48 hours in Amsterdam | practical itinerary

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, no doubt about it! It might not be as famous as Paris or London, but it's just as incredible. Don’t believe me? Then check out my 48-hour itinerary in Amsterdam and start planning your trip!

Let me tell you, 48 hours in Amsterdam is not enough to see everything the city has to offer. Ideally, you should plan 3 full days just for Amsterdam and 1 more day for a quick trip to Zaanse Schans (just 40 minutes away and known as the "city of windmills").

How to get to Amsterdam?

The city has an international airport, train station, and bus terminal, so you can arrive by plane, train, bus, or car. The best option depends on your starting point.

 If you're coming from Brazil, look for direct flights to Amsterdam or consider flying into nearby cities like Paris. If the flight to Paris is significantly cheaper, you can fly there and take a train the rest of the way.

Shall we get to the itinerary?

To make things more straightforward, I’ll assume you’ll have two full days in the city, alright? If you arrive in the afternoon or around lunchtime, the itinerary will need to be adjusted.

Dam Square

It’s the main square of the city. Nearby you’ll find the Madame Tussauds museum, the Royal Palace, the National Monument, and De Nieuwe Kerk. If you want to visit all of them, set aside about 4 hours of your day.

Madame Tussauds is open every day, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the last entry at 6 p.m. Make sure to check the official website before you go to confirm the times. Tickets can be bought online (€22) or at the ticket office (€25), so buying online is cheaper.

After exploring the square area, you can walk to the Joordan neighborhood.

Anne Frank house

One of the most visited attractions in the Netherlands needs to be part of your 48-hour Amsterdam itinerary. The Anne Frank House is a museum where, during World War II, she, her family, and four other Jews were in hiding. There you’ll get a glimpse into Anne’s life and their routine during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

- Ticket: €14 for adults and €7 for people aged 10 to 17. Tickets must be purchased online. When buying, you’ll need to select a time slot for your visit, so be careful not to miss it. Tickets for the following month go on sale every first Tuesday of the month. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Vondelpark

It’s the main park in the city. This is the perfect place to rest and recharge. The tip is to stop by a supermarket or snack bar, grab something to eat and drink, find a nice spot to sit, and enjoy the view.

Museumplein

Another must-see stop on your 48-hour itinerary in Amsterdam is Museumplein (Museum Square). There you’ll find the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, two of the city’s most iconic museums.

The Rijksmuseum is the perfect place to admire Dutch art and learn more about the country’s culture. Admission costs €20 and is free for visitors under 18. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, and you must book your time slot in advance, walk-ins are not allowed.

At the Van Gogh Museum, you’ll find the largest collection of works by the artist, including masterpieces like The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossom, and The Sower. Tickets cost €19 for adults (or €22 if you want an audio guide) and are free for visitors aged 0–17. Tickets must be purchased online, and entry time must be scheduled.

Stroll along the main canals of the city

Make time to explore the charming areas of Begijnhof, 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets), and the three main canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. You can do it all by bike too, in fact, biking is the best way to get around the city!

Heineken Experience

To wrap up your 48-hour itinerary in Amsterdam, I suggest doing the Heineken Experience, especially if you’re a beer fan. It’s one of the most popular tours in the city, and it’s both interactive and informative.

There are several types of tours, such as the Heineken Tour (where you’ll see the inside of the fermentation room and enjoy a Heineken at the end of the tour), which costs €21. If you want a more complete experience, there’s the VIP Tour which costs €55 and includes access to a secret bar, a personalized gift, and a 2.5-hour guided tour with a Heineken “Connoisseur.”

Red Light district

At night, you can go out for dinner and then explore the famous Red Light District, where you’ll find the iconic windows with sex workers, some sex shops, and pubs.

Can you see how beautiful and culturally rich Amsterdam is? My 48-hour itinerary won’t show you every attraction in the city, but it does cover the highlights. If you have more time, great! If not, it just means you’ll have a perfect excuse to come back. Still have questions? Leave them in the comments below!

Kisses and see you on the next trip!