{"id":826,"date":"2017-09-18T10:53:07","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T09:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aerlingus.com\/?p=826"},"modified":"2024-10-18T09:18:26","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T09:18:26","slug":"48-hours-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aerlingus.com\/hub\/48-hours-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"48 Hours In\u2026 Amsterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you are lucky enough to spend 48 hours in Amsterdam at any time of year, you will find something special in each season.<\/h3>\n

In spring the city awakens from the cold winter days and Holland\u2019s famous tulips brighten up the city. <\/strong>Summer brings festival season, picnics in the park and the arts move outdoors.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For many, autumn is the best season to visit Amsterdam.<\/h4>\n

The trees lining the ancient canals turn rich shades of red and gold and the sprawling Vondelpark transforms into a spectacular sea of colour, as the city takes on the new season in style. The colder days of winter allow you to cosy up in one of Amsterdam\u2019s many bars or sample the festive atmosphere at a Christmas Market. There truly is something for everyone in this wonderful city, even if you only have a weekend to enjoy it:<\/p>\n

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DAY ONE<\/h4>\n

MORNING WALKING TOUR<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Step into the heart of the autumnal action with a crisp walking tour of the city. Free guided tours start from 10am at the National Monument in Dam Square. Along the crunchy, leaf-laden route, you\u2019ll pass the Anne Frank House, the smallest house in Amsterdam, the world\u2019s first Stock Exchange, the Royal Palace, the Red Light District, canal houses, and many more of the city\u2019s landmarks. A walking tour of Amsterdam<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0a fantastic way to orientate yourself, if you only had 24 hours in this great city, this would still be on our list.<\/p>\n

BRUNCH WITH A VIEW<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When you\u2019ve worked up an appetite, head to rooftop restaurant Blue Amsterdam on the third floor of the Kalvertoren shopping centre for a scrumptious brunch and fantastic 360-views of the city. Check out the menu here<\/a>.\u00a0Another option, if the weather is nice and you want to sit canal side, is Calf and Bloom, with plenty of outdoor seating and reasonably priced food this spacious industrial-style cafe is perfect for groups.<\/p>\n

After brunch pay a visit to the incredible Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam\u2019s famous flower market, just across the canal.<\/p>\n

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Gallery of Honour at Rijksmuseum. Photo: Erik Smits<\/p>\n

MUST-VISIT MUSEUMS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Amsterdam is an art lover\u2019s nirvana. Spend the afternoon at the Museumplein in the Old South neighbourhood, home to three of the city\u2019s most impressive museums.<\/p>\n

Dazzling Dutch masterpieces like Rembrandt\u2019s The Night Watch and Vermeer\u2019s The Milkmaid await in the Rijksmuseum\u2019s four floors of galleries.<\/p>\n

Across the square you\u2019ll find the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam\u2019s leading contemporary art museum<\/a>. There you\u2019ll find works by Picasso, Matisse, Warhol and more of the world\u2019s leading modern artists.<\/p>\n

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Van Gogh Museum<\/p>\n

The Van Gogh Museum is an essential stop on any 48 hour visit to Amsterdam<\/a>. If you\u2019ve only got time for one museum, this is the one to choose. Get your tickets early though, particularly if you are visiting during peak times. Cleverly laid-out to tell the story of Van Gogh\u2019s life, his influences and tragic demise, the museum is a celebration the city\u2019s most beloved modern artist. You\u2019ll be treated to an explosion of colourful canvasses, calm scenes of nature, and, of course, self-portraits like no other.<\/p>\n

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Broewerij \u2018t IJ Brewery and Windmill<\/p>\n

A WINDMILL AND A BREWERY<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Admiring all that artwork is thirsty work. Escape the city centre for an evening visit to Broewerij \u2018t IJ, one of Amsterdam\u2019s leading microbreweries<\/a>. Hop on tram 10 and get off at the windmill, or an Uber should get you there for approximately \u20ac12. Formerly an eighteenth-century bathhouse, the brewery sits at the base of Holland\u2019s largest wooden windmill. Take a short tour, then grab a table and sample the seasonal brews and tasty local delicacies against the backdrop of an iconic Dutch landmark. It doesn\u2019t get much better than that.<\/p>\n

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DAY TWO<\/h4>\n

BEST FOR BREAKFAST<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Stop in at Greenwoods Singel<\/a> for top-class\u00a0eggs Benedict, homemade cakes, pies and great coffee. The pretty canal-side tearoom serves breakfast all day \u2013 ask for the window seat so you can watch the world cycle by.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for a lighter bite, try nearby Brasserie Baton for a freshly baked croissant, piece of gingerbread and a tea or coffee with beautiful views of the canal.<\/p>\n

CANAL CRUISE <\/strong><\/h4>\n

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a boat tour of city\u2019s intricate maze of Golden Age canals. There are dozens of cruise options<\/a> to choose from.\u00a0Consider whether you would prefer a luxury cruise with a local guide, a hop on hop off option or pizza and beer as you sightsee.<\/p>\n

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Festival of Lights<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Planning a visit in December? The Amsterdam Light Festival<\/a>, a festival of light, art and water will see more than 40 artworks by artists from all over the world, including renowned artist Ai Wewei, illuminate the canals.\u00a0For the best views of the unique installations, take the special Water Colour Route cruise by Amsterdam Canal Cruises<\/a>, where a live guide will tell you about the art and the artist behind them.<\/p>\n

HIDDEN GEMS IN OUD-WEST <\/strong><\/h4>\n

See a different side of the city in the Oud-West (Old West) neighbourhood. Don\u2019t miss out on the bustling international food hall, Foodhallen<\/a>. Highlights include Meneer Temaki for Japanese street food, Jabugo for Iberian ham and the G&T bar for gin fans. Housed in a former tram depot, the complex includes a cinema and arts centre. When you\u2019ve completed your tour of the Foodhallen, get a fix of the best caffeine in the city in the nearby espresso bar Lot Sixty One<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Nine Little Streets<\/p>\n

EXPERIENCE GEZELLIG<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Autumn is the best time of year to experience gezellig, the Dutch take on the Danish \u2018hygge\u2019 concept of \u2018feeling cosy.\u2019 Amsterdam\u2019s brown caf\u00e9s, the traditional Dutch pubs, are the best places to get a taste of gezellig. Round off your city break with a cosy evening in one the local watering holes and enjoy a key part of Amsterdam\u2019s culture. Caf\u00e9 Hoppe<\/a> at Spui, Caf\u00e9 de Dokter<\/a> in the Nine Streets neighbourhood and Caf\u00e9 Chris<\/a> in the Jordaan neighbourhood are three of the best.<\/p>\n

SUMMER FESTIVALS IN AMSTERDAM<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you are visiting over the summer months, Amsterdam is a hive of festivity. Some of the highlights held every year include Vondelpark Open Air Theatre where you can catch a classical music performance, Amsterdam\u2019s Pride festival is one of the biggest in the world and something not to be missed if you can make it at this time.<\/p>\n

WINTER IN AMSTERDAM<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you are spending two days in Amsterdam in Winter, there is still lots to do. In December you can take in one of the many Christmas markets that take place around the city. Each market has a different theme. The Funky Christmas market, held each Sunday in December, offers local arts and crafts as well as gl\u00fchwein and tasty treats to warm you up. If the weather is altogether too cold, head indoors to enjoy the Amsterdamsche Kerstmarkt. Located in Noord the neighbourhood behind central station, is a place to pick up some gifts for your nearest and dearest while enjoying the best food, drink and live music Amsterdam has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Book your flights to Amsterdam today!<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Book Now<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":839,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2270,1469],"class_list":["post-826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city-trip","category-destinations"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n48 Hours In\u2026 Amsterdam - Aer Lingus Hub<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n