Visit Amsterdam in 2 days

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

With only two days in Amsterdam, location matters more than lavish extras: choose a base that keeps you within easy reach of the sights so you spend time exploring, not commuting. Staying near the big draws—museums, the historic centre and the canals—lets you pop back to your room between museum visits or an evening canal cruise, so your short trip feels relaxed rather than rushed. Focus on being practical and central rather than aiming for every convenience at once.

The city is compact and layered: a dense historic centre ringed by the canal belt, pockets of leafy residential streets like the Museum Quarter, and a web of trams and bikes that reach outward. Most visitors find that Amsterdam is best explored on foot or by tram for short hops; neighborhoods are distinct but close, so you can easily combine a morning at Museumplein with an afternoon wandering the canals. This compactness is what makes good location strategy so effective here.

If museums are your priority, choose a place near Museumplein or the adjoining Vondelpark to get first access to the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum and to enjoy calm early-morning walks. For the classic canal atmosphere and easy access to the smaller sights around the Prinsengracht, look for lodgings near Prinsengracht or the Jordaan, which also keeps you well-placed for cozy cafés and canal-side streets. If you want to be at the civic heart, staying by Dam Square puts the Royal Palace and the National Monument on your doorstep and makes arriving late or leaving early straightforward.

Transport-wise, plan to mix walking with trams and a short bike ride if you’re comfortable cycling; the tram network is frequent and the best way to cover longer center-to-suburb distances quickly. Choose accommodation within a short walk of a tram stop or main canal street to make transfers seamless. Many places offer luggage storage if your arrival or departure doesn’t match check-in times—use that to keep your days flexible.

For two days, prioritize a quiet, central street over being right on a noisy main thoroughfare: you’ll sleep better and still be minutes from the action. Pick a neighborhood that matches your rhythm—museum mornings, canal afternoons, Dam Square nights—and aim for walkability and easy tram access. With the right location strategy, Amsterdam feels spacious even in a short visit, and you’ll leave confident you saw the best without wasting time.

Getting Around Amsterdam

Getting around Amsterdam is easier than it looks—trust me, even as a first-time visitor you’ll feel confident fast. The city is compact and served by a clear network run by GVB with frequent tram, metro, bus and ferry links, so sights like Museumplein, Prinsenhof and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam are never far. Stops are well signed, vehicles arrive every few minutes on main routes, and most stations and trams have clear route maps and audio announcements 🚇.

Practical ticketing is straightforward: you can use an anonymous OV-chipkaart, buy a short-term day pass from machines or GVB counters, or simply pay with a contactless bank card or mobile wallet on board or at the gate. If you plan several trips in one day, a day pass usually makes life simplest—buy it once and hop on and off without fuss 🎫. Keep your card or phone handy to tap in/out where required.

Google Maps is your best real-time friend for public transport in Amsterdam—open the app, choose public transport directions, and it will show tram or metro lines, walking times, which stop to use and live departure times. I always check the “departures” at a stop in the app so I know which platform to head for and whether to expect a direct ride or a short transfer; it also flags delays so you can choose a scenic walk instead.

To save money, compare single fares with day passes: a single GVB ticket is affordable for one-off trips, but if you’ll ride multiple times in a day a 24- or 48-hour pass typically pays off (prices change, so check the GVB website before you go). Walk whenever you can—Amsterdam is wonderfully walkable and many canal-side detours are free and memorable. Also consider combining a short tram ride with a stroll through a neighborhood to discover cafés and small museums off the beaten path.

One time we went from Museumplein to Prinsenhof: I tapped my contactless card, hopped on the tram, and used Google Maps to time our exit. We got off, wandered along a canal for ten minutes, then continued to the Royal Palace with a five-minute tram hop and a short walk to Dam Square. It felt effortless—simple taps, clear signs, and the city practically guiding us. You’ll find the system welcoming and intuitive; after one successful trip you’ll be navigating like a local. 🗺️

What to Pack for Amsterdam

Short trip to Amsterdam? Think nimble, comfy, and ready for changeable weather. I’ve spent two-day weekends there where I walked for hours between canals and hidden courtyards, so these are the things I always bring. I explain why each item matters with little stories — practical, not preachy.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (REQUIRED — e.g., Merrell Moab 2 or Ecco Soft 7): I once walked roughly 15 miles over two days exploring Jordaan and Museumplein and my feet thanked me because I had supportive, broken-in shoes. Cobblestones and slick canal bridges punish flimsy soles; a low-profile hiking shoe or sturdy sneaker prevents blisters and keeps you going for 10+ hours of wandering.

2. Cross-body bag: On a crowded tram someone brushed past me; my cross-body bag stayed snug against my ribs and my phone stayed put. Amsterdam is generally safe, but touristy areas and bikes create close quarters. A zippered, anti-theft cross-body (worn front) keeps valuables accessible and deters pickpockets — and frees both hands for photos and stroopwafels.

3. Weather-appropriate clothing: Layers are everything. I’ve had sunny mornings that turned into brisk, drizzly afternoons within three hours. A lightweight merino base layer, thin sweater, and a packable waterproof shell cover most scenarios. Bring one pair of quick-dry pants and a hat — the canals amplify wind chill, so a thin insulated layer can be a lifesaver late evening.

4. Power adapter (Type C/E/F) and short charging cable: Dutch sockets use the two-round-pin plug (Type C) and sometimes Type F. On a short trip I forgot an adapter once and missed charging in my hotel before a long day; getting one at the airport cost me time. A compact adapter plus a short cable keeps your phone and camera ready for maps and photos.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh): I used a 10,000 mAh power bank to top up my phone twice during a day of navigation, ticket photos, and map checks. Museums weren’t on the list, but when you’re out 8–12 hours, that extra 1–2 full charges saves stress — especially if you rely on mobile tickets or ride-share apps.

6. Optional — compact umbrella or lightweight rain jacket & reusable water bottle: I usually pack a tiny umbrella that fits in a bag and a collapsible water bottle. The umbrella saved me from a sudden 20-minute downpour; the bottle kept me hydrated during long strolls along the canals. Both are small, practical, and make a two-day trip much more comfortable.