Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons to Visit in 2026

Have you been wondering, is Amsterdam worth visiting? Well, you’re in the right place!

Like many popular European cities, Amsterdam gets a lot of hype — and you may be asking yourself if it lives up to it.

After visiting twice over the past 10 years (and planning another trip soon), we can confidently say: yes, Amsterdam is worth visiting!

In this post, I’ll share 7 top reasons to visit Amsterdam, plus what to do, where to stay, and key accessibility tips for wheelchair users and travelers with limited mobility.

Let’s dive in!

*This post was written by Kristin Secor, my friend and fellow accessible travel advocate. It has since been updated with additional information.

Where is Amsterdam?

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is situated in Northwestern Europe and neighbors Germany to the East and Belgium to the West. It serves as the country’s cultural and economic hub.

Amsterdam is built on a network of canals that flow into the IJsselmeer, a large lake that was once part of the North Sea.

7 Reasons You Should Visit Amsterdam

First, let me say that I fell in love with Amsterdam so I definitely believe it’s worth visiting.

It is a beautiful city with unique architecture and plenty of things to do, no matter what your interests are.

Here are 7 of my favorite reasons why you should visit Amsterdam.

1. Amsterdam’s Canals

Amsterdam is usually the first stop on any Netherlands and Belgium itinerary… and it doesn’t take long to see why!

Even if you’re visiting Amsterdam for a day, its iconic canals are an absolute must–see. This defining feature sets Amsterdam apart as a unique and enchanting destination.

Amsterdam’s picturesque waterways allow you to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, breathtaking architecture, and vibrant culture.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these waterways are one of the main reasons Amsterdam is worth visiting!

They paint a charming backdrop to the city’s landscape, lined with historic buildings, picturesque bridges, and busy streets.

They act as a central hub for Amsterdam’s residents, with houseboats parked along the water’s edge and locals cycling alongside its banks.

Whether you’re snapping a photo of a classic canal house or soaking in the views with a warm stroopwafel in hand, Amsterdam’s canals are pure magic and a huge part of what makes the city so special!

👉I recommend this tour for comfortable seats, unlimited wine & cheese options!

Accessibility Tips for Amsterdam Canals

The canals can be easily enjoyed both by land and through a canal boat tour. There is even a wheelchair–accessible canal boat tour that you can take.

This tour is made accessible using a motorized lift that comes out of the floor of the boat. Once onboard, you can choose to either sit inside at an accessible table or outside for unobstructed views.

I thoroughly enjoyed my wheelchair–accessible canal boat tour and got to see many of Amsterdam’s major highlights. It was also a great way to get my bearings and make a mental note of areas I wanted to visit later.

✅HELPFUL TIP: Prebook your wheelchair–accessible canal tour in advance to secure your preferred date and time. During peak travel season, tours do sell out.

2. The Art Museums in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a cultural hub and a must–visit city for art lovers, home to some of Europe’s finest museums.

Whether you’re on a two week Netherlands trip or just a few days in the city, a visit to these world-class museums is essential.

👉Visiting Amsterdam for the First Time?
The Amsterdam Go City Pass is a smart way to save money and explore as many top attractions as you want — including the city’s art museums!

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is Amsterdam’s crown jewel, housing masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. Highlights include Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” and Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid”.

Visitors can explore its vast galleries at their own pace, and the museum provides wheelchair access, elevators, and accessible restrooms.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum showcases the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings, sketches, and letters in the world. This intimate museum offers a deep dive into the life and creative evolution of the iconic artist.

We borrowed a wheelchair during our visit, which made the museum easy to navigate — a helpful tip for anyone traveling with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or hidden disabilities.

Accessibility Tips at the Art Museums

Most major Amsterdam art museums are wheelchair accessible and provide services for visitors with disabilities.

This includes:
🔹Step–free access throughout galleries
🔹Availability of manual wheelchairs
🔹Specialized tours for visitors with low vision or cognitive disabilities

Always check the museum website for the most up-to-date accessibility information and to reserve mobility devices or special tours.

Art Museums in Amsterdam
📍Rijksmuseum: Accessibility Info
📍Van Gogh Museum: Accessibility Info
📍Rembrandt House: Accessibility Info

3. The Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam’s most moving and historically significant sites.

Visiting this museum adds depth to any trip, providing a glimpse into the life of a young girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II.

Step inside the Secret Annex, where Anne wrote her famous diary, and see personal artifacts, original letters, and exhibits that bring her story to life.

The museum fosters reflection, empathy, and discussions about tolerance, human rights, and standing against discrimination.

👉Join this historical walking tour of Anne Frank House & Jewish Quarter

Accessibility Tips at the Anne Frank House

The museum is wheelchair accessible, including entrances, main exhibition areas, and restrooms.

Limitations: The attic, where Anne and her family hid, is only accessible via a steep, narrow staircase.

Alternative: Visitors with mobility challenges can experience the attic through an innovative virtual reality tour, ensuring everyone can engage with this important part of history.

4. Amsterdam’s Colorful Tulip Season

After the snow melts in the Netherlands, it’s Tulip Season! This enchanting spectacle captivates travelers from around the world, making it one of the top reasons to visit Amsterdam.

Typically peaking from late March to mid–May, the city bursts into a rainbow of colors as millions of tulips bloom.

Rows upon rows of meticulously cultivated tulip fields paint the landscape in vivid reds, yellows, pinks, and purples.

Keukenhof Gardens, often called the “Garden of Europe,” is the quintessential destination during this season. Wander the intricately designed gardens while learning about the history and cultivation of tulips through various exhibits.

Beyond Keukenhof, the countryside surrounding Amsterdam transforms into a patchwork of colorful blooms.

I highly recommend joining a tour to fully appreciate the beauty of Holland in springtime.

👉If you have mobility issues, try this cruise tour to Keukenhof Gardens and Windmills

🚲Want to embrace Dutch culture?
➡️Join this bike tour of Keukenhof Flower Fields.

Accessibility Tips for Amsterdam’s Tulip Season

During spring, tulips can be seen throughout Amsterdam and in some public gardens.

🔹Some Keukenhof tours can accommodate wheelchairs, but check in advance for details.

🔹Some tours allow you to store mobility devices but require climbing stairs on the bus. Others have lift–equipped vehicles so you can stay in your wheelchair.

There are some accessible tours to Keukenhof Gardens and the countryside available but always check with the tour company to see if they can accommodate your needs.

♿Keukenhof Flower Fields is wheelchair accessible.
👉Buy your Keukenhof entrance ticket here!

5. Amsterdam is a Perfect Base for Day Trips

One of the best reasons to visit Amsterdam is how easy it is to explore beyond the city. The Netherlands has a well–connected train network, making day trips simple, efficient, and stress–free.

Thanks to the country’s compact size and Amsterdam’s central location, you can experience multiple destinations without changing hotels — a huge plus if you prefer slow travel or have mobility considerations.

Many of the best small towns in the Netherlands are just a short train ride away, each offering its own unique culture, architecture, and pace of life.

🚊Book your preferred train time & fare here
➡️Reserve your seat with Omio today!

Popular Day Trips from Amsterdam

Haarlem

One of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam is Haarlem, located just 15 minutes away by train.

We loved wandering Haarlem’s cobblestone streets, admiring its classic Dutch architecture, and visiting iconic landmarks like the Grote Kerk (Great Church) and the Frans Hals Museum.

It’s the perfect cultural escape that feels relaxed and local.

You can explore Haarlem independently or join a guided tour — and yes, it’s wheelchair accessible.

👉Buy your Amsterdam to Haarlem private day trip here!

Utrecht

We absolutely loved our day trip to Utrecht and highly recommend adding it to your itinerary.

Less than 30 minutes by train, this charming university city is known for its picturesque canals, medieval buildings, and the iconic Dom Tower.

Utrecht blends historic charm with modern energy and is full of lively cafés, unique boutiques, and beautiful waterways.

👉Book this 100% recommended Utrecht City Tour here!

Zaanse Schans

If you want to experience the Netherlands’ countryside, a visit to Zaanse Schans is a must!

Just a short bus ride from Amsterdam, this windmill-dotted village offers a glimpse into traditional Dutch life with its historic windmills, wooden houses, and live demonstrations of local crafts like cheese-making and clog carving.

👉Join this award winning tour of Zaanse Schans Clogs & Cheese!

Accessibility Tips for Day Trips from Amsterdam

The Netherlands is one of the easiest countries in Europe for accessible day trips.

Most trains departing from Amsterdam are wheelchair accessible, with step–free boarding available at major stations. Many platforms have elevators, tactile paving, and accessible restrooms.

If you use a wheelchair or mobility aid, it’s best to:

• Choose larger train stations like Amsterdam Centraal, Utrecht, and Haarlem
• Allow a little extra time for boarding assistance
• Check in advance whether tours offer lift–equipped vehicles or step–free access

Traveling slowly and keeping your hotel in Amsterdam as a home base can make day trips far more comfortable and manageable.

6. Amsterdam is a Cyclist’s Paradise

If you love cycling, then you should definitely visit Amsterdam! Bicycles are the primary mode of transportation in the city and can be easily rented during your trip.

Amsterdam is consistently ranked as one of the most bike–friendly cities in the world. It has an extensive network of well–maintained cycling paths, making it convenient and relatively safe to navigate by bike.

For cyclists, exploring Amsterdam allows you to fully immerse yourself in local life. You’ll enjoy easy access to iconic landmarks, charming neighborhoods, and scenic canals — all at a relaxed pace.

There are plenty of opportunities to explore both the city and the surrounding countryside, whether you prefer to cycle independently or join a guided tour.

👉Book this best selling guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam!

👉Explore Zaanse Schans Windmills on a Countryside Bike Tour!

7. Amsterdam Has Excellent Nightlife

Another great reason Amsterdam is worth visiting is its vibrant nightlife. Known for its relaxed and inclusive party scene, the city is packed with cozy pubs, lively bars, trendy nightclubs, and live music venues.

After dark, Amsterdam’s streets buzz with energy, creating an electric yet approachable atmosphere.

You can enjoy a drink at a historic brown café or head to a stylish rooftop bar with sweeping city views.

Popular nightlife hubs include Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, both known for their high concentration of bars and entertainment venues.

The Red Light District

Of course, no visit to Amsterdam is complete without exploring the famous Red Light District, known for its open and regulated approach to the world’s oldest profession.

Glowing, red–lit windows line the canals, offering a glimpse into a side of society that is both normalized and carefully regulated.

More than just its voyeuristic appeal, the district reflects Amsterdam’s open–minded culture — where taboos give way to personal freedom, acceptance, and transparency.

We felt very safe wandering the Red Light District and visiting the Red Light Secrets Museum. It offers a completely different perspective on Amsterdam and is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.

❤️Join a guided Red Light District tour here!

👉Book this top rated Red Light Coffee Shop Tour here!

Accessibility Tips for the Red Light District

Most of the Red Light District’s narrow streets and alleys are cobblestoned, which can be challenging for wheelchair users.

That said, accessibility has improved in recent years.

Some cafés, restaurants, and shops offer step–free access or ramps, though accessibility is not consistent throughout the area.

Due to the historic nature of many buildings, some venues may not be wheelchair accessible.

Travelers with mobility issues should plan ahead, research specific locations, and contact venues directly to confirm accessibility features before visiting.

Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting as a Wheelchair User and with Limited Mobility?

As someone who travels with chronic pain and limited mobility, I really enjoyed my time in Amsterdam.

While no destination offers perfect accessibility for everyone, I found the city to offer a variety of fun experiences that allowed me to immerse myself in the culture.

➡️In the previous section, I tried to add as much information on accessibility as possible so that you can get an idea of the fantastic Amsterdam tourist attractions that are possible with a disability.

However, I will also mention some of the possible challenges and barriers to accessibility to help you know what to expect during your visit.

Challenges for Accessibility

During my time in the city, there were two primary obstacles to accessibility that I ran into.

The first was cobblestones. Like most historic European cities, cobblestones were rampant throughout Amsterdam (although they weren’t nearly as bad as in Bruges, Belgium).

The second challenge was that bikes, cars, and other obstacles often blocked the sidewalks which made them difficult to navigate.

There were times when I had to use the bike lanes that run alongside many of the sidewalks (which is not optimal either as it’s easy to get run over by cyclists).

I expected these issues during my trip and made the best of it, often looking far ahead to predict what path would be the best/safest for me to follow.

This is another reason I enjoyed the accessible canal boat tour as it allowed me to see a lot of Amsterdam without having to worry about these obstacles.

Getting Around Amsterdam with Mobility Problems

Amsterdam is an easily walkable (or rollable) city with a lot of popular sites in a compact area.

While you will encounter crowded sidewalks and cobblestones, the sidewalks do have curb cuts.

However, should you want to save energy (and battery power), you can opt to use the trams which are located throughout the city.

The newer trams will be the most accessible, with a wheelchair icon near the accessible (level) entrance. In addition, there will be a dedicated wheelchair space on board.

✅HELPFUL TIP: If you’re planning a trip with chronic pain or mobility issues, get a map of the city that shows the tram lines and routes. This makes navigating the city easier.

How to Get to Amsterdam

Getting to Amsterdam is relatively straightforward, given its well–connected transportation options.

The three most popular options are by airplane, train or bus.

⛔It is not recommended to arrive by car or drive in Amsterdam. The city is easily accessible and parking is problematic.

✈️Airplane

If you’re traveling from abroad, you’ll want to book a flight to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is the main international gateway to the city.

✈️Need tips for your flight?
➡️Tips for Air Travel with Chronic Pain

Once you arrive at Schiphol Airport, you can easily reach the city center by train from the airport’s railway station.

👉Find the Best Flights with Skyscanner
✔️flexible search options
✔️easy to navigate platform
✔️compare multiple airlines
✔️find the best flight deals

🚅Train

If you prefer to travel by train, Amsterdam is well connected to major European hubs. You can take a high–speed train or an international train service to Amsterdam Central Station.

Taking the train can be a scenic way to arrive in the city, and it’s especially convenient if you’re coming from nearby countries like Belgium, France, or Germany.

High-Speed & International Direct Trains to Amsterdam
📍London, UK – Eurostar (4h)
📍Paris, France – Thalys (3h 20m)
📍Berlin, Germany – Intercity Express (6h)
📍Frankfurt, Germany – Intercity Express (4h)
📍Cologne, Germany – Intercity Express (2h 40m)
📍Brussels, Belgium – Thalys (2h), Intercity (2h 50m)

👉Check availability & prices
🚅Reserve your train ticket to Amsterdam now!

🛳️Cruise Ship

Lastly, many people visit Amsterdam as part of a European cruise. The port is located near the train station and allows passengers a full day of exploring the city as part of their itinerary.

Sometimes, ships will also dock in the town of Rotterdam. If that is the case, there will be excursions and shuttles available to reach Amsterdam.

While your time may be limited, it is a fantastic way to get a taste of what Amsterdam had to offer.

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

Thankfully, Amsterdam offers a wide range of accommodations that suit a variety of budgets. There are even wheelchair accessible hotels in Amsterdam for you to choose from.

Here are my top picks:

FAQs: Why Amsterdam is Worth Visiting

Final Thoughts: Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?

Hopefully, you’ve realized that Amsterdam is worth visiting! The city offers the opportunity to appreciate the art museums, cruise the canals, cycle through tulip fields and explore its unique Red Light District.

Despite some challenges to accessibility and potentially large crowds… Amsterdam has so much to offer!

Now that you have ideas on how to spend your time in the city, all you need to do is book and enjoy your trip.

Read More on the Netherlands

27 Amsterdam Tourist Attractions & Things to Do
2 Weeks in the Netherlands: A Complete 14 Day Itinerary
Are Amsterdam Canal Boat Tours Worth It? Review & 7 Cruise Options
11 Beautiful Small Towns in the Netherlands to Visit
10 Best Wheelchair Accessible Hotels in Amsterdam
Does it Snow in the Netherlands? & 13 Things to Do in Winter
The 9 BEST Rotterdam Hotels with Balcony