Amsterdam Layover: 5 Things to do in 72 Hours

Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands, is one of the most famous cities of the world. Known for its tulips, windmills, and canals, Amsterdam is a beautiful city that is a blend of historic charm and a vibrant culture. Visiting this city should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list. 

So here is an idea. The next time you are flying to or from the US or Canada, extend your layover in Amsterdam. And if you have just 72 hours, you can cover these 5 things:

1. Take a canal cruise

2. Experience a cheese factory

3. Explore a clog factory

4. Admire windmills

5. Visit a museum

If you are wondering how you could manage all this in 72 hours, let me show you.

Day 1: Canal Cruise

Taking a canal cruise is the best way to see the city. You can see the beautiful facades of the houses, and some famous landmarks as you glide by. And if you book a night cruise, I can assure you, Amsterdam by night is even more stunning. So, even if you land in the afternoon, you can still do the evening/night cruise. 

Day 2: Visit Zaanse Schans 

Just a half hour outside of Amsterdam is this cute little village called Zaanse Schans. This is a residential area where they have actually relocated some historic windmills and green wooden houses to recreate the look of an 18th or 19th-century village. It looks like a postcard from every angle.

And in this village along with the windmills they also have a small cheese factory and a clogs factory. Spend half a day or more here, and you can cover 3 things from your list in one go!

Cheese Factory

With so much fertile farmland that’s perfect for dairy cows, the Netherlands is a proud cheese producing nation. You should not miss visiting a cheese factory to learn how authentic Dutch cheese is made. There are these people wearing traditional Dutch clothes who show you the entire process. Wonderful learning experience. And the best part? You get to taste a variety of fresh cheese at the end of the tour. 

Clogs Factory

This is another unique experience. Clogs are an important part of Dutch culture and are still worn in rural parts of the country today. At the Zaanse Schans clog factory, wait for a demonstration on how clogs are made. It is interesting to note how time consuming this process once was when everything was made by hand, and how quickly it is done today with all modern machines. The variety of clogs on display was awesome. We even saw one that was studded with diamonds!

Windmills 

The windmills are an iconic symbol of the Dutch landscape and transport us back in time. There once were over 600 windmills in Zaanse Schans, but now only a few remain. Surprisingly, some of the mills here are still in use today. 

Day 3: Visit a Museum

There are almost 100 museums in Amsterdam! You have the art museums like the Van Gogh and the Rembrandt Museums, or history museums like the Anne Frank House. You even have the fun ‘beer museum’ aka the Heineken Experience. Choose one which aligns with your area of interest and spend a half a day there. 

For the remainder of the day, you can walk around the city very easily. Just be careful of the cyclists. Cycling is deeply ingrained in Dutch culture, from toddlers to seniors relying on bicycles daily. In fact, why not join them! Just hire a bicycle and explore the city like a local. 

So, there you have it. Stop at Amsterdam for your next layover, and experience the charm of this city in just 72 hours.