Amsterdam 3-day itinerary

Start in the Jordaan — Amsterdam's prettiest neighbourhood. Walk along Prinsengracht past houseboats and leaning gabled houses. Duck into hidden hofjes (courtyard gardens) — the Karthuizerhof on Karthuizerstraat is beautiful and free. Browse the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) for vintage shops, indie boutiques, and canal-side cafes. Coffee at Winkel 43 with their famous apple pie (€4.50).

Pre-book the Anne Frank House (€16, released 6 weeks ahead at 10am Tuesdays). Walk through the secret annex where Anne and her family hid for 761 days — the bookcase concealing the entrance, the tiny rooms, and Anne's original diary are intensely moving. Allow 90 minutes including the exhibition. Lunch afterwards at Foodhallen in Amsterdam-West — a food hall with 20+ stalls.

Amsterdam's brown cafés (bruine kroegen) are the soul of the city — centuries-old pubs with dark wood panelling, candles, and local beers on tap. Start at Café 't Smalle on Egelantiersgracht (1786), then Café Papeneiland on Prinsengracht (1642). Dinner at De Reiger for Dutch-French bistro food (mains €16–22) or grab bitterballen (fried meat ragout balls, €6) at any brown café.

Start at the Van Gogh Museum (€20, book online) — the world's largest Van Gogh collection, from sombre Dutch peasant scenes to the electric Starry Night Over the Rhône and Sunflowers. Allow 2 hours. Walk to the Rijksmuseum (€22.50) — Rembrandt's Night Watch in its dedicated gallery is staggering. The building itself, with its cycling tunnel, is iconic Amsterdam.

Walk through Vondelpark — Amsterdam's beloved green lung where locals picnic, skate, and play guitar. Cross south to De Pijp neighbourhood for the Albert Cuyp Market (Mon–Sat) — Amsterdam's biggest street market with stroopwafels (€3), kibbeling (fried fish, €5), and Surinamese roti (€8). The neighbourhood has a multicultural, bohemian character.

De Pijp has some of Amsterdam's best bars and restaurants. Dinner at Bakers & Roasters (brunch/dinner fusion, €12–16) or Firma Pekelharingen for a set menu (€25 for three courses). Walk to Rembrandtplein for the nightlife strip, or head to Paradiso (a converted church turned music venue) or Melkweg for live music and club nights. Entry €10–20.

Take the free ferry from Centraal Station to Amsterdam Noord — a 5-minute crossing. NDSM Wharf is a former shipyard turned creative hub with street art, studios, and the IJ-Hallen flea market (first weekend of each month, €5 entry). Visit the A'DAM Lookout tower (€14.50) for a panoramic view, or the Straat Museum (€18) for the world's largest street art collection indoors.

Amsterdam Noord has a growing craft beer scene. Visit Brouwerij 't IJ (windmill brewery, beers €3.50–5) — a beloved local institution set in a bath house beneath a windmill. Then Oedipus Brewery in Noord (taproom open Thu–Sun, beers €4–6) for experimental brews. Walk along the IJ waterfront back towards Centraal for views of the harbour and modern architecture.

Walk through De Wallen (Red Light District) — it is a historic neighbourhood with the oldest church in Amsterdam (Oude Kerk, 1213), secret chapels, and narrow medieval alleys alongside the famous windows. The area is safe but be respectful — no photography of workers. End with a canal-side walk — the Reguliersgracht seven-bridge view is the most romantic sight in the city.