Amsterdam in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Many tourists decide to take advantage of flight deals and come for just 24 hours to discover this incredible city. If that's your case, pack your backpack because we're off to see the biggest attractions Amsterdam has to offer, from the city centre and Dam Square to Anne Frank's house and the Flower Market, ending with one of the most typical activities: the Red Light District. Let's get started!

You've just arrived in Amsterdam and you have the whole day ahead of you to discover the city. The Van Gogh Museum opens at nine in the morning, so visiting first thing is the best option to make the most of the morning.

Amsterdam has many more things to see, but it's worth spending some time viewing the huge collection of paintings in this impressive museum. You can choose to buy your ticket for the Van Gogh Museum a few days in advance to avoid the queues and enjoy paintings such as Sunflowers, The Yellow House, Almond Blossom, The Bedroom in Arles, The Potato Eaters, among others. If you love art and want to get to know the collection in much more depth, booking a guided tour may be an interesting option for you.

To get to the museum from wherever you are staying, you can take the tram and get off at the Museumplein stop. From there, you will be just a 15-minute walk from Amsterdam's tourist centre.

Useful information

• Where is it? The museum is located at Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam.
• How much does it cost? With the package that includes the cruise, around £35.
• How long does it take to visit? I recommend allowing an hour to see the most important exhibits.
• What does it offer? One of the most comprehensive collections of Van Gogh's work. Ideal for art and culture lovers.

Once you leave the museum, you'll probably want to get out and about and soak up the essence of Amsterdam's streets. As you probably know, this city is internationally famous for its flowers, especially tulips. So there's no better way to spend your morning in Amsterdam than visiting the Flower Market or Bloemenmarkt.

It's a real experience that will give you an insight into how trade used to be conducted in the city and the enormous importance of the canals. A total of 18 floating stalls located just a 15-minute walk from the Van Gogh Museum sell all kinds of seeds and bulbs that will fascinate you.

At first, the traders used to move around the canals in their boats selling their flowers, but when they saw how popular they were becoming, they decided to set up a permanent stall on one of the beautiful canals in the centre of Amsterdam and offer their products there, becoming one of the most visited flower markets in Europe.

Interesting facts

• Where is it? Along the Singel canal.
• How much does it cost? The market is free, and if you want to buy flowers or seeds, the price varies greatly depending on the type and quantity.
• How long does it take to visit: ideally, take a half-hour stroll to explore the market.
• What does it offer? It is one of the most important and photographed flower markets in the world.

There's still a lot of the day left, and by now you're probably looking to recharge your batteries so you can keep going all day long. There's nothing better at this time of day than buying a real cone of what they say are the best chips around. The Dutch have been proud for years of being one of the countries where the concept of "patatas fritas" was created, and they know how to make the most of it.

Throughout your visit to Amsterdam, you will discover that there are many places and kiosks offering the famous cones with various sauces and options. In fact, near the flower market, you will find one of the outlets of the Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx chain, just a 3-minute walk away.

Who doesn't fancy some delicious, crispy chips in the middle of the morning? Treat yourself and recharge your batteries so you can continue your day in Amsterdam.

Useful information

• Where is it? It's a chain, but the closest one to where you are is at Voetboogstraat 33.
• How much does it cost? Approximately £5 per cone.
• How long does it take: this is a stop to recharge your batteries. Around 30 minutes.
• What does it offer? Try one of Amsterdam's star products and take a break mid-morning.

With your stomach a little fuller and having warmed up, you're ready to discover one of Amsterdam's nerve centres and undoubtedly one of the city's must-see attractions: Dam Square, just a 5-minute walk from the Flower Market. This place is one of the city's major meeting points, where many tours of Amsterdam depart from.

There are also other buildings of interest, such as the Nieuwe Kerk church and the Amsterdam Wax Museum. You can take advantage of the opportunity to take photos and even do some quick shopping at one of the city's most famous stores: De Bijenkorf.

Useful information

• Where is it? Dam Square and the surrounding area are located at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147.
• How much does it cost? Admission to the palace costs €16
• How long does it take: you can visit the square and stroll around the main buildings for about an hour, or enter the Royal Palace and spend more time there.
• What does it offer? Discover the centre of Amsterdam and one of the country's most important buildings, the Royal Palace. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to do some shopping.

After a busy morning getting to know Amsterdam and exploring its streets, you're bound to be hungry. Take advantage of your location in the heart of the city to stop for a typical Dutch lunch.

There are numerous places to suit all tastes near the square. From inexpensive options for a quick and hearty meal to more gourmet restaurants with several fork ratings. Here are some of the most popular ones, less than a minute's walk from where you are:

• The White Room, a Michelin-starred restaurant. A culinary experience to round off your getaway in Amsterdam.
• ROYAL 98, with international dishes and a beautiful terrace where you can eat while looking out over the city centre.
• De Nieuwe Pilserij, a Dutch restaurant-pub with typical, inexpensive and hearty dishes. Ideal for trying new flavours.

Useful information

• Where is it? All restaurants are less than a 5-minute walk from Dam Square.
• How much does it cost? Between £20 and £100.
• How long does it take: lunch usually takes around 1-2 hours.
• What does it offer? Typical Dutch food to suit all budgets, right in the city centre.

After lunch, it's time to continue making the most of your visit to Holland. For this part of the day, I've reserved one of the most solemn and well-known places in the city: the Anne Frank House museum. This is definitely a visit you won't want to miss, although I should warn you that it can be a little upsetting, as this is where the famous Anne lived in hiding with her family during the Nazi invasion.

Walking through what was her hiding place for two years is enough to make anyone's hair stand on end. Despite this, I can assure you that it will be one of the visits you will never forget from your time in Amsterdam, and booking an Anne Frank tour of the Jewish quarter is a great way to deepen your experience and complete your visit to the area.

The museum is open until 5pm, making it the perfect activity for after lunch, avoiding the morning crowds. Even so, I recommend buying your ticket in advance to avoid wasting time waiting. From Dam Square, it's only a 10-minute walk, just enough time to digest your lunch and immerse yourself in a piece of Amsterdam's history.

Useful information

• Where is it? Anne Frank's house is located at Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV.
• How much does it cost? Around £10
• How long does it take: with the guided tour, you can spend up to 1 hour inside.
• What does it offer? Learn about a very sensitive part of Amsterdam's history and see a place of remembrance first-hand.

Leaving Anne Frank's house is sure to leave you feeling a little pensive. To clear your mind and reconnect with the present, I suggest another of Amsterdam's must-see attractions. In the heart of Amsterdam, among its popular canals, which were declared a World Heritage Site years ago, is one of the city's most innovative and youthful neighbourhoods: the 9 Streets district.

Located between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat, this neighbourhood is a hub for all the latest fashion and design trends in the Netherlands. The numerous shops, cafés and galleries will captivate you, and simply strolling along the cobbled streets will give you a little more insight into Dutch culture. This neighbourhood is also usually included in the many tours of Amsterdam.

Useful information

• Where is it? This neighbourhood is located between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat.
• How much does it cost? Walking around is free, but the shops and galleries can be quite expensive.
• How long does it take to visit: window shopping and exploring the neighbourhood can take around 40 minutes.
• What does it offer? Discover a new neighbourhood full of Dutch fashion and art trends.

If you manage to leave this electrifying and picturesque neighbourhood in time and haven't been swept away by shopping and bohemian life, I recommend that you head towards the Red Light District to round off the afternoon and end your visit to Amsterdam by discovering one of its great architectural treasures.

This is the oldest building in Amsterdam, also called Oude Kerk, located just a 10-minute walk from Negen Straatjes. It seems incredible for a country that is literally built on a swamp, but this place is over 500 years old. Its construction dates back to 1302 and it is a beautiful parish church.

Visiting it from the outside is already quite a spectacle, but if you want to go inside, admission is usually around £10. You'll need to plan ahead as it closes at 6pm, but if you don't spend too long in the 9 streets, you'll be able to get one of the last tickets to see the interior. The choice is yours: fashion or history?

Useful information

• Where is it? The church is located at Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX.
• How much does it cost? Approximately £10.
• How long does it take: you can visit from outside in 20 minutes or spend an hour inside.
• What does it offer? Discover one of Amsterdam's most iconic buildings and the oldest in the city.

The day is coming to an end and, before celebrating this perfect day in Amsterdam with a delicious dinner, I suggest you do one of the city's most typical activities: a cruise through its canals. Whether you're travelling alone, as a couple or with family and friends, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions and, even if you've only got enough time to see the highlights, I've saved these last moments of the afternoon for you to treat yourself to a boat trip through the canals at dusk.

There are several departure points for the cruises and many companies offering this service. If you want to improvise, you can buy one of these boat trips on the spot. However, if you want a better price and don't want to wait too long, it's best to book your Amsterdam canal cruise in advance. The trips usually last 1 hour and are perfect from where you are.

Useful information

• Where is it? There are different companies and departure points, but they are all close to the canals near the Red Light District.
• How much does it cost? From 16
• Duration: they usually last 1-2 hours.
• What does it offer? A boat trip through the centre of Amsterdam on one of the city's main tourist attractions.

After enjoying a peaceful and romantic stroll through the canals of Amsterdam, it will surely be nighttime and time to say goodbye to this fascinating city. What better way to end the day than with dinner near the canals where you disembarked?

Just like for lunch, this area of Amsterdam offers numerous places to dine, with something to suit every budget. Here is a list of some of the most popular and varied restaurants so you can choose the one that best suits your tastes:

• Vermeer, one of the best restaurants in the city with gourmet Dutch cuisine and top-notch chefs.
• Martine of Martine's Table, a great local restaurant that has earned a great reputation throughout the city with its delicious Dutch and French menus.
• Bridges, an exclusive restaurant in the heart of the Red Light District with all kinds of international dishes.

Useful information

• Where is it? All the restaurants are located in the heart of the Red Light District.
• How much does it cost? Prices range from £20 to £120.
• How long does it take: you can spend 2 hours on dinner.
• What does it offer? Try some of the best restaurants in the city and experience the Red Light District at night.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Amsterdam so far. There's much more to see in the city, but I'm sure you' ve made the most of your day and seen all the essentials.

Now that it's night-time and you've enjoyed a delicious dinner, why not make the most of your last few hours in the Dutch capital in one of its most internationally renowned neighbourhoods: Amsterdam's Red Light District. This place gets its name from the red lights on the windows of the establishments where girls and boys offer their services. Yes, prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, as is the consumption of marijuana, and this neighbourhood is where both are concentrated.

But don't be confused, this is not a dangerous or troubled neighbourhood, quite the contrary. It is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in terms of nightlife and entertainment, as both activities are completely regulated and respectful. I suggest you go to one of the pubs in the area for a drink after dinner and see this characteristic and curious neighbourhood with your own eyes.

Useful information

• Where is it? This neighbourhood is located in the centre of Amsterdam, bordered by Damrak Street to the west and Niewemarkt Square to the east.
• How much does it cost? The pubs and coffee shops charge between €10 and €50.
• How long should you spend there? You can spend as much time as you like, but two hours is usually enough.
• What does it offer? Discover one of the most interesting and modern neighbourhoods in Europe.

The route I have suggested is designed to be done on foot, as the centre of Amsterdam is quite manageable without having to walk long distances. However, don't forget that Amsterdam is the city of bicycles, so this is one of the best ways to get around Amsterdam, along with the tram.

If you want to avoid walking, you can rent a bicycle for the whole day to get from one place to another or even book a bicycle tour of Amsterdam.

Another option is to book a seat on the City Sightseeing tourist bus: you can hop on and off as often as you like and see the city's main monuments quickly and comfortably.

If this is your first time visiting Amsterdam and you want to make the most of your time without any surprises, here is a basic list of tips for sightseeing in Amsterdam:

• Book in advance to avoid queues: almost all museum tickets and activities can be purchased at the ticket office, but I recommend doing so in advance to avoid queues, which can be very long.
• Always wear comfortable shoes for walking all day.
• Be careful, coffee shops may not be what you think: if you're looking for a café to have a coffee and a sweet treat, bear in mind that Amsterdam's coffee shops are the only places where you can buy and consume marijuana.
• Visit the Red Light District with the respect it deserves: this neighbourhood is home to all legal prostitution, but that doesn't mean it's a place where anything goes. It is strictly forbidden to photograph the girls and boys in these red "windows" and it is also very frowned upon to be disrespectful.

Amsterdam is a city that is well worth discovering. If you have some free time and can get a flight, don't hesitate to come and marvel at the city of canals.