53 activities in Amsterdam, Netherlands

It's time for an open boat in Amsterdam. The city and its canals haven't been as quite as they are right now for a long time. So take the bull by the horns and discover your (capital) city this summer. The best view of Amsterdam, you ask? There’s only one answer: from an open boat! Cruise the canals in one of our electric, thus sustainable, open boats. The captain, who’s your personal guide, will show you exactly why a part of the city center is UNESCO world heritage. All our open boats are made COVID-19 safe.

Most excellent boat tour in Amsterdam
Our professional skippers, with their endless knowledge and anecdotes about the city, make the open boat tours a truly unique and personal experience. Tell the captain what you want to see and he or she knows just where to take you. From famous movie locations, canal houses from the Dutch Golden Age to the most beautiful and less discovered canals.

Yes, that’s correct! The open boat tours take you to the canals the regular canal tours can’t access. Thanks to the shape, the boat is not only easy to maneuver but also very cozy. An open boat cruise during a warm summer’s day or evening will be pleasing to everyone and we make sure you’re just as comfortable during the darker winter months as well, of course.Kids’ special
We’d love to welcome all the families back on board. That’s why we have a special offer for kids. All kids receive a coloring page or an Amsterdam bingo

Sustainable Amsterdam canal tour
We love Amsterdam and think it’s very important to preserve the splendor of this precious city. That’s why all our open boats are equipped with electric engines. This way you’re ensured of the most sustainable and green Amsterdam canal tour and are many future generations also able to enjoy the city, too.What?! Rain?

Welcome to the Netherlands; the country of cheese, clogs and unreliable weather. You may have booked a tour while the weather predictions were outstanding. A comfortable temperature and no clouds in sight. But then, the weather turns and so does your smile... No worries! In case of rain, we'll make sure you're still cruising the canals of Amsterdam in style - and stay dry at the same time. We've got you covered!

Pedal boats have been - and still are! - Amsterdam’s top attraction since 1984. No wonder in the number one cycling city of the world. On a pedal boat (also called canal bike) you easily and safely navigate through the canals at your own pace and squeeze in a little exercise while you’re at it. Discover Amsterdam from the water (also known as the best point of view for the city)!

Why you should rent a pedal boat
There are so many ways to discover the city. By a one-hour canal cruise, a hop on – hop off tour or by foot. Another truly unique way to explore the Dutch capital is by pedal boat.

You decide the pace of your entire journey – and that’s exactly what you’re looking for on a day off or a holiday, right?
Bring your own food and beverages for a small picnic on the water whilst the 17th-century canal houses are the perfect backdrop for your picture. Make sure to keep track of time, tho.

The pedal boat is emission-free! Which makes this a really cool green alternative. Amsterdam as seen from the water is really beautiful. You’ll find out why the canal ring is on the UNESCO World Heritage list as soon as you start your trip. You’re being really active, while still sitting. It’s the best combination of a little bodily activity and a lot of sightseeing! Cruising down the canals on a pedal boat is straight-up fun!

Kid’s special
To welcome all families back aboard, we’d like to offer you our kid’s special! Kids enjoy bingo aboard!

Pedal boat hire
You can rent a pedal boat from 11 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon (the last departure will be at 4 o’clock, so you’re able to cruise the canals after that, still). Closing times may vary due to weather predictions or special holidays.

Choose between pedal boating for 1 hour and 1.5 hours. With both durations, you have plenty of time to enjoy the city, but we recommend renting the canal bike for 1.5 hours if you really want to take it easy and soak in all the architecture and allure of the city you’ll find along the way.

You can rent one pedal boat with a maximum of four people (1 household per pedal boat).

Story of a rich culture

The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen revives the stories of people who once lived on the shores of the Zuiderzee. See, hear, taste and smell everyday life around the Zuiderzee as it was before the Afsluitdijk (IJsselmeer Barrier Dam) changed the sea into the IJsselmeer in 1932. The Zuiderzee Museum is oriented toward the history, the current situation and the future of this area. It focuses upon the themes of water, crafts and communities. This story is visualized in the Outdoor Museum with historical buildings, and in the Indoor Museum with thematic exhibitions.

Amsterdam is the perfect city to explore by bike. Cycling is the most economical, sustainable, efficient and fun way to explore the city's beautiful canals, parks, public squares and countless attractions. And if you have had enough of the city and want some fresh air, you can bike out of town into the countryside through lovely landscapes marked by flowers, farms, windmills and lakes.

Rent a bike to make the most of your visit to Amsterdam. On the bike you cycle easily from one hotspot to another. Bike along the beautiful canals, the artsy Jordaan neighborhood, the famous Red Light District or through the breathtaking Vondelpark. You can also cycle out of the city, for example, for a trip through the beautiful landscape around the Amsterdam: the rural Waterland or the green Amstelland, along the Amstel River. With the old windmills, cottages, and castles, you will feel like you are in a different world. All at your own pace and at your own departure time.

MacBike Rental has been renting out bicycles in Amsterdam for over 30 years. And we are proud of that! Every day we are ready for the many visitors of our city to help them on their way with a rental bike. People from all over the world come to hire a bike from us to explore our beautiful city. We inspire our guests with cycling routes, explain the traffic and parking rules, and make sure that they go on the road on a safe and well-maintained bicycle. Of course, we always put the rental bike at the right height for you, for the right stability and optimal comfort. We do this professionally, quickly and with love for the bike.

With five bike rental locations in the center of Amsterdam, there’s always a MacBike nearby. What are you waiting for? Book your bike now and make the most of your visit to Amsterdam!

Take different routes already organized and do not leave any corner unexplored:
1. Grachtengordel fietsroute
2. Oude havens, moderne architectuur / Old harbours, modern architecture
3. Uitwaaien in Waterland / Experience Waterland by Bike
4. 2 great Gay & Lesbian Bicycle Tours. Historic and Hysteric
5. Provo ‘Magies Sentrum Amsterdam’ op de fiets / Discover ‘Magical Centre Amsterdam’ by bicycle
6. The great Amstel-Windmill Bycicle tour
7. Architectural Bicycle Tour

Redeem information
Voucher type: Printed
Printed Voucher. Print and bring the voucher to enjoy the activity.

Location
Start point:
Weteringschans 2 1017 SG Amsterdam

End point: Same as the starting point

Schedule
Opening dates
09:00 - 18:00

Guide options
Guide type: Not included

Amsterdam is best viewed from the water. On this 75-minute canal cruise you’ll experience the best of our historical city. It offers you the best views of the 17th-century buildings lining the city canals, and will also show you the 21st-century city that Amsterdam has become. You’ll come across new architecture and bridges, showing a city that is rooted in history but continues to develop and change.
You’ll see the city the way it really is – from the Golden Bend to Overhoeks, the city’s newest quarter, and from the Music Building in the harbor to the impressive (replica of a ) VOC ship outside of the Maritime museum.

Language
Dutch, English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Indonesian, Kantonese, Swedish, Korean & Hindi.

Complement your tours with self-guided immersive audio-walks. We invite you to discover Amsterdam and get up close and personal with Rembrandt and Van Gogh’s legacy. Walk the city’s streets and stroll along the channels. With our self-guided 3D sound experiences, we show you an Amsterdam like never before with special sound effects and actors performing directly to travellers’ headsets. With GPS we are able to take them on a movie-like experience and pay tribute to man-kind with our Holocaust Series audio walk in the Jewish Quarter. We also take them on a special audio walk in the Red Light District and downtown area and to get to know how the city became a global statement for progressive policies.

Discover the history of the Erzetsmuseum Museum Of The Resistance, the National Museum of Holocaust, the Auschwitz Monument, Anne Frank Straat Street, the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam, the Jewish Historical Museum, San Nicolaas Kerk, Zeedijk Street, Oude Kerk, the Erotic Museum, the Oudezijds Voorburgwall Canal, and the Hash Marijuana and Cannabis Museum.
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How does it work?
To discover Amsterdam like never before, don't forget to do download the app on your smart device here.
Select Amsterdam, and activate your tour by introducing the code that appears on your voucher, and wait for your audiotour to begin!
What's more, with access to all the available audio walks in Amsterdam, interactive GPS maps, and more, your sightseeing experience just got a lot more easier!

Redeem information
Voucher type: Not needed
Voucherless. You don’t need to bring any voucher (digital or printed)!

Location
Start point:
Amsterdam

End point: Same as the starting point

Schedule
Duration: 1 Hours

Guide options
Guide type: Audioguide

Make new memories on your Amsterdam Canal Cruise. No trip to the Netherlands is complete without an excursion to the world-famous waters of the Amsterdam canals. Renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the canal district will have you amazed as you cruise through its canals. Lean back and examine the town from another point of view as you drift along the beautiful waters and treasured architecture. The Amsterdam Canal Cruise includes one hour of can’t-miss spectacles and incredible buildings. Additionally, the tour offers a fun complimentary audio narrative in 19 unique languages. This commentary ensures that your trip will be personalized, and you can learn no matter your background. Mark your calendar for the creation of your next memory.

Audioguide languages
French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Swiss, Belgian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Israeli, Arabic, Indian, Thai, Polish and Catalan.

On the edge of the former inland Zuiderzee, the Volendam Marken Express takes you back in time in any season, whether you visit us in the spring, summer, fall, or winter.
The boat trip from Volendam to Marken is not just a crossing for us, it is an experience!
The Volendam Marken Express has been sailing for almost 100 years

Highlights
• Sail between Volendam and Marken on a ferry service that has been operating for almost 100-years
• Make the most of your time and visit two of the region's most iconic locations in just one-day
• Admire stunning views of the coastline, including colorful fishermen's houses, from the comfort of the boat
• Soak up the traditional charm of Volendam and Marken and explore at your own pace

Duration
One-way: 30 minutes
Round-trip: 1 Hour

Languages
Audioguide available in English and Dutch

THIS IS HOLLAND is a unique flying experience: it doesn’t just show you the Netherlands, it lets you live it. Breath taking filming gives you a spectacular perspective from the air and new insights into how the Netherlands was created. Thanks to the astonishing special effects projected on a huge domed screen, you feel like you’re soaring over the must-sees sites of the Netherlands. The term ‘Time flies, when you’re having fun!” couldn’t be more appropriate here, before you know it, you’re outside again, with an unforgettable experience to last a life time.

First, you get an overview of how the Netherlands was created: how it was made by people who weren’t deterred by all the water. Using mounds, dikes, windmills and polders, they succeeded in reclaiming land from the sea, creating this extraordinary country below sea level.

The highpoint of THIS IS HOLLAND is The Flight Experience: you feel like you’re really flying. Your seat will tilt during the eight-minute long film that guides you through a breath taking journey along many beautiful places in our country. Atmospheric effects like wind, mist and smells, makes it feel as though you’re really flying through the air, crossing dikes and braving storms. Take your seat... fasten your seatbelt... and fly!

After the flight you can relax in our Holland lounge. THIS IS HOLLAND devotes special attention to the 10 areas of the Netherlands that are listed as official UNESCO World Heritage sites. You’ll find out a lot about the Netherlands in a very short time!

Amsterdam is the perfect city to explore by bike. Cycling is the most economical, sustainable, efficient and fun way to explore the city's beautiful canals, parks, public squares and countless attractions. And if you have had enough of the city and want some fresh air, you can bike out of town into the countryside through lovely landscapes marked by flowers, farms, windmills and lakes.

Rent a bike to make the most of your visit to Amsterdam. On the bike you cycle easily from one hotspot to another. Bike along the beautiful canals, the artsy Jordaan neighborhood, the famous Red Light District or through the breathtaking Vondelpark. You can also cycle out of the city, for example, for a trip through the beautiful landscape around the Amsterdam: the rural Waterland or the green Amstelland, along the Amstel River. With the old windmills, cottages, and castles, you will feel like you are in a different world. All at your own pace and at your own departure time.

MacBike Rental has been renting out bicycles in Amsterdam for over 30 years. And we are proud of that! Every day we are ready for the many visitors of our city to help them on their way with a rental bike. People from all over the world come to hire a bike from us to explore our beautiful city. We inspire our guests with cycling routes, explain the traffic and parking rules, and make sure that they go on the road on a safe and well-maintained bicycle. Of course, we always put the rental bike at the right height for you, for the right stability and optimal comfort. We do this professionally, quickly and with love for the bike.

With five bike rental locations in the center of Amsterdam, there’s always a MacBike nearby. What are you waiting for? Book your bike now and make the most of your visit to Amsterdam!

Take different routes already organized and do not leave any corner unexplored:
1. Grachtengordel fietsroute
2. Oude havens, moderne architectuur / Old harbours, modern architecture
3. Uitwaaien in Waterland / Experience Waterland by Bike
4. 2 great Gay & Lesbian Bicycle Tours. Historic and Hysteric
5. Provo ‘Magies Sentrum Amsterdam’ op de fiets / Discover ‘Magical Centre Amsterdam’ by bicycle
6. The great Amstel-Windmill Bycicle tour
7. Architectural Bicycle Tour

Redeem information
Voucher type: Printed
Printed Voucher. Print and bring the voucher to enjoy the activity.

Location
Start point:
Weteringschans 2 1017 SG Amsterdam

End point: Same as the starting point

Schedule
Opening dates
09:00 - 18:00

Guide options
Guide type: Not included

Experience the famous Dutch cheeses during the cheese tasting by Henri Willig. You will learn all about how those delicious Henri Willig cheeses are being made, why the Dutch are so into this dairy product and you get to taste 5 different types yourself. Also, we will poor you some matching wine and/or beer and give a voucher that entitles you for a 10% discount in the shop.

The cheese tasting is right in the center of Amsterdam. During this 45 minute experience, our story teller in traditional Dutch costume will tell you all there is to know regarding the Dutch cheeses. You will see a movie, subtitled in the language of your choice, where Henri Willig himself will explain about the process of making cheese. After this, you will get the chance to taste 5 different flavors of this typical Dutch product. As the locals like to dip their cheese with mustard, we will present some dips as well. Accompanied with some local brewed beer and/or tasty wines, you will get to understand why the Dutch are so fond of their cheeses.

After the cheese tasting, you will receive a discount voucher to buy cheese, ‘stroopwafels’ of Dutch gingerbread in the shop downstairs.

Go on a fun Amsterdam walking tour and treasure hunt where you will follow clues to discover amazing places and local stories.

On this Amsterdam tour, you will walk along town and you will visit top Amsterdam attractions: Westerkerk, Noordekerk, Het Papeneiland and many more.

Are you ready for a fun 3km Amsterdam walk?

Highlight
Follow clues and solve riddles
Discover new places and hidden gems
Solve a mission and read fascinating stories
Storyline You are a young detective ready to take up your first case.

Storyline
The Golden Tulip, a unique flower in the whole world, has been stolen.
This one-of-a-kind tulip has been blooming for centuries in the gardens of the city where everyone could enjoy its exceptional beauty.
Now it’s your mission to find out who stole the Golden Tulip and return it to the place where it belongs.

Know before you go
Quest available in English and Dutch. This quest has 8 challenges. Best during day. Kids friendly. After booking, follow the instructions you receive by e-mail for playing this city game & walking tour. Make sure you download the Questo mobile app from GooglePlay or the Apple App Store. Create a new account inside the Questo app with your email address to begin the game. Please note, in order to play the game, you will need an internet connection. This is a self-guided game type tour. You must be at the starting point (that you'll see in the app) in order to begin, or else the game won’t start

See works from the modern and contemporary 'rock stars of art' with this skip-the-line ticket to Amsterdam's Moco Museum.

- Skip the line to see some of the best modern art in Amsterdam
- Admire the current exhibition of the ‘Banksy of Iran’; street artist duo ICY & SOT
- Explore the works of Banksy, the most famous street artist in the world

The Moco Museum is especially interested in the radical leaders and influencers of new art forms like Street Art or Pop Art. Together with high-profile guest curators, Moco is opening up the world of art to others and offering insights into modern arts' finest.

The collection consists of modern and contemporary art with a unique collection of street artist Banksy. Next to Banksy the museum has proudly shown the works of Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, and is currently showing the works of Iranian street artists ICY & SOT.

Located on Amsterdam's famous Museumplein, Moco can be easily reached from the city center and by public transport. You can also visit the museum giftshop for souvenirs, gifts and high quality prints.

Languages
Audioguide available in Dutch, English, Italian, German, French and Spanish.

Other information:
Please note that you can choose the option "Early Bird" and visit the Amsterdam's Moco Museum before 9am and after 5pm.

Red Light Secrets

Red Light Secrets is the world’s first and only museum of prostitution. It is located at the very center of the famous Red Light District in Amsterdam and offers a unique peek into the ins and outs of the world’s oldest profession. Red Light Secrets is housed in a historical 17th-century canal house and is one of the city’s top attractions. Discover the hidden world behind the industry, learn about the trade from first-hand accounts by the working girls themselves and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look into this fascinating topic. Book your tickets to Red Light Secrets right now!

Discover Red Light Secrets, Prostitution Museum Amsterdam

The Prostitution Museum Amsterdam is a must-see during your holidays in the Netherlands. During your visit, you will experience what it feels like to sit behind one of the famous windows where the sexual workers try to appeal to passersby and lure customers in. You will also be able to listen to their experiences and see their perspective on the topic. Unlike in the rest of the Red Light District, pictures are allowed and encouraged in the Prostitution Museum Amsterdam. Red Light Secrets aims to educate the public about the profession in a light-hearted, informative way, and remove the taboo and negativity generally associated with the topic. You will learn about the history of this notorious neighborhood and experience a typical day in the life of a working girl. A trip to the old city center is not complete without visiting the Prostitution Museum. Amsterdam is known for its open-minded culture and relaxed views on topics which have been the source of controversy in other parts of the world. Experience how it works there first hand at the one and only Red Light Secrets!

Explore Amsterdam’s original Heineken® brewery, closed for production in 1988 when it could no longer meet the high production demand. Now a unique tourist attraction, the Heineken Experience welcomes over 700,000 visitors from across the globe per year.

Stroll around the old brewery on a self-guided interactive journey through the world of Heineken®. Discover the interesting history of the company, the 4 natural ingredients used to make the beer, the full brewing process and learn how Heineken partners with high profile brands for maximum exposure, such as the UEFA Champions League.

To bring the tour to the perfect end, enjoy 2 Heinekens or learn how to draw the perfect glass of Heineken!

Languages
English

Sit back, unwind and relax as you glide along Amsterdams famous canals. Discover the romantic side of Amsterdam as the illuminated buildings, bridges and boats give the city a fairytale-like appearance.

As you are guided by our professionals through the illuminated canals and past the Red Light District, you will learn all that Amsterdam is famous for.

Enjoying your drink, you can sit back & relax as you listen to the recorded commentaries. What sets this evening cruise apart, is that it will take you through parts of the famous red-light district daytime cruises can not visit. After you disembark, you will have seen a little of everything our wonderful capital has to offer.

Languages
Audioguide available in: English, French, Russian, Spanish, German, Chinese, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Indonesian, Kantonese, Swedish, Korean, Hindi.