From cannabis-clouded espresso outlets to beautiful parks and biking lanes aplenty, Amsterdam is a European metropolis with a pleasant, vibrant vibe that’s solely its personal. Whereas it actually makes for superb journey escapades, there are some helpful things to perceive about this metropolis and the native tradition.
So, what do you want to know before visiting Amsterdam for the primary time? Listed here are our prime ideas for newcomers.
1. Amsterdam isn’t a 24/7 metropolis
Amsterdam institutions maintain very common hours. Opening hours in outlets are typically from about 10am to 6pm, and 8pm for supermarkets. Many outlets and grocers don’t open on Sundays (except for busy vacationer areas like Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat). Coffeeshops have a tendency to open within the morning and shut round midnight, whereas bars and golf equipment go a lot later till Three or 4am.
2. Pre-purchase tickets the place potential
At museums and galleries, it’s greatest to plan for lengthy queues – particularly through the excessive season from June to August. Ticketed time slots (most might be downloaded to your telephone) can be found at widespread sights just like the Anne Frank Huis and Van Gogh Museum and must be booked at the least six weeks prematurely.
3. E-book lodging and eating places prematurely
Equally, lodging must be secured at the least 4 months before your journey, particularly should you’re visiting through the summer season or on the weekend. Seats at your must-visit eating places are greatest squared away at the least two weeks prematurely.
4. Funds for a (increased) vacationer tax
In 2024, Amsterdam’s vacationer tax – which is added to the price of lodging per night time – has risen from 7% to 12.5%, making it now the most costly in Europe. The tax is charged at a proportion of your lodging value, and is payable on arrival. For instance, a four-person room reserving for 3 nights by Vondelpark is costing a gaggle of mates €818.88 between them, with an extra €91.88 to be paid on arrival. Plan forward and issue the tax into your finances, as it is easy to neglect about it as soon as you’ve got booked transport and lodging forward of it.
5. Lock your bike… twice
Biking is likely one of the hottest methods to get round Amsterdam. Most rental bikes include two locks – it’s greatest to use them each! Bike thieves in Amsterdam might be very succesful. Use one lock for the entrance wheel (connected to the bike body) and the opposite for the again, ideally connected to a publish, bike rack or another construction mounted to the bottom.
Additionally, listen to signage concerning bike parking. Bicycle racks close to tram and practice stations and in sure public squares are often greatest, or you might threat it being eliminated by the police.
6. Pack layers of clothes
Sensible clothes will get you far in Amsterdam. It’s a metropolis the place individuals costume hip however informal (denims and good sneakers or boots, for instance) and mix-and-match layers because the year-round climate is unpredictable. A lightweight trench coat or windbreaker jacket is important for all seasons in addition to winter, when a correct coat and heat gear are wanted.
7. Purchase an OV-chipkaart for journey across the metropolis
The OV-chipkaart is very really helpful for public transport because it’s extra handy than single tickets and is definitely reloadable at machines or on-line. It is out there for buy from ticketing machines and supermarkets. Be aware: you want to contact on and spark off, together with if you’re getting off trams. In any other case, you will pay a hefty payment.
8. Carry a mixture of money and playing cards
In Amsterdam, there’s a rising motion of cafes and eating places going cashless – whereas a number of the extra conventional, older haunts like bruin cafés (brown cafes) might not take playing cards in any respect. It is best to carry a mixture of money and playing cards.
9. Be respectful on the streets
Dutch locals are uninterested in Amsterdam’s fame as a vacation spot for bachelor events and unhealthy conduct, subsequently authorities have taken steps to curtail the results of rowdy guests. To keep away from disapproving appears and humiliating conversations, performing sensibly on downtown streets is a should.
Smoking marijuana and ingesting in public is against the law and thought of poor etiquette by Amsterdam natives. Equally, taking photographs of intercourse employees within the Pink Mild District is strictly prohibited.
10. Haggling at flea markets is okay
When procuring at Amsterdam’s well-known rommelmarkt (flea markets) like IJ Hallen, the primary value given by the vendor is often not a agency value however a place to begin. This rule applies to secondhand objects not artisan-made items. Use your judgment and all the time be respectful.
11. Thoughts the Dutch mentality
The Dutch are identified for being extraordinarily direct. If an area shares a blunt, unvarnished opinion with you, it comes from a spot of honesty quite than rudeness. In Dutch tradition, it’s gracious to converse your thoughts and maintain it quick – don’t be shocked to discover “no” is a whole sentence!
Regardless of the brutally sincere Dutch mentality, there are particular speaking factors which are thought-about too shut to consolation and must be averted – for instance, asking very private questions on earnings.
12. Do I would like to tip?
Tipping isn’t anticipated in Amsterdam the place hospitality employees obtain a good wage for his or her professions, and are usually not depending on the tip jar contributions as could be the case elsewhere. After all a tip (round 10% is regular) for glorious service isn’t going to be thought-about odd. Be happy to tip in bars, cafes, eating places and lodging if the service warrants it. Should you take a free strolling tour, presenting your information with a good tip on the finish is regular.
13. Make mates by sporting orange
At sporting occasions lately, the Dutch are identified for the oranjekoorts (orange fever) or oranjegekte (orange craze).
If you would like the Dutch to know you’re cheering for them, put on the royal household’s conventional shade. The extra outlandish and over-the-top – we’re speaking wigs, feather boas and face paint – the higher.
14. Can I transport tulip bulbs house?
Tulip bulbs bought at Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt might be shipped again to nations akin to the USA, however an official certificates is required for customs. Search for the sticker that claims, “To the Plant Safety Service of the USA and Canada.” The extra certificates have to be dated inside six weeks of journey (in any other case, it’s greatest to have the vendor ship them).
15. Can I deliver cheese again house from the Netherlands?
Most sorts of Dutch cheeses will make it by way of customs, though sometimes unpasteurized and uncooked cheeses might not. Cheese also needs to be vacuum-bagged (for the sake of your fellow vacationers in addition to for wholesome and security).
16. Thoughts the cyclists – and the biking lanes
Cyclists in Amsterdam imply severe enterprise. By no means stroll in a biking lane, otherwise you’ll threat the wrath of an offended native on wheels. At all times take a superb look each methods before crossing – bicycles are silent, however an accident might be very severe for cyclists and pedestrians.
17. Don’t hire a automotive – hire a motorbike as a substitute
Driving in Amsterdam is notoriously tough, particularly within the metropolis heart. Slim cobblestone alleys and canals make maneuvering robust, plus parking is scarce and expensive (and it is often not out there, even at accommodations).
Helmets are usually not legally mandated however strongly really helpful. Most bike outlets hire them for as little as €2.50 a day.
18. Watch out round canals
Virtually none have boundaries, and sure, vacationer drownings have occurred.
19. Be careful for pickpockets
Amsterdam’s compact downtown (chock-full of foot visitors and infrequently of us who’re underneath the affect) is the right recipe for thieves – particularly in busy squares and typical customer areas. Keep conscious, and do not maintain all of your paperwork and valuables on you.
20. What to do should you want medical care in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has an abundance of English-speaking medical doctors and medical care providers focused in direction of vacationers, akin to Hoteldoc and Amsterdam Vacationer Medical doctors. For pressing medical care, dial 112 for emergencies or +31 20 570 9500 immediately for an ambulance.