In August 2022, our little family relocated from London to Amsterdam! In our time here, we have come to truly enjoy our new city of residence. A huge part of loving the city has been figuring out our daily routine, as well as identifying places to eat that we enjoy and that are manageable with our young kids (four and two-years-old), as well as experiencing different activities with our visiting family and friends. I have summarised our list of top places to enjoy doing in Amsterdam on a family trip!
1. Transportation in Amsterdam
Amsterdam gives numerous transportation alternatives which are appropriate for families with kids. Here are a number of the high-quality options:
Biking
Biking is my husband’s favorite part about living in Amsterdam! This is the main mode of transport in Amsterdam and is the most efficient. There are dedicated cycling paths throughout the city, making it (mostly) safe and enjoyable for families.
You can rent bicycles with child seats or attachable trailers for younger children. Here are examples of sites that rent bikes.
We recently started renting cargo bikes using this site, where my husband will bike and me/the kids will sit in the cargo and he will bike us around. We are obsessed with this during good weather, and totally recommend if visiting.
Tram
The tram network covers most parts of the city.
Trams are convenient for families as they are easily accessible, and kids often find them fun to ride.
Trams are easy to enter with strollers and also have designated areas for strollers which helps to provide a smooth and comfortable journey.
If you enter your destination into Google Maps, it is easy to follow the tram instructions.
Metro
Not as extensive as the tram network, but it can be useful for getting to specific destinations quickly.
Generally stroller-friendly, and children will enjoy the underground experience.
Rent a car
Renting a car in Amsterdam can be a convenient option if you plan to explore the surrounding areas or if you prefer the flexibility of having your own vehicle.
For car rentals, if you are renting longer than a day, check out GetTransfer.com.
If renting only for a few hours, we use the hourly rental car company, MyWheels, as it is the most economical. It may take some time to get approved for MyWheels so register your license in advance if you want to do this! I have not been able to rent any with a carseat from this site.
Remember to plan your routes in advance, as Amsterdam’s historic city center has narrow streets and limited parking options.
In a few cases, public transportation or opportunity modes of delivery might be more convenient for purchasing across the city itself..
Walk
Amsterdam is a particularly compact town, and many points of interest are inside strolling distance of each other.
Walking allows you to discover at your very own tempo, and children can forestall to recognize interesting points of interest along the manner.
I usually walk anything under 25 minutes.
Uber/Taxi
Although there are taxis around the city, it is not always easy to hail them down. You can use GetTransfer.com to book a taxi in advance.
For this reason, I prefer using Uber to taxis. At times there can be a wait, but for the most part, they are convenient. They are generally relaxed about not using car seats.
2. Where to stay in Amsterdam
When choosing a place to stay in Amsterdam with kids, it’s important to consider factors such as proximity to family-friendly attractions, access to public transportation, and the availability of amenities suitable for children. Here are some recommended areas for families visiting Amsterdam:
Neighborhood | Vibe |
Museum Quarter (Museumkwartier) | This neighborhood has some of Amsterdam’s most famous museums, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. It has a relaxed and upscale atmosphere with beautiful parks, such as Vondelpark, which is great for families to enjoy outdoor activities. The Museum Quarter has a range of family-friendly accommodations and is well-connected by public transportation. |
Jordaan | Known for its charming canals, narrow streets, and picturesque houses, Jordaan is a family-friendly neighborhood with a relaxed vibe. It has numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants, along with playgrounds and parks like Westerpark and Noordermarkt. Jordaan provides a good balance between tranquility and proximity to the city center, making it a popular choice for families. Note that the sidewalks and canals might not feel the safest for young children, so you have to be extra attentive in this area. |
De Pijp | Located south of the city center, De Pijp is a lively neighborhood with a vibrant atmosphere. It offers a mix of residential areas, trendy shops, cafes, and the famous Albert Cuyp Market. Families can also visit Sarphatipark, a beautiful park with a playground. De Pijp has various accommodation options, including apartments and guesthouses. |
While choosing the right neighborhood is important, keep in mind that Amsterdam is a compact city, and most attractions are easily accessible by bike, public transportation or on foot. Additionally, consider the specific needs and preferences of your family when selecting accommodation, such as the availability of family rooms, kitchen facilities, and proximity to grocery stores. Simply Google Mapping and reading hotel reviews should be a great start!
Some hotels, which our family and friends stayed at and liked, include the following:
We had a great experience at Park Plaza Vondelpark Hotel, which is about a 15-20 minute walk to Museum Quarter
The Hilton Amsterdam is located in the neighborhood, Apollolaan. While it’s not directly in De Pijp, it is relatively close by and easily accessible from the hotel.
The Amsterdam Marriott is near Leidesplan and in closer proximity to other historic buildings, canals, shops, and restaurants. It is a vibrant and bustling area that offers easy access to various attractions and is well-connected to public transportation networks.
3. What to do in Amsterdam
General Things to Do:
Activity | Description |
Boat ride | Can rent/sail on your own via Sloepdelen or Mokumboat or go on a tour on Flagship or Those Dam Boat Guys |
Bike ride | Rent bikes (use Black Bikes Rental) and go around city or VondelPark. You could take this Bike ride tour option, which some of our visitors really enjoyed! |
Walk the de9straajes (the nines) | Picturesque canals and houses |
Canal photoshoot (15 minutes, 35 euros to get 10 pictures) | This Get Your Guide Canal Photoshoot Experience is a 15-minute photoshoot, generally with a photographer who is starting out their career. It is not fancy photoshoot, but for 35 you receive about a dozen photos. |
Visit a museum | Van Gogh, Moco, Anne Frank, Rijks (My kids aren’t old enough to enjoy too much) |
Explore Museumplein Area | Enjoy the landscape around the museums and shop high end stores |
Explore Leidseplein and Kalverstraat and Dam Square | Walk through canals, shops, and restaurants |
Browse Albert Cuyp Market | Food and shopping stalls |
Day Trips from Amsterdam:
Destination | Description |
Lisse for Tulips | Day Trip Idea for March-May: Easier to rent a car (maybe on MyWheels) and drive there for the day (about a 30 minute drive from Amsterdam). There are fields to drive by. Keukenhof is a curated garden, where there are food stalls, playground, farm animals to look at, and a windmill for photos. There are also open fields that people park near and hop in for photos. Full guide on experiencing tulips in Lisse can be found here. It is a 43 minute drive from Amsterdam or 1 hour and 15 minutes on public transport. |
Zaanse Schans is a neighborhood in the Dutch town of Zaandam, about a 25 minute drive from Amsterdam. It is full of historic windmills and distinctive green wooden houses. It is a 22 minute drive from Amsterdam or 47 minutes on public transport. | |
This sandy beach is a 45 minute drive from Amsterdam! Our favorite spot to go to for food on the beach is the TULUM Beach Restaurant and enjoy pretty views. It is a 48 minute drive from Amsterdam or 1 hour 16 minutes on public transport. | |
This pancake house is about an hour away from Amsterdam, and a super cute outing for kids! We went on a rainy day, which wasn’t ideal – but on a warm day, you can enjoy a decorated pancake house, delicious pancakes, and a fun playground. It is a 57 minute drive from Amsterdam or 2 hours on public transport. | |
Efteling Theme Park is a magical place for a wide range of kids! There are larger roller coasters, as well as rides that cater to younger children as well. It is about an hour drive from Amsterdam. If you don’t have a car rental, the link that I included in this title will link to a GetYourGuide activity that includes roundtrip transfer to the park from Amsterdam. It is a 1 hour and 16 minute drive from Amsterdam or 2 hour and 16 minutes on public transport. | |
This is a fairytale theme park, targeted to younger kids and toddlers. It is clean, affordable, and very feel-good! It is a 51 minute drive from Amsterdam or 1 hour and 23 minutes on public transport. | |
This is Europe’s largest playground! Play in the water park or one of the other 350 playground equipment and attractions. It is a 40 minute drive from Amsterdam or 52 minutes on public transport. | |
This Alpaca Farm is one of the cutest spots we visited! It is what the title says – a farm full of Alpacas! You can book various activities with them, including high tea. For our kids, we selected the walk where we could each walk an Alpaca. It is a 40 minute drive from Amsterdam or 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport. | |
This car museum is perfect for car enthusiasts. There is a large display of cars as they evolved in history; as well as season exhibits featuring selected items. When we went it was sportscars from the 90s! It is a 51 minute drive from Amsterdam or 1 hour and 14 minutes on public transport. | |
Haarlem is filled with historical monuments, spectacular museums and world-famous art. It’s also regularly voted as one of the Netherlands’ best places to shop and is a culinary hotspot. It is a 36 minute drive from Amsterdam or 22 minutes on public transport. |
Things to do with kids:
Type | Activity | Location | Description |
Museum | Center | Interactive museum for kids; It is super fun but note that the weekends are usually quite busy! Try to book tickets for weekdays, if possible, to avoid less crowds and enhance the experience for the kids | |
Playground | VondelPark | Standard playground in a pretty park; next to a decent restaurant. There are numerous playgrounds scattered around the city. It is fun for the kids to even run around the different green areas by the water and water fountains. | |
VondelPark | This little cafe is a spot where young kids can make their own food or dessert! It is small, but it is a nice little activity for the kids in VondelPark. | ||
Petting Farm | De Pijp | Check website for ‘petting bunnies/guinea pigs’ hours | |
Play Place | De Pijp | Small indoor play area for kids while parents can sip coffee/chat near the Albert Cuyp Market; They also offer classes for little kids | |
Petting Farm | Amstelveen | Further out, but variety of animals and people can feed baby goats | |
Play Place | Amstelveen |
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Store | Multiple |
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Play Place | Houthavens of Amsterdam | Playhood is a child-sized neighborhood with a variety of shops all carefully designed and filled with props and toys. It provides the kids an immersive experience to pretend and imagine |
4. Where to eat in Amsterdam
There is a vast and diverse cuisine in Amsterdam. I pulled together a list of some of our favorite spots, listed below. You can eat in the restaurant or order most on delivery on Uber Eats.
Coffee
Name | Location | Type of Food | What to get |
Museumplein (Multiple) | |||
Kalvestraat | Bubble Tea/Toast Sandwiches | Garlic Shrimp Toast + Bulgogi Beef Toast (halal!) | |
Overtoom/Oud West | Sourdough bread, butter, cinnamon roll | ||
De Pijp | |||
Overtoom/Oud West | Chocolate Croissant |
Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch
Name | Location | Type of Food | What to Get |
De Pijp | Brunch | Rancheros Haveros and Pancakes | |
Overtoom/Oud West | Brunch | ||
Ouid Zuid | Brunch | ||
De Pijp | Brunch | ||
Kalvestraat | Brunch | ||
Overtoom/Oud West | Brunch | ||
Leidesplein | Pancakes | Little Dutch Pancakes with Dulce De Luche | |
De Pijp | Brazilian/Lunch | Acai Chicken and cheese flatbread with jalapeno sauce | |
Leidesplein | Sandwiches |
Dinner (or could do for lunch):
Name | Location | Type of Food | What to Get |
Aleppo Top | Oud West | Syrian |
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Oud West | Food Hall | We love the shawarma pita stand | |
Kalvestraat | Chinese | Sweet and sour chicken | |
Oud West | Italian |
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Oud West | Indonesian |
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Leidesplein | Asian | Spicy tuna roll | |
De Pijp | Pizza | Marinara/Margarita Half/Half Pizza and Truffle Pizza | |
De Pijp | Burger (halal) |
| |
Leidesplein | Lebanese | Beef shwarma with hummus | |
Leidesplein | Mexican | Queso | |
Multiple | Pizza |
| |
Multiple | Syrian | Shish Taouk | |
Multiple | Italian |
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Center | Thai | Soup | |
Xi’an Delicious Foods | Leidesplein | Chinese | Spicy hot noodles with chicken |
Fries
Name | Location | Type of Food | What to get |
Jordaan | Fries | Fries with spicy mayo, onions, and parmesan cheese | |
Center | Fries | ||
Center | Fries |
Dessert
Name | Location | Type of Food | What to get |
Jordaan | Chocolate shop | Chocolate treat | |
Multiple | Gelato | Pistachio gelato | |
Center | Bakery | Pistachio chocolate chip cookie | |
De Pijp | Cake | Chocolate Mousse cheesecake | |
Center | Stroopwafels |
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Jordaan | Cookies |
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De Pip | Pecan pie |
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Center | Apple pie |
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For groceries, the primary grocery store is Albert Heijn, which can be ordered for quick delivery on Flink.
Overall
The Netherlands is very family friendly destination. If possible, when traveling with young kids, we recommend coming in the spring, summer, or fall – as many of the activities that the children will enjoy are outdoors oriented,
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