Travel Guide > Europe > Netherlands > North Holland > Amsterdam
With about 800,000 people, Amsterdam is one of the smaller capitals in the world, but it is a very popular city for tourists visiting the Netherlands or just the city itself. And, if you just have several days in the Netherlands, make a visit to Amsterdam your main thing.
Of course, Amsterdam is well known for its Red Light District, but it has much more to offer. Amsterdam is teeming with museums, like the famous Van Gogh Museum and of course the national Rijksmuseum. Also the Anne Frank House is one of the hotspots to visit, if you want to know more about the time during the war. It has some more strange museums as well, like a Torture Museum, a Sex Museum and a Hash(!) Museum. As Amsterdam is a major trading centre for diamonds, you will also find a museum about this precious jewel as well.
Walk along the canals and over the many squares Amsterdam offers, and enjoy a city that has something to offer for both the culture and art lovers, and the more kinky type of person. All put in a beautiful setting with water and typical Dutch historical building styles.
This section gives some introductory information on the neighbourhoods that are most interesting for tourists. Note that the names used here do not always correspond to the administrative divisions used by the City.
The museum part of the Amsterdam tourist track typically leads through the Rijksmuseum to see Rembrandt's Night Watch and the Van Gogh Museum for his famous sunflower painting. However, you should also consider seeing some of Amsterdam's less visited museums, which harbour art just as breath-takingly beautiful.
For an overview of Amsterdam's principal museums, have a look at the Museums in Amsterdam article.
Amsterdam weather is typical of what you get in the Netherlands: mild winters with rare snow, and reasonably warm summers.
Amsterdam's international airport, Schiphol, is a major European hub with flights arriving from hundreds of destinations worldwide. It is located 17.5 km south-west of Amsterdam and can easily be reached by train - a journey that will take roughly 20 minutes.
Amsterdam Central Station offers direct service to and from a number of destinations in Belgium, France and Germany. The station is located smack in the middle of town.
National Highway A10 is built around Amsterdam and offers the easiest approach to town. Bear in mind that parking within the city limits is extremely expensive. The City promotes the use of four Park & Travel facilities, strategically located around town where you can park at strongly reduced prices and take public transport or a bike into town. You'll find more information here (in Dutch).
Long-distance buses operated by Eurolines arrive near Amstel Station in the southeast of town. To get from there to the city centre, take a train or metro.
The Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) receives cruise ships from a large number of companies. PTA is located very close to Central Station.
It is no wonder that the bike is the preferred means of transport to most of the city's inhabitants, as Amsterdam has a bicycle-friendly infrastructure in which cycling lanes abound. For tourists as well, the bike is a good solution to get around quickly. There are some larger and numerous smaller rental stores, conveniently located nearby tourist hotspots such as Central Station, Leidseplein and Dam Square. A helmet is not required, but definitely a good idea. Using two locks is an absolute necessity as well; never leave your bike unlocked, not even for a second.
Bear in mind that most other people on the road are not on holiday, and have no sympathy at all for the fact that you're a less experienced cyclist than they are. In other words, stick to the traffic rules closely!
Taking a cab in Amsterdam should be left to those with very deep pockets who don't mind losing a couple of tens to a scam. The only time when they come in handy is at night when public transport is not available, or when you have loads of luggage.
Driving a car in Amsterdam takes a lot of patience while driving, perseverance in finding a parking spot, and a bottomless wallet to pay for parking money. Unless you are disabled, other means of transport are preferable in every respect.
The best-known sights are all within walking distance of Central Station. Also, the city center is small and the streets are narrow, which makes going on foot an excellent choice. It pays off buying a real map; most bookstores have them on sale. As a pedestrian, pay close attention to other traffic, especially cyclists. You won't make any friends among the Amsterdamer by wandering off the sidewalk inadvertently and onto the road.
In the tourist center you're better off just walking, since public transport sticks to the bigger streets only. To get further afield, though, public transport is your means of choice. The Amsterdam system comprises buses, trams and metro, as well as a number of free ferries crossing IJ Lake behind Central Station. The system has been designed such that you can get everywhere from everywhere with a most one change; you can view an interactive map here. Note that most, but not all lines join at Central Station.
One unmistakable feature of Amsterdam is its canals. Some 160 of these waterways crisscross the city and its surroundings. The city of Amsterdam is actually divided into approximately 90 mini islands. This network of islands is joined together by a vast number of bridges, totaling over 1,000. Most of its canals are suitable only for barges and pleasure craft. One can explore the city of Amsterdam by boat, which will give you a completely different insight into what this historical center has to offer. Water taxi or water bikes are for rent through Canal.nl. Alternatively you can rent your own boat with or without skipper through different agencies.
The centre of Amsterdam is easily walkable as distances are small between popular areas like the Leidseplein, Rembrandtsplein, Vondel Park and the Dam Square. Many of the streets contain little to no car traffic, so other than the occasional tram, pedestrians own the streets.
Even though one should not visit Amsterdam for its cuisine, decent food is to be found. Just avoid the area around Leidseplein like it were the Plague; it is one giant tourist trap, and the food served there varies from mediocre to downright awful. There is one exception, though; Wagamama, just off Leidseplein, serves good Asian fastfood for low prices.
The situation in Jordaan and around Utrechtsestraat is much better, and there you'll find plenty of restaurants, offering a variety of cuisines at a variety of price levels. If you have a taste for Chinese food, you should head for the Amsterdam Chinatown, on and around Zeedijk.
A particularly useful website is Iens Independent Index, a directory of restaurants compiled and reviewed by customers. It gives you a clear overview as to what is hot, and what is better avoided.
If you want to play the tourist, try one of the many drinking holes that line Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein. Much nicer locales however are to be found on Nieuwmarkt and in the streets surrounding it. Jordaan also has a lot of nice bars.
Whether or not you leave a tip is entirely at your discretion. Unlike in certain other countries, staff does not have to live off tips, since the basic pay rate is decent. Drinking wine at bars is hardly ever a good idea; it is relatively expensive, and drinkable at best. The more likely scenario is that you get something strongly resembling vinegar. Better stick to beer; most bars have an impressive selection of draughts these days, and it is great fun sampling some of them. Cocktails are also risk-free, except that they cause substantial wallet-ache.
Amsterdam is a very popular destination for tourists of all kinds and age groups, which means that accommodation, especially in top periods like Easter, Christmas and around Queensday (30 April), fills up quickly. It is therefore always a good idea to book well in advance.
More budget options with travellers ratings:
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1001 Nights Hostel | Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 68 | Hostel | 58 % |
| 1001 Nights Studio | Lindengracht 180 | Guesthouse | - |
| 2Rooms | Hoogte Kadijk 161 | Apartment | 92 % |
| AAE Amsterdam Youth Hostel Inn | Oosterpark 71 | Hostel | 63 % |
| AAE Thorbecke Hotel | Thorbeckeplein 3 1017 CS, Amsterdam | Hotel | - |
| Absolute Amsterdam B&B | Roerstraat 43 | Guesthouse | 76 % |
| Adamgoodstay guesthouse | Leidsestreet 86 | Guesthouse | 98 % |
| Aivengo Youth Hostel | Spuistraat 6 | Hostel | 76 % |
| Amigo Hotel | Plantge Kerklaan 19 | Hostel | 70 % |
| Amstel Inn Accommodation | Hemonystraat 7 1074 BK | Guesthouse | 79 % |
| Amstel Riverview Bed & Coffee | Amsteldijk 22 Amsterdam | Guesthouse | - |
| Amsterdam Bed & Breakfast Flynt | Eerste Helmersstraat 34 1054 DH | Guesthouse | - |
| Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast CTS | Amstelveenseweg 114-2 | Guesthouse | 80 % |
| Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast DCK | Da Costakade t/o 1 | Guesthouse | 89 % |
| Amsterdam Cribs | Oude Hoogstraat 7 | Hostel | 90 % |
| Amsterdam Cribs / Red Light | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 41 | Hostel | 99 % |
| Amsterdam Flower apartment | Bloemenmarkt | Apartment | 64 % |
| Amsterdam Getto | Jonge Roelensteeg 16 | Apartment | - |
| Amsterdam Holiday Rooms | Overtoom 251 | Apartment | - |
| Amsterdam Hostel Centre (former Hostel Granada) | Leidsekruisstraat 13 | Hostel | 71 % |
| Amsterdam Hostel Cosmos | Nieuwe nieuwstraat 17 | Hostel | 79 % |
| Amsterdam Hotelboat | Postbus 16645 Oosterdok, steiger 3 | Hostel | - |
| Amsterdam Oudezijds apartment | Oudezijdsvoorburgwal | Apartment | 83 % |
| Amsterdam Truelove Guesthouse and Antiques | Prinsenstraat 4 1015 DC | Guesthouse | 91 % |
| Amsterdam View | C van Eesterenlaan, Apart.n. 406 1019 KE Amsterdam | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Amsterdam-Inn | Haarlemmerstraat 79B | Guesthouse | 65 % |
| Amsterdam4Holiday | Geelvincksteeg 2 | Guesthouse | - |
| AmsterHome Holiday Apartments | Hekelveld 6 - 1 hoog | Apartment | 90 % |
| Antonia Houseboat | Dijksgracht 12b Dijksgracht 14a | Guesthouse | 90 % |
| Apartment Van Gogh | Address and directions will be provided on your confirmation email | Apartment | 76 % |
| Apartments Leidse | Lange Leidse Dwarsstraat | Apartment | 86 % |
| Apple Inn Hotel | Koninginneweg 93 | Hotel | 70 % |
| Arknoa Houseboat | Noa PB 14816 1001 LH | Guesthouse | 94 % |
| B&B Bloemgracht | Bloemgracht 187 hs | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| B&B Las Vegas | Woestduinstraat 155 | Guesthouse | 72 % |
| BackStage Hotel | Leidsegracht 114 Amsterdam | Hotel | 85 % |
| Beagle Houseboat | Oosterdokskade (next to Amstel Botel) | Hostel | 90 % |
| Bed & Coffee | Rustenburger straat nr. 427 code1072GZ | Guesthouse | 88 % |
| Bed and Breakfast Amsterdam | Sloterkade 65 | Guesthouse | 70 % |
| Bethany B&B | Haarlemmerdijk 52 | Guesthouse | 92 % |
| Bibies B&B | Frans Halsstraat 30-1 Amsterdam | Guesthouse | 70 % |
| Bicycle Hotel Amsterdam | Van Ostadestraat 123 1072 SV | Hotel | 86 % |
| Bloembed B&B | Bloemgracht 189 | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Blue Orange | Oude Waal 30 | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Bob's Youth Hostel | Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 92 1012SG | Hostel | 73 % |
| Boogaard's Bed and Breakfast | Langestraat 34 | Guesthouse | 100 % |
| Borgmann Villa Hotel | Koningslaan 48 1075 AE | Hotel | 78 % |
| Bostel Amsterdamse Bos | Kleine Noorddijk 1 | Campsite | 64 % |
| Botel Zebra | PObox 2430, NL 1000CK Oosterdok t/o 4, | Hostel | 72 % |
| Budget Hotel Tourist Inn | Spuistraat 52 | Hostel | 74 % |
| Canal Residence | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 260 | Guesthouse | - |
| Continental Centre Hotel | Damrak 40 | Hotel | 58 % |
| Cottage | Kadijksplein 16 | Apartment | - |
| Damhotel | Damrak 31 | Hostel | 58 % |
| Damrak Inn | Damrak 58-59 | Hostel | 52 % |
| DB's b&b | Lindenstraat 85, 1015 KW Amsterdam. The Jordaan | Guesthouse | 90 % |
| Downtown Guesthouse | Sint Jorisstraat 12 | Guesthouse | 91 % |
| Durty Nellys Inn | Warmoesstraat 117 1012 JA Amsterdam | Hostel | 80 % |
| Emma Rosa | Jacob van Lennepkade 548 | Guesthouse | - |
| Esperanza Bed & Breakfast | Nieuwebrugsteeg 18-20 1012 AH | Apartment | - |
| Euphemia Hotel | Fokke Simonzstraat 1-9 | Hostel | 70 % |
| Eva's Apartments service | Amstel 16 | Apartment | 20 % |
| Eve's Guesthouse | spuistraat 44 | Guesthouse | 79 % |
| Eve's Rooms Go Local | Spuistraat 44 Weteringschans 122 | Guesthouse | 57 % |
| Farah Guesthouse | Spuistraat 61 | Guesthouse | 57 % |
| Flores & Puck | Rietwijkerstraat 51 huis | Guesthouse | 91 % |
| Flying Monkey | Prins Hendrikkade 102 | Apartment | 96 % |
| Flying Pig Downtown | Nieuwendijk 100 1012 MR | Hostel | 85 % |
| Flying Pig Uptown | Vossiusstraat 46 | Hostel | 79 % |
| Friesland | Oosterdok Dock 3 (Nemo Museum) | Guesthouse | 86 % |
| Funky Chickin | Spuistraat 90 | Apartment | 94 % |
| Garden View Bed and Breakfast | Stadionkade 70-1 | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Hans Brinker Budget Hotel | Kerkstraat 136-138 1017 GR Amsterdam | Hostel | 65 % |
| Heart Of Amsterdam | Oudezijds Achterburgwal 120 | Hostel | 78 % |
| Home Comfort Apartment | Warmoestraat 77 Haringpakkersstg 7 | Apartment | - |
| Hostel Linda | Stadhouderskade 131 | Hostel | 52 % |
| Hostel Orfeo | Leidsekruistraat 14 | Hostel | 70 % |
| Hostel Slotania | Slotermeerlaan 131 | Hostel | 67 % |
| Hostel Sphinx | Weteringschans 82 | Hostel | 58 % |
| Hostel the Globe Center | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 3 | Hostel | 61 % |
| Hostel Utopia | nieuwezijds voorburgwal 132 | Hostel | 59 % |
| Hostelboat Anna Maria II | Oosterdok t/o 4 Pier 4 | Hostel | 77 % |
| Hotel Ajax | Rokin 104 1012 KZ Amsterdam | Hotel | 85 % |
| Hotel Allure | Sarphatistraat 117 | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Annemarie | Jan Willem Brouwstraat 14, 171 LG | Hostel | 67 % |
| Hotel Belfort | Surinameplein 53 1058 GN Amsterd | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Bellington | P.C. Hooftstraat 78-80 | Hotel | 71 % |
| Hotel de Stern | Utrechtsestraat 18, 1017 VN | Hotel | 80 % |
| Hotel Flipper | Borssenburgstraat 5 | Hotel | 69 % |
| Hotel Freeland | Marnixstraat 386 | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Hortus | Plantage Parklaan 8 | Hotel | 80 % |
| Hotel Internationaal | Warmoesstraat 1-3 1012HT | Hotel | 84 % |
| Hotel Iris | Sarphatikade 17 1017 WV Amsterdam | Hotel | 53 % |
| Hotel Jupiter | Tweede Helmersstraat 14 | Hotel | 77 % |
| Hotel Manofa | Damrak 46-47 | Hotel | 71 % |
| Hotel Max in Mokum | Hemonystraat 7 1018 ep | Hotel | 58 % |
| Hotel My Home | Haarlemmerstraat 82 | Hotel | 81 % |
| Hotel Paganini | Stadhouderskade 68 stadhouderskade 76 | Hotel | 52 % |
| Hotel Plantage | Plantage Kerklaan, 25 1018 CV | Hotel | 75 % |
| Hotel Princess | Overtoom 80 1054 HL | Hostel | 70 % |
| Hotel Ramenas | Harlemeerdijk 61 | Hostel | 65 % |
| Hotel Tamara | nieuwezijds voorburgwal 144, amsterdam | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Terminus | Beursstraat 11 | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Torenzicht | Oudezijds Achterburgwal 93 1012 DD | Hotel | 88 % |
| Hotel Verdi | Wanningstraat 9 1071 LA | Hotel | 90 % |
| Inner Amsterdam | Wanningstraat 1 | Hostel | 70 % |
| Inpetto Bed & Breakfast | Generaal Snijdersstraat 2 Badhoevedorp | Guesthouse | - |
| International Budget Hostel | Leidsegracht 76 Amsterdam 1016 CR | Hostel | 75 % |
| Intersail | Oosterdok st. 3 | Hostel | 82 % |
| Johanas B & B | Van Hogendorpplein 62 | Guesthouse | 76 % |
| Jonas Houseboat | Dijksgracht 10 1019BT Amsterdam Center | Hostel | 83 % |
| Kadijksrooms | Kadijksplein 16 2rd | Guesthouse | - |
| Kooyk Hotel | Leidsekade 82 | Hotel | 75 % |
| Lucky Lake Hostel | Vinkenkade 75 Vinkeveen | Hostel | 85 % |
| Maggy's Guesthouse | Martelaarsgracht 9 | Guesthouse | 81 % |
| Marie-Anns Houseboat/Deo Volente | Dijksgracht 7 1019 BT | Hostel | 92 % |
| Marnix Hotel | Marnixstraat 382 | Hostel | 67 % |
| Metropolitan | Kadijkplein 16 | Apartment | 71 % |
| Metropolitan Apartments | Kadijksplein16 | Apartment | - |
| Mila's Vila B&B | Strandvliet 22, Amstelveen | Guesthouse | 83 % |
| MPS Noorderzon | Postbus 273 | Hotel | 82 % |
| Nemo | Prins Hendrikaade 133 Amsterdam, 1011 AR | Apartment | 93 % |
| New Amsterdam Center | Nieuwezijds Kolk 4 | Apartment | 38 % |
| New Amsterdam Central Station | Prins Hendrikkade 60 | Apartment | - |
| New Amsterdam Leidse | Leidsekruisstraat, 54 | Apartment | - |
| Ohmkar Hotel Guesthouse | Langebrugsteeg 2 | Guesthouse | 54 % |
| Orange Suite | Sint Jacobsdwarsstraat 4 | Apartment | 93 % |
| Orange Tulip Amsterdam | Damrak 32 | Hotel | 45 % |
| Parklane Guesthouse | Saxenburgerstraat 5 | Guesthouse | - |
| Passenger Ship Avanti | Oosterdok 5, jetty 5 | Hostel | 76 % |
| Passenger Ship Maria Alberta | Oosterdok | Hostel | 88 % |
| Pension De Laurier | 1e Laurierdwarsstraat 52 1016 PZ | Guesthouse | 74 % |
| Regulier Studio | Bloemen markt | Apartment | 89 % |
| Rembrandt Park House | Orteliuskade 57 | Guesthouse | 80 % |
| Rembrandt Square Hotel | Rembrandtplein 24 | Hotel | 81 % |
| Retty's Guesthouse | Schaepmanstraat 226 | Guesthouse | - |
| Rozengrachtapartments | Rozengracht | Apartment | - |
| Sharm Hotel | Raadhuisstraat 33b | Hotel | - |
| Shelter City | Barndesteeg 21 1012 BV | Hostel | 75 % |
| Shelter Jordan | Bloemstraat 179 | Hostel | 79 % |
| Shortstay-Amsterdam | Haringpakkerssteeg 5A-F | Apartment | - |
| Sleep at Amys | Haarlemmerdijk 26 | Guesthouse | 88 % |
| St. Christopher's at The Winston | Warmoesstraat 129 | Hostel | 81 % |
| Stargate Amsterdam | Hekelveld 7 | Hostel | 95 % |
| Stayokay Amsterdam Stadsdoelen | Kloveniersburgwal 97 1011 KB | Hostel | 69 % |
| Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark | Zandpad 5 1054 GA | Hostel | 79 % |
| Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg | Timorplein 21 | Hostel | 78 % |
| Studio-Rooms Amsterdam | Holendrechtstraat 28 | Apartment | 66 % |
| Tha Houseboat | Nassaukade 169 | Apartment | - |
| The Bulldog | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 220 | Hostel | 84 % |
| The Crooked House | Nieuwe Looiersstraat 112 1017 VE | Apartment | 79 % |
| The Friendship | Singel opposite 77 | Hostel | 74 % |
| The Quentin Arrive | Haarlemmerstraat 65 1013 EL | Hotel | 66 % |
| The Quentin England Hotel | Roemer Visscherstraat 30 1054 EZ | Hotel | 60 % |
| The Quentin Hotel | Leidsekade 89 1017 PN Amsterdam | Hotel | 68 % |
| The White Tulip Hostel | Warmoesstraat 87 | Hostel | 71 % |
| Townhouse Hotel | Prinsengracht 816 1017 NJ | Hotel | 78 % |
| Travel Hotel | Beursstraat 23 1012JV | Hotel | 66 % |
| Treetops B&B | Legmeerstraat 31-2 | Guesthouse | 77 % |
| Trianon | J.W. Brouwersstraat 3 | Hostel | 73 % |
| Ultraviolet Studios | Oude Hoogstraat 12 | Apartment | 89 % |
| Vita Nova | Oosterdok T/O 4 | Hostel | 81 % |
| Warehouse Apartments | Oude Brugsteeg 18 | Apartment | - |
| Waterfront B & B Amsterdam | Jacob Catskade 46 1052 CB | Guesthouse | 92 % |
| Xaviera Hollander B&B | Stadionweg 17 | Guesthouse | 87 % |
| Youth Hostel Meetingpoint | Warmoesstraat 14 1012 JD | Hostel | 77 % |
Besides world-renowned Amstel Hotel, there are a number of other high-end hotels in town that are worth staying if you can afford it. These are Hotel the Grand, located in the former City Hall, Hotel de l'Europe located near Muntplein (this one has an excellent restaurant), the Dylan Hotel on Keizersgracht and Krasnapolsky on Dam Square. If you have an upscale budget and you are looking for a more homely feeling, one might consider a private guesthouse like 717 Hotel on the Prinsengracht.
Self catering accommodation has become increasingly popular in many European capitals and Amsterdam is no exception. A studio or apartment that offers the luxury of a living room and your own kitchen means that you don't have to eat out 3 times a day. Especially amongst families travelling with kids or groups, there is a lot of benefit to staying in self catering accommodation which can contain up to 4 bedrooms typically.
Unless you have a working permit (and at least a basic knowledge of Dutch), forget about finding a job in Amsterdam or anywhere else in the Netherlands. No-one will be interested in hiring you.
If you have a working permit, a Dutch bank account, and you are looking for temporary employment, consider paying a visit to one of the employment agencies; most have branches on Rokin and Vijzelstraat (both very close to Mint Square). Depending on your assets, they should be able to fix you up with an employer.
Depending on your situation, your tuition fee can be anything between €1150 and €9000 per annum. Furthermore, aspiring Amsterdam students should take the cost of living into account, which is likely to be your other main expense. Student quarters don't come cheap; for less than €500 (2008 price level), you will have big trouble finding something acceptable.
For more information, contact the institution of your choice. More information about Dutch higher education can be found here and on the Netherlands page.
Internet cafes are not as widespread as you would expect. In the tourist center you won't find many, and those that are there are quite expensive. A decent one that is not too far off is The Mad Processor, Kinkerstraat 11 (reasonably close to Leidseplein). The library near Central Station also has a couple of terminals that you can use for free, but for a limited time only.
Pay phones are mostly card-operated; if you find one that operates on coins, note that they do not give change. Pay phones should not be used for other than short local calls due to high prices and the risk you run of being pickpocketed while using them. There's a bunch of them directly behind Dam Square, in front of Food Plaza. Card can be had at the service counter inside.
For international calls, make use of Skype or an indoor phone service. There's several of them in the street leading from Dam Square to Munt Square, and between Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt.
The former central post office is located directly behind Dam Square. It has been turned into a fancy shopping mall (Magna Plaza), but the building itself still carries many traits of its former occupant. The post office has been relocated two blocks, to the corner of Singel and Raadhuisstraat. It opens 9:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-13:30 sat; take a number as soon as you come in, since you won't be served without one. English spoken.
This is version 75. Last edited at 22:30 on May 21, 09 by Lavafalls (+21). 75 articles link to this page.

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