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Amsterdam Tourism: Best of Amsterdam

Overloaded with adorable canals and bridges, Amsterdam brings the charm
From its picturesque canals and bridges to its historic homes, Amsterdam is a full-blown fairytale. The brightly-colored bicycles and tulip stands around town don’t hurt either. Must-see sights include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the world's only floating flower market. Rent a bike and join thousands of locals peddling around. Other visitors might want to linger in the local coffee shops, which is just a normal part of the city's landscape.

Travel Advice

Essential Amsterdam

Amsterdam Is Known For...

Cutting loose in one of Europe’s nightlife capitals

Getting up close and personal with Van Gogh (and other famed artists)

Day trips that are impeccably Dutch

Amsterdam Travel Guide

Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Amsterdam

BrakiWorldTraveler
Before you go, obtain the "I amsterdam" card or the "Holland Pass". Both will save you money and queuing for tickets.
Cammie00
Decide on what you would like to see and do before you go and allow for some time in between sites as you will need to this for time to relax in many of the café bars.
Jan S
Rent a bike. There are many rental companies, with different color bikes, standing out between the black or grey bikes of the locals … Avoid taxis. They are expensive.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

jfadds
Amsterdam is a wonderful city with helpful citizens who all seem to speak perfect English. It is small and compact — easily navigated on foot and when needed, an efficient public transportation system. Combine this with great museums, interesting neighborhoods and LOTS of places to eat and drink.
AJVaughnDOTcom
Everyone loves Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Amsterdam has something for everyone. From the most Discriminating Foodies to Low Brow Art Lovers and all the wonderful people in between.
jerryd989
Amsterdam is filled with history and great art. The architecture is pretty unique and has a very simple elegance.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

The primary international airport serving the Netherlands is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Many smaller airlines also fly to regional airports such as Rotterdam or Eindhoven, or airports near the Dutch border.

Train:

Amsterdam Centraal station is the city's major international railway hub, with services to destinations such as Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Bus:

Eurolines operates international coach services from Amsterdam Amstel railway station, while IDBUS, Megabus, and Flixbus operate international routes from Amsterdam Sloterdijk railway station.

Find more information on getting to Amsterdam.

Do I need a visa?

The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area with many other European countries. This means tourists from certain countries don’t require a visa for trips less than 90 days — as long as your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned departure date.

Find more information about the Schengen Visa and what countries are exempt.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (March to May) and Summer (June to August): The spring tulip season — when Keukenhof Gardens opens up and the city is taken over by colorful blooms for the Tulip Festival — is one of the most popular times to visit Amsterdam. Average daytime temperatures in spring reach 55 Fahrenheit (13 Celsius) and lows of 41 Fahrenheit (5 Celsius).

Summertime is also inevitably crowded, but it’s the most atmospheric time to experience Dutch culture, with dozens of festivals, urban beaches, and open-air cinemas springing up around the capital. Average daytime temperatures in summer reach highs of 70 Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) and lows of 54 Fahrenheit (12 Celsius).

Bicycle

Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Bike-hire companies are located all over the city. Find more information about where to hire a bike.

Train, Tram and Bus

Public transport operator Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB) operates tram, bus and metro services starting at 6 a.m. and running until 12:30 a.m. Between 12:30 a.m. and 7 a.m., you can travel on night buses.

The I amsterdam City Card gives tourists unlimited access to public transport in the city combined with free entry to many attractions.

Find more information on schedules, fares, and routes.

Taxis

Amsterdam’s taxis are easily spotted with their blue license plates and official sign on the roof. Taxis are metered and can be caught from one of many taxi stands, hailed on the street, or booked via telephone.

Find more information about fares, who to call and where to find a taxi stand.

Ridesharing

Uber is available in Amsterdam on your smartphone.

On the ground
What is the timezone?
Central European Time Zone
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in the Netherlands is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Wall outlets typically accommodate plugs with two round pins.
What is the currency?
The Euro
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
Is it easy to find a bank?
Yes.
How much do I tip?
Tipping isn't obligatory, but people usually round the bill up to the nearest whole Euro or leave 5-10% if they are satisfied with the service.

Are there local customs I should know?

Drinking
The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.
Drugs
Drugs are illegal in the Netherlands, however, the Dutch Narcotics Act distinguishes between hard drugs and soft drugs. A tolerance policy is applied to soft drugs, which includes marijuana and hash. This means that selling, producing, dealing or possession is still illegal on the street, but the law will apply leniency in coffee shops for sales of cannabis under a maximum amount of five grams. To enter a coffee shop, you must be 18 years of age. Visitors should, however, keep in mind that most venues other than coffee shops do not allow soft drugs to be consumed on their premises.
Greetings
The common greeting in the Netherlands is a firm handshake or a double or triple cheek kiss.
Cycling
Do not walk in bike lanes and always look both ways before crossing a bike lane.
Personal space
Respect a Dutch person’s personal space — many value their physical and personal privacy.
Be on time
Punctuality is highly valued in Dutch culture. It is considered rude to keep people waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Amsterdam

We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Amsterdam, which include:

Some of the most popular restaurants in Amsterdam include:

Amsterdam is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:


If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Amsterdam between December and February, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between September and November.