An Amsterdam girls trip hits the sweet spot of European city break: beautiful canals, great brunch, world-class shopping, spa days, sunset canal boats, and one of Europe’s best nightlife scenes — all in a compact, walkable, safe city. This guide covers everything you need: top activities, the best brunch spots, shopping, spas, canal cruises, a 3-day itinerary, and how to plan the perfect weekend in Amsterdam with friends.
Why Amsterdam for a Girls Trip
- Compact & walkable: most activities within 20 minutes’ walk.
- Safe: one of Europe’s safest big cities for solo female travel too.
- Brunch capital: dozens of stylish daytime spots.
- Canals: most photogenic city in Europe.
- Shopping: from luxury (P.C. Hooftstraat) to vintage (Nine Streets) to flea markets (Waterlooplein).
- Spas & wellness: spa-rich city with extensive pampering options.
- Cocktail scene: speakeasies, rooftops, jenever rooms.
- Direct flights from most European hubs: cheap weekend pricing.
Top Girls Trip Activities
1. Private Canal Boat with Prosecco
- Hire a skipper-driven boat for 6-15 people: €400-800 for 2 hours.
- Bring your own drinks and snacks.
- Sunset slots fill up first; book a month ahead.
- Top operators: Lovely Cruises, Flagship Amsterdam, Mokumboot.
- Themed: prosecco cruise, gin tasting cruise, wine cruise.
2. Brunch + Bottomless Mimosas
- The Hoxton (Lotti’s): stylish brunch with bottomless options.
- Pluk: pretty Nine Streets café; great photos.
- Mooshka: cosy vegan-friendly brunch.
- Meatless District: vegan eggs Benedict, kimchi bowls.
- Bakers & Roasters: NZ-style brunch.
- Café George: classic French brasserie.
- Greenwoods: traditional English brunch.
- Cottoncake: chic Oud-Zuid breakfast café.
3. Cocktail-Making Class
- Group cocktail-making at Door 74, Tales & Spirits, or hotel bars.
- €50-90 per person for 2-hour class.
- Includes 3-4 cocktails + canapés.
- Book 2-3 weeks ahead.
4. Spa Day
- Akasha Spa at Conservatorium Hotel: city’s biggest luxury spa; €60+ day passes.
- Spa Zuiver: thermal Finnish saunas + outdoor pool.
- The College Hotel spa: boutique elegant.
- Sauna Deco: art-deco neighbourhood spa €20-30.
- Rust: massages and treatments — central.
5. Shopping (Vintage to Luxury)
- Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes): best curated shopping.
- P.C. Hooftstraat: luxury (Chanel, Hermès, Vuitton).
- Albert Cuyp Market: vintage + food.
- Westergasfabriek Sunday Market: indie design.
- De Bijenkorf: premier department store.
- Laura Dols: glamorous vintage.
- Episode: huge vintage selection.
6. Photo Shoot Around the Canals
- Hire a local photographer for 1-2 hour shoot (€150-300).
- Best photo spots: Magere Brug, Prinsengracht, Brouwersgracht, Nine Streets.
- Sunset or golden hour for the best light.
- Group polaroid cameras for fun candids.
7. Wine, Cheese & Picnic in Vondelpark
- Stock up at De Kaaskamer (cheese) and a wine shop.
- Picnic in Vondelpark, Westerpark, or Sarphatipark.
- Bring blanket and disposable cameras.
8. Burlesque or Pole Dance Class
- 2-hour fun group fitness/performance class.
- €40-70 per person.
- Operators: Burlesque Amsterdam, Pole Dance Amsterdam, Aerial Dance.
9. Drag Show or Cabaret Night
- Vivelavie (Amsterdam’s only drag-focused bar).
- Lellebel: drag karaoke.
- SoHo on Reguliersdwarsstraat: drag-friendly nights.
- Various theatre productions in Pride week and beyond.
10. Drinks Rooftop with View
- A’DAM Lookout + Madam restaurant (Noord — free ferry).
- Sky Lounge at Hilton Amsterdam Doubletree.
- SkyLounge Amsterdam.
- Tonight at Sir Adam Hotel (Noord).
- QO Hotel rooftop with garden.
3-Day Girls Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive & Welcome Drinks
- 15:00: Arrive; check into hotel.
- 16:00: Afternoon tea at Pulitzer Amsterdam.
- 18:00: Walk Nine Streets.
- 19:30: Dinner at NENI or Café George.
- 22:00: Cocktails at Door 74 (book ahead).
Day 2: Canals & Pampering
- 10:30: Brunch at the Hoxton or Pluk.
- 12:30: Private canal boat (2 hours with prosecco).
- 15:00: Shopping in P.C. Hooftstraat or Nine Streets.
- 17:00: Spa session at Akasha or Sauna Deco.
- 20:00: Dinner at Mr Stones or Restaurant ANNA.
- 22:30: Drag show at Vivelavie or club at Sugar Factory.
Day 3: Culture & Sunday Roast
- 11:00: Brunch at Bakers & Roasters.
- 13:00: Stedelijk Museum or Moco Museum.
- 15:00: Coffee at Cottoncake.
- 16:00: Free ferry to Noord; A’DAM Tower swing + Madam restaurant.
- 18:30: Goodbye drinks at SkyLounge.
Best Hotels for Girls Trips
- The Hoxton Herengracht: stylish, central, great Lotti’s brunch.
- Pulitzer Amsterdam: heritage canal-house luxury.
- The Dylan: intimate boutique with 2-Michelin Vinkeles.
- Soho House Amsterdam: members’-club vibe.
- citizenM Amsterdam: budget-stylish, multiple locations.
- Sir Adam Hotel (Noord): rooftop swing + bar.
- Pillows Anna van den Vondel: charming boutique near Vondelpark.
- Ambassade Hotel: literary canal-house.
See our where to stay pillar.
Restaurants Perfect for Groups
- NENI Amsterdam: Eastern Mediterranean small plates.
- Restaurant ANNA: vegetarian fine dining.
- Mr Stones: vegan steakhouse (date-worthy).
- Tempo Doeloe: Indonesian rijsttafel for big groups.
- Foodhallen: indoor food hall — easy for indecisive groups.
- The Pancake Bakery: classic Dutch.
- Café George: French brasserie.
- Cafe Restaurant Stork (Noord): waterside.
Best Time for a Girls Trip
- May-June: tulips, terraces, long days.
- September-October: golden weather, fewer crowds.
- Christmas markets: cozy December weekends.
- Avoid: King’s Day (overcrowded), Pride (book a year ahead), ADE (techno chaos).
Bachelorette Specific Tips
- Designated "maid of honour" for budgeting and bookings.
- Group payment app (Splitwise) for shared expenses.
- Sash + accessories: buy in advance (Amsterdam shops sell out).
- Private canal boat is the #1 must-do.
- Photo shoot around the canals as a memento.
- Cooking class or cocktail class is fun activity #2.
- Book a restaurant private dining room for dinner.
- See our bachelor/bachelorette guide.
Average Costs for a Girls Trip
- 2-3 night weekend: €350-600 per person all-in.
- Hotel (4-star, twin): €100-180/night per person.
- Brunch: €25-35.
- Dinner: €35-70.
- Private canal boat: €60-100 per person (shared).
- Spa: €60-150 per person.
- Cocktail class: €60-90 per person.
- Activities: €30-100 per person each.
- Tourist tax: 12.5% on accommodation.
Practical Tips
- Pack comfortable shoes: cobblestones.
- Pack one nice dress: for the cocktail bar or fine dining.
- Layers: weather changes hourly.
- Umbrella: small foldable.
- Pre-book everything: canal boat, cocktails, brunches.
- Designated organiser: shares the booking work.
- Travel insurance: especially for groups.
- WhatsApp group: for planning + day-of coordination.
- Cash for tips: 10% on dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amsterdam safe for a girls trip?
Very — one of Europe’s safest big cities. Solo female travel is comfortable.
How many days for a girls trip?
3 nights ideal — enough to do brunch, canal boat, spa, shopping, and a few dinners.
Best activities for Amsterdam girls trip?
Private canal boat with prosecco, brunch tour, Akasha spa day, vintage shopping in Nine Streets, cocktail class at Door 74.
Best time to visit?
May-June or September-October. Avoid King’s Day if you want quieter streets.
Budget for a weekend?
€350-600 per person all-in for a 2-3 night weekend.
Best hotel for a group?
The Hoxton Herengracht — stylish, central, brunch on site. Pulitzer for splurge. citizenM for budget.
Final Thoughts
An Amsterdam girls trip works because the city’s strengths align perfectly with weekend group travel: stylish brunches, private canal boats, spa days, sophisticated cocktail bars, vintage shopping, and famously safe streets. Book 3 nights, plan one big-event activity (private boat or spa day), spread brunches and shopping across the days, and end every evening with cocktails somewhere photogenic. You’ll be planning the next one before you’ve boarded the flight home.
Related Amsterdam guides
- Amsterdam for Every Traveler — family, solo, budget, luxury and accessible travel.
- Bachelor & bachelorette guide — activities that are fun and still legal.
- Romantic Amsterdam — 30 date-night and couple experiences.
- Solo travel in Amsterdam — safety, hostels and meeting people.
- Amsterdam shopping streets — from Kalverstraat to P.C. Hooftstraat.
- Amsterdam food markets — eight markets to eat your way through.
