Amsterdam, or the Venice of the North, is now one of my favorite cities in Europe. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did, but it was impossible not to fall in love with its canals, pretty houses, delicious food, and friendly locals. I think everyone should solo travel to Amsterdam at least once in their lifetime. It’s such a great city for a solo adventure! This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
What should I visit in Amsterdam as a solo traveler?
Stroll by the canals
One of the best ways to start your trip to Amsterdam is to take a walk along its gorgeous canals. You’ll get a feeling for the city and you can take the mandatory picture by a canal, ideally with a colorful bike as well.
Be careful when crossing the street in Amsterdam as there are a lot of bikers, and they tend to not stop to let pedestrians cross. Some larger streets also have car and tram traffic, so make sure to always look both ways when crossing the street.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House is where Anne hid with her family and a few other people during World War II when the Nazis occupied the Netherlands. It’s very touching to see the place where they hid to fight for their lives. And to think this happened less than 100 years ago… History for sure has its dark times.
Anne Frank’s House is the third most visited museum in Amsterdam after the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Tickets tend to sell out quickly, so make sure to book them a few weeks ahead of your trip.
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum is one of the most well-known museums in the world. You can see works of art by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. It’s a large museum and it can get pretty packed, especially the rooms with well-known paintings.
I don’t get as much joy visiting these types of museums compared to modern art exhibits, but I will still visit once to see these masterpieces in real life.
If you have the iAmsterdam city card entrance is free, but you still need to book a time slot in advance of your visit.
Moco Museum
This is one of my all-time favorite museums. It’s an independent museum of modern and contemporary art and it has exhibits by Banksy, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and others. My favorite part of the museum was the immersive digital art exhibit. It’s spread across multiple rooms and it combines lights, mirrors and videos.
I am not a huge fan of traditional museums, but I love immersive digital art exhibits and street art. Moco was such a great spot for this! If you like modern art, I guarantee you that you will love this museum.
The museum is quite small, so you should buy tickets in advance to make sure you can go in. If you have the iAmsterdam city card entrance is free, but you still need to book a time slot in advance of your visit.
Van Gogh Museum
As the name suggests, this is a museum dedicated to Van Gogh works of art. You can see his Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, The Bedroom, and Self-Portraits here. I skipped this one when I visited Amsterdam, but if you like his art, you should definitely check it out.
Canal cruise
A canal cruise is a great way to see Amsterdam, especially if it’s your first time in the capital of The Netherlands. You will cruise on the water for 75 minutes and see many of its canals, houses, and other tourist attractions. It’s a closed boat, but it has windows that open all the way, so you can enjoy the views and take some epic pictures.
I don’t think there’s a major difference among the different cruise companies, so you can book whatever sounds good to you. I went on the Stromma canal cruise, and I loved it. If you have the iAmsterdam card, the canal cruise is free.
A’DAM Lookout
If you’re not afraid of heights, A’DAM Lookout is a must. They have an observation deck that offers an incredible view of the city. And if you want a bit of adrenaline, you can also hop on their over-the-edge swing. It’s the tallest swing in Europe and you’ll rock back and forth over the edge of the building for about a minute. It’s a lot of fun! I loved it.
NEMO Science Museum
I’ll introduce you to a bit of a hidden gem in Amsterdam: the NEMO Science Museum Rooftop. It has an amazing view of Amsterdam and a lot of places to take great pictures and videos. Not that many people come here, so you won’t run into massive crowds.
When you enter the museum you will see a lot of children on the ground floor as the exhibits cater more towards children. Continue walking until you reach the elevators and head to the top floor. Admission is free if you have the iAmsterdam city card.
The red lights district
No visit to Amsterdam is complete without going to the infamous Red Lights District. It’s such a unique thing in Amsterdam, you’ll have to see it for yourself.
The Dam
The Dam is the most famous square in Amsterdam. It houses the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and The New Church. You can also find the shopping mall Magna Plaza here.
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam was built in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Era. It used to be the city hall and later became the royal palace of King Louis Napoleon and then of the Dutch Royal House.
The interior is very impressive. Entrance is not included with the iAmstedam city card.
The New Church
The New Church is not your typical church. It is basically a museum within an old church from the 15th century. When I visited it had an exhibit on Indonesia. It was the first time I saw an art exhibit within a church. I think it’s a very creative use of space.
I liked how at the end of the exhibit they had a sticky notes wall where people of Indonesian descent could write their thoughts about the exhibit. Some of the notes were positive, while some other notes were pretty negative.
Entrance is free with the iAmsterdam card.
De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets)
The 9 Streets are picturesque little streets that connect the canals in Amsterdam city center. You can find a lot of shops, galleries, and cafes here. They are so cute!
De Oude Kerk
Similar to The New Church, De Oude Kirk had a collection of modern art exhibits such as objects covered in wax from church candles, statues, and digital videos accompanied by music. I loved the experience. Entrance with the iAmsterdam city card is free.
Heineken Experience
If you like beer you should go to the Heineken Experience to do a tour of the brewery and a tasting. I skipped this one since I just did something similar at Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and I’m not a big drinker.
Where should I stay in Amsterdam?
Mid-budget hotels
I stayed at Kimpton de Witt in the city center. It’s about a 5-minute walk to Amsterdam Centraal. The hotel room was clean and spacious, and service was 100/10. They even gave me a mini bottle of champagne and chocolates to welcome me to Amsterdam. So sweet!
Other mid-budget options are Ambassade Hotel, Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, Hotel NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace, INK Hotel Amsterdam – MGallery, and Monet Garden Hotel Amsterdam.
Luxury hotels
If you have a higher budget and are seeking a more luxurious option in the city center, then Hotel TwentySeven, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, Conservatorium Hotel, and Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam are all great options.
Hostels
Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend you any hostels. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.
Airbnb
I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.
What should I eat in Amsterdam?
Fries
Fries are a staple of Dutch cuisine. There are so many fry shops in Amsterdam. They are hand cut and made fresh daily. You can actually see the potatoes next to the friers, none of that frozen fries business.
They are fried to perfection, so they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They then add the perfect amount of salt to them. Then they serve it to you in to-go cones and they add 1-2 sauces on top of the fries. They have a huge variety of sauces to choose from. I went with the cheese sauce, but everything on that menu sounded good.
Stroopwafel
Stroopwafels are thin, round waffle cookies with a caramel syrup filling. They are a classic Dutch dessert and you can find a lot of stroopwafel shops in Amsterdam.
You can opt for the classic stroopwafel or you can go with a gourmet option with toppings such as Smarties, Biscoff cookies, chocolate & raspberries, marshmallows, or hazelnut.
I went with the chocolate and Biscoff cookies option (I love everything Biscoff!) and it was amazing. I got it at Melly’s Stroopwafels near the Dam. It was warm, fresh, crispy. A delight!
You can also go to van Wonderen Stroopwafels (this is the shop that’s famous on Tik Tok) or FA Stroop Stroopwafels if you want to see them make the stroopwafel in front of you. You will pay a premium for this as the cost of a waffle is close to 10 euros, compared to Melly’s which is half price.
Poffertjes
Poffertjes are mini pancakes that are light and airy. The traditional poffertjes are served with powdered sugar and butter. This is what I opted for on my trip and they were simple and delicious. Most restaurants also offer poffertjes with a variety of topings such as Nutella & banana, or blueberry jam.
People told me that the best poffertjes in Amsterdam are at the Albert Cuyp Market. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to go, but it’s on my list for next time I’m in town. I guess it’s just an excuse to go back to Amsterdam.
Dutch pancakes
Dutch pancakes are a hybrid between a crepe and an American pancake. They are made out of whole grain flour, which I love. I am that weirdo who loves everything whole grain and multigrain over white flour products.
There are both sweet and savory options for Dutch pancakes. I tried a cheese, spinach, and egg one at Pancakes Amsterdam near Centraal Station, and a fruit and pastry cream one at the Dutch Pancake Masters. Both were fantastic. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything on the menus.
Bitterballen
Bitterballen are the Dutch version of croquettes. They are round and look like little balls, hence the name “ballen”. It’s a deep-fried snack food typically eaten at bars next to a pint of Heineken.
There are a few different varieties you can try such as: beef, cheese, fish, veal, truffle. I recommend you get a tasting flight so you can try them all.
Indonesian food
In case you didn’t know, Indonesia (or the Dutch East Indies as it was called back in the day) used to be a Dutch colony until 1945. The Dutch relationship with what is now Indonesia began during the spice trade at the beginning of the 1600’s when the Dutch founded the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC).
Indonesians make up about 10% of the Netherlands’ population nowadays and you can find many Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam. I went to MAX and the food was delicious. You should order the rice table so you can try multiple small dishes that will be served along with white rice.
Anything at Foodhallen
Foodhallen is a hip food court in West Amsterdam. They have 19 food stalls. You can find anything here: bitterballen, crepes, Mexican food, Mediterranean food, French pastries, noodles, and so much more.
They have a lot of communal tables throughout the food court where you can enjoy your food. I went there at noon, right after they opened, and by the time I left around 1pm it was already pretty packed. It’s a popular spot.
Dinner at Van Kerkwijk
Van Kerkwijk is a cafe-restaurant that was recommended to me on social media by a local. It’s a tiny, family-owned, cozy place in the Nes neighborhood. They do not have a written menu and the waiter will recite you their offerings for that day.
Everything I tried was phenomenal. For appetizers I recommend the fish mousse and the pate; for the main course I recommend the beef with goat cheese and strawberry sauce (it might sound weird, but trust me on this one!), and for dessert I recommend their homemade pear cake.
What day trips can I take from Amsterdam?
Rotterdam
I took a day trip to Rotterdam. It’s a modern city since it was bombed during World War II and they had to remake it. It has a very different vibe compared to Amsterdam and it is smaller, so it’s the perfect destination for a day trip.
The Hague
The Hague is the third largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam and Rotterdam. You can find the Dutch Parliament here. It is also a very important city in Europe as it is home to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
Haarlem
Haarlem is a city right outside Amsterdam. It’s famous for growing tulip bulbs and its gorgeous tulip fields. That’s why it is nicknamed Bloemenstad (flower city). You can take the train from Amsterdam and you’ll be here in about 15 minutes. If you’re visiting around April, when tulips are in bloom, this is a must do.
Delft
Delft is a smaller city in the Netherlands that is also built around canals, similar to Amsterdam. It’s where the iconic hand-painted blue-and-white pottery is made.
Fun fact: if you fly KLM business class you will get a small Delft house as a gift. The house has alcohol inside, but most people keep it as a souvenir and don’t open it. Some people are avid collectors of these Delft houses made for KLM.
You can also combine Delft with Rotterdam and the Hague and do a day trip to all three of them.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a unique neighborhood in Zaandam, near Amsterdam. It has historic windmills, green wooden houses, multiple museums, and interactive exhibits. You can also attend artisan workshops here to learn about wooden clog carving and chocolate making.
During the summer there is a direct bus from Amsterdam to take you here in about 20 minutes. During the off-peak months you can take the train from Amsterdam Central Station and you’ll be there in about 40 minutes.
Brussels
The beauty of Europe is that you can be in a different country in a few hours. If you want to also visit Belgium during your trip to Amsterdam, you can take a day trip to Brussels.
Is Amsterdam safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, I always felt safe in Amsterdam. Of course, as always when you travel solo, do your research ahead of your visit and be on high alert, especially if you visit during peak season. But based on my experience, Amsterdam is one of the safest cities I’ve ever been to in Europe.
What is the best time for a solo Amsterdam trip?
I visited in February and it was perfect. The weather was pretty warm, around 10 degrees Celsius. I got a mix of sunny days and rainy days, which is normal for Amsterdam. There were fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months, so I enjoyed my experience a lot more.
I tend to avoid Europe summer travel because it gets so hot and there are so many tourists everywhere that it takes away from the experience for me. I’d rather wait a few months and go in the fall so I can properly enjoy the destinations I’m visiting.
Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?
I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. There are some tickets, like the ones for Anne Frank House, that sell out even during shoulder season. If you visit during the peak summer months it’s a must to book in advance.
Do people speak English in Amsterdam?
Yes, they speak English everywhere in Amsterdam. It’s basically their second language. They don’t expect you to speak any Dutch and they are very friendly towards tourists.
Do I need cash?
I didn’t use cash at all when I visited, I paid for everything with a credit card. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops who don’t accept credit cards.
Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
What is the difference between cafes and coffee shops in Amsterdam?
A cafe is where you can get coffee in Amsterdam. A coffee shop is a place where you can get pot. So if you just want a coffee, you have to go to a cafe, not a coffee shop.
How many days do I need in Amsterdam?
I spent 4 days in Amsterdam and I was able to see most main attractions. If you want to explore some hidden gems as well, I recommend you stay for at least a week.
How can I get to the city center from the airport?
You can take the NS train from Schiphol Airport and you’ll be at Centraal Station in about 15 minutes. The NS train station is located directly below the terminal building.
You can get an Amsterdam Travel Ticket that offers unlimited public transportation, including to and from the airport. A 3-day ticket costs 30 euros. If you don’t want an unlimited travel ticket, you can just tap you credit or debit card when you check in and out of public transportation and they will charge you for the length of your trip. No need to buy any tickets or sign up in advance. How cool is that? The Netherlands lives in the future!
If you take public transportation in Amsterdam don’t forget to check in and check out every time. Otherwise you risk getting fined.
If you have a lot of luggage and don’t want to deal with public transportation you can take an Uber. This is the option I opted for, and it cost me around 35 euros. Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.
How can I get around Amsterdam?
Like most European cities, the Dutch capital is a very walkable city. They also have great public transportation, so you can take the tram, the subway or the bus to get to all major attractions. All public transportation is free if you get the iAmsterdam city card.
If you don’t like to take public transportation you can always take an uber.
Do I have to tip in Amsterdam?
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. I usually leave 1-2 euros as tip when I eat out. They highly appreciate it when you do this.
Do you recommend Amsterdam as a solo destination?
Yes, I 100% recommend Amsterdam as a destination for solo female travelers. Amsterdam is a great place for solo travellers and it has become one of my favorite European destinations.
Need inspiration for your next trip? Check out some of my other articles.
Paris solo travel: everything you need to know
The best Oradea 3 day itinerary: a native’s top picks
Florence 4 day itinerary: the best guide for solo travelers
Athens 4 day itinerary: ultimate guide for your first visit
Madrid in 5 days: the ultimate first visit itinerary
4 Day Dublin itinerary: everything you need to know
This is very helpful travel tips,planning to go in April,
thanks for this very good blog.
Take care
I’m glad it’s helpful. Have a great time when you visit in April!