Amsterdam may not be the first city that comes to your mind when you think of romance, but it truly has everything you could dream of including fine dining, history, art, nature, speak-easies, and nightlife! There is a reason that Amsterdam is gaining a reputation as one of Europe’s most romantic places, and this guide has done the work to plan the perfect trip for you from start to finish!
Romantic Amsterdam: 13 best places and activities for couples?
- Rent a bike to explore the canals
- Visit the tulip fields of Lisse
- Simplify getting around with a Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour
- Go to the adventure park
- Watch free concerts at the Concertgebouw
- Dance at Vondelpark
- Soak up culture at the Van Gogh Museum
- See a ballet or opera
- Follow a local on a Coffee Shops Tour
- Enjoy live jazz at Bimhuis
- Take a Red-Light District Walking Tour
- Catch an Art Nouveau film at a 100-year-old theater
- Take an evening candlelight cruise
Get ready to learn the locals’ secret tips and explore the research we’ve compiled in the most romantic guide to Amsterdam that you’ll find anywhere. Bookmark this guide as your one-stop-shop for the best that the city has to offer and prepare to fall in love with Amsterdam – and maybe even more in love with your honey too!
13 Romantic Date Ideas in the Venice of The North
People often consider Venice to be the most romantic city in the world, with Paris as an equal contender. But Venice is mostly famous for its winding canals and stunning architecture against the watery-backdrop. Funny enough, Amsterdam has 60 miles of canals – that more than double the romantic waterway mileage of Venice.
Luckily people have enough sense to make the comparison, and Amsterdam is endearingly referred to as ‘the Venice of the North.’
Something to be said about Amsterdam is that it allows you to simultaneously slow down while also getting swept away in its colorful culture. It’s not fast-paces, but it has enough attractions and sites to keep you from getting bored. We have a lot to cover, so, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Move aside Venice and Paris; because here are the most romantic date ideas you can enjoy in the new city of love, Amsterdam:
#1 Rent a Bike to Explore the Canals
You will immediately notice that you are in a country of cyclists that rely on cars significantly less than Americans. There are more bikes than there are people so you won’t have a difficult time finding a bike rental.
You can often find them at your hotel as many offer rentals included or for a reduced fee. Some other great bike rental locations to check out include:
- MacBike (€25 for the day or €15 for 3 hours)
- A-Bike Rental (€7.50 for an hour, €14.95 for a 24-hour rental, €29.90 for the electric for 24 hours)
- Bike City (€17 for 24 hours, €67 for the week)
You will see them everywhere, so don’t stress about the searching aspect.
It is probably the best way to see the city but take it slow. Some locals will be whizzing past you, so don’t feel any pressure to keep up. Go at your own pace, cycle safely, and consider the tandem!
#2 Visit the Tulip Fields of Lisse
This is the quintessential Nederlander experience and will make you feel like you’re in a Disney film as you’re literally surrounded by 7 million flowers.
With over 30 kilometers of tulip fields, this staple in Lisse is a stunning site of color that stretches on for miles, landscaped into an art exhibition of organic shapes and patterns.
You will find rivers of flowers and be blown away, whether you love flowers or not. Use this link to learn more about the price options for the Gardens of Keukenhof.
You’ll have a small window of time to work this into your travel plans, with the tulips only in bloom from March to May. Plan your visit in the Spring and enjoy the perfect weather and fewer crowds than visiting Amsterdam in the Summer. The tulip fields may be busy, so prepare for that as well.
#3 Simplify Getting Around with a Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour
This is recommended for any traveler, romantic partners, or not.
The Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour has plenty of benefits you should consider if you’re limited on time and want an affordable means of transportation.
I’ve visited dozens of cities in Europe (always done the frugal way), and the first time I ever visit a new city, I always purchase the hop-on-hop-off tour.
It is important, especially for your first time visiting for the following reasons:
- You never have to worry about public transportation or learning the buses/tram schedule.
- You can hit the main attractions quickly.
- If you’re short on time, this allows you to see your favorite spots to come back to. You also find out what isn’t worth a second trip.
- It’s cheap. For €25, you can get a city bus tour for a 24-hour period that will take you to all of the main museums, attractions, districts, and stations, as well as a boat tour included!
- An audio guide is available in 18 languages
- You get a canal boat tour!
Consider it if you’re going further distances than a bike may accommodate.
#4 Go to The Adventure Park
Something about adrenalin makes us fall more in love. If you’re the thrill-seeking time, spend a day with your love at the amusement park running around like kids.
At the Attractiepark Slagharen theme park, you can take the roller coasters, hold on to each other tight, and feel free as can be.
This will be about an hour and a half away from Amsterdam Centraal, but you can enjoy the stunning sites as you travel. Savor the countryside views and then go wild at the bungalow adventure and water park!
Address: Attractiepark Slagharen, 37, Zwarte Dijk, 7776 PB Slagharen, Netherlands
#5 Watch Free Concerts at the Concertgebouw
This lavish concert hall created for globally-famous orchestras and performed at by some of the greatest composers in the world, Concertgebouw hosts free events throughout the year.
These live performances are often on Wednesdays around lunchtime. Check the Concertgebouw for more concert information.
Address: Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 LN Amsterdam, Netherlands
#6 Dance at Vondelpark
While looking for more budget-friendly activities in Amsterdam, an absolute must is Vondelpark. This is the Central Park of Amsterdam, and it is as stunning and peaceful as it is lively and entertaining.
Just a few ideas for what to do in the biggest park in Amsterdam include:
- People watch. This is the largest park in the city, sprawling across 120 acres of ponds and paths. With some grade-A people watching. People are free to be themselves and very expressive in Amsterdam. You will love looking at the artistic souls that are enjoying a Spring day.
- Free concerts at the open-air theater
- Dance! Many musical performers so dancing often ensues with all of the couples in the park
- Stroll around the winding paths
- Snack at one of the charming small cafés in the park
- Have a picnic
#7 Soak Up Culture at The Van Gogh Museum
To give you a dash of culture and history, a must-see in the city is the Van Gogh Museum. There are many great historical tours you can take, such as the Anne Frank House or the Rembrandt House Museum, but few will be quite as romantic as the starry night magic of Van Gogh’s work.
You can purchase your tickets in advance through the Van Gogh Museum website.
Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands, Hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed late at 9 p.m. on Fridays)
#8 See a Ballet or Opera
While we’re in a cultural mood and feeling very worldly, see a ballet presentation at the stunning opera house. Some of their popular shows include Giselle, Nutcracker, and Swan Lake.
Read more about their performance schedule and purchase tickets directly on the Dutch National Opera & Ballet website.
#9 Follow a Local on a Coffee Shops Tour
Take a Certified Coffee Shops Tour around Amsterdam’s finest.
Of course, in Amsterdam, you will need to distinguish which shops actually have coffee and which are ‘coffee shops,’ the name of legalized cannabis distributor shops in Amsterdam.
This is a huge part of the culture of Amsterdam and is considered by many to be significantly safer than alcohol.
If you’re looking for a substance that doesn’t hinder your ability to ride a bike later in the day, take a tour to educate yourself on the legalization process in this country and how it came to be such a staple to the natives.
Just as drinking can be romantic with your partner and open up new layers of consciousness, thoughts, and emotions, if you’re game, cannabis may do the same. Enjoy this experience with a certified guide and learn more about a way of life in this city. Immerse yourself!
#10 Enjoy Live Jazz at Bimhuis
One of the most beloved music venues in the city will be Bimhuis. Every Tuesday the café allows people to jam in the evenings after 10 p.m. Pop in during the late hours for a cocktail and some free music or pay for a ticket and see some of the over 300 performances they put on each year.
Address: Piet Heinkade 3, 1019 BR Amsterdam, Netherlands
#11 Take a Red-Light District Walking Tour
Another huge draw of Amsterdam is the frisky Red-Light District. Of course, this will not be for everyone, but it’s part of what makes this city so eclectic and free-spirited.
If you are on your honeymoon or other romantic adventure and feel in the mood to pick up a new sex toy, you are in luck here. There are hundreds of shops looped around the canals of the red-light district, and plenty of kinky memories to be made.
If you want a guide to show you the top-secret novelties that make this district unique, hire a local to guide you with a VIP Red Light District Tour. With 5-star reviews on Viator, one review of this tour mentioned, “best tour we did in Amsterdam!”
With an entire district dedicated to the red light, who could deny this isn’t the city of love?
#12 Catch an Art Nouveau film at a 100-year-old Theater
The theater has long been a realization of romance and glamor, so add a showing to your itinerary in a theater that was built in 1921! Pathé Tuschinski is a nearly 100-year-old theater that features opera, ballets, orchestras, and movies.
Check out their schedule and see if your love and you can be swept through a time machine and sent back to another time together.
Address: Reguliersbreestraat 26-34, 1017 CN Amsterdam, Netherlands
#13 Take an Evening Candlelight Cruise
Last but not least, on our activities list, you need to schedule in some romantic time that is relaxing. After a full day of art tours and bicycle rides, you should sit back and relax on a candlelight cruise
You will witness the beauty of Amsterdam at night and get to really connect with your lover. Many of these cruises are offered with dinner included, and you can stumble upon them being offered for under €50 all over the city.
The mood of Amsterdam at night is a selling point on its own.
Soft lights will glimmer across the canal waters while ivy drips down each building, and you leave the tour strolling hand-in-hand with your love down the cobblestone streets. Does it get more romantic than this?
Need More Romantic Ideas for Your Stay in Amsterdam?
This Dutch capital is made for lovers and brings poetry to the surface of life than many cities fail to do. With over a hundred canals and over 1,000 bridges, you will be surrounded by a maze of lush trees, softly flowing canals, people biking everywhere, flowers everywhere, and real-life magic.
Amsterdam is a historical gem that will offer you a taste of everything for your travels. Now that we’ve covered 13 great date ideas, let’s talk about:
- Is Amsterdam Good for a Honeymoon?
- Where to Get Lost in Amsterdam
- Daytrips Nearby Amsterdam
- Restaurants Perfect for Two
- Best Drinking Holes for Couples
- Most Romantic Hotels for Couples
- Final Tips for Couples in Amsterdam
The work has been done for you, so sit back and relax. Amsterdam has much more to offer you than flowers, but you’ll enjoy those too! A common question that we should cover immediately as you may be wondering yourself –
Is Amsterdam Good for a Honeymoon?
Amsterdam is known as the world’s, ‘open-air museum,’ for its winding canals, historical touches of culture and art, as well as a global reputation for being the Venice of the Netherlands – with more trees!
Not only is Amsterdam, ‘good for a honeymoon,’ it’s been ranked in the Top Romantic Destinations in Europe. It will depend on what that couple is looking for and their travel tastes. But if you enjoy Europe, you will absolutely revel in Amsterdam.
Reasons Amsterdam is perfect for honeymooners:
- From the mainland, you can arrive by plane or train (train being the most romantic, of course).
- Talk about romance! Cobblestone streets, flower fields, a maze of a city, and more bikes than people. Enjoy the slower pace and gorgeous scenery.
- Stroll arm-in-arm along more than 150 canals that are connected by over 1,200 bridges.
- You don’t have to choose one theme for your honeymoon. When you choose Amsterdam, you are offered the city hustle and bustle, along with the quiet windmill country life, the wild nightlife in the red-light district, adventurous activities, calm activities, and even the beach!
All are available in close proximity to Amsterdam, so you’re not forced to settle on a one ‘theme’ or tone for your honeymoon – you can have them all!
- You can hire a local photographer for an affordable rate to capture pictures of you and your soulmate kissing on said bridges and soaking up the magic of the city. Being in the city means you have access to artists like this that can capture the moment for you and offer you something better than a folder of selfies from your honeymoon.
- 93% of Dutch people speak English. You may not want to test your new relationship in a land where you can only communicate with each other. Spare yourself this hardship until after the honeymoon, because the honeymoon should be about ease.
So what do you think? Does it beat out a beach honeymoon where you can only swim, tan, burn, repeat?
Where to Get Lost in Amsterdam
A few major spots to stroll through during your Amsterdam getaway will include the following areas:
- De Wallen – the oldest part of Amsterdam that features a bridge from 1270.
- Jordaan – potentially the most famous and most people’s favorite for great restaurants and shopping. It is in the heart of the city, by Centraal station and the Canal ring.
- The Red-Light District – a must-see with tour linked above.
- Dam Square – a real hub for action. If you’re unsure where to bike around, start here.
- The Canal Ring – where the labyrinth of canals and bridges all intersect.
- Amstelpark – you can do many tours starting from here, and it is a great place to relax, much smaller than Vondelpark, and often less crowded.
- 9-streets – an area with great shopping and cafés.
- Spiegelkwartier – this translates in English as ‘the mirror quarter,’ and is the pivotal hub for art-lovers.
- Museum Quarter – some of the most beautiful architecture and dining. This is where Vondelpark is an ice-skating rink in the Winter, and much more!
- Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk – if you’re a shopping-lover, go here. It’s within the Jordaan district but is where all of the best boutiques and bars cluster together.
Daytrips Nearby Amsterdam
If you have 4 to 7 days or more, you should get out of the city! Your brilliant planning has allowed you to slow down and spread out.
Some wonderful nearby locations to visit around Amsterdam for a day trip include:
- The flower fields of Lisse (listed above because we couldn’t hide that gem from you at the bottom of the list. It’s a top attraction for the entire country).
- Amsterdamse Bos – a mystical countryside haven where you can experience 150 tree varieties, feed baby goats, and simply be with the flowers and nature. If you want a place to slow down and see the cherry blossoms or windmills, this is it!
- Giethoorn – a picturesque village where people use the canals as roads to get around.
- Haarlem – only 15 minutes from Amsterdam and a world of difference.
- West Frisian Islands – about 5 hours away by ferry, but if you have a day or two and want to see the beach, this is a lovely set of islands that can be reached faster by train or bus. They connect the Netherlands to Denmark and feature white sandy beaches where you can catch the sunset or sunrise, snuggled close to the one you love most.
Restaurants Perfect for Two
Dining will be a huge part of your experience while exploring the city. Some of the most top-rated restaurants to enjoy as a couple based on ratings, ambiance, high-end menu, and a degree of privacy include:
- Ciel Blue – French for “Blue Heaven,” this posh find will be located on the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura. This will offer you some high-rise views of all of Amsterdam. This will be your Michelin-star rated restaurant and give you that bird’s eye view of the city lit up at night!
- Dinner in the Dark – enjoy a dinner where your sense of taste is one of the only senses left at your disposal. You will be blindfolded and have a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with your partner, featuring a unique culinary experience for your senses. You may realize how much we rely on our sight while simultaneously getting in-tune with how powerful flavors can be without it.
- De Kas – this farm-to-table restaurant grows its own ingredients in a stunning greenhouse. Open the ‘ENG,’ button for English on their website, and prepare to be blown away by the pieces of art they create on a plate.
- Moon – a rotating restaurant that will give you an ever-changing view of the city at night.
- Belushi’s – a more affordable version than the fine-dining restaurants listed above. This will be your chill bar scene with a great happy hour, great food, and great prices.
Best Drinking Holes for Couples
You can’t visit Europe without exploring the bar scene and nightlife that make it so unique. In Europe, the mentality is to slow down and enjoy the details of life. Europeans know how to relax with the best of them. There’s a reason they think Americans work too hard and don’t savor life enough.
It’s hard to argue with them when Nederlanders are commonly listed in the top 1-5 happiest countries/people on the planet. Perhaps they know what they’re talking about.
Make it a point to slow down and have a beer or two on your trip. Some of the best drinking holes in the city include:
- De Waag – Drink in a castle! Or at least a ginormous building that looks just like a castle! The inside may be modernized to a low-key bar, but the outside will feel like an 18th-century fortress in the middle of the Red-Light District.
- World Class Room – listed in one of the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam, give it a try for classic speakeasy vibes!
- Door74 – known as the discreet bar that began the ‘speakeasy’ culture in Amsterdam’s bar scene.
- Tales and Spirits – a cocktail bar and restaurant
- Vesper Bar – a favorite of the locals that is fittingly named after James Bond’s one true love.
Most Romantic Hotels for Couples
Cuddle up, but don’t lose too much time to being in bed! The best hotels for lovebirds in the new city of love include the following top-rated establishments that cater specifically to couples:
- The Toren – recreated from a 2-star hotel to a 4-star hotel, this lavish spot features one of the most beautiful bars you will see in your lifetime.
- Maria Callas Yachthotel – a floating hotel on a yacht that includes bed and breakfast. Sold!
- Soho House Amsterdam – see the website for pictures of rooftop swimming pool views. Enough said.
- Sweets – a very affordable establishment for being right in the city. Sometimes under 100-euros depending on the season.
- Andaz – this won’t be the most affordable, but it might be the most beautiful. A former library converted into a 5-star hotel featuring high-quality dining and a Valentine’s package for lovers.
These are just a few popular recommendations for those traveling to celebrate something romantic, but you can always find Airbnb’s to meet the locals, find more affordable accommodations, and sometimes get more amenities from a home-stay than many of the overpriced hotels in Amsterdam.
Final Tips for Couples in Amsterdam
You are going to the newly designated city of love, and as you can see, there will be little time for dullness. Some final tips for your visit are:
- Book early, prices will be lower if you plan ahead. Many tours fill up months in advance.
- Select the skip-the-lines tours if traveling during Summer. It could save you hours a day, which really adds up when you only have a three-day vacation.
- Expect a slower pace of service everywhere you go. The Dutch, like all Europeans, will dine, shop, and work at a slower pace. There isn’t as rushed of culture as found in America and it’s part of the beauty of this nation. Don’t take it as an offense; it’s merely a different way of life than you’re familiar with.
- Flag down your waiter if you need anything as they won’t want to bother you unnecessarily. It is more common for you to ask them for something than for them to check on you. Get used to this idea and separate it from your mentality on customer-service from the states.
- Say hello to shop owners when you enter. This lets them know you speak English and also makes them feel more comfortable. The Dutch can be shy but are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Do expect them to be blunter from time to time, as they say, it how it is.
- Here are some top-rated Amsterdam Nightlife Tours
- Experience the amazing panoramic views that can’t be beaten – A’dam lookout
Be sure to schedule in some relaxation time to do nothing as well. It’s easy to overbook yourself and come back less rested from a vacation than before you left.
I hope this guide has been informative and helped plan out even a small portion of your getaway.
Slow down to enjoy the romance and enjoy each other. Have fun, lovebirds!