As much as we love London, sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what you need to break up the routine. No-one looks forward to airport chaos – so why not start your trip as you mean to go on, and enjoy a stress-free journey on the Eurostar? In just four hours, you can travel direct from St Pancras International to Amsterdam Centraal. Thanks to five daily departures, you can plan your trip around your schedule – goodbye tedious airport queues, hello spontaneous getaways!
In fact, booking last minute might even pay off. Eurostar Snap offers amazing discounts on last-minute tickets meaning you can head out as soon as this week. Simply choose your travel dates and a time window, and Eurostar assigns your exact departure 48 hours before travel – with savings of up to 50%* while maintaining the full on board experience. What’s more, once you arrive you can enjoy 2 FOR 1 entry at some of the city’s most iconic museums with your Eurostar ticket.
Book your Eurostar trip now and explore these Amsterdam options.
1. Immerse Yourself in World Class Art and Culture
Amsterdam is a dream destination for museum lovers. With a Eurostar ticket, you can access 2 FOR 1 entry at some of the city’s most famous museums including the Moco museum which includes a unique collection of over 100 modern, contemporary, digital, and immersive works of art exhibits including Banksy, Modern Masters, or Digital and Immersive Art. You can also secure the deal on the H’ARTmuseum, which seamlessly brings together famous artworks from around the globe through one-of-a-kind exhibitions including American Identities: David Levinthal & Chicano Prints and Chez Matisse, arriving in October. Another must-visit for first time visitors is the Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s work in the world. For something more contemporary, Nxt Museum which focuses on digital and immersive art, or the STRAAT Museum which celebrates large-scale graffiti and street art in a former shipyard warehouse, are also great options.
2. Taste Traditional Dutch Cuisine
Eating your way through a city is one of the best ways to experience the culture – and Dutch cuisine offers hearty, comforting flavours. For a no frills home-style meal, Hap Hmm offers dishes reminiscent of a Dutch grandmother’s kitchen – think meat and potatoes for wallet-friendly prices. If you want to try something a touch more experimental, De Kas provides unique farm-to-table experiences inside a set of greenhouses, serving a daily menu built around fresh produce grown onsite.
3. Shop the Nine Streets
Can’t go away without indulging in some retail therapy? In Amsterdam, the best place to spend your day and your money is the Nine Streets. The picturesque neighbourhood offers a mix of designer boutiques, art galleries and vintage clothing stores. Even if you’re not planning to shop, or are tagging along with a friend who is, it’s worth wandering through simply to admire the canals and beautifully preserved 17th-century architecture.
4. Explore the canals
The city’s canals are its defining feature, and experiencing them from the water is a great way to get the full experience. Rent a pedal boat, canoe or stand-up paddle board for an active adventure, or opt for a guided cruise to relax while learning about the city’s history. Of course, strolling along the canal paths with stops for drinks and snacks is always there as an alternative way to experience the canals from land.
5. Cycle like a local
Amsterdam is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world, and riding a bike is the quintessential local experience. Rent a bike at one of the many rental shops in the city to explore at your own pace or join a guided tour to uncover hidden corners of Amsterdam while learning from a local.
6. Learn about history at Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House offers a powerful and moving insight into Amsterdam’s wartime history. The preserved annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II now stands as a museum dedicated to her life and legacy, available to visit. Tickets often sell out quickly, so booking in advance is strongly recommended.
7. Taste a variety of Dutch cheeses
The Netherlands is known for its cheese, and Amsterdam is the perfect place to sample iconic varieties such as Gouda and Edam. Try out the Henri Willig cheese tasting to learn about the authentic cheese making process, or pair your cheeses with a selection of wines and learn how to distinguish their flavours at this specialty cheese shop.
*Time slots are before or after 13:00 if you are travelling from London or from 14:00 from any other station (excluding German stations)
**Get up to 50% discount off the public price of a Standard ticket 7 days before departure.