Amsterdam

[UmaniCaroline]

We're hoping to go to Amsterdam in March (before Easter hols).

DH and I both like museums and galleries and eating.

Would two full days be long enough? Thinking of going on the Thursday and returning on Sunday.

Any recommendations for some reasonably priced accommodation? Probably nice AirBnB rather than hotel.
Thanks.

Two days is ok but not ideal. If you’d like to visit the whole of the Rijksmuseum you need at least 4-5 hours but you can get a good idea of the highlights in 2-3 hours. The other must-see museum is the Van Gogh, which could take about 1.5 hours. Anne Frank’s House only takes an hour and queues weren’t too bad when we went, but not sure what they’d be like at Easter. Canal tour cruises take about 1.5 hours.
In my opinion, there are many other amazing museums such as Body Works and the Rembrandt House museum and two days if not enough. Sadly, you might be a little too early for the incredible displays of tulips.

As above. I'd add a day if you can. Thoroughly recommend a guided bike tour - you get a real feel for the place.
We also did a day trip out to Gouda and the Windmills which was very good.
Also book your tickets for the museums and Anne Frank Huis in advance - we left it too late and couldn't get tickets at all.

Thanks both. We can probably squeeze in an extra day - especially if I can get a cheap Eurostar.

Any ideas about a nice area to stay? I'd want to be central.

Stay anywhere canalside. Jordaan is lovely too. Nowhere is miles away but we stayed by the Prinzengraght Canal within walking distance of Ann Frank House. Hotel though. The Keizergraght Canal is also stunning.

I think you need 3-4 days to not be rushed.

anne frank house you need to book 2-3 months in advance.

Hotels are brutally expensive. I would recommend the very reasonably priced IBIS hotel at Schiphol airport which has an airport shuttle bus and also is 2 minutes walk from the bus which will take you straight to the centre of Amsterdam (about 20 minutes door to door). That's if you're on a budget of course! The centre of Amsterdam is relatively small and is laid out in concentric circles. Definitely doable in a weekend if you plan well. Don't miss the mini Rijksmuseum at the airport on your way home! And try the bitterballen with your Heineken! Public transport is fab - all contactless check in-and out on your bank card.

The doubletree by Hilton near STRAAT is good.

STRAAT is well worth a visit.

We went very early Saturday morning (6am ish) and back Monday evening (6pm ish). That gave us nearly 3 days but only had to pay for 2 nights (Amsterdam hotels are very expensive). We only just managed to fit in everything we wanted.

Going round the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum took practically a half day each. You need to book tickets well in advance. Same for Anne Frank's house.

We stayed on the Prinsengracht with a canal view which was very well located and not massively expensive. Previously have stayed near Vondelpark which is very handy for the art galleries.

We stayed at the Leonardo Hotel. It's not city centre, so it's much cheaper, & there's a tram stop a few minutes walk away.
They also had their own shuttle bus to the airport.

Thanks all.
We're going on Eurostar so no airports involved.

I've found a lovely AirBnB in Jordaan which looks like a nice area.
Planning the itinerary now!

Jordaan is lovely. Check transport to some areas or it’s a bit of a long walk!

I know you said you didn't want a hotel but, we stayed here last year and it was reasonably priced, family run and extremely friendly and just round the corner from the Rijksmuseum

www.hotelaalders.nl/

If you like art museums I would recommend getting the train to The Hague for the Mauritshuis and the Kunstmuseum.

and the mesdag panorama
and the escher museum
(take good shoes!)

I just got back from Amsterdam yesterday and we went on Saturday. We walked 20k steps a day and really loved just wandering. As previously mentioned Jordaan district is lovely, the Museum Quarter, walking by canals, 9 Streets area, Plantage. We booked Anne Frank House a week ago today and went on Tuesday. You won't be able to book on the day but you won't have to book miles in advance either. We also went to the Dutch Resistance Museum which was excellent and very moving.

We booked our hotel along with our BA flights as a city break and it worked out to be a good deal. Definitely wasn't brutally expensive.

Check out De Reiger restaurant in Jordaan for a local food option. Sherpa was also fab for Tibetan and Nepalese options. Have fun OP.