Popular Topics

Trip Report

Amsterdam 2 Day Itinerary - off the beaten track

What can you do in Amsterdam in 2 days? Here's my 2 days in Amsterdam itinerary with some less obvious spots to escape the crowds and enjoy this beautiful city.

  • Marken+ 5
  • Beautiful weeping willows in Ooosterpark
  • The city from above from NEMO's roof
  • Amsterdam 2 Day Itinerary - off the beaten track
anna209
About Me:Hi there! I grew up in Germany but have lived a very nomadic lifestyle for the past decade. First I moved to England, then went traveling, then moved to Amsterdam, then Budapest, and now I’m off travelling again. I’ve done most of my trave... read more

EuropeNetherlands2 days / May 2021

Highs & Lows

Seeing the city from the water

Other tourists to escape from and a high chance of rain any time of the year

Itinerary Overview

Amsterdam is flooded with tourists. But don't let that scare you off - there are plenty of places to mingle with the locals and escape the crowds. This itinerary can be crammed all into one day or spread out for as long as you like! Generally, unless there are things you really want to do or see in the centre, try to avoid the area within the canal-ring. The neighbourhoods outside have just as much to offer and are much less busy! If you want to avoid the crowds even more, I recommend going during the week and outside of peak season (which is around March/April because of the tulip season and July/August because of the summer holidays). Just be aware that during autumn/winter there is a very high chance of rain! Although, realistically, you have that risk any time of the year there. Amsterdam has great nightlife, but if you want to avoid the super touristy spots (that offer entertainment any night of the week), you’d be better off coming for the weekend if you want to go out.

  • 1 Night: Amsterdam
    Relaxing and exploring local gems
  • 1 Night: Marken
    Cycling in the Dutch countryside
Amsterdam - Relaxing and exploring local gems
1

Amsterdam Relaxing and exploring local gems

Amsterdam - Relaxing and exploring local gems - Beautiful weeping willows in Ooosterpark
Beautiful weeping willows in Ooosterpark
Amsterdam - Relaxing and exploring local gems - The city from above from NEMO's roof
The city from above from NEMO's roof
Amsterdam - Relaxing and exploring local gems - Relax by the canal like a local1+
Relax by the canal like a local

 Instead of going to the infamous Vondelpark, check out the much prettier and more tranquil Oosterpark - don't forget to look up to spot the many green parakeets. Instead of queuing for hours for the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum, enjoy the Stedelijk modern art museum, the Huis Marseille photography museum or one of the dozens of random little museums. Anything you can think of, Amsterdam will most likely have a museum for: tulips, houseboats, cheese, bags, pipes, cats, prostitution, diamonds... These are all at a very low cost or even free. Bonus: The cheese museum will let you try cheese! Instead of paying a fortune to get up Amsterdam tower, pack a picknick and go on the roof of the NEMO science museum - you can get up there without paying entry for the museum. Instead of trying to squeeze into a bar on Rembrandt or Leidse square, try Marie Heinekensquare for a local beer. Instead of enduring a mundane audio tour on a huge canal cruise boat, rent your own small boat with your (hostel) friends (from boaty or mokum boats) - the city MUST be seen from the water and this is a much more fun way to do so. No prior boating experience or license is required and other boats will be making big circles around you.

Marken - Cycling in the Dutch countryside
2

Marken Cycling in the Dutch countryside

Marken - Cycling in the Dutch countryside - null
Marken - Cycling in the Dutch countryside - null
Marken - Cycling in the Dutch countryside - null1+

When coming to Amsterdam, you definitely need to experience riding a bike there. However, if you stay in the city, chances are high you'll quickly get annoyed with all the other tourists not understanding the concept of bike paths, or you'll be one of them yourself and continuously get beeped at by locals. A safer and more tranquil option is to take your bike outside of the city and head to Marken, a cute village on an island about 2 hours cycling away from Amsterdam. This means you’d have enough time to explore the island as a day trip and go back the same day. If you want to spend the night though, I recommend Bed and Breakfast De Pepersteeg. The cycling route is very low-effort (the Netherlands are flat like a pannekoek) and very scenic along the water and fields. Once you get there, you'll be rewarded with cute green wooden houses and a beautiful harbour with traditional Dutch restaurants.

Q & A

  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    I got a flat tyre and had to cycle the entire way back from Marken with double the effort as no bike repair shops were open that day. You'd be unlucky to have that happen to you as well though - fingers crossed!
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Foufow ramen and anything on the Albert Cuyp market! (the latter is quite touristy though).
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    If you want to try an Amsterdam coffeeshop (no, not a café), make sure to go to one outside of the centre to avoid getting ripped off.
  • Packing tips?

    Rainjacket or umbrella is a must - even in the summer
  • Transportation Tips?

    If you have a Dutch friend, borrow their yellow OV-Chipkaart rent an OV-fiets at a fraction of the price of any tourist bike rental
  • Booking details?

    Book Cocomama in advance, they fill up. None of the other things require a booking

Lodging