Amsterdam City Guide

Best time to go

If you really want to make the most of your time in Amsterdam, you should shoot for going in late April so you can pay a visit to Keukenhof to see the tulips in full bloom. It really is incredible to see fields upon fields of budding flowers in myriad colors. The holiday of Koningsdag (which translates to “King’s Day” in English) is also in late April. It’s a celebration that occurs every year to ring in the monarch’s birthday which, in this case, is on April 27th. The day of this holiday will change if/when there is a shift in leadership. This in my book makes it a very unique holiday. Thousands of people take to the streets and canals of Amsterdam, all wearing orange (don’t even think about leaving the house if you’re not dressed for the occasion) as an homage to the royal family’s house, the House of Orange-Nassau. While it certainly was an incredible occasion to be present for, it was also deeply disconcerting to see people operating boats while intoxicated. So please have fun, but be careful!

Holland vs. the Netherlands

There is a common misconception that “Holland” and “the Netherlands” are interchangeable monikers. Technically, there is a difference, although you probably won’t be faulted much if you confuse the two. Holland refers to two provinces (Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland) in the northernmost tip of the Netherlands. Amsterdam and the Hague fall within these provinces. So Holland is a part of the Netherlands. You may come across people that have more vehement feelings about distinguishing the two but, in general, you can probably play it safe by just referring to everything as “the Netherlands.”

Plug type: Two-pronged round pin plug, type "C"

Currency: Euro (€)

Language: Dutch natively, English comfortably

They drive on the... right side of the road

Primary means of transportation: Boat, bike, bus, tram, train, car

Key phrases: 

Yes → Ja (“Yah”)

No → Nee (“Nay”)

Hello → Hallo (“Ha-low”)

Hi → Hoi (“Oy”)

Goodbye → Dag (“Dakh”)

Bye → Doei (“Dooey”)

Thank you → Dank je wel (“Donk-yuh-vel”)

Thanks → Bedankt (“Buh-dahnkt”)

Please → Alsjeblieft ("Als-yuh-bleeft")

Excuse me → Pardon (“Par-dohn”)

Sorry → Sorry (“Soh-r̃ee,” roll the “r”)

Telephone code: +31

Emergency services number: 112

Credit card acceptance: I would suggest always having cash on you. Mastercard is definitely taken more than Visa, but it’s good to have cash as a backup.

Note: I unfortunately didn’t experience as much of Amsterdam’s culinary scene as I would have liked to so this section is going to be shamefully short. However, I will say that white asparagus is a staple of Dutch cuisine and should absolutely be tried. In addition, the Dutch are known for their french fries. Do not - I repeat, DO NOT - leave the Netherlands without trying some.

The Seafood Bar

There’s a definite Scandinavian vibe to this great little seafood restaurant. I’m not usually one for fish, but anytime I’m in Amsterdam, I make it a point to pay this place a visit. It’s that good.

Dress: casual

Van Baerlestraat 5, 1071 AL Amsterdam, Netherlands

Ghent, Belgium

Picturesque town with canals and Gothic architecture.

Time from Amsterdam by train: 2 hours 15 minutes

Brugges, Belgium

Known as the "Venice of the North” (which obviously comes second to the true Venice of the North, Amsterdam). Very romantic city that looks as if it came straight out of a fairytale. Highly recommend for a little romantic getaway.

Time from Amsterdam by train: 3 hours (but it’s worth it)

Maastricht, Netherlands

One of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, resting on the River Maas. Offers shopping, excellent dining, and friendly locals. Read my Maastricht City Guide to learn more about the city.

Time from Amsterdam by train: 2 hours 25 minutes

The Hague, Holland

Home to the Dutch government and Gothic architecture.

Time from Amsterdam by train: 39 minutes

Zaanse Schans, Holland

An idyllic little village north of Amsterdam that features historic windmills and picturesque Dutch homes.

Time from Amsterdam by train (and a bit by foot): 35 minutes

There's not a lot that you can't do in Amsterdam, making it one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. From the booming weed business to the thriving red-light district, Amsterdam has no shortage of interesting features. You'd think that there's no limit to the fun, right? Wrong. There are a few no-no's that some visitors neglect but all city residents appreciate.

Walking on bike paths, or biking in pedestrian areas

Amsterdam is believed to have more bicycles than people. The city has a population of roughly 815,000 citizens while its bike census actually reaches almost 900,000. That’s a lot of bikes! And with cycling being the predominant mode of transportation in the city, there comes the need for bike paths - 250 miles worth of bike paths to be exact. Unfortunately, these paths are too often congested with pedestrians that don’t realize the risk of taking up the trail space. This can be a dangerous venture as bikers are allowed to go a maximum of 18 mph on these routes, making a collision potentially injurious to all involved.

Respecting the riders and the designation of biking areas will greatly improve your chances of (1) not looking like a tourist and (2) being duly appreciated for not causing a traffic accident.

The same goes for biking in pedestrian areas. Just don’t do it.

FUN FACT: Amsterdam’s biking initiative was actually a reaction to the alarming rise of vehicle-related deaths that followed Amsterdam’s auto-boom in the 1970’s. To mitigate the rising death toll, people took to their bikes instead of their cars, a habit that persists even today.

Taking photos in the red-light district

Although Amsterdam’s red-light district is a must-see for anyone who truly wants to experience the city holistically, there is absolutely zero tolerance for photo-taking. Visitors have a natural inclination to document these areas because, let’s be honest, you don’t see them everyday! But it is highly frowned upon to photograph the brothels themselves as well as the workers within them.

Although prostitution is perfectly legal in the Netherlands, there is still stigmatization for those that either work for or visit these sex institutions. Taking a photo only threatens to add to the denunciation by spreading the hate.

So just try to be aware of your surroundings and enjoy the sights - without a camera!

FUN FACT: Although most lights in the red-light district are (obviously) red, those that have a slight purple hue sometimes indicate that there is a transsexual working on the premises.

Buying, selling, and possessing weed

Although Amsterdam is generally very tolerant of all things weed-related, there are still a few rules that you’d be wise to abide by. Firstly, if you are caught with more than 5 grams of weed on your person, you could be fined and, depending on the quantity, jailed. Also, smoking in public is prohibited, although not often enforced. It’s for your own safety that you smoke in a private space. Otherwise, you run the risk of wandering into traffic and suffering an injury to either yourself or someone else. Lastly, when sitting at a coffee shop (not to be mistaken with what’s known as a “brown cafe” where weed isn’t sold) to smoke, it’s usually a common practice to order more than just weed. Even if it’s a cup of coffee, a purchase gives you a reason to be there other than to use the space solely to light up.

FUN FACT: All drugs are actually deemed illegal in the Netherlands, but the government chooses to tolerate certain substances - known as "soft drugs" - as a means of regulating the market to avoid drug-related deaths.

Riding a tram without a ticket

Traversing Amsterdam could not be easier. Whether you venture by foot, bike, or boat, there is no limit to weaving your way through the city. However, to use the excellent tram system, you must first be certain to buy a ticket. It seems like a simple step but you’d be surprised how many people actually skip it because there is no barrier between you and a seat when hopping on the tram. However, if you’re caught on a city tram without a ticket (referred to as “riding black”) you will be fined a sizeable chunk of change. Same goes for the other modes of transportation.

Most city goers possess a public transportation chip card that needs to be scanned when checking in and out of your ride. If you do not possess one of these cards, you can buy a ticket at the station. Should you board anything without having bought a ticket, you will be fined by the conductor - and it won’t be cheap.

Let’s say you forget to check-in before boarding. Thankfully, the conductor might be inclined to give you a warning, known as "Coulanceregeling," which translates to "Leniency arrangement" in English. However, this warning will be recorded in the system so you won’t be able to be forgetful again.

FUN FACT: Amsterdam was one of the first cities in Europe to allow for public use of electric vehicles.

the Anne Frank house

Okay seriously, this was incredible. I had to choke back tears throughout the entire tour, but it was so worth it to see this little gem in central Amsterdam. There may be quite a line waiting for admission so make sure you give yourself enough time before closing to get in.

The Heineken Experience

This is the one thing that I didn’t end up doing while in Amsterdam but I’m going to include it for the sake of being all-encompassing. You can enjoy a tour of the Heineken brewery in the heart of Amsterdam and close it out with a buzz from the tasting room.

Boat tour

There are a few reputable boat tour companies that offer rides (and sometimes drinks or meals) throughout the scenic Dutch canals. If you have a nice day that you want to enjoy while kicking back and taking in the sights, this is the way to go.

Bloemenmarkt

The Bloemenmarkt is essentially just a floating flower market with all the flora your heart could desire. If you’re looking to bring home some Dutch tulip bulbs for your own garden, this is where you’d find them.

Rembrandt House

I didn’t expect to love the Rembrandt House as much as I did, but it truly was an experience I’m glad I had. You get to tour the artist’s famed home and see what life was like in 17th century Amsterdam. The museum stays very true to the times and maintains the home exceptionally well.

The Oude Church

You’ll be shocked to find that this historical and beautiful place of worship is located smack dab in the center of the Red Light District. The church itself is immense but is made even more interesting when you step out onto the street and are immediately confronted with prostitutes displaying their “goods.”

The Condomerie

For those that are age appropriate and mature enough to handle this, there is a whimsical little shop not too far from Oude Church that exclusively sells condoms and lube. You’re not permitted to take pictures but it s certainly a fun place to check out for the sheer wow factor.

The Van Gogh Museum

I won’t lie, I wasn’t in love with the Van Gogh Museum. It could be that I’m just not artsy enough or that the exhaustion from the trip finally caught up with me and I didn’t see the true value of the experience, but I didn’t feel any great love for it. However, I’m certain there are a million people out there that would disagree with me, so I’m going to include it on the list.