Essential Tips for an Unforgettable Amsterdam Visit

Your Ultimate Guide to an Amazing Amsterdam Trip

Are you looking forward to your first Amsterdam trip and feeling slightly confused? Don't worry! In this article, you will learn about tips that would help in making your trip to Amsterdam much more memorable and easier.

Amsterdam is one of the most popular cities in the world, ranking 26th in terms of visitors. It is an elegant city with canals, old brick houses, the perfect museum, the medieval cathedrals, the cool nights and the entertaining nightlife, and very many days out.

The city can be confusing in the beginning but do not worry, here are some tips that will get you ready for a wonderful visit to Amsterdam!

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What Should You Pack for Your Travel to Amsterdam?

 

Packing for Amsterdam depends on the time of year, who you’re with, and what you plan to do. Here are some essentials for any season in Amsterdam:

• Waterproof and Windproof Jacket: Amsterdam can be windy and rainy.
• Comfortable, Waterproof Shoes: Perfect for walking and cycling.
• Windproof Umbrella: Get a sturdy one or a compact travel umbrella.
• Sunglasses: The sun does shine occasionally!
• Hat: A woolen hat for winter or a summer hat for warm weather.
• Scarf: Great for extra warmth, especially on canal tours.
• Secure Purse: A small, zip-up purse kept close to your body to prevent pickpocketing.
• Jeans/Trousers: Easier for cycling than skirts or dresses.
• Foldable Shopping Bag: You’ll be charged for bags at stores.
• Mosquito Spray: Believe it or not, Amsterdam has its share of mosquitoes.

   

The Best Month to Visit Amsterdam

If you can, try to avoid visiting Amsterdam in August. This advice applies to much of Europe because many Europeans take the entire month off, making popular destinations, including Amsterdam, extremely crowded.

Most european hated going to the city center in August because the sidewalks and streets were noticeably busier. Even visiting in July is better, so if you need to travel during the school holidays, opt for July instead.

If you're not restricted by school schedules, the best months to visit Amsterdam are May and June. But if you want to see the famous Dutch tulip fields, plan your trip for April.

 

Weather at Amsterdam

• Shoulder Seasons (April-May, September-October): These months offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices, making them ideal for a visit.
• Summer (June-August): Expect lots of sunshine and lively events, but also peak crowds and higher prices.
• Winter (November-March): Enjoy cozy cafes, festive markets, and fewer tourists, but be prepared for colder temperatures and shorter days. The Christmas period is magical with beautiful lights and events like the Amsterdam Light Festival. Just expect more rain.

 

Transfer from Amsterdam Airport to the City Center

Getting from Amsterdam Airport (Schiphol) to the city center is straightforward, with several options available:

By Train:

• Direct Train: This is perhaps one of the most convenient means of transportation due to its efficiency in getting to a destination as soon as possible. Services are regular; the trains run for every 10 to 15 minutes, and the journey takes about 25 to 30 minutes to reach Amsterdam Central Station. 
• Where to Buy Tickets: Tickets are available both at yellow ticket machines located in the airport and on the Internet.

By Bus:

• Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397): This bus has a frequency of operation of 15 minutes and the journey may take between 30-40 minutes depending on traffic and terminates at major attractions such as Museum Square, Rijksmuseum, and Leidse Square.  
• Night Bus (N97): For those who will arrive late there is a bus for arriving at night that goes directly to the city center – N97 is connected to the airport.
• Where to Buy Tickets: There are three sorts of tickets that can be purchased from the bus driver, from the ticketing machines, or can be bought online.

By Taxi:

• Official Taxi Rank: Please stick to the directions that lead you to the official taxi rank. The cab to the city center will take between 15-30 minutes depending on the traffic.
• Avoid Scams: The only available and recommended is the official taxi rank to prove that the person hiring a taxi is not a fake, licensed driver because they tend to overcharge.

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By Shuttle:

• Hotel Shuttles: Most hotels provide shuttle services from the airport or a pick-up service to transport the customers to and from the airport. You should also consult with the hotel where you plan to stay prior to the trip.
• Shared Shuttle Services: Some corporate providers of shared shuttles include Connexxion which has contracts with hotels and many other places in Amsterdam.

By Car: 

• Rental Car: There are various car rental firms within Schiphol, should you wish to opt for self-driven transport options. However, it was rather costly and at times, very difficult to find a parking lot to park the car in Amsterdam.
• Parking: Some people opt to park in a garage located a little outside of Amsterdam where parking is considerably cheaper and then take a bus into the city centre. 

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Where to Stay in Amsterdam 

You can stay at the City Center, Jordaan, or Plantage, and De Pijp or Oud-Zuid. each of them has pros and cons which you can see below and find out which one is a good option for you. 

City Center:

• Pros: Ideal location in one of the central Business areas with most sight-seeing attractions, restaurants, and discos nearby.
• Cons: Can be noisy and may be more costly.

Jordaan or Plantage: 

• Pros: Cosy areas with picturesque canals, small boutiques, and less owned compared to the big commercial districts.
• Cons: slightly less central, but still within walking distance to the main sights.

De Pijp or Oud-Zuid: 

• Pros: Sleek zones that are popular due to the nightlife, the versatility of food services, and trendy accommodations.
• Cons: It may be fairly crowded at times, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays, but you do get a rather dynamic vibe of the locals.

 

Getting Around in Amsterdam 

If we’ve got to pinpoint one thing that characterizes the Netherlands, it has to be the bicycle. Bicycles are an indispensable attribute of Amsterdam, where there are no cars, but each person has a bike.

Biking in Amsterdam

• Main Transportation:  Biking is the most common way to get around the city. Amsterdam has extensive bike paths, usually brick-red and alongside almost every road.
• Crowded Lanes: Many roads set aside for bicycles are very busy, particularly when people are commuting to and from work.
• Safety: Remember, do not make any instances of walking through bike lanes. Here you are likely to be run over by reckless drivers and cursed at by the inhabitants of the country. Limit contact to the sidewalk and follow traffic light signals.
• Renting a Bike: Just like with a car rental, a bike rental is one of the most recommended things that you can do to get around the city.
• Local Tips: Be careful when dealing with other cars, do not drive through red lights. Do not attempt to stop at bike paths to take a picture and do not rent a bike especially when it is raining or windy.

Public Transportation 

• Types: Public transport in Amsterdam includes trains, trams, buses, and a relatively limited underground metro unit. There are probabilities for the usage of functional public transport within every part of the city.
• OV Chipkaart: The OV Chipkaart covers all forms of public transport including trams, and buses in other cities such as Utrecht and Rotterdam by simply touching on the machine.
• Ease of Use: This means that the prices for using public transport can be reasonable making it preferable over walking large distances.

Driving in Amsterdam 

• Avoid Driving: It is also important to note that driving in the city, especially Amsterdam, can be sometimes stressful. Oh yes, the streets are narrow, congested, and frustrating with so many interferences such as trams and buses.
• Parking: If you own a car, do not drive around the city and instead have your car parked at the hotel and only use it for occasional excursions.
• Challenges: The city center is particularly challenging to drive through, with bikes including numerous foreign tourists who are oblivious to local traffic laws, dominating the roads.

 

Tourist Pass at Amsterdam

As you must have heard, Amsterdam and the entire Netherlands are well-endowed with forms of transportation, thus the best method of transport is through public means. If you are planning to spend more than one day in Amsterdam and you are going to take day trips, you would like an OV Chipkaart. 

Even if your tour will be limited to Amsterdam only, it is cheaper to get the GVB Day Pass.  it is valid for trams, buses, and the metro within Amsterdam city only. It does not pay for the train services, you will need to purchase a ticket for the airport train.

Due to the heavy utilization of walking, one may not necessarily use public transport daily; thus, it makes the OV Chipkaart a good option. You can also purchase ‘day passes’ for the OV chipkaart especially if you intend to ride trams, metro, and/or buses frequently.

In general, it is recommended to obtain OV Chipkaart as soon as you arrive in Amsterdam unless you have purchased an I Amsterdam city card and would not need to use public transportation outside the city.

I Amsterdam City Card

It might be cheaper if you are going to visit several museums because you will have the I Amsterdam city card. Though this card allows free entrance to all the museums (except the van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House) which are of major interest to tourists, it also provides discounted free entrance to other places of interest such as the Zaanse Schans Cheese & Wooden Shoe Wear Factory, the Amsterdam zoo, and the Heineken Brewery experience. It also means a free canal cruise, a free bike rental, and an unlimited transport pass that will cover the metro, bus, and tram although it will not cover the train.

GoCity Amsterdam Card

That GoCity Amsterdam Card offers all the museums and attractions of the city to the all-inclusive pass. Best if you are planning your tourism extensively and are not entirely limited to museums alone. You can save about 50% compared to buying individual tickets.

 

Must-See Places in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations and when in this beautiful city some things cannot be overlooked. Here are the essentials:

• Anne Frank House: Favourite place to visit; the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and her family went through the Second World War holocaust. 
• Canals: Take a walk through the stunning canals of Amsterdam for a scenic sightseeing session. The best thing is that it is well-suited for exploring the city and offers interesting insights into its history.
• Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum: These two relatively small museums are worth a visit and are located near each other. Visit art galleries containing pieces of various famous artists of the Dutch culture. You should book your ticket in advance to save your time.
• Red Light District: It should be visited at least once to show the uniqueness of the place. It’s a fun-based area that consists of lights being on at night and several forms of amusement found there.
• Heineken Experience: Learn the story of this popular beer and how it all began, in the heart of Amsterdam.
• Vondelpark: Experience the wonderful place that the city of Amsterdam can offer, specifically the park. It is used especially for outings, especially when the dictates of weather permit people to engage in activities such as picnicking, jogging and even cycling.
• Albert Cuyp Market: Check out this open-air market to browse and buy groceries and grocery products from different parts of the world.

 

What Should You Eat in Amsterdam?

When you're in Amsterdam, there are several delicious foods you should try to get a taste of the local cuisine. Here are some must-try dishes and snacks:

•  Dutch Pancakes (Pannenkoeken): These are larger and thinner than American pancakes and they can be served sweet – with powdered sugar, syrup, or fruit or with savory – with cheese, bacon, and vegetables.
• Bitterballen: These are deep-fried crispy balls filled with a savory mixture of beef or veal ragout. They are often served as snacks with mustard.
• Stroopwafels: These are small circular waffles that are thin with a caramel-like syrup running through them. It is recommended that they should be eaten while hot and as soon as possible after buying them in a market or even bakery.
• Herring: Raw herring is an example of dishes to try out, it is served with pickles and onions. It is a popular street food of the Dutch and is conventionally consumed with the help of the fish’s tail.
• Indonesian Rijsttafel: This is a version of Indonesian rice table dishes made in the Netherlands, consisting of different dishes served alongside rice. It’s a good opportunity to taste Indonesian dishes and see what it takes to have such a restaurant in Amsterdam.
• Fries (Friet): Different from French fries, Dutch fries are thicker, and they are usually accompanied by sauces, such as mayonnaise, curry ketchup, or peanut sauce, which is a satay sauce.
• Stamppot: This is a basic dish from the Dutch Cuisine which is prepared by mashing potatoes and adding vegetables like kale, carrots, or sauerkraut and the smoked sausage known as rookworst.
• Apple Pie (Appeltaart): Dutch apple pie is the most famous dessert; it is typically taken with whipped cream. Usually, it is baked with a butter base, and the sliced apples are placed in it alongside the cinnamon.
• Dutch Gin (Jenever): To eat and drink, indulge in Stroopwafels and Jenever that is, Dutch Gin. They are available in different proportions and types of alcohol and are typically sipped neat or mixed in cocktails.

 

Tip Culture at Amsterdam  

Talking about tipping in Amsterdam is important for travelers. Unlike in America, where tipping is expected everywhere, in the Netherlands, it's different. Workers in restaurants and other service industries are paid fair wages here, so tipping isn't necessary.

While in some European countries, people might leave around 10% tip, it's not the norm in Amsterdam. If you do decide to tip, though, it's usually appreciated.

It's worth noting that some restaurants in central Amsterdam might include a tip line on the bill if you pay with an American credit card. This is uncommon in Amsterdam and mostly aimed at American tourists who are used to tipping. If you pay with a local Dutch card, you won't see this tip line.

Not all restaurants do this, but it's good to be aware. You don't have to tip in Amsterdam unless you want to.

 

Rules at Red Light District

 You’re not supposed to take photos of the women working in the windows in the Red Light District. While it’s not technically against the law, it is forbidden and considered extremely rude.  You can take photos of the general area, the canals, the streets, etc. That’s all fine, so long as it’s not focused on the windows with the women. How would you feel if someone showed up to your office and started taking photos of you working?

 

Coffeeshop Culture in Amsterdam

The first thing that you discover about Amsterdam is that when a place is written as ‘coffee shop’ outside, then it is a Marijuana shop. Cannabis is legal and only regulated in the country, and these places known as coffee shops are found in many areas of the city. Subconsciously, if you are in the expectation of getting yourself a cup of coffee and realize that it was completely different, your mind will change once you are in.

If you need to get actual coffee, then turn your attention to the cafe. Yes, they are everywhere these days and I’m sure you won’t have a hard time searching for a perfect cup of coffee.

 

Watch Out for Scams in Amsterdam

First, even though Amsterdam is mostly safe there are certain tricks you should know. As with any large city, Some may try to take your money quickly. It is advisable to avoid wandering around crowded tourist attraction sites and should always keep an eye open.

• Money Transfers and ATMs: DO NOT withdraw cash from ‘independent’ machines like Euronet and Travelex since they charge unbelievably high fees. Limit your use of ‘Geldmaat’ ATMs as these machines are owned by large banks and therefore more reliable.
• Beware of Cheap Bikes: There may be bicycles for sale along the roads and walks at cheap prices, but these bicycles are usually stolen. One of the most popular scams in the Netherlands which is purchasing a bike that has been stolen, should be strictly avoided.
• Street Dealers: Do not approach street dealers for drugs as their products are likely to be substandard or may contain other lethal substances. There have been reports in the past, where some people have been able to defraud others with substances that are poisonous such as white heroin which they disguised as cocaine. The only way to eliminate any potential problems would be to avoid the use of illicit substances entirely.

 

Travel Tips for Amsterdam Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)