52 percent of expats in the Netherlands find it difficult to make friends with the locals, compared to the global average of 38 percent. InterNations discovered that 51 percent of expats in the Netherlands belong to a friendship group made up of other expats, compared to 35 percent of expats globally. Is it easy to […]

Amsterdam was listed as one of the top six safest cities worldwide in the Safe cities list of The Economist. In this index, Amsterdam scored highly for both infrastructure and personal safety. Students also indicate that they view Amsterdam as a safe place to live. What should I avoid in Amsterdam? Things to avoid in […]

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 the Red Light District in Amsterdam? Amsterdam’s Red Light District is mostly […]

The best advice is still to get a four-digit number from your bank. Credit cards are not as commonly accepted in Amsterdam as they are in the U.S. and Britain. Many restaurants and shops in the city — and some hotels — don’t accept them at all. Some establishments tag on a 5% charge for […]

1200-1585: The Early History Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village around the thirteenth century. Amsterdam developed round a dam in the Amstel river at the end of the 12th century. The name Amstelledamme occurs for the first time in the toll concession of Floris V, Count of Holland, dated October 27, 1275. Who started […]

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! What does a blue light mean in Amsterdam? transgenderYou might also notice windows with a blue light instead of a red one. This means that the person behind […]

The 4 most crooked houses in Amsterdam 1) Vijzelgracht. The construction of this underground North-South line has exceeded every planning and budget limit, and on top of that, has caused a significant nuisance. 2) Sluyswacht. 3) Rokin. 4) Spiegelgracht. Why houses in Amsterdam are crooked? In many cases, the wooden poles were of a lesser […]

2 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary Walk (or Cycle) from Dam Square to De Negen Straatjes (around 9 am) Hop on a Boat for a Canal Cruise (Optional) (10 am) Walk (or Cycle) to the Floating Flower Market – Bloemenmarkt (11 am) Explore Jordaan – Quick Walk along the canals & Bridges (1 pm) Can you […]

All of Amsterdam’s scents were perceived to exist against a background aroma of the canals – a subtle tone of slight decay and mould, a savoury smell akin to that of a coat bought at a jumble sale or a plastic bag containing a two-day-old used swimsuit and towel. What does Amsterdam smell like? People […]

Enter: New Amsterdam, a medical drama that is going to have even the most loyal of Grey’s fans switching channels. The medical drama, originally based on the book Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital by Eric Manheimer, follows Dr.Read on for everything to know about New Amsterdam’s third season. Is New Amsterdam related […]

River dikes prevent flooding from water flowing into the country by the major rivers Rhine and Meuse, while a complicated system of drainage ditches, canals, and pumping stations (historically: windmills) keep the low-lying parts dry for habitation and agriculture. How does Amsterdam not flood? To protect their country from floods, the Dutch have built many […]

The Locals Don’t Like You They’re dealing with tourists day in and day out.Many local shops have given way to tourist-oriented cheese stores and food joints. One can only imagine what it’s like to live in Amsterdam as a local. This dislike towards visitors makes itself most apparent in the demeanor of the cyclists. Is […]

A 2 – 3 room apartment in De Pijp area will cost around 250,000 – 400,000 Euro. For those who want to pay a bit less there are small apartments in an outer suburb – prices start from 180,000 Euro. Can you buy an apartment in Amsterdam? The short answer is yes. The Netherlands does […]

Yes – Amsterdam was built on water. More substantively, the city was built on piles – large wooden stakes that are driven into the ground. The piles (or the stilts) are driven in the clay, pear and water until they reach the first layer of solid sand. They are literally a foundation for all Amsterdam’s […]

If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter the Netherlands. You will be able to travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Can I go to Amsterdam with UK visa? Any UK citizen who holds either a […]