Spring is the perfect time to plan a weekend trip and explore another city. With its many winding streets, delightful cafes, stunning museums and famous canals, the Dutch capital is the ideal destination. A weekend in Amsterdam promises fun, relaxation and plenty of variety. Besides historic neighborhoods and buildings, brand new eateries and luxurious stores await visitors. With this in mind, get on your bikes and let's go, there's a lot to discover.

Friday

The first day in Amsterdam is best started quietly, because although the city is very manageable, it provides many different impressions. Numerous cafés with charming guest gardens invite you to take a seat outside and observe the hustle and bustle of the city.

Enjoy the spring outdoors and unwind: Amsterdam is the perfect place to do it. © Shutterstock

Canal trip by boat

Amsterdam is famous for its many canals, which run through the entire city and characterize its historical appearance. The four largest - the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht - form the Grachtengordel, a belt system of canals in the center. A canal trip by boat is thus the best way to get to know the "Venice of the North" in a relaxed way. So you can also get a first impression of the city and note the things you want to explore in more detail later.

The ideal way to get to know Amsterdam is with a boat tour along its famous canals. © Shutterstock

Dinner at Mr Porter

The trendy steakhouse serves first-class delicacies in an elegant atmosphere with a view of the city at night. In addition to excellent steak and outstanding lobster, the side dishes and desserts are also a real poem.

Spuistraat 175, 1012 VN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Web: mrportersteakhouse.com
Tel.: +31 20 811 3399

Saturday

After just five minutes, you will realize that the bicycle is the number one means of transportation here. No matter where you look, there are rows and rows of bikes parked everywhere. Even if you're only spending a weekend in Amsterdam, you should definitely rent a bike and move around the city like a local.

Nowhere else do bicycles fit in so well with the scenery. © Shutterstock

Visit museums

Amsterdam counts some impressive museums among the sights that should not be missed. The Van Gogh Museum is entirely dedicated to the legendary Dutch artist. However, the most famous is undoubtedly the Rijskmuseum, which attracts more than two million visitors a year. It houses a large collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, including paintings by Rembrandt, Jan Vermeer and Frans Hals.

The iconic Rijksmuseum contains some of the most important works in art history. © Shutterstock

Less traditional but equally impressive is the Moco Museum, an independent museum of modern and contemporary art, where works by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Banksy are on permanent display and contemporary artists such as Daniel Arsham and Yayoi Kusama have already had their own exhibitions.

Appearances are deceiving: this idyllic house awaits inside with flashy works of contemporary art. © Shutterstock

Food in the food halls

Foodies will be in seventh heaven in this market hall in a former streetcar remise. More than 20 stalls offer street food delicacies from all over the world that are worth every sin. From dim sum to pita to classic Dutch bitterballen, it's all here. It's a culinary trip around the world where you'd better not pay attention to the calories. After all, you don't spend every weekend in Amsterdam.

Foodhallen has been a fixture on foodies' list in Amsterdam since 2015. © Shutterstock

The red light district

If you're not traveling with children, you can't miss a walk through the red light district at night. Its reputation may precede the area, but it is one of the most beautiful and oldest neighborhoods in the city. Known by locals as Rossebuurt - the red neighborhood - the red light district is one of the most famous attractions for tourists. When the sun goes down, the streets literally light up in brilliant red light. The Netherlands has a very open view towards sex work, so waving at the ladies in the shop windows and giving them a smile while admiring the area is not a taboo.

An experience far more cultural than it sounds: a walk through the infamous Red Light District. © Shutterstock

Sunday

While other cities are often sleepy and anything but eventful on Sundays, Amsterdam is open for business seven days a week. The perfect opportunity to stroll and shop.

Stroll in Jordaan

A weekend in Amsterdam should not be complete without an extensive shopping trip. This delightful part of town is perfect for regional delicacies like cheese, but antiques and old records can also be found here in abundance. De 9 Straatjes, the nine small streets within the belt, are the perfect place to go on a treasure hunt.

The idyllic streets in Jordaan offer countless small stores with handmade treasures. © Shutterstock

Luxury Shopping

Of course, Amsterdam also has a wide range of high-end fashion and other luxury goods. Most of the designer stores are located on Pieter Cornelisz. Hooftstraat in the Museumkwartier, is not far from the most beautiful parks and museums. Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more - they can all be found in the noble street.

Louis Vuitton and co. are at home in the Museumkwartier. © Shutterstock

Hotel recommendation:

Pulitzer Amsterdam

Reminiscent of the Golden Age, this hotel is located in the neighborhood that once housed the Dutch aristocracy and is set in 25 renovated 17th- and 18th-century houses. Exclusive suites and elegant gardens provide the ideal base for an unforgettable weekend in Amsterdam.

The posh suites are a stylish mix of antique and modern. © sanderbaks.com/Pulitzer 

Prinsengracht 323, 1016 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel.: +31 20 523 5235
Web: pulitzeramsterdam.com

The hotel is located in 25 historic houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. © sanderbaks.com/Pulitzer

Restaurant recommendation

Jansz

Excellent dishes inspired by modern Dutch cuisine, made from high-quality regional ingredients, and first-class service have made this restaurant one of the best addresses in Amsterdam.

Modern reinterpretations of classic Dutch cuisine have catapulted this restaurant to the top. © Ashkan Mortezapour Photography

Reestraat 8, 1016 DN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel.: +31 20 523 5282
Web: janszamsterdam.com

The charming restaurant is also available for private dinner parties. © Jansz.

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