Is one week In Amsterdam too long?

In November I spent five days quite happily and saw quite a bit, but I could have filled a couple more days easily. I managed to see 15 museums, historical houses, etc. in Amsterdam over 4 days, then one day I took a train to The Hague. But I would have loved to have visited the Alsmeer flower market, Delft, and other day-trip destinations.

For most people three or four days is enough time for the city itself. There are lots of excellent day trips you can make from Amsterdam that could justify extra time. Like Haarlem, Delft, and The Hague:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Amsterdam#Get_out

Brugge is a little too far for a satisfactory daytrip. One nearby city that I really enjoy is Utrecht. Great student environment, and some interesting museums.

For me it's too long but it really depends on your personal interests. Generally, I was disappointed with Amsterdam.

While A'dam is worth a visit, there is too much focus on illicit sex and drugs which draws a certain group of tourists. The museums are good but not nearly as good as other museums in Europe. Lodging is expensive.

Rather than stay in A'dam and take day trips out. I'd suggest two days in A'dam then stay in other Netherlands towns and cities, which are cheaper and better (in my opinion).

Amsterdam would be a great place to spend a week. Beyond the many superb museums and tourist destinations, just hanging out along the canals and enjoying long meals, conversation, and people watching is a joy. I really enjoy the Dutch and their attitude towards life. They are open, honest, perceptive, kind, and fun to be with. They live life to the fullest. Some of my friends in Amsterdam remind me of the Hobbits in the Shire. It's one of my favorite places in the world for just BEing, not needing to go anywhere else--just immersing myself into the ambience of relaxed living and feeling completely at peace. Gemütlichkeit. All is well with the world... Amsterdam is a melting pot of many cultures that peacefully coexist in a place of tolerance and acceptance. Live and let live. Also head out on day trips--go on a bike tour, take a train to Haarlem, or head to the wonderful De Hoge Veluwe Park http://www.hogeveluwe.nl/default.asp?language=2&1 and spend a day hiking or biking in exquisite natural beauty. Everyone usually takes a walk through the Red Light District and can smell a whiff of "coffee shop" aroma as you walk the cobblestones, but it is a small part of the colorful kaleidoscope that is Amsterdam to me. I don't partake and don't focus on it, but it's a valid cultural experiment that works for them. How well is our choice of criminalizing such behavior working for us? Yes, there is plenty to see, do, and experience to fill a week. I'll be returning in September to begin my next odyssey.

In my opinion, one week in A'Dam is too long. There are many areas in Holland to visit. Brugge is well worth 2 days and not that far from A'Dam.

I prefer to stay in one hotel as much as possible, I hate packing and unpacking and often the time it takes for a day trip is less than the time to change hotels. This is particularly true in Holland.

I combined an early morning visit to the Aalsmeer flower market with a 1/2 day in Delft. Rotterdam day trip. I think there's enough in The Hague for 2 days, but that's because I love Madurodam. Anyway, 4 days in Amsterdam and 3 day trips sounds like a great week to me. Just don't try the space cakes/cookies/muffins/tea.

Jane Anne,

Amsterdam can definitely keep you busy for one week - and more. It all depends what you like to do and how you travel. For me, a week for only Amsterdam would be too much, but that’s because I’ve been there 3 times before and I like to cover a lot of territory while in Europe. Instead of spending all of your time in Amsterdam per se, I would definitely recommend considering side trips. The RS Amsterdam guidebook has great suggestions not only on what to do in Amsterdam, but also on easy day trips, as well as good info re: transportation connections.

I don’t know what your interests are, but generally, I would suggest the following itinerary: 3 days in Amsterdam; 1 day/side trip to Haarlem; 1 day/side trip to the Hague & Delft; 1/2 day Aalsmeer (giant flower auction); 1 day cute town of Edam; dinner there... I could go on and on. I’m assuming you have 7 full days, excluding getting in/out of AMS. (By the way, I made Haarlem my base rather than busy Amsterdam last October. I love the city, but I much preferred Haarlem as a quieter option. Although it’s a small town it has great restaurants, cool bars, and really nice locals. It’s a short 20-minute train ride into busy Amsterdam. I’ll be staying there again this September).

Then again... I love London and I did a similar trip last year combining AMS (2 days) + London (4 days), plus travel time. I had never been to London before, so 4 days was definitely not enough, but I didn’t regret one bit getting a taste of that wonderful city. I guess it all depends on how you like to travel and how much time you want to spend commuting. Do you fly/train out of Amsterdam somewhere else or home? I think that would also influence my decision. I flew into AMS and out of London, so I didn’t have to backtrack.

A week in Amsterdam is too much, in my opinion. The surrounding towns others have suggested are very much more enjoyable. Plus, I think it's silly to stay in Amsterdam and take day trips from there as the hotels are so expensive, unless you really hate packing and unpacking. Pack really light- for a week you shouldnt need more than a 12-15 pound bag- and do some travelling! I'd suggest a night in Harlem, a night in Delft (really charming canal town!)two in Brugges, and three in Amsterdam, not in that order of course. I like to go to the smaller places first to get over jet lag in comfort and face the big city on the way out. That way you aren't worried about getting back for your flight.