a Weekend in Amsterdam: Here’s Exactly What I Did in 2 Days
Yes, I went to Amsterdam for just the weekend. I had already been casually thinking about a weekend in Amsterdam because we had a Monday holiday coming up and from Austin has a redeye available. It felt like the perfect excuse to squeeze in a quick Europe trip without taking any PTO.
Then, two weeks before the holiday, I got an alert from Thrifty Traveler for a Main Cabin economy flight to Amsterdam for 22,000 Delta Air Lines SkyMiles.
That felt like my sign. I booked it immediately.
Fast forward to landing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on Saturday morning, taking the train to Amsterdam Zuid, hopping on Tram 5 to Jordaan, and officially started my 2 days in Amsterdam.
If you’re wondering whether a weekend in Amsterdam is enough time, here’s exactly how mine went — from coffee in the Jordaan neighborhood to canal views to visiting the Anne Frank House.
Day 1: Arrival, coffee & canals
I landed at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 11:15AM on Saturday and headed straight for public transport.
Instead of going through Centraal Station, I took the train to Amsterdam Zuid station and then hopped on Tram 5 toward Jordaan. The connections were simple and clearly marked, and within about an hour I was in my neighborhood for the weekend.
I stayed at Mr. Jordaan, a boutique hotel tucked right into the Jordaan neighborhood. It immediately felt charming and residential, with canals just steps away.
Next stop: Coffee
After dropping my bags, coffee was non-negotiable.
The hotel staff recommended Kafenion, so I walked over for my usual flat white. It was cozy, relaxed, and exactly what I needed after travel. Being Valentine’s Day, I think it was definitely busy for the afternoon considering people were out and about with their loved ones, so I got it as take away.
After wandering around Jordaan for a bit, I decided to try the famous apple pie at Winkel 43 — mostly because there was a line out the door and you could smell the pies being baked, which always feels like a good sign.
The line moved pretty quickly and I lucked out and grabbed a seat at the bar after ordering. As an apple pie fan, I can confidently say… it was pretty good! Thick crust, generous filling, and a big swirl of whipped cream on top. Very worth the stop if you’re spending a weekend in Amsterdam and want to try one of the city’s most talked-about desserts.
When I stepped back outside, the Noordermarkt was set up like a little farmers market. Produce stands, flowers, baked goods, locals browsing with tote bags and bikes parked nearby. I wandered around for a while just taking it all in. It felt very neighborhood-y and relaxed.
Eventually, I headed back to the hotel to officially check in. After unpacking and refreshing myself, I set out for my canal cruise.
My 4:30PM tour with Friendship Amsterdam departed from the Red Light District, which meant about a 30-minute walk from Jordaan. The walk itself ended up being part of the experience — canals, narrow streets, shifting neighborhoods, and then the noticeable energy change once I reached the Red Light District.
Seeing Amsterdam from the water really does give you a different perspective. The narrow canal houses, houseboats, and arched bridges feel even more dramatic from below street level. For a first weekend in Amsterdam, I think a canal cruise is absolutely worth it.
fries, Burgers & Calling It a Night
After the cruise, I was definitely hungry. I stopped at Fabel Friet for the Instagram-famous fries to hold me over until dinner. I ordered parmesan and truffle mayo, fully expecting the mayo to be heavy.
It wasn’t.
It was lighter, almost more like an aioli, and surprisingly good. Crispy fries, salty cheese, that truffle flavor without being overwhelming. I get why they’re viral.
I wandered a bit more as the evening got busier and eventually passed Smashburger. At that point, a burger felt right, so I went in and ordered one.
It was a true smashburger — thin, crispy-edged patties with that caramelized flavor — but it still felt light enough that I didn’t leave overly full. Satisfying without being heavy, which honestly felt ideal after a full day of walking.
I wasn’t stuffed… but I was definitely ready for bed.
So I made my way back to Mr. Jordaan, crawled into bed, and called it a night — feeling like I had already packed a full weekend into just one day.
Day 2: Coffee Hopping, Shopping & The Anne Frank House
Sunday started slower, mostly because most cafés don’t open until 9AM.
Once things opened up, I walked around the corner to Luuk's Coffee, which also happens to be directly across from Winkel 43. I ordered a flat white, and it ended up being one of the best I had all weekend.
Smooth, balanced, perfectly textured milk. No notes.
After that, I crossed the street back to Winkel 43 for a real breakfast this time — a yogurt bowl topped with their signature apples. It felt fitting to go from apple pie the day before to apples for breakfast.
From there, I wandered deeper into Jordaan while it was still quiet. The neighborhood in the morning felt completely different from Saturday afternoon. Slower, more local, less movement.
That’s when I found Bruno's.
It had amazing Google reviews, and it absolutely lived up to them. No frills, no obvious tourists — just locals inside talking over coffee. They had tons of different bean options, and it felt like the kind of place I’d frequent if I actually lived in Amsterdam.
The coffee itself was more floral than what I usually go for, but brewed perfectly. Light, balanced, intentional.
At this point, it had turned into an accidental coffee crawl — which is on brand for me.
Before heading toward the city center, I stopped at BunBun to grab a cinnamon roll I had seen all over social media. I saved it to enjoy later (future me was grateful).
Then I made my way to De 9 Straatjes (The Nine Streets), one of the best areas for shopping in Amsterdam. It’s a neighborhood just outside Jordaan filled with a mix of well-known brands and smaller boutiques, which makes it great for souvenir shopping without feeling overly touristy.
Anne Frank House
After shopping, it was time for my entry at the Anne Frank House.
I’ve heard mixed opinions about visiting, but personally, I think it’s something everyone should experience at least once.
I ended up spending almost three hours there.
Tickets are released six weeks in advance, and they do sell out. I booked one that included an introductory information session, which actually worked out really well. I realized I had forgotten a lot of what I learned in school about the time before the Holocaust, and the context made walking through the house even more meaningful.
It’s thoughtfully done, powerful without feeling overwhelming, and something that adds real historical depth to a weekend in Amsterdam.
A Snowy Evening & The Perfect Last Dinner
Afterward, I did a little more shopping before heading back to Mr. Jordaan to relax for a bit. Weekend trips can be full, and I didn’t want to rush my last evening.
For dinner, I went to La Perla, a small pizza place I had noticed earlier in the day. Then it started snowing. It was almost perfect. The streets cleared because of the weather.
It ended up being a great last-night spot. The pizza was fantastic, the staff was warm and welcoming, and it was proper wood-fired pizza — which, honestly, you can’t go wrong with. Sitting there on my final night, watching the snow fall, it felt like the right way to close out the trip.
Final Thoughts: Is a Weekend in Amsterdam Enough?
For a first visit, I really think 2 days in Amsterdam works.
The city is compact, extremely walkable, and easy to navigate with public transportation. Staying in Jordaan made everything feel accessible without being in the busiest part of the city, and I loved having cafés, markets, and restaurants all within a few blocks.
In one weekend in Amsterdam, I was able to:
Explore Jordaan at different times of day
Take a canal cruise
Visit the Anne Frank House
Shop around De 9 Straatjes
Try way more coffee than necessary
Eat apple pie, fries, burgers, pizza… and zero regrets
Would I go back? Absolutely.
There are still museums I didn’t visit, neighborhoods I didn’t explore, and more cafés I could easily add to the list. But as a long weekend trip, Amsterdam delivered exactly what I wanted — good food, beautiful canals, meaningful history, and a city that’s easy to settle into quickly.
If you’re debating whether Amsterdam is worth it for a quick European getaway, I’d say yes.
Sometimes all you need is a long weekend, a good flight deal, and a flat white waiting for you on the other side.
