Amsterdam

Amsterdam is renowned for its artistic heritage, with numerous museums and galleries showcasing masterpieces by Dutch artists. The city is also known for its liberal and progressive atmosphere, exemplified by its famous Red Light District and numerous coffee shops. Biking is a popular mode of transport, allowing visitors to easily explore the city's scenic streets and beautiful parks.

If you are staying for a few days, I recommend taking day trips from Amsterdam to see also the surrounding towns and villages. They are full of great nature and many things to do. Use our Trip Planner to find nearby trips.  If you want to make your trip even more interesting and get familiar with the local culture, definitely learn a bit of Dutch. Either learn some basic words or take Duch lessons from home with an online private teacher.

Reasons to Visit:

• Discover world-class museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
• Explore the charming canal network, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Experience the vibrant nightlife and diverse dining scene.
• Enjoy the city's unique cultural atmosphere and progressive values.

Things to Avoid:

• Avoid peak tourist seasons (summer and major holidays) to escape the crowds.
• Be cautious in the Red Light District, especially at night.
• No pictures of the Red Light District's windows - Never take pictures of the occupied red windows in Amsterdam Red Light District, to respect the privacy of both the visitors and the workers of the district.
• Avoid cycling without proper knowledge of local traffic rules.
• Avoid walking along the bicycle lanes - The lanes are usually clearly marked with a bike symbol on the way. Avoid walking or standing in bike lanes!
• Avoid using cannabis in public places - It is illegal to smoke in public. If you have to, use the cannabis in the privacy of the coffeeshop.
• Do not talk to the individuals on the streets who try to sell you something (most likely drugs or bikes) - this is illegal and you can be robbed. The drugs will not work and the bikes are likely stolen.

Neighborhoods to Know

• Nieuwmarkt en Lastage: This is the area that trails southward from Central station towards the River Amstel. The northern side revolves around a former industrial harbor called Oosterdok, which has developed into one of the most architecturally innovative parts of the city, including the NEMO Science Museum and Amsterdam's towering central library. The southern section houses many historical sites, such as the Rembrandt House Museum, the first Protestant church in Amsterdam, Zuiderkerk, and several sites associated with the city's Jewish Quarter. If you want to visit some markets, visit Waterloopleinmarkt market or Nieuwmarkt, which features a wide selection of food stalls.
• Grachtengordel (Canal Belt): Postcards of Amsterdam often feature this neighborhood. The lively streets of Grachtengordel, surrounded by Amsterdam's main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht), are known for their colorful townhomes, and waterfront eateries, upmarket hotels, and attractions such as the Anne Frank House.
• Jordaan: Amsterdam's most in-demand neighborhood, Jordaan offers a maze of narrow lanes, canals, high-end boutiques, and cozy cafes.
• Museumkwartier: The Museumkwartier is home to many museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum, as well as the Royal Concertgebouw (a concert hall in Amsterdam). Additionally, it is home to several fine jewelry stores and designer outlets.
• De Pijp: It is easy to spend hours in Amsterdam's lively Latin Quarter, which offers a colorful mix of cuisines, terraces, and friendly cafés. This neighborhood turned hipster haven has an urban industrial edge and bohemian flair. Enjoy the beautiful gardens of Sarphatipark and the famous Albert Cuypmarkt Street market. De Pijp oozes bohemian flair from every angle, and it has been a popular haunt for creatives, students, and bohemian spirits since the 60s.
• De Wallen: Amsterdam Red Light District is known worldwide. It is a residential and entertainment area in the historical city center. This area entices travelers with the promise of peep shows, sex shops, cannabis cafes, and nightclubs.

How to get around?

• Trams: Amsterdam's iconic blue-and-white trams remain a reliable and economical way to get around the city center. There are 14 lines convening at Amsterdam Central Station, the city's main transportation hub.
• Buses: The bus system is quite extensive and efficient. You can easily catch a shuttle, which runs between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the city center. Hotel shuttles often run every 30 minutes, and public transport trains run every 8 times per hour (every 7.5 minutes) between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol.
• Metros: With five routes and 39 stations, the metro is the best way to access the suburbs.
• Ferries: Like trams, buses, and metros, Amsterdam's ferries are also operated by GVB. For pedestrians, cyclists, and mopeds, Amsterdam's ferries provide essential, free connections across the River IJ. You can easily find the blue-and-white ferries right behind Amsterdam Central Station, which provide frequent, free service to and from Amsterdam Noord.
• Rideshare: If you're sticking to the center of Amsterdam, you can skip the car and easily book an Uber if needed.
• Trains: The Netherlands has a well-developed national railway system. Trains from Amsterdam Central Station are a convenient way to reach the countryside and neighboring cities for day trips.
• Bicycles: Want to feel like a local? Then bicycles are the way to go. You can find bikes. In terms of getting around, that means hiring a bike (download ‎the Donkey Republic or pop into a local rental shop). The bike trails are very developed, and it's a great fun way to see the city.
• Taxi: If you have luggage, it might be more convenient to take a kiwi taxi between the airport and Amsterdam.

Travel Etiquette:

• Directness: Dutch people are famous for being direct. It isn't rudeness; it's honesty.
• Greetings: Say "Hallo" or "Goedemorgen" when entering a shop.
• Tipping: Service is usually included, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated.

Did You Know:

Amsterdam has more bicycles than people! There are an estimated 881,000 bikes in a city of about 850,000 residents. Roughly 12,000 to 15,000 bikes are fished out of the canals every year.

Cool Amsterdam Stats:

• Canal Count: The city has 165 canals, which is more than Venice.
• Bridges: There are over 1,200 bridges connecting the city's 90 islands.
• Museum Density: Amsterdam has the highest density of museums in the world.

Recommended Age Group:

Amsterdam is suitable for All Ages, but particularly popular with Young Adults, Couples, and Art Lovers.

• Babies (0-2 years): Doable. Pavements can be narrow and cobbled, and trams can get crowded, but parks are great.
• Kids (3-12 years): Recommended. NEMO Science Museum, the Artis Zoo, and boat tours are big hits.
• Teens (13-19 years): Recommended. The history (Anne Frank), vintage shopping in the Nine Streets, and cool vibe of Noord appeal to teens.
• Adults (20-64 years): Recommended. The nightlife, museums, and food scene are world-class.
• Seniors (65+ years): Recommended. The city is flat, making walking easy, though stairs in historic canal houses can be steep and narrow (check for elevators in hotels).

Accessibility Level: Medium

• The city is flat, which helps.
• Many trams and all metro stations are accessible.
• However, historic streets can be uneven (cobblestones), and many shops/restaurants have high thresholds or are located in basements/up steep stairs.
• Museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh are fully accessible.