What to do in Amsterdam in two days with the City Card
Get the most out of your two-day stay in Amsterdam with the I amsterdam City Card. With it, you can enjoy free access to attractions and unlimited public transport to ensure you don’t waste a single moment. Explore the Jewish Quarter, get lost in the exhibitions at the Stedelijk Museum and learn about the city’s history in this two-day guide.
Day 1
9:00-10:00: Breakfast time
Enjoy a delicious breakfast to start your morning in one of the many cafes and eateries in the city.
10:30-11:30: Rembrandt's Amsterdam
(25% discount with the City Card)
Learn about the life of the great painter in an interactive cinematic experience. You will be transported to the 17th century of Rembrandt’s Amsterdam where you will meet his family and learn more about how his career developed and the mark he left on the city.
12:00-14:00: Rijksmuseum
Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam
(regular price €22.5 – free with the City Card)
This beautiful museum houses a collection of over 8000 artworks and artefacts and includes iconic paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and others. It can be overwhelming to navigate its hallowed galleries when you have limited time, so make sure to consult our list of the 10 Rijksmuseum highlights you cannot miss, and you will be good to go.
14:00-15:00: Lunch on Museumplein
Have a relaxing lunch on the Museumplein before moving on to your next destination. There are several cafés and kiosks between Rijksmuseum and Moco museum. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, grab a bite at the Rijksmuseum café, which serves delicious lunches that highlight local ingredients.
15:00-17:00: Stedelijk museum
Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
(regular price €22.5 – free with the City Card)
This modern and contemporary art museum is one of the musts for every cultural programme. You will find formative works from such art movements as De Stijl, Bauhaus, Pop Art and CoBrA, as well as works of neo-impressionists. Don’t miss a collection of Malevich’s works, as well as numerous pieces by Van Gogh and Cézanne.
17:30-19:30: Dinner in Centrum
Dine in the heart of the city to get your fill of Amsterdam’s unique atmosphere. Check out our list of fantastic eateries that you shouldn’t miss.
20:00-22:00: Muziekgebouw concert
Piet Heinkade 1, 1019 BR Amsterdam
(25% discount with the City Card on tickets purchased on the day of the performance)
Enjoy an evening of classical and contemporary music on the banks of the IJ river. The Muziekgebouw’s agenda is packed with classical performers, musical theatre, festivals and exhibitions. Keep your eye out for jazz, electronic and film music performances in this unique concert hall which can go from intimate chamber hall to an orchestra space with superb acoustics thanks to its unique sliding walls.
Day 2
9:00-10:00: Breakfast time
10:00-11:00: Rembrandt House
Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam
(regular price €17.5 – free with the City Card)
Add to what you’ve learned about Rembrandt as you explore the house that served as his studio. Learn about the process of creating paints and etchings at a demonstration, discover the history in each room, and view works by other artists who Rembrandt inspired.
11:00-13:00: Explore the Jewish Cultural Quarter
Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL Amsterdam
(regular price €17 – free with the City Card)
Learn about the history of the Jewish Cultural Quarter in Amsterdam, a vital touchstone in the city’s history. Within the neighbourhood, you can visit the Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, the National Holocaust Museum, and the Hollandsche Schouwburg theatre (both currently closed for renovations) to get a better picture of the lives and memories inextricably tied to the area.
13:00-14:00: Lunch at the Plantage
The Plantage neighbourhood offers many lovely lunch spots, starting with the Dignita Hoftuin, a café beloved by locals right next to H'ART Museum, to the De Plantage terrace, which boasts views of the Artis zoo.
14:15-16:00: Wereldmuseum Amsterdam
Linnaeusstraat 2, 1092 CK Amsterdam
(regular price €16 - free with City Card)
Housed in a beautiful building east of Amsterdam, Wereldmuseum presents diverse exhibitions exploring the world’s unique cultures. Travel the globe as you explore various fascinating objects from the past to the present, each with its own remarkable story.
16:30-17:30: Canal cruise
(regular price €19 - free with City Card)
Head to Amsterdam’s Centraal Station to one of the many boat tour departure points included in your I amsterdam City Card. Soon enough, you are on the water, watching leaning buildings tower over you as you enjoy the breeze on the canals. You will learn about the city’s history and see the city from a whole new, unforgettable perspective.
18:00-20:00: Dinner at Westergas
Take a bus from the Centraal Station to the Westergas: an old gasworks now housing a vibrant creative complex at Westerpark. It is filled with local-frequented eateries, breweries and cafes, so it’s the perfect place to seek out some authentic ambience and flavour.
20:30-22:00: Fabrique des Lumières
Pazzanistraat 37, 1014 BE Amsterdam
(25% discount with the City Card)
A couple of doors down from all the buzz, you will find Fabrique des Lumières, an immersive digital art centre that combines music and light in exhibits of renowned artists. Delight your senses and explore art in a completely new and interactive way.
