What to do in Amsterdam for a weekend?

Treat yourself to two unforgettable days to discover the capital of the Netherlands, a destination of choice in Northern Europe!

Welkom in Amsterdam! Rest assured, you have no obligation to master the subtleties of the Dutch language to visit this so pretty European city. Famous for its canals, colourful bicycles, lively markets and museums, the capital of the Netherlands is one of the favourite destinations of European tourists.

Given its proximity to the hexagonal territory, what would you say to make a short stay there? Wanderlix offers ideas of magical places and varied activities to discover the time of a weekend in Amsterdam. Solo, family, couple or friends, the " Venice from the North » will have no secret for you: follow the guide, it’s gone!

Explore the city

Did you put your suitcases on? The city is yours! Begin by exploring the alleys and canals of Binnenstad, the old centre of Amsterdam, where the heart of the historic Holland beats. There are countless iconic monuments like the Oude Kerk , the Royal Palace, Den Waag or the Beguinage. It is very pleasant to stroll around in any season, on foot or... by bike.

The bike, an institution in Amsterdam

Yes! The bicycle is, in a thousand leagues of stereotypes, the way of transport in the city of St. For the anecdote, know that Netherlands are the only country with more bicycles than inhabitants. This clean and smart transport is perfectly adapted to the narrow streets of Amsterdam.

The municipality has deployed a network of quality bike paths to promote its use and make it perfectly secure. To unlock your frame, look for a two-wheel rental shop: they wear the word " fiet "(vlo) in front. Many of them are located near the Amsterdam-Central train station, Leidseplein Square or Dam Square . They offer rental for the day for a 10 euros barely. Practical, right?

Walking through the Vondelpark aisles

Hop! A few strokes later, you arrive at the heart of the Vondelpark , the largest municipal park in Amsterdam. He alone attracts millions of visitors a year in his lush aisles that occupy 45 hectares urban space. There are play areas for children, an outdoor theatre and lively bars and restaurants.

Music, theatre and dance shows are held from May to September. In fact, every Friday night at the same time, the park becomes the starting point of the Friday Night Skate : a fun-roller group that allows to make a memorable city tour.

Visit the Jordaan

This intimate neighbourhood, located northwest of the city, is one of the most picturesque of Amsterdam. It was the sector of artists, formerly a worker, that was built in the 17th century to accommodate the modest populations from all over Europe. The Huguenot refugees fleeing France came to settle there, leaving him the name “garden”. Moreover, the streets and canals all bear flower names.

There are cafés, unusual shops and a relaxed atmosphere for students and travellers. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., you are advised to take a tour to enjoy the lively markets there.

Flâner dans l’Albert Cuypmarkt

Speaking of market, we recommend that of L’ Albert Cuypmarkt . Located in the Latin Pijp district, he owes his name to the painter Albert Cuyp who immortalized the Dutch landscapes during the golden century.

This daily market, one of the largest in Europe, only closes on Sundays. With several hundred stands, you'll probably find a nice little souvenir to bring back to your loved ones on the spot.

Growing

But where did you hang it, this bike? Ah, there. There is little risk to you, anyway, the Netherlands is one of the safest states in Europe. They can also boast the largest density of museums in the world! In the capital, the history museum of Amsterdam, the Rembrandt museum, the museum Stedelijk Museum the museum of eroticism or torture... Come on, let's introduce you to our little favorites.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum collection in Amsterdam is the largest in the world dedicated to the Dutch post-impressionist painter. With more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and nearly 700 manuscript letters, this fabulous cultural site attracts more than a million visitors per year.

The works are presented in a chronological order divided into five successive periods. The museum also offers various temporary exhibitions. Open every day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the heart of Museumkwartier , it is today a major tourist reference.

Au Rijksmuseum

Also located in the heart of the Museums district, Rijksmuseum retraces the complex history of the Middle Ages in the contemporary era. You can admire the jewels of the golden age of Dutch painting such as the “night round” of Rembrandt or “Laitière” of Vermeer. With 8,000 objects exhibited in 80 rooms, it is almost 800 years of Dutch art history that reveal to visitors.

To NEMO

NEMO is one of the highlights of a weekend in Amsterdam with a family. It is the largest scientific museum in the city: we owe the design of its building to the very particular form of boat to the famous architect Renzo Piano. Exactly, it is located on the port of Amsterdam.

In this museum, many fun activities are offered on the themes of industry, physics, biology or chemistry. Funny experiences are organized every day between 10h and 17h30 in participatory workshops that will delight small and large.

Chez Madame Tussauds

The Madame Tussauds Museum in Amsterdam is located on the Dam, near the Central Station. This wax museum opened in 1970 is a replica of the original, located at London . On site, the perfect reproductions of celebrities cohabit with visitors who will thus have the opportunity to approach Albert Einstein, Elizabeth Taylor, Brad Pitt, Marilyn Monroe or Barack Obama from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. all weekend.

Tasting delicious gastronomic specialities

Brown coffees, white coffees...

During your weekend in Amsterdam, you’ll soon have noticed that there are two types of coffee in Amsterdam. Its authentic brown coffees, which owe their name to their warm dark wood interior and sometimes date back to the 17th century. And the more modern white coffees, which on the other hand have a clear and sleek style.

In the first category, you are recommended Old Sailor , a former sailor's den located close to the Red Quarter. In the second, Café de Jaren , located near the Place de Muntplein and its famous tour of the Mint.

Brown coffee, white coffee, whatever: in both cases, you can obviously enjoy a black coffee without any problems.

...or a little foam?

Beer in the Netherlands is an institution. This humbling drink also has its temple, the Heineken Experience , located in the historic brewery of the ensign. Here, beers are light, airy, like Pils, Grolsch or Witbier. For those who prefer more corsed flavors, you are recommended a beautiful brunette: the Bokbier.

You will be surprised to see that bistro prices are relatively affordable to the country's high standard of living. Health, so (but with moderation)!

A little hollow?

Oop! It's a weekend in Amsterdam. Fortunately, you will find countless restaurants and shops street food on both sides of the Dutch capital. Good addresses are to be found around Dam Square and Spui Square. In the evening, the Leidseplein district won all the votes.

In general, there are about 20 euros per person for a meal at the restaurant. For a quick snack, opt for a syrup waffle, bitterballen (fried meat and potato chips) or patat , succulent local fries cooked with beef fat. You are recommended to taste maatjesharing , these raw herrings with typical Amsterdam pickles.

Enjoy a beautiful evening

Spend a weekend in Amsterdam without a party? You don’t think about it! Young and young people go on site every weekend to have fun until early morning. Particularly safe because of the regular presence of police officers, the city is the paradise of the foetuses. Like you?

Know where to drink a drink

To get out, direction Leidseplein and place Rembrandt, the two most animated areas in the evening. Bars, cinemas, nightclubs, showrooms: difficult to know where to give head so many establishments are there. Among the must-sees, De Melkweg (The Milky Way) or the scene Paradiso will satisfy the most demanding noctambula.

Discover the Red Light District

The Red Quarter (or Rosse buurt ) in Amsterdam does not leave anyone indifferent. Known for its showcases where mermaids selling their charms try to attract misplaced badauds, this area is located in the Walletjes, between the Central Station and the Nieuwmarkt . There are also beautiful period breweries, friendly restaurants and... inenarrables coffee shops where it is possible to obtain many prohibited substances in France. Opinions to amateurs...

Amsterdam, romantic city par excellence

Couples often tend to offer themselves short city Romantic to two. Amsterdam, love city especially suitable for lovers, is the ideal place to invite your half: some examples.

Enjoy a boat ride on the canals

Amsterdam is in fact made up of a mosaic of islands: about 90 of them are connected by 1,500 bridges with a total of more than 100 kilometers of channels . Why not explore them by boat during your weekend in Amsterdam? During a guided tour of 1:30 On board an electric boat, you can enjoy the charms of the “Vice of the North” with the love of your life. Count one 60 euros for a couple to enjoy a nice bucolic walk in the heart of the city.

Walk hand in hand in the Bloemenmarkt

Let’s continue on the channels to the Bloemenmarkt , the only market with floating flowers in the world. It is located on the Singel , whose name refers to a canal in the Netherlands and Belgium surrounding the historic centre of a city.

The Bloemenmarkt stretching from the Muntplein to the Koningsplein since 1862. Especially well achalanded, you can find all types of flowers to offer to the person who shares your life: roses, orchids and of course tulips of all colors. It is obviously possible to acquire seeds to enrich your plant collection when you return.

There you go! Your weekend in Amsterdam is already over, leaving you a host of compelling memories that you will enjoy sharing with family members, close friends or office colleagues. Don’t say too much, however: they might want to imitate you...

Getting to Amsterdam?

First of all, know that it is very simple to leave in the weekend in Amsterdam. The city is easily accessible from major European cities and especially from France.

By train or bus

We recommend you go on the train. This means of ecological transport is undoubtedly the best way to get to Amsterdam. One line Thalys link Paris -Great du Nord in downtown Amsterdam in 4 hours . Six direct round-trips are offered per day, the price varies greatly depending on the date of your booking.

By bus, take advantage of the services Eurolines , which offers direct departures for Amsterdam from about 30 French cities.

By car

The distance from Paris or Strasbourg in Amsterdam is 500 kilometers or 5 hours road . 200 kilometers less by coming from Lille , 400 more coming from Lyon .

Know that moving by car is not easy in the narrow city centre of Amsterdam, especially since we have to count on 3 € per hour parking on average. If you would like to go there on board your vehicle, take the direction of Lille and then go Antwerp borrowing the A1 motorway . It is also possible to go through the Germany and Maastricht coming from the eastern regions of France .

By plane

The aircraft is the fastest way to spend a weekend in Amsterdam. The most polluting, too: if you want to go to the Dutch capital by air, half a dozen flights are set up daily from most major French cities. Do not hesitate to visit a Compare flights to find your ticket.

Find where to stay in Amsterdam?

To accommodate you easily during your weekend in Amsterdam, several solutions are available to you. You can enjoy an apartment rental to feel at home. We advise you, if possible, Pijp district in the south-east of the city, a former worker sector now known for its bourgeois-bohemian atmosphere. More authentic, the incontournable Binnenstad district , which corresponds to the old center, is the perfect place to easily visit the "Vice of the North".

The hotel establishments represent a simple way to take ownership of the very touristic city batave. Very numerous and varied in terms of services, you will necessarily find your happiness by consulting the thousands of offers available on a Compare hotels or on the platform Airbnb . And in advance, if possible: prices will be much softer!