Staying in Amsterdam for 4nights, is my itinerary good or no?

Hi and welcome to the forum. In order to help you better, it would be helpful to know when exactly you will be in Amsterdam. And also who is traveling? Just you? With someone else? What are your ages and interests?

Hello! It'll be in mid Sept. Travelling w husband and brother in law, in our mid 30's.

We love art and food and experiences. My bil is into movies and theater. We also like music and beers. Also love food! I enjoy architecture and nature. Absolutely love cheese!

Thanks for the additional information. With regards to the Anne Frank house, every Tuesday at 10am local time they release tickets for the week 6 weeks from that. So yesterday, the Tuesday of week# 35, they released the tickets for the entire week #41 (October 7-13).
In recent months however they also release tickets for the next week. So yesterday, they released extra tickets for the week that starts on Monday September 2.
So if you really want to visit the Anne Frank house, you must make sure to be ready at 10am Amsterdam time on the Tuesday the week before your visit. It can take some time for tickets to be released, so don’t give up too soon if you don’t see any tickets.

Your brother in law could take a look at the agenda of ITA, International Theater Amsterdam. They often have plays with surtitles in English https://ita.nl/en/
Amsterdam is home to one of the most beautiful movie theaters in the world (literally). Movie theater Pathé Tuschinski is housed an absolutely stunning building in Art Deco style. In the Netherlands, only movies aimed at young kids are dubbed in Dutch. Movies for teens, adults etc are in the original language with subtitles. So if you go to a movie, you don’t have to worry about not being able to understand a word.

When are you there? Presumably soon, but definitely listen to Dutch Traveler and try the Anne Frank website again a little over a week before heading to AMS. I've also seen them post a "new" group of tickets for the following week, so you might be able to get tickets. It is worth it - especially with the extra pre-entry presentation. We coupled it with the Resistance Museum (also in AMS) and the Corrie Ten Boom house (in Haarlem) for a broader perspective and reread Anne's diary as well (also a good idea).

Assuming the weather stays nice for when you are there, I will almost always suggest getting out on bikes! You mention Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken, and those are ALL reachable in a fun way by bike. We split Zaanse Schans off separately from Edam and Volendam (no Marken), but the countryside outside AMS is wonderful to explore by bike. Easy riding (FLAT) and with tons of nature but also many places stop for food & drinks. Bikes are also good in the city for folks who enjoy city cycling and you can cover a lot of the city quickly. Vondelpark (and other city parks) can also be explored by bike instead of walking.

Regarding eSIMs - telephone and data - we've had great success across Europe with Orange eSIMS. If you just need data, folks really seem to like Airalo. In either case, they both should be seamless across most (all?) Europe.

Omygosh! Thank you so much dutchtraveler. I already put an alarm in to check on that day and time :)

Thank you very much for taking it time to type all that. We will look into the bike rides. I really want to do that but maybe somewhere off city and we'll take train first to old Holland instead haha I am not a good biker so I am too scared to use that as my mode of transportation from point a to point b haha

Basically my plan is to totally change day 2 - like after exploring Jordaan, take train to Zans Schans, Edam and Volendam.

Saturday, would still do Gouda and back early to Amsterdam for Rijkmuseum then red light district.

Sunday Castle de haar, Amersfoort and then back to Amsterdam.

Something like this

Sounds like you missed the tickets 6 weeks out...but For Anne Frank check one week prior on the Tuesday @ 10am (Amsterdam) time, which means you have to set your alarm. (Keep checking the website to get a feel for how the release schedule works.)
There are currently tickets available for next week. Never buy tickets from any kind of third party, as they will not be honored. Directly through the official website is the only way. Good luck. It's an incredible tour. I hope you can find tickets.

Are you arriving from the US? Do you already have tickets to the Van Gogh Museum? If you are coming from the US (or Canada) and don't have tickets yet for Van Gogh, I'd move that to another day. To me scheduling anything that is a timed entry on arrival day can be fraught with anxiety if you have any plane delay.

I was not sure from the way you phrased it but the times I've taken a taxi from Schiphol I just walked out to the taxi rank and there were many in line. I wasn't sure if you were planning to book ahead or something like that? The train is also pretty easy to take into town depending on where you are staying.

Hi KD! Thank you, yes I did set an alarm got it :)

Yes coming from US. Didn't buy Van Gogh yet bec of that but already booked a taxi to pick us up on our day of arrival. Tyvm

Thanks for the additional information. I would try to slot the Van Gogh Museum in on a different day if you can.

Hi there, well done on doing good research ahead of time. And thanks for those foodie ideas! Just a few things to add- I can't imagine only spending 1-2 hours in the Van Gogh museum, not sure how much you like to read details, look into gift shops (!) have a coffee, sit and admire, wait for a crowd to pass by etc, but we usually allocate at least 2 - 3 hours for such a top museum.

Because you say you're not a great biker, I would skip biking in Amsterdam. I've biked a lot in Sweden, Paris, Berlin, Spain long distance, Copenhagen, Delft, & Amsterdam, but the Dutch are the most, let's just say 'serious' commuters I've encountered. Just watching out for them while walking can be a challenge.

“Basically my plan is to totally change day 2 - like after exploring Jordaan, take train to Zans Schans, Edam and Volendam.”

I’m sorry but I don’t think this is feasible. Edam and Volendam can’t be reached by train, there are no train stations there. From Zaanse Schans you would need to get back to Amsterdam first before you can get on the bus to Edam/Volendam. You can’t possibly do this in one afternoon after exploring the Jordaan neighborhood in the morning.

Hello! Yes I saw that and I know it's one of the options. Thank you so much for helping me out!

I am planning on purchasing the regional unlimited GVB pass which I check the line and I can get to Edam through this route: Train to Zandaan Kogerveld to Station Pumerend(15m), walk 15m to Pumerend Tramplein and take bus 110 to Edam(30m).

It should be possible correct? Thank you!

Thanks for the feedback sandancisco :) I changed the itinerary for that day to allot 2-3hrs. Skipping Amersfoort instead Bec I really wanna see Urecht!

You can calculate the public transportation travel costs at https://9292.nl/en and see if it is worthwhile procuring the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (which I assume you referring to). Tap in and tap out with your credit card (https://www.ovpay.nl/en) may be a cost-efficient alternative.

Thank you!

I will do this today :) I'm so excited to explore the city! But how unfortunate is it that it will be raining all week next weekend throughout?

I am afraid next week the weather doesn’t look too dry: https://www.buienradar.nl/weer/amsterdam/nl/2759794/14daagse.

Good decision investing in a rain jacket then. Haha! Thank you!!!!

“ I am planning on purchasing the regional unlimited GVB pass which I check the line and I can get to Edam through this route: Train to Zandaan Kogerveld to Station Pumerend(15m), walk 15m to Pumerend Tramplein and take bus 110 to Edam(30m).
It should be possible correct? Thank you!”

First of all, please mind the correct spelling of the places you want to visit. I’m not saying this to be pedantic, but because people or Google Maps or other apps might not guess correctly what you mean and you end up somewhere else.

The GVB unlimited pass is only valid on public transport operated by GVB. GVB operates busses, trams and metros in the immediate area around Amsterdam. It doesn’t operate the train from Zaandam Kogerveld to Purmerend and it also doesn’t operate the bus to Edam, so your pass isn’t valid.
You can use the pass as suggested by Barney in the above post.
However I still think seeing the Anne Frank house, the Jordaan neighborhood, Zaandam, Edam and Volendam is way too much for 1 single day. I appreciate you want to see lots of sights, but often less is actually more.

Hello! No worries at all! I appreciate you taking your time to help. Noted about the spellings - I always cross reference with Google before the maps.

The GVB pass I'm talking about is the REGIONAL pass a comment above did say which includes regional travel w bus and trains— https://www.gvb.nl/en/travel-products/tourists/amsterdam-and-region-travel-ticket
Just need to figure out if it's gonna be worth it! I calculated the other day and seems like we r likely to spend less if we go as we pay but I will double check tonight w the site he kindly provided me!

As for the itinerary - I have revised it and put in comments. I think it is way better! Unfortunately, we weren't able to get any Anne frank house tickets so we will have to wait on this one til next visit.

In your post you said you were going to get the “ the regional unlimited GVB pass”. There is no such pass, but because you specifically stated GVB, I assumed you meant the GVB day ticket or the GVB multi day. I came to that conclusion because these passes allow you unlimited use of all public transport operated by GVB.
However it now seems, you actually meant the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket?? That’s a totally different pass.

Yes that one!! Sorry just assumed they are both GVB offered bec it's on GVB site. But yeah that one exactly

Melissa, I can tell you've done a lot of excellent research and planning. My only advice would be to trim back your activities for each day. On the day you arrive, don't underestimate jet lag. On a trip to Madrid during out 30's, my husband and I went to the Prado Museum the day we arrived and don't remember a single thing. In fact, he fell asleep on a bench while I was waiting in the bathroom queue!

Also, I would make your day trips more focused. Even with the good Dutch rail system, going from one town to another town and then back to Amsterdam eats up a lot of time. Don't feel like you have to see everything in this one trip. As Rick Steves says, "Assume you will return."

LaurieC has a point. When I was 25 we went to the Churchill War Rooms when we arrived in London. I think it was a combination of proudly wearing my new London Fog coat (I'm from SoCal) so I was excited to wear it; poor circulating museum air, slow movement and likely dehydration; but I nearly passed out in the museum and took refuge on the cot in the aid station. So, for the last 35 years, I've avoided indoor museums on day of arrival!

Hi yes!

I redid our itinerary in the comments! We're not doing any major attractions on day 1 but walk arnd and boat ride. Can go sleep anytime lol

Could you guys help me though - trying to purchase an esim with internet, which of these 2 is best:

https://www.lycamobile.nl/en/bundle/holland-plan-unlimited/ -this includes data/Internet right?

Or KPN €40 50gb data no phones?

And I really don't drink coffee but maybe this trip I would lol

Thank you for everyone's feedback!!

ENJOY! It looks like a wonderful trip. The weather in Northern Europe is very changeable, here on my Swedish app, looks like you might have nicer weather from this Friday Sept 13th onward. Take the rain coat, maybe you won't need it?? BTW, cobblestones are killers on the feet, IF you have well-broken in walking / hiking boots, bring them. C

Consider downloading and using the TimeShifter app to help with jet lag, here's a good thread about its effectiveness, I use it to a greater or less extent, and have as much or little jet lag as my efforts to follow the app! https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/jet-lag-i-tried-the-timeshifter-app

Thanks for the tips! I am bringing a waterproof jacket and shoe covers lol better safe! And yes, I plan to bring my very comfortable sneakers and doc martens!