Amsterdam
Entertainment Quality: 4 / 5
Safety: 4 / 5
Nightlife: 4 / 5
Walkability: 5 / 5
Living Standards: 4 / 5
Free WiFi: 4 / 5
Amsterdam in Prices & Facts
$16.4 $16.38
Quick Lunch for One
Spoken Languages
Dutch, English
$3.5 $3.49
Public Transport Ride
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Getting Around
On Foot
Amsterdam is incredibly walkable, so you can explore iconic areas like the Jordaan or the De Pijp for free, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes since many streets are cobblestoned and can be uneven. Watch out for cyclists, as they have the right of way; stick to the sidewalks and stay alert, especially at intersections!
Bicycle
Amsterdam’s bike rental costs around €10-€15 per day and is available at numerous shops, especially near Centraal Station; be sure to check for options that allow for online payment to avoid long lines. Insider tip: always lock your bike with a sturdy lock, as theft is common—use two locks if possible, especially in busy areas like Leidseplein or Vondelpark.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
P.S.: Historically, when tulips first appeared in Holland, they were astronomically expensive; people sold their homes for just one bulb. 😯 »
Yes.
Amsterdam - the city of freedom?
Yes.
Amsterdam - the city of risk?
Yes.
It seems like anything goes here. You can try light strains of cannabis in coffee shops without a fee, take casual photos of people (with consent) and even rent a special booth with erotic films for just around $2.
A popular form of entertainment here is the theatrical live shows, where the action unfolds literally right in front of you.
It’s an ideal option for those looking for a unique experience. 🤩 »
I’m falling more and more in love with this country. Here, you feel like a fully free person. There’s none of that judgemental gaze asking questions like “what are you wearing? / how did you do your hair? / which iPhone are you using?”
People here are straightforward, honest, and open. They’re ready to help, give advice, and smile.
You won’t encounter rude and unfriendly folks rushing around. The atmosphere is relaxed, and I’d say it’s pretty much the same across Europe.
There are legal things here that are banned in many other places and heavily criticized by surrounding countries. But here, everything is subject to taxes and sounds natural as if it’s the norm, regardless of how that may sound to others. The country is at a high level of development; people live quite well, and there’s no terrifying poverty or destitution.
I could dedicate a separate post to shopping 😂😏. I don’t enjoy walking around stores much; I just prefer to click a button and buy online. For the last 2.5 years, I’ve been ordering all my clothes exclusively through Dutch sites like Zalando and others like it, and I get the feeling I’ve become a pro 😄😄😄.
Three stores within one square meter ❤️❤️❤️
And yes, I might have to buy one more pair of shoes 🤪😏. »
Every step revealed exhibitions of art, sculptures, and other pieces of contemporary art that were beyond my reach to critique. I might be a bit of a snob about it, but for now, I prefer to call myself a connoisseur.
Shops for adults exist here with raw and souvenir options, bars, and hidden spots in the famous Red Light District. In the evening, I found myself wandering the busy streets filled with tourists seeking sights worth seeing. My disappointment laid less on the models, as years of working with them made me quite picky on matters of beauty standards, but as they say about tastes, you can’t argue.
I was also surprised by how much attention was drawn to the price of treatments—15 minutes of pampering in a beauty studio can cost around $150—and yet people filed through the venue's doors, just waiting for love behind drawn curtains. To me, in this European context, there seem to be more questions than answers, but it somehow still feels right in any weather and under any circumstances. »
When it comes to the famous Red Light District, it’s probably unnecessary to mention how fascinating it is. As we strolled through the streets, we encountered only a couple of women, probably just two out of hundreds. It seems pretty rare, but perhaps during this time of the year, there aren’t many around.
Honestly, it’s quite interesting navigating the city, though I can imagine that in the winter, with such chilly weather, it might not be the best time to explore. 🤣
Overall, it's a unique city—one that you don’t immediately grasp at first glance. 😊 »
The city suffers from such an influx of visitors, so I decided to share my thoughts. Here are 11 reasons why NOT to visit Amsterdam:
🚫 It’s very dangerous in the city. Crazy cyclists are everywhere. It’s not enough just to reserve a space, they will immediately run you over like nothing happens.
🚫 There are unending crowds everywhere. From every window, you get stuck in the freezing northern wind. Rumor has it that if you even sit down on a forbidden bench, they will escort you out of the country.
🚫 High prices for accommodation. More than $100 for a basic hotel in the outskirts? Easy! That’s for a night, not a month! Highway robbery!
🚫 Everything is expensive. Food is expensive, transport is expensive, museums are expensive. You can only afford to walk around without spending any cash.
🚫 Bidets, extravagance, cheapness. At every corner, you might encounter ladies of questionable behavior. Taking kids to such places is not advisable, and it can be pretty scary.
🚫 Forget about the local cuisine. More like a complete absence of it. You can only find butterbrots from a vendor with a sandwich board.
🚫 All around you’ll see grimy dark and shabby alleyways. Who would like that? You might just get a surprise drop on your head.
🚫 Terrible weather. Very bad. It’s cold and the rain doesn’t stop all year round. It’s colder inside than outside. Eternal gloom is what you’ll get.
🚫 Tourist crowds everywhere. Don't even try to go through, just avoid it. They came here and took it all!
🚫 What? Dutch cheese, herring, and yellow tulips? You can find those in every supermarket, and for much cheaper. You might as well go somewhere else in Europe.
🚫 There’s no sea. Well, technically there is, but the North Sea is around, and there they only catch fish. And with that, little all-inclusive stays by the sunny sea, you won’t find.
Overall, as you know, I certainly warned you. 😏 I advise you to think twice about whether it's worth it. Well, have the most exciting and pleasant journey. »
Who can say freedom, progress, health, someone being unrestrained, aging, and decay.
I’ll just say - vibrant colors 🎨
🎉 The red color of the lantern quarter, where the flow of tourists never stops. Red lights and intricate windows keep the traditions of 12th century with their red lanterns. Red tulips, red stalls in the central area.
🏞️ The new blue-green water in the canals, under the sunshine blue, spots with dark green, during summer days looking murky yet forever alive. There are canals everywhere you look, each with its own history, and most importantly you’re always by the water. I particularly adore this 😊
🏢 The beige and burnt ochre colors of the narrow canal houses – one can't imagine any trip from Amsterdam without them. They add character not just to their hue but to their form, supported by different styles, and predominantly angled with shutters to brighten up the interiors.
🖌️ The colorful palette of Van Gogh, in his museum. Thousands of diverse souvenirs and the pastel-colored tulips 🌷. You can find anything in any color and taste. There are also hundreds of decorated and moving bikes 🚲. Or their riders;) I especially remember the granddad, strutting around in brightly colored trousers 😂
🌿 The fragrant green of the cacti, pastries, teas, magnets, and all sorts of stuff from a well-known brand. In the evening, it shines over the entire center 🌃. Just don’t overdo it because it will feel like you’re that little boy who’s caught between merging big sloths while trying to hop on the bus 🐉. They’ve taken the side roads 😏
🌧️ The gray of rain and gloom, often a companion of Amsterdam.
🌙 The yellow lights of the nightlife, where life continues until dusk. And it only ends when the last tourist returns to their host 🤩.
✨ Unusual pedigree, unique people, but in any case undeniably beautiful and deserving of attention ✨.
Could you describe your colors? What palette would you choose, vibrant, saturated, or more gray? 🎨 »
— In Amsterdam!
— In Amsterdam?
— In Amsterdam!
— In Amsterdam?
— Yes, in Amsterdam! This is where the canals, tulips, red-light district, coffee shops, and the Van Gogh Museum are, you know, Tües!
Finally, I reached my destination, the city of Amsterdam. I planned for 2 days, partied for 5 ("the city doesn't sleep" and all that). Here’s what I managed to see that caught my interest:
1) So many bicycles! The amusing thing is watching some of them just fall over. I never figured out why they do, I really wanted to see. They are sometimes just left, and other times lying around like mopeds. On certain intersections, you have to consider the movement of cars, cyclists, trams, and other people, but you get used to the flow quickly and find that riding a bike feels rather natural. In the city, you feel that cyclists are the main actors on the roads.
2) The city flag is quite impressive. Three crosses, along with three Xs, symbolize something significant that has lasted for ages—over 500 years, to be exact. It looks stylish and can be seen everywhere: on buildings, poles, trash cans, and benches. It always seems to be placed with care.
3) The beautiful old houses. Many of them are over a hundred years old, and now they require some serious restoration work. They look quite unusual, the angle of inclination noticeably draws the eye.
4) The red-light district. Yes, you can see them standing in glass doors, calling out, some of them even seem friendly (could be feeling adventurous?). Generally, it's rather strange, but it's all part of the experience. I don't agree with such blatant commercialization. It’s purely regarding the attitude with which tourists are greeted. The women there cater to every taste. And there were definitely those that you would want to approach, just to have a fun chat over some drinks... but what more might come from it... (nothing, let’s not kid ourselves).
5) Entrance fees. Almost everywhere, you have to pay to enter, even at McDonald's.
6) In the central districts, there are many parks and everything looks quite contemporary and vibrant, I would even say thematic.
7) Plenty of museums, all sorts of private art galleries.
8) Lots of birds in the parks (breed somewhere around), which have chips on their legs, and in this atmosphere, they seem to create quite a vibe.
9) Little snack stands. No need for a permit to set them up, no parking fees, and you can even bike there. Although the prices are quite high for such stands! »
Amsterdam is a city that you can talk about endlessly. Describing its streets, its people, its spirit. Words can't quite capture it all, and I won't even try. Just know that Amsterdam is a place that shouldn't be read or listened about; you have to come and experience it. A place everyone should visit.
Amsterdam, thank you for a wonderful day and indescribable impressions, you are the best ♥♥♥ »
Amsterdam is a city that you can talk about endlessly. Describing its streets, its people, its spirit. Words can't quite capture it all, and I won't even try. Just know that Amsterdam is a place that shouldn't be read or listened about; you have to come and experience it. A place everyone should visit.
Amsterdam, thank you for a wonderful day and indescribable impressions, you are the best ♥♥♥ »