We visited Amsterdam in October, and if there’s one thing you should know before you read a single word further: it rained. A lot. So this itinerary ended up being a mix of iconic must-dos and a lot of cozy, indoor backup plans — and honestly, it worked out perfectly. Here’s exactly what five days in the city looked like for us, two girls just trying to have a good time despite the weather having other plans.
Day 1: Settle In and Get Oriented
Drop Your Bags and Grab Food
Most accommodations offer luggage storage even before check-in, so use it — drop your bags, grab something to eat, and start exploring without dragging a suitcase around.
The Jordaan Neighbourhood
Spend your first afternoon wandering the Jordaan — quiet canals, narrow houses, and no real need for a plan here beyond just walking. It’s also a great area to pop into one of the small cheese shops that line the streets (more on those later).
Anne Frank House
Book ahead through the official Anne Frank House ticket site — tickets are released weeks in advance and sell out fast. If you’re not familiar with the story: Anne Frank was a Jewish teenager who hid with her family in a secret annex behind this building during WWII to escape Nazi persecution, and kept a diary that later became one of the most read books in the world. Walking through the actual hiding place is heavy, but it’s genuinely one of the most important things you can do in this city — don’t skip it.
Vintage Photobooth at The Hoxton
Close out the day with the vintage photobooth at The Hoxton — yes, the one all over TikTok (search “vintage photobooth Amsterdam” and you’ll immediately get why). It’s a fun, low-key way to end your first evening.
💡 If there’s any chance of rain during your trip, pack a proper packable rain jacket, not just an umbrella that’ll turn inside-out on the first canal bridge. I have photographic proof of what happens without one — let’s just say the weather had zero interest in my Instagram plans that day.
Day 2: Museum Day
Van Gogh Museum
Start with the Van Gogh Museum — book your slot early, since morning times sell out first. Give yourself a solid couple of hours here, it’s dense in the best way.
Rijksmuseum and Its Garden
Follow it up with the Rijksmuseum — a start-time booking is required for everyone, even museum pass holders. If the weather cooperates even slightly, take a slow lap through its garden before or after.
Coffee Break and Freddy Friday
Take a proper coffee break between museums, then swing by Freddy Friday on your way toward Hannekes Boom for some loaded Dutch fries — a solid, easy stop to warm up with.
Hannekes Boom
In the evening, head to Hannekes Boom, a relaxed waterside spot that works even when it’s drizzling outside.
💡 A compact packable umbrella that actually holds up in wind is worth having on standby for a day of moving between museums.
Day 3: Palace, Canals, and Apple Pie
Royal Palace Amsterdam
Visit the Royal Palace Amsterdam (around €12.50 entry) in the morning — smaller than the name suggests, but worth an hour of your time. Check the palace’s calendar before you go, since it occasionally closes for royal events.
Canal Boat Tour
Book a canal boat tour for the early afternoon. Go for one with a covered or enclosed boat if rain is a possibility — we did, and it turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip, gliding past the whole city completely dry while everyone on land was dealing with umbrellas.
Apple Pie Stop
Take a break for a slice of apple pie somewhere along the canals — it’s practically a Dutch tradition at this point, and there’s no shortage of good spots to try it.
💡 Between the palace, the boat, and a full day of walking, a portable phone charger earns its cost back fast — nothing worse than your battery dying right before the best canal shot of the day.
Day 4: Photos and Markets
Photoshoot Time
Dedicate part of this day to actually getting photos of yourselves rather than just the city — golden hour by the canals is hard to beat.
Foodhallen
Head to Foodhallen, an indoor food hall that’s an easy win if the weather turns — good for grazing your way through several different food stalls in one stop.
Noordermarkt and Lindengrachtmarkt
Wander through these two markets, right next to each other, for browsing, local snacks, and people-watching.
Tulip Market
Stop by a tulip market and pick up a few bulbs as a souvenir — they pack flat, survive the flight fine, and actually bloom once planted. I brought some home for my mom, and they came up beautifully the following spring — genuinely one of the better souvenirs I’ve ever brought back from a trip.
💡 A compact waterproof crossbody bag is worth having on a day like this — it keeps your phone, camera, and market finds dry and secure while you’re weaving through crowded stalls in unpredictable weather.
Day 5: Slow Morning and Last Stops
Vondelpark
Take a relaxed walk through Vondelpark — even on a grey day, it’s a nice way to slow down before heading to the airport.
NEMO Rooftop, Oosterdok
Head to the rooftop at NEMO near Oosterdok for one of the better skyline views in the city, rain or shine.
A Few Honest Notes
- We walked through the Red Light District briefly out of curiosity, but as two women traveling alone, we didn’t feel it was the safest area to linger in, especially after dark. Worth a quick look, but stay aware of your surroundings and skip the quiet side streets.
- If you’re visiting from outside Europe: weed is legal in Amsterdam, but that legality ends at the city limits — and definitely doesn’t extend to the airport. Don’t try to fly out with any.
- Schiphol Airport is enormous. Give yourself more time than usual to find your gate.
Cheese Shop Tastings
Before you leave, stop into one of the small cheese shops along the walking streets — most offer free tastings, and some of the flavored varieties are genuinely unlike anything we’d tried before. Along with the tulip bulbs, a wedge of good Dutch cheese made for one of our favorite souvenirs.
Try a Dutch Waffle
Don’t leave without trying a local waffle dipped in chocolate (or another topping) — it’s a small thing, but it might end up being your favorite bite of the whole trip.
Rainy or not, five days in Amsterdam gave us museums, canals, cheese, tulips, and a photobooth strip we still laugh about. Pack for the weather, and don’t let a little rain talk you out of it.
