10 Best Travelling Tips to Amsterdam
These specific tips about Amsterdam will be very useful for getting the most out of your visit and avoiding any mishaps that could ruin your stay.
View of Amsterdam | ©Javier M
Amsterdam is a charming city that sometimes seems like something out of a fairy tale. However, knowing how to enjoy it is what will make your trip complete.
The main idea behind these tips is to help you save money, avoid mistakes, eat well, and increase the chances that everything will go as planned, or even better.
1. Get a tourist pass
Apart from accommodation costs, where do you think you will spend most of your money during your stay in Amsterdam? I'm sure you're thinking about local transport, canal cruises, museum tickets, food, etc.
That's why I recommend booking the Amsterdam All Inclusive Pass, which will save you money on all these activities. It includes:
- Free admission to most of Amsterdam's best museums.
- Bus to Keukenhof with admission and excursions from the Dutch capital.
- Free bike rentals and tours
- Free or discountedcanal cruises
- Discounts at many restaurants
Important details
Depending on the length of your stay, you can get a card valid for 1 to 5 days. A 24-hour card costs from $88
If you want to know more about this and other tourist passes in Amsterdam, I recommend reading the article on The best tourist passes in Amsterdam.
2. Visit Amsterdam's coffeeshops
A coffee shop in Amsterdam is not the same as a café; it means something completely different. I feel it is my duty to inform you so that you are not surprised.
I am sure you already know that Amsterdam is one of the few places on earth where you can legally buy and consume marijuana for personal use. This doesn't happen on the streets, but in coffeeshops where you can see various types of weed, hash, and edibles.
If you want to experience this part of Amsterdam but are a little unsure or hesitant, booking a tour of Amsterdam might clear up some of your questions.
3. Don't take photos in the Red Light District
Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam, and the red light district comes alive as soon as night falls. If you walk through the Red Light District at night, you will see prostitutes peeking out of almost every glass window in the area.
If you are visiting Amsterdam's Red Light District, do not photograph sex workers, as this is considered disrespectful.
Not only is it frowned upon, but you could also get into serious trouble with the authorities and even pay a hefty fine. You can also book tickets to the Red Light Secrets museum in Amsterdam to learn more about this area.
4. Save money when eating out in Amsterdam
Street food is a lifesaver for those looking to save money on their trip. You'll find street vendors and food trucks serving Dutch favorites such as stroop waffles, herring, fries, bitterballen, Leidse kaas, and poffertjes.
'Dagschotel' is Amsterdam's version of a dish of the day and appears on most restaurant menus. It's the cheapest dish on the menu and will help you save a few euros.
Eating where the locals eat is one of the most useful travel tips. The Dutch in Amsterdam spend their time in what they call 'bruin café' or brown cafés. These are similar to bars and serve authentic food at affordable prices. De Wetering, In 't Aepjen, Papeneiland, and Het Molenpad are some of the best.
Discover the buffets
Buffets in Amsterdam are also a great way to save money. They serve food for less than €20, but most offer Chinese or Asian specialties. Some of the best restaurants of this type are:
And if you want to treat yourself to something special on a particular day in Amsterdam at an affordable price, I recommend booking a table at the Hard Rock Café. For €22, you can enjoy several American dishes with live music.
5. Avoid the tourist traps in Amsterdam
All famous cities tend to have areas and spaces that are "tourist traps." By this I mean places to eat that are expensive and of mediocre quality, spaces that don't live up to their promises, and places that take advantage of tourists' enthusiasm.
For example, Amsterdam has many fake museums. Some of them are shops that claim to be museums. To name a few, there is the vodka museum, the cheese museum, the tulip museum, etc. Instead of going to these places, I recommend visiting a real museum such as the Rijksmuseum or buying a ticket to the Van Gogh Museum.
If you want to be sure of good food at a reasonable price, head to De Pijp, FoodHallen, or Noord. I also recommend avoiding "Tours and Tickets" shops, which are everywhere in tourist areas and very expensive. Instead, I recommend buying tourist passes if you're looking for savings and convenience.
6. Be careful with cyclists
One of the first things you'll notice in Amsterdam is the roads dominated by bicycles. The city is full of them, and locals love to travel by bike. In case you didn't know, Amsterdam has been declared the most bicycle-friendly city in the world.
Keep in mind that bike lanes in Amsterdam are usually red. They are all marked with a bicycle icon at each entry point so that the bike lane cannot be confused with a walking lane. However, many tourists don't realize this and walk on them.
If you don't want to have an accident, keep an eye out for these lanes. In some areas, they are almost more dangerous than the roads. But if you feel like becoming more Dutch, you can book a bike tour of Amsterdam and learn more about the customs.
7. Always carry an umbrella with you
The weather in Amsterdam is quite unpredictable, and the city averages 200 days of rain per year, which means that the chances of getting caught in the rain are quite high.
So, regardless of what the weather app says, always have a raincoat or umbrella handy!
The oceanic climate, influenced by the North Sea, is the main reason for the heavy rainfall. However, thanks to the multitude of museums, galleries, shops, and an efficient public transportation system, there will always be something to do regardless of the weather.
8. Bring a bottle and drink tap water
The Netherlands is one of those countries where tap water quality is regulated and completely safe to drink; plus, it tastes great.
Buying bottled water all the time is not environmentally friendly. If you think bottled water is cleaner, let me tell you that it depends on how it is stored and transported. These bottles are made of plastic and if they are left in the sun for a long time, they will no longer be as safe.
Furthermore, bottled water is not cheap in Amsterdam and can cost up to €2.50 in some tourist areas. You will rarely get free water in restaurants, so it is a good idea to bring a bottle from home and fill it up at one of the city's public drinking fountains.
9. Park away from the center
Gasper Camping
Parking in Amsterdam is expensive, costing up to €10 per hour. Therefore, if you arrive in Amsterdam by car, I recommend parking your car away from the city center to save money.
On the highway leading to Amsterdam, pay attention to the "P + R" signs, as this is where you should park your vehicle. Parking here usually costs €1 per day, and from there you can easily take public transportation to wherever you want to go in Amsterdam.
If you arrive in Amsterdam by motorhome, you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of places to park, although they are a bit far from the city center. The best ones are Gasper Camping and Camping Zeeburg.
10. Bring your photo ID
You don't just need photo ID if you're visiting a museum or other important site; the police may stop you on the street and ask for identification. This usually happens when people appear to be under the influence of drugs.
Sometimes it may just be because you are tired, the way you walk, or because you haven't slept well. But if you want to avoid any mishaps, keep your ID with you at all times. If you are worried about losing your passport, it would be a good idea to carry your driver's license with you.