If you are wondering when to spend a weekend in Amsterdam, 2025 is the perfect year to go. Amsterdam is celebrating 750 years as a city, and I wanted to honour the milestone with a 75-hour adventure through the “Venice of the North.” Whether you’re popping over from another European city or making a long stopover, here’s exactly how to spend a weekend in Amsterdam filled with cuisine, culture, and canal magic. For even more tips and inspiration, don’t forget to check out this Travel guide to Amsterdam.
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Weekend in Amsterdam: Friday Arrival
I landed at the airport and jumped in an Uber to the museum quarter. Prepping for this trip, I knew I needed to stay in two different areas to give me the lay of the land. The first hotel was located in Museumkwartier (the Museum Quarter) or Museumplein. Amsterdam is filled with museums — Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Stedelijk, Moco, STRAAT, Eye, and NEMO just to name a few.
After dropping my bags, I managed to take a little stroll to the P.C. Hoofstraat. Nothing was open at the time, but I managed to take note of all the midtier to luxury stores ranging everything from Chanel to Massimo Dutti. If you are a true shopper and want to get the VAT back on your purchases, take note.
Weekend in Amsterdam Day 1: Food Tours, Canals, and Jordaan
On Saturday morning I walked all the way from the museum quarter up to Noorderker in Jordaan. I was meeting an Eating Europe group for a Food & Canals tour. Our tour guide, Gerrard, was a knowledgeable born-and-bred host that guided us through seven local spots.
Our first stop was The Papeneiland, a traditional ‘Brown bar’ — a bar that is made with a lots of wood and typically little to no music playing. This was not an issue at all, as we were there to indulge in the delicious Dutch apple pie, and I had a coffee (mini stroop waffle included!).
After the walking portion had ended, we hopped on a traditional wooden canal boat for a short tour. We were served Bitterballen (crispy fried meat croquettes) and sampled Jenever (juniper-flavored gin). It was a wonderful way to start the time in Amsterdam, and I would recommend it for all — especially since the combination of eating and walking evens out the calories.
The rest of my Saturday was filled with walking the streets and shopping. I had just enough time to go back to the hotel to refresh and have dinner nearby at MOMO, an Asian fusion restaurant. My seafood jungle curry was packed with fresh seafood and had great flavour.
Weekend in Amsterdam Day 2: Museums and Iconic Neighbourhoods
I woke up to rain, which made the perfect day to check out the Rijksmuseum, as it was only a 5-min walk from my hotel.
My tactic of approaching a large museum in any city is to go to the top floor and work my way down. This was my initial approach at the Rijksmuseum. I had purchased an opening hour ticket, and there was no one on the third floor. Empty, except for the security guard who then approached me and recommended that I go to the second floor immediately, before the crowds arrived. I took his advice and managed to get a few photos without the hoards of people. By the time I left the museum around 10:45 am, I was happy to leave the crowds behind.
By then it was time to check out of my museum quarter hotel and head to the beautiful Pillows Maurits at the Park, a 5-star, 2 Michelin key hotel located in the Oosterpark of Amsterdam. The hotel is housed in a former Medical University with some modern updates. Opened in March 2023, it is a luxurious city retreat.
Writers note: The Number Two Tram in Amsterdam has been hailed as one of the most picturesque tram lines in the entire world. And I have to concur. They are easy to use — just make sure you tap out, otherwise you will pay slightly more than you should!
Next stop was Rembrandt’s house, otherwise known as museum Rembrandthuis. After spending the morning at the Rijksmuseum, I was curious to know a little bit more about the artist’s surroundings. What better way than to visit his actual house?
Enroute, I passed by the Hortus Botanticus Amsterdam. I did not have time to go into the garden, yet I had a quick browse around the gift shop and got a tiny peek of the garden.
Beautifully restored, the museum Rembrandthuis gives you an inside look at the famous Dutch painter and his family that lived there. I was impressed to find out that he mentored students, as well as created his own copper plate etching print shop. If it was not for his financial mismanagement, he would not have had to sell his house and belongings. Yet, it was through the estate sale that archivists were able to determine his lifestyle.
After the museum Rembrandthuis, I took to the streets exploring the shopping area of De 9 Straatjes (The Nine Streets). I could not make it to the Miffy Museum, but I stopped by De winkel van nijntje on Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 61. Miffy (Little Bunny in Dutch) was created by Dick Bruna from Utrecht, Netherlands. If you cannot make it to Amsterdam, you can still find shops worldwide.
The day ended with a meal at the Michelin star restaurant, Du Juweiler. Du Juweiler is one of the restaurants from Richard van Oostenbrugge & Thomas Groot collective that includes Restaurant 212, 2 Michelin Stars. I started with 2 Irish Mór oysters and one with oyster emulsion and mignonette granité. I then moved over to a Red gurnard baked on Iberico ham for main — a flavourful meal in an inviting location, with all food services with a retro touch on Royal Albert Old Country Rose china.
Weekend in Amsterdam Day 3: Jordaan, Anne Frank House, and Farewell Cruise
I woke from my restful slumber to hear tennis players getting their workout for the day in the adjacent Oosterpark.
Writers Note: Looking to bring that Pillows Hotel atmosphere home? You can purchase signature bed, bath, and other home products at the Pillows Hotel lifestyle store Fables & Feathers.
I caught the tram outside the hotel off to the Museumplein area to visit the Van Gogh Museum. Travel tip — Book your tickets well in advance. There is a steady lineup for the museum. In addition, if you are in a time crunch, try and visit a few museums in the area if you can handle it.
After the museum, I made my way back to my favourite area, Jordaan area, and met Toon Verplancke, co- owner of BunBun Amsterdam. I picked up a pistachio bun and iced coffee for fuel for later. The bakery that only opened a year ago and has an international cult-like following — for good reason, the buns made out of croissant dough are so decadent.
I did a quick drop off of shopping bags at the hotel and then caught an uber to the Anne Frank House. The Anne Frank Organization has done an excellent job restoring the historic building and keeping Anne’s story alive. Like the Van Gogh Museum, you must book tickets in advance through the official site.
To cap off my 75 hours in Amsterdam, I caught a canal boat cruise with Flagship Amsterdam. Flagship Amsterdam offers several types of Canal cruises, and I chose the one with tasty cocktails. Do not worry if you are heading to Amsterdam in cold or rainy weather. They do have covered boats and umbrellas on hand.
Whether you follow this 75-hour itinerary step-by-step or use it as inspiration, Amsterdam is a city that blends in culture and canals, all with some local charm that cannot be missed.
Loved your 75 hours in Amsterdam? Keep the inspiration going with our extended Amsterdam city break guide.
