Top 10 Amsterdam Attractions for Adults and Couples
There are plenty of Amsterdam attractions for adults and couples to get stuck into on your visit. Of course, Amsterdam is the home of cheese wheels, the red-light district, windmills and tulips, but what are the top attractions you should see? This blog will cover 10 Amsterdam attractions for couples and adults.
Here at a couple things to do, we recently took a trip to the Netherlands to try out some of Amsterdam's attractions for adults. Robyn's brother lives in Amsterdam (or Dam), so he was the perfect tour guide to show us the best spots.
As a couple exploring Amsterdam, we found some unique and exciting activities we would love to share with you today.
Below we have collected together the top 10 Amsterdam attractions for adults and couples you need to explore and try when visiting the Netherlands. (btw, if you’re looking for a place to stay, try the link below).
Hire a boat
A must-do attraction is a boat trip along the canals. There is no better way to escape the crowds see the city than by the canals as you can see all the different nooks and crannies you can't see from the streets.
We would recommend hiring your own boat if you are confident enough to! Skip the tourist boat and opt for a private boat experience/canal cruise, especially as a couple.
As mentioned previously, we were lucky enough to have our tour guide showing us around all the Amsterdam attractions, which was fantastic during our boat trip. We recommend the company Mokumboot as they are super easy and have good value for money.
We hired it for 2 hours, took our own drinks and food and enjoyed winding down the Amsterdam canals and seeing all the historic buildings and houseboats.
It is also the best Amsterdam Attraction for couples that want a good selfie together!
Moco Museum
Now, as adults, museums have become more appealing. Dam is home to many museums for you to explore as a couple.
When we were looking for Amsterdam attractions, the Moco Museum stood out to us. This was probably because it had an NFT exhibition during our visit, which is a keen interest of Henry's.
It has art from Banksy, a must-see Amsterdam attraction for adults and couples. Not only that, but some of the exhibitions included were unique as we had never seen them in any museum before.
We highly recommend this museum as every section of it is different, quirky and fabulous for a photo opportunity.
Henry loved the art there, as you can see from the pictures. It is an excellent Amsterdam attraction for adults to get some more mature images from their travels.
Sex museum Museums
If you are looking for some fun things to do in Dam for couples, then the sex museum might be right up your street.
At first, we were sceptical about this museum as we thought it might be a bit naff. However, if you want to see some adult attractions in Amsterdam, then we would really recommend it.
This museum is a full-on history tour of sex throughout the year. You will be laughing one minute and surprised the next. It is a good Amsterdam attraction for couples to do together as a bonding experience.
After we went to the museum, we were in such a great mood. It really added some light-hearted fun to the day. So, we say if you have time to spare time, this is a fun thing to do in Amsterdam for couples specifically.
Explore the Red-light district
The red-light district is like nothing you would have seen before, as it is a unique attraction to Amsterdam. It really is like nothing you have ever seen before.
Spread across the Dam canals are almost 300 rented windows for female, male and transgender sex workers of all ages. Surrounding the red-light district are other Amsterdam attractions for adults, such as sex shops, theatres and coffee shops.
While that scene isn't for us, it's definitely one of the best Amsterdam attractions for couples as it gets the conversation flowing between you both! It's also great for building trust - you shouldn't be worried walking down a couple of streets with your partner.
It is like nothing you have ever seen before as it is one of the only countries in the world where sex work is legal! And don't worry, it is not like some dingy old dodgy streets. On the contrary, it is lively and full of life.
Our top tip would be, do not take photos! It is not allowed, and you don't want to be caught out by pimps that lurk on the streets.
Tulip market or the field
If you are a couple looking for more wholesome Dam attractions, then a trip to the Tulip market or tulip tour.
Couples tend to opt for visiting Amsterdam in March to early May as it is the best time to see the carpet of tulips that cover the Netherlands. The whole of April is the tulip festival, where you will almost find it hard to avoid tulips. We recommend either Vondelpark or Rembrandtplein for the best experience.
If you are an adventurous couple, take a trip out of Dam to Keukenhof. This is more of an Amsterdam attraction for adults as it is a peaceful day away from the city. Furthermore, it is easy to get only an hour away by train.
The gardens are so well kept you will be astounded by the beauty. Couples usually wander around here, so you won't feel left out.
Cheese tasting
To our surprise, cheese shops were on every corner in Amsterdam. There are a host of different activities you can do in Amsterdam that involve cheese.
You can take workshops where you can eat cheese paired with lots of wine. If that does not sound like an adult's idea of fun, I don't know what does! Through a workshop, you can thoroughly learn about all the different cheeses, the traditional way it is made and touch on some Dutch history.
We opted for a cheaper, more accessible route by stopping at every cheese shop we saw. Amsterdam centre is filled with them, and they usually have lots of samples. Henry enjoyed picking up a variety of cheese as he walked through the shop, almost like his own tour! You could say it's the equivalent of a child in a sweet shop.
This is definitely more of an Amsterdam attraction for adults as we feel you can fully appreciate the time and effort put into making the cheeses. As you know, we love a Michelin star restaurant, so you can't beat some fantastic local cuisine.
Night club
If you are a party couple, Dam is one of the best cities to party till the sun comes up. Home to a host of the underground techno rave scene, there is plenty of options.
Robyn has been to Dam several times and attended Dekmantel Festival twice. This is one of the best Amsterdam attractions for adults and couples that anyone can enjoy. Enjoy 3 days of music, drinks, food and fun.
If you are looking for a nightclub, Dam is home to several gay clubs and has a fantastic gay scene. The clubs in that area are so much fun, and you are bound to have fun as a couple. Or, try Club Escape which is Amsterdam's biggest club.
When a couple things to do were in Dam, we ended up in a karaoke bar. This was surprisingly so much fun for a couple to do in Amsterdam. Admittedly, we were rather drunk, but neither the less; we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Even Henry had a good time singing some Abba in the heart of Amsterdam!
Tallest swing- Adams lookout
If you have never been to Dam or the Netherlands, you will be shocked at how flat the country is. Unlike most major cities, which have significantly tall buildings you can see for miles, Amsterdam does not.
This Amsterdam attraction is held on the 22 floors of the A'DAM Toren, probably the highest point in the centre of Amsterdam. If you buy a ticket, you will be fast-tracked to the elevator at the top and a picture included from your visit.
Couples will be able to see the whole of Amsterdam from the top. Couples looking for fun things to do in Amsterdam will love the tallest swing in the world at the top. It holds two people, perfect for holding hands with your partner as you swing over Amsterdam.
The great part of Amsterdam's attraction is that you can also try out the Amsterdam ferry. A cool fact is that the ferries in the Netherlands are all free! This is because many canals in Amsterdam can only be crossed by boat. So, pop on the ferry from Amsterdam Centraal station to the Adam Toren.
Vondelpark
If you want to ride around Amsterdam on your trip, we suggest going through Vondelpark. In Amsterdam, cycling is the equivalent of driving in London- not fun or easy!
One of the must-see Amsterdam Attractions for adults to enjoy is Vondelpark. I feel like, as an adult, you can fully appreciate the beauty and serenity of the landscaped park.
It is a very narrow but long park that stretches far across the outer rings of Amsterdam. We highly recommend getting some snacks from a local shop and enjoying a picnic in the park on a summer's day.
As mentioned previously, bike riding in Amsterdam is not the safest due to the laws of the road being different. In addition, Amsterdam locals whizz past and can be known the knock you off your bike. As a couple, we recommend cycling through the park to avoid the traffic.
Bikes are as common as red telephone boxes in London. Once you have rented your bike, wander to the park and explore!
If biking isn't for you and you're looking for things to do, check out our spontaneous things to do with your boyfriend blog.
Zandvoort beach
I know that a beach was the last attraction you expected to see on a city must-see list. However, it can get surprisingly hot when Robyn has been to Amsterdam in the summer.
Therefore, this beach that is near Amsterdam is the perfect Amsterdam attraction to see to cool off if you are there in the summer. A short train journey away is worth it for some stunning views and fun in the sun.
As mentioned before, the Netherlands is very flat and coastal, which some stunning seaside towns. So, if you are more of a beach holiday couple and want to escape the buzz of the city, this Amsterdam beach is perfect.
Spoilt for choice with a selection of resorts, restaurants, cafés and bars, you can make the day of it. This is a fun thing to do as a couple in Amsterdam as it is unique and not expected from your visit.
If you feel wild, test out some water sports to help cool off in the hot summer months!
Our Top Amsterdam Attraction for Adults pick - Waterkant
Waterkant in Amsterdam is a hidden gem! We highly recommend this spot for adults as it is away from the busy centre and not full of tourists.
This bar is so unique because it is hidden underneath a car park. From the street, it just looks like a car park. However, from the canals, it is a vibrant bar with seats lining the canal's edge. People often sit with their feet hanging over the canal.
We went to Waterkant after our boat trip as the drop-off point for the Mokumboot was just across from it. So, if you are trying to impress your other half with a cool and unique drink spot on your visit, Waterkant can provide that.
Our Top Amsterdam Attraction for Adults pick - Waterkant
We ordered lots of classic Dutch snacks and some drinks. The Dutch snacks' pub' snacks usually consist of a lot of fried food and cheese. If you don't fancy the snacks, then they also serve food. While it doesn't have the same wow as London's rooftop bars, it's still a top place to go!
This was a lovely discovery and was perfect on a sunny day in Amsterdam. It is best to access Waterkant by the tram on the outer rings of central Amsterdam.
Final thoughts for Amsterdam attractions for adults and couples
So, whether you are the type of adult that wants some wholesome activities in Amsterdam or whether you are a wild couple looking for adventure. There is something for everything in this fantastic city.
One of the main things we picked up during our time in Amsterdam is that the city hosts such a range of activities. There is the red-light district, coffee shops and rave scene to immerse yourself into. This is one of the leading Amsterdam attractions for adults and couples outside of The Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank's House.
However, it doesn't have to be about that at all. You can dive into Dutch culture with cheese tasting, tulip observing or canal wandering. We found as adults that this was more up our street and the highlights of our trip.
That being said, Amsterdam attractions for adults are not lacking, and you will always find something to do. Couples embarking on the city every year, so what are you waiting for.
If you try any of the above activities, let us know what you think, we would love to hear.
