Amsterdam in 3 Days: Canals, Museums and the Jordaan

Destination: Amsterdam, The NetherlandsCreated by: Moo_The_TrotterLast updated: 2nd October 2026
Three days in Amsterdam for Dutch art, canal walks and food in De Pijp. Spend an afternoon in the Jordaan and cross to NDSM for waterfront cafés and street art at the former shipyard.
City Break
4
Day 1 — Amsterdam museums & south
Image of Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum

Museum, Art Museum
Spend the morning with the Dutch paintings in the Gallery of Honour, then explore the collections that catch your eye. If Van Gogh is your main interest, substitute the nearby Van Gogh Museum. Lunch follows in De Pijp.
Image of Albert Cuyp market

Albert Cuyp market

Marketplace, Market Shopping
Walk through the Albert Cuyp market in De Pijp for food stalls, fresh stroopwafels and a lunch stop. The market closes on Sundays; on that day, eat in the streets around Gerard Douplein and walk around Sarphatipark instead.
Day 2 — Amsterdam & the Jordaan
Image of Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House

Museum, History Museum
Visit the house and Secret Annex for the story of Anne Frank and the people who hid here. Tickets are sold through the official museum website; secure one before building this day around the visit.
Image of Westerkerk

Westerkerk

Place of Worship, History Landmark
Pause at Westerkerk beside the Anne Frank House before heading into the Jordaan. Its tall tower is a useful landmark as you explore the surrounding canal streets.
Image of Jordaan

Jordaan

Quarter, Core Attraction
From Westerkerk, follow Bloemgracht and Egelantiersgracht, then turn north towards Westerstraat and Noordermarkt. Winkel 43, on the corner of Noordermarkt, is a stop for apple pie and coffee. Continue through the small streets for the afternoon.
Day 3 — Amsterdam canals & north

Museum of the Canals

Museum, Museum Gallery
Visit the canal-house museum on Herengracht to understand how the canal ring grew. Afterwards, walk towards Centraal Station for a sightseeing canal cruise, choosing a departure in that area so you can take the NDSM ferry after the boat trip.
Image of NDSM

NDSM

Neighbourhood, Core Attraction
Take the free F4 ferry from behind Centraal Station to NDSM. Walk past the former shipyard buildings and outdoor art, then eat at Pllek on the waterfront. STRAAT’s street-art museum is an optional indoor visit before the ferry back.