Amsterdam Travel: One Day in Amsterdam

In recent years, I've been asked more than a few times what should someone do if they only had one day in Amsterdam? How should one spend 24 hours in Amsterdam? How best can someone see, do and importantly, eat Amsterdam in a day? Is there a single best one-day Amsterdam itinerary for making the most of such a relatively short period of time in a place that has so much to offer? These are really hard questions to answer because there are so many things you can easily day in just one day in the city and feel like you have enjoyed a day to remember, so what activities should you choose to do during your one day in Amsterdam?

Honestly, it really depends on what you want to see, what you like doing, what time you'll be arriving and departing, and to a certain extent what your travel budget is. Because there really is no one universal one-day itinerary for Amsterdam for ALL visitors, but there is an unlimited number of great ways you can enjoy your day. In fact, in this post I've written several different ways you can see Amsterdam in one day depending on what you're most interested in, and I hope you can find some suggestions that suit you!

HERE ARE SOME MORE ARTICLES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP TO AMSTERDAM: 

100+ Free Things to do in Amsterdam * The Ultimate Amsterdam Weekend Bucketlist * Tips for Visiting Amsterdam on a Budget * The Best Hotels in Amsterdam for All Budgets and Tastes * Where to Stay in Amsterdam - A Neighbourhood Guide * Best Photo Locations in Amsterdam * The Best Time to Visit Amsterdam * A Guide to Amsterdam in Summer / Autumn / Winter * Tips for Cycling in Amsterdam * Best Ways to See Amsterdam by Water * Tipping Etiquette in Amsterdam

Things to do in One Day in Amsterdam

With Schiphol being one of Europe's main airport hubs, it's not unusual for travellers to find themselves "stuck" in Amsterdam for just one day as part of a long layover. While I've not had the experience myself because I live in Amsterdam, I would say that this is one of the better airports to have a day's layover in as you can leave it quickly and easily and be in the centre of Amsterdam in less than 20 minutes so you can get exploring in no time - also the return journey should cost you less than €10. You can also take your pick from a number of quick and easy, and fun activities that are easy to find, affordable or free, and well worth the effort of leaving the airport. (You could also do some of these activities on a shorter layover, or check out what my friend Jaillan suggests you do for an alternative layover in Amsterdam.) Another good thing about spending just one day in Amsterdam is that the city is also packed full of great places to eat and drink regardless of what meal you need catering for and I've included a few suggestions in these itineraries for the best ways to spend 24 hours or just under in Amsterdam. So read on and find the Amsterdam in a day itinerary that suits you best and enjoy!

One Day in Amsterdam for Foodies

Ahh food glorious food! Isn't it the best? While not world-renowned for it's national food or foodie scene, I've always thought Amsterdam has a lot to offer those passionate or even only slightly interested in good food. There's a thriving brunch scene so that would be the perfect way to start your day in Amsterdam and my recommendations would be Gs, Bakers & Roasters, Little Collins, Beter en Leuk (for a vegan brunch!) or Dignita Hoftuin (they have a small kids area with toys in case you have to bring little people along with you). I have many, many more vegan restaurant and cafe recommendations in this post.

Most of these locations will take you over towards the Southeast part of town so from there you could go no your own foodie exploration of De Pijp which is home to Amsterdam's (and possibly the country's) most famous daily market, Albert Cuypmarkt. Here you can try Dutch delicacies like poffertjes and stroopwaffel, or if you need something savoury go for the classic pickled herring (June is the best time to try this as that's when the new season begins and it's freshly caught!).

Albert Cuyp is also where you can pick up groceries if you want to do your own cooking, or you can enjoy some international flavours common to Amsterdam like Indonesian food or some Surinamese take-away. At some point while in De Pijp you may want to grab a coffee (or two!) and you should try and do this at Scandinavian Embassy, which in my opinion is home to the best coffee and baristas in the city.

Alternatively, if you have the afternoon in the city, make the most of it with an afternoon tea at one of Amsterdam's best spots for just that. My favourites are Betty Blue, Droog or the Tassenmuseum. If you're arriving just in time for lunch then easily the place you need to go to is De Foodhallen, a converted old tram garage that is now home to several street food outlets and bars and restaurants. It's also a great place to spend an evening.

If you want to get a more structured tour of foods Dutchies like best, then you could book yourself on an Eating Amsterdam tour of the Jordaan area which is also something of a sight-seeing tour as it includes a canal boat ride on one of the city's most famous boats. Either of these activities should take up most of the day and serve as a decent lunch!

If your day in Amsterdam still leaves you with time for dinner, then I strongly recommend you try one of Amsterdam's farm-to-fork restaurants as these are sustainable, unique and have really excellent service (something that you don't take for granted in Amsterdam, believe me!). My favourites of these restaurants are De Kas in Park Frankendael (definitely book in advance, and they're also open for lunch in case you don't have time for dinner!) and Restaurant As in Beatrixpark. 

If you came to Amsterdam to eat AND do some sight-seeing - and I don't blame you because that's my kind of killing two birds with one stone! - there are some great boat tours that combine food with cruising the canal. There's the cheese and wine tasting tour, a cocktail cruise or a pizza cruise (with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks!). Please note that some of these tours are only in the evening so be sure to check you have enough time to do it!

If you want more specific restaurant recommendations, then you must check out the Amsterdam Foodie blog.

One Day in Amsterdam for History Junkies

Amsterdam is a special kind of heaven for history junkies, and I've really not written enough about the places you need to go to learn more about the history of the city, the people and the country as a whole. But let me rectify that a little now with the perfect day spent in Amsterdam for those who love history. Depending on what period of history you're really interested in, there are several museums you should consider heading to.

If you want a general overview of the history of the Netherlands, then you won't regret spending a few hours in the Rijksmuseum, which is laid out almost chronologically so you can take your pick from which era you want to learn more about. I strongly advise you book your ticket in advance so you can skip the queue, so you don't waste any time in queues.

If you're more interested in learning about the city of Amsterdam's history specifically both in terms of its development, people and culture, then head to the Amsterdam Museum. And if you have a strong interest in the history of the Second World War, I can't recommend the Versetzmuseum (the Resistance Museum) enough. It's one of my favourite museums in the whole country both in terms of how it is done, but also because of the stories it tells about the occupation of Amsterdam and the Netherlands during WWII. It's also nearly always quiet in there compared with the crowds you should expect at the more popular museums.

Needless to say, there is also Anne Frank House, which I will never discourage anyone from visiting because it tells such a very important story, however you now MUST buy tickets in advance and online (and can only do so via the museum's website) and even so the museum will be very busy and possibly full of school tour groups etc, so it's not a super relaxing experience in which you can take your time. 

Other museums that are worth considering if you want a history fix are Tropenmuseum where the history and influence of one-time Dutch colonies and other cultures are explored, Van Loon Museum is where you can see what a grand canal mansion house would have looked like when it was first built back in the Dutch golden age, and the Jewish History Museum is one of the best museums in Europe dedicated to documenting Jewish history in a city that suffered huge tragic losses of Jewish life during the Holocaust.

There are also walking tours you can do to get familiar with Amsterdam's history. I found out a lot more than I expected about the historic heart of Amsterdam - the Red Light District - on this private tour, and I hear good things about doing a tour with a former sex worker so you really get a good insight into an important part of its history (and I believe your ticket price will also go to support sex worker activists). And another activity I recommend for those interested in historical architecture is finding out more about Amsterdam School design, either by heading to Het Schip museum or going to the visitors centre near De Pijp.

One Day in Amsterdam for Lovers

Forget Paris, forget Venice, a day in Amsterdam can be brilliantly romantic! Whether you spend it together cycling around the city on a hired tandem (not actually as romantic as it sounds, and a lot more wobbly), or just wondering the streets in search of that famous bench from The Fault in Our Stars (it's at the beginning of Leidsegracht, by the way!). However, if you need a few suggested activities to make your day in Amsterdam as romantic as possible I have a few ideas.

Firstly, why not go for a really yummy brunch on a canal boat, then if you fancy a good laugh while also getting a little hot under your collar head to the Sex Museum, and then cool off with cocktails in an ice bar... or just normal room temperature cocktails in a rooftop bar that will give you incredible views of the city.

If you and your loved one are lucky enough to be in Amsterdam for a day and this includes dinner, I happen to think these are among the most romantic restaurants in Amsterdam: Ambassade Brasserie (book well in advance and ask for canal view!), The Rijks Restaurant is really slick and in a beautiful location for after dinner walks around Museumplein, Restaurant Mamouche is small and intimate and serves the best Moroccan food in the city, and for a location as memorable as the food, try out Restaurant Bak.

One Day in Amsterdam for Families

I've already written this super comprehensive guide to visiting Amsterdam with kids here but hopefully the following will show you that Amsterdam in a day WITH kids is a day very well spent.

Several of the city's restaurants and bars have areas with kids corners or a box of toys that young children can amuse themselves with (STEK in Amsterdam Oost, Dignita Hoftuin near Plantage, and most of the branches of Bagel & Beans are good ones off the top of my head for lunch or breakfast) but there's also a huge selection of kiddy cafes to choose from if you really want to relax and let the kids run wild while grabbing breakfast, brunch or lunch.

My favourites are De Kleine Parade in De Pijp and Melksnor in Oost. There's also the Kinderkook Cafe in Vondelpark though it's recommended if you want your kids to actually take part in the cooking lessons they run there, you should try and book in advance. 

Speaking of parks, if you're lucky to get some good, dry weather, that's definitely where I would head to let kids (of any age!) run off some steam. Nearly all of Amsterdam's parks have playgrounds and it's not unusual to find smaller play areas on street corners or in town squares in residential areas - just keep your eyes open and you'll find one. In the summer, the bigger parks like Vondelpark, Beatrixpark, and Westerpark all have large splash pools for little ones to get wet in, and if your kids are older and are up for a cycle and some adventure you could do a lot worse than hiring bikes and heading out to Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Woods) to either clock up some miles or maybe try kayaking at the water sports centre there. There's also a goat farm there that is really popular with younger kids, and a pancake restaurant if that's what your offspring (or you!) are craving.

If the weather isn't so kind to you, don't worry! Nearly all the bigger museums in Amsterdam welcome children with open arms, reduced ticket prices, and special tours or activity sheets for children of school age and upwards. Tried and tested favourites with kids that I know include NEMO Science Museum, The Maritime Museum, The Rijksmuseum (but definitely get the activity pack or audio tour to keep them interested!), and Van Gogh Museum (and again, you should absolutely book your tickets in advance for the latter).

If you can get organised enough to get online tickets for Anne Frank House (which you may have to do some time in advance) it's a really very interactive museum for kids school age and up with a whole section at the end designed to help children process the story of Anne Frank and her family, and to put into modern-day context, but I would only go if your kids are already read the book or are somewhat familiar with the story.

If you are going to be doing a lot of museums and using public transport a lot with your family you may want to look into getting the 24-hour Iamsterdam City Card to save some money and gain free entry to nearly all museums. They are also offer some discounts on shops and restaurants, I believe. 

One Day in Amsterdam for (Girl)friends

Over the years I've often been asked by friends, friends of friends and strangers what I would recommend for a girlie weekend or a hen/bachelorette party in Amsterdam. Making suggestions comes easily to me and every time I send over that email of fun stuff to do I wonder a) why I haven't written a post summarising all the fun things to do with the girls in Amsterdam, and b) why haven't I organised myself a proper girls' weekend in the city yet? 

If I was going to spend the perfect day in Amsterdam with friends, this is what I'd do. Trusting I'm not pregnant (which won't be the case ever again in a few months - I think!) I would start the day with a boozy brunch with friends. WIth its unrivaled list of bloody marys Gs is an obvious choice for this, but I'm not a huge fan of tomato juice or vodka so I think I'd rather head to Teds in Oud West for a G&T or cocktail with brunch, or I'd maybe check out what Cut Throat is like as I've heard even DJs can make an appearance.

Then, depending on the weather, we'd head for a walk around the 9 Streets to window shop, ending up at the flea market at Noordermarkt (if it's a Saturday or Monday) or failing that at Winkel 43 for Amsterdam's best apple pie, or I'd head to the Tassenmuseum for a fascinating look at the history of bags and purses, and then maybe have an afternoon tea in the lovely cafe there. (If bags weren't my friends' err... bag, then I'd suggest either FOAM or the Stedelijk Museum as alternatives)

If the market at Noordermarkt isn't on and we still want to go rummaging for vintage bargains, I'd try to squeeze in some time at the flea market at Waterlooplein (which is on every day apart from Sundays), or I'd get my vintage fix at a shop like Marbles in De Pijp or Episode in 9 Streets. If you fancy being a bit more active, you should think about hiring bikes, or perhaps most fun of all a pedalo to get around the canals. If that sounds like too much like hard work, then maybe think about hiring your own boat for a few hours, or you can even hire a boat with a skipper (and free drinks!) for a private tour.

If we were lucky enough that our day in Amsterdam extended into night, I"d think about heading to a waterfront spot with atmosphere like Pllek, Hannekes Boom or Edel as these spots are very casual and relaxed but also turn into late night bars for some fun and dancing.

One Day in Amsterdam for Art Lovers

I feel like we've already covered several great places for art lovers (The Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, FOAM, and Van Gogh Museum) but there are also some hidden gems worth knowing about if you're really hoping to indulge your interest in art and not just fall into the same old same old traps others do and will. 

For something a bit quirky and cool, you could head to Electric Ladyland, aka the Museum of Fluorescent Art, or you could go even more niche at De Kattenkabinet which is a museum dedicated to art that only features cats! An alternative to the popular FOAM museum is photography museum Huis Marseille, and of course there are the very well known but not always visited Hermitage Museum and Rembrandthuis which has been recently refurbished.

Although I've not yet been myself, the new(ish) Moco Museum is where you can find an impressive collection of Banksy artwork alongside other contemporary artists. However, for Moco it's worth knowing that this is a private collection and museum so your Iamsterdam City Card or Museumkaart won't work there, although you can buy skip-the-queue tickets in advance to speed up your visit.

Of course, you don't need to go to a museum to appreciate some good art in Amsterdam. You can go gallery hopping around the Spiegelgracht area of Amsterdam, or you can even wander around Vondelpark where you can even see a Picasso sculpture, all completely free. And if street art is more your thing, then you'll definitely want to head to Spui where there's a small but very colourful collection of street art and graffiti.

One Day in Amsterdam for Shoppers

Amsterdam isn't exactly known for its shopping, and I've gone from being a shopaholic to a very committed minimalist and Internet shopper in the last ten years so I'm hardly qualified to call this, but I do think Amsterdam is a great little city for shopping. And if you really want to spend your day in Amsterdam shopping, I will not hold this against you. You can actually easily spend a day in Amsterdam and still see lots of the city, including some off-the-beaten-path areas. 

The main shopping street in Amsterdam is Kalverstraat and it's here that you'll find Dutch and international high street brands... but it's also where you'll find the crowds. Unfortunately, you'll also find crowds in the famous 9 Streets area, but thankfully the shops are a bit more interesting and unique around there if you prefer boutique shopping.

The closest thing Amsterdam has to a city-centre shopping centre (in the city centre) is Magna Plaza (which is worth popping your head inside, especially at Christmas for the impressive Christmas tree) and the citys (and country's!) premier department store, De Bijenkorf (which literally translates as The Beehive) is actually a really nice store and can be found at the end of Kalverstraat, on Dam Square.

For some market action, I like to recommend the daily (except Sundays) flea market at Waterlooplein, but if you're more led by our belly than your bargain-sniffing nose, then head to Albert Cuypmarkt, Dappermarkt or Kinkermarkt. If you time your visit right, you could spend your day in Amsterdam at Europe's largest flea market over on Amsterdam Noord, but to be honest, I found my visit there a little underwhelming - it's a lot more of a jumble sale than a great rummaging opportunity!

I think that's given you enough ideas for places to spend some cash - or to just go window shopping - but there are other great shops in my local neighbourhood of De Pijp and I've listed some of them in this guide here.

One Day in Amsterdam for Tourists

If this is your first visit to Amsterdam and you basically want to embrace everything cheesy or predictable or touristy about Amsterdam, of course I've got a one-day itinerary for you too! 

There are obviously more touristy things you can do in Amsterdam than there are hours in the day, but that shouldn't stop you trying to do as many of them as you can. 

Aside from some of the most famous landmarks and museums I've already mentioned in the one day plans above, there's the ever-popular Heineken Experience. Definitely get your tickets in advance so you don't waste time queuing and because your ticket will include at least one free drink, be sure to time your visit in line with when you want to be having a beer!

Needless to say a canal cruise is a fairly obvious and touristy thing to do in Amsterdam, but that shouldn't mean you don't do it, as they can be a very informative and very quick and easy way to see as much of the city as you can. There are lots of tours to choose from, but again, booking in advance will help speed up the process and avoid waiting times.

While tulips in Amsterdam are best seen in spring (aside from January's National Tulip Day), you can still get your Tulips in Amsterdam fix by heading to the Tulip Museum, which is handily close to Anne Frank House in case you wanted to plan a visit to both. You can also get hop-on, hop-off canal tour boats that stop close to these.

If your desired touristy activity is enjoying Amsterdam's liberal cannabis laws then go ahead, and definitely check out this list of the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam, but of course be mindful of what you consume, especially if you have a flight to catch later. I can't personally recommend any coffee shops as I've never been into this part of Amsterdam's culture, but to gain maximum tourist points you could head to one of the Bulldog locations as this company was among the first to open a coffee shop in Amsterdam's red light district. If you want to find out more about the cannabis culture in Amsterdam without partaking, head to on a cannabis-themed walking tour.

And finally, for another touristy thing to do in Amsterdam that actually is worth doing (at least for a good laugh!) you could go to the Dutch Costume Museum to learn about why the Dutch wear clogs, among other things, and to get your photo taken all dressed up in the national dress - I don't think you can get more touristy than that!

One Day in Amsterdam for Book Lovers

I suppose in many ways this is another prelude for a bigger, longer blog post I'll write all about Amsterdam for book lovers and fans of literature but hopefully this will keep your bibliophile's happy for a fab, bookish day in Amsterdam, especially if you also check out this list of the best books set in or about Amsterdam.

With the Dutch being the biggest consumers of English books by non-native speakers (it was explained to me that they don't like to wait for the translated version and their English is good enough so...) there are many places to buy English books and some of these places happen to be beautiful bookshops you can spend hours in - a very real and potential danger if all you have in Amsterdam is one measly day. However, I'm throwing caution to the wind and sharing these places with you.

My personal favourite is the American Book Center (ABC) on Spui, which has three (maybe four, I forget!) floors of literature and books in the English language ranging from coffee table tomes and magazines to kids books to best-selling fiction and non-fiction. Everyone who works there is LOVELY and really helpful so this is a great place to go if you are seeking a recommendation or just want to know what's popular in Amsterdam. There's also a small section of books about Amsterdam and the Netherlands, of course!

There are also a few book markets you need to know about (and hopefully time your visit with!). On Fridays, just outside the ABC on Spui there is a book (and maps!) market with some very special antique books as well as boxes of good second hand books you can rummage through.

There is also an almost hidden daily book market in a tiny alleyway close to some of the University of Amsterdam's buildings in the Red Light District. Stretching between Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Kloveniersburgwal, you'll find the equally-impossible to pronounce Oudemanhuispoort where rickety wooden stalls are set up along the alley's walls.

I feel it's also necessary to give a shout out to the book shops in Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum (which you can actually visit without paying admission) as they are really good too. And then there is also a visit to the Rijksmuseum Library which is a pretty memorable experience with its walls lined in books from the last few centuries.

And if you still have time leftover, or your love for libraries runs so deep that you just want to bypass everything else for the main central library in Amsterdam - the OBA, a short walk from Centraal Station - then that wouldn't be the worst thing you can do. They have foreign language books in both the vast children's area and in non-fiction and fiction, and the view from the 7th floor cafe is pretty special too!

One Day in Amsterdam for Animal Lovers

It was recently - and quite rightly - brought to my attention that people travel around with their pets these days, and that's why I was delighted when fellow blogger Kay wrote this guide to visiting Amsterdam with a dog so dog-owners could find out the best places to take their pet dogs when in Amsterdam. So I highly recommend checking this out if you are going to spend your day in Amsterdam with a four-legged friend.

If you're not coming with an animal but still would like to make your visit a bit animal-themed, that is also possible! In addition to the aforementioned De Kattenkabinet, you can head to the Poezenboot, a rescue sanctuary for cats in a houseboat. It's free to visit but of course donations are welcome. And if that isn't enough feline fun, then go grab a coffee or lunch at Kattencafe Kopjes, yes, Amsterdam's very own cat cafe!

Of course, many people will disagree with me recommending this but Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam is one of the best city centre zoos in the world and is home to some beautiful and rare animals. If this isn't your cup of tea, which I fully understand - I'm not sure it's mine to be honest, then you should maybe seek out one of Amsterdam's many petting farms that are really popular with young children. Our son loves the goat farm in Amsterdamse Bos, and also the petting farms in Westerpark or Amstelpark which are home to chickens, goats, donkeys and pigs among other animals.

One Day in Amsterdam for Those Wanting to Avoid the Crowds

If you're arriving in Amsterdam for just 24 hours or under and really want to do all you can to avoid the crowds, worry not! It's absolutely possible (and possibly a great idea, especially in the peak tourist season of summer). Firstly, do what you can to get outside of the main ring canals (the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht) as this is where the majority of tourists stay. Head out and get exploring a neighbourhood of your choice.

Don't worry about this little journey taking up time (or you may even be able to head straight to an outer neighbourhood station like Amstel, Amsterdam Zuid or Sloterdijk) as Amsterdam public transport is quick and efficient (most days!) and you have to remember that Amsterdam is a small city so even walking from Central Station to a neighbourhood like De Pijp, Amsterdam Oost or Amsterdam Oud West will take you less than half an hour.

One area that will definitely be quieter - and it's really easy to access from Central Station as you can hop on the free boat from the back of the station - is Amsterdam Noord. The area is undergoing huge development at the moment and places like the EYE Film Museum and A'Dam Tower are making it more popular with locals and visitors alike, however generally speaking it won't be anywhere near as busy as the Red Light District or main ring canals.

Once over on the other side of the IJ you can have a wander around the industrial-hipster haven NDSM Werf (stopping for lunch or a drink at Pllek) or you can bring bikes and go for a long bike ride along the coast to the village of Durgerdam, where I can promise there will be very few other tourists.

If you choose to explore De Pijp, Amsterdam Oost, or Amsterdam Oud West, I highly recommend just wandering around and seeing what lovely cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and parks you stumble upon. Though if you want more guidance I recommend checking out my guide to De Pijp, Wild Junket's guide to Oud West, and this blog page for things to do in Amsterdam Oost.

One Day in Amsterdam for Budget Travellers

If you're a budget traveller coming to Amsterdam, you should stop and head over to this guide to visiting Amsterdam on a budget for all my money saving tips. Now come back here to find out super easy and free ways to spend a day in Amsterdam on a budget, then you basically need to take your pick of two or three (or four or five if you can walk quickly!) of the things on this list of free things to do in Amsterdam.

However, not all budget travellers only want to do free stuff, some of them want to enjoy things that you have to pay for but they ultimately want to get their money's worth. With this in mind, I would suggest that whichever paid-for activity you wish to do, you either book tickets to it in advance (i.e. a skip the line museum ticket, or a canal cruise) or you think about investing in a 24 hour iamsterdam City Card which will give you free use of public transport, free access to most museums (and discounts on many of the others) and you can also get discounts in a number of shops.

Of course, you can easily just walk around Amsterdam as it's such a small and flat city, so maybe weigh up if this is really worth the spend (though to be honest if you plan on squeezing at least two museums into your day in Amsterdam it already is worth it) but it's a great way to save money when you want to be really active and make the most of your time.

In terms of eating in Amsterdam on a budget, this is very possible and not something that has to mean compromising on quality. My favourite places for cheap, tasty eats include Soup en Zo (for yummy soups and salads, and there's one very close to Museumplein), the chain store Bagel & Beans for a cheap and cheerful lunch (though watch out for the alternative protein menu that features worms and maggots!), and SLA for not exactly bargainous salads (expect to pay around 10 Euros for a huge salad) but certainly value for money and lots of healthy choices, and again they have a number of shops across the city.

One affordable lunch or evening meal that will fill you up until long in the next day is a Rijsttaffel, or rice table. This Indonesian feast is a selection of Indonesian curries and dishes, served with rice hence the name, along side other side dishes.

You can normally choose from a meat, fish or vegetarian rice table (or combination) and it's my experience that the most delicious ones are those served in very basic looking restaurants in not too obvious locations, for example Desa on Ceintuurbaan in De Pijp is my favourite and excellent value for money. The same goes for getting Surinamese take-away; expect big portions, yummy and possibly new-to-you flavours, and great value for what you pay.

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So there you have it, my many suggestions for ways to spend just one day in Amsterdam. But please do tell me if I've missed something as I'd love to know what you think is the ideal one-day itinerary for Amsterdam....

Here are some other articles you may like to read if you're planning a trip to Amsterdam:

When is the Best Time to Visit Amsterdam?

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