Amsterdam in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Many tourists decide to take advantage of flight deals and come for just 24 hours to discover this incredible city. If that's your case, pack your backpack because we're off to discover the main attractions you can see in Amsterdam; from the city centre and Dam Square, to Anne Frank's house and the Flower Market, ending with one of the most typical plans: the Red Light District. Let's get started!

You've just arrived in Amsterdam and have the whole day ahead of you to discover the city. The Van Gogh Museum opens at 9am, so visiting early in the morning is the best way to make the most of your morning.

Amsterdam has much more to see, but it's worth taking the time to see the huge collection of paintings in this impressive museum. You can choose to buy your ticket to the Van Gogh Museum a few days in advance to avoid the queues and enjoy paintings such as Sunflowers, The Yellow House, Almond Blossom, The Bedroom at Arles, The Potato Eaters, among others. If you love art and want to get to know the collection much better, booking a guided tour might be an interesting option for you.

To get to the museum from wherever you are staying, you can take the tram and get off at the Museumplein stop. From there, you are only a 15-minute walk from the tourist centre of Amsterdam.

Interesting facts

• Where is it? The museum is located at Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam.
• How much does it cost: with the cruise package, around 40€.
• Visiting time: I recommend 1 hour to see the most important parts of the museum.
• What's on offer: One of the most complete collections of Van Gogh's work. Ideal for art and culture lovers.

Once you've left the museum, you're sure to want to move around a bit and get to know the essence of the streets of Amsterdam. You probably know that in this city, flowers, and more specifically tulips, are internationally famous. Therefore, there is no better plan for your morning in Amsterdam than to visit the Flower Market or Bloemenmarkt.

It is an experience to learn about how the city used to trade and the enormous importance of the canals. In total, 18 floating stalls located just a 15-minute walk from the Van Ghog Museum, selling all kinds of seeds and bulbs that will leave you fascinated.

At first, the traders used to move around the canals with their boats selling their flowers, but when they saw the enormous fame they were gaining, they decided to set up at a fixed point on one of the beautiful canals in the centre of Amsterdam and offer their products, becoming one of the most visited flower markets in all of Europe.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: Along the Singel canal.
• How much does it cost: The market is free, and if you want to buy any flowers or seeds, the price varies greatly, depending on the type and quantity.
• Visiting time: The ideal time is to take a walk of about half an hour to get to know it.
• What's on offer: It is one of the most important and most photographed flower markets in the world.

There's still a long day ahead of you and by now you'll want to recharge your batteries to keep you on your feet for the whole day. There's nothing better for these hours than buying a real cone with, what they say, are the best fries. The Dutch have for years boasted of being one of the countries where the concept of "French fries" was created, and they know how to exploit it in the best possible way.

During your visit to Amsterdam you will discover that there are many shops and kiosks offering the famous cones with various sauces and flavours. Near the flower market you will find one of the Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx chain just a 3-minute walk away.

Who doesn't fancy a nice, crunchy french fry in the middle of the morning? Treat yourself and recharge your batteries as you continue your day in Amsterdam.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: it's a chain, but the closest one from where you are is Voetboogstraat 33.
• How much does it cost? Approximately €5 per cone.
• Visiting time: This is a refreshment stop. About 30 minutes.
• What's on offer: Taste one of Amsterdam's star products and take a mid-morning break.

With your stomach a little fuller and you've warmed up, you're ready to visit one of Amsterdam's most important landmarks and a must-see in the city; Dam Square, just a 5-minute walk from the Flower Market, is one of the city's major meeting points, from where many Amsterdam tours depart. This place is one of the city's major meeting points, from where many of the Amsterdam tours depart.

There are also other buildings of interest such as the Nieuwe Kerk church and the Amsterdam Wax Museum. You can take pictures and even do some express shopping in one of the most famous shops in the city: De Bijenkorf.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: Dam Square and the whole complex is located at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147.
• How much does it cost: Access to the Palace costs CAD 20.
• Visiting time: You can visit the square and walk around the main buildings for about 1 hour or enter the Royal Palace and spend more time there.
• What's on offer: You can get to know the centre of Amsterdam and one of the most important buildings in the country, the Royal Palace. You can also take the opportunity to do some shopping.

After a busy morning getting a first taste of Amsterdam and getting to know its streets, you're sure to have worked up an appetite. You can take advantage of the fact that you are in the heart of the city to stop for a typical Dutch lunch.

Near the square there are numerous places to suit all tastes. From inexpensive offers for a quick and hearty meal to more gourmet restaurants with several forks. These are some of the most popular and less than a minute's walk from where you are:

• The White Room, a Michelin-starred restaurant. A culinary experience to round off your Amsterdam getaway.
• ROYAL 98, with international dishes and a beautiful terrace where you can eat and look out over the city centre.
• De Nieuwe Pilserij, a Dutch restaurant-pub with typical, cheap and plentiful dishes. Ideal for trying new flavours.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: all restaurants are less than 5 minutes walk from Dam Square.
• How much does it cost: between 20€ and 100€.
• How long does it take to visit: lunch time is usually around 1-2 hours.
• What's on offer: typical Dutch food to suit all budgets and right in the centre of town.

After lunch, you'll need to continue on to make the most of your Dutch visit. At this point in the day, I have one of the city's most solemn and famous sights in store for you: the Anne Frank House Museum. Without a doubt, this is a visit you can't miss, although I warn you, it can be a bit tough, as this house is where the famous Anne lived in hiding with her family during the Nazi invasion.

Being able to visit what was a hiding place for her for two years makes anyone's hair stand on end. Despite this, I can assure you that it will be one of the visits you will never forget during your stay in Amsterdam, and booking an Anne Frank tour of the Jewish Quarter is a great way to get the most out of the experience and complete your visit to the area.

The museum is open until 5pm, so it's the perfect after-lunch activity to avoid the morning rush. Even so, I recommend buying your ticket in advance so you don't waste time waiting. From Dam Square, it's only a 10-minute walk, the time it takes you to get your food down and step into a piece of Amsterdam history.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: The Anne Frank House is located at Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV.
• How much does it cost: around 10 ¤.
• Visiting time: With a guided tour you can spend up to 1 hour inside.
• What does it offer: You will learn about a very sensitive part of Amsterdam's history and see a place of remembrance for yourself.

Leaving Anne Frank's house is bound to have left you feeling a little reflective. To clear your mind and reconnect with the present, I suggest another of **Amsterdam'**s must-see stops. Right in the heart of Amsterdam, between its popular canals, named a World Heritage Site years ago, is one of the city's newest and most youthful neighbourhoods; the 9 Streets Quarter.

Located between the Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat, this is a neighbourhood where all the fashion and design trends in Holland are concentrated. The many shops, cafés and galleries will captivate you, and simply strolling along the cobbled streets will give you a taste of Dutch culture. This neighbourhood is also always included in the many tours of the city of Amsterdam.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: This neighbourhood is located between the Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat.
• How much does it cost: The walk is free, but the shops and galleries can cost upwards of 2 zeros.
• Visiting time: window shopping and getting to know the neighbourhood can take 40 minutes.
• What's on offer: Get to know a new and trendy neighbourhood full of Dutch fashion and art.

If you manage to get out of this electrifying and picturesque neighbourhood in time and you haven't got caught up in the shopping and bohemian atmosphere, I recommend that, to round off the afternoon, you head towards the Red Light District, where your tour of Amsterdam will end with a visit to one of its great architectural treasures.

This is the oldest building in Amsterdam, also known as the Oude Kerk and located just a 10-minute walk from Negen Straatjes. It may seem incredible for a country that is literally built on top of a swamp, but this place is more than 500 years old. It dates back to 1302 and is a beautiful parish church.

It's a sight to see from the outside, but if you want to go inside and have a look, the entrance fee is usually around €10. You'll have to be well organised as it closes at six in the evening but, if you don't extend your visit too long at 9 streets, you can have one of the last passes to see inside. You decide: fashion or history?

Interesting facts

• Where is it: the church is located at Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX.
• How much does it cost: approximately 10 ¤.
• Visiting time: You can visit it from the outside in 20 minutes or spend 1 hour inside.
• What's on offer: Visit one of Amsterdam's most iconic buildings and the oldest in the city.

The day is coming to an end and, before celebrating this rounded day in Amsterdam with a delicious dinner, I suggest you do one of the most typical activities in the city: a cruise along the canals. Whether you come alone, as a couple or with family and friends, this is undoubtedly one of the most touristy plans and, although you've come with just enough time to see everything, I've saved you these last few moments of the afternoon to treat yourself to a boat trip along the canals at sunset.

There are several points from which the cruises depart and many companies that run them. If you want to improvise, you can buy one of these boat trips on the spot. However, if you want to get a better price and not have to wait for a long time, it is best to book your Amsterdam canal cruise in advance. Trips are usually about 1 hour and are perfect from where you are.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: there are different companies and departure points but all of them are close to the canals near the Red Light District.
• How much does it cost: from 27.
• Howlong does it take to visit: it usually lasts 1-2 hours.
• What's on offer: Tour the centre of Amsterdam by boat on one of the main tourist attractions.

After enjoying a peaceful and romantic stroll along Amsterdam's canals, it's probably already dark and it's time to say goodbye to this fascinating city. To do so, there's nothing better than rewarding the day with a dinner near the canals where you disembarked.

Just as for lunch, in this part of Amsterdam you can find plenty of places to dine out, to suit all budgets. Here is a list of some of the most popular and varied for you to choose from :

• Vermeer, one of the best restaurants in town with gourmet Dutch cuisine and top-notch chefs.
• Martine of Martine's Table, a great local restaurant that has gained a reputation throughout the city for its delicious Dutch and French menus.
• Bridges, an exclusive restaurant in the heart of the Red Light District with all kinds of international dishes.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: All restaurants are located in the heart of the Red Light District.
• How much does it cost: Prices range from €20 to €120.
• Visiting time: you can spend 2 hours for dinner.
• What's on offer: sample some of the city's best restaurants and be right in the heart of the Red Light District at night.

I hope by now you are satisfied with your visit to Amsterdam. The city has plenty more to offer, but I can assure you that you've made the most of the day to get to know all its must-see places.

Now that it's evening and you've enjoyed a delicious dinner, I suggest you make the most of your last moments in the Dutch capital in one of the neighbourhoods that has become most famous internationally; Amsterdam's Red Light District. A place that gets its name from the red lights in the premises where the girls and boys offer their services. Yes, prostitution and marijuana consumption are legal in Holland, and in this neighbourhood both are condensed.

But don't get confused, this is not a neighbourhood of conflict or danger, quite the contrary. It is one of the neighbourhoods with the most nightlife and leisure activities, as both are carried out in a completely regulated and respectful manner. I suggest you go to one of the pubs in the area for a drink after dinner and see for yourself this characteristic and curious neighbourhood.

Interesting facts

• Where is it: This neighbourhood is located in the centre of Amsterdam, bounded by Damrak Street to the west and Niewemarkt Square to the east.
• How much does it cost: Pubs and coffee shops are priced at around €10 to €50.
• Visiting time: You can spend as much time as you want, but normally you can spend 2 hours there.
• What's on offer: Get to know one of the most curious and modern neighbourhoods in Europe.

The tour I've suggested is designed to be done on foot, as the centre of Amsterdam is quite manageable without having to take a long walk. However, don't forget that Amsterdam is the city of bicycles, so it is one of the best ways to get around Amsterdam, as well as the tram.

If you want to avoid the odd walk, you can rent a bike for the whole day to get from one place to another or even book a bike tour of Amsterdam.

Another option is to hire a seat on the City Sightseeing tourist bus: you can get on and off as many times as you want and see the main monuments of the city in a comfortable and quick way.

If you are visiting Amsterdam for the first time and want to make the most of your time without any surprises, here is a basic list of tips for sightseeing in Amsterdam:

• Book in advance to avoid queues: almost all tickets for museums and activities can be bought at the ticket office, but I recommend booking in advance to avoid queues, which can be very long.
• Always wear comfortable shoes for all-day walking.
• Beware, Coffee Shops may not be what you think they are: if you are looking for a coffee shop to have a coffee and a sweet, be aware that Amsterdam's coffee shops are the only places where you can buy and consume marijuana.
• Visit the Red Light District with the respect it deserves: this neighbourhood is home to all the legal prostitution activity, but it is not a place where anything goes. It is completely forbidden to photograph both the girls and boys in these red "shop windows" and it is also frowned upon to be disrespectful.

Amsterdam is a city worth discovering. If you have a gap in your schedule and can get a flight to travel, don't hesitate and come and marvel at the city of canals.