10 Best Amsterdam Tours and Day Trips

Looking for some awesome tours and day trips in Amsterdam? I’ve got you covered!

Amsterdam is a beautiful city full of scenic canals, famous museums, delicious restaurants, and a rich history. With so much to explore here, I can’t help but keep coming back for more!

It would be impossible to see and do everything that Amsterdam has to offer in one trip, which is why I want to make sure you are only putting the top experiences on your to-do list. I’ve narrowed down the absolute best tours and day trips below, which are guaranteed to make your trip amazing, so let’s get to it!

Best Tours and Day Trips in Amsterdam

1. Explore Amsterdam on a bike tour

Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the entire world, so it’s no surprise that the best way to see the city is on this guided bike tour! 

I love doing city tours whenever we arrive at a new destination. It’s a great way to get to know the city better and orient yourself before heading off on your own, and that’s exactly what this tour did!

Over the course of 3 hours, my group biked along the canals and bridges, visiting Amsterdam’s greatest highlights, including the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, and Prinseneiland. We also visited some hidden gems such as Begijnhof, which is a secret village right in the center of the city!

Biking around the city allowed us to cover much more ground than if we had been on a walking tour. We explored so much of the city and learned so much during this tour that I felt like I’d already been there for days by the time we were done! 

There are two departure times to choose from throughout the day, and at only 3 hours long, it’s easy to fit into any itinerary. I think there’s no better way to orient yourself with Amsterdam than by bike (just look at the THOUSANDS of 5-star reviews!)

2. Go on a canal cruise

If you’re going to do a canal cruise in Amsterdam, make it this one! After trying it myself, I can honestly say it’s one of my favorite ways to experience the city. Seeing Amsterdam from the water gives you a completely different perspective, and this all-inclusive canal cruise makes the experience feel even more special.

What really sets this tour apart is the intimate atmosphere. Captain Lon was incredibly knowledgeable and kept the conversation flowing throughout the 90-minute cruise with stories, local insights, and fun facts about Amsterdam.

I learned that the city’s houses actually lean forward on purpose, that locals rarely close their curtains, and that an astonishing 18,000 bikes are pulled from the canals every year! Honestly, I could keep going, but I’ll leave a few surprises for you to discover on the cruise yourself.

Another thing I loved was that the smaller boat could slip into canals that the larger cruises can’t access, giving us a glimpse of quieter corners of Amsterdam that many visitors never get to see. With wine, beer, soft drinks, Dutch snacks, and cozy blankets all included, it felt less like a sightseeing tour and more like spending an evening on the water with friends (there’s a reason it has over 17,000 5-star reviews!)

One quick tip: there isn’t a bathroom onboard, so be sure to go before departure!

3. Visit the Van Gogh Museum with a guide

Amsterdam is home to many world-renowned museums. In fact, it has over 70 museums and art galleries. My favorite is the Van Gogh Museum, which has the biggest Van Gogh art collection in the world!

When I went, I took this private VIP access tour and was so happy that I did! It allowed me to skip the enormous line and enter exactly at the time indicated on my ticket. There is so much exploring to be done in Amsterdam, and I didn’t want to waste any time standing in line!

Once inside, my small group of 8 people was led around the museum by our knowledgeable guide. We studied Van Gogh’s most popular and lesser-known works of art from different eras and learned a lot about his life along the way. I’m not a super artsy person, but I still found the tour to be very interesting, and I have a new appreciation for artists and their work.

What was neat was that we also got to see artwork from Gauguin and Monet, who we learned were big influences on Van Gogh’s unique style. The guided tour lasted around 2.5 hours, and after that, I spent time wandering around on my own and went back to admire my favorite pieces some more.

You can choose to do this experience as part of a small group, as I did, or pay a bit extra to get a private experience. Whichever option you choose, make sure you book in advance, as this is a super popular activity that books up quickly. If you don’t believe me, just look at the 1,700+ 5-star reviews!

4. Explore the Dutch Countryside on a Guided Tour

If you want to learn more about Dutch history and experience its unique culture, you must go on this full-day tour of Holland’s countryside!

This guided tour takes you out of the city to visit some of the smaller rural towns that surround Amsterdam. Over the course of 6.5 hours, you will visit Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken, which all boast a unique charm and have something different to discover. 

Zaanse Schans is an area full of historic windmills. I don’t know about you, but whenever I pictured the Netherlands countryside, I always thought of rolling green pastures and windmills, and that is exactly what Zaanse Schans looked like – it was stunning!

My favorite part was when we visited a local cheese producer near Volendam. We got to sample some delicious Gouda and Edam cheese before doing a clog workshop where we got to see how these traditional wooden shoes are made. I tried them on, and they are actually comfier than they look!

The tour also visits a quaint 17th-century fishing village and ends with the option to go on a cruise through the Amsterdam canals. Just note that it’s an audioguided canal cruise with nothing included – so it’s a good option if you don’t have much time and aren’t planning to do one of the other all-inclusive canal cruises.

We love how affordable this tour is at only €35 per person. It is very popular with over 5,000 great reviews (see them all here!), so make sure you book in advance before it sells out!

5. Learn About Anne Frank On A Walking Tour through the Jewish Quarter

I love to travel to experience new things, but I also think it’s important to learn about the history of the places I visit. That’s why I think this 2-hour tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Cultural District should be at the top of everyone’s to-do list!

During this guided walking tour, you will learn all about Amsterdam’s dark history during WWII when it was under Nazi control. The guide will bring you to some very important landmarks such as the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Auschwitz Monument.

I also learned the tragic story of Anne Frank. For those who don’t know, Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who kept a detailed diary during her time hiding from Nazi persecution. This diary was published into a book and is known as one of the most powerful memoirs of the Holocaust. Walking in her footsteps and hearing her story definitely left a lasting impact on me. 

This tour is one of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam, and after going on it, I can definitely see why. It’s important to note that this tour doesn’t include entrance to the Jewish Museum, Portuguese Synagogue, or Anne Frank House. We recommend planning to visit these places on your own time after the tour if you wish to learn more about this time in history. 

6. Eat your way around the city on a food tour

If you enjoy trying new local dishes when you travel, this food tour is for you!

Amsterdam is truly a foodie’s dream, and this 3-hour tour will bring you to all of the best spots to try a variety of delicious dishes. You will explore the trendy Jordaan District, which is known as the gastronomic hub of the city. It is filled with so many restaurants (the options are a bit overwhelming), so I was very glad I was visiting with an expert guide who knew exactly where to go for the best meals!

I appreciated that this was a small-group tour with a maximum of only 12 people. This made the experience feel more personalized, and it was great getting to know other like-minded travelers. I had a lot of fun while we sampled a variety of amazing foods from gouda cheese to Dutch bitterballen (bite-size beef and gravy croquettes).

And for you gin lovers out there, make sure you try the jenever. It’s a delicious juniper-flavored liquor that is also known as “Dutch Gin”. I drank it for the rest of my trip!

This tour includes all of your food and drinks, and with thousands of 5-star reviews, you’re guaranteed to have a great time!

7. Take an exclusive tour of the Rijksmuseum

As I already mentioned, Amsterdam’s museum scene is no joke. You could spend weeks going to a different museum every day! But realistically, no one has time for that, so instead I recommend at least going on a guided tour of the Rijksmuseum.

This famous museum is known as “the Netherlands Louvre”. It is the national museum of the Netherlands with over 8,000 pieces of art. It’s a massive place, which is why visiting with a guide is so important. 

Our guide made sure we saw some famous pieces from artists such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. We also saw some lesser-known artwork, which was equally amazing. The best part was learning from our guide how each masterpiece specifically related to Dutch culture and history.

I came away from the experience with much more knowledge and appreciation of Holland’s people and history. And I think the 470+ people who left 5-star reviews would agree with me!

The best part is that this tour includes skip-the-line entrance, meaning you get to bypass the extremely long queue of people waiting to get in! There’s also the option to upgrade to a private tour for an even more personalized and special experience. 

8. Take a day trip to The Hague, Delft, and Rotterdam

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit, but sometimes it can be nice to escape the big city for a while and explore some other places. This full-day tour to The Hague, Delft, and Rotterdam does exactly that!

The tour picks you up from your Amsterdam hotel and whisks you away for a day full of sightseeing. You will make 14 different stops at some of the country’s top highlights, including Markthal, Delft Market, and Binnenhof & Ridderzaal (a 13th-century Gothic castle!).

What’s really neat is that you can choose between 2 of the stops on the tour. You can choose to go to the Royal Delft Blue Pottery Factory, which is the only factory that still has the iconic Delft Blue earthenware. Or you can head to Madurodam, which is a miniature ‘city’ made up of to-scale replicas of famous Dutch landmarks and cities. 

I went to Madurodam and thought it was very neat. I felt like a giant walking through the miniature city!

9. Go on a Red Light District tour

Ever wondered what really goes on in Amsterdam’s legendary Red Light District? This evening tour is sure to answer all of your questions! 

Once the sun goes down, you will be led through the district by a local who has all of the insider knowledge. You will explore the area in a safe and respectful way while visiting some famous and hidden off-the-beaten-path spots. 

Walking around with a guide is hands-down the best way to see this area. I learned so many interesting facts, and they told many great stories (don’t worry, I won’t spoil any of it for you). I also saw things I never would have on my own, such as the “Sexy Loo”.

This tour is for open-minded adults only, as it visits bars, coffee shops, and even stops at an optional peep show. 

The tour runs daily at select times in the evening and has the option to upgrade to a private tour, which is a great option if you have a group of up to 6 people. 

10. Countryside bike tour from Amsterdam

Amsterdam is all about the bikes! So do as the Dutch do, and get on a bike to explore the countryside on this fun half-day tour.

Led by a local guide, you’ll head towards the peaceful countryside where views of farmland, windmills, canals, and historic farmhouses await. You may even see some local wildlife as well!

There are two different options for this tour: a short ride on a regular bicycle or a longer ride on an e-bike. The short ride covers 14 miles (23 kilometers) in total, but don’t worry, the Netherlands is the flattest country in Europe, so there aren’t many hills. The scenic route passes by some medieval villages, and you will get the opportunity to taste some fresh farm cheese.

The longer ride is the one I did, and I highly recommend it! The route is 23 miles (37 kilometers) long, but you will have an electric bike to help you out! The e-bikes go faster, meaning you can cover more ground and do more in the same amount of time as the short tour. 

In fact, the long tour includes a visit to a local cheese farm and a wooden clog-making workshop – which you don’t get to do on the shorter tour. 

But whichever tour you decide on, you are guaranteed to have a good time (just look at the 1,400+ 5-star reviews here). Make sure you book in advance, though, because this popular tour books up quickly! 

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

As you start looking at accommodation in Amsterdam, you’ll quickly notice one thing: they aren’t cheap! If you’re looking for luxury, this is your city. If you’re more of a budget traveler, you’re not completely out of luck, but be prepared to spend more than usual!

Here are my top three recommendations for where to stay in Amsterdam. 

Luxury – $$$

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is my top pick for a luxury stay! The Dutch/French design adds to the upscale amenities Sofitel brings. Each room has a rain shower, and luxury suites come with a butler. There is a fine dining restaurant on site, a classy bar, a spa with all the fixings, and a garden and terrace!

This hotel is centrally located and within walking distance of Amsterdam’s top sights. Rooms range from €415 to €2,000+, depending on the level of luxury you choose. Book this stay on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

Fulfill your dreams of living like the rich and famous when you stay at the Banks Mansion! This all-inclusive boutique hotel offers Nespresso machines in each room, and you can choose from a pillow menu for optimal comfort. If that isn’t enough, enjoy the chef-prepared breakfast or afternoon cheese board!

You may never leave this hotel. Rooms range from €205 to €475 and can be booked on Booking.com.

Budget – $

The Times Hotel is a fantastic budget-friendly option right along one of Amsterdam’s picturesque canals. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and while they’re not overly fancy, the unbeatable location more than makes up for it. You’ll be within walking distance of top attractions like the Anne Frank House, Dam Square, and the Jordaan district, with plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby.

If you want to stay in the heart of the city without breaking the bank, this is a great pick! Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.

For more options, browse all of Amsterdam’s hotel options here!

Related Read: Still not sure where to stay? Have a look at our detailed Where to Stay in Amsterdam guide, which breaks down all of the best areas and hotels!

Thanks for reading!

Amsterdam is a remarkable city, and I can’t wait for you to explore! There are tons of tours and day trips to fill your itinerary, but these top 10 are sure to show you the best that Amsterdam has to offer. I am already eager to get back, and who knows, maybe I’ll see you on a tour!

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