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Amsterdam: Canals, cafés and museums
Whatever your pre-imagined image of Amsterdam, you’re sure to find what you expect. Canals lined with elegant townhouses, smoky coffee shops, laid-back brown cafés, clanging trams, cyclists in abundance and tulip-filled flower markets. It’s all here and more. But beyond the tourist clichés you’ll also encounter a friendly and cosmopolitan capital city,
bristling with trendy bars, high-end restaurants, art galleries and designer boutiques. Best of all, unlike Berlin, Paris or London, it’s all laid out on a manageable scale, making it easy to follow in Rembrandt’s footsteps and find your way around on foot or bike.
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Top 10 sights in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum
1071 CJ Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 6621 440
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700
Housing works by masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer, the Netherlands’ most important art collection has finally re-emerged after a decade of renovation work.
Anne Frank House
1016 GV Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 556 7100
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Opening times:
Sun-Fri 0900-1900
Sat 0900-2100 (Nov-Mar)
Sun-Fri 0900-2100
Sat 0900-2200 (Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct)
daily 0900-2200 (Jul-Aug)
The canalside house where the teenage diarist and her family hid for two years during the Nazi occupation is a popular draw. Buy tickets online to avoid the long queues.
Van Gogh Museum
1071CX Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 570 5200
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Opening times:
Sat-Thu 0900-1800
Fri 0900-2200 (Mar-Aug)
Sat-Thu 0900-1700
Fri 0900-2200 (Sep-Feb)
This museum houses the world’s largest collection of works by the globally celebrated artist. Around 200 paintings and 500 drawings trace the development of his remarkable but tragically short career.
Canal Ring
Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Built in the 17th century as part of a major city expansion during the Netherlands’ Golden Age, the iconic tree-lined canals and step-gabled mansions are now a UNESCO World Heritage-listed sight. To see them from water level, a dozen boat operators offer canal tours from various departure points across the city.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Amsterdam’s green lungs are its largest park, built in 1859. It’s a picturesque place simply to hang out, and is best enjoyed on a summer weekend when it becomes a popular retreat for picnicking locals.
Rembrandthuis
1011 NK Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 520 0400
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1800
Amsterdam’s most famous artistic son lived in this house from 1639 to 1656, and the interior has been lovingly restored and furnished to show how it would have looked during his time there.
Amsterdam Museum
1012 PH Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 523 1822
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700
Housed in a maze of 17th-century buildings on the site of an old convent, this museum will tell you everything you need to know about the city’s rich history.
Heineken Experience
1072 AE Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 523 9222
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Opening times:
Mon-Thu 1100-1930
Fri-Sun 1030-2100 (Sep-Jun)
daily 1030-2100 (Jul-Aug)
On the site of a former brewery, this multi-media exhibition recounts the history of beer in general and of the world’s most famous brewer in particular.
Dam Square
Amsterdam
Netherlands
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In the shadow of the Royal Palace and the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), the city’s main hub is a meeting point for locals and visitors alike, and usually home to half a dozen or more street entertainers.
Keukenhof
2161 AM Lisse
Netherlands
Tel: 0252 465 555
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Opening times:
Daily 0800-1930 (mid-Mar to mid-May, last inlet at 1800)
Half an hour to the south of Amsterdam, Europe’s largest flower gardens burst into life every spring, with around 7 million tulips and other colourful blooms.
Flight and accommodation
Country Information
Country overview
A small country with a big profile, the Netherlands offers a beguiling blend of rural, traditional beauty and vibrant culture. Occupying a delta at the confluence of three major rivers where they empty into the North Sea, it is truly a water world: canals, coast and lakes are never far from view. Flat as a pannenkoek, it also makes an ideal destination for cycling, an integral mode of transport among the Dutch themselves.
Holland (as the country is alternatively referred to) is also a deeply cosmopolitan place where museums overflow with paintings from its Golden Age, and a cavalcade of festivals showcase performing artists from within and beyond its borders.
Geography
The Netherlands shares borders to the south with Belgium and to the east with Germany, while the North Sea lies to the north and west. Large areas of The Netherlands have been reclaimed from the sea and consequently one-fifth of the country lies below sea level. The country is flat and level and is criss-crossed by rivers and canals.
Areas reclaimed from the sea, known as polders, are extremely fertile. The landscape is broken by the forest of Arnhem, the bulb fields in the west, the lakes of the central and northern areas, and coastal dunes that are among the most impressive in Europe.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 16805037
Population Density (per sq km): 405
Capital: Amsterdam
Language
Dutch is the official language. Frisian is spoken in the northern province of Friesland. English, German and French are widely spoken.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are in use.
General business opening hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
2019
Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2019
Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday): 19 April 2019
Paasen (Easter): 21 and 22 April 2019
Koningsdag (King’s Day): 27 April 2019
Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day): 5 May 2019
Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day): 10 May 2019
Pinksteren (Whitsun): 9 and 10 June 2019
Eerste Kerstdag (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019
Tweede Kerstdag (Boxing Day): 26 December 2019
2020
Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Paasen (Easter): 12 and 13 April 2020
Koningsdag (King’s Day): 27 April 2020
Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day): 5 May 2020
Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day): 21 May 2020
Pinksteren (Whitsun): 31 May and 1 June 2020
Eerste Kerstdag (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
Tweede Kerstdag (Boxing Day): 26 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Getting around
Public Transport
Amsterdam’s efficient public transport system, operated by GVB (tel: 0900 8011; www.gvb.nl), encompasses buses, trams and a metro. There are also night bus services. They use a chip card ticketing system – remember to check both in and out – and 24, 48 and 72-hour passes are available. Buy tickets from metro stations, on board buses and trams, from newsagents, or the GVB office outside Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Taxis
Taxis cannot be hailed in the street. Go to a designated taxi rank, or call a reputable company such as Taxicentrale (tel: 020 777 7777) or STA (tel: 020 364 2207). Fares are high, but tipping isn’t necessary.
Flight and accommodation
Paul van Dyk: a true world citizen
Traveling to 100 different places and circling the globe 16 times a year, Paul van Dyk truly knows what being a citizen of the world means. Discover why music, connecting with his audience and traveling comes as naturally as breathing to him.
The #inspiredby series takes you on a trip around the world. Experience the world from the perspective of artists, musicians, athletes and our very own crew, whether at work or play! See what impact and meaning traveling has for each of these individuals and let their stories inspire you.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s thriving nightlife scene ranges from wooden-floored brown cafés to the hippest dance clubs.
On weekend nights, many regular bars host DJs playing at full volume.
In De Wildeman
1012 PT Amsterdam
Netherlands
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One of Amsterdam’s most characterful old bars stocks almost 300 of the world’s best craft beers.
Wynand Fockink
1012 HH Amsterdam
Netherlands
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For an aperitif or digestive, this wonderful sandy-floored tasting room stocks the widest range of jenevers and liqueurs in town.
Bitterzoet
1012 TS Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Popular dance club and music venue hosting DJ nights and live acts.
Paradiso
1017 SG Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Amsterdam’s premier concert venue regularly welcomes big-name live shows and DJs.
Melkweg
1017 PH Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Running the Paradiso a close second, Melkweg also attracts the star performers.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has a wealth of restaurants representing almost every cuisine around the world.
From high-end fine French dining to American-style burgers, via the obligatory Indonesian rijsttafel, you won’t go hungry.
Ciel Bleu
1072 LH Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Price: Expensive
Innovative fusion creations combine with phenomenal views at this two-Michelin-starred place on the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura.
Vermeer
1012 AD Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Price: Expensive
Michelin-starred restaurant showcasing the finest Dutch seasonal ingredients.
Dwars
1015 PM Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Price: Moderate
Elegant restaurant in the Jordaan district serving fine modern cuisine.
RED
1017 EN Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Price: Moderate
Popular spot in a canalside townhouse, serving lobster and/or steak.
Omelegg
1072 LH Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Price: Cheap
This must for hungry egg lovers serves omelettes cooked 25 different ways.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Imagine Film Festival
10 – 20 April 2019
Website
Venue: Various cinemas in Amsterdam
Thrillers, science fiction, horror and cult movies are the mainstay of the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, which has been terrifying audiences since 1984. The programme includes features, retrospectives, a Fantastic Shorts section, a children’s day and an all-night horror film marathon. There are more than 70 screenings overall. Winners of the Black Tulip, the festival’s jury award, and the Silver Scream Award, for the film most popular with the audience, are announced on the final evening.
King's Day
27 April 2019
Venue: The streets of central Amsterdam
Up to a million people take to the streets of Amsterdam for the annual Koningsdag (King’s Day) celebrations, when the Dutch celebrate the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander. Carnival floats, parades, street theatre, fireworks and decorated canal boats are among the treats on offer and everyone dons wacky orange costumes and wigs in token of the royal house. The night before the big day is marked by ecstatic parties with top DJs working the crowds.
Amsterdam Roots Festival
Juli 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues in Amsterdam
This festival seeks out and presents new forms from the world music scene. Concerts take place at several venues leading up to the finale on Sunday of the festival week, an outdoor event held at Oosterpark. Five different stages are set up in the park to deliver a vibrant and varied musical mix, one especially for children.
Amsterdam Gay Pride
27 July – 4 August 2019
Website
Venue: Various streets and venues in Amsterdam
One of the largest gay and lesbian events in Europe is held in mid-summer. The highlight is a Canal Parade on Saturday afternoon, when dozens of fancifully decorated barges packed with wackily garbed revellers navigate their way through the Prinsengracht and Amstel River. Street parties catering to different sub-groups go on all over town, while club nights, sport and films also feature in the festival.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Amsterdam
Amsterdam accommodation covers every base from cheap dives to ultra-plush luxury.
Habitable budget places are a rarity, and hotels in every category fill quickly – book as far in advance as possible.
Okura
1072 LH Amsterdam
Niederlande
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Category: Expensive
This 23-story luxury hotel quite literally looks down on all the others.
Grand Hotel Amrâth
1011 AK Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Category: Expensive
Fabulous art nouveau luxury hotel, originally built in 1913.
Room Mate Aitana
1013 MM Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Category: Moderate
Ultra-modern waterside design hotel that opened in 2013.
Larende
1053 AJ Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Category: Moderate
Above a Turkish restaurant, this place combines modern facilities with a friendly welcome.
Flight and accommodation
The "9 Straatjes"

Amsterdam naturally has more to offer than the 9 Straatjes neighborhood at the heart of the downtown Canal Belt. But even for the Dutch capital, such a rich array of lifestyle delights within such a small area is a novelty. You won’t find megastores here, just small boutiques, bars and vintage shops, galleries, restaurants and museum. All of these and more are huddled very, very closely together between Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel – not necessarily to the joy of all of the tourists heading for a sinful stroll on De Wallen, since they often as not end up getting stuck here and blowing their entire day’s budget …
The following nine streets make up the 9 Straatjes neighborhood: Hartenstraat, Gasthuismolensteeg, Reestraat, Wolvenstraat, Berenstraat, Oude Spiegelstraat, Huidenstraat, Runstraat and Wijde Heisteeg. It is not unheard of, however, for shops, bars and restaurants from the adjoining streets to claim they belong to 9 Straatjes, and no one takes it amiss. After all, the location has long had been regarded as a seal of quality.
Hotel IX
1016 CB Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/845 84 51
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“The Hotel IX is the only hotel in the 9 Straatjes” – that’s how Merel and Susan advertise their excellent boutique hotel. The claim is likely directed chiefly at two nearby establishments – the distinguished Dylan on Keizersgracht and the nostalgic Ambassade on Herengrach. And yet the old building, newly renovated in bold urban hipster style, has no need of such barbs because a cooler combination of bold creativity and the visible traces of the 17th century – which is when the building on Hartenstraat was built – would be hard to envision.
There’s no hot food to be had here, but a very warm welcome and attentive service from the two hosts amply make up for that. Our favorite of the hotel’s five suites, each of which has its own distinctive, but harmonious decor is the Wolvenstraat Suite, where you can listen to the sounds of Amsterdam canal life, as though you were right inside a ship’s hull. Oh yes, they don’t serve breakfast here, either. Guests may view this as a blemish, but only until they have tucked into a fantastic breakfast at the hotel’s partner café Screaming Beans (Hartenstraat 12). The hotel takes care of guests’ reservations.
Double room from 220 euros
Exota
1016 CB & 1016 BZ Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/344 93 90 or +31-20/344 93 80
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Opening times:
Mon–Wed 1000–1800
Thu 1000–2100
Fri–Sat 1000–1800
For some years now, Exota, which opened in 1985 purely as a vintage shop with a predilection for unusual styles and colors, has applied a quirky categorization to its merchandise that requires a decision from female customers: Articles for “women & kids” are displayed on the left, those for “Ladies & Gentlemen” on the right. In both departments, joie de vivre blossoms in crazy color combos, giving rise to the notion that the designers may have called in at the nearby coffee shops on their way into work.
Ultimately, however, the store’s name says it all: Most of the people who call into the shop are laid-back types with a distinct penchant for the (vintage) world of fashion. The store’s own label, King Louie, has made a name for itself well beyond Amsterdam. No one leaves this place with either gray fabrics or gray thoughts.
Wolvenstraat 23
1016 EN Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/320 08 43
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Opening times:
Mon–Sat 0900–0100
Sun 1000–0100
In Lonely Planet, this place was once described as a “design bar” but remained unnamed. Amsterdam’s insiders were highly amused, and even the owner, Anna Mol, would not insist that the decor of her tiny bar, eclectically cobbled together, necessarily lives up to genuine design standards. Even so, there is something about this smart bar: On the right, there are some low, leather-covered vaulting boxes to sit on; on the left, bistro tables beside a leather wall for patrons to loll against.
The crowd here is mostly pretty laid back and on bright days can be found sitting outside beneath a pale-blue awning, watching the world go by. They usually have cake on the table in front of them – and there is definitely nothing coincidental about that.
Muze The Store
1016 DM Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/638 90 20
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Opening times:
Mon 1200–1800
Tue + Wed 1100–1800
Thu 1100–1900
Fri + Sat 1100–1800
Sun 1200–1800
Modstrom, Zoe Karssen, Colourful Rebel, SisterS Point, 24Colours, A Question Of, Vagabond, Circle of Trust, Donchoo, Ydence, Kiss And Tell, Minnetonka, Repeat Cashmere… Do we have to add to this? Yes, we probably do… Muze The Store (like its big sister, Noa Lifestyle, also at Herengracht 367) is a new and excellently stocked boutique that’s way off mainstream and presents precisely those hip fashion labels that have only just appeared on Instagram or Pinterest. If you want to be ahead on the fashion front, you’re in the right place at this trendily styled showroom. But it’s a bit of a shame it only has women’s fashions.
Mendo
1016 GG Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/612 12 16
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Opening times:
Fri + Sat 1030–1800
Sun 1200–1700
Mon–Thu 10.30–1800
Black walls, stage lighting, books embellished as though for all eternity – drop by Amsterdam’s most elegant bookstore (although the expression “bookstore” is hardly apt because the place has a distinct museum feel to it) and you will immediately be cocooned its aura of exquisite aestheticism and love of the printed word.
The three founders of this palace, which opened on Berenstraat in 2002, describe their business as “a candy store for book aficionados.” And that’s why only a fraction of the annual new releases goes on sale here; in fact, only very few books make it into Mendo’s selection at all.
SMAAK
1016 GG Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/308 03 48
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Opening times:
Mon 1200–1800
Tue–Sat 1000–1800
Sun 1200–1800
André Grundmann must be a happy man because he understands women – and they love him for it. Until 2010, he managed a thriving fashion store in Amsterdam; then he began designing handbags. At his SMAAK store, Berenstraat 39, he now presents a selection of exquisite bags in all classic shapes and bold colors that are affordable but nevertheless look luxurious. SMAAK is a treasure trove for IT girls and sterling businesswomen alike.
Café De Doffer
1016 GK Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/622 66 86
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Opening times:
Sun–Thu 1100–0300
Fri + Sat 1100-0400
A Dutch café just like the ones you recall from your first visit to Amsterdam way back, when you came for a smoke that would make the world a little funnier. Cozy, a little down-at-heel, never quite sure what it wants to be – a café, a restaurant or a bar – and therefore has elements of each but really doesn’t succeed in being any one of them. It is simply unbeatable, though, as a sociocultural microcosm.
Sometimes the mood is mellow at Café De Doffer, the next night it could be rough and anarchic, but one thing is certain: In this shabby chic dive with its beautiful wooden floors, you will always meet people you can spend a great evening with. Always. Any day.
De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam
1016 GJ Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/623 34 83
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Opening times:
Mon 1200–1800
Tue–Fri 0900–1800
Sat 0900–1700
Sun 1200–1700
A visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be a visit to Amsterdam if it didn’t involve cheese. After all, the Dutch – often affectionately referred to by the Germans as “cheeseheads” – practically invented cheesemaking. The New York Times hailed De Kaaskamer as the best cheese store in the city. Rich in olfactory experiences, this shop on pretty Runstraat stocks at least 200 different kinds of cheese, some the size and shape of a wagon wheel.
Sampling on the premises is permitted (in small doses, of course), and the wares of the house also make an ideal souvenir. The staff here are naturally well versed in the art of vacuum packing …
Pontifex Kramer
1016 DN Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/626 52 74
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Opening times:
Mon-Sat 1000–1800
All manner of things that certainly did not originally belong together come together in this quaint little shop on Reestraat. On the one hand, there are candles of every size, color and variation to be had in this invitingly chaotic space, alongside oils and even incense – all of which smell (we hope, good).
And the selection is huge: Pontifex Kramer reputedly stocks the largest assortment of candles anywhere in the country, and it includes voodoo candles… The other part of this cozy shop is – no joke – a doll’s hospital. For decades now, toy doctor Klaus Kramer has managed to get even the most ancient dolls and teddy bears back into shape.
Pompadour Amsterdam
1016 ES Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/623 95 54
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Opening times:
Mon–Fri 1000–1800
Sat 0900–1800
Sun 1200–1800
After spending a few hours fighting your way through the narrow streets of downtown Amsterdam, burning up lots of calories in the process, you can drop in here with a good conscience. The Pompadour Amsterdam is not a mere sweetshop; it’s a chocolaterie of international class, in which every single delicious treat is made by hand from the finest ingredients.
The Flying Fourchette blog posted by French Canadian Sandra, who lives in Brooklyn, also praised the chocolaterie’s special atmosphere: “Stepping inside is like entering a centuries-old tearoom with ornate tapestries and a certain Marie Antoinette feel to it.” Today, it’s probably best to completely ignore what our fitness coach or dietician would think of this hallowed hall …
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Tuesday, 19.02.2019 19:00 UTC

partly cloudy
temperature
6°C
wind speed
11.25 mphhumidity
93%7 days forecast
Wednesday
20.02.2019
10°C / 6°C
Thursday
21.02.2019
11°C / 7°C
Friday
22.02.2019
13°C / 5°C
Saturday
23.02.2019
13°C / 6°C
Sunday
24.02.2019
11°C / 5°C
Monday
25.02.2019
10°C / 5°C
Tuesday
26.02.2019
12°C / 5°C
Climate and best time to visit Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a year-round destination, and busy at all times. Like other cities in northwest Europe, you have to be prepared for changeable weather, and it can rain at any time. Winters can be cold, with biting North Sea wind whistling down the canals, but the queues for the top attractions are shorter. Summers can be cool or swelteringly humid. The queues are longer, but there are also more free distractions such as open-air festivals. Mid-March to mid-May is particularly popular with flower lovers, as the nearby Keukenhof gardens are awash in a colourful sea of millions of tulips.
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute min | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
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Jan | 13 °C | -16 °C | 4 °C | 0 °C | 90 % | 63 mm | 13 | 1.4 h |
Feb | 16 °C | -19 °C | 5 °C | 0 °C | 86 % | 40 mm | 8 | 2.6 h |
Mar | 24 °C | -11 °C | 8 °C | 1 °C | 84 % | 58 mm | 12 | 3.5 h |
Apr | 26 °C | -3 °C | 11 °C | 3 °C | 80 % | 39 mm | 9 | 5.4 h |
May | 31 °C | -1 °C | 16 °C | 7 °C | 77 % | 49 mm | 9 | 6.9 h |
Jun | 37 °C | 1 °C | 19 °C | 10 °C | 79 % | 64 mm | 10 | 6.8 h |
Jul | 34 °C | 5 °C | 20 °C | 12 °C | 81 % | 64 mm | 10 | 6.5 h |
Aug | 33 °C | 5 °C | 20 °C | 12 °C | 81 % | 55 mm | 9 | 6.2 h |
Sep | 34 °C | 2 °C | 18 °C | 10 °C | 84 % | 74 mm | 11 | 4.5 h |
Oct | 25 °C | -2 °C | 14 °C | 7 °C | 87 % | 79 mm | 11 | 3.2 h |
Nov | 17 °C | -8 °C | 8 °C | 3 °C | 89 % | 85 mm | 14 | 1.8 h |
Dec | 13 °C | -14 °C | 5 °C | 1 °C | 90 % | 67 mm | 13 | 1.2 h |
year | 37 °C | -19 °C | 12 °C | 5 °C | 84 % | 738 mm | 127 | 4.2 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +31
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Amsterdam
Key Areas
Amsterdam’s main shopping drag is Kalverstraat, where the high street names are located. Jordaan and De Pijp are where to look for trendy bargains. The Negen Straatjes area is home to high fashion outlets and boutiques. Utrechtsestraat is a happy hunting ground for specialist stores from vinyl records to cheese.
Markets
Open daily, the Singel canal is home to the world’s only floating flower market. For a real bargain, the city’s largest regular market is held Monday to Saturday on Albert Cuypstraat. An art market takes place every Sunday from March to December on central Spui Square.
Shopping Centres
Magna Plaza, just west of Dam Square, is in a renovated neo-Gothic building, and one of the city’s few central shopping malls. Spread over several floors around a central atrium, it is home to numerous designer and high street fashion outlets.
Flight and accommodation
My Amsterdam
When I’m in Amsterdam, I like to go along to the Wijnand Fockink gin distillery, Purveyor to the King, where I can sample from a selection of more than 100 different flavors. My favorites are caramel and After Eight. The distillery is located in a small side street to the left of the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.

Diana Blom, flight attendant
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
The Dutch are a tolerant breed and there is little you can do or say to ruffle them (except perhaps to display your own intolerance of, say, ethnic minorities or alternative lifestyles). Their straightforwardness can sometimes strike foreigners as blunt, if not plain rude. Conversely, the Dutch will expect you to be direct as well: yes means yes, not ‘maybe.’
It is customary to shake hands when seeing someone you know or when being introduced to someone; women and men or women and women may kiss each other on alternating cheeks three times.
You may be fashionably late for social gatherings but not for business meetings. Casual wear is generally acceptable, except for business functions or at smart restaurants, bars and clubs.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
According to Oxfam, The Netherlands is the best country in the world for having the most plentiful, nutritious, healthy and affordable diet. Suffice to say, then, travellers couldn’t be in a better place as far as food quality and hygiene is concerned. As in most developed nations, tap water in The Netherlands is safe to drink.
Other Risks
People visiting The Netherlands have a low risk of contracting diseases, but medical professionals advise travellers to make sure they are up-to-date on routine vaccinations before every trip.
Hepatitis A and B are present around the world and can be transmitted through contaminated food, sexual contact and contaminated needles. Speak to your doctor to see if vaccinations are right for you. Rabies is present in bats in The Netherlands, but is not found in dogs. If you are planning to go caving in The Netherlands or work with bats, it may be worth having a rabies vaccination.
Perhaps the biggest health risk in The Netherlands is that of sunburn. It might not always feel hot during the summer months, but the UV rays are still strong – be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and make sure you stay hydrated.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. van Coevorden, RubenMedisch Centrum Buitenveldert
A.J. Ernststraat 173
1083 GT Amsterdam
Niederlande
Tel. +31-20-644-1627
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
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