Netherlands — Stop 4 of 5

Amsterdam

28 – 29 September 2026 — 2 nights

2 nights Eurostar arrival Canals World-class art Book museums ahead
Book These NOW

Anne Frank House: Timed entry tickets sell out weeks in advance. You will not get in without a booking. Do this the moment you know your dates.

Van Gogh Museum: Also timed entry, also books out quickly. Book online before the trip.

Amsterdam is compact, charming, and absolutely packed with things to do. It's a city best explored slowly — on foot along the canal belt (Grachtengordel) or by bike. Two nights isn't much, so prioritise the things you can't do anywhere else: Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and an evening canal boat.

We arrive on the Eurostar from London, pulling into Amsterdam Centraal around 11:20am on 28 Sep. We leave by Eurostar to Brussels at 06:10 on 30 Sep.

  • Currency: Euro (EUR). Card payments everywhere.
  • Language: Dutch, but English is spoken extremely well — almost everyone under 50 is fluent.
  • Watch for bikes! Cyclists have right of way over pedestrians on cycle lanes. Step off a bike lane and you WILL be cleaned up.
  • The city centre is very walkable — Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, and Vondelpark are all within 1km of each other.
  • Eurostar departs Amsterdam Centraal at 06:10 on 30 Sep. It's a ~2h train to Brussels.
AF
Anne Frank House
The secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis for two years, 1942–1944. One of the most moving experiences in Europe. The house is preserved almost exactly as it was. Timed entry only — book well in advance at annefrank.org. ~€16.
VG
Van Gogh Museum
The world's largest collection of Van Gogh's work — paintings, drawings, and letters. The Starry Night (his own version), Sunflowers, The Bedroom. Genuinely world-class. Book timed entry in advance at vangoghmuseum.nl. ~€22.
RJ
Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum — Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen. The Night Watch (Rembrandt's massive masterpiece) alone is worth the visit. Huge building; allow a half day. Book tickets online. Right next to the Van Gogh Museum. ~€22.50.
HE
Heineken Experience
The original Heineken brewery, now a self-guided interactive tour of the brand's history with beer tastings included. Kitsch, fun, and comes with two included drinks. ~€23. Book online for slightly cheaper. Tram 24 from Centraal.
RL
Red Light District & Coffee Shop Tour
Learn about Amsterdam's liberal attitudes to sex, drugs, and prostitution on a guided walk through the Red Light District.
WD
Windmill & Dutch Cheese Farm E-Bike Tour
Electric bike out into the Dutch countryside to visit a traditional windmill and a working cheese farm.
CG
90-Min Cruise with Local Guide & Dutch Snacks
An extended canal cruise with live stories from a local captain, plus typical Dutch snacks and drinks along the way.
SB
Smoke & Lounge City Boat Cruise
A 420-friendly smoke-and-lounge canal cruise around the city.
CW
Cheese Tasting Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks
A traditional Dutch cheese tasting canal cruise, with unlimited drinks included.
WK
Westerkerk
The main Protestant church of Amsterdam and one of its most distinctive towers. Right next to the Anne Frank House — you can hear the bells from inside. Rembrandt is buried somewhere in an unmarked grave here. Free to enter the church. Tower climb available for views.
DS
Dam Square & Royal Palace
The central square of Amsterdam. The Royal Palace on Dam Square was originally the Town Hall and is one of the most significant Dutch Classical buildings. Entry to the interior is about €12 when not in use for state functions. The square itself is free and always busy.
VP
Vondelpark
Amsterdam's main park — 47 hectares with ponds, open-air theatre, cafes, and locals everywhere on a sunny day. Free, open always. A great spot for a morning walk before the museums open, or an afternoon picnic. 5 min from the Rijksmuseum.
TR
Trams & Metro
GVB runs Amsterdam's trams and metro. Most tourist spots are covered by trams. Single ticket: ~€3.40. 24h pass: ~€9, 48h: ~€15, 72h: ~€20.50. Buy from machines at Centraal or from the driver. Tap in and out with your card on newer trams/metro.
CE
Amsterdam Centraal
The main train station. We arrive here from London on the Eurostar, and depart here to Brussels on the Eurostar at 06:10 on 30 Sep. Stay somewhere within a few minutes of Centraal if possible to make the early departure easier.
Quick Facts
  • CountryNetherlands
  • Dates28–29 Sep
  • Nights2
  • CurrencyEuro (EUR)
  • LanguageDutch (English everywhere)
  • Time zoneCEST (UTC+2)
  • Calling code+31
Prev / Next
  • Arriving fromLondon (Eurostar)
  • Arrive~11:20am, 28 Sep
  • Next stopBrussels
  • Eurostar06:10, 30 Sep