Suggested ultimate Amsterdam itinerary 3 days

Is 3 days 2 nights in Amsterdam “enough”? If you are planning a 3-day, 2-night trip to Amsterdam, this will be the perfect itinerary for independent travelers! Now, let’s check out our suggested ultimate Amsterdam itinerary 3 days (3 days in Amsterdam itinerary) on how to spend 3 days in Amsterdam perfectly!

Amsterdam – where ancient canals intertwine like a maze, there are more bicycles than cars and the atmosphere always exudes a spirit of freedom and openness. This city is often a “popular” stopover for tourists on their journey to explore Europe, especially if you are visiting from Paris, Brussels or Berlin.

If you are planning a 3-day, 2-night trip to Amsterdam, this is the suggested itinerary for you: what to eat to get the real Dutch feel, where to go to see both modern and traditional Amsterdam, how to travel economically, and most importantly – how much is a reasonable cost. Not a package tour from Singapore or Thailand, this article is for those who want to stop for a while in Amsterdam.

Day 1: Art, History and the Old Canals (#Amsterdam itinerary 3 days)

Start your first day at Museumplein – Amsterdam’s most famous museum square. Here, you can choose to visit the Rijksmuseum (about €20) to admire the art of the Dutch Golden Age, or the Van Gogh Museum (about €22) to feel the colorful inner world of the famous artist. Remember to book tickets online to avoid long lines!

Have lunch in the De Pijp area – where you can try traditional herring (about €4–6) or Dutch apple pie at canalside cafes. In the afternoon, visit the Anne Frank House (about €14) – a touching historical site, and then leisurely stroll through the Jordaan with its alleys, bakeries, vintage shops and very “local” atmosphere.

End the day with a sunset canal cruise (ticket from €20–30 depending on the type of food or drink included). This is an indispensable experience if you want to feel the fairy-tale beauty of Amsterdam from the water.

• The attractions (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Jordaan area…) are all located in the central area, the most convenient is walking or cycling.
• Arrange to visit the museums in the morning – walk around the streets in the afternoon – canal cruise in the evening is extremely reasonable to avoid being overloaded in a time frame.
• Small suggestion: you can buy I Amsterdam City Card if you want to visit many museums + use public transport during the day.

Day 2: Visit the Dutch Countryside – Windmills, Cheese and Tulips

The second day is when you should spend time exploring the traditional Dutch features in the suburbs of Amsterdam. If you go in the spring (March–May), don’t miss Keukenhof – the largest flower garden in Europe. The entrance fee is around €19, with a bus from central Amsterdam around €35 ​​(combo can be booked in advance on Klook).

Not in the right season? No problem, choose a half-day tour to Zaanse Schans – a village famous for its windmills, wooden clog workshops and cheese factories. The guided tour costs around €50–60, including round-trip transportation. In addition to sightseeing and taking virtual photos, you can also taste Gouda cheese, learn how to make wooden clogs and learn about the traditional production process.

In the evening, you can choose to have dinner in Volendam – a coastal town famous for its fresh seafood restaurants and ancient space. A meal here is around €20–30/person.

• Spending a day in the suburbs is a smart way. Combining Zaanse Schans or Keukenhof + Volendam is an extremely popular and easy choice.
• These tours usually depart from the center of Amsterdam at 8am–9am, with shuttle buses → no need to worry about finding your own transportation.
• If you go to Keukenhof during the flower season, the combo bus is more convenient than going alone.

Day 3: Free to Explore & Enjoy Your Own Way

On your last morning in Amsterdam, take a leisurely bike ride around the old town (bike rental from €10/day), visit the Bloemenmarkt flower market to see colorful tulip bouquets and buy some souvenirs such as cheese, mini wooden clogs or windmill magnets.

If you love the strange, try the Amsterdam Dungeon Museum – which recreates the city’s dark history with vivid theatrical effects (ticket around €24). Or spend time exploring the Red Light District during the day – when the area is still calm and suitable for understanding Amsterdam culture from an objective perspective.

In the evening, end the journey with a romantic dinner on an Amsterdam canal cruise with food (tickets from €40–60 depending on the menu), or if you like something unique, visit Xtracold Ice Bar – where everything is made of ice and you are served cocktails in -10 degrees Celsius glasses (tickets from €26 with 3 drinks).

• You can follow the morning route as follows: Bloemenmarkt → cycling along the canal → Albert Cuyp Market → stop by the restaurant for lunch → return to the hotel to rest/clean up → in the afternoon visit a unique museum like NEMO or do some light shopping.
• If you choose to go to the Red Light District, you should add instructions on which walking route is beautiful and convenient (from Dam Square down to Warmoesstraat and then around Oudekerksplein is beautiful and safe).

Amsterdam Travel Cost Table 3 Days 2 Nights (Reference)

Category	Estimated cost (USD)
Round trip airfare (from European country to Amsterdam)	$105.28 - $263.21
2 nights hotel (3 stars, central area)	$157.93 - $263.21
Rijksmuseum entrance tickets	$21.06
Van Gogh Museum Tickets	$23.16
Anne Frank House Tickets	$14.74
Sunset Canal Tour (with soft drinks)	$26.32 - $31.59
Zaanse Schans Tour (windmills, cheese, wooden clogs)	$52.64 - $63.17
Keukenhof tickets (if going during flower season)	$36.85
Eat for 3 days (average 3 meals/day)	$94.76 - $126.34
City travel (GVB ticket or bike rental)	$15.79 - $31.59
Canal cruise with dinner (depending on menu and service)	$42.11 - $63.17
Xtracold Ice Bar Amsterdam Admission Ticket (includes 3 drinks)	$27.37

Estimated total cost: About $586.28 – $898.97/person (excluding shopping & other personal expenses)

Note: The cost is for reference only and may vary depending on the travel season, type of accommodation and personal spending habits.

Useful Tips When Traveling to Amsterdam 3 Days 2 Nights

• Book tickets online as early as possible: Some attractions such as the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum or the evening cruise are often sold out weeks in advance – especially in spring and summer (April – August). Fast entrance, no queues = more complete experience!
• Choose a bike or GVB day ticket to travel: Amsterdam is compact and friendly to cyclists. If you are not confident in driving, you can choose the tram or bus – buying a GVB day ticket (about €8/day) is the most economical.
• Bring an international payment card (Visa/Mastercard): Many shops and restaurants in the Netherlands do not accept cash, including some automatic ticket machines. Having a card will help you feel secure when traveling around the city.
• The weather is “sunny in the morning and rainy in the afternoon” so prepare lightly: A thin windproof jacket, a small folding umbrella and comfortable shoes will be the ideal combo. Don’t let sudden rain slow down your schedule!

Although only 3 days 2 nights, Amsterdam will leave you with unforgettable memories with its ancient canals, rich culture and liberal spirit. This itinerary is a perfect suggestion if you are visiting the Netherlands on your European journey – and who knows, next time you will come back for an even longer trip!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Amsterdam you can refer to

• Private Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) Transfers for Amsterdam
• Keukenhof Skip-the-Line Ticket and Direct Transport from Amsterdam
• Keukenhof Gardens Fast Track Entry Ticket with Round Trip Bus Transfers from Amsterdam
• Brussels Day Tour from Amsterdam
• Amsterdam Guided Half Day Tour
• Small Group Full Day Tour to Giethoorn from Amsterdam
• Bruges Day Trip From Amsterdam
• Volendam, Edam & Zaanse Schans Windmill Village Day Tour from Amsterdam
• Giethoorn and Enclosing Dike Day Tour
• Amsterdam City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Boat Pass
• The Rijksmuseum Skip-the-Line Ticket and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass in Amsterdam
• Red Light Secrets Museum and Hop-on Hop-off Bus Pass in Amsterdam
• Amsterdam Public Transport 1-7 Day Ticket
• I amsterdam City Card
• Zaanse Schans Tour with Cheese Tasting Tour from Amsterdam
• Volendam, Marken & Windmills of Zaanse Schans Tour from Amsterdam
• Van Gogh Museum Ticket

Are you looking for more Amsterdam travel guide and top things to do in Amsterdam: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here. And the Netherlands guide here.