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

➊ FREE GUIDED TOUR IN THE ROYAL PALACE ON DAM SQUARE: “PALACE IN WAR TIME ’40-’45”

Have you ever been inside the Royal Palace on Dam Square? If you ask me, it’s something every Amsterdammer should do at least once! On Sunday, May 5th, special guided tours are organized in the Royal Palace Amsterdam, all dedicated to “Palace in War Time ’40-’45”.

Did you know that the former city hall of Amsterdam was built as a Temple of Peace after the end of the 80-Year War? During World War II, the Palace, as one of the few large buildings in Amsterdam, was not confiscated by the Germans and even served as a hiding place. How did the Palace survive this wartime period? You’ll discover that during the special tours on May 5th.

The tours start at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, and are free upon presentation of an entrance ticket, museum card, and city pass. Due to limited availability, it’s advisable to reserve in advance.

Click here to reserve your tour on May 5 >>

➋ YESSS! THE JANSZ. ROSÉ GARDEN at THE PULITZER hotel IS OPEN AGAIN

Pulitzer Amsterdam already has one of the finest terraces in the city center. But with the opening of the Jansz. Rosé Garden, the new season has truly begun. Weather permitting, it’s open 7 days a week for al fresco dining on the terrace. In the courtyard, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding canal houses, making it the perfect place to unwind. Under the motto “rosé all day, every day,” a special menu of rosé wines has been created to perfectly complement the à la carte menu of Restaurant Jansz., featuring the finest flavors of the season. Prefer to dine or lunch by the canal? You can also do that on the sunny terraces of Jansz. on the Keizersgracht and in the vibrant Reestraat.

Book your table here >>

➌ LE FOODWALK AMSTERDAM IS BACK ON MAY 4 & 5 IN DE PIJP

Do you want to be active outdoors this weekend, discover new restaurants, and get to know De Pijp better? On May 4th and 5th, Le Foodwalk Amsterdam is organizing a culinary take-away walk through De Pijp, stopping at 6 hotspots where 5 bites and 2 drinks are included with your ticket.

More info & get the last tickets here >>

➍ THE BEST FLEA AND VINTAGE MARKETS THIS WEEKEND

Where to go this weekend for the best finds? From gently used to vintage? I’ve listed the locations for you below!

IJ-hallen May 4th & 5th: Fans of pre-loved items can go treasure hunting again this weekend at the IJ-hallen. Here you can score clothing (sometimes still with tags attached!), household items, and anything else you can think of. Tip: go early, bring cash, and a big bag! More info >>

De Loods May 4th & 5th: A warehouse filled with plants, vinyl, and vintage clothing near Riekerhaven in West. Of course, with a good coffee. The market is free to visit, but you need to reserve a time slot. More info >>

➎ THE COOLEST LIBERATION DAY PARTIES & EVENTS

Celebrating life, that’s what we do on May 5th. In Amsterdam, there’s a lot of fun stuff to do this year. From the freedom meals you can enjoy all over the city to the now famous freedom soup made every year by a Dutch chef. What else is there to do in Amsterdam?

“Het Vrije Westen”: In Westerpark, you can celebrate freedom on May 5th from 12:00 to 23:00 during the free-access Liberation Day festival, The Free West. There’s something for everyone, so it’s perfect for the whole family or friends to go together. Check out the program here >>

Celebrating Freedom in Noorderpark: On Sunday, May 5th, there’s a lot to do in Noorderpark during a big freedom party. Between 13:00 and 19:00, you can craft, eat, drink, and the Petanque tournament is back this weekend. There’s also a children’s flea market. Check out the full program here >>

Thuishaven: The place in Amsterdam where it feels like a festival every week is hosting another great party on May 5th. Check out the lineup & get your tickets here >>

Enjoy your weekends in Amsterdam! 

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
⋙ Youseum
⋙ 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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