Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions for Your First Trip to Amsterdam

Head inside Westerkerk
Discover a bookworm’s dream at Rijksmuseum
Explore The Van Gogh Museum
The Anne Frank Museum
Live like a Royal in the Royal Palace
The port and canals of Amsterdam
Smell the flowers at Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
The National Monument
Rembrandt House Museum
Watch the sunset at Pllek

Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and with good reason, it’s one pretty epic city! Brimming with amazing culture, incredible nightlife, world-class museums, and historical gems, Amsterdam is one city not to miss when thinking of a European city break; especially when visiting the Netherlands.

The Lazy Guide To A Weekend In Amsterdam (46)

We always have the best time visiting all the top sites in Amsterdam.

Take a look, below, at the best things to do in Amsterdam on a first visit to the city.

1) Head inside Westerkerk

Westerkerk or West Church is famous for being the most popular church in Amsterdam and has even housed royal weddings in the past.

Built in the Renaissance style with Gothic features, many visitors come here to see the tomb of Rembrandt who is buried in the church.

Yeah, it could be seen as pretty eerie but a place that every first-time visitor should see in Amsterdam.

2) Discover a bookworm’s dream at Rijksmuseum

Founded in 1809, the Rijksmuseum houses a huge range of artwork and antiquities and is said to have something in the region of seven million art pieces that took hundreds of years to accumulate!

3) Explore The Van Gogh Museum

Come here if you want to see the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings anywhere across the world!

There are over 200 paintings here as well as drawings and letters that belonged to this 19th-century artist that’s now one of the most prized artists.

4) The Anne Frank Museum

The former home where Anne Frank and her family hid during much of the Second World War.

This is a moving visit for those who choose to make the journey and one that has a lasting reminder of the barbaric and inhuman persecution of Jews and of minorities.

5) Live like a Royal in the Royal Palace

The official residence of the King of Holland, the Royal Palace was first built in 1648 as a sign of their power.

Built to mirror the architecture of ancient Rome, the palace is opulent and ornate and one that is stunningly beautiful – just make sure to check out the staterooms.

6) The port and canals of Amsterdam

Still very much a working port to this day, the Port of Amsterdam stretches for 19 kilometres until it reaches the sea.

Cruises operate here around the harbour and canals that bisect Amsterdam so come here if you want to see the city from the water…

…you can even hire a boat for the day and chill out with a tipple and picnic.

The best way to spend a sunny afternoon in Amsterdam.

7) Smell the flowers at Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

Known for being Amsterdam’s botanical garden, come here if you want to take in some of the best nature in the city.

The garden used to be dedicated to medicinal herbs but now has exotic and tropical flowers that bloom in the summer months.

8) The National Monument

The National Monument is actually an obelisk that stands 22 metres high.

It is a memorial to the victims and veterans of the Second World War. It’s a moving reminder of the city’s turbulent history.

9) Rembrandt House Museum

Best Things To Do In Amsterdam Rembrandt Museum

The Rembrandt House Museum is located in the former home of Rembrandt and his wife and is the site where many of his most famous paintings were created.

You can now tour the house and learn all about the history of Rembrandt and see many of his most famous works. It’s a dream destination for art enthusiasts.