10 Fun Ways to Explore Amsterdam
The Most Enjoyable Ways to Get Around Amsterdam
There are many different ways to explore Amsterdam depending on how much time you have and what you intend to see. We have listed some obvious and not-so-obvious ways to explore the Netherlands’ beautiful capital city. Of course, the intricate network of canals that cut through Amsterdam feature prominently, along with the excellent bicycle network.
From bike tours to tram rides, there are lots of great ways to explore Amsterdam. Choose from any of these top Amsterdam journeys and discover the Dutch capital while on the move.
1. Cycling Along Herengracht Canal
Bike through Amsterdam’s wealthiest district
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
Whizz past picturesque narrow houses, charming alfresco cafes, and ornate facades like Bartolotti House, a guided bike tour along Amsterdam’s cycle-friendly paths is both informative and lots of fun. You can also cycle the route by night to enjoy the illuminated bridges and canal houses twinkling in the dark waters.
The Herengracht canal used to be home to rich and famous of the region. Many occupants worked for the East India Company (VOC) meaning they could build the fanciest houses in town. Today, it’s home to several museums and over 400 dwellings listed as national monuments. To enjoy the area by bike, MacBike has rental branches at Centraal Station, Waterlooplein, and Vondelpark. Read more
Location: MacBike, Stationsplein 5, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cycling Along Herengracht Canal
2. GVB 5 Tram – Centraal Station to Zuid
A relaxing tram journey past the city’s iconic sights
Good for: Budget, Photo
Before you start this journey, make sure you buy an OV-chipkaart (a travel card that can be used for all public transit in the country). Then, head to Centraal Station in the heart of the city and board the GVB 5 tram.
This relaxing armchair ride takes you past Amsterdam’s most iconic sights, including Dam Square and the Royal Palace Amsterdam, before gliding through lively Leidseplein square towards Museumplein (the Museum Quarter). Stay on board for Amsterdam’s upmarket Zuid district.
Location: 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
GVB 5 Tram – Centraal Station to Zuid
3. Pedal-Boat Touring
Exploring the city’s canals via pedalo
Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure
Renting a Dutch-style pedalo, a cross between a boat and a bike, is an incredibly fun and unique way of exploring Amsterdam’s maze of canals. This is a great choice for families with older children and teenagers as you can all take turns doing the pedaling, which is both good exercise and highly enjoyable.
Rental is widely available, including from Centraal Station. Pedal along the waterways to the Westerkerk church, near Anne Frank’s house, then towards Rijskmuseum in the Museum Quarter.
4. Amstel River Rambling
A scenic riverside walk
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Photo
On a sunny day, a stroll along the Amstel River is a lovely way to take in both beautiful views of the river and some of Amsterdam’s most iconic sights.
From Amstel Station, south of the center, a 2 mile river walk to the De Pijp district takes in the city limits. Bearing north (staying on the eastern side of the river), walk past Rembrandt Tower and Berlage Bridge before crossing the Nieuwe Amstelbrug bridge.
After a coffee break on the cafe-lined Ceintuurbaan street or ice cream in Sarphati Park, bohemian De Pijp is just a short stroll away.
Location: Julianaplein, 1097 DN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amstel River Rambling
5. Canal Cruising
Gliding down the canals on a cruise
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Getting a swan’s-eye view from Amsterdam’s iconic waterways is a must-do. What’s more, doing this via a canal cruise means you can take in all the sights of the city while eating a delicious restaurant-quality meal or doing a spot of sunbathing.
For an extra special experience, head out for a cruise as dusk falls, so you can enjoy Amsterdam’s picturesque bridges and buildings illuminated with twinkling lights. There are even themed evening cruises available, including jazz nights, pub cruises, and candlelit dinners. Tour boats depart from around Centraal Station, Damrak, and Rokin, near Dam Square.
6. Cycling to Haarlem
A medieval neighboring town to explore
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
At the weekend, join Amsterdammers and tourists on a scenic and easy cycling route to the beautiful medieval city of Haarlem, to the west of Amsterdam. It’s a 25-mile round trip on gloriously flat cycle lanes, past picture-postcard countryside.
Haarlem itself is a historical 17th-century town with lots of quaint and attractive tiny streets leading off its main square, Grote Markt. Make a day trip of it by taking the time to explore this picturesque neighboring town before cycling back to Amsterdam. Bikes can be hired from many MacBike outlets around the city.
Location: Haarlem, Netherlands
Cycling to Haarlem
7. Chopper Views
A birds-eye view of Amsterdam’s majesty
Good for: Luxury, Photo, Unusual
The helicopter tour company heliAMS allows you to experience the artistic beauty of Amsterdam’s winding canals from a bird-eye view. They offer the only helicopter tour over the city. This is a unique opportunity to snap Amsterdam’s historical quarter, iconic canal loop, and 17th-century architecture from the air.
Tours only take 30 minutes but are incredibly exhilarating and will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. It’s also an amazing way to see almost all of Amsterdam’s most famous sites, albeit at a distance, in a very short time. Particularly beautiful from the air is De Riekermolen, a windmill built in 1636 that sits on the banks of the River Amstel.
Location: Amsterdam Heliport, Hornweg 24, 1045 AR Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)20 846 8460
Chopper Views
8. Bus-Top Vistas
The city’s sights from the top-deck of a tour bus
Good for: Photo, Budget
For views over the city’s photogenic canals, bridges, and squares, the transparent glass rooftop of an Amsterdam tour bus is an great all-weather option. In summer, the tour buses become open-top, meaning on hot days, you can top up your sun tan and enjoy a cooling breeze, all while taking in the historic landmarks and lovely views.
Tours leave from Damrak near Dam Square, passing Centraal Station, the Jewish Quarter, Jordaan, and Leidseplein square. The buses use a hop-on, hop-off system so if an area catches your eye for a spot of shopping, sight-seeing, or lunch, you can resume your tour afterwards. There are also good quality audio guides available on board.
Location: Damrak, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bus-Top Vistas
9. Hop-On, Hop-Off Canal Bus
Buses, but not as you know them
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Canal buses are a fun alternative to traditional, road-based tour buses. Away from the car fumes, on the picturesque waterways, they function similarly to normal buses, so you can enjoy a hop-on, hop-off system as you explore the city.
Canal buses generally sail along 3 main routes in Amsterdam, the green, the red, and the blue line. These take you past fantastic sites like Anne Frank’s House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the NEMO Science Museum. What’s more, purchasing tickets for a canal bus often includes discounts on many Amsterdam attractions.
10. Friday Night Skate
Exploring the city on wheels of your own
Good for: Budget, Unusual
For those looking to explore Amsterdam in a truly fun, energetic, and exhilarating way, you might want to consider skating or rollerblading. Proficient skaters head for the free Friday Night Skate at 8 pm, meeting at the city’s largest green space, Vondelpark.
Organizers run a free 12-mile guided tour around Amsterdam, returning to the expansive leafy spaces of Vondelpark. The park itself is also a favorite among skaters and rollerbladers, with its network of good quality paths and numerous lakes to glide around.
Location: 1071 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Friday Night Skate
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