14 1-Day Tours in Amsterdam to Build a Day Around

1.Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15,931 reviews · from $43Our pick

Travel by comfortable coach from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken. Expect windmills, Dutch cheese, fishing villages, and traditional crafts. Guides such as Francesca, Luca, and Tony have earned praise for lively commentary, while the all-inclusive option adds a boat ride, working windmill, clog-making, and a Marker house.

“Such great value for money, definitely worth doing this tour! We had so much fun. Loved seeing all the villages, the cheese tasting and Stroopwafel was awesome a great bonus. The whole tour was just amazing, we had excelled guides, Lucas, Luca they brought all the vibes and our bus driver Peter.”

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2.Day Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,392 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45Top rated

Travel by coach from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, Marken, and a cheese and clog workshop. Guides such as Laura, Rob, Tony, and Rodrigo bring Dutch history to life. Expect tastings, free time, short drives, and an optional one-hour canal cruise.

“Lovely countryside trip, well-paced with an early start and finish, leaving time for a canal boat ride in Amsterdam and evening city lights. Tony, our guide, was passionate, knowledgeable, and made the history and local life fun and engaging. Cheese tasting and wooden clog demo were highlights. Fresh, tasty, and much cheaper than city centre prices, though cheese cannot be brought back to the UK. As expected, walking around the countryside was the best part of the tour. The tour bus had both English and Spanish speakers. We sat downstairs while the Spanish group had the upper level with better views, hence 4.5 stars instead of 5, but still very…”

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3.Zaanse Schans, Edam, & Marken Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,414 reviews · from $35Best value

Leave Amsterdam for a guided day through Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken. You’ll see working windmills, taste Gouda and Edam cheese, watch clogs being made, and enjoy free time by the water. English and Spanish guides include Ilya, Xavier, Pia, and Miguel.

“The trip was well organised with guided tours in appropriate places and really interesting information. Ilya and Miguel were superb! We felt really welcomed and even though it was a big group, it did feel like they really cared about us having a good time”

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4.Giethoorn Day Trip with Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,372 reviews · from $90

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Amsterdam to Giethoorn, cruise its quiet canals past restored farmhouses, and stop at the 32-kilometer Afsluitdijk. English and Spanish guides provide commentary, with free time for lunch and exploring. The nine-hour outing costs $90 and returns to Central Station.

“It was a magical place. I highly recommend it. The tour guides were nice and very informative. I learned a lot about the country's history”

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5.Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,517 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $70

Travel by air-conditioned coach from central Amsterdam to Bruges, with an English and Spanish-speaking guide, a short walking introduction, and about four and a half hours to explore alone. Expect canals, chocolate shops, lace, churches, medieval squares, and a long but easy road day.

“It’s a great trip. Our guide Marianne really did a fantastic job pointing out the main sites and taking us through the city, even though it was so crowded with the Easter holiday. She also pointed out different things along the way from the bus. The driver was also very good.”

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6.Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans Windmills Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,063 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $106

Join a multilingual guide at Amsterdam Central Station for a 9-hour trip to Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans. Walk among tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, watch clog-making, taste Dutch cheese, and add a one-hour canal cruise if you choose. Guides such as Diana, Els, and Maija have earned praise for their clear, engaging commentary.

“Beautiful Gardens and easy access. Nice bus and guide. You can go off on your own and enjoy it yourself”

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7.Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans Windmills Guided Day Trip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,058 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans for windmills, clogs, and cheese, then cruise Giethoorn’s canals for an hour. Guides such as Ibrahim and Jay add local stories, humor, and practical tips. Expect a 10.5-hour day, a group of up to 50, and plenty of time on your feet.

“We had a great time and really enjoy this tour! It is definitely worth taking this tour if you visit the Netherlands. Out tour guide Jay made it even better, we went above and beyond and exceeded our expectations. I loved all the details and you can tell the love he puts into his work. Thank you Jay!”

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8.Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 647 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $70

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Amsterdam to Bruges with an English-speaking guide. Walk through Minnewater, the Begijnhof, Burg Square, and Markt, hear the city’s medieval stories, enjoy about two hours of free time, and get tips for chocolate, waffles, and lunch.

“We had a very pleasant experience. The driver José and guide Blanca were both very professional. Despite the 3 hour bus ride, it did not feel long as Blanca would share info and insights throughout the journey. She spoke bilingually, and everything was always said in both Spanish and English so you do not miss anything. The tour in Bruges itself was nice and we felt that a lot was covered. TIP: If you plan to climb the bell tower, book quickly straight after your tour ends. You may have to wait an hour or two for your timeslot.”

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9.Charms of Brussels and Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 305 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $204

This 15-hour English-language day trip takes you from Amsterdam to Brussels and Bruges by air-conditioned coach. Expect guided walks, the Atomium, Grand Place, Manneken Pis, canals, Lake of Love, and free time for Belgian food and chocolate. Guides such as Tony, Jorge, Santiago, and Adrian lead the route.

“Summer in Europe and no air conditioning in the bus. One passenger simply abandoned the excursion!!! Can you imagine how bad it was?”

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10.Guided Day Trip – Volendam, Zaanse Schans, Marken & Edam

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 232 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $42

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Marken, Volendam, and Edam. You will see an operating windmill, a clog-making demonstration, cheese tasting, Dutch cookies, and, with the all-inclusive ticket, a 30-minute boat ride between Marken and Volendam. English and Spanish guides lead the day.

“Zaanse Schans was beautiful, unfortunately too little time in every location. In Marken was the worst experience, owners of the clog museum are the nastiest people we ever met.”

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11.Day trip to Tulip Farm, Keukenhof + Windmill Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $102

Spend about nine hours visiting De Tulperij tulip farm, cruising past Dutch windmills and villages, and exploring Keukenhof’s seven million bulbs. Farmer Daan explains how flowers are grown, while flexible return buses let you choose how long to stay at the gardens. English tour, transport and entry included.

“Well worth a trip out. Farmer told us a few things that we weren’t aware of, but a shame that we couldn’t purchase some bulbs from him at the time. Cruise, was relaxing and informative of the surrounding fields and windmills. Kenkenhof was truly stunning. It was very busy, but the area is vast, so no issues. The colours were breathtaking. Need to time it right or you will miss a fantastic display.”

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12.Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 204 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $66

Leave Amsterdam at 9:00 a.m. for Bruges by air-conditioned coach, with a driver-guide and a local city guide. Expect a bilingual English and Spanish ride on some departures, a guided walk past Bruges highlights and Michelangelo’s masterpiece, then about three hours for chocolate, waffles, canals, shopping, and your own exploring.

“Great day trip, really pleasant and knowledgeable guide. Ample time to walk around and shop it eat after tour. Recommended to eat before or bring a snack because you don't eat until after the tour which is late afternoon. Great information on the city.”

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13.Haarlem Private Day Trip from Amsterdam with Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $325

Join local guide Anna for a private five-hour Haarlem visit from Amsterdam. Your fast-train tickets are included, and the route can bend toward your interests, from Grote Kerk and medieval courtyards to museums, canals, shops, and the Corrie ten Boom House.

“Haarlem is just 20 mins from Amsterdam by train. It’s a neighborhood of Amsterdam. It is picture perfect area. It has an old square and a windmill. If possible, make this your base and stay here. It’s a quiet and laid back area but with the lake and windmill it’s a charming area. The pedestrian shopping starting from the old square is fantastic. Lots of eateries and plenty of shops. Great vibes and energy. I give this place 10/10 in Amsterdam. Don’t miss this area, you can easily walk from the station to the old square and the windmill, you can complete it within 3-4 hours without any rush…..”

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14.Brussels City Tour: Day Trip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $709

Travel from Amsterdam to Brussels in a private luxury car or van with hotel pickup and drop-off. Your driver-host takes you to the Atomium, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, and Grand Place, with room to shape the day around your interests.

“Extremely professional service. Highly recommended to others. Very knowledgeable and courteous. We feel safe with his driving”

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