Solo in Amsterdam: Best Things to do in Amsterdam On Your Own

Last Updated on 29th January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Canals, tulips in abundance, and a friendly vibe: There’s something about visiting Amsterdam as a solo traveller that makes it so appealing, even if you’ve not solo travelled much on your own before. Home to museums, galleries, and plenty of great cafés, here’s your guide to being solo in Amsterdam, including the best things to do in Amsterdam alone.

If you’re thinking about seeing a lot of attractions and monuments while in Amsterdam, Consider purchasing the I Amsterdam City Card, which includes free access  free admission to 70 museums and attractions in Amsterdam and region and access to public transportation.

To work out whether or not the pass is worth it for you or not, add up the cost of the individual attractions you wish to visit and see if you’ll save money. Find more details here.

Best things to do in Amsterdam on your own

#1 Wander along the canals of Amsterdam

One of the best things to do in Amsterdam, as with many a European capital city, is to simply stroll along the canals, seeing where your feet lead you. Pretty to explore in every season, whereas in the spring you can expect to enjoy the delights of cherry blossoms, summer allows for long and lazy walks around the city.

Come autumn and the leaves turn a golden shade, making for the perfect time to snap plenty of beautiful travel photos (here’s how to avoid travel photography mistakes!) Winter, of course, is the off-season, meaning fewer tourists and often cheaper hotel or hostel rates.

Whatever the case, be sure to wander along the canals during your time in the city. Some of the best districts to explore include the neighbourhood of Jordaan (which is now a UNESCO world heritage site) and The Negen Straatjes (the nine streets), which is home to plenty of boutiques and eateries.

#2 Make your way to a small museum

If you want to escape the crowds of the city, then I would highly recommend skipping out on the typical tourist must-sees and instead head to one of the smaller museums the city has to offer. From 17th-century canal houses to artists ateliers, here are the best small museums in Amsterdam.

One of the best things to do in Amsterdam on your own is to check out Rembrandt’s House Museum (Rembradthuis). Situated close to the very heart of the city, this is the house where the iconic Dutch master lived and worked for some twenty years. Check here to buy your ticket in advance.

Another of my personal favourites is Our Lord in the Attic (Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder). Situated on the fringes of the Red Light District and located at the top of a four-story canal house, this clandestine church once operated during the persecution of Catholocism in the 17th-century.

Today, you can wander around the 400-year old building and soak up the history. Check here to buy your tickets in advance.

#3 Seek out Filming locations

From The Fault in Our Stars to scenes from the James Bond film, Diamonds are Forever, Amsterdam has been used as a backdrop for many a movie location over the years. As such, if you’re a movie buff then one of the best things to do in the city is to scout out some of the more iconic movie locations from various films over the years.

#4 Visit some hidden gems of Amsterdam

Grand canals aside, Amsterdam is well-known around the world for its typical brick façades and narrow canalside houses. One of the top well-known secret spots is the Begijnhof Amsterdam. One of the oldest hofjes in the city, the historic brick buildings originally operated as a Béguinage. Today, the area is free to visit and is ever-so-pretty.

Though you may think that there are no more secret spots in Amsterdam to discover, you would be wrong! For example, another of the best unusual and quirky sites in the city is an old prison under a bridge. Torensluis (tower lock) is one of Amsterdam’s widest bridges and the remains of the prison there are now used to host art and culture events.

Elsewhere in the Dutch capital, another secret spot is Hortus Botanicus. This garden can be visited and was established in the 17th-century! Finally, for one of the best hidden cafés in the city, be sure to head to Café Chris, a bar that dates back well over three hundred and fifty years!

Otherwise, shop for second-hand books head to Oudemanhuispoort and for more secluded courtyards, check out the best hofjes in Amsterdam.

#5 Visit the floating flower market

Canal houses aside, Amsterdam is probably most synonymous with tulips. Head to Amsterdam during the right time of the year, and you can even take a day trip from the city to enjoy the Keukenhof Gardens. Nevertheless, should you opt to visit during a different time of the year, you can still expect to enjoy plenty of beautiful flower markets in the city centre itself.

For those who are true botanical lovers, be sure to head to the Floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt). Founded during the 19th-century, this is the world’s only market of its kind and can be found Muntplein and Koningsplein.

If you want to capture some stunning photos, be sure to head to the Bloemenmarkt as the place can, understandably, become pretty busy later on in the day! With this being said, don’t make the mistake of heading to the Flower Market and expecting to see lots of flowers. Most of the Flower Market is actually bulbs for sale as opposed to flowering plants!

#6 Join an Amsterdam food tour

Fancy some company during your solo Amsterdam trip? Oftentimes, a great way to meet others is by partaking in a guided excursion or organised tour.

Some of the best group activities in the Dutch capital can be found in the form of foodie experiences, including walking tours and local speciality tastings. Here’s a guide to the very best of Amsterdam food tours.

#7 Discover the tulip season

Of course, of all the reasons to visit Amsterdam, many people cite wanting to experience the Netherlands in bloom, and the tulips in Amsterdam as one of their top must-have experiences. This includes taking a day trip to Keukenhof, which is open from March to May on an annual basis.

#8 Take a day trip from Amsterdam

Some of the best of the Netherlands can be found outside this flat country’s capital city. Don’t believe me? Plan an excursion from Amsterdam to one of the smaller (and yet just as lovely cities) the country has to offer. They are plenty of day trips from Amsterdam.

Within an hour of Amsterdam, you can easily visit the political city of The Hague, the ceramic city of Delft, the university city of Leiden, and the architectural city of Rotterdam. If you visit the Netherlands in the spring, then you’ll also have the option to enjoy the best of tulip season.

Is Amsterdam safe for solo female travellers?

Just like everywhere, and every major European city, Amsterdam requires you to be a little cautious when visiting. This means always letting someone know where you are and taking all the precautions you usually would in your home city. Amsterdam is generally pretty safe and is regarded to be one of the safest travel destinations in Western Europe.

Safety as a solo female traveller in Amsterdam first: I personally felt very safe in Amsterdam and have spoken with plenty of other solo female travellers who feel the same way. My sister recently took her very first solo trip and chose Amsterdam thanks to its easy-to-get-to location and wealth of activities.

Planning a solo visit to Amsterdam? Tips & Practical advice

Amsterdam is easy to navigate by foot and plenty of people speak English. With this being said, be sure to keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times and only rent a bicycle (make sure it’s from a reputable place) if you’re comfortable with cycling!

If you’re planning a solo trip to the Dutch capital, then there are several things you’ll want to know before you go. While you’ll be able to find English speakers pretty much anywhere you go in the Netherlands, you may well want to be prepared for situations where you need to know a little Dutch by taking a simple Dutch phrasebook with you.

Secondly, I recommend planning your accommodation well in advance. With an increasing number of tourists visiting the city each year, the best hotels and guesthouses tend to sell out fast and so you’ll want to book your place to stay in Amsterdam ahead of time. Check the best accommodation prices in Amsterdam here. 

For a more unique Dutch experience during your stay in the city, consider booking a houseboat. I personally stayed on a boat during my last trip to Amsterdam and found it to be the kind of unique stay that you don’t necessarily find everywhere and an experience that I’ll remember fondly for years to come.

If you’re looking to visit many of the museums and cultural institutions in Amsterdam, then you might want to consider investing in an I Amsterdam card.

This pass allows you entry to over forty museums and free public transport while exploring the city. Highlights of the card also include a free canal cruise and discounts on plenty of other city attractions. Check I Amsterdam card prices here

Finally, here are my very best Amsterdam travel tips, including all of the things you should know before visiting for the first time. For example, did you know that you should be prepared for all weathers? Amsterdam has plenty of rain throughout the year, and there’s even the chance of snow in the winter.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

As one of the most important cities in Europe, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Amsterdam, though of course this does come at a premium and the city is much more expensive than other cities in the Netherlands!

You should also be sure to book your accommodation as soon as you know your travel dates so as to secure the best rates and also be sure to be able to book the place you actually want to stay>

Flying Pig Downtown is a popular city centre hostel, located right next to Amsterdam Central Station. With dorms sleeping from four to 32 people, there’s something for all budgets here! Check prices and availability here.

Eden Hotel Amsterdam is a bright, clean hotel with beautifully decorated rooms of different sizes, located in the centre of Amsterdam. Check prices and availability here.

INNSiDE by Meliá Amsterdam is a beautiful hotel with breathtaking views over the city centre. Rooms are spacious and modern, with comfortable beds and luxury bathrooms. There is also a fitness centre, bar and restaurant on-site. Check prices and availability here.

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