Amsterdam holidays

Bridge over the canal with tulips, Amsterdam Netherlands

Dancing houses over river Amstel, Amsterdam Netherlands

Canal boats along the canals of Amsterdam

Tulips and windmills, Zaanse Schans, Netherlands

Flowers and bicycles on a bridge over a canal at sunset, Amsterdam

Couple exploring the windmills, Amsterdam

Popular holidays

World-class museums and age-old landmarks put city breaks to Amsterdam at the top of their class for art and history.

Amsterdam city breaks

The Netherland’s capital city has earnt its stripes when it comes to first-rate city breaks. It gets a big tick from art fans, thanks to a collection of museums that house work spanning from Medieval times to the modern day. Plus, its iconic criss-crossing canals wind their way past the city’s top sights, which means you can save your soles and take your exploring to the water. When it comes to where to stay, places don’t get more central than Centrum – stay here, and you’ll be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dam Square and the Royal Palace.

Venice of the north

Amsterdam’s canal count sits at an impressive 165, beating Venice’s by 15. Three main spots make up the city’s water system – the Prinsengracht, Herengracht and the Keizersgracht – with many others sprouting from them. The story of this 62-mile stretch starts back in the 17th century, when they were built during the Dutch Golden Age to help transport goods around the globe. These day they’re home to more than 2,500 floating homes and water taxis, which have drop-off points at the doorsteps of the city’s best attractions.

Art galleries galore

Amsterdam’s known for its well-stocked art scene, and the city’s largest square – aka Museumplein – is bordered by world-class galleries and art museums on each of its four corners. Rijksmuseum houses collections from the Dutch Golden Era, while things are more on-trend at the Stedelijk Museum with its walls and halls showcasing a contemporary collection. The Van Gogh Museum takes the crown though – nowhere in the world has got a bigger collection of this iconic artist’s work than this place.

How long does it take to fly to Amsterdam?

The flight time from Ireland to Amsterdam is around one hour 15 minutes.

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?

Amsterdam can be enjoyed in all seasons but looks particularly beautiful in the Spring when all the flowers bloom. Check out the weather in Amsterdam to find out when is best for you.

Popular hotels in Amsterdam

Top things to see and do in Amsterdam

Beaches

Beaches near and far

Amsterdam’s a bit of a dark horse when it comes to beaches. It’s probably not the kind of place that springs to mind when you think of city breaks close to the sand, but this place has a couple of options up its sleeve. You can pick from manmade beaches that surround the city’s outskirts, or drive to a coast side cut of sand in around an hour.

The big beach

Zandvoort aan Zee has all the credentials for big days out to the beach. It’s around 30 minutes from the centre of the city and lines up the likes of surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding from its shores. Away from the water, there’s a string of bars and restaurants to head where you can cool off and fill up between sea swims.

The secret beach

For beach days without bother, Castricum aan Zee has got things covered – a wide belt of blonde-coloured sand reaches out to a shallow shoreline. The sand is less crowded the further you walk from the beach’s main entrance, so for quiet beach days be sure to head for a wander along the shore before plotting your spot for the day.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Waterlooplein joins a list of flea markets in the centre of the city – its stalls are loaded with clothing with low price tags. Sellers are often game for lowering their prices, too, so brush up on your bargaining skills before you head here.

Mid-range buys

For international brands like H&M, Zara, and Pull & Bear, Kalverstraat is the street to head too. Or, shop like a local on Leidsestraat, which houses brands big in the Netherlands.

Designer buys

Oud-zuid headlines the city’s luxury-shopping scene. Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton are some of the high-flying brands you can expect to find here. Plus there are boutiques selling luxury shoes, clothing, and accessories.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

It probably comes as no surprise that Oud-Zuid, the city’s most upmarket neighbourhood, is the place to head for evenings with a touch of elegance. Start things off with a stroll through well-groomed Vondelpark before heading to a stylish cheese and wine bar.

Lively evenings

Leidseplein comes to life after dark, when it headlines Amsterdam’s club scene. It’s the place to head for world-famous nightlife spots like Paradiso, which hosts big-name DJs who fill its huge dancefloor with partygoers most nights.

Food & drink

Dutch Cheese

The Netherlands is known for its cheese production, with Gouda and Edam both hailing from here. Wine and cheese bars will help you to check out some of the lesser-known varieties. Maasdam is a popular pick with the locals – it’s mild and has a slightly sweeter flavour.

Stroopwafel

These things are best paired with a steaming-hot cup of coffee. Two thin wafers are paired together between a layer of sweet syrup – it’s best enjoyed by placing the biscuit on top of your mug and eating it just before it melts into your drink.

Appeltaart

A local favourite, this apple-flavoured dessert has a place on the shelves of almost every bakery in the city. It’s baked in a springform pan, which gives it a deep pie-like base and a thick flaky crust. You can enjoy the dish hot or cold and with or without whipped cream.

Bitterballen

These things are Amsterdam’s slightly bigger answer to peanuts, they’re often served alongside beer in pubs and bars right across the city. Bitterballen are a bit like deep-fried meatballs, and are usually served with a pot of mustard for dipping.

Dutch herring

This tasty fish dish is served raw, usually alongside a side dish of raw onions and pickles. Alternatively, order a broodje haring – AKA a herring sarnie – the fish is still served raw, just inside a crispy bread roll.