Skip the Tourist Traps
The I Amsterdam sign at Museumplein was removed in 2018 due to overcrowding. The Red Light District is worth seeing but not dwelling on—it's surprisingly small and gets old quickly. The "original" Bulldog coffeeshop is a tourist factory. Venture beyond the center for authentic Amsterdam.
Museum Reservations Are Essential
The Anne Frank House requires booking 6 weeks ahead—tickets release at 10 AM Amsterdam time and sell within hours. The Van Gogh Museum needs 1-2 weeks advance booking. The Rijksmuseum is slightly easier but still sells out on weekends.
Pro Tip: The Museumkaart (€65) grants free entry to 400+ Dutch museums for a year. It pays off in 2-3 museum visits and lets you skip most queues.
Getting Around by Bike
Renting a bike is the authentic Amsterdam experience, but traffic rules are serious. Stay in bike lanes (marked red), signal turns with your arm, don't stop suddenly. Never walk in bike lanes—locals will yell at you. MacBike and Black Bikes rent for €10-15 per day.
Pro Tip: If biking feels intimidating, walk. Central Amsterdam is tiny—you can walk anywhere in 30 minutes. The tram is excellent too.
Neighborhood Guide
Jordaan has the prettiest canals and independent boutiques. De Pijp (around Albert Cuyp Market) offers the best food scene. Oud-West is where young professionals live—good restaurants, no tourists. Amsterdam Noord across the river has industrial-cool bars and NDSM wharf.
Weather Reality
It rains frequently year-round. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and shoes that can handle wet cobblestones. Summers are mild (18-22°C) with long days. Winters are cold (2-6°C) but magical—fewer tourists, cozy cafes, and ice skating if it freezes.
Coffeeshop Etiquette
Coffeeshops sell cannabis; cafes sell coffee. You must be 18+ with ID. Buy something to use the space—it's polite and expected. Don't photograph inside. Mixing tobacco and cannabis is banned in public spaces. Effects take 30-60 minutes for edibles, so go slow.
What the Dutch Actually Eat
Traditional Dutch food is hearty: bitterballen (fried meatballs), stroopwafels (caramel waffles), raw herring with onions, poffertjes (mini pancakes). Indonesian food is Amsterdam's best cuisine thanks to colonial history—try a rijsttafel (rice table) feast.
