How to Spend few hours in Amsterdam City Center
When I have a stopover and I can go around the city, I always prefer to get out the airport and do some sightseeing rather than stay at the airport.
If you have your stopover in Amsterdam and you have more than 4 hours you may well go and explore the city center for a bit.
You’ll have to be fast and efficient, but it will be totally worth it.
Many of the tourist attractions of the city are located in the center of Amsterdam and can be reached walking within few hours.
How to get to Amsterdam city center
It is very easy to reach the center of Amsterdam by train  and definitely more fun than spending those hours locked up at the airport.
(Here you can check how to get to the city center from the Airport)
If you take the train, I recommend you get off at Amsterdam Centraal Station, which is located in the middle of downtown.
When arriving at Amsterdam Centraal Station, the city center will be located in front and to your right.
Opposite the station is the VVV Tourist Office, where you can order maps, and there’s also the GVB Ticket & Info office where you can buy tickets for public transport.
What to see in Amsterdam city center
Close to the train station you’ll find many coffee shops, restaurants, cheese stores, the Royal Palace and lots of shopping.
the first thing I always do when I’m there is to head to my favorite fries shop, few blocks from Amsterdam Centraal Station, on the main street.
Several museums are located near  Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Walking fifteen minutes from the train station you find the Sex Museum, Rembrandt House, the Amsterdam Museum and the museum House of Anne Frank. For the last one you can buy your tickets online in advance and so you avoid making the long lines that form for it.
For the last one you can buy your tickets online in advance and so you avoid making the long lines that form for it.
Something very characteristic of the city of Amsterdam are its beautiful and picturesque canals.
If this is your first visit to the city is a very good option to take a tour of one hour through them where you can see the city.
There are numerous companies that offer these trips and its value is around 12 €.
And something that is everywhere in Amsterdam: BICYCLES!
It is unbelievable how many bikes are in the city, people from all ages, tourists, and locals going to work are riding them.
Bicycles are icons of the city of Amsterdam, they have priority in many streets and you can go up to almost all the public transports in them, including the ferry.
A very pleasant way to tour this city is by bicycle, there are parking lots in almost all places and cyclists are quite respected by motorists.
With just few hours this time I did not visit any of those characteristic coffee shops in the city, will be grounds for an upcoming trip to this beautiful city!
This pics are ready to be pinned!
Have you ever been before in Amsterdam?
What is your favorite place in town?
i love amsterdam, was there a few years back wish to go there again during tulips festival
You brought back wonderful memories for me. My family visit to Amsterdam, by way of Brussels, was a ton of fun. We visited everything you mentioned, except one; I had my kids in tow. 😉
OMG Amsterdam is so beautifullllllllllllllllllll! Really wish to visit here :(:( Have fun!
Hands down. You have one of the best travel blogs ever. I am a digital nomad myself and it lifts me up to see another digital nomad living an amazing life and chronicling it with amazing photos! Keep it up!
You have managed to cover a lot in four hours! Loved your photos. 🙂
My wife and I were only at the airport during our Amsterdam stopovers since they were less than three hours and we were afraid to miss our connecting flights. But next time we will go out to Amsterdam City Center definitely. – Fred
My friend is Actually studying in Amsterdam and I plan to visit her very soon! Thanks for the tips !
We were able to tour Amsterdam for a few hours when I went to Paris. It’s a really interesting city and they have new attractions now.
That is really a great things to do. When ever we have to wait for several hours or several days but we cannot move out of the city. Thanks for sharing such a great in-formations.
Great pictures! I believe Amsterdan is worth visiting for more longer hours rather than just a stop over. Ohh…. wish someday I can afford a trip to there.
never been to Amsterdam before and judging from those awesome pictures, 4 hrs is really not enough! and erm, sex museum? what kinda of sexual history do they showcase?
Wow! This place is in my bucket list! I will be returning to this post whenever I’m ready to visit Amsterdan, you have some great tips!
I really admire the place. It’s so clean, so elegant and if I have a chance in going there I am sure I could enjoy the ambiance of that place. Well, that is, I could remark for usually what is being featured or written on a certain place or location is what of that good of it. Less is featured of its bad or worse situation. Agree?
These photos are great! I love looking at the different buildings and unique places in other countries. Awesome!
I totally agree that it’s best to walk around outside the airport when you have a stopover – that’s if time permits. I absolutely love Amsterdam. It is in my bucket list and the howe & I are planning to visit one day.
I Have friends from amsterdam and netherlands!! Ik hov van je
Thanks for sharing your experiece!! I will concider it because I am thinking of visiting amsterdam in a month 😀
I have a blogger friend who resides in Amsterdam and he always talk about the beauty of the place. Too bad I don’t think I could travel to this city anytime soon. I have checked the plane fares and it’s so much! *cries*
Anyway, he did mention about the sexmuseum which he said is very famous there. I remember checking that in google before and I was disturbed! Haha!
Thank you @Richelle for your words! I really hope you can visit soon you’ll enjoy it! I didn-t get inside the Sex Museum yet so can-t agree or disagree wih you in this point, lol
I have always wanted to visit Amsterdam because of its famous tulip gardens and spectacular architecture. Looking at your pics helped me feel the spirit of this amazing city even better!
This is a very helpful article for people who are heading to amsterdam! bookmarked.. for future uses! 😀
Many thank’s for your kind words @Amie!
I heard Amsterdam is so beautiful /couldnt resist myself to admit this after going through your post. Nature is beautiful.
Hi @Hina,I also find Amsterdam is a really lovely and beautiful city!
Great overview! Amsterdam is on our short list for a long weekend. Pinned for future reference. 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading me @Kelly!