey brands will be present, where you can taste and attend masterclasses. On the website, you can buy tickets and view the full program >>
➎ 9 X Kid-Friendly Weekend Tips:
The little ones need entertainment too! And because I can’t imagine leaving the city just because I have kids, I’m going to highlight once again all the fun things to do for families. Here are my ideas for this week to go out and enjoy Amsterdam with the kids!
- A great new list for parents with early birds at home. These coffee shops open before 8 AM. Check out these must-know tips >>
- Have you ever been to Allard Pierson with the kids? It’s a great spot for the fascinating museum pieces from Egypt, like mummies. But also for the changing exhibitions, such as the current one on “The Call of the O’o” with an interactive booklet available at the reception. More info >>
- Street art treasure hunt for kids at STRAAT. More info & tickets >>
- Let the kids run wild at Woeste Westen or Jeugdland.
- Still fun: an afternoon at Artis with the whole family. More info & tickets >>
- The Kinder Kook Café has been around for 40 years, where kids take charge of the kitchen. More info >>
- Need to let off some steam in an indoor playground? These tips are a must-know >>
- Looking for something fun to do with the kids just outside the city? Check out these 7 tips >>
- How about a family movie night? Here are 35 tips >>
Amsterdam Weekend Guide Bucketlist & Things to Do during your weekends in Amsterdam
(DIGITAL) ART EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fabrique des Lumières
⋙ NXT Museum
⋙ STRAAT street art museum
⋙ MOCO Museum for street and modern art
⋙ Amaze, an audiovisual labyrint
FOOD EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
⋙ Albert Cuyp Market Food Tour
⋙ Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
⋙ Pancake Cruise
⋙ Micro Brewery Beer Tasting Tour
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
⋙ Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
⋙ Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
⋙ 3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
FIRST TIME VISIT TO AMSTERDAM – MUST SEE & DO’S:
⋙ Private Canal Boat Tour
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ Canal Cruise in the evening
INSTAGRAM MUSEUMS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ The Upside Down
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
⋙ Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS:
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
⋙ Go an a bike tour with the kids
⋙ NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Paddle board tour on the canals
⋙ Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour
| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money during your weekends in Amsterdam 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 in Amsterdam for the weekend:
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Pillows Maurits at the Park: this newly opened hotel is all about luxury.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: recently renovated, this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ W Amsterdam: with lively restaurants and a posh rooftop bar with swimming pool.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with great all day bar.
☾ Hotel Jakarta: the most sustainable hotel ánd great value for money with a spa.
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam from the North side.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale and around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city by MGallery.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel with restaurant in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ Ruby Emma: eco design hotel with a great skybar near Amstel station.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Social Hub budget proof in trendy East district close tho the subway.
☾ 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 several locations in Amsterdam.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your weekends in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
Have you seen that Your Little Black Book is also on Tiktok sharing Amsterdam tips daily?
@yourlbb_amsterdam
See you next week with a new Amsterdam Weekend Guide full of the best local things to do in Amsterdam!
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