Fall is the perfect season to spend a weekend in Amsterdam. The temperatures are not too hot, not too cold, there aren’t any big crowds, and there’s coziness all around.
Last weekend, my friend came to visit me from Belgium and we spent the most amazing two days here and did lots of fun fall-related activities. Whether you live in Amsterdam or are visiting for the weekend, I’m sure this itinerary will give you some inspiration on fun (and even scary) things to do!
Keep on reading for a two-day Amsterdam itinerary perfect for the fall season. Bonus: I’ll add in some fashion tips to make sure you’re packing exactly what you need for the fall weather here!
Transport
The easiest way to get to Amsterdam if you’re coming from overseas, is by plane. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is well connected to the city by train, bus, taxi, or rental car.
Alternatively, if you live in a neighbouring country or in the UK, you can travel by train. Thalys has some very comfortable trains that will bring you straight to Amsterdam Central station.
Commuting within the city is easiest by metro or by foot. Public transport is quite inexpensive, and with this itinerary, you will only need to transport from and to your hotel to the city. All other activities are walking time apart. Walking is the best way to transport within the city, especially as a tourist, since you’ll get to see the beautiful architecture and scenery of the city!
To buy tickets for public transport, I either recommend getting an ‘OV Chipcard’ which costs 5 euros and then can be recharged and scanned by the entrance ports. Alternatively, you can also enter using your credit card if it has contactless payment. Fares for your commute will be the same as with the OV Chipcard.
Accomodation
Amsterdam has so many great hotels and hostels. Choose something that works for your budget. Make sure to carefully read the reviews of cheap stays, as I’ve heard from friends that some hostels have bed bugs.
Here are some recommendations to ensure you will have a great stay:
- W Hotel for a stay in the city centre – $$$
- Hotel Jakarta has a unique, exotic vibe close to central station – $$$
- Van der Valk for a great breakfast service and value for money – $$
- Ibis Budget Schiphol is the best budget option still offering good quality – $
Itinerary Overview
Day 1
- Lunch at Chun Café
- Shopping in the ‘9 straatjes’ or ‘nine streets’
- Pumpkin spiced latte and cinnamon roll at Pluk
- Head to Leidseplein for a cocktail
- Dinner at Hongdae Korean Restaurant
- Drinks at Marie Heinekenplein
Day 2
- Lunch at Bijenkorf rooftop
- Wander in the galleries of De Bijenkorf
- Visit the Amsterdam Dungeon
- Get Stroopwafels at van Wonderen
- Grab a cocktail at the W Lounge
- Enjoy Italian food and live music at Cecconi’s
Full detailed itinerary
Day one
After enjoying a traditional Dutch breakfast at the hotel, including fresh cheeses, yoghurt and good coffee, take the metro to Central Station, where our itinerary begins.
As you exit Central Station, try not to be overwhelmed by the great mass of people around you. This is the busiest area of the whole city!
Follow the masses into the Damrak street. On your left, you will see many tourist canal tours, which are great if you’re visiting for the first time. On your right, you will see a lot of overpriced tourist shops. Don’t be tempted to buy something here – they’re surely charging too much.
If you walk further into the street, you will see a gorgeous and enormous building that has ‘De Bijenkorf’ written on it. We’ll visit this iconic store/mall tomorrow.
At the end, you will come across the Dam square. Here you can find the royal palace of Amsterdam, and also the Madame Tussaud museum. Up to you which one you’d like to visit!
If you take a right on the square, and continue straight ahead, you will find the ‘9 straatjes’.
This area is famous for shopping the traditional Amsterdam style, as you will find plenty of (luxury) vintage stores, small boutiques, jewelry shops, and more.
By this time, you’re probably too hungry to go shopping yet, so head to Chun Café for a delicious Japanese-style lunch, located in the area. Hopefully you’re not too hungry yet, as this place is so popular, there might be a waiting line outside.
After lunch, wander around the 9 streets and buy some original souvenirs for you and yours! You’ll easily spend a couple of hours here, so take your time.
Once you’re getting hungry again or running out of energy, soak up the fall vibes at Pluk Café and treat yourself to their amazing homemade Pumpkin Spiced Latte and cinnamon rolls.
After your coffee break, it’s time to take a lovely evening walk towards the famous Leidseplein.
Make sure to use Google Maps. On your way, you’ll walk past the Rijksmuseum, which is absolutely stunning at night.
Once arrived at the Leidseplein, take a seat at one of the cocktail bars. Bar Américain is my favourite. Order yourself a fancy coffee while looking at the beautiful fountain, and if you’re lucky, there might be some live music playing in the background.
Come back here later in the evening to experience the vibrant Amsterdam nightlife, as this area is also known for its many nightclubs. If you want to buy some “dope” souvenirs, you can find the famous Bulldog coffeeshop at Leidseplein too, where famous celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne have shown their faces!
After enjoying one too many cocktails, and after a full day of walking, it’s time for some well-deserved comfort food.
Though we’re not in Korea, Amsterdam has some of the best Korean food places I’ve ever had (never been to Korea though, and admittedly, New York also has some great ones).
Only a 5 minute walk away, you’ll find Hongdae Korean Restaurant. One of the best places in town to enjoy some traditional Korean food in a cozy setting. My favourites from the menu are the beef bibimbap and corndog!
Finish off your day by heading to the Marie Heinekenplein for some casual drinks and dancing. De Tulp is my favourite bar there. In the weekends, they have a DJ during late hours, and a lot of people meet up there to have a beer or a cocktail and dance with their friends. Dresscode is casual so it’s perfect if you want to experience nightlife in a chilled atmosphere.
Day two
Since the first day was quite intense and contained a lot of walking, your feet are probably tired on the second day, so this day will be more focused on enjoying the more luxurious/high end places of Amsterdam. Perfect way to end a trip, if you ask my, by catching a glimpse of the ‘high society’ of Amsterdam.
I recommend wearing something casual-chic like a blazer and perhaps sunnies so that you can blend right in. And comfortable shoes like loafers for example.
We’ll start the itinerary with lunch at The Bijenkorf rooftop terrace. Don’t hesitate to get lost in the four floors of designer items, as long as you make sure to find your way to the top floor!
If the weather allows, you can enjoy a simple lunch at the terrace, overlooking the city.
After your lunch (and possibly a designer splurge), it’s time for some excitement and adrenaline!
One of the best ways to learn some of the history of Amsterdam is through an immersive experience at the Amsterdam Dungeon. Beware: this activity is not for the weak.
After almost getting multiple heart attacks, soothe yourself with the world’s best and most traditional stroopwafels at van Wonderen. Yes, they’re overpriced and there’s a queue, but they really are the best and at least you’ll get a cute picture included in the price.
If you’re thinking to yourself: what’s the best place to enjoy the sunset in Amsterdam?; look no further. The W Lounge, at the top floor of the W hotel, has some of the best scenery you can find in Amsterdam. This classy cocktail lounge is a must-visit when in Amsterdam.
And don’t forget to visit the bathrooms. For a photoshoot, of course. Thank me later.
To close off the coziest weekend ever, head to Cecconi’s for some amazing pasta and wine in a classy setting.
Enjoy your trip!