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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 10:15am on 28 Sep. We leave by Thalys train to Brussels around 8am 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.
  • Thalys departs Amsterdam Centraal at ~8am 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.
Book WAY ahead~€16Prinsengracht
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.
Book ahead~€22Museumplein
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.
~€22.50Museumplein
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.
~€23 (incl. 2 drinks)Book online
CB
Canal Boat Tour
Seeing Amsterdam from the water is genuinely one of the best ways to appreciate the canal belt and its UNESCO-listed architecture. Multiple operators run 1-hour cruises from near Centraal Station. Evening cruises with drinks are especially good. From ~€15.
From ~€151 hourDepart near Centraal
BK
Bike Hire
Amsterdam was built for cycling. Hiring a bike for a day (~€12–15) is one of the best things you can do — explore Vondelpark, the Jordaan neighbourhood, and the canal belt by bike like a local. MacBike and Starbikes both near Centraal. Note: stay off the tram tracks and pedestrian areas.
~€12–15/dayNear Centraal
JD
Jordaan District Walk
Amsterdam's most charming neighbourhood — narrow streets, independent galleries, boutique shops, excellent brown cafes (bruin cafés — traditional Dutch bars). Free to explore. The area around Westerstraat and Noordermarkt on a Saturday has a brilliant outdoor market.
FreeWest of Prinsengracht
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.
Church: FreePrinsengracht
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.
Palace: ~€12Square: Free
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.
FreeNear Museumplein
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.
GVB 24h: ~€9Tram 2 for museums
CE
Amsterdam Centraal
The main train station. We arrive here from London on the Eurostar/Thalys, and depart here to Brussels on the Thalys at ~8am on 30 Sep. Stay somewhere within a few minutes of Centraal if possible to make the early departure easier.
Thalys to Brussels: ~8am, 30 Sep
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~10:15am, 28 Sep
  • Next stopBrussels
  • Thalys~8am, 30 Sep