World Travel

Do’s and Dont’s in Amsterdam

 

Disclaimer: This is certainly not an exhaustive list of things you can enjoy while in Amsterdam. But it is a listing of the places and things to do in Amsterdam from our personal experiences. As well as inclusion of what we found you could probably live without. We are very excited to share our personal Amsterdam Do’s and Dont’s with you.

Do check out the coffee shops

Amsterdam Coffee Shops Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions

Yes the ones that have the marijuana, although I am sure the Cafe’s which sell Coffee are nice too. Even if you are not going to indulge, it is definitely worth checking them out just to experience it and see how casual it all is. There are shops that are very hippie-esque and exactly what you would expect. There are plenty of other shops that sell small bites and beverages and are just like any other cafe. A few offer great canal views and all offer good opportunities to people watch. Just remember that ID will be required to enjoy this experience unique to Amsterdam.

Don’t engage in risky behavior

Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions
Ceiling over the shops

Amsterdam is also a place where mushrooms are legal and everything seems to be at ones fingertips. Many think it is an opportunity to go crazy but please don’t. We’re not going to get into all the reasons why because we all had a health class of some sort but really just don’t do it.

Do walk through the red light district.

Red Light District Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions

It is an experience like no other. Both intriguing and slightly uncomfortable, it brings up some really great conversations about the potential value and risks of the world’s oldest profession. For those who are not familiar, the red light district is an area in Amsterdam that is literally lit with red lights and features women (and some men) who are engaging in legal prosititution. They stand in full length windows, generally dressed in as little clothing as possible, advertising their wares so to speak.

Don’t visit the sex museum or the red light museum

Amsterdam at Night Amsterdam Coffee Shops Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions
Amsterdam at night

Ok so this is more of a softer don’t. We had a laugh in the sex museum with it’s antique pornography (like 1800’s which really suprised me), low quality animatronics and silly gags. It was cheap and silly but not worth your time if you have a limited amount of it. The Prostitute museum was a bit more serious and had an admirable goal of bringing more attention and protection for sex workers. It however, could also have used a bit more funding to make it a more serious museum that it has the potential to be. Although, given it’s location in the light district, they may have no intention of it ever being legitimate.  It is mostly personal stories and recreations that you can walk through. It was interesting but definitely lacking.

Do visit the IAmsterdam park

Amsterdam park Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions

Technically known as museum square, it is home to the IAMSTERDAM sign that everyone gets a picture with. We got some too but it is super crowded so we chose to post our photo of the pond behind it as it is impossible to get a really great picture with everyone else clamoring for one as well. It’s a nice park park regardless and is also home to the Van Gogh Museum.

Don’t visit  the Diamond Museum

Amsterdam Park Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions
Dutch Tulips in Amsterdam Park

This museum is also located in museum square as well. It is free which is a plus but the actual “museum” portion consists of a viewing area of staff polishing diamonds and a five minute or so tour of the room by a tour guide explaining what they are doing. The rest of the space is just trying to sell you jewelry so the title of museum is a little misleading.

Do visit the Anne Frank Museum

The Anne Frank Museum, Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions
Anne Frank House

It’s a location of great historical significance and includes a lot of information regarding the Frank family’s experience within the context of what was going on more broadly during the Holocaust. It is a very emotional and somber place as one might expect. We found it to be very meaningful and  are grateful we included it on our trip.

Don’t wait until you get there to buy tickets

A Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions
The Canals

This is something we often like to do as we are fairly laid back travelers who prefer to see how things go on any given day, which has lead to a lot of fantastic impromptu adventures but there are always certain things you need to book ahead and just commit to a date and time.  This is definitely one of them. We had a tip from friends that you need to book ahead to ensure you can get tickets which was a very valuable tidbit. When we got there with our tickets we only had to wait five minutes or so to go in unlike the people waiting in a line wrapped around the corner who were going to wait who knows how long. It is an absolute must see but don’t put yourself in a situation in which you are waiting for hours when you can avoid it.

Do visit Amsterdam Museum

 Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions
Amsterdam Museum

The Amsterdam Museum is a great way to learn about the past of this historic and unique European City. I enjoyed learning about how it has come to be what it is today and enjoying the artifacts displayed. It is a high quality museum displaying Amsterdam’s art and artifacts.  It is a small museum but was not too crowded, often I was alone in a room checking out a display. Click here to check out their website.

Don’t skip exploring on foot

Amsterdam Coffee Shops Dos and Dont's In Amsterdam #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamattractions
Amsterdam Homes

Amsterdam is a lovely city for wandering. It’s romantic canals and tall lean buildings for which it is known are best explored in a slow stroll down Amsterdam’s ancient streets. So, amongst all the items on your to see checklist ensure you make time to relax and explore.

Extra tips:

Get the transport card

Do's and Dont's of visiting Amsterdam #visitamdsterdam #travelnetherlands #dosanddonts
Amsterdam Train Station

This was the best investment we made the whole trip. The trains go everywhere and got us anywhere we wanted to go within a reasonable amount of time. We did a lot of walking as well and biking is extremely popular but the train card is worth every penny.

Pack light and Wear Comfortable Shoes

Amsterdam is a perfect weekend trip and is often a part of a larger European tour. It is therefore helpful to be scrupulous with what you are packing for your visit. This will allow you to utilize a budget airline or train (if coming from another location in Europe). A trip in Amsterdam involves a lot of exploring the city, so the less you have to carry around the better.Like many European cities Amsterdam maintains many of the same street as when it first began which are most conducive for walking. Because you will be walking or biking a lot, comfortable walking shoes are an absolute must.

Accommodations

Do's and Dont's of visiting Amsterdam #visitamdsterdam #travelnetherlands #dosanddonts
Our Rental

In Ryan’s younger days he spent his Amsterdam weekends in small hostels or b&b’s deep in the heart of the city; back when they were affordable on a student budget. However, things have gotten more pricey over the years and we found it costs roughly the same renting an apartment as it does a hotel room. We opted for a spacious apartment just outside of the city center for a more relaxed and quiet end to our night that we split with Ryan’s brother and a friend.

 

Do's and Dont's of visiting Amsterdam #visitamdsterdam #travelnetherlands #dosanddonts
Dutch Cheese Shop in the heart of Amsterdam

So there it is. Our list of the Do’s and Don’ts of a visit to Amsterdam. Whatever your reasons for visiting Amsterdam you will be sure to enjoy this Unique European city. Just remember to explore the beauty of this historic and beautiful city while staying safe and visiting the sites.

Do's and Dont's of visiting Amsterdam #visitamdsterdam #travelnetherlands #dosanddonts

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