The Ultimate 48-hour Guide in Amsterdam

Only have a weekend? That’s not a problem because we have the best, fool-proof, guarantee-for-an-amazing-time, 48-hour guide to one of Europe’s most enchanting cities: Amsterdam. Amsterdam is an innovative, stunning, eco-friendly, historic and simply charming city that is absolutely worth a visit. Check out our 48-hour guide below for the most perfect two days in Amsterdam.

Before we jump into the itinerary, we must discuss our favorite accommodations for a short but sweet trip. Given what an innovative city Amsterdam is, there are plenty of options depending on how much you’re willing to spend. For a more luxurious stay, we recommend The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, The W Amsterdam and The Craftsmen. These hotels boast stunning views and accommodations, making for a lovely weekend getaway. With that being said, you absolutely don’t need to spend loads of money to enjoy a weekend away. For more affordable options, we recommend Hotel Sin Nicolaas, Amsterdam Canal Hotel and ITC Hotels. These hotels are in a great location and have wonderful accommodations as well. You really cannot go wrong with all the options in Amsterdam; now onto the itinerary!

DAY #1:

To start the first full day, filled with fun and exploration, we must fuel ourselves first! Being such a walkable city, we recommend using that to your advantage and exploring the city on foot.

Stop #1: Brunch at ‘Greenwoods’, which has two different locations: Keizersgracht & Singel. Both have breathtaking views of the iconic Amsterdam canals, with plenty of delicious food and drink options, guaranteeing an amazing start to the day!

Stop #2: Visit the Anne Frank House. This museum is an absolute must-do when visiting Amsterdam as it showcases such a historically significant period filled with history. It’s a biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk, in central Amsterdam in the Netherlands. You can purchase tickets directly from the website!

Stop #3: Coffee to refuel for the rest of the day's activities! Some of our favorite cafes include Luke’s Cafe, Toki’s and Saint Jean’s. Each of these places has delicious specialty coffee, cakes and pastries — the perfect afternoon pick-up!

Stop #4: The Heineken Experience! This is 100% a must-do when visiting Amsterdam; it is such a fun activity. They have many different tours, highlighting the history of Heineken and the entire beer factory. As well, the experience itself is just so cool. From beer tasting to the rooftop terrace (with a stunning view), to exploring the entire factory and an amazing gift shop — we couldn’t recommend this experience more.

Stop #5: FRIES! Finish the evening off with an Amsterdam staple: delicious and crisp fries. Our absolute favorite place to go is Mannekenpis. They have many different locations all around the city, with 20 different sauces to choose from, and we guarantee you will fall in love with these fries.

DAY #2:

Stop #1: Day two in Amsterdam woohoo! Like yesterday, we have to start the day off with some delicious brunch. Today we’re going to have another famous meal at a popular Amsterdam restaurant, Benji’s. Not only is the interior of this place stunning, but the food is unmatched, boasting incredible brunch options at a reasonable price.

Stop #2: After fueling up from brunch, it’s time for one of our favorites: ice skating! Amsterdam is a winter paradise, and if you’re visiting in the chilly months, we cannot recommend this enough. Our favorite place to skate is on the Museumplein Amsterdam at Ice Amsterdam. It’s a magical winter activity, and is super easy as you can purchase tickets online, as well as rent skates and a helmet at the venue. Super easy and fun, and all skaters are welcome regardless of skill.

Stop #3: After an afternoon filled with skating, we’d be starving. So it’s dinner time! We will be dining at the delicious and luxurious ‘Restaurant Breda’ — in the heart of Amsterdam near the gorgeous canals. They boast a unique menu, with different delicious Dutch foods, as well as an impressive beverage list.

Stop #4: It’s now time for one of the most iconic activities in Amsterdam (and the perfect final night activity) — a boat cruise on the beautiful canals! This is an absolute must-do — you cannot leave Amsterdam without a boat cruise through the iconic and stunning canals. Enjoy some snacks, drinks and laughs with people from all over the world. Some of our favorites include the Open Boat Cruise, Wine & Cheese Evening Cruise and Light Festival Winter Evening Tour. Sit back and enjoy the cruise with a delicious glass of wine, surrounded by friends or strangers who could soon be friends!

Thank you so much for following along for the ultimate (and most fun) 48-hour guide in Amsterdam. We 100% recommend a visit to this breathtaking city, tag us @TheEdgeMag in all your adventures!