{"id":13170,"date":"2026-09-18T11:47:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T11:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meininger-hotels.com\/blog\/?p=13170"},"modified":"2026-09-18T15:32:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T15:32:41","slug":"one-day-in-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meininger-hotels.com\/blog\/en\/one-day-in-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"One day in Amsterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/span>How to spend one day in Amsterdam \ud83c\udf37<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amsterdam isn’t just coffee shops and the crowds around De Oude Kerk (the Old Church). The “Venice of the North” mixes small-city charm with an urban edge. Along the Grachtengordel, you’ll wander past crooked canal houses and cute houseboats, then duck into trendy fashion boutiques, second-hand shops, and genuine antique stores. Travel blogger Gesa from Lilies Diary<\/a> <\/strong>walked this exact route, from the 9 Straatjes to the Oude Kerk, over to Amsterdam Noord, and into a zero-waste supermarket. If the Dutch are known for anything, it’s imagination and a knack for reinventing a neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>\n\n\n

Here’s what to do in Amsterdam in one day <\/sub><\/p>\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47<\/sub><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n

\n
\"One
Colorful canal houses and houseboats in Amsterdam on a moody afternoon<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/span>Morning: the 9 Straatjes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Why start in the 9 Straatjes?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The 9 Straatjes, or Negen Straatjes, are the most popular streets in the Dutch capital for a reason. This trendy pocket of Amsterdam’s city center spans nine streets along the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht. Here, you’ll find the city’s best small shops, caf\u00e9s, and boutiques, plus narrow terraced houses lining the canals. The Grachtengordel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so take your time. Once you’ve explored De 9 Straatjes<\/strong><\/a>, you might feel inspired to redecorate your entire home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Antiques and interior design at Weldaad Authentic Interior<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Continue along the Prinsengracht, past the Anne Frank House, toward the Jordaan district. At Noordermarkt, you’ll find Weldaad Authentic Interior<\/a><\/strong> (formerly known as De Weldaad), a shop built into a converted garage overlooking the Noordermarkt square. It’s packed with antiques, architectural salvage, industrial-style furniture, and a touch of romance. This shop sums up what the city does best: interior design with real personality. It’s open daily except Sunday, from 10 AM to 6 PM (9 AM on Saturdays).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"One
Charming vintage boutique in Amsterdam<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/span><\/span>Zero-waste shopping at Delicious Food<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Just around the corner on Westerstraat, stop by Delicious Food<\/a><\/strong>, one of Amsterdam’s original zero-waste supermarkets. If you haven’t tried bulk shopping before, this is a great place to start. The store skips plastic packaging entirely: rice, pasta, nuts, and fruit are all sold loose, so you take only what you need and skip the waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunchtime: around the Oude Kerk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What’s around the Oude Kerk?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Head to the tourist center of Amsterdam: the streets surrounding the Oude Kerk. You’ll pass the Red Light District and no shortage of coffee shops. Near the Amsterdam Dungeon, you’ll find Papabubble<\/a><\/strong>, a small candy shop known for its handmade sweets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quick heads-up before you go: Papabubble no longer makes candy on-site every day. Production moved to a workshop in Zaandam, just outside the city, so the Amsterdam store on Haarlemmerdijk now opens only on Wednesdays (12 PM to 6 PM) and Saturdays (10 AM to 6 PM). If your one day in Amsterdam falls on one of those days, it’s still worth the stop for the handcrafted sweets. If not, you can order online or pick some up at the I amsterdam Store instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Lunch at Burgermeester<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For lunch, try Burgermeester, Amsterdam’s original gourmet burger joint, open since 2007. It serves fresh, homemade burgers with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The Jordaan location on Elandsgracht 130 fits naturally into this route, and there are two more locations if you’re exploring a different part of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afternoon: FOAM and Amsterdam Noord<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is FOAM worth a visit if you only have one day?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you’re craving art and culture but don’t want to wait two hours in line at the Rijksmuseum, head to FOAM<\/a><\/strong>, the photography museum of Amsterdam on Keizersgracht. FOAM runs several exhibitions at once, from iconic photographers to emerging talents. The museum is currently making its building more sustainable, but it’s staying fully open with exhibitions throughout the renovation, which wraps up in October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"One<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"One

\u00a9 bl.photographie via Flickr<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
FOAM – the Photography Museum of Amsterdam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Crossing to Amsterdam Noord<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For the rest of the afternoon, see Amsterdam from the other side of the water. Amsterdam Noord sits across the IJ river, reachable by a free ferry that departs from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station and runs around the clock. The crossing takes 5 to 15 minutes, and bikes are welcome on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the old NDSM shipyard, you’ll find industrial charm, modern architecture, container restaurants, cool bars, and a greenhouse caf\u00e9. It’s a great place to wander and get a little lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Pllek<\/a><\/strong>, a restaurant and bar built from repurposed shipping containers right on the waterfront, you can grab food, order a drink, or just enjoy the view of the IJ with the skyline in the background. On warmer days, Pllek runs its own urban beach, and it stays a favorite with both locals and visitors year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Evening: Amsterdam Noord after dark<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"One
Festive canal cruise boat in Amsterdam<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/span>What’s the best nightlife in Amsterdam Noord?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Amsterdam Noord keeps the energy going well into the evening. If you’d rather stay south of the IJ, a pub crawl around Prinsengracht and Lijnbaansgracht is always an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re into electronic music, stay in Noord. Shelter<\/a><\/strong>, tucked beneath the A’DAM Tower, is one of the city’s best-known underground clubs, with a Funktion-One sound system and a no-phones policy that keeps the vibe intimate. Paradiso<\/a><\/strong>, Amsterdam’s legendary club in a former church near Leidseplein, also runs a second venue called Parallel in Amsterdam Noord near the EYE Film Institute, so you don’t have to cross back over the water to catch a good show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n