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8 hours in Amsterdam

I'm going to have a few hours in Amsterdam on a Saturday in August. Flying in from Bergen (after end of RS Scandanavia tour) and arriving at Schipol at 11:30 a.m. Flights leaves next day at 10:00 a.m. Staying at Sheraton at Airport. Tried to find something relatively close to train station at decent price but no such luck.

After dropping bags at hotel, I might make it to city by 2:00 (train). How can I best spend my time from 2:00 until 10 or 11 that night?.

My thoughts are:

  1. Canal boat tour
  2. Rijksmuseum
  3. Neighborhood walks
  4. Nice dinner before catching train back to airport.

I've been to Amsterdam once, 30 years ago. Did Anne Frank Museum, Brewery, Rijksmuseum then. Any can't miss sights I'm leaving out?

Posted by
9098 posts

You will have to do the Rijks first as it closes at 5pm. The Anne Frank house closes very late around 9pm. I would do one of the evening canal cruises.

Posted by
1005 posts

I would reserve my Anne Frank tickets asap, since the online bookings fill up quickly, and you don't have time to wait in line for one-two hours. Personally, I would skip the canal boat because I like to walk around the city, but your taste may be different. There are lots of "foodie" restaurants in Amsterdam now--check online or when Rick's new edition comes out. I would include a stroll through the Red Light District because it's such a unique place--but I'd do it before it got really late.

Posted by
9098 posts

After 6pm the lines for the Anne Frank House aren't a big deal. I've never waited more than fifteen minutes at that time of the evening.