About Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands. As of 1 January 2026, it had a population of 941,873 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", for its large number of canals, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cheap flights to Amsterdam
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $911 from Boston, travelling 27 Nov – 1 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LAX Los Angeles to Amsterdam26 Dec – 12 Jan · AMS from$1,088
- BOS Boston to Amsterdam27 Nov – 1 Dec · AMS from$911
- NYC New York to Amsterdam27 Nov – 1 Dec · AMS from$986
- ATL Atlanta to Amsterdam1 Dec – 10 Dec · AMS from$1,157
- MIA Miami to Amsterdam2 Mar – 8 Mar · AMS from$1,007
- DTW Detroit to Amsterdam2 Nov – 24 Nov · AMS from$1,257
- ORD Chicago to Amsterdam13 Apr – 22 Apr · AMS · Business from$2,654
- MSP Minneapolis to Amsterdam31 Oct – 4 Nov · AMS from$1,621
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: ITA Airways, Icelandair, TAP Air Portugal, Aer Lingus, Finnair.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to AmsterdamPlaces to visit in Amsterdam
-
Rijksmuseum
MuseumThe national museum of the Netherlands, showcasing Dutch Golden Age masterpieces including Rembrandt's Night Watch and works by Vermeer, alongside model ships, Delftware and decorative arts.
-
Van Gogh Museum
MuseumThe largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings, displayed to trace his life and development as an artist. Timed tickets must be booked online in advance.
-
Anne Frank House
MuseumThe canal house where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. Walk through the secret annex behind the bookcase; tickets are released online and sell out quickly.
-
Canal Ring
HistoricThe UNESCO-listed ring of concentric canals lined with gabled merchant houses and hump-backed bridges. A canal boat tour or a walk along Herengracht and Prinsengracht is essential.
-
Jordaan
NeighborhoodA charming former working-class neighborhood of narrow canals, brown cafes, galleries and boutiques. Visit the Noordermarkt on Saturdays and Mondays for food, flea and farmers stalls.
-
Vondelpark
ParkThe city's most popular park, with ponds, lawns, an open-air theatre and cycle paths near the Museum Quarter. It is great for a picnic or a relaxed bike ride.
-
Dam Square
LandmarkThe historic central square bordered by the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk and the white National Monument. It is a convenient starting point for exploring the old center.
Things to do in Amsterdam by type
125 tours, tickets and experiences across 9 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
Art & culture 48 experiences All Inclusive Amsterdam Clubbing Pass and Our House Museum -
Cruise & Water Tours 46 experiences Amsterdam Canal Dinner Cruise with 4-Course Menu -
City tours 32 experiences Amsterdam Centrum - City Exploration Game! -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 26 experiences All Inclusive Amsterdam Clubbing Pass -
Day Trips & Excursions 25 experiences Bruges City Tour - from Amsterdam -
Gastronomy & nightlife 8 experiences All Inclusive Amsterdam Clubbing Pass -
Tour & activities 5 experiences Amsterdam Canal Dinner Cruise with 4-Course Menu -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 3 experiences Keukenhof Garden and Flowerfields -
Shows, sports and special events 2 experiences Formula 1: Dutch Grand Prix 2026 - Ticket
- 1-3 hours 16
- Over 6 hours 12
- 3-6 hours 6
- Flexible 5
- Up to 1 hour 5
- Senior 8
- Couples 7
- Youth 7
- Families 6
- Adult only 3
- Private 18
- Small group 13
- Skip the line 8
- Wheelchair accessible 4
Top experiences in Amsterdam
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 125 available.
City Canal Cruise
From $16 per adult
City Sightseeing Amsterdam Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $32 per adult
Lovers canal cruise departure from Rijksmuseum
From $18 per adult
Explore Zaanse Schans, Edam, Marken and Volendam
From $46 per adult
Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise
From $20 per adult
Discover Amsterdam with 1 hour Canal Cruise - Small Group Walking Tour
From $40 per adult
Evening cruise with wine and cheese
From $48 per adult
LOVERS Canal Cruise through the City´s Waterways - Departure from Anne Frank´s House
From $18 per adult
Bruges City - Full-Day Tour
From $80 per adult
Lovers Canal Cruises - Amsterdam Canal Cruise
From $20 per adult
Visit to Marken, Volendam and Edam by public transport - Private Tour
From $286 per adult
Countryside and Windmills - Tour from Amsterdam
From $60 per adult
Best time to visit Amsterdam
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Amsterdam is June and August, when average daytime highs are around 70–73°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Amsterdam weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 56° 49° 63%
- Thu 22 Oct 56° 47° 59%
- Fri 23 Oct 55° 47° 92%
- Sat 24 Oct 55° 47° 86%
- Sun 25 Oct 54° 46° 90%
- Mon 26 Oct 54° 48° 71%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Dutch
- Calling code
- +31
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/AmsterdamUTC+2
Upcoming public holidays in Netherlands
- Christmas DayEerste Kerstdag
- St. Stephen's DayTweede Kerstdag
- New Year's DayNieuwjaarsdag
- Easter SundayEerste Paasdag
- Easter MondayTweede Paasdag
- King's DayKoningsdag
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Amsterdam
These are the airports closest to central Amsterdam. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- AMS Amsterdam Schiphol Airport6 mi (10 km) from the city centre
Getting around Amsterdam
Amsterdam's city centre is quite compact, and pretty flat, so you can easily get to most tourist destinations on foot. From Amsterdam Centraal, most areas in the city centre can be reached within half an hour.
Tickets
For many years, an OV-chipkaart provided the only way to pay transportation fees in the city. However, as of 2023, fees may be paid at the station or on the tram, bus, or NS train by using a contactless credit or debit card (OVpay) either on a card or on a mobile device. Many travellers find their bank card easier than buying and keeping track of an OV-chipkaart, as they do not have to obtain, maintain, and monitor the balance on the contactless card.
Alternative payment options
Besides using a debit or credit card, you have other options: an OV-chipkaart, an OV-pas or the GVB app.
Season tickets
For those who stay in Amsterdam longer, one of the day or multi-day passes could be a useful option. You can get them for 24 hours up to 168 hours. This allows the holder to travel on an unlimited number of journeys on the tram, metro and bus throughout the validity period of the pass. Travel passes can be loaded on the anonymous cards but existing credit on such cards cannot be applied towards the purchase of a pass. These passes are not valid on buses operated by Connexxion, EBS and Keolis.
Amsterdam travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Amsterdam is June and August, when average daytime highs are around 70–73°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
What is the weather like in Amsterdam?
August is usually the warmest month in Amsterdam, with average highs of 73°F (23°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 37°F (3°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 116 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Amsterdam?
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (10 km) from the centre of Amsterdam.
How much are flights to Amsterdam?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Amsterdam in the last 30 days was $911 from Boston, travelling 27 Nov – 1 Dec. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $911.
What currency is used in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Amsterdam in?
Amsterdam uses the Europe/Amsterdam time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Amsterdam?
Amsterdam's city centre is quite compact, and pretty flat, so you can easily get to most tourist destinations on foot. From Amsterdam Centraal, most areas in the city centre can be reached within half an hour.
What are the best places to visit in Amsterdam?
Top sights in Amsterdam include Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House and Canal Ring. The national museum of the Netherlands, showcasing Dutch Golden Age masterpieces including Rembrandt's Night Watch and works by Vermeer, alongside model ships, Delftware and decorative arts.
What are the top things to do in Amsterdam?
Popular experiences you can book in Amsterdam include City Canal Cruise, City Sightseeing Amsterdam Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and Lovers canal cruise departure from Rijksmuseum. Destina Holidays offers 125 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Amsterdam?
The most popular types of experiences in Amsterdam are art & culture (48), cruise & water tours (46), city tours (32) and tickets & attraction passes (26). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
