Amsterdam City Breaks 2025/2026
Our Amsterdam City Break Guide For 2025/2026
Amsterdam city breaks are the perfect escape. As the capital of the Netherlands and just an hour flight from the UK, a city break in Amsterdam is easy, inspiring, educational and so much more. Nicknamed the Venice of the north because of its 60 miles of impressive canals and waterways, the city is made up of multiple areas.
From its trendy cafes and bars to its historic museums and beautiful parks, Amsterdam is an ideal city break destination. In the summer, the city's Vondelpark hosts a range of activities including an outdoor cinema and open air theatre. In winter, the streets light up and the cold air fills with the smell of Christmas markets.
Hotels In Amsterdam You Don't Want To Miss
Getting to, from and around Amsterdam
With low cost airlines like easyJet and Jet2 offering return flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from various points across the UK starting at £39 per person, getting to Amsterdam is easy on a budget, plus you've got the national airlines like British Airways, and KLM flies from many of the UK's smaller regional airports. Amsterdam airport (Schiphol) is an easy 15 minute journey by train into the city centre.
In a few years, Deutsche Bahn will introduce direct rail services between London and Amsterdam, however, you can also get to Amsterdam on the Eurostar to Brussels and then change. This can be a much more sustainable way to travel, especially if you're departing from London, however the journey will take a little longer.
Mini Cruises To Amsterdam
Some of the big cruise lines offer mini cruises to Amsterdam, departing from the UK and stopping in either IJmuiden or Rotterdam which is much further away. Companies like P&O Cruises, MSC and Royal Caribbean are options, while DFDS also offers a ferry to Amsterdam (via IJmuiden) from Newcastle.
Getting Around Amsterdam
Getting around Amsterdam is perfect on foot or by bike, especially if you've got a few days to explore at a leisurely pace. Why not take a walking or cycling tour of the city to make the most of this? If you're strict on time, there's a comprehensive and reliable public transport system, with multi-day travel card options, allowing you to travel on the metro, bus and tram throughout the city and save money at the same time. If you're on a budget break, some of the cheaper hotels are located outside of the city centre (Centrum), so it's worth weighing up the option of staying cheaper but potentially paying more for travel. And don't forget the option of a river cruise on the River Amstel
Iconic Things To Do In Amsterdam
Stedelijk Museum
Canal Boat Trip
Van Gogh Museum
Red Light District
Amsterdam By Eurostar
You can now travel by Eurostar to Amsterdam from London in less than 4 hours. The benefits of travelling from city centre to city centre easily can mean limiting the amount of time travelling to and from airports. Arriving into Amsterdam Centraal Station, you've got easy access to the rest of the city via tram, metro and even walking. If you're conscious of your carbon footprint, Amsterdam holidays can be enjoyed in a more sustainable way via train.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Hotels
There are some fantastic hotels dotted around the city like the Monet Garden Hotel (pictured) which is actually rated second best hotel in Amsterdam by TripAdvisor reviewers. Picking the right area is important in Amsterdam depending on your plans for the trip. While you might expect Centrum to be the place to be, which is true if you love to be central, love your nightlife and don't mind being close to the red light district.
Latest Amsterdam City Break Deals
How To Book An Escape
There are two ways you can book a break. The way we always recommend is an ATOL protected flight and hotel package. Brands like British Airways, Jet2CityBreaks, Expedia and Barrhead Travel, all offer financial protection through the ABTA and ATOL schemes when booking your train or flight with your accommodation. THe alternative is booking your travel arrangements separate to your hotel or apartment, like flights with Ryanair and then an Airbnb home. This can help save money and suit your travel requirements, but just bear in mind you should have travel insurance to help protect your arrangements should anything happen.