One of Europe’s coolest cities, spending 4 days in Amsterdam will you a perfect dose of Dutch life, culture of all sorts, and many memories to cherish.
I’ve visited Amsterdam a couple of times. Each visit has opened my eyes more to the beauty of the Netherlands, from its cycling culture to quirky architecture.
If you are planning a 4 days in Amsterdam itinerary, then you are in for a fantastic time!
I’ve made this itinerary to show you Amsterdam while also taking you to a couple of other places in the Netherlands as day trips. This country is so tiny and it’s easy to see so much of it with only 4 days in the Netherlands. Let’s get into the itinerary.
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Where to Stay in Amsterdam
When deciding where to stay in Amsterdam, it largely depends on your travel style and how close you want to be to the main sites. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:
Centrum
This is the heart of Amsterdam, where you’re never far from iconic sights like Dam Square, the canals, or the Anne Frank House. The Centrum neighborhood is made up of several areas, stretching from Central Station and covering most of the canals.
Jordaan is one of my favorite areas. It has a cool, artsy vibe with cute cafés, independent boutiques, and quieter streets—perfect for a more laid-back experience that’s still super central.
If you’re looking for a bit more of the “classic” Amsterdam, De Wallen (the Red Light District) is also in Centrum but has a very different energy from the rest of the city. It’s much more tourist-heavy and busy, especially at night, but it’s worth checking out if you want to experience the city’s wilder side.
Places to stay in Centrum:
- St. Christopher’s Inn The Winston: Fun hostel attached to Belushi’s bar; private rooms too (where I’ve stayed)
- Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam: Popular upscale hotel with a pool
- Hotel HEGRA by Stanley Collection: Cozy, mid-range hotel by the canals
- The Hoxton: Chic, contemporary hotel set in canal houses
Museumplein
This area is ideal if you’re here for the culture. It’s home to the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Museumplein is a bit more serene compared to the bustling Centrum, but you’re still just a few streets away from the canals.
Places to stay in Museumplein:
- Max Brown Hotel Museum Square: Stylish, cozy hotel by the museums; eco-certified
- Hotel JL No76: Upscale hotel set in a 19th-century building with a hot breakfast menu
Vondelpark
If you’re after a more relaxed, local experience, staying around Vondelpark is a great option. It’s the largest park in the city, and there’s plenty to do nearby, from specialty coffee shops and excellent dining to relaxing picnics in the park itself.
The area is perfect for quiet walks and greenery, though it’s a bit further from Centrum—about a 40-minute walk depending on where you stay. But it’s an easy 10-minute cycle or quick tram ride.
On my most recent trip to Amsterdam, we stayed near Vondelpark at an amazing hotel with a rooftop terrace. We could cycle to Amsterdam Centraal Station in 15 minutes or take the tram from Cornelis Schuytstraat to Centrum and be there in minutes.
Places to stay in Vondelpark:
- Hotel The Neighbour’s Magnolia: Mid-range, lovely, and spacious rooms, many with large balconies (where I’ve stayed)
How to Get to Amsterdam from Airport
The train is the quickest and often the cheapest way to get to Amsterdam from the airport. It takes about 25 minutes to get to Amsterdam Centraal Station.
The train station is located directly below the terminal building at the airport. A one-way ticket costs €4.90, plus €1 for the travel card.
How to Get Around Amsterdam
There are many ways to get around the city during your 4 days in Amsterdam. During my most recent trip, I took advantage of walking, cycling, trains, and tram lines. Below I will outline each option.
Walking: This is the best way to get around if you want to take your time, pop into different shops, and wander with ease. If you are staying in Centrum, you can easily walk from place to place.
Cycling: Amsterdam, and the Netherlands as a whole, is famous for its cycling culture. There are more bikes than people in Amsterdam, so needless to say, cycling is the best way to get around the city.
We rented bikes during our stay. We paid €40 for 3 days. I highly recommend you get a bike. It’s a cultural experience and allows you to see so much of the city with just 4 days in Amsterdam.
Trams: If you’re staying outside the main hub of the city or need to get to the train station, trams are the way to go. The tram costs €3.40, valid for as many rides as you need within 1 hour. You can buy a ticket on the tram or use your ApplePay or tap your debit card. Super easy!
4 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary
Now, let’s dive into all the fun details about how to spend your next 4 days in the Netherlands. This itinerary will showcase the best of Amsterdam while allowing time for nearby day trips.
The Netherlands is more than just Amsterdam, and with 4 days you have time for excursions to other parts of the country.
Day 1 Amsterdam Itinerary
Your first day in Amsterdam will involve some general sight-seeing, a visit to a museum (or two). I’ve also including some dining and evening activities to amplify your first day.
Morning
Start with breakfast. You can have it at your accommodation or grab a Dutch pastry or full breakfast out. For example, Quartier Putain has coffee, cakes, different toasts, juices, acai bowls, etc.
After you’ve had breakfast, joining a walking tour is one of the best ways to acquaint yourself with a new city. This downtown Amsterdam walking tour will help you get to know the city so you can better navigate the next 4 days in Amsterdam.
The tour lasts 2 hours and takes you from Dam Square to many of many of the city’s most famous/unique landmarks. It also includes lots of history, fun facts, and storytelling.
If you’d rather ride bikes, you can also do a bike tour of Amsterdam.
Afternoon
After your walking tour, enjoy a walk along the canals to the Hansel and Gretel cafe-bistro. It’s one of the cutest restaurants, located right on the corner where two canals meet.
They have an assortment of dishes like pastas and yummy toasts. Pair your meal with a Dutch beer or a glass of wine for the complete experience.
We loved sitting outside at the tables that hug the wall of the restaurant. However, there’s also a covered patio and indoor seating.
Rijksmuseum
If you visit just one museum on your 4 day Amsterdam itinerary, let it be the Rijksmuseum (pronounced like Rykes-museum). This is the national museum of the Netherlands and it’s located very close to Hansel and Gretel, so it’s the ideal next stop of the day.
Make sure you secure your Rijksmuseum tickets in advance! You can do a guided tour + ticket or buy a regular ticket for €22.50.
One of the coolest things to see at the Rijksmuseum is the Cuypers Library, the oldest and largest library in the Netherlands. You will get to have a nice aerial view of it from the top floor of the museum, but you won’t be able to walk around it unless you’re conducting research.
There are also a few Van Gogh’s at the museum as well as works from other prominent painters like Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt.
Van Gogh Museum
If you have time, the Rijksmuseum is right beside the museum dedicated to the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh.
This museum is a lot more about the painter himself, rather than a collection of his paintings.
It’s a lot of drafts and drawings, but also insights into the unstable life of Van Gogh. You can read letters he wrote and ones he received to and from the people in his life.
It’s an interesting museum if you really want to learn more about Vincent, but feel free to skip it if not.
Tickets cost €22 and you can reserve online.
Evening
There are a lot of fantastic restaurants in Amsterdam for dinner, so take your pick.
One night we had a nice Italian dinner at Ristorante Sardegna near VondelPark. Another night we went to Moeders, a famous spot for authentic Dutch cuisine.
The Pantry is another iconic spot for Dutch food.
Consider what is near your accommodation and choose what works for you and your travel companions.
If you’re still going after dinner, go for a nightcap at one of Amsterdam’s bars in Centrum.
Bars in Amsterdam Centrum:
- Bar Jones: Cool space, fantastic cocktails
- De Kroon Bar: laidback space for beer
- Beer Tasting Room In The Wildeman: old-style space with 250+ bottle & tap beers
If you prefer to visit a coffeeshop, you’ll want to be in Centrum. Most are in this area. There are A LOT to choose from. However, we visited Green House Centrum Coffeeshop the most.
Day 2 Amsterdam Itinerary
Today is a fun day of fully exploring around Amsterdam Centrum and Vondelpark. To make the most of the day, I highly recommend you rent bikes. If you just want to rent a bike for one day, you can secure your bike online here.
The most recent time I rented, I used Amsterdamse Fietswinkel, which is a bike shop that also specializes in rentals. They have regular bikes as well as e-bikes.
Otherwise, Black Bikes is a really popular option with locations all around the city. I typically try to rent from smaller organizations because I know this is one is already very established in the city.
Morning
Have breakfast and then pick up bikes. My boyfriend and I had wonderful breakfasts at Le Pain Quotidien.
I had the hummus toast and my boyfriend had the Italian. Both were insanely delicious! We were surprised to find out it’s a small, local chain. There is one in De Wallen and one near Vondelpark.
Otherwise, we also had brunch ananother day at Eggs Benaddicted by the canals. My boyfriend had the shakshuka and I had a filled, savory croissant with a poached egg. Both were fantastic choices, and the prices were decent.
If you want a small breakfast of pastry and coffee, there are a lot of cafes in Amsterdam.
Cafes in Amsterdam:
- Clapham Specialty Coffee (near Vondelpark)
- CoffeeConcepts (near Vondelpark)
- Bocca Coffee (Centrum)
- Coffee & Cakes (Centrum)
Museum: Anne Frank House or Rembrandt House Museum
Two very different museums and experiences, but there is no one-size-fits-all itinerary. I try to help you personalize your 4 days in Amsterdam, and both these museums are in Centrum and easy to visit on bike.
Both museums are located in the former homes of the individuals they are named after—Rembrandt and Anne Frank.
The Rembrandt dates back to when the painter lived in it from 1639 to 1658. You’ll be able to walk through his former home, see some of his belongings and paintings, as well as his workshop.
At the Anne Frank House Museum, you’ll step into the Secret Annex where Anne Frank, her family, and four others hid during World War II. You’ll also see photographs, personal belongings, and historical documents that tell the story of Anne’s life, the impact of the Holocaust, and the lives of the people she lived with. Very moving!
Afternoon
Explore around the canal district of Amsterdam on bike. Make your way toward Jordaan and you’ll find a lot of fantastic lunch options (or wait and eat at the Albert Cuyp Market).
Afterward, head down for a more leisure ride through Vondelpark. There are plenty of bike paths, gardens to explore, and pretty places to sit by the water.
Albert Cuyp Market
The Albert Cuyp Market is the city’s most famous market, a street-wide market dating back to 1905. It’s outside of the main hub, so it’s best to go today when you have your bike.
You can find a little bit of everything from souvenirs, clothes, and jewelry to local cuisine, snacks, and fresh produce.
The market is open every day except Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Evening
Your bike ride will take you into the evening. This is when I highly recommend booking a canal boat ride. We booked this canal cruise and had the option of unlimited drinks during our ride.
The guide was entertaining, sharing some stories along the way, and the energy of the other guests was very relaxed. It set the tone for a fantastic evening!
We booked ours for Golden Hour, which is my favorite time to take photos. The city looked really pretty as it crept into sunset. We even had some nice sunset views reflecting on the water.
A lot of the cruises have pick up/drop off in De Wallen (aka the Red Light District), so feel free to have a wander through this curious area. However, it will be covered on day 3 of your 4 days in Amsterdam, so no pressure!
Day 3 Amsterdam Itinerary
Since you’re planning a 4 days in Amsterdam itinerary, I suggest you get out and see more of the Netherlands. Other cool cities are within a half-hour train ride from Amsterdam, making it easy to take day trips.
That’s why on day 3 in Amsterdam, you’ll be taking a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht, one of the Netherland’s prettiest cities with canals, shopping, and historical buildings.
It’s just a quick 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam to Utrecht and you can buy your tickets from the station.
Note: If you are riding your bike to the station, there is designated bike parking at one of the lower levels of the train station. I’ll link the location here. Definitely cool to see hundreds (thousands, I’d say) bikes lined up here.
If you want to bring your bike on the train, you will need a bike ticket for €7.50 in addition to your regular ticket. Bikes aren’t allowed on trains/trams during peak hours 6:30 – 9 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Morning
Have breakfast at your hotel, one of the cafes in your area, or somewhere near the Amsterdam Centraal Station. I recommend Quartier Putain for breakfast near the station.
Oude Kerk Amsterdam
Since you’ll be in the area (it’s in De Wallen near the train station), go see the Oude Kerk. This is the oldest building in Amsterdam, founded in roughly 1213.
It is now both a church and a space for art installations, so it’s quite unique in its combination of history, culture, and religion.
You will need tickets to visit Oude Kerk during your 4 days in Amsterdam. You can get them online in advance or buy them at the door.
Utrecht
Take the train from Amsterdam to Utrecht. The duration is 30 minutes and trains run frequently.
If you want to get your bearings upon arrival, you have the option of doing a Utrecht audio guided walking tour. Get to know the beautiful old center with stories and historical details.
Keep in mind the tour I’ve recommended is an AUDIO tour, so there is no physical guide. You’ll need to bring your headphones to make the most of the itinerary.
If you don’t do the audio tour, then you can begin with a walk along Oudegracht, the main canal in Utrecht.
Focus on the area where you see lots of name-brand shops. Darras Coffee Roasters is a nice place for a quick coffee during your walk.
Afternoon
If you are on the walking tour, it will likely spill over into the afternoon. You can continue your walk and head toward a lunch spot. We went to Dogma Hotdogbar and it was DELICIOUS (and they have veggie dogs).
Other recommendations include Kimmade Vietnamese Street Food, Rabarber, and The Streetfood Club.
After lunch, do a little tour of Utrecht’s best places to see. These include:
- Oudegracht: Utrecht’s super picturesque main canal
- Dom Tower: Tallest church tower in the Netherlands, built in the 1300s
- St Martin’s Cathedral / Domkerk: Stunning Gothic cathedral with a courtyard
- Seven Alleys, or De 7 Straatjes: Built as a working class neighborhood in the 1800s
- Café Ledig Erf: cool spot for beer before returning back to Amsterdam
I actually have a 1 day in Utrecht itinerary for an in-depth look at this day trip.
Evening
Take the train back to Amsterdam and explore the Red Light District. You can enjoy a laid back dinner tonight, if you prefer. Otherwise, go for Italian food at Dal Pagliaccio, located near the train station.
Red Light District
I’m sure you’ve heard about the Red Light District before. The district is known for pleasure in all its forms, most famously prostitution but you will find coffeeshops here, too.
I followed a tip from someone who used to live in Amsterdam. When his friends visited, he often took them to Cafe De Zeevaart. It’s a very casual, old-style bar but it looks out at some of the windows where the women are working.
My boyfriend and I enjoyed watching men knock on the windows, ask one of the women a question, and then disappear. Every once in a while a man went inside and the woman would close her curtain. One guy stayed only 7 minutes (yes, I timed it.)
Follow these tips before visiting the Red Light District:
Be respectful: Treat the neighborhood like any other part of the city. These women are working here—don’t take photos of them. If they catch you, the women will deal with you directly.
Stay aware of your surroundings: This area can get crowded at night. Be wary of pickpockets or sketchy behavior. I have a whole guide on avoiding pickpockets in Europe.
Explore beyond the nightlife: The Red Light District isn’t just about the bars and windows—there are also great restaurants, quirky museums, and old churches like Oude Kerk.
I recommend the Red Light Secrets Museum if you’re curious to learn more about the history of prostitution in Amsterdam and how the industry operates here. These women don’t have “pimps”. They rent their space from a landlord and pay taxes like any other resident of the country.
Join a guided tour: Book a fun walking tour to learn a lot about this unique neighborhood. Highly recommended if you have a lot of questions!
Keep it fun but safe: Enjoy yourself, but don’t forget to stay mindful of local laws and customs, especially if you’re planning on indulging in any of the “Amsterdam” experiences.
Day 4 Amsterdam Itinerary
If you have a full 4 days in Amsterdam, then I can’t recommend enough that you do a cycling day trip from Amsterdam. You have a couple of options.
Option 1: Dutch Countryside + Windmills
One option is to cycle to the Dutch countryside to see windmills and villages. This is a quintessential type of day trip to outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy a scenic day out on the bike. You can go at it alone or book a day tour.
If you go alone, you can follow this countryside cycling itinerary from Black Bikes.
Otherwise, this is my go-to recommendation for a Dutch countryside bike tour. But if you prefer to use an e-bike, go for this similar tour.
And perhaps cycling isn’t your thing, but you still want to see the windmills and picturesque scenery. If that’s the case, no problem! This small tour to Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken will certainly do the trick and then some.
Option 2: Haarlem + Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
Another option for a fantastic day trip during your Amsterdam itinerary is Haarlem and the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
This is a small city near the North Sea that borders one of the country’s best parks, known for its sandy scenery, Highland cows, and walking paths.
We actually cycled from Amsterdam to Haarlem to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park in one day. It was a lot of fun but there’s not a ton of picturesque scenery along the way.
However, it’s only an hour-long cycle and you can stop halfway at Halfweg for an early lunch at Brasserie Het Gemaal. It’s a very lovely restaurant right along the water.
Haarlem is a charming smaller city and it actually has a windmill as well! Wander around the old center and then visit the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. You can even go to the beach!
If neither of those interest you, you might like to discover more hidden gems in The Netherlands.
Evening
Come back for one last night in Amsterdam! Revisit bars you enjoyed, check out new ones, and have fun with it.
Last night dinner recommendations:
- Restaurant De Belhamel: romantic French spot with canal views near station
- Gollem’s Proeflokaal: local favorite for casual dining + drinks
- Moeders: Dutch food in a cozy setting
- Kaagman & Kortekaas: course dinners, requires reservation
- A-Fusion Food & Drinks: popular Asian fusion cuisine in Centrum
FAQ – 4 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary
Here are some of the most common questions for those planning a 4-day trip to Amsterdam.
Is 4 days enough for Amsterdam?
Yes, 4 days gives you enough time to see the highlights of Amsterdam and have time for a day trip to another part of the country. However, if you really want to get to know the city and its surroundings, you might consider staying closer to 7 days.
How much money for 4 days in Amsterdam?
I stayed in a decent hotel near Vondelpark during a recent 4-day Amsterdam trip. The hotel cost a total of €503 for those 4 nights. Round-trip train tickets to Utrecht and back were around €15. Bike rental was €40 for 3 days. Food ranges around €5- €10 for a light breakfast. Lunch is around €9-€15. A dinner plate is around €14 plus drinks.
You can also expect to spend €7 for a draft of beer and €6 for a glass of wine. A cappuccino/flat white is around €3.50-4.75.
Can I bring my bike on trains in the Netherlands?
Yes, but only during non-peak hours. You can’t bring your bike on the train from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. When you can bring your bike on the train, you will need to get a bike ticket as well as your main ticket from the ticket machine.
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