3 Days in Amsterdam: A Solo Travel Itinerary + Tips

Spending 3 days in Amsterdam and wondering how to make the most of it? This detailed solo travel itinerary covers exactly what to see, where to stay, and how to experience the city confidently, whether it’s your first visit or a weekend return.

Amsterdam is compact, walkable, and incredibly charming, which makes it ideal for solo travelers. From canal walks and museum mornings to cozy cafés and hidden neighborhoods, here’s how I’d recommend structuring 3 days in Amsterdam for a balanced and memorable trip.

Photo by Kata Pal

I’ve visited Amsterdam twice now, both times in the summer, and each trip has been a great experience in its own way. From canal-side strolls to immersive museums and thoughtfully curated tours, there’s always something new to discover. In this guide, I’m sharing the experiences I personally recommend to help you plan a well-balanced 3 days in Amsterdam.

Before we dive in, here’s a quick tip: while summer might sound like guaranteed warm weather, the Netherlands can be surprisingly unpredictable. One day can feel sunny and mild, and the next can turn chilly and rainy. Make sure to pack layers and bring a light jacket, and definitely don’t forget an umbrella. You’ll likely need it at some point.

Where to Stay:

YOTEL Amsterdam is located in Amsterdam NOORD and built on the sunny bank of the Tolhuis Canal. This tech-driven hotel is a great hotel to check out while visiting Amsterdam.

Check out the hotel and book here.

The Albus Hotel

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, is this luxury boutique hotel called The Albus Hotel. The staff was welcoming, which is a huge plus. Watch the full recap here.

Check out the hotel and book here.

Meininger Amstel Hotel

This hotel is more on the budget friendly side, you can book a private hotel room or choose a hostel room. The hotel itself is clean and offers a mini supermarket at the front, with breakfast if you choose. We stayed in their 2 bedroom hotel and it was nice. It’s a bit on the outside of the city center, but what’s nice is that it’s right next to do the train station, so easy access to get downtown.

You can book the hotel here.

Things To Do:

Visit the Moco Museum

Moco Museum is an independent museum and is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. I loved this museum, definitely check it out!

Book the Heineken Experience 

Heineken Experience is an interactive tour through the history of Heineken in a former brewery. 

In the end, you get a fun beer-tasting experience! Highly recommend it if you love beer!

Check out the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch arts and history and is located in Amsterdam.

Go to the Van Gogh Museum

Definitely a must to do when visiting Amsterdam. It’s quite fascinating – see hundreds of paintings, drawings, and letters by the Dutch master himself. Ps- make sure to book this museum in advance, as it sells out!

Book your ticket here!

Book a Bike Tour with Mike’s Tours

The best way to see any city, especially Amsterdam, is by bike! This 2-3 hour guided bike tour takes you around beautiful Amsterdam and is very informative and fun!

Book the tour here!

Book a Cheese and Wine Canal Tour

Discover Amsterdam’s canals on a classic covered saloon boat cruise, with optional cheese and wine – really nice way to learn more about the city and be on the canals. Really enjoyed this tour!

Book the tour here!

Check out these other options: Unlimited Pizza and Drinks Canal Tour // Small Group Canal Drinks and Snacks Cruise // Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise

Visit the Red Light’s Secret Museum

The quirky museum offers exhibits on the history of Amsterdam’s sex-work industry. Book your tickets here!

Visit the Amsterdam ICEBAR

The Amsterdam ICEBAR is one the coolest and most unique places in town! The ticket includes 3 FREE drinks to help you stay warm. I had so much fun at this one, and I highly recommend it!

Book your tickets here!

Buy the I AM Amsterdam City Card

If you want access to all museums, tours, and more – I highly recommend checking out the I AM Amsterdam City Card – you can buy it here.

Other Recommendations:

If you have extra time, or just want to experience more of the local side of the city, here are a few additional spots I highly recommend adding to your 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary:

Albert Cuyp Market

Located in De Pijp, this is one of the best places to try local street food. Grab fresh stroopwafels (especially when they’re warm!) and explore the mix of international and Dutch bites. It’s lively, casual, and a great way to experience everyday Amsterdam.

Visit FEBO for a Classic Dutch Snack

For a quick and budget-friendly Dutch experience, stop by FEBO, a fast-food chain known for its iconic wall vending machines. It’s casual, affordable, and very local

Take a Day Trip to Zaandam or Zaanse Schans

If you have extra time, consider taking a short train ride to Zaandam or visiting Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is known for its postcard-worthy windmills, scenic countryside views, and free cheese tastings, a fun and easy escape from the city. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam for a reason.

You can also view my 2-Days in Amsterdam Reel here for reference.

Watch my Amsterdam Travel Guide on YouTube:

I’ll continue updating this Amsterdam guide as I revisit the city and discover more, so feel free to bookmark this page and check back for new recommendations.

Thanks for reading!

Xo,
Nancy