5 Things to do on a long layover in Amsterdam
Nine Streets, Amsterdam. Photo by Living Life to the T
The best way to make the most of a long layover is to, of course, go out and explore the city. I recently had a long (~7 hours) layover in Amsterdam while on my way back to the U.S. I could have taken a flight with a shorter layover, but opted for the longer one to have the opportunity to visit Amsterdam since I hadn’t been there in over 10 years. And man, it was good to be back.
Here are 5 things you can do in Amsterdam if you too have a long layover there. You may have to decide which you can realistically do, depending on the length of time you have (because you should also factor in travel time to and from the airport).
Before you leave the airport:
You can store your luggage at the airport so you don’t have to lug them around town, especially on cobblestone or brick roads. Find the luggage lockers in your terminal and pay to store them there. Be sure to make note of your locker code, and take a picture of the map of where the lockers are located (including the terminal) so that you don’t have trouble finding and accessing your luggage when you return. Before leaving the airport you’ll also have to go through immigration/passport control, so make sure you keep your passport with you.
Getting to the city:
Amsterdam Schiphol airport is about 20 minutes from central Amsterdam. The best ways to get there either by a taxi/Uber or by taking the train to Amsterdam Central Station - the train terminal is inside the airport - just follow the signs. If you take the train from the airport to Central Station, then you can walk to certain parts of the city or simply take an Uber to where you want to go.
Now, to the good stuff. Here are the 5 things you can do on your long layover in Amsterdam:
Get “lost” in the Nine Streets district. Nine streets is a picturesque canal district with cool cafes, boutiques and hotels. You’ll be mesmerized by all the gorgeous buildings overlooking the canals.
Take a bike tour. If you don’t want to explore the city on foot, you can rent a bike or do a bike tour. Amsterdam is super bike friendly.
Take a canal tour. This is a great way to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. There are several companies that you can use and join from various points.
Enjoy a Stroopwafel. These are a Dutch delicacy; they are essentially a waffle “cookie” filled with caramel, and they are best enjoyed with a hot drink.
Explore the Bloemenmarkt. This is the world’s only floating flower market. Here you can enjoy many flowers, including the famous Dutch tulips when they are in season.
Check out this video for a quick overview:
5 things you can do on a long layover in Amsterdam that are better than staying at the airport.