How to Get Off the Beaten Path in Amsterdam
From the Anne Frank House to Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam has no shortage of world-class, crowd-pleasing attractions. But, in case you’ve already seen the city’s main highlights, or simply want to escape the tourist crush, we’ve put together a list of the best off-the-beaten-path offerings in the city.
Amsterdam-Noord
With so many excellent attractions packed into Amsterdam Centrum, few tourists find the time to explore farther afield. Just a short and free ferry ride away from Central Station, the hip waterfront district of Noord flies under the average traveler’s radar. Ride Europe’s highest swing at the A’DAM tower, go shopping in Pekmarkt street market, and admire traditional wooden houses at Nieuwendammerdijk.
Museum Our Lord in the Attic (Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder)
Hidden in a canal house attic lies this unexpected gem: a fully fitted-out church complete with lavish marble and gilt decoration. Built in the 17th century during a time of Catholic persecution, this clandestine church—accessible through a hidden door—would have been the setting for secret masses performed in front of up to 150 worshippers.
Museum of Bags and Purses
This museum pays homage to an item many consider to be the ultimate fashion accessory: the handbag. With examples of quirky designs dating from the Middle Ages to present day, including many from Netherlandish designers, it is a must for fashion-conscious travelers.
Willet-Holthuysen Museum
A gift to the city from Mrs. Willet-Holthuysen in the late 19th century, this little-known museum is set inside a 17th-century canal house and is filled with period furnishings and artwork. The beautifully kept interiors show how wealthy Amsterdam inhabitants would have lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Dutch Costume Museum
Though small and niche in its focus, the Dutch Costume Museum proves fascinating. Displays center on folk costumes, with outfits and handicrafts from different regions exhibited throughout. Guests also have the opportunity to dress up in traditional Volendam dress for a memorable, only-in-the-Netherlands photo op.
21 Tours and Activities | All Amsterdam Tours
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Blue Boat Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise
Lap up Amsterdam’s beautiful canals by night on a candlelight cruise. Board a comfortable boat, settle into the all-glass cabin in the glow of candlelight and enjoy the scenery as you cruise the UNESCO World Heritage site canals. Pass by floodlit landmarks such as the Westerkerk and Anne Frank House, and savor the twinkling lights and silhouettes of the canal bridges, merchants’ houses and churches. As you cruise, hear about the city’s history from the onboard commentary, and enjoy refreshments from the bar, including one complimentary drink.
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From
$23.63
From
$23.63
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Skip the Line: XtraCold Icebar Amsterdam Ticket
Grab a seat at the coolest bar in Amsterdam with a fast-track package to the XtraCold Icebar, where everything—even the glasses—is made completely of ice. Relax first in the hip warm lounge, then slip on a provided thermal jacket for an arctic drinking adventure right in the heart of the Dutch capital. Admire ice sculptures illuminated by colorful lights as you sip three included drinks in the ‘chilled-out’ atmosphere.
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From
$27.99
From
$27.99
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
I amsterdam Card - City Pass for Amsterdam
Get the most out of your Amsterdam stay — and save money — with the I amsterdam City Card. With this pass, you enjoy unlimited use of public transport, a canal cruise and discounts on attractions and restaurants. Plus, gain entry to 44 museums including the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandthuis Museum, Van Gogh Museum (with time slot booking option) and Hermitage Amsterdam. Use your pass to discover this marvelous city at your own pace!
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From
$78.76
From
$78.76
Amsterdam Private Bike Tour with a Local
Explore Amsterdam the way it was meant to be seen—by bike! On this private tour, hop aboard a quality rental bike and follow a local guide on a personalized tour of the city's most interesting neighborhoods, scenic paths and iconic attractions. It’s a great way to soak up the sights and atmosphere in one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities.
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From
$86.03
Price varies by group size
From
$86.03
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Red Light Secrets: Museum of Prostitution Amsterdam
Explore the hidden world of prostitution at the Red Light Secrets Museum in Amsterdam. Head inside the former brothel house, home to the world’s only museum dedicated to prostitution. Trace the history of Amsterdam’s red light district from the 1500s up to and beyond the legalization of prostitution in 2000; sit at a window where prostitutes once advertised their services; see a typical workroom, and learn the secrets of the world’s oldest profession through the real-life anecdotes of those involved.
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From
$15.15
From
$15.15
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
Moco Museum - Banksy & more in Amsterdam Admission Ticket
Visit Amsterdam’s Moco Museum in the Museumplein to admire an exciting range of modern contemporary art. Showcasing works by the art world’s pioneering rock stars, the museum offers tastes of differing artistic movements through exhibitions and guest curators. Highlights include exhibitions by the likes of Salvador Dalí and Banksy. Skip-the-line admission is included with your entrance ticket.
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From
$23.63
From
$23.63
Skip the Line: Body Worlds Amsterdam Ticket
Get an up-close look at the amazing complexity of human anatomy with a skip-the-line ticket to the Body Worlds exhibit in Amsterdam. Marvel at real human specimens donated to science and preserved in detail using a groundbreaking method, and learn about the effect of emotions on the body as you explore ‘The Happiness Project.’ The interactive exhibit is suitable for all ages and also includes an adults-only section.
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From
$25.51
From
$25.51
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
House of Bols Entrance Ticket Plus Cocktail
Book a ticket in advance for admission to the House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience, situated on the Museumplein, or museum quarter, in Amsterdam. This innovative attraction provides interactive exhibits about Holland’s oldest spirit brands: Bols and Genever, the Dutch equivalent of gin. Take a self-guided tour through the Hall of Taste, the World of Cocktails and the Bols Genever Room before you sidle up to the Mirror Bar to watch mixologists shake up that perfect drink.
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From
$19.39
From
$19.39
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
A Full Day In Amsterdam With A Local: Private & Personalized
See Amsterdam through the eyes of someone who lives there on a personalized tour that lets you leave the guidebook behind and dive into local culture. Take a break from being a tourist as you explore neighborhoods of your choice or let your host design an itinerary based on your interests. Learn the best places in town to eat, drink, shop, and play according to your tastes for an experience that keeps on giving even after the tour ends.
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From
$176.12
Price varies by group size
From
$176.12
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Amsterdam Combo: Body Worlds & 1-Hour Canal Cruise
Add an educational twist to your Amsterdam trip by prebooking skip-the-line entrance ticket to "Body Worlds: The Happiness Project." The museum is home to some unforgettable exhibits (think real human bodies) that explore our anatomy in a new way. Continue your tour by taking the 1-hour cruise along Amsterdam’s famous canals.
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From
$36.35
From
$36.35
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Ticket to The Ultimate Flight Experience at This Is Holland
Enjoy a multi-sensory experience away from the crowded historic attractions on a visit to THIS IS HOLLAND: The Ultimate Flight Experience, ideal for visitors with limited time. Gain an aerial perspective on a flight simulation ride and discover views of Holland’s rural highlights without having to leave the capital. Learn about the country’s history and geography on 4D adventure that utilizes physical stimulus and special effects for a memorable experience.
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From
$19.39
From
$19.39
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Discover Amsterdam's Golden Age in the Portuguese Synagogue Ticket
Explore Amsterdam’s Jewish history and heritage with admission to the Portuguese Synagogue, a 17th-century Sephardic place of worship with stunning architecture and artifacts. Take in the beautifully-preserved interior, from grand stone pillars to plaster walls and a series of 72 windows. Your ticket includes admission to the most important heritage sites in Amsterdam's Jewish Cultural Quarter.
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From
$20.60
From
$20.60
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Architectural Highlights in Amsterdam
Get a true local perspective on Amsterdam’s history, liberal culture, and hidden hotspots on a small-group walking tour led by a guide born and raised in the city. With a maximum of eight people, you’ll have plenty of space to ask questions while exploring vibrant neighborhoods like the Joordan, 9 Start Canals, and often-overlooked Prinseneiland. It's a great way to start any visit to Amsterdam away from the usual tourist track.
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From
$89.67
From
$89.67
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Skip-the-Line: Diamond Museum Amsterdam Admission Ticket
Be dazzled by glittering gems and one-of-a-kind treasures at the Diamond Museum Amsterdam! Follow the journey of the world’s most coveted stones from deep inside the earth to settings on royal crowns and valuable works of wearable art. Browse glittering, diamond-encrusted displays and learn about the long history of the diamond trade in the Netherlands. You can even watch professional stone polishers and goldsmiths at work creating modern, high-carat masterpieces.
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From
$12.12
Price varies by group size
From
$12.12
Price varies by group size
Amsterdam National Maritime Museum Skip-the-line-Ticket
Visit the Netherlands' National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam with skip-the-line admission. Learn all about the golden age of Dutch maritime history as you wander the exhibits, which include naval artifacts and a replica of the ‘Amsterdam,’ an East Indiaman ship moored next to the museum.
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From
$20.50
From
$20.50
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Admission Ticket to Museum Willet-Holthuysen in Amsterdam
Immerse yourself in the opulent chambers and fabulous features of the Museum Willet-Holthuysen with an admission ticket to the famous cultural institution in Amsterdam. Explore the interior of the 17th-century canal house to discover impressive collections of classic art, antique furniture and sparkling silverware. Learn about the vibrant history of the Willet family, the former owners of the house, and explore the entertaining exhibits at your own pace with your unrestricted ticket.
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From
$15.15
From
$15.15
Private Guided Historic Amsterdam Canal Cruise in a Salon Boat
Delight in the architectural splendor of Amsterdam on a private 2-hour canal cruise. On a spacious boat, you’ll sail on Amsterdam’s picturesque waterways through historical districts such as Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengrach. Pass important structures like the Maritime Museum and the Dutch East Indiaman, and admire ancient churches and Amsterdam’s impressive Central Station from the water. While learning about the culture and history of the Dutch capital, you’ll receive the complete attention of your private guide.
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From
$524.00
per group
From
$524.00
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Jewish Cultural Quarter Self-Guided Tour Ticket
Gain admission to four institutions in the Jewish Cultural Quarter of Amsterdam, located near the Waterlooplein. Visit the Jewish Historical Museum, JHM Children’s Museum, and Portuguese Synagogue. Learn about Jewish heritage in the Netherlands with this multi-attraction pass, which includes an audio tour with recorded commentary and a map for a self-guided tour of the old Jewish neighborhood. Your ticket is valid for one month.
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From
$20.60
From
$20.60
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Private Tour: Amsterdam's Best Local Hotspots
Explore Amsterdam through the eyes of a local on this private tour led by a street-savvy guide. Break away from the tourist crowds to discover unique corners of the Dutch capital that showcase the city’s artistic modern culture. Visit a trendy design center, ride the ferry to the hip Noord district, taste authentic Dutch apple pie and more as your private guide reveals the ‘real’ Amsterdam.
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From
$24.23
Price varies by group size
From
$24.23
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Amsterdam Hidden Gems Tour
Stray from the beaten path and discover parts of Amsterdam that tourists usually miss out on during a private tour that reveals the hidden gems of the Netherlands’ capital city. Opting for a private tour means that you’ll benefit from both the undivided attention and insider knowledge, and receive tailored recommendations to last your entire trip.
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From
$27.85
From
$27.85
Bike Tour of Amsterdam's Highlights and Hidden Gems!
Orientate yourself in Amsterdam and discover the city’s highlights as well as its hidden gems on a bike tour. Zip easily between landmarks, saving time and covering more ground that possible by foot, ideal for visitors with limited time in the city. Enjoy the more personalized experience of a small-group tour and gain insight into Amsterdam’s history and culture from your guide.
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From
$42.41
From
$42.41
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use