How To Spend 2.5 Days in Amsterdam

Coming from Calgary, we found a really good deal flying into Amsterdam for $200 and figured we’d make a weekend of it. Long way to go for a few days, but if you are looking to a few days in the city known for its canals. There are a few things you might want to add to your itinerary.

The flight arrived at noon, and I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to take the train to the Amsterdam Central station from the airport (about 20 minutes). Since we were tight on time we splurged and got a hotel walking distance from the station one called Hotel The Exchange. Although the rooms were a little whacky in design, the location more then made up for it.

Afterwards we wandered the streets and tried a tourist favourite - the Stroopwafel, which according to 3 Bros Dutch Cookies is “a delicious Dutch cookie that looks like a small waffle. Each is filled with a spiced buttery caramel syrup.” While you can buy these in other countries, you do have to stop by van Wonderen Stroopwafels for the experience.

Depending on how long you spend wandering the streets you might be ready for dinner - our top recommendation for local cuisine, which we didn’t get to try was Moeders. However, if this is a place you want to try you will have to book this well before you arrive. We didn’t and sadly missed out on our visit.

Following dinner, let’s assume you are jetlagged and will take an early ish night in as you ready yourself for Day 2.

Day 2

Take a day trip to Utrecht, the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, but more better known for its medieval centre and smaller-scale canals. The town was very cute to explore and just a short one hour day trip from Amsterdam.

Day 3

Depending on how much you like museums, our recommendation would be to spend your third day in Museum Quarter which includes the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and the one we spent our morning at The Van Gogh Museum.

Here, you will find Vincent van Gogh’s paintings including Sunflowers, Almond Blossom and my personal favourite, the Potato Eaters.