Amsterdam tips for first-time visitors to this extreme destination. Historically known for the beauty of its canals and the work of its artists, Holland's largest city is also one of the most liberal in the world.
A trip to Amsterdam should include a bit of all of this. Lucky you. The museums are among the best in Europe, there are canal trips and there's no shortage of different things to try.
And the best way to see it all is NOT by bicycle. Although the bike is the national passion, the best way to get around Amsterdam is by TRAM, the official name for the electric trams.
That's why it's important to read our tips before putting together your itinerary and planning your trip.
Amsterdam tips - How to plan your trip
When to go - Best and worst times in Amsterdam
How many days to stay - Minimum time in Amsterdam
Currency exchange - What currency to bring to Holland
Getting here - How to get out of Schiphol airport
Accommodation - Recommended hotels
Getting around - Bicycle care
Attractions - What's worth seeing and doing
Prices - How much to spend in Amsterdam
Itinerary tips - 5 days in Amsterdam
1. When to go to Amsterdam
It rains regularly all year round in Amsterdam and cold days (by Brazilian standards) can occur even in summer.
Avoid winter - Between December and March, the sub-zero temperatures become even more freezing due to the strong icy wind. It's not nice to be outdoors at this time. In February there is more chance of snow and frozen waterways.
Prefer spring - In April, May and June, springtime in Europe, Amsterdam's climate invites you to take long walks. In April, it's tulip season at the Keukenhof and King's Day takes place. King's Day.
It doesn't stink or smell - Autumn starts warm in September and ends cold in November, when it can start snowing.
Summer in Holland is not usually very hot, except when heatwaves arrive. With temperatures in the high 20s during the day, locals come out of hiding to enjoy parks and parties. The days are long, with sunshine until around 8pm. If you want a "Brazilian-style" climate in Europe, this is the season for you.
2. How many days to stay
It's impossible to get bored in Amsterdam. But, touristically speaking, the recommended time to stay in the city is between 5 and 10 days.
In a hurry? Check out our 1 or 2 day itinerary in Amsterdam and switch on the turbo to make the most of it.
If you opt for a minimum of 4 nights and 5 days in Amsterdam, you'll really only have 3 full days in the city. That's enough to see the main sights and even take a longer trip, such as to the Keukenhof or a nearby town like The Hague, which is well worth seeing.
If you're staying longer, enjoy Amsterdam without rushing. Spend more time in the parks, cycle aimlessly and explore other Dutch destinations by train.
3. Currency exchange - What currency to bring to Amsterdam?
The official currency in Holland is the Euro. The Real is not highly valued there, so exchange the Euro exchange rate before travelling. As the Real fluctuates against the Euro, one tip to avoid the "impact" is to buy currency little by little.
Best exchange rate - The cheapest option is to buy euros in cash in Brazil. In this case, the IOF of 1.10 per cent applies.
Worst exchange rate - To use your credit card in the Netherlands, remember to activate the "travel warning" feature in the bank's app or on the card itself. International spending is subject to a 5.38% IOF tax.
On my 2023 trip to Amsterdam, I only used the Wise Card Card to pay my bills without the IOF tax and with a favourable exchange rate when buying euros. Practically every place in the city accepts cards.
4. Arriving in Amsterdam - How to get out of Schiphol Airport
22 km from the centre of Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport is Schiphol AirportSchiphol Airport, the third largest in Europe, is the base for the airline KLM and the main gateway to the Netherlands.
Of course, you can get there by taxi for around €50 a ride. But there's a much cheaper and even faster alternative: the train, for just €5.60 for an economy fare.
Literally inside Schiphol Airport, just after you leave the arrivals hall, there are several stairs leading underground to the train station. You have to buy a single ticket or a 2 to 4 day card in advance at the machines or ticket booths.
The train has a good frequency and is comfortable, with soft seats and space for suitcases. It takes about 20 minutes to travel directly to Amsterdam Centraal, Holland's main transport hub, right in the centre of Amsterdam.
At Amsterdam Centraal, you can take the underground.
But it's much more charming to get off at Centraal Station, cross the street and take the tram, which has greater capillarity and probably passes in the vicinity of your accommodation. There are ticket collectors inside the trams, or you can simply bring your credit card up to the digital ticket reader, as it's now as simple as that.
5.
Accommodation
The most practical area to stay in is the "Ring Belt", as the centre of Amsterdam is known, where the most beautiful canals and the main tourist attractions are located.
Although it looks small on a map, this central area is extensive and has neighbourhoods that are completely different from each other. If you're looking to explore wider Netherlands and its hotel options, you might want to check out Hotel deals in Netherlands at hotels-in-netherlands.com.
The Kimpton De Witt is the best hotel in the immediate vicinity of Amsterdam Centraal. Good for being close to everything, bad for being in the middle of the busiest part of Amsterdam, packed night and day.
Hotel Mercier (pictured above), on the other hand, combines a strategic location with a slightly quieter area, opposite a canal in Amsterdam's most charming neighbourhood, the legendary Jordaan. For those who prefer a more intimate setting, there's also the charming Ph93 Amsterdam Central Bed & Breakfast, worth considering for your stay.
There's no such thing as a good, cheap hotel in Amsterdam. To spend less without losing out on quality, move a little away from the centre. The Leonardo Hotel is modern and great value for money. Alternatively, you can take a broader look at accommodation options in the country on tophotels.com.
6. Getting around Amsterdam - Watch out for bicycles!
The most practical and cheapest way to get around Amsterdam is by walking. You can organise entire one-day itineraries on foot.
The only problem is getting lost. The horseshoe shape of the streets and canals doesn't help with orientation. I highly recommend keeping an eye on your mobile phone's GPS, which works without a data package. But it's better to have an international SIM card to make the routes easier.
For longer journeys, take the TRAM, as the electric trams are called. The fare, which is valid for one hour and includes bus connections, is €3.20. And as I said above, you can pay on board, either to the ticket collector or by using a credit card by swiping it on the digital reader inside the tram.
I Amsterdam City Card - Is it worth buying?
The Amsterdam City Card is practically a key to Amsterdam for tourists. It includes museum tickets, a canal boat trip and unlimited access to GVB public transport, so it's valid on trams, buses and the metro.
It has a partnership with a bicycle hire company. But beware. Bikes are serious transport in Amsterdam. Don't go "sightseeing" on the cycle paths, or you'll get honked at and cursed at, despite all the Dutch politeness.
Buy the card according to your route. There are options for 24 hours (€65) and even 5 days (€130), which is the best value for money, but "forces" the traveller into a real marathon. So choose wisely.
7. Attractions - What's worth doing in Amsterdam
More than a city of sights, Amsterdam is a destination of experiences.
Of course, you can focus your trip on exploring Amsterdam's main attractions, such as the Anne Frank House and Museum Square, where you'll find the Stedelijk Museum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum.
In the museum district is the most commercial of Amsterdam's experiences: the Heineken Experience, an interactive museum housed in the first factory of Europe's most famous brewery.
If you're travelling with children, check out NEMOa huge interactive science museum in the shape of a boat that appears to be anchored in the canal.
It's also worth taking a boat trip along the canals. I did it and really enjoyed the experience.
But the best thing about Amsterdam is walking along the beautiful canals, enjoying the picturesque Dutch architecture and exploring the unusual De Wallen: the Red Light District, where call girls show themselves in shop windows.
And don't forget that cannabis (and no other drugs) is allowed in Amsterdam's Coffee Shops. Pick up a menu, choose your joint or "baptised" cookie and enjoy the ride.
8. Prices - How much to spend in Amsterdam
There's no telling how much your trip to Amsterdam will cost. After all, everyone spends differently.
Calculate your expenses according to your travelling style, keeping an eye on the average prices of important products and services on a tourist trip to the Netherlands.
Average prices in Amsterdam / In Euros
All prices, researched in May 2023, take into account places well rated by travellers and located in the main tourist areas of Amsterdam.
Return ticket Brazil-Netherlands / Economy Class - From €700
Return ticket Brazil-Netherlands / Business Class - From €2,000
Public transport Airport-Hotel / €5.60 train + €3.20 tram = €8.60
Taxi from Airport to Hotel - On average from €50
Central hostel / Bed in shared dormitory - On average from €50
Central 3 or 4 star hotel - Rates from €150(compare prices)
Pasta dish in a well-rated cheap restaurant - From €10
Cheeseburger at a central eatery - Snacks from €12
Meat dish at a high-end restaurant - On average from €30
Tickets - Madame Tussauds, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum from €25
Canal boat trips and Heineken Experience - From €19
Keukenhof guided day trip - On average from €70
9. Amsterdam Itinerary Tip
Organising an itinerary is also very personal. But as many people ask me for ready-made itineraries, I've put together this timetable with the basics to see in Amsterdam in 5 days, which is the minimum time I recommend spending in the city.
5-day itinerary in Amsterdam
Day 1 - Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Take the opportunity to explore the neighbourhood, without focusing on the sights. That's why it's important to plan well where to stay in Amsterdam. Drugs? Don't burn the start.
Day 2 - Start the day with a typical Dutch breakfast, which should include Pannekoeken (crepe) and Stroopwafel, like a sweet waffle. Then focus on the sights. Walking along the canals, visit the Anne Frank House, the Royal Palace, the Sex Museum and the Marijuana Museum. In the evening, pass the illuminated shop windows with call girls in the Red Light District.
Day 3 - Dedicate the morning to the museums in Museum Square. If you're not a museum-goer, you can choose just one. I recommend going to the most important museum in Holland, the Rijksmuseum. Afterwards, buy a snack at the market and eat it on the lawn of Vondelpark, which is just next door. Also nearby, the Oude Pijp neighbourhood is a good place to eat and sample herbs in a coffee shop.
Day 4 - Take the opportunity to do some sightseeing. In spring, go and see the tulips at the Keukenhof. In summer, how about a day at the beach? Just 40 minutes away by train, Den Haag (The Hague), the seat of the Dutch government, has a beautiful historic centre and a long beach with a promenade and waterfront bars. Return by late afternoon and enjoy your last night walking around the historic Jordaan, the neighbourhood where Rembrandt lived.
Day 5 - If you have the morning free, the tip is to take a leisurely stroll around the neighbourhood, buy gifts and take more pictures of Amsterdam.
Where to buy tours and book museum tickets in Amsterdam:
10. Is Amsterdam worth seeing?
As I've already mentioned here on the blog, Amsterdam was the first city I visited in Europe. I made this choice not just because flights there are cheaper. It was a combination of factors.
Among the big cities in Western Europe, Amsterdam is the most exotic for us Brazilians. The cold climate most of the year, the liberal culture when it comes to sex and drugs, the grandeur of the museums, the canals that look like they're straight out of a work of art and the peculiar architecture make Amsterdam an unmissable experience.
Add to all this good public transport and the friendliness of the locals, and you don't have to think twice about planning your trip.
Disadvantages? In my view, only the prices. Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities in Europe to stay and eat in.
It's no wonder that Amsterdam is part of our exclusive Europe by train: 10 countries in 20 days. So enjoy this cinema destination and have a good trip.