What Not to Do in Amsterdam
Are you planning a trip to Amsterdam soon? Here’s what NOT to do in Amsterdam so you can avoid common mistakes that tourists make. Amsterdam is an amazing city, but you need to be prepared.
The capital of the Netherlands is known for its illustrious history as a leading capital of trade, finance, and art for centuries. The city is built on an elaborate system of canals, with many historic canal houses that date back to the Dutch Golden Age of the late 16th through 17th centuries.
These days, Amsterdam is a very popular tourist destination. It has a fun, lively atmosphere and is still a hub for art and culture. The city is also known for being very tolerant and progressive.
When you picture Amsterdam, you might think of quaint canals, colorful tulips, and lots of bicycles. And all of that is accurate! But there’s a lot more to the city beyond the stereotypical image, too. It’s a great destination to discover, but there are some common mistakes that first-time visitors make.
Since I want you to have the best time possible in Amsterdam, here’s a look at what NOT to do:
1. Forgetting to book museums in advance
One of the worst mistakes you can make in Amsterdam is not booking popular museums in advance. In fact, this is a mistake that I made myself on my first trip to Amsterdam, which was a quick, last-minute visit. I really wanted to see the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.
But it turns out, you absolutely cannot expect to buy tickets to these museums just a few days in advance. You really need to book these two museums quite far in advance to guarantee admission.
For the Anne Frank House, tickets are available six weeks in advance. Tickets become available online every Tuesday at 10 AM (Netherlands time) for the next week that is six weeks ahead. I highly recommend buying your tickets exactly six weeks in advance, because time slots book up fast.
For the Van Gogh Museum, you don’t need to book quite as far in advance, but tickets do often sell out several days in advance. The same goes for the Rijksmuseum, so book as early as you can.
These are my top three museum recommendations in Amsterdam — all are amazing! Since I missed out on my first trip due to last-minute planning, I knew I had to come back to Amsterdam one day to visit them. And it was so worth it! Don’t make the mistake I did, and be sure to book your tickets in advance.
2. Walking in bike lanes
Amsterdam is known for being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. There are more bikes than people in Amsterdam, and cycling is a very common way for locals to get around.
There’s a lot of infrastructure for cyclists in Amsterdam, including bike lanes throughout the city. Sometimes, bike lanes run along sidewalks and pedestrian paths. If you aren’t looking out for them, you might find yourself accidentally walking in a bike lane. And if you do this, the locals will not be pleased.
You will probably get shouted at if you’re walking in the bike lane, because it can be dangerous for both you and the cyclists. So always be aware of where you’re walking, and avoid bike lanes!
3. Renting a bike if you’re not a confident cyclist
Another mistake that many tourists make in Amsterdam is renting a bike or taking a bike tour if you’re not a confident cyclist. Honestly, I don’t recommend cycling in the city center of Amsterdam.
The bike lanes can be very congested, and you need to know the “rules of the road” for cycling. It might seem like a fun idea, but it can honestly be a stressful experience if you aren’t prepared for it.
If you really want to take a bike tour while in Amsterdam, I recommend leaving the city to do it. A tour like this one includes a ferry ride out of Amsterdam, then a scenic three-hour tour (on e-bikes!) around the countryside. You’ll see traditional windmills and pass local farms, and stop for a cheese tasting!
It’s less hectic than cycling in the city center, and you get to see the Dutch countryside!
4. Skipping the canal cruise
One thing you shouldn’t do is skip a canal cruise in Amsterdam. While the city is great to explore on foot, you get a totally different vantage point from the water. Taking a canal cruise is definitely worth it.
However, it’s important to choose the right canal cruise. What I don’t recommend are the large, enclosed tourist boats. These hour-long cruises are affordable, but you won’t get as good of a view from inside, and they’re really crowded. It’s worth paying a little more for a smaller, open boat experience instead.
This small-group, open-air cruise is only a little more expensive than the large tourist boat, and you’ll get the best views on your hour-long cruise. You also have the option to add on unlimited drinks.
5. Taking photos in the Red Light District
Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District is located in the medieval De Wallen neighborhood of the city. It’s where you’ll find streets full of legal brothels, strip clubs, peep shows, and other adult entertainment. Visiting the Red Light District is on the bucket list of many tourists in Amsterdam.
But if you go, it’s important to be respectful. A big no-no is taking photos of the women working in the windows of the brothels. Photography is prohibited here and is a violation of the privacy of the workers.
6. Not understanding what coffeeshops are
While we’re on the topic of adult entertainment in Amsterdam, let’s address coffeeshops. Marijuana is technically not “legal” in the Netherlands, but it might as well be, because it’s completely tolerated.
In fact, there are tons of so-called “coffeeshops” in Amsterdam that can openly sell marijuana and marijuana-based products. It’s important to understand what these coffeeshops actually are, though! If you enter one expecting it to be a place to grab a coffee and a slice of cake, you will be in for a big surprise.
You might be able to order cake, but it will definitely have an added ingredient!
7. Staying far outside the Canal Ring to save money
The Canal Ring is the historic center of Amsterdam. As the name suggests, this is where the majority of the city’s canals are concentrated. If you look at a map of Amsterdam, you can easily identify it.
While I don’t think you need to stay in the absolute center of the city, I also wouldn’t recommend staying in one of the outer neighborhoods if you want the classic Amsterdam tourist experience. You might save money, but you won’t really feel like you’re in Amsterdam if you’re far from the center.
You can check out the best centrally-located hotels in Amsterdam here. Although hotels in Amsterdam can be pricy, I personally think it’s worth it to stay pretty central for the full experience.
8. Rushing through the city
On my first trip to Amsterdam, I made this mistake. I only had about a day and a half in the city, and I didn’t get to do nearly as much as I wanted to. I definitely recommend more time than that in Amsterdam.
How much time should you actually spend in Amsterdam? I would recommend at least three or four full days. This will give you plenty of time to explore all the city has to offer. You can also use one of your days to get out of Amsterdam and explore more of the Netherlands (more on that in a minute!)
9. Expecting to see tulips year-round
Many people think of tulips when they think of Amsterdam. These colorful flowers were first introduced in the 1600s, and led to the amusing tulip mania phenomenon, where the price of tulip bulbs in the Netherlands inflated to an extraordinarily high price before the “tulip bubble” finally popped.
However, if you expect to see lots of tulips around Amsterdam year-round, you’ll be disappointed. Tulips only bloom in the spring (usually April and May) in Amsterdam. And if you want to see rows and rows of tulips, you’ll have to go out of the city to a place like Keukenhof Garden for that experience.
10. Forgetting to pack properly for Amsterdam’s weather
Amsterdam’s weather can be unpredictable. The best time to visit is from April through October. Spring and fall can be quite chilly, while summer is usually warm and pleasant, but not sweltering hot. The wettest time of year is late summer and fall, so you’ll want to pack a sturdy umbrella and good rain gear.
Winters in Amsterdam can be bitterly cold. It also snows fairly often in the winter, although it’s usually not heavy snow that sticks. My second trip to Amsterdam was in December, and while I normally like visiting places in the winter, I don’t think Amsterdam is at its best at this time of year (it’s a bit dreary!)
If you are visiting in the winter, you’ll want to make sure you pack very warmly! And no matter what time of year you’re visiting Amsterdam, don’t underestimate the wind. The city is located close to the North Sea, and it can get very windy, which often makes it feel a lot cooler, no matter the season.
11. Taking taxis or renting a car
A big mistake to avoid is taking a taxi or, even worse, renting a car. Taxis in Amsterdam are very expensive, and you can get anywhere by walking or taking public transportation. From the airport, you can get to the city center by train in about half the time it takes to drive (15 minutes vs. 30 minutes.)
Renting a car is also so not necessary in Amsterdam. Many streets are pedestrian-only, and parking is very limited and expensive. Even for day trips out of the city, it doesn’t make sense to have a car. Public transportation is excellent in the Netherlands, with many destinations just a short train ride away.
12. Shopping at Bloemenmarkt
Bloemenmarkt is one of the biggest tourist traps in Amsterdam. It literally translates to Flower Market, but you will find almost no fresh flowers for sale here. Instead, all of the market stalls are filled with vendors selling overpriced souvenirs and postcards, as well as flower bulbs and seeds… that rarely bloom.
Many people have complained that the bulbs and seeds they bought from this market never actually grow into flowers, so it’s considered to be a bit of a scam. Save your money and buy souvenirs elsewhere.
13. Carrying lots of cash
Amsterdam is a city where you don’t need a lot of cash. On both of my trips to Amsterdam, I noticed that many places were actually card-only, especially small shops and cafes. So you definitely don’t need to take hundreds of euros out of an ATM when you arrive (although it’s a good idea to have a little cash!)
For American travelers, it’s important to note that American Express credit cards aren’t widely accepted in the Netherlands (or anywhere in Europe), so it’s good to travel with a Visa or MasterCard.
14. Not taking any day trips
While Amsterdam is a cool city and there’s a lot to do there, it’s a mistake to only stay in Amsterdam the whole time. There are some great day trips you can take to explore more of the Netherlands.
I’ve written about the best day trips from Amsterdam with plenty of suggestions, so check that out for some ideas. In less than an hour from the city, you can see traditional Dutch windmills, farms, and small towns. And then you can conveniently come back to your home base of Amsterdam in the evening.
Major Mistakes to Avoid in Amsterdam
This guide showed you what NOT to do in Amsterdam, and the biggest mistakes to avoid.
Hopefully, this was helpful for you and you feel better prepared for your trip to Amsterdam! It’s a unique city, and as long as you plan ahead and know what to expect, you will have a great time there.
Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam!
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