Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Amsterdam! It’s a fantastic city with so many fun things to do in Amsterdam. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Amsterdam vacation.
Hate #1: Bicycles in Amsterdam
Dodging bicycles in Amsterdam can be a real pain. Buses, cars, and trams all obey traffic rules, but the bikes in Amsterdam do not. Bicycles are everywhere in Amsterdam and probably pose the biggest safety issue for tourists who aren’t paying attention to where they are going. Likewise, if you decide to rent a bicycle in Amsterdam, be on high alert for cars, pedestrians or any traffic.
Hate#2: Amsterdam Restaurants
There are so many cool places to visit in Amsterdam, but Amsterdam restaurants aren’t really that cool. Amsterdam has a lot of overpriced, underwhelming restaurants aimed at parting tourists and their money. One thing they do really well are small bites or appetizers, which you can even get in the vending machines or from street vendors. The grocery stores in Amsterdam are pretty good, too, so take this chance to save some money by not eating out in Amsterdam. My favorite food in Amsterdam is french fries and mayonnaise which you can buy from frite stands all over the city.
Hate#3: Dark Tourism in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has been famous for drugs and prostitution for years and many people come here just for those opportunities. It’s not necessarily that those things are bad, but usually what results from them is one of the things I don’t like about Amsterdam: the tourists who can’t control themselves and over imbibe, which often leads to conflicts and messy streets.
Hate #4: Drunk or High Tourists in Amsterdam
Continuing from #3, the tourists who come to Amsterdam just to get high or get drunk can be really annoying. It’s not the local Dutch people who pose problems, but once you have groups of drunk or high tourists roaming the streets, it can feel unsafe. Amsterdam is a great city to visit with kids, but you’ll want to avoid these weekender crowds as much as possible.
The Most Common Reasons Travelers Get Arrested
Hate #5: Amsterdam Accommodation
There are tons of hostels in Amsterdam, but finding a regular hotel in Amsterdam can be challenging. There aren’t many moderately priced hotels in Amsterdam. You can sometimes find a good apartment rental, but always be prepared to deal with steep, narrow stairs that are not fun with children or those with mobility issues. We ended up in the ER when our son fell down the narrow stairs of our Amsterdam hotel.
Love #1: Amsterdam Museums
Amsterdam has a ton of great museums. The Rijksmuseum has Dutch art and history, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Rembrandt House Museum and so many more. Amsterdam is so much more than prostitution and drugs. It’s a cultural destination and many people tend to overlook Amsterdam as a historic and educational experience. Don’t miss out on the museums; they are some of the coolest places to visit in Amsterdam.
Love #2: Amsterdam Canals
The canals of Amsterdam are part of what sets the city apart from other European capital cities. Amsterdam has over 30 miles of canals, creating 90 islands that are connected with over 1,500 bridges. Taking a canal tour in Amsterdam is a must, but you can also just stroll along the canals and enjoy the romantic setting. Taking in the canals is just one of the many fun things to do in Amsterdam.
Love #3: Amsterdam Party Scene
It’s a love or hate! The drugs and prostitution are certainly something that makes Amsterdam unique. Walking through the Red Light District is definitely an Amsterdam experience and something you will not soon forget. As more countries and U.S. States legalize or decriminalize marijuana, it will be interesting to see if the Amsterdam coffee houses are still a draw for so many tourists.
Love #4: Amsterdam Architecture
The architecture in Amsterdam is amazing. The city didn’t have as much WWII destruction as other European capitals, so the historic buildings remain today. One of my favorite things to do in Amsterdam is to just wander the canals and admire the different buildings, especially once you get outside of the tourist center. There is an architecture museum in Amsterdam and you can also take a guided architecture tour of Amsterdam.
Love #5: Amsterdam Atmosphere
Amsterdam is a beautiful city. The architecture, the culture, the history, and the people all combine to make this an incredible European destination. It’s a shame that so many people only visit Amsterdam for the coffee shops because they are really missing out on some of the other fun things to do in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is really fantastic, no matter your reason for visiting. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit Amsterdam. Want more tips for planning a Netherlands vacation? Check out these other blog posts: