What to See in Amsterdam
Explore the canal belt, Museumplein and the IJ waterfront, from Dutch art collections to historic churches and open green spaces. Start with the major sights, then use the categories below to plan a route through the parts of Amsterdam that interest you.
Amsterdam highlights for a first visit
Build a first visit around the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum, a canal-belt walk and Dam Square. Add a historic church, Vondelpark or a ferry to NDSM when they fit your route; each card leads to a detailed guide.
Places to visit by category
Compare Amsterdam’s monuments, squares, churches, museums, fountains and parks. Use the category links to go straight to the places you want to explore.
Monuments
Follow Amsterdam’s history from the Royal Palace and De Waag to the Magere Brug and the harbour towers along the canals.
Squares & streets
Start at Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt, browse books around Spui, or connect the museums through the open space of Museumplein.
Museum tickets, canal cruises and guided visits
Fountains
Look for the Hans Snoek Fountain at Leidseplein, the Sarphati monument in Sarphatipark and the water pavilion in the Rijksmuseum gardens.
Churches and basilicas
Compare the Oude Kerk’s medieval fabric, Westerkerk’s canal-side setting and the Basilica of Saint Nicholas near Centraal.
Museums and galleries
Choose Dutch art at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, maritime collections by Oosterdok or street art at STRAAT in NDSM.
Parks and gardens
Walk Vondelpark’s ponds, discover Westergas in Westerpark or visit the greenhouses of Hortus Botanicus in the Plantage district.
Book admission to Amsterdam’s museums and landmarks
Explore the canals, art and neighbourhoods with a guide
Plan the journey between Amsterdam’s sights
Check GVB ticket coverage before combining Museumplein with other districts, choose the right ferry landing for EYE or NDSM, and plan the complete route when step-free access matters.
Compare GVB day tickets, OVpay and airport validity before travelling between Amsterdam’s sights.
Find the right landing for Buiksloterweg, EYE or NDSM rather than assuming every ferry serves the same part of Noord.
Consider museum entrances, canal bridges and station or ferry approaches as one continuous visitor route.
