Three days is enough to get a genuine feel for Amsterdam and fit in one great day trip - as long as you don't try to cram in everything at once.
Day 1 belongs to the city centre: Dam Square, the Jordaan, the Nine Streets, and an afternoon in either the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. Round it off with an evening canal cruise - seeing the canal ring lit up at night is worth saving for the end of the day.
Day 2 is your day trip. Giethoorn or the Zaanse Schans, Volendam & Marken combination both work well here, trading the city for countryside and canals without roads.
Day 3 depends on the season: spring visitors should head to the tulip fields; any other time of year, use the day for the Anne Frank House, the Heineken Experience and cruise, or simply wandering De Pijp.
The pace here matters more than the checklist - Amsterdam rewards slow mornings and long lunches as much as sightseeing.
→ Book your day trip: Giethoorn Guided Canal Cruise from Amsterdam
