Amsterdam is a city that can enchant you for a month but can also be thoroughly explored and enjoyed in a weekend. Assuming you’re more likely to have the latter than the former to check out the Dutch capital, here’s an affordable Amsterdam itinerary for 3 days or a weekend getaway for your upcoming trip. 

For additional Amsterdam travel tips, including free things to do, transportation and where to stay, be sure to check out my Amsterdam Travel Guide!

Amsterdam Itinerary 3 Days | Day of Arrival

So you’ve made it to Amsterdam and checked into your hotel.  Now what?  Let’s start your Amsterdam weekend getaway by grabbing a much-deserved drink while overlooking the city of Amsterdam. 

The SkyLounge Amsterdam

This roof top bar has 360-degree panoramic views of Amsterdam.  The SkyLounge Amsterdam is located on top of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.  I’ll be honest; drink prices are not very “savvy,” but the fantastic view makes the bill worth it! Invest in a glass of wine and take lots of pictures of the city unfurling beneath you.

The location of the DoubleTree will put you in close proximity to the canal cruise station, so next on the list is…

Canal Dinner Cruise

Some say Amsterdam is the Venice of North Europe because of its canals.  A trip to Amsterdam is not complete without taking a canal cruise to see some of the major sites. Plus, having dinner on the cruise is a great way to get the most of your time in Amsterdam!

There are several dinner canal cruises offered, ranging in price from $45-$150 USD.  Obviously, being your eponymous savvy wanderer, I recommend the most affordable option – the pizza cruise, which comes complete with unlimited beer & wine! 

That’s all for the first day on this 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary!  Time to get some rest for a long day ahead of you tomorrow.  Unless you’re a night owl, in which case you should check out a local pub, stop by a coffee shop, or venture into the Red Light District for some excellent people watching!

Savvy tip: If you’re looking for a place to stay along with a local guide to the city, check out Amsterdam Vacation Rentals!

Weekend in Amsterdam | Day Two

Good morning!  Start your morning with some coffee from a local café (or even a Starbucks, I won’t judge) because you have a big day ahead! But avoid the “coffee shop” establishments, as that is probably not the kind of coffee you are looking for first thing in the morning! 

Amsterdams coffee shop meaning: In the Netherlands, the term “coffee shop” has come to mean an establishment where cannabis is sold and consumed.

First thing on the itinerary is:

Anne Frank House

I hope you’re reading this well in advance of your trip, as 80% of all available tickets for this popular museum become available online two months in advance. Buying ahead of time means you’ll secure your spot! (Extra tip: buy for the early morning slots, which begin at 9 a.m., since the museum can fill up and you don’t want to feel rushed).

If you didn’t buy in advance, the remaining 20% of tickets are released online on the day itself at 9:00am.

Tickets are 10€ for adults, 5€ for ages 10-17, and free for children under 10.  Admission to the museum includes a free self-guided audio tour. 

Plan to spend at least 90 minutes at the Anne Frank Museum before continuing on to your next destination…

Free Walking Tour

One of the best ways to make a weekend trip to Amsterdam affordable is by participating in a free walking tour.  Sandeman’s Free Tour of Amsterdam starts in Dam Square and covers the main sights of the inner city. These 2.5 hour tours are offered daily all year round, and begin at the top of every hour. Tip your guide as much as your budget allows (with some variance based on tour quality!); something around 10-15€/person is a typical contribution.

At the end of your tour, you will probably be starving for lunch, so be sure to ask your tour guide where they recommend grabbing a bite nearby. 

After lunch, it’s time to head to the next stop…!

Van Gogh Museum

This museum is home to the world’s largest collection of artworks by Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh.  Tickets must be purchased in advance online and are 19€ for adults.  For those traveling with children, visitors under 18 are free! 

Plan to spend at least 90 minutes at the Van Gogh Museum before heading on to the next destination in the itinerary. 

Heineken Experience

You don’t have to be a major beer enthusiast to enjoy the Heineken Experience.  There is something for everyone, even kids, on this fun, interactive tour of the former Heineken brewery. 

Purchase tickets online, in advance, to skip the line.  Adult tickets are 18€ and children ages 11 and under are free. The self-guided tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and admission includes two beers (ages 18+) or two soft drinks at the end of the tour. 

Okay, you are probably starving by now, so take a break for dinner!  After dinner, if you are feeling up to it and want a night out on the town, then I recommend…

Pub Crawl

An entertaining, safe way to discover Amsterdam’s night life is by going on an organized pub crawl with a dedicated guide.  My husband and I participated in this low-cost pub crawl of the red light district.

For $20 USD, this tour was billed as also being a guided tour of the area (which has amazing people-watching, btw!) and got us into various bars complete with free drinks.

Amsterdam Itinerary 3 Days | Last Day

In the morning, after checking out of your hotel and enjoying breakfast and coffee at a place of your choosing, it’s time to head over to the first stop on today’s itinerary. 

Pro tip: ask your hotel after checking out if they can store your luggage for a few hours. This way you don’t have to carry around your bags while out and about!

Flower Market

The Amsterdam Flower Market is extremely unique—it’s located on floating barges and has not only dozens of shops selling gorgeous varieties, but also has lots of affordable, slightly more durable souvenirs to take home.  Entrance into the market is free, but be sure to bring spending money in case you find something you want to take home!

Bike Ride or Tour

Biking is a primary mode of transportation in Amsterdam.  On your last day of your weekend in Amsterdam, plan to rent a bike or participate in a bike tour. This two-hour tour includes highlights that were not included in the free walking tour, such as the Jordaan Quarter, Rijksmuseum, and Red Light District.  Tours are offered daily year-round and are only 24,50€.

After checking out the Amsterdam Flower Market and going on a bike ride to see some of the sights, it’s probably about time for your weekend in Amsterdam to come to an end. Whether you are catching a flight, hopping on a boat, or driving onwards to your next destination, I hope you enjoyed this weekend in Amsterdam itinerary!  Cheers!