If you’re visiting Amsterdam for a few days, I’d suggest avoiding places that might seem nearby, but in reality, they are neither pretty nor convenient. That said, do NOT stay in Diemen, Amstelveen, Bijlmar, or Zuid-Oost. Unless you want to bike the city center for at least 25 minutes.
Contents
What should I avoid in Amsterdam?
Things to avoid in Amsterdam
- Accommodation booking scams.
- Taking a car into the center of Amsterdam.
- Tram, bus or train riding without a valid ticket.
- Avoid walking along the bicycle lanes.
- Do not smoke in trains and train stations.
- Avoid using cannabis in public.
- No pictures of the Red Light District’s windows.
Are there bad parts of Amsterdam?
As always, the poorest neighborhoods in a city are usually the most unsafe. This is also true in Amsterdam. Most crimes are recorded in the West: Bos & Lommer and Nieuw-West. These are areas with a lot of social housing, low-income families, immigrants, poverty, and social problems.
Where is safe to stay in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam-Centrum is the best area to stay in Amsterdam. It holds all the main attractions, restaurants and cool cafes. However, you can split Centrum up into smaller districts that have different vibes. We’d recommend Westerpark or Oud Zuid.
What should I be careful of in Amsterdam?
Things Tourists Should Never Do in Amsterdam
- Don’t expect wild parties during weekdays.
- Don’t get on public transport without an OV-Chip card.
- Don’t take cash or credit cards for granted.
- Don’t hire a bike if you can’t ride one.
- Don’t walk in cycle paths.
- Don’t buy a bike from an unofficial source.
Is the red light district in Amsterdam safe?
Although the area of Amsterdam Red light district may look dodgy, it is certainly not any dangerous place to stay. It is actually quite safe and well controlled part of the city, Amsterdam’s heart of night entertainment.
Is it safe to walk around Amsterdam at night?
Most Amsterdam neighborhoods are safe for walking—even alone—with a few exceptions. One place to avoid come nightfall is the Red Light District. While it’s filled with all types of people during the day, the area attracts seedier visitors and vagrants at night.
How dirty are Amsterdam canals?
For Most of Their Existence the Canals Smelled Terrible
Before the 20th century Amsterdam’s canals were notoriously polluted and stunk up the whole city.Thanks to the Dutch governement’s ongoing efforts, the canals are now quite clean and actually host an annual swimming event called Amsterdam City Swim.
What is the best month to go to Amsterdam?
The best time to visit Amsterdam is between April and May or September and November – right before or directly after the summertime high tourist season.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
How long is the average trip to Amsterdam? Typically, 3 to 4 days is quite enough to enjoy the beauty of the “city of canals.” You’ll even get some extra time to take a half-day tour, to see the beautiful tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens.
Where is the red light district in Amsterdam?
North Holland
Are brothels legal in Amsterdam?
Prostitution in the Netherlands is legal and regulated. Operating a brothel is also legal. De Wallen, the largest and best-known Red-light district in Amsterdam, is a destination for international sex tourism.
How many prostitutes in Amsterdam are trafficked?
“Some researchers say 4,000, others say 8,000. Some say 10% are trafficked, others say 90%. Even with that lowest figure, 400 girls are selling sex against their will.
What does a purple light mean in Amsterdam?
Purple lights in the Red Light District.
For those that plan on visiting the Red Light District, it’s important to know that purple lights in the window signifies that the lady is a transvestite! This is red.
Do I tip in Amsterdam?
That’s because in the Netherlands, there is no social or written requirement to tip a restaurant worker. However, if you received good service or thoroughly enjoyed the food, it’s customary to give a small tip — around 5-10% of the bill. If your service was just average, round up the bill or leave some change.
Is Amsterdam safe for girls?
Amsterdam is a safe city for women of all ages traveling alone or together. Female travelers experience very little to no harassment in the streets or elsewhere. Incidents do occur, though. As everywhere, it is best to observe normal safety precautions.
How many people are murdered in Amsterdam?
In total, 121 people were murdered in the Netherlands last year, four down on 2019 and in line with the general trend of the past few years, according to calculations by national statistics office CBS.
Is it illegal to swim in canals?
It is not illegal to swim in rivers or canals, but it is strongly discouraged by the police and Rijkswaterstaat, who often send out an annual warning.
How many people drown in Amsterdam canals?
Some 400 times a year ambulances are called out for someone who fell into a canal. In most cases there is no lasting harm. However, according to the latest statistics, on average 18 people a year drown in Amsterdam.
Do Dutch canals freeze?
It doesn’t happen very often – in the past decade, the Amsterdam canals have frozen only three times, in 2012, 2018 and 2021 – so when it does, locals and visitors alike venture out onto the ice in full force to experience something truly unique: walking or ice-skating on the frozen canals of Amsterdam!
What is the coldest month in Amsterdam?
January
In January, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is 3.7 °C (38.7 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.1 °F) and a maximum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F). On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -14 °C (7 °F) in January 2010.
