You can save a lot of money by heeding our recommendation on where to change your money. However it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good trip to Amsterdam if you’re on a budget. City worker removes 500 kilo (1100 pound) of love locks in order to prevent further damage to a historic bridge. For some dark reason, a couple that wishes to declare and seal their ‘eternal love’ attach a padlock to a bridge, lock it, and toss the key into the water. Laws for tourists in Amsterdam 2020. Here is something to watch out for: when you do visit a coffeeshop, be aware that some characters have been known to follow stoned tourists when they leave the place — figuring that it will be relatively easy to rob them. However here is a list of what not to do in Amsterdam as a tourist to not land you in trouble. As you already might know Amsterdam is not cheap. As in other historic cities, many bridges in Amsterdam are being destroyed by so-called love locks. What Not to Miss in Amsterdam. You’re glad the cookie provider is still around to help you get out of the crowd and into a quiet side street. Many Amsterdammers boycott these business, and we at DutchAmsterdam urge you to do the same. Not all trams have a conductor, but in that case there are ticket machines. Do: Visit the Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution. If that is you, re-read the section titled, “Don’t be foolish with drugs.”. Not only are the historic bridges not designed to carry the extra weight, but the locks damage the ironwork of the bridges. In addition, taxis, buses, emergency vehicles and some bozos also use the tram lanes. Join them. Apparently it is just as effective at getting tourists to part with their money as the overpriced cheese sold in the luxury cheese shops that plague Amsterdam. If you get caught sneaking a pic, things could get confrontational. Buying Drugs. Also do NOT cycle on the sidewalk… like I am doing here – oops! Also: the kind of people who tend to use hotel runners in the first place often are the same types who come to Amsterdam primarily to sample the coffeeshops. After using them, she committed suicide by jumping off a building onto a freeway. If you get caught you’ll have to pay a fine of € 70.00 + and administration fee of € 15.00 on the spot. Hard to believe, but many young people travel to Amsterdam on the spur of the moment — without booking any accomodation. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. If you are smart, then asking for a coffee in these coffeehouses is not the right thing to do in Amsterdam. While pickpockets go after everyone, try not to look like a tourist. We’ll help you with what to mind, so you can enjoy your stay in our lovely city. Amsterdam is not a free-for-all, so don’t go about town possessing, buying, and using pills, heroin, cocaine, and meth — you will face legal action if caught. Read more: A Complete City Guide to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Once you wake up — on the cold, hard street — you discover that your valuables are missing. If you have to have a souvenir from the Red Light District, buy a postcard. Don’t flash your cash. 7. For those of you who, like me, have not done so – let me explain. Although Amsterdam may not strike you as one of the world’s fashion capitals like Paris or Milan, it is home to the world’s largest collection of handbags at the Museum of Bags and Purses. A 48 hour Iamsterdam card costs €65 and with it you get free entry to the Zoo (worth €20.50), the Van Gogh Museum (worth €17) and pretty much every other museum in Amsterdam, as well as a free one hour canal cruise (worth €16). You get what you pay for, free spam included. Still, there are many things to do here. Your mileage may differ, but in our opinion most tourists won’t ever lie awake from having missed these spots: Put the wax figures on the back burner until you have a chance to visit the vastly superior London location instead. Amsterdam is not a free-for-all, so don’t go about town possessing, buying, and using pills, heroin, cocaine, and meth — you will face legal action if caught. Some of the ladies (or those pretending to be) will douse you and your camera with a bucket full of ammonia- or bleach-laced water. Below are photos of what the exterior looks like (though there are usually crowds of people waiting to get in so its easy to spot). Not only will you be blocking someone’s business opportunity, but you will make the workers and the people requiring their services feel uncomfortable – something that the RLD strongly stands against. Don’t help pickpockets empty you out — and, DutchAmsterdam is registered with the Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber of Commerce): 62798995, This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I must have been warm from the walking, because I had taken … DutchAmsterdam is an independent travel guide made by locals - the Amsterdam Experts. How unfair! Parking is sparse and expensive. We have reviews of the best places to see in Amsterdam. Do Not Take Photos Of The Girls In The Red Light District. A common trick is for a friendly person to offer anyone staring at a map to show you where you want to go. Too, some things — while perfectly legal — are best avoided. To many foreign tourists, Amsterdam means three things: legal prostitution, legal weed and the Anne Frank House. Going to Amsterdam? Our original content is protected by ©. What NOT to do as a tourist in Amsterdam Tourist information tends to be concerned with the do’s: ‘Do visit the Stedelijk’, ‘do drink Heineken’, ‘do get on the bus and visit the Keukenhof garden’. The obvious things are listed below so that it will be easy for you to avoid these things in your next Amsterdam tours. Freedom does come with responsibilities. And when in Amsterdam, do as Amsterdammers do: walk on the sidewalk, not the bike path. What’s up with all the huge pots of Nutella in the windows of countless ‘bakeries,’ candy stores, and hole-in-the-walls? For those of you who, like me, have not done so – let me explain. Basically these tours are meant to sell you tickets. The Dutch follow their own rules quite strictly, and they will even issue fines long after the infractions took place. At the very least, use a money belt. 6:17. Image Source. It’s best to avoid eye contact with street loiterers, beggars and junkies. Yes, Coffeehouses in Amsterdam are famous but they are famous for selling soft drugs like Hash, Marijuana, and Cannabis - definitely no coffee here! The BEST things to do in Amsterdam handpicked by the locals. coke?” questions. Things not to do in Amsterdam. [, Don’t buy drugs if you are younger than 18, Avoid Nutella Spam, Cheese Spam, Tours & Tickets Spam, (Just to break it up a bit: some ‘What to do in Amsterdam’ tips), Don’t make a beeline for the nearest fast-food ‘restaurant’ that reminds you of home, Hello! As a result they contribute to the gradual but steady destruction of the inner city. Woodman remains belligerent and his Wikipedia entry is carefully sculpted to exclude details about the ruse, but the National Geographic Channel has agreed to put its admission in writing, and has promised to not re-broadcast the episode. Pace yourself and don’t fool yourself. What Not to Miss in Amsterdam. Amsterdam has the reputation of being an “anything goes” city. These houses, which are about 2 metres wide, are among the oldest houses in Amsterdam. Don’t give a huge chunk of it away by exchanging it for euros in the wrong place. Here we are walking down the street at night, after a day out walking around. By the way… some things in Amsterdam are not what they appear to be. Similar scenarios happen in bars, coffeeshops, discos and other ventures where it seems natural for some friendly people to offer you a round of drinks. That’s not a good idea. Many Amsterdam locals (and tourists as well) are so upset by the thoughtless love lock ritual that they have left scathing reviews on the Google Maps entry of a nearby gift shop that prominently displays padlocks for sale. What Not To Do in Amsterdam. Don’t think Amsterdam is the only city in The Netherlands. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Tripadvisor: See 1,852,238 traveler reviews and photos of Amsterdam tourist attractions. There are no comments for this video. Unlike most other museums in Amsterdam, it is possible to enter the City Archives’ main exhibition without paying an entrance fee. Plague? 10. Another thing most of them share: an inexplicable desire to replace antique store fronts and interiors with ugly, visually ‘loud’ modern designs. Don’t do the hop-on hop-off bus in Amsterdam. Amsterdam’s easily ranks among the best cities in the world for young people and has plenty to offer anyone in their twenties. Anton was born and raised in Amsterdam. The National Geographic Channel has admitted that the Amsterdam edition of its ‘Scam City’ TV series — presented by Conor Woodman — used paid actors to stage crimes for its ‘hidden cameras.’. The tours are now facing many restrictions. Amsterdam is known for its cannabis culture and the Red Light District. If you want to experience the Dutch culture then I can tell you that being stoned for the whole time you are there is not how the Dutch live. Leliegracht, Amsterdam. Some tourists are so eager to visit a coffeeshop that they go there directly from the train station — carrying all their luggage. March 2007: A 17-year old French tourist asked an older friend to buy her some psychedelic mushrooms. What to do in Amsterdam in one day Rise and shine. So we’ve made a counter list of things NOT to do in Amsterdam. #3 What not to do as a tourist in Amsterdam: take photos of people working in the windows in the Red-Light District. You can find them at Kloveniersburgwal 26 (photo opposite), Singel 7 and Oude Hoogstraat 22. That shirt was a cream coloured thing with a floral pattern. Do: Visit the Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution. Also, keep in mind that Dutch marijuana is known for its potency. #4 Illegitimate Drugs. Oudezijds Achterburgwal, in the center of Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Getting too stoned. 15 Things NOT to Do in Amsterdam. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Tripadvisor: See 1,852,238 traveller reviews and photos of Amsterdam tourist attractions. This is such a good investment if you plan on seeing the best of Amsterdam, and not only in terms of money but of time too. While Amsterdam is an incredibly enjoyable city with freely accessible soft drugs, people can get stupid fast. Welcome to Holland! The old inner city is just not well-suited for vehicles carrying a dozen drinking and shouting revellers. Amsterdam is a city of free morals, but this does not mean that anything goes. Besides the RLD, Amsterdam is also known for their choice to legalize soft drugs such as mushrooms, coffee shops and marijuana. (That said, a police officer will always have to answer affirmatively to the question, “Are you a police officer?” That may or may not work. Stick to the below and we’re sure you will have a tip-top trip to Amsterdam! Do listen to — and follow — the advice of the staff in the coffeeshops. As a result, at Central Station – and throughout downtown Amsterdam – people who look like tourists (carrying backpacks or suitcases) will be accosted by hotel runners. You do not want to spend your vacation money on fines, right? Don’t do 2: Get high in all sorts of ways I know Amsterdam is known as the city of sins, but I never understood why people would come to Amsterdam “j ust to get high “. Do not be drawn into a conversation with a junkie. Don’t ruin it for yourself and others. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Although the way people move about seems random, there is an order to it that locals understand… and tourists disturb this order. Worse, people who live and work in downtown Amsterdam2 positively hate beer bikes. So as not to spoil your holiday, read our guide to Amsterdam, keep to the rules we outlined above, and you will only have lovely memories of your trip. It is updated from time to time. Anton Hein’s website includes photos of Amsterdam. Save yourself a lot of stress, and don’t rent a bike inside Amsterdam. Most of the Amsterdam coffeeshops are not known for selling excellent coffee, instead, they are known to sell excellent pot. You will get caught — either here or over there. Again, if you have to buy drugs buy them in one of the many licensed coffeeshops in the area. The obvious things are listed below so that it will be easy for you to avoid these things in your next Amsterdam tours. Our rule of thumb: if the store area is (nearly) as big as the museum, it’s a shop masquerading as something else. What not to do in Amsterdam — tourist traps and other mistakes to avoid. Amsterdam! Your GetYourGuide Ticket Advantage: Authorized Ticket Seller Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted Instant Confirmation. Discover 57 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands from Electric Ladyland: The Museum of Fluorescent Art to Singel 7. Bike paths seem to hold a near-irresistible attraction for some tourists. What almost all of these shops have in common is that they have replaced many unique businesses, as well as stores that used to cater to the locals instead of focusing on tourists. 81.000 people live in the center of town, while 87.000/day travel to the inner city for work. We all know that Amsterdam is a freewheeling city, buy everything is not so in the city. Do not trust them. There are some things that are best to be avoided, although being perfectly legal in the city. Not only can you end up buying stuff you did not intent to get — such as dried and crushed cabbage leaves or powdered pain killers — but those kind of deals usually take place in dark alleys or doorways where you can easily be accosted and relieved of your valuables. Not everyone who comes to the RDL is looking to procure the produce, so to speak. It seems like a friendly gesture: a pretty Dutch girl, a young boy, or a grandmotherly women will walk up to you with a plate full of home-baked cookies. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The internet is completely filled with it: things to do in Amsterdam! Get them from either the driver or the conductor. Come to think of it, it pays to familiarize yourself with the taxi situation in Amsterdam. Tickets bought in the tram or bus are much more expensive. However, be aware that the marijuana sold in coffee shops is a lot more potent (at least twice as strong!) Amsterdam Tours Things To Do In Amsterdam. You’re in Amsterdam. While Amsterdam is an incredibly enjoyable city with freely accessible soft drugs, people can get stupid fast. Here are 15 things NOT to do in Amsterdam. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. One of the best things to do in Amsterdam’s city center is visit the public library. Dive in. Janet was born in England and grew up in Ireland (and truly has an Irish nature). Enjoy the View from the Public Library. Watch Out For Pickpockets. We’re convinced the popular cocao paste is used as bait in tourist traps. Those of you who have sampled the wares of a koffieshop are probably sniggering now. For instance, be aware of cute young kids who charm you into posing with them for a photo. It’s like talking to a politician: you won’t get anything out it, and in the end you’ll discover he is only after your money. Naive tourists have been known to pay premium prices for sheep dung, parsley, aspirin, or talcum powder. It’s all about the canals here, so skip the bus tour, and cruise the canals instead. Are you ready for our list? Unlike many other city centers, downtown Amsterdam has a unique combination of homes, shops and offices. These cookies do not store any personal information. 1. Bikes must have a bell and working lights, and must not run a red … Amsterdam is known for its cannabis culture and the Red Light District. You might have to plan your trip a bit better, so you can find cheap alternatives. Don’t take truffles in the city centre; Let’s face it: one of the prime reasons tourists visit Amsterdam is for its drugs.Thanks to legal marijuana and lax laws concerning other recreational drugs, it’s often described as a drug wonderland. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We have reviews of the best places to see in Amsterdam. That shirt was a cream coloured thing with a floral pattern. Withlocals 598,883 views. As always, when visiting a foreign country check and see what the locals are doing. The Red Light District is perfectly safe, but keep the following tips in mind. 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