Amsterdam is having a moment - Here’s why you should go in 2027
I’ve had record numbers of clients visiting Amsterdam in 2026, and having returned myself this year, I can absolutely see why. For too long, Amsterdam’s nightlife dominated the headlines and shaped people’s expectations. Its beautiful streets, extraordinary art collections and inviting café culture sometimes got lost behind that reputation, leaving plenty of people overlooking somewhere that could be their perfect city break. My own visits have made me even more enthusiastic about recommending it. I first visited last year as part of a river cruise, before returning this year to explore further. The more I discover, the more I feel Amsterdam deserves a fresh look. If you’re thinking about a city break for 2027, here’s why I’d put it firmly on your list.
A city with so much more to offer
There’s no denying Amsterdam has great nightlife, and the Red Light District still exists. But the city authorities and tourism organisation have been actively working to reduce nuisance tourism and put more emphasis on Amsterdam’s culture, neighbourhoods and the people who live there. That nightlife reputation certainly doesn’t have to define your holiday. With the right hotel location and a little thought about where you explore, you can build a stay around galleries, canal-side lunches, independent shops and beautiful neighbourhoods. You don’t need to make the nightlife districts part of your itinerary. What struck me on returning was how much there is here for people who simply enjoy discovering a city: its architecture, its history, its food and those everyday moments that give somewhere its character.
Easy to reach, easy to explore
Amsterdam is one of those destinations where the journey can feel refreshingly straightforward. Direct flights from a wide range of UK airports, including regional departures such as Bristol, Cardiff and Norwich, mean you can often fly locally rather than travelling to a major airport hub. When you’re only going away for a few nights, that makes a real difference.
There’s also the direct Eurostar from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal, taking you straight into the city. This has been an increasingly popular choice with my clients this year, and it’s a lovely option if you prefer travelling by rail. Once there, you don’t need to rely on taxis. Walking is a wonderful way to explore, while trams, trains and the metro help connect the places further apart. Confident cyclists can also embrace Amsterdam’s famous cycling culture.
Canals, coffee and becoming a local for a day
Especially over a weekend, I’d really recommend slowing things down. Find a café you like, order a coffee and watch the city going about its day. Take a leisurely breakfast, browse a few independent shops and leave time to wander without a particular destination in mind. Become a local for a day, or at least settle into the rhythm of the neighbourhood.
Amsterdam has so many beautiful streets that moving between the sights becomes part of the pleasure. Canal-side houses, little bridges, interesting shopfronts and inviting places to stop all make it a city that rewards curiosity.
It’s tempting to pack a short break with back-to-back activities, but here I’d always leave some breathing space. A long lunch and an afternoon exploring can be just as memorable as a headline attraction.
Art that will stop you in your tracks
The cultural side of Amsterdam is a huge part of why I recommend it. I was fortunate enough to have a tour of the Rijksmuseum during my visit and was blown away by the art on display. Having someone bring the paintings and their stories to life added so much to the experience. I would highly recommend a visit, and a guided tour is well worth considering.
Alongside the Rijksmuseum, you have the Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt House Museum, giving you plenty of scope to shape a break around your interests. You could easily make art the focus of your stay, or choose one museum and give yourself time to enjoy it properly.
The Anne Frank House is another important part of the city’s history. I haven’t personally visited, but many of my clients have included it in their trips. If you would like to go, plan ahead: visits require a timed ticket booked online through the official website.
My Top Tip: Why not time it for the tulips?
If you have flexibility over your dates, consider combining Amsterdam with a visit to Keukenhof. I had the pleasure of visiting this year, and the sheer number of tulips and the creativity of the displays really are remarkable. There’s colour everywhere, and it makes a wonderful addition to a spring city break. I visited quite late in the season, and it did show. If the flowers are a priority, I would lean towards an earlier visit rather than leaving it until the final days, while remembering that flowering always depends on the weather.
Do also be prepared for crowds. This is an exceptionally famous display, attracting visitors from all over the world. Go expecting a popular attraction rather than a quiet garden, and, in my opinion, it is well worth the visit.
For 2027, Keukenhof is scheduled to open from 18 March to 9 May, so this is something to plan your travel dates around.
Staying longer? Get out into the Dutch countryside
If you’re visiting for longer than a weekend, I’d always recommend including a day outside the city. Zaanse Schans is a lovely option for discovering traditional windmills, wooden houses and Dutch crafts. It gives you a completely different setting to explore and a taste of the heritage beyond Amsterdam’s canals.
You could also head towards the coast. Around Zandvoort, sandy beaches and seaside dining offer the opportunity to swap city streets for sea air. Depending on the season, that might mean a beach afternoon or a bracing walk followed by lunch. Public transport makes these excursions possible without hiring a car.
Adding that extra day can turn a city break into a more varied escape, with culture, countryside and coast all featuring in the same trip.
A brilliant beginning to a longer holiday
Amsterdam also makes an excellent starting point for a bigger adventure. My first visit was as part of a river cruise, and I’d certainly recommend considering a few nights in the city before setting sail. There are itineraries departing from Amsterdam that explore the Rhine, as well as the Netherlands and Belgium, so you can combine a city stay with a holiday where the scenery keeps changing.
For families, Amsterdam can be the gateway to a wider Netherlands holiday, perhaps combining a few days in the city with a stay at Efteling. Its fairytale atmosphere brings a different dimension to the trip, and onward travel is possible by public transport if you would prefer not to drive.
Could Amsterdam be your next city break?
What I love about Amsterdam is how easily you can shape it around the way you like to travel. You can spend your days immersed in art and history, linger over coffee between canal-side walks, head out to see the tulips or use the city as the beginning of a longer adventure. There’s far more here than its old reputation might suggest, and my visits have left me keen to help more people discover it.
If Amsterdam is tempting you for 2027, get in touch. I’d love to help design your trip, from convenient flights or Eurostar travel to a carefully chosen hotel and experiences that suit you.
