The Netherlands rewards curious travelers with centuries of merchant history, Golden Age art, and towns threaded by tranquil canals. Amsterdam’s 17th-century canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage site, while nearby Utrecht charms with wharf cellars turned cafés and a vibrant music scene. Trains connect everything in minutes, so you’ll spend more time exploring and less time in transit.

Expect stellar museums—Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and smaller gems—alongside design-forward cafés and music venues that punch well above their weight. The Dutch are famously bike-mad, which makes your cycling days both easy and exhilarating. Helmets are optional for locals but consider one if you’re not used to dense urban cycling.

Vegan travelers eat well here: from indulgent plant-based fast food to refined, seasonal cooking. Most restaurants clearly label vegan options and staff speak excellent English. Practical notes: public transport accepts contactless cards; museum entries (especially Anne Frank House and Van Gogh) use timed tickets—book ahead; and tap water is excellent.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam blends Golden Age grandeur with modern creative energy. Glide under arched bridges by boat, wander canal belts lined with gabled houses, and then pivot to contemporary neighborhoods in Noord. It’s compact, bike-friendly, and a paradise for museum lovers, vinyl hunters, and café dwellers.

• Don’t-miss sights: Rijksmuseum masterworks, Van Gogh’s starry canvases, the Jordaan backstreets, Vondelpark rides, and the free ferry to NDSM’s street art.
• Music & nightlife: Paradiso and Melkweg for touring acts, Bimhuis for jazz, and intimate late-night bars around De Pijp and the Jordaan.
• Vegan eats: From plant-based sushi to decadent burgers, the city is loaded with creative, clearly labeled options.

Getting to Amsterdam: Fly into Schiphol (AMS). Compare fares on Omio for flights within Europe, or use Trip.com for intercontinental flights. If you’re arriving by rail, check schedules and fares on Omio trains.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO):

• Hotel Estherea (boutique canal-house elegance on the Singel; quiet yet central—great for a 80/100 budget).
• Amsterdam Marriott Hotel (steps from Vondelpark and the museum quarter; reliable comfort and amenities).
• The Student Hotel Amsterdam City (stylish, social, and good value with excellent transit links).
• ClinkNOORD Hostel (budget-friendly design hostel across the IJ with a free ferry to Centraal).
• Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (for a splurge: palatial canal-front suites and a tranquil garden).
• Browse apartments and houseboats on VRBO Amsterdam or compare hotels on Hotels.com Amsterdam.

Day 1: Arrival, Jordaan Stroll, Evening on the Canals

Morning: In transit. If landing early, store luggage and shake off jet lag with a stroll through leafy Vondelpark—flat paths and café kiosks make it easy to stretch your legs.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel. Wander the Jordaan: peek into art galleries on Elandsgracht and boutique-lined streets like Tweede Tuindwarsstraat. Coffee break at Back to Black (house-roasted beans; ask for oat cappuccino).

Evening: Toast your first night with an illuminated canal glide. Book the Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise—90 minutes of bridges and gables glowing after dark.

Dinner nearby: Vegan Junk Food Bar (plant-based stacked burgers, truffle fries, and colorful “sushi” rolls) or Vegan Sushi Bar (impressively fish-free nigiri and crunchy tempura). Nightcap at Café ‘t Smalle—a classic brown café by the canal.

Day 2: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, and Concert Night

Morning: Start with the Dutch Golden Age on a small-group tour at the Rijksmuseum to decode Rembrandt and Vermeer. Reserve the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Small-Group Guided Tour for context-rich storytelling.

Afternoon: Cross Museumplein to meet Vincent—Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and the intimate self-portraits. Use a timed entry with the Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum with Audio or Guided Tour to avoid queues.

For lunch, head to SLA (seasonal salads, soups, and bowls; clearly labeled vegan options) or Mastino V (entirely vegan pizza—try the truffle “No-Mozzarella”). Coffee at Bocca Coffee Roasters—precision brews in a minimalist space.

Evening: Music lovers: check the lineup at Paradiso (a former church turned venue) or Bimhuis (waterfront jazz temple). Pre-show dinner at TerraZen Centre (Caribbean-Japanese vegan soul food; tiny and warm) or Vegitalian (plant-forward Italian; reserve if it’s a weekend).

Day 3: Bike the City and De Pijp

Morning: Meet your guide and roll through canals, courtyards, and lesser-known lanes on the Guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam's Highlights and Hidden Gems (small groups; about 3 hours). It’s a great foundation for confident independent riding later.

Afternoon: Refuel with a plant-based pastry at Koffie ende Koek (vegan bakery by Westerpark), then cycle to De Pijp for the Albert Cuyp Market—great for fresh fruit, nuts, and people-watching. Pop into the modern Stedelijk Museum if you crave more art.

Evening: Dinner at Vegan Sushi Bar (creative rolls and crunchy “shrimp” tempura) or Golden Temple (long-standing vegetarian institution with Indian and Asian flavors). For a late set, Melkweg hosts everything from indie rock to electronic.

Day 4: Anne Frank Quarter, Canal Belt, and Noord

Morning: Walk the Jewish Cultural Quarter and the streets around the Anne Frank House. If you plan to enter the house, book a timed ticket well in advance. Pause at Café Toki for matcha or filter coffee and a calm vibe.

Afternoon: Ride the free ferry from behind Centraal Station to NDSM. Explore the STRAAT Museum’s monumental street-art canvases, then relax on the urban beach at Pllek (excellent vegan bowls and burgers; waterfront views).

Evening: Head to A’DAM Lookout for city panoramas at sunset (the “Over the Edge” swing is optional thrill). Dinner back in the canal belt at Vegitalian (plant-forward pastas and Roman-style pinsa) or a late veggie-loaded bowl at SLA.

Day 5: Amsterdam Your Way—Parks, Amstel Ride, or Boutique Hopping

Morning: Freewheel south along the Amstel River to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (flat, scenic, 20–25 km roundtrip). If you prefer shopping, browse the Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) for Dutch design and vintage finds.

Afternoon: Picnic in Vondelpark with goodies from local markets, or visit smaller museums like FOAM (photography) depending on mood. Coffee at Lot Sixty One—small-batch roaster with chocolatey espressos.

Evening: Cap your Amsterdam stay with Indonesian rijsttafel-style vegan set menus at restaurants that offer plant-based versions, or return to a favorite. Early night, or one last show at a venue you missed.

Utrecht

Utrecht, a university city with medieval bones, wraps its canals with unique wharf-level terraces—perfect for waterside cafés and music bars. The Dom Tower peals over lanes filled with bikes, and the city’s concert complex, TivoliVredenburg, is a modernist cathedral to sound.

• Top experiences: Climb (or admire) the Dom, explore Museum Speelklok’s musical automata, detour to the Rietveld Schröder House, and pedal the green corridor to Amelisweerd.
• Music & culture: TivoliVredenburg’s five halls host everything from classical to electronic; EKKO is your indie fix.
• Plant-based picks: BROEI (inventive vegetarian plates), GYS (organic—with many vegan options), and Vegitalian (casual, lively, delicious).

Getting from Amsterdam to Utrecht: Depart this morning by Intercity train (about 27–30 minutes, €8–€10 one way). Check times and reserve seats on Omio trains. Buses are slower; trains run every 10–15 minutes.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Utrecht’s center is compact—choose a spot near the Dom or along the Oudegracht for atmosphere. Compare stays on Hotels.com Utrecht or browse canal-side apartments on VRBO Utrecht.

Day 6: Travel to Utrecht, Wharf Terraces, Museum Speelklok

Morning: Train to Utrecht and drop bags. Begin with coffee at The Village Coffee & Music (local roaster, great playlists) before a slow loop along the Oudegracht. Peek into wharf cellars—now boutiques, ateliers, and cafés.

Afternoon: Visit Museum Speelklok for a joyful, hands-on tour of self-playing instruments—from ornate street organs to musical clocks. Lunch at BROEI on Oosterkade (vegetarian kitchen with seasonal veg—ask for the day’s vegan main and house-made sodas).

Evening: Dinner at Vegitalian (Utrecht location; silky cacio e pepe-style pasta made vegan, Roman pinsa with vegetal toppings). Catch a show at TivoliVredenburg—its stacked concert halls mean you can pick your vibe, from chamber music to alt-pop.

Day 7: Green Ride and Departure

Morning: Rent bikes and follow the Kromme Rijn to Amelisweerd (flat, leafy path; 45–90 minutes roundtrip depending on stops). If you prefer culture, opt for the Centraal Museum and coordinate a timed visit to the Rietveld Schröder House for a De Stijl deep-dive.

Afternoon: Brunch/coffee at 30ml (house-roasted, multiple plant milks) or Blackbird Coffee & Vintage. Collect luggage and take the Intercity to Schiphol via Utrecht Centraal (about 30–40 minutes; check Omio trains) for your afternoon flight. For flights within Europe, price-check on Omio; for long-haul, see Trip.com.

Budget notes (80/100): Expect €15–€25 for casual vegan mains, €4–€6 for specialty coffee, €8–€10 per Intercity train hop, and €12–€18/day for a basic city bike rental. Museum tickets typically run €15–€25; major sights use timed entries—reserve in advance.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time: Slot in a countryside windmill visit (Zaanse Schans) or a longer Waterland bike ride to Broek in Waterland and Marken; trains/ferries are easy to combine—check routes on Omio.

Recap of included Viator experiences in Amsterdam:

• Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise (Day 1)
• Rijksmuseum Small-Group Guided Tour (Day 2)
• Van Gogh Museum with Audio or Guided Tour (Day 2)
• Guided Bike Tour of Highlights & Hidden Gems (Day 3)

In one week, you’ll cycle along storied canals, linger with Rembrandt and Van Gogh, cruise under moonlit bridges, and catch live music in two of Europe’s most bikeable cities. With easy trains and plentiful vegan dining, this Netherlands itinerary keeps travel smooth and days wonderfully full.