Amsterdam Overview

A Perfect Day in Amsterdam

Tell someone you're going to Amsterdam, and you'll be met with a chuckle and a knowing smile. Yes, everyone will think you're after hookers and weed, but the tolerant laws here are shared by many Dutch cities that can't claim Amsterdam's title as the liberal capital of the West. Its characteristic tolerance has defined the city for centuries, long before the advent of drug tourism and prostitutes' unions. A refuge for Protestants and Jews fleeing Belgium in the 16th century, this center of sea trade and capital of a formerly imperialist nation has grown to be a tremendously diverse and progressive place that is more remarkable for letting its residents (and visitors) be whoever they please than for being a pothead's paradise.

As you stroll the streets, appreciate the culture and vitality of this pretty city. You can walk it in under an hour, moving from the peaceful canals of the Jordaan to the leering men and gaudy porn stores of the Red Light District. Old trading money lives on in graceful canal houses, while a few blocks away, repurposed squats are now clubs and cinemas. The city makes a strong effort to aid its burgeoning arts and culture scene, so Amsterdam is truly getting cooler by the day. And as long as you really like beer, food and drink here are far cheaper than the fare in other European cities.

Whether you're obsessed with Dutch painting, want to dance all night at a GLBT club, or just want to sit in a coffeeshop and get high, you're guaranteed to have a good time in Amsterdam. If you're the stoner, make sure to mix it up and go to Vondelpark every once in a while. And if you're the art student, we hear that Sunflowers looks really cool when you're high.

When To Go

Though relatively moderate, the weather in the Netherlands nevertheless fluctuates from season to season; its only year-round characteristic is rain—and lots of it (for average temperatures and rainfall) ...more

Practical Information

TOURIST OFFICES:VVV provides information on sights, museums, performances, and accommodations; you can buy maps and guidebooks (not that you'd need another one) here too. They also heavily advertise and ...more

Cultural Essentials

Too many people demonize—or worship—Amsterdam as a world of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Yes, it has all of those things, but the Dutch legacy is rooted in two more profound pillars: innovation ...more

Neighborhood Overviews

Amsterdam’s cozy but confusing neighborhoods can be easily explored with help from its guiding canals. In the city center, water runs in concentric half-circles, beginning at Centraal Station. The ...more

Biking And Walking Tours

Jodenbuurt and Plantage are two of the less-touristy neighborhoods that travelers are still likely to visit. A high concentration of sights and museums is the real draw here, but don't overlook the few ...more