Amsterdam


Note : There is 99% more to Amsterdam than the Red Light District!

The first thing that comes to mind for many tourists when you hear the word Amsterdam is the Red Light District and smoking pot. However, to fully enjoy Amsterdam you have to look past this stereotype and see Amsterdam as the locals see it. Look past the open public urinals along the canal in the Red Light District to prevent stoned men from falling in while peeing and drowning. Look past the nursery school located between 2 brothels. Look past the coffee shops where you buy and smoke weed off a menu. Instead enjoy the history like the oldest building in Amsterdam - a church located in the Red Light District, Anne Frank House, Dam Square...and learn how sex work is regulated and the sex workers pay taxes from their earnings and receive affordable health care.



TRANSPORTATION

Use Amsterdam's public transportation system to get around Amsterdam and visit surrounding cities.



TOURIST MAP OF AMSTERDAM

Download the Amsterdam tourist map courtesy of "I amsterdam®" in pdf format to your mobile device for easy offline access while walking around Amsterdam.



BIKING

Amsterdam is a biking city, a bikers dream come true for bike riding, cyclists, motor bikes, and even tiny cars. There are dedicated lanes for bikers, pedestrian lanes and car lanes. You will absolutely get run over if you are in a bike lane! Biking in Amsterdam is an absolute pleasure for bike riders with the use of dedicated bike lanes. Bike rentals are available throughout Amsterdam.

Biking in Amsterdam
Bike Lane 2
Bike Lane 3


DAM SQUARE

Dam Square (pronounced Dahm) is Amsterdam's best known square and home to a 1956 limestone obelisk known as Amsterdam's National Monument. Often the site for visitors, shoppers, street performers and national ceremonies.

Dam Square


ANNE FRANK HOUSE

The Anne Frank House was the location where Anne Frank and her family went into hiding behind a bookcase in the building where Anne's father worked during the persecutions of the Jews after the Nazis gained control over Germany.

Anne Frank House


RED LIGHT DISTRICT

The oldest part of Amsterdam known for its Adult atmosphere of legalized and regulated sex workers in windows soliciting their services. An illuminated red light indicates that a sex worker is open for business. Blue lights indicate that a transgender sex worker is behind the glass. Here's an interesting fact: There is a church (Oude Kerk), several brothels and Princess Juliana nursery school all within 50 meters of each other.

Note : Sex workers pay taxes on their earnings and receive affordable health care!

Red Light District


PROSTITUTE INFORMATION CENTER

The Prostitute Information Center "PIC" is a non-profit information and education center about sex work in the Red Light District and offers unique walking tours of the Red Light District from a sex worker perspective. PIC is located behind the Oude Kerk a few doors down from Princess Julianna nursery school.

Prostitute Information Center


OUDE KERK

The Oude Kerk is the oldest building in Amsterdam and is located in the Red Light District. Saska Van Uylenburgh, the wife of famous Dutch painter Rembrandt was buried here in the Oude Kerk in 1642. The floor of the Oude Kerk is made up of tombs.

Oude Kerk


COFFEE SHOPS

Coffee shops in Amsterdam are not a place to buy and drink coffee but a place where cannabis is sold and consumed. The employees are very knowledgeable and each coffee shop offers a menu with a wide range of joints, hash and edibles for the first timer, casual smoker or hard core smoker. The Bull Dog is touristy and the oldest Coffee Shop in Amsterdam.

Bulldog Coffee Shop


VONDELPARK

Take a break from it all and enjoy a nice sunny day of bike riding, dog-walking, roller skating, listening to music or just relaxing in Amsterdam's largest and most famous park. Vondelpark is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

Vondelpark


VAN GOGH MUSEUM

The Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of Van Gogh masterpieces consisting of the Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, The Bedroom and The Potato Eaters. Book tickets early online to ensure a pleasant experience.

Van Gogh Museum


RIJKSMUSEUM

The Rijksmuseum contains many Dutch masterpieces from the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Dyck and other painters. The most famous perhaps being Vermeer's "The Milkmaid" and Rembrandt's "Night Watch".

Rijksmuseum


A'DAM LOOKOUT

A'DAM Lookout is located on the top of the A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam North accessible by the free ferry from Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg (every 5 minutes). Enjoy a 360 degree viewing point of Amsterdam and brave the dare devil "Over The Edge" Europe's highest swing on A'DAM Lookout sky deck.

A'DAM Lookout


EYE FILM INSTITUTE NETHERLANDS

The Eye Film Institute Netherlands is a Dutch archive and museum that preserves a vast collection of film titles, posters, books and photographs of the film industry of the Netherlands dating back to 1895. Also located in Amsterdam North accessible by the free ferry from Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg (every 5 minutes).

Eye Film Institute


HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE

Heineken beer lovers will enjoy the Heineken Experience brewery turned museum tour and learn the history of the brand, story behind the logo, brewing process and a cold beer after the tour.

Heineken Brouwery in Amsterdam


ALBERT CUYP MARKT

Eat and shop for everyday items with the locals at the Albert Cuyp Markt. Try the local street food of Dutch herring (raw herring with pickles and onions), Kibbeling (fried cod fish), Stroopwafel, Poffertjes (Dutch pancakes), Belgium fries (served in a cone topped with mayonnaise) and other street food.

Albert Cuyp Markt


INTERESTING THINGS IN AMSTERDAM

While exploring Amsterdam you will stumble upon some very interesting things you perhaps may not see everyday in other parts of the world. Just be open minded whether you agree or not. Remember you are a visitor, a temporary local!

OUTDOOR URINAL RED LIGHT DISTRICT
Outdoor Urinal Red Light District
TRADITIONAL DUTCH HOMES
Traditional Dutch Homes
WEED BROWNIE
Edible Weed Brownie
BOAT HOMES
Homes on a canal
BEER
Beer in a Bar
BIKE LOT
Bike Lot
BIKE PARKING GARAGE
Bike Parking Garage
CANAL TOUR
Canal Tour Dock
BOAT HOMES
Boat Homes on an Amsterdam Canal
CANAL TOUR BOATS
Tour Boat on an Amsterdam Canal
BIKE ON CANAL
Personal bike on an Amsterdam Canal