Floating Rooms, Free Ferry Rides and Weird Museums: Hidden Side of the Popular City

Canals, museums, bicycles, Anne Frank’s House, the Red Light District, and the special coffee shops that sell a little extra something. These are the immediate things that usually pop into any conversation about Amsterdam.

That is, unless you’ve had the chance to truly explore its nooks and crannies and all the gems it hides away from the busiest tourist areas.

Amsterdam canals. Photo: Shutterstock

Choose Your Base: Houseboats Versus Traditional Accommodation

One of the easiest places to start is the Jordaan district. Once a working-class neighborhood, it is now one of Amsterdam’s most atmospheric areas, with narrow streets, independent shops, cafés and canals lined with traditional houses and houseboats. 

Yes, the city has hundreds of homes floating along its canals, many of which are converted 20th-century cargo barges or modern, permanently moored floating villas fitted out as comfortable residences, complete with living spaces, kitchens, running water, high-speed internet and terraces overlooking the water. 

Some can be visited as museums while others are available for rental as accommodation. So how much does it cost to stay on a houseboat? Around €150 to €350 per night, depending on the location, size, and time of year.

Boathouses in Jordaan District . Photo: Shutterstock

The Herengracht (Gentleman’s Canal) is another good option for your base, particularly around Papiermolensluis, which offers some of the city’s prettiest canal views. Known as one of the main inner-ring historic canals (part of the UNESCO Canal Ring), the location will bring you within walking distance of Dam Square, the Anne Frank House, the Nines Streets shopping area, and major museums. 

Plus, most central sights, restaurants, and cafés can be reached on foot. Another advantage: tram lines and the Amsterdam Centraal Station are close by if you want to travel further out. 

Amsterdam. Photo: Shuterstock

A quick search for the cheapest accommodation for two adults and two children per night in the city center at the end of October was 150 EURO. 

Visiting in November? Prepare for the Light Festival 

Amsterdam Light Festival. Photo: Julia700702, Shutterstock

The Amsterdam Light Festival returns from November 26, 2026, to January 17, 2027, turning the city’s canals into an open-air gallery of illuminated art. The 15th edition will feature 20 artworks by artists from the Netherlands and around the world, displayed along a new route of about 4.5 kilometers. Visitors can explore the installations on foot or see them from the water on an evening canal cruise, with the lights on daily from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Amsterdam Light Festival. Photo: Julia700702, Shutterstock

Museums Beyond the Usual Classics

Now that you’ve chosen your accommodation, let’s see what's to explore. 

Besides the must-go Anne Frank House (online tickets released at specific times) and the Van Gogh Museum, two of Amsterdam's most significant attractions, there are other unusual places to visit.

For something more contemporary, head to the NXT Museum, dedicated to new media art and large-scale immersive installations. 

Moco Museum. Photo: Gimas / Shutterstock.com

The Moco Museum focuses on modern, contemporary and street art, making it a popular alternative for visitors who want something different from the traditional museum experience.

Art lovers can also look for the work of Yayoi Kusama for its distinctive installations and polka-dot imagery, Ripley's Believe It or Not! for a collection of unusual objects, curiosities and oddities, and the Heineken Experience, housed in the brewery where the famous Dutch beer was first produced. The interactive tour includes tasting experiences and old brewing equipment.

Yayoi Kusama art. Photo: 365 Focus Photography / Shutterstock.com

Don’t skip the A'DAM Lookout across the IJ river. The special observation deck offers wide views over Amsterdam, while the famous swing extending beyond the edge of the building is a bold option for those who want an extra dose of adrenaline.

The Upside Down Amsterdam is an interactive museum where everything is designed to look a little different from the real world. Instead of traditional exhibits, visitors move through colorful rooms and optical illusions, including upside-down interiors, mirrored spaces and playful installations designed for photos.

Photo: Tsyb Oleh / Shutterstock.com

It is more of an immersive experience than a conventional museum, making it a fun stop for visitors looking for something unusual and less formal than Amsterdam’s major art museums.

Foodies, Brace Yourselves

Amsterdam is also a good place to forget about formal dining for a while. Start with a stroopwafel, the Dutch caramel-filled waffle that is best eaten fresh and warm. For something truly special, Tony’s Chocolonely offers visitors the chance to create their own chocolate bar.

Stroopwafel in Amsterdam. Photo: Shutterstock

Dutch fries are another Amsterdam essential. Vleminckx Sausmeesters is known for its fries and long list of sauces, with portions generally costing around €4 to €7.

For something more substantial, Broodje Bert serves enormous Dutch sandwiches near the canal, generally priced around €8 to €15. The Happy Pig Pancake Shop is another casual option, serving freshly made sweet and savory pancakes for roughly €7 to €12.

Traditional Dutch snacks can also be found in vending machines around the city. Dutch croquettes and frikandel can cost around €3 to €8, making them one of the quickest ways to try local fast food.

For herring, Haring & Zo offers the traditional Dutch preparation, usually for around €4 to €7. And if you want to sample several dishes in one place, Foodhallen Amsterdam has everything from bitterballen to bao buns, with dishes generally costing around €8 to €15.

Herring in Amsterdam. Photo: Stroopwafel in Amsterdam

Cheese lovers can stop at Henri Willig for a free cheese tasting, while the Albert Cuyp Market is a good place to browse food stalls and local products.

Free (and Fun) Things to Do: Cat Boat, Pink Flamingo Watching, and River Rides 

Vondelpark is the city's best-known green space and an easy escape from the busy streets. On a sunny day, locals and visitors fill the paths, lawns and cafés.

Cat boat. Phto: Alexander Gafarro / Shutterstock.com

For something much more unusual, look for the Cat Boat, a floating animal sanctuary on an Amsterdam canal. It is one of those attractions that sounds strange until you see it for yourself.

You can also take a free ride on the IJ river. The ferries connecting Amsterdam Centraal with Amsterdam Noord are part of the city's public transport network and offer excellent waterfront views without the cost of a sightseeing cruise.

Boat rides in Amsyerdam. Photo: EchoWang 00 / Shutterstock.com

Another interesting area is IJburg, a neighborhood built on artificial islands. The striking Sluishuis residential complex, which opened in July 2022, has become one of the area's most recognizable architectural landmarks.

For families, NEMO Science Museum is another good choice. Its rooftop terrace is the largest in Amsterdam and offers city views, even if you don't spend the day exploring the museum.

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo is another option, and nearby Artisplein is free to enter and offers a pleasant place to sit, take a break, and admire pink flamingos and other birds near the water fountains.

Get Out of the City for Cheese and Windmills 

Amsterdam is surrounded by small towns and villages that are perfect for day trips.

Zaandam (less than 20km away) is one of the easiest escapes, known for its colorful architecture and the distinctive green wooden houses associated with the Zaan region.

Zandaam, Amsterdam/ Photo: Shutterstock

From here, you can continue toward Zaanse Schans (8 km), where traditional windmills, wooden houses and workshops recreate the appearance of an older Dutch village.

Zaanse Schans, Photo: Shutetrstock

Edam (20 km from Zaanse Schans) is another easy trip. Just around 30 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, the pretty North Holland town is known for its canals, historic houses and cheese-making tradition. It has a quieter, almost fairytale-like atmosphere compared with Amsterdam's busy center.

Photo: Shutterstock

And yes, there are bicycles everywhere. You don't need to rent one (€10 to €18 per day for standard city bike or €8 to €10 per day if you book online) to enjoy Amsterdam. However, first-time visitors should be careful around the dedicated cycle lanes. If you're comfortable cycling, however, renting a bike can be one of the easiest ways to explore neighborhoods beyond the center, particularly Vondelpark and the quieter streets around Amsterdam Noord.