What should I avoid in Amsterdam?

Do and don'ts Amsterdam?

What places to avoid in Amsterdam?

The only famously 'dangerous' area in Amsterdam is Southeast (Amsterdam Zuidoost), an area rather separated with some distance from the city. No chance you will wander around here by accident! Southeast, also called Bijlmer, was built in the 1960s as a new haven for young families.

What is not allowed in Amsterdam?

The Dutch have divided drugs into two groups, depending on their influence on human health – soft drugs and hard drugs. Hard drugs as cocaine, LSD, morphine, heroin are forbidden in the Netherlands as in any other country.

Is Amsterdam safe for female tourists?

Amsterdam is a safe city for women of all ages traveling alone or together. Female travelers experience very little to no harassment in the streets or elsewhere. Incidents do occur, though. As everywhere, it is best to observe normal safety precautions.

Amsterdam: The Most Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Amsterdam

Do they speak English in Amsterdam?

The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch. The majority of Amsterdam's residents speak English well and are often fluent in one or two languages on top of that. You can usually get by effortlessly in Amsterdam without a knowing word of Dutch.

What do you wear at night in Amsterdam?

Women can wear a smart casual style with a nice, trendy dress or a modern jumpsuit with a blazer or jacket, even a black trouser or jeans with a neat blouse or a tunic dress. A denim jeans or a ripped jeans are definitely a no-go.

Can police search you in Amsterdam?

It's still illegal to carry it around, but that doesn't really matter 'cause... get a load of this: if you get stopped by the cops in Amsterdam, it's illegal for them to search you. I mean, that's a right the cops in Amsterdam don't have.

Can you be drunk in public in Amsterdam?

Alcohol in Public Amsterdam Rules

So you already know that it is not allowed to drink alcohol in public places. By public space I mean; on the street, in parks or even on the stairs in front of your house. An alcohol ban applies: in public space.

What is illegal in the Netherlands?

All recreational drugs in the Netherlands are illegal under Dutch law – even cannabis. However, cannabis and some types of recreational mushrooms are in a separate class which, while still technically illegal, soft drugs are tolerated in the Netherlands in small quantities.

Is Amsterdam safe to walk at night?

Most Amsterdam neighborhoods are safe for walking—even alone—with a few exceptions. One place to avoid come nightfall is the Red Light District. While it's filled with all types of people during the day, the area attracts seedier visitors and vagrants at night.

Is Amsterdam safer than London?

According to the latest report by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in Europe. By comparison, London didn't make it to the top five in the same report. The report included 60 cities around the world and analysed 76 indicators contained within four types of safety.

Is Amsterdam a dirty city?

Amsterdam isn't dirty or dangerous. One of the safest cities in the world. I see no huge numbers of refugees, Amsterdam is a multicultural city and is in the spirit of all visitors welcome. They are a modern western city with great municipal staff to deal with rubbish etc.

What is considered rude in the Netherlands?

It is rude to speak whilst chewing gum. Knock before entering a room if the door is shut. Standing with your hands in your pockets can be considered impolite. Compliments are usually given in private directly to the person that deserves them.

What should I know before going to Amsterdam?

How do I not look like a tourist in Amsterdam?

If you don't want to look like a typical tourist, rent a black bike and roll like a local. Bear in mind that if you don't feel confident on a bike it might be better to stick with a MacBike for safety reasons.

What is the legal age in Amsterdam?

The Age of Consent in Netherlands is 16 years old. The age of consent is the minimum age at which an individual is considered legally old enough to consent to participation in sexual activity.

What is drinking age in Netherlands?

Background: As of January 2014, the Dutch minimum legal age for the sale and purchase of all alcoholic beverages has increased from 16 to 18 years of age.

What's the youngest drinking age?

The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time. Seven countries do not have a government-mandated drinking age, while 11 countries ban the consumption of booze entirely.

Is cannibalism legal in the Netherlands?

Cannibalism is legal in the Netherlands. "Only when it involves maltreatment or when it violates common decency is cannibalism illegal," Gerard Spong, a Dutch lawyer who specialises in criminal law, told Reuters.

What are the rules of the red light district?

A really important Red Light District etiquette rule is to not take pictures of sex workers. They value their privacy and sometimes come after you if they see you taking a picture. Most sex workers lead a double life. Their family and friends do usually not know that they do this.

Can you carry a knife in Amsterdam?

Local law. In addition to national laws, every Dutch city and urban district has the right to prohibit carrying of any knife that can potentially be used as a weapon in certain "safety risk" areas.

Is there a dress code in Amsterdam?

In Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole there is no specific dress code.

What time do things close in Amsterdam?

In general, Amsterdam shops opening hours are from 9am to 6pm. But there are shifts during the week. On Mondays many shops open an hour later at 10am. Have late night shopping on Thursday until 9pm but close earlier on Saturdays, at 5pm.