Amsterdam Holidays

Holidays to Amsterdam: where canals are the new streets, bikes are the new cars, and tulips are the new... well, they're tulips, but they're everywhere, and we love them

Holidays to Amsterdam highlights

• There's a museum for pretty much EVERYTHING (we're not kidding)

• Home to iconic canals for boat rides and waterside strolls

• Coffee shops on every corner (FYI, here cafés' are bars and 'coffee shops' sell more than coffee)

• Inclusive culture - it's the gay capital of Europe!

Amsterdam Holidays 2026/2027 - good to know

• Summers hit around 20-22°C with long daylight hours, but Amsterdam can be rainy year-round - pack layers and a light waterproof, whatever month you go

• A pint in a local bar runs about €5-6, a meal out for two around €50-70, and a canal cruise from about €15pp - not the cheapest city break but proper good value for what you get

• The Netherlands produces over 650 million kilos of cheese per year - Gouda, Edam and Leerdammer all originated here, so you're basically duty-bound to try them all

Been there, done that...

Amsterdam at night is extraordinary, the energy is infectious, especially on a group trip, just know your limits because it will absolutely test them. Beware the bike lanes (especially coming out of a coffee shop): cyclists come at you from every direction at serious speed, so look both ways about four times before you step off any pavement. The food is brilliant, avocado on a pancake sounds wrong but tastes completely right, and the chips are some of the best I've had anywhere in Europe. The zoo is a great shout if you need a slower morning, the Ice Bar is worth it purely for the photos, and taxis are everywhere around the strip with drivers who are genuinely some of the friendliest you'll meet.

-Rob Brooks, OtB Holiday Expert

Amsterdam is perfect for you if...

• You have three days and want to feel like you have had a proper holiday. Under two hours from most UK & Ireland airports, and a city small enough to walk end to end. You are at the first museum before lunch on the day you land.

• You would rather look at things than lie on beaches. Forty museums, the Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum ten minutes apart, and a canal ring that's also a UNESCO World Heritage site you can wander for free.

• You are bringing children and want somewhere that is not a resort. Compact, flat, tram-connected, with plenty for kids to do: NEMO, Artis and its newly reopened aquarium, a science museum with a rooftop, and the Rijksmuseum's own kids' trail.

• You want a city break with a proper evening to it. Brown cafés that have been pouring since the 1600s, a canal ring lit up after dark, and a nightlife strip at Leidseplein that goes as late as you want it to.

What are the best day trips for your Amsterdam Holidays?

Amsterdam is a 10/10 city break, but the Netherlands is actually tiny, meaning you can swap the canals for windmills or the beach in less than an hour. If you fancy escaping the hustle for a bit, these day trips are a must-do on your holidays to Amsterdam...

• Zaanse Schans - the postcard-perfect Dutch experience with spinning windmills, clog workshops, and the smell of chocolate in the air (seriously).

• Keukenhof Gardens - only open in spring (March-May), this place is an explosion of millions of tulips - your Instagram feed will never level up like this again (probably).

• Zandvoort aan Zee - ideally located just 30 mins by train, this is "Amsterdam Beach" - think golden sands, beach bars, and chilling by the North Sea.

• Haarlem - known as "Little Amsterdam," it’s got all the pretty canals and cobbled streets but with zero crowds and way chiller vibes.

• Utrecht - a university city with a buzzing cafe culture and unique split-level canals that make for the perfect alfresco pint spot.

• Rotterdam - if you want something totally different, head here for futuristic architecture, massive food markets, and a proper modern city feel.

Cheap Amsterdam city breaks

Amsterdam has a reputation for being expensive, but the city itself is one of the cheapest big western European cities to actually spend time in. You do not need a car, you do not need transfers, and the two things people come for, the canal ring and the neighbourhoods, cost nothing to walk around.

Where the money goes is your hotel, so that is where the choice matters. If you don't mind staying a little further out, Amsterdam North and Amsterdam East are a few minutes from the centre by ferry or tram and noticeably cheaper than Centrum, and Zaandam is a 12-minute train ride with hotel rates that are more than 12% cheaper.

Going midweek or outside peak times (April and the summer) makes more difference here than in most cities, because Amsterdam's peak is driven by events rather than weather.

What are the best cheap hotels in Amsterdam?

We've got plenty of banging cheap breaks in the 'Dam but here are a few of our favs...

• Tribe Amsterdam City - Amsterdam North, a free ferry from Centraal, and one of the highest-rated hotels we sell in the city. Design-led rooms, a decent bar, and a location that is five minutes from the centre and priced as though it is not.

• Zaan Hotel Amsterdam - Zaandam - In the middle of Zaandam's stacked green Dutch houses, 12 minutes by train into Centraal and a short hop the other way to the Zaanse Schans windmills. The cheapest way to be properly close to Amsterdam.

• Ruby Emma Hotel & Bar - Amsterdam East, compact rooms done well, a good bar downstairs, and trams into the centre in about ten minutes. The value option for people who would rather spend the money on dinner.

• New West Inn - The budget end proper, out in Nieuw-West with its own pizza corner, pool table and air hockey. It is a tram ride from the middle and the stop is a walk from the door, which is the trade for the price.

Where to Stay in Amsterdam 2026/2027

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Which part of Amsterdam is best for families?

• Museum Quarter (Museumkwartier) - home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum, with leafy Vondelpark right on the doorstep for when the kids need to run around. Quieter than the centre but still super walkable. Browse Museum Quarter hotels

• Amsterdam City Centre (Centrum) - Dam Square, Central Station and all the main sights are here. First-timers with kids will love having everything within walking distance, plus trams on every corner for tired legs. Browse Amsterdam City Centre hotels

• Zaandam - a direct train ride (15-20 mins) from Centraal, close to the Zaanse Schans windmills, and hotel rates are noticeably cheaper than the city centre. Brilliant for families who want a bit more space and don't mind the short commute. Browse Zaandam hotels

💑 Where should couples stay in Amsterdam?

• Jordaan - Amsterdam's most romantic neighbourhood, with cobbled streets, indie boutiques, candlelit restaurants and cosy brown cafes. The Pulitzer and Anne Frank House are both here. Absolutely made for two.

• Museum Quarter - culture by day, restaurant-hopping by night. The Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark are all within a few minutes, and the dining scene around here is top-notch.

• Amsterdam City Centre - if you want canal views, rooftop bars and everything on your doorstep, Centrum is hard to beat. Dam Square, the Nine Streets shopping area and some of the city's best cocktail bars are all right here.

🎉 Where should groups stay in Amsterdam?

• Amsterdam North (Noord) - across the free ferry from Centraal Station, Noord has a cool, arty vibe with A'DAM Tower (and its famous swing), the EYE Film Museum, and waterfront bars and restaurants. Trendy and great for a mates' trip. Browse Amsterdam North hotels

• Amsterdam East (Oost) - an up-and-coming area with a more local feel, great food scene around the Dappermarkt, and easy tram access to the centre. Better value hotels and a nice escape from the tourist crowds. Browse Amsterdam East hotels

• Amsterdam City Centre - for groups who want to be right in the action. Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein and the Red Light District are all here, so nobody has to travel far after a night out.

Top hotels for Amsterdam holidays 2026/2027

Amsterdam's hotel scene is brilliant for city breaks - whether you want canal views, museum quarter culture or a central base near Dam Square, there's something for every type of traveller.

💑 What are the best hotels in Amsterdam for couples?

• Pulitzer Amsterdam - spread across 25 restored 17th-century canal houses in the Jordaan, this is one of Amsterdam's most romantic stays. Gorgeous interiors, a buzzing cocktail bar, and its own private canal boat for tours along the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht.

• INK Hotel Amsterdam - MGallery - a proper stylish spot near Dam Square with sleek interiors inspired by the building's history as a former newspaper HQ. Great location for couples who want to be in the thick of it.

• Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American - a gorgeous Art Deco landmark on Leidseplein with a famous cafe, cocktail bar and beautifully designed rooms. Very well reviewed and walkable to all the main sights.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What are the best family hotels in Amsterdam?

• Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre - right in the city centre near Dam Square and Central Station, with spacious rooms including wellness and spa options. Brilliant base for families who want everything on the doorstep.

• Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam - right by the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, with Vondelpark a short walk away for when the kids need to burn off energy. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the top-floor rooms and a proper loaded breakfast.

• Leonardo Museumhotel Amsterdam City Centre - close to the Museum Quarter and Vondelpark, with modern, comfy rooms and a location that works brilliantly for families balancing culture with green space.

✨ What are the best luxury hotels in Amsterdam?

• Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam - very well reviewed and set across six 17th-century canal palaces on the Herengracht. Guerlain Spa, a two-Michelin-star restaurant, and rooms that make you feel like Dutch royalty. Genuine 5-star in every sense.

• Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht - very well-reviewed 5-star hotel designed by Marcel Wanders with genuinely quirky interiors, epic canal views and a game room. Right in the canal ring near the Anne Frank House.

🎉 What are the best hotels in Amsterdam for groups?

• Inntel Hotels Amsterdam-Zaandam - the building itself is an Instagram moment - stacked traditional Dutch houses piled on top of each other. Indoor pool, spa, waterfront restaurant and a quick train ride into the centre. Great for groups who want a base with character.

• Leonardo Royal Hotel Amsterdam - big, modern hotel in Amsterdam East with a proper selection of room types, a lounge bar and easy access to the centre by tram. Good for larger groups who need flexibility.

💰 What are the best value hotels in Amsterdam?

• CC Hotel - a no-fuss, well-located 3-star right near Dam Square and Central Station. Air-conditioned rooms, breakfast on offer, and you're within walking distance of pretty much everything.

• New West Inn - a budget-friendly option away from the busiest streets with its own pizza corner, pool table and air hockey. Not central, but well connected by tram and a solid pick if you're watching the pennies.

👉 See all Amsterdam hotels

Last-minute Amsterdam breaks

Amsterdam is one of the few city breaks that genuinely works booked late. The flight is under two hours and runs several times a day from most UK & Ireland airports, there are no transfers to arrange, and there is no season you have to avoid: the museums, the canals and the cafés are the same in February as they are in July.

What moves is the price of the room, so it's good to be aware of the big events. King's Day at the end of April, Pride in early August and ADE in October fill the city months ahead. The weeks either side of those, and most of the winter, are when late availability appears. So, what are you waiting for? Have a click and get booking? You could be eating a stroopwafel before you even know how to spell it.

Amsterdam Holidays - Travel Guide

Families

• NEMO Science Museum - five floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits right on the waterfront. Kids can build, experiment and learn without realising they're doing it. The rooftop terrace has cracking views too.

• Artis Zoo - one of Europe's oldest zoos with giraffes, elephants, a planetarium and an aquarium all on one site. Central location near Oosterpark makes it easy to fit into a day.

• Canal cruise - a brilliant way to see the city without wearing out little legs. Most cruises last about an hour and loop past all the big sights, with family-friendly options that include activity sheets and audio guides.

• Rijksmuseum family route - the museum runs a dedicated kids' trail that keeps younger ones engaged with the art through interactive games and scavenger hunts. Free with entry.

• Albert Cuyp Market - the biggest street market in the Netherlands, running six days a week. Grab fresh stroopwafels, poffertjes and Dutch cheese, and let the kids soak up the atmosphere.

Couples

• Evening canal cruise - the city looks completely different after dark, with the canal houses lit up and the bridges glowing. Plenty of operators run wine-and-cheese or dinner cruises for two.

• Vondelpark - Amsterdam's answer to a romantic stroll. Pack a picnic, rent a tandem bike, or just find a bench by the pond and watch the world go by.

• Jordaan dining - the neighbourhood is packed with intimate, candlelit restaurants and wine bars. Wander until something catches your eye - you honestly can't go wrong here.

• Van Gogh Museum - book a late-afternoon slot when it's quieter, then head to one of the Museum Quarter restaurants for dinner afterwards. Proper date-day material.

• Brown cafe crawl - Amsterdam's traditional pubs are centuries old, cosy as anything, and serve proper Dutch beer. Start at Cafe Hoppe (going since 1670) and see where the evening takes you.

Groups

• Heineken Experience - the full brewery tour with interactive exhibits and tasting sessions at the end. Book ahead, especially on weekends - it's one of Amsterdam's most popular attractions.

• A'DAM Tower - the lookout and swing on top of the tower in Amsterdam North is a proper group buzz. Over-the-edge swing, panoramic views and a revolving restaurant underneath.

• Red Light District tour - guided walking tours give you the history, the stories and the context behind Amsterdam's most famous neighbourhood. Way better with mates than solo.

• Group bike tour - hire bikes and explore the canal ring, Vondelpark and the Jordaan together. Amsterdam is flat as a pancake, so even the least sporty member of the group will manage.

• Leidseplein nightlife - the main square for going out, with clubs, live music venues and late-night bars packed in tight. Paradiso (a former church turned music venue) is a standout.

Getting to Amsterdam

Amsterdam is ridiculously easy to get to from Ireland - basically a hop, skip and a pint away. Direct flights from Dublin and Cork take about an hour and three quarters, Belfast is nearer an hour and a half, and Schiphol is fifteen minutes from Amsterdam Centraal on the train. Touchdown to stroopwafel in record time.

When you book your Amsterdam flight and hotel together with On the Beach, we roll the whole thing into one package. No juggling separate bookings, no spreadsheet-induced headaches, and you can lock it in from just €10pp. When a trip is this effortless to sort, the only real decision left is how many days you can get away with taking off work.

Local Lingo

Try a few of these phrases on for size and impress the locals on your next holiday to Amsterdam...

• Hello - Hallo (ha-LOH)

• Please - Alstublieft (al-stoo-BLEEFT)

• Thank you - Dank je wel (DAHNK yuh vel)

• Cheers! - Proost! (PROHST)

• How much is this? - Hoeveel kost dit? (hoo-VALE kost dit)

• The bill, please - De rekening, alstublieft (duh RAY-kuh-ning, al-stoo-BLEEFT)

• Delicious - Lekker (LECK-ur)

• Beautiful - Mooi (MOY)

More Destinations

Amsterdam areas

• Amsterdam City Centre - the tourist hub with Dam Square, canal ring and all the big-name attractions

• Museum Quarter - Amsterdam's cultural heart with the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark

• Amsterdam North - the trendy, up-and-coming side across the IJ river with A'DAM Tower and waterfront dining

• Amsterdam East - local vibes, great food markets and easy tram access to the centre

• Zaandam - close to the famous Zaanse Schans windmills with some cracking hotels

Explore the Netherlands

• The Netherlands - the parent destination with everything from windmill-lined canals to seaside towns and buzzing cities

• Eindhoven - the Netherlands' design capital, powered by innovation, craft beer and street art

• The Hague - the seat of Dutch government with grand architecture, world-class museums and the beach at Scheveningen