Amsterdam event weekends: what to do between sessions
Canals, bikes and world-class museums, with windmills, cheese towns and tulip fields an hour away.
Events we cover in Amsterdam
26 Apr 2027*King's Day (Koningsdag)
Amsterdam, NetherlandsCulture1 Jun 2027*Money20/20 Europe
Amsterdam, NetherlandsTrade show10 Jul 2027*Awakenings Summer Festival
Amsterdam, NetherlandsFestival10 Sept 2027*IBC
Amsterdam, NetherlandsTrade show15 Oct 2027*Amsterdam Marathon
Amsterdam, NetherlandsMarathon20 Oct 2027*Amsterdam Dance Event
Amsterdam, NetherlandsFestival
Amsterdam, NetherlandsCulture1 Jun 2027*Money20/20 Europe
Amsterdam, NetherlandsTrade show10 Jul 2027*Awakenings Summer Festival
Amsterdam, NetherlandsFestival10 Sept 2027*IBC
Amsterdam, NetherlandsTrade show15 Oct 2027*Amsterdam Marathon
Amsterdam, NetherlandsMarathon20 Oct 2027*Amsterdam Dance Event
Amsterdam, NetherlandsFestival
Arriving
Schiphol (AMS) has trains to Amsterdam Centraal every 10 minutes, 15 minutes per trip.
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Amsterdam Noord and Oost | Cheaper hotels a short ferry or metro ride from the centre. |
| Mid-range | Jordaan and De Pijp | Canal-side neighbourhoods with cafés. |
| Splurge | Canal Ring | Canal house hotels. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: ClinkNOORD
- Mid-range: Hotel V Frederiksplein
- Splurge: Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Tours
Where to eat
With kids
- NEMO science museum.
- ARTIS zoo.
Rainy-day backups
- Van Gogh Museum (book ahead).
- Anne Frank House (book ahead).
Free things to do
- Walk the Nine Streets and the canal ring.
- Free ferry to NDSM wharf.
Getting around
- Trams and metro (GVB) accept contactless.
- Johan Cruijff ArenA is on the metro (Bijlmer ArenA).
- Tap in and out with a contactless bank card on Dutch trains, trams and buses (OVpay).
- Bikes are the local way around; rent an OV-fiets at stations.