4 days in Amsterdam
A realistic day-by-day plan with start times, how long to allow, and travel estimates between stops.
This 4-day plan covers Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam Canal Cruise, Van Gogh Museum and more. It starts around 9am, keeps two main things per day with a proper lunch, and leaves the evening for food or a show. Travel times are estimates from the distance between stops.
Day 1
Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum & more
- 09:00
Anne Frank House
3 h
Tickets are sold online only, in timed slots, and are released in advance. Allow about an hour and a half. There is no photography inside, and the visit involves steep, narrow stairs.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 10 min by metro or taxi
Rijksmuseum
3 h
Visit early and head straight for the Gallery of Honour before the crowds arrive. The collection is enormous, so don't try to see it all in one visit.
- 19:00
↓ About 7 min on foot
Amsterdam Canal Cruise
1 h 30 min
Smaller boats fit the narrow canals and avoid the big crowds on the main waterways. Evening cruises are atmospheric, with the bridges lit.
Day 2
Van Gogh Museum, Zaanse Schans & more
- 09:00
Van Gogh Museum
3 h
Entry is by timed ticket only and sells out days or weeks ahead in busy periods. It is next door to the Rijksmuseum, so you can plan both on the same day with a break in between.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 40 min by metro or taxi
Zaanse Schans & Volendam
Full day
A half-day is enough. Zaanse Schans is a living museum village and busiest in the middle of the day; go early or late.
- 19:00
↓ About 40 min by metro or taxi
Day 3
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens & Volendam
- 09:00
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
Full day
Open for around eight weeks from late March to mid-May. Go on a weekday and as early as possible; weekends and mid-April are the busiest. Timing the bloom varies with the weather.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 130 min by metro or taxi
Volendam & Marken Day Trip
4 h
Combine with a cheese tasting. Public transport is easy but tours include everything.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 4
Explore Amsterdam
- 09:00
Morning in Jordaan
Canal-side lanes, small galleries and cafés, one of the prettiest districts.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in De Pijp
A lively, multicultural area with the Albert Cuyp market and plenty of restaurants.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The route on a map
Pins follow the order of the plan. Click a pin for details.
Best time to visit Amsterdam
Pick the month that suits your weather and crowd tolerance. These are broad seasonal patterns, not forecasts.
- JanColdCrowds: quiet
- FebColdCrowds: quiet
- MarCoolCrowds: busy
- AprCoolCrowds: peak
- MayMildCrowds: peak
- JunWarmCrowds: peak
- JulWarmCrowds: peak
- AugWarmCrowds: peak
- SepMildCrowds: peak
- OctCoolCrowds: busy
- NovCoolCrowds: busy
- DecColdCrowds: quiet
Best months Peak crowds and harsh weatherBars show how busy it is: taller means more visitors.
4-day Amsterdam questions
Is 4 days enough for Amsterdam?
Two to three days; add one for the tulip fields or Zaanse Schans. This plan fits the main sights into 4 days at a comfortable pace, with a lunch break each day.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes. Group days by neighbourhood if your hotel is far from a sight, and swap any day if opening hours (many museums close one day a week) or the weather requires it.
What should I book before I go?
Book Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum first – they use timed entry or sell out.