Amsterdam Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days Exploring the City

Arrival

Check-in to your hotel. We came in from a neighboring city via train at Central Station. Once you get through the chaos of the station and out into the open air, you'll feel the buzz of the city and you'll immediately understand why it has such a good reputation. Grab an Uber and head to your hotel. I recommend staying in Jordaan, just outside the city's touristy areas but within reach to feel it's liveliness.

Walk the canals

Get the lay of the land on your way to dinner. The best way to feel situated and know what's close by. I save places in my maps under "guides" so I always understand what's close or in proximity to my hotel. Bring a light sweater, it will likely cool down on your walk back from dinner. Take your time walking around and grab a coffee - beware that "coffeeshops"don't sell coffee!

Grab dinner like a local

Stop into a place that looks tiny and crowded or on a random corner of your walk. I suggest Venus and Adonis or Balthazar's Keuken. Almost every place we went to had oysters - get them! On your walk home, grab some ice cream at IJscuypje, everyone walking past us had a cone, and now we understand why! Then head back to the hotel and relax.

Grab breakfast

You're well rested, now we explore. Take a walk to a breakfast spot and fuel up for your day. For something quick but delicious, grab a coffee and pastry at Loof. Highly suggest trying both a cookie and a croissant. I went back for seconds. Take a seat outside and enjoy the weather. I think day two will be your favorite!

Boat tour

To see the most of Amsterdam while saving your feet, you're going to need to get on a boat. For a chic, fun and intimate experience, book with Pure Boats. We had about 16 people on the boat, and it included wine, beer, sodas and light snacks (cheese, crackers, etc.). Our tour guide was friendly and informative, and then just let us chat among our selves for the last hour. The boat was recently restored and was so comfortable, with great music playing in the background and perfect weather, this will likely be your favorite part of the whole trip.

Albert Cuyp Market

Have an Uber drop you off, so you can save your steps for the market. It has been around since 1905 and has a variety of vendors to shop from. Rudi's Original Stroopwafels food truck is here too, baking fresh stroopwafels daily. If there is a line, wait it in, i promise you won't regret it! Just a block outside the market is Beadazzled, where you can get everything you need to create your own charm necklace. Once you're done, head back to your hotel, and get ready for your night out in Amsterdam!

Grab some dinner

Walk to dinner. After your second stroopwafel (I know you got another), enjoy the slow walk to dinner. Don't worry too much about reservations, unless the place you want to eat at is incredibly important to you. We didn't make any and still got to eat everywhere we wanted to. I suggest Cafe Binnenvisser, Breda or Le Forel. Note: most kitchens close around 4:30 pm/5 pm to get ready for their dinner service.

Enjoy a scoop of gelato

There will likely be a line at either Massimo Gelato or Muiz, and locals will argue over which is better. Go to both and decide for yourself.

Visit the Red Light District

If this is something that interests you, you've got to do a quick walk through. The infamous and cheeky streets are neon-lined and filled with a bold and playful energy you won't find anywhere else. The area is lively and filled with curious tourists and late-night shenanigans, but reminds of why Amsterdam is so special — a city that embraces and celebrates its unique and unapologetic character.

Grab breakfast

You guessed it, we're walking to breakfast. Bakkerij Wolf has everything you could want. If you want to step outside the box, grab a sandwich at Chun.

Go to the Anne Frank House

Amsterdam's rich history is filled with profound glimpses into the past. The Anne Frank House is an extension of that and gives you the ability to look at the life of a brave girl who captured our hearts during her hardest moments.

Enjoy a refreshing lunch

Okay, I lied, you need to make one reservation at De Kas, a Michelin-recognized restaurant specializing in a vegetable-forward menu with 80 percent of the ingredients coming from the farm in front of you and just outside of Amsterdam. From beginning to end, this experience will knock you away, and since you're going for lunch, you'll be able to enjoy the patio and watch as the chefs pick the freshest items for your dishes. Eating inside the greenhouse is just as beautiful if the weather isn't great. For such a great meal, it's not as expensive as you would think! (We spent a little over $80/person for the whole meal, including some wine and coffee).