First Time in Amsterdam — What Nobody Tells You

So you booked Amsterdam. Good call. But before you show up expecting a weed-themed theme park with canals, let me set you straight on a few things. I've lived here for 8 years and I watch tourists make the same mistakes every single week.

The Stuff That Actually Matters

You don't need a hotel in Centrum. I cannot stress this enough. Centrum is where tourists sleep, overpay, and eat bad food within a 200-meter radius. Stay in Jordaan, De Pijp, or Oud-West. You'll pay less, eat better, and actually feel like you're in Amsterdam — not a tourist simulation. Check our Sleep guide for places that are worth your money.

The weather will betray you. I don't care what the forecast says. It will rain. It might also be sunny an hour later. Bring a light rain jacket, not an umbrella. Umbrellas are useless here — the wind comes sideways. Layers are everything. More on that in our packing list.

English works everywhere. Dutch people speak English better than most Americans speak English. Seriously. But learning "dank je wel" (thank you) and "alsjeblieft" (please) earns you goodwill. People notice when you try.

Getting Around

Forget rental cars. Forget Ubers (they exist but are expensive). Amsterdam runs on three things: trams, bikes, and your feet.

Get a GVB day pass or an OV-chipkaart from the machine at Centraal Station. The tram system is simple and goes everywhere you need. Lines 2, 5, and 12 cover most tourist areas. The free ferry to Noord leaves every few minutes from behind Centraal — take it at least once.

Bikes: yes, you should rent one. No, not on day one. Walk for 2-3 days first. Learn the bike lanes, understand the flow. Then rent from a local shop (not those tourist trap rental places near the station). You'll get a better bike for less money. When you do ride, stay in the bike lane, signal your turns, and for the love of everything — don't stop in the middle of the path to check your phone.

Tipping

Dutch tipping is not American tipping. Nobody is expecting 20%. Round up the bill or leave 5-10% at a sit-down restaurant if the service was good. At a bar, rounding up to the nearest euro is fine. At a cafe, nobody tips. Don't overthink it.

What to Skip

I'm going to be direct: skip the Heineken Experience, skip Madame Tussauds, skip the Amsterdam Dungeon. These are tourist traps with long lines and high prices. Nobody who lives here has been to any of them more than once (and that once was because someone's parents were visiting).

The Red Light District: go if you're curious, but go at night (it's boring during the day), don't take photos of the workers (it's illegal and disrespectful), and don't go on a Friday or Saturday night unless you enjoy being sardined with bachelor parties.

What to Actually Do

Head to our Things to Do guide for the full list, but here's the quick version:

Walk the Jordaan on a weekday morning. The narrow streets, the houseboats, the tiny bridges — this is the Amsterdam you came for. No tickets needed.

Anne Frank House: book this weeks in advance. Not days. Weeks. The tickets release on a schedule — check the website and set a reminder. It's worth the effort.

Vondelpark on a sunny afternoon. Bring a beer from a nearby shop, sit on the grass, watch the city relax. This is what locals actually do.

Albert Cuyp Market for street food — go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekends are chaos. The stroopwafels are non-negotiable.

Eating Without Getting Ripped Off

Every Amsterdammer knows the rule: menu in six languages means keep walking. Check our Eat & Drink guide for the places that are actually good. Quick version: eat in De Pijp or Oud-West, make dinner reservations at least a week ahead for anywhere decent, and eat dinner at 8 PM like a local — not 5:30 PM like a tourist.

Going Out

Amsterdam nightlife is more than the Red Light District and Leidseplein. Way more. The real stuff is in Noord (industrial clubs, waterfront bars) and tucked into side streets in Jordaan and De Pijp. Check our Going Out guide for current picks.

The One Thing I Tell Everyone

Slow down. Amsterdam is a small city. You can walk across the entire center in 45 minutes. Don't try to "do" Amsterdam in a day. Sit at a canal-side cafe. Watch the boats. Drink your coffee slowly. Bike somewhere with no plan. The best things here aren't on any list — they're what happens when you stop trying to see everything.

Get a Netherlands eSIM before you land so you have maps and data the second you step off the plane. One less thing to worry about.

You're going to love it here. Just don't eat at the place with the picture menu.

Places mentioned in this guide

Every spot here is personally vetted — no sponsored placements.

€€€

Check rates

The Hoxton Amsterdam

Local Favorite

jordaan·boutique hotel

If you want a hotel that feels like a stylish apartment with a great lobby bar, The Hoxton is it. Book early—especially in summer.

€€

O'Donnell's Irish Pub

Local Favorite

de pijp

My buddy watches every Premier League game here with a Guinness in hand. Proper Irish pub, proper pints, and the pub grub hits different when you are homesick for comfort food.

€€

Gollem's Proeflokaal

Local Favorite

oud west

My neighbor calls this beer heaven and he is not exaggerating. Over 200 beers, staff who actually know what they are talking about, and the coziest little bar you will find.