Go to one of the most-visited capital cities of Europe and enjoy this 4-day itinerary in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The most populated city in Netherlands, Amsterdam used to be a dam of the Amstel River hence the city’s name. During the 17th century, Amsterdam became a major seaport where merchants dock to buy crystals and diamonds. This made Amsterdam’s economy rich and had paved the way towards the city’s current world-class status. According to surveys, Amsterdam one of the best cities to live in both economically and environmentally.
If you now ready to follow this 4-day itinerary in Amsterdam, you should also be ready to present your requirements to secure a Schengen visa. Not all foreign passport holders actually need to apply for one but nations that do not have an existing visa exemption agreement with the Schengen group of countries must apply for a Schengen visa. Don’t worry about this extra step because the requirements are easy to complete and the process is not complicated at all. Here are the requirements:
- Valid passport and copies of the front and back pages
- Current passport-sized photos with white background
- Completed Schengen Visa application form
- Proof of travel such as flight booking, travel itinerary, and hotel booking – You may get a Flight Booking for Visa and Hotel Reservation for Visa just for your visa application without having to pay for the airfare or hotel booking.
- Travel Insurance – It is better to acquire this from Schengen Travel Insurance, an affordable and reliable insurance company.
- Personal Coverage Letter
- Bank Documents
4-Day Itinerary in Amsterdam:
Before proceeding to the itinerary itself, it is important for you to select a strategically located hotel so you can easily get to your desired destinations in Amsterdam. One of the centrally located hotels is the Rembrandt Square Hotel.
It offers double share rooms for less than €80 per night and it is a 2-minute walk away from a light rail station. If your budget can still be stretched and you want to stay in a better rated hotel, then you might want to stay in The Albus Design Hotel.
It has double share rooms for less than €130 per night which includes daily breakfast. It is also very near a light rail station making your travel easier and faster.
Day 1: A Look in the Past:
A lot of notable persons have resided in this scenic city and it is highly suggested that you visit their museums to see a glimpse of their lives. The first, and a must-visit, museum dedicated to a notable Dutch is the Anne Frank House.
You have probably heard of this young girl’s name and maybe know a bit of her life story, but if you have no idea who she was, Anne Frank is a teenage Jewish girl who hid in a small, discreet attic together with her family to avoid the wrath of Hitler. While staying atop the attic, Frank wrote daily accounts of her experiences living in a four-walled room. Her diary was found years after she died in a consecration camp and her diary was proved true with the discovery of the house where she and her family lived.
Should you plan to visit the Anne Frank House, it is best for you to purchase your tickets online to avoid the queue and to avail of a 30-minute guided lecture. The best way to go to the museum is by feet – it is a 20-minute walk from the suggested hotels. If you don’t want to walk, you can rent a bike.
The next notable person’s museum that you must visit is the Van Gogh Museum. A 13-minute bike from Anne Frank House, this museum is dedicated to famous painter, Vincent Van Gogh. The entrance fee to the museum may be a bit dear for €17/adult but it is made worth it by the hundreds of Impressionistic images painted by Van Gogh himself. Other painters like Gaugin, Monet, and Pissaro are also featured at the tail-end of the exhibit which you can also find interesting. Purchase your tickets online to avoid the lines and visit the museum in the late afternoon to avoid the rush of tourists.
Day 2: The Colors of Amsterdam:
When you think of Holland, you probably think of windmills and tulips. Well this is what you will see on Day 2 of your 4-day itinerary in Amsterdam. Your first stop after you have eaten your breakfast must be the Keukenhof Gardens.
This 32-acre haven is quite a distance from your hotel so it is best for you to take a private tour or ride the light rail. The best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens is during spring, from March to May, so you can see all 7 million tulips in full bloom. All these millions of tulips are arranged according to the current theme of the park to form images which you can from bird’s eye view. For 2017, the garden’s theme is Dutch Design and the highlight of the garden is a big Dutch Mosaic created by the multi-coloured tulip bulbs. It is something that you cannot miss! Make sure to purchase your tickets way in advance because tickets sell out real fast.
Before ending your day, make sure you make time to visit the Zaanse Schans Windmills. This area has the best preserved old windmills that were constructed in the 18th century. Although these windmills were originally constructed elsewhere, in the 1960s these windmills were transported and relocated to Zaanse Schans and is carefully restored there. Rent a bike so you can pedal your way around the area. Watch the locals make cheese and even their traditional wooden clogs or Dutch shoes. You can also visit the Zaanse Schans Museum to learn more about the real purpose of these windmills.
Day 3: The Glitter of Amsterdam:
You know what the James Bond song says “Diamonds are forever.” This line is made true here in Amsterdam with its 400 year old booming diamond business. Famous diamond traders such as Coster and Gassan attract millions of customers who just fly to Amsterdam to purchase these shining gems that are worth a lifetime of savings.
Get to know the history behind the diamond trade of Amsterdam by visiting the Diamond Museum. Opened by the famous diamond trader, Coster, this museum features the process of revealing diamonds from carbon crystals as well as the process of cutting the diamonds. At present, the museum has 22 pieces of rare diamonds cut in a unique way. Finally, the museum teaches visitors how to spot a faux diamond from a real gem.
You will surely be inspired by the glit and glam that you just saw so the next best thing to do is to visit the famous diamond stores in the city. Go ahead and visit the Coster Diamonds store which is just near the museum itself. Coster is one of the oldest diamond traders in Netherlands. If you want to see a new diamond trader, go to Gassan Diamonds. The shop also does tours to tourists who want to learn more about diamond carats, clarity, color, and cut.
Day 4: Degustation in Amsterdam:
Amsterdam may be famous for its scenic view of the river and the rich historical museums but unknown to a lot of tourists, Amsterdam is also a great foodie destination. So before you end your 4-day itinerary in Amsterdam it is best to sample the local food and have a quick degustation before heading back to the airport.
Start your degustation by eating local pancakes in a nearby restaurant or better yet look for Pancakes Amsterdam. Prepare to line up and patiently wait for your turn to be served this wonderful Dutch breakfast treat. If the queue is just too long for you, you can opt for Koffie Huis De Hoek which serves the best coffee and toast.
After your breakfast, go right away to Manneken Pis to get your morning snack. This joint sells the best Amsterdam Fries, which are made from big cut fries with cheese and some secret sauce.
Before heading back to the hotel to check out, make a quick stop at Puccini Bomboni and have a taste of the local chocolate bonbons.
4-Day Itinerary in Amsterdam:
Excited to explore the city of Amsterdam, then what are you waiting for? Apply for a Schengen visa now so you can realize this Dutch adventure. If you plan to extend your itinerary to other European countries, it is best for you to know the different countries part of the Schengen area so you can apply for the most appropriate type of Schengen Visa. Should you need further assistance in getting a visa or itinerary, contact us through our website or our WhatsApp (+1 201-554-8735).
Get ready for this once-in-a-lifetime trip by taking this 4-day itinerary in Amsterdam!
