For those visiting Amsterdam for the first time, I show you the best travel itinerary templates that covers the must-Visit places, must-See tourist attractions, and must-Eat sweets in this city.
This is a three-day travel itinerary using City Card.
Day 1 is a classic sightseeing in Amsterdam.
On the second day, you must visit to see the windmills of the Netherlands.
The plan for Day 2 is to visit the windmill village in the morning and eat sweets in Amsterdam in the afternoon.
Get your City Card!
The Amsterdam City Card, which includes a public transport pass and museum tickets, is a convenient way to explore Amsterdam for a few days.
With the City Card, you can get Free entry or Discounts at must-see attractions in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam City Card official website >>
City Card is perfect for your first visit to Amsterdam!
Amsterdam Sightseeing, Day2
This is a three-day travel itinerary using City Card.
The day 2 is an itinerary where you can enjoy sightseeing at Windmill Village and eating Dutch specialties.
*This itinerary templates focuses on activities that are free to enter with a city card.
Day 2, Windmill Village and Dutch street market
In the morning, you will visit a windmill village in a town next to Amsterdam. And in the afternoon, you plan to eat and shop in downtown Amsterdam.
9am：Bus Stop at Amsterdam Central Station
The bus stop is on the second floor of Amsterdam Central Station, take Bus 391 to Zaanse Schans. (There are two buses every hour.)
NOTE: City cards cannot be used on this bus, so you need a ticket.
Noorderpark station is just one stop from Amsterdam Central Station on metro line 52!
You can ride metro for free with your city card!
City cards cannot be used on buses. You need to pay when you ride a bus.
You can pay by swiping your credit card on the machine at the bus door. Be sure to touch the card again when getting off.
10am：Windmill Village Zaanse Schans
The windmill village of Zaanse Schans is about 40 minutes away by bus.
Historic buildings are preserved in Zaanse Schans. In Zaanse Schans, you can visit the Windmills, the Windmill Museum, the Zaans Museum and the Clock Museum for free with your city card.
I recommend visiting windmills and windmill museums.
You can also sightsee in a bread factory, wooden shoe factory, cheese factory and souvenir shop.
Zaanse Schans is a popular place to visit on a half-day tour from Amsterdam to see the Dutch heritage and tradition.
Let’s eat waffles at the bakery factory! The waffles here are Liege waffles. Liege waffles originated in Belgium, but are also popular in the Netherlands.
Lunch at Zaanse Schans
For lunch in Zaanse Schans, try De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis. They have a typical Dutch lunch menu. (open Thu to Sun.)
13pm：Go to De Pijp
After visiting Zaanse Schans, take the bus back to Amsterdam Central Station.
From Amsterdam Central Station, take metro line 52 to De Pijp station and head to Albert Cuyp Market. You can ride the metro for free with your city card.
14pm：Albert Cuyp Market
Albert Cuypmarkt is one of the most popular street markets in Amsterdam.
There are many things to eat at the market.
Enjoy traditional Dutch sweets such as Stroopwafels (syrup waffles) and Poffertjes (mini pancakes). You can eat freshly baked it at the market.
When you are hungly must try Herring sandwiches, Kip Broodje (chicken sandwich) and freshly fried kibelins (battered fish).
You can download Albert Cuyp Market information with the City Card app. Enjoy a self-guided food tour while using the app!
15pm：Let’s eat a Traditional Stroopwafel
Next, let’s go eat stroopwafels at a long-established bakery that has been in business for 110 years.
There is a tram stop at the exit of the 600m long Albert Cuyp Market. Take tram line 4 to Rokin. Enjoy the scenery from the tram! (You can ride the tram for free with your city card.)
It is a 5 minute walk from Rokin. Let’s eat a classic stroopwafel at Lanskroon Bakery.
Lanskroon Bakery’s stroopwafels are biscuit dough. You can only eat here.
There are two types: traditional caramel and coffee caramel. I recommend traditional caramel.
Canal House Museum
After eating stroopwafels, take a stroll through the canal houses in the old town. Before you do, why not learn about the history of the old town at the Canal House Museum?
You can learn how the canal houses were built through models, photos, and videos. Admission is free with City Card. (No reservation required, closed on Mondays)
16pm：Sightseeing on 9 Street
9 Street is a shopping and eating area with many small general stores, boutiques, fashionable cafes, and organic restaurants. There are many Kawaii goods and foods that can only be purchased here.
Houseboat Museum
There are over 1500 houseboats in Amsterdam. At the Houseboat Museum on 9 Street, you can see the insides of canal boat houses.
The Houseboat Museum has a traditional floor plan with a living room, bedroom, shower and toilet. Admission is free with City Card. (No reservation required, closed on Mondays)
Tulip Museum
Speaking of the Netherlands, Tulips! However, tulip season is from April to May.
Visit the Tulip Museum when it’s out of season. Here you can see many tulip photos, learn about the history of tulips, and find tulip-related souvenirs. Admission is free with City Card. (No reservation required)
18pm：Apple pie time!
The Netherlands is also famous for its apple pie! Winkel 43, the most delicious apple pie shop in Amsterdam, is always full during afternoon tea time.
Lunch and dinner are also delicious, so I recommend there using it as a restaurant. Of course, don’t forget the apple pie after your dinner!
19pm：Pub, Three Little Bottles
De Drie Fleschjes (Three Little Bottles) is the oldest Pub of Amsterdam. A wall of casks showcases signature blends; the display of flagons (little bottles) with portraits of Amsterdam’s mayors is worth a peek. Sip a jenever, or go for one of the 35 different liqueurs.
You are not required to book a timeslot in advance to visit this venue with your City Card. You can get a free shot of gin with your City Card. (open until 20:30, Sunday til 19pm)
21pm：Souvenir shop
The souvenir shop 100% Holland on Dam Square is open until 10pm, so you can buy in bulk before heading back to your hotel.
If you want to stop by a supermarket before heading your hotel, there is a supermarket called Albert Heijn behind the Royal Palace on Dam Square. The supermarket here also sells sweets for souvenirs. (Open until 10pm)
After shopping, head back to your hotel from the tram stop at Dam Square!
Highlights of Day 2
Day 2 is a sightseeing Windmill Village and eating Dutch specialties.
There are no facilities that require reservations, so you can sightsee without worrying about time.
- 9am: Bus from central station
- 10am: Windmill sightseeing in Zaanse Schans
- 13pm: buck to Amsterdam
- 14pm: Albert Cuyp Market
- 15pm: classic Stroopwafel and Museum
- 16pm: 9 Street Sightseeing (Houseboat Museum, Tulip Museum)
- 18pm: Dinner and apple pie
- 20pm: Oldest Pub
- 21pm: Souvenir shop
This model course departs from Amsterdam Central Station and returns to the station in the evening, so you can leave your large luggage in a locker at the station.
With the City Card app, you can see facilities that accept City Card on a map, and you can make reservations of museums and facilities from the app.
The app also displays location information, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost while sightseeing.
Amsterdam City Card official website >>
City Card is perfect for your first visit to Amsterdam!