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  1. Destinations
  2. Amsterdam
  3. Weekend

Weekend in Amsterdam

Even on a short break, prepare to fall hard for Amsterdam – a culture-steeped city of canals, brimming with adventures.

Planning the perfect journey

A city break in Amsterdam can be many things: a romantic tryst, good-time getaway with friends, or action-packed family adventure. Take the train from London to Amsterdam and you’re there in under four hours, emerging from the station into the city’s heart. The subject of countless paintings (and even more Instagram posts), the Dutch capital is even more charming in real life, with its gabled, Golden-Age townhouses, gezellig cafés and half-moon of canals. From the restaurant with the loveliest terrace to the cruise that’ll amuse restless kids, here’s everything you need to know.

Things to do in Amsterdam

Our destination guide has the city’s must-sees covered, from its street art and Old Masters to its leafy parks and sky-scraping swing. Ticked off the main attractions? Then explore another side of the city, browsing its boutiques or unwinding in a spa.

Where to shop

If you only have an afternoon for shopping in Amsterdam, spend it wandering De Negen Straatjes (AKA The Nine Streets). Small shops edge its cobbled streets, each more charming than the last, selling everything from vintage clothes and vinyl to ceramics and loose-leaf teas. Over in De Pijp, indie boutiques line Gerard Doustraat; don’t miss the dreamy lingerie in Love Stories’ discounted archive, or the sneakers at Baskèts Stores. Elsewhere, PC Hooftstraat is Amsterdam’s answer to Bond Street, if you’re hoping to snap up a Gucci bag enroute to the Rijksmuseum. More into fleamarketfinds? Try the Sunday Market, which pops up in various locations, or browse IJ-Hallen’s epic, once-monthly market.

Spas and wellness

The flip side of Amsterdam’s hedonism is its love of all things holistic. Yoga studios like The Breathing Space offer drop-in classes, while Oracley has a focus on healing, with gong baths, breathwork and more. Newcomer Renessence is more cutting-edge, with its space-age oxygen pods, while Akasha at the Conservatorium has five-star facilities, including a hammam and indoor pool. (Not a hotel guest? From Monday to Thursday, booking a treatment scores you two hours’ access to the spa.) Fitness buffs will find all kinds of classes here, from kickboxing to HIIT – though you’ll see more of the city with a loop around Vondelpark’s lakes.

A romantic break in Amsterdam

Amsterdam lives up to its reputation for romance, whether you’re snapping selfies on a bridge or taking a cruise on the canals. If that all sounds too much, take a lower-key approach, sharing a stack of pancakes, perhaps, or spotting the first tulips of spring.

Things to do

In a city of romantic nooks and vistas, don’t miss De Magere Brug, the ‘skinny bridge’ across the Amstel that glimmers with lights after dark. In the Jordaan, peep into hofjes (hidden courtyards) or play which-canal-house-would-you-buy, before slipping into the Hoxton for a snap in its vintage photobooth. A romantic cruise is a must, of course: book yours with our partner Musement, or hire a self-drive boat and chart your own course through the canals. What else? Smell the roses in the Vondelpark, cosy up in a classic brown café, or time-travel through the centuries at the Rembrandt House museum – though to see the great master’s tender Jewish Bride, head to the Rijksmuseum.

Must-try tables for two

If you’d rather keep your romancing low-key, consider Bar Bachrach, a candlelit natural wine bar with a sideline in Middle Eastern mezze. With its French-leaning menu and canal’s-edge tables, De Belhamel takes it up a notch: join the lovebirds lingering over shared crème brûlées as dusk falls over the water. In Oud-West, book ahead at hip local favourite Gertrude, whose small plates might run from shrimp with dill and buttermilk to vadouvan-spiced carrots. And, if you’re going all out to impress, Restaurant De Kas could be the place – a Michelin-starred ‘plant to plate’ address, set in a remarkable glass greenhouse.

A weekend with friends or family

Steeped in history and culture, the city also has a playful side, making it perfect for a getaway with family or friends alike. Famously hedonistic after dark, it’s also magical for children, with its labyrinth of bridges, boat-dotted canals and back-to-nature playgrounds.

Amsterdam for kids

Amsterdam is a huge hit with kids: what’s not to like about a city that starts the day with chocolate sprinkles on toast? Hire a bakfiets cargo bike and the kids can ride upfront, or take a Blue Boat cruise, complete with binoculars and a pirate-themed audio-story. At the Rijksmuseum, they can tackle a special quest or splash in the garden’s jets, while science museum NEMO is a must – as its free rooftop, with its water-play and café. The botanical gardens, zoo and aquarium (currently closed) are over in De Plantage, while parks and playgrounds dot the city: head for Amstelpark, with its mini-train, or Vondelpark’s sandpits and slides. For more ideas, see our family-friendly guide

Where to head with friends

Few cities are as much fun as Amsterdam for a weekend away with friends (if you’re a party of ten or more, check out our group travel options). By day, head to NDSM Wharf for street art and a sandy urban beach, or get your bearings with a cruise on the canals. If that doesn’t appeal, consider stand-up paddleboards: at Canal SUP, up to ten consenting adults can balance on one mega-board. Recover with a well-deserved beer at Brouwerij Troost, or eat your way around hip foodhall De Hallen. After dark, the city’s nightlife calls, whether it’s waterside drinks at Hannekes Boom, karaoke at the Duke of Tokyo, or a techno-fuelled all-nighter at Radion.

A cheap weekend in Amsterdam

You’ll always find cheap hotels in Amsterdam, though it’s best to book ahead. Once you’re here, keep costs low by doing as the locals do, whether it’s getting around by bike or eating on the fly; no lunch could be more delicious (or Dutch) than a streetside salted-herring roll.

Budget-friendly tips

To save money on transport, hire a bike for the duration of your stay. Old-fashioned, pedal-brake Dutch bikes cost as little as €10 per day, though consider going electric if you’re planning to cover more ground. Most museums charge admission unless you’re under 18, so it may be worth buying anI amsterdam City Card (€60 for 24 hours). Canalside strolls are free, of course, as are the Rijksmuseum’s gardens, along with Nemo’s panoramic roof terrace and its programme of summer events. To eat out for less, lean into the city’s street-food scene, starting with the stalls and food trucks that edge Albert Cuyp Markt. For more ideas, see our guide to Amsterdam on a budget.

Where to stay for less

Conscious Hotel The Tire Station sets the bar for budget stays, with its sustainable ethos, sleek design and surprisingly reasonable prices (doubles go for under €100, if you time your visit right). If you’re not in town for long, think about staying near the station, where there are bargains to be had, along with five-star suites. Hotel Roemer is a basic budget option that couldn’t be closer to the sights, while This Ho(s)tel stows its guests in sleek, air-conditioned cubes. For a little more space, look beyond the canal ring to addresses like the WestCord Art Hotel or Hotel de Hallen – both of which feature in our guide to the city’s best stays.

Book Train + Hotel to save on your stay

Book Train + Hotel to save on your stay. Plan your trip from route to room with Eurostar.

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FAQ

Yes, there is a direct train from London to Amsterdam which gets you there is just under 4 hours.

Eurostar tickets from London start at £39 one-way, while budget-conscious travellers can expect to spend around £70 a day, including basic accommodation. For a mid-range stay, you’re looking at £150 and upwards per day, especially if you’re eating out and seeing some big-ticket museums.

Layer light knits and jackets like the locals to handle changeable weather, and always pack a pair of flats, so you can hop on a bike. Just as importantly, save some suitcase-space for souvenirs, from stroopwafels to flea market finds.

Amsterdam Centrum is close to the station and sights, and has options for every budget, while the southern canal ring is dotted with chic boutique stays. Beyond the Centrum, every neighbourhood has its own appeal, from hip but laidback Jordaan to the once-industrial Noord.

Take a look at our lowest fares for a London to Amsterdam train.

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