The low-down on city breaks in Amsterdam...
City attractions:
The Anne Frank House is a historical and cultural museum dedicated to the war time Jewish diarist Anne Frank. See scale models of the house Anne hid in, the diary room she spent her time writing in and the original diary itself. Such a popular tourist destination is guaranteed to have long queues year round; it’s highly recommended you buy your tickets online to avoid queuing with everyone else. Adult tickets are priced at €8.50 and children just €4. Don’t miss out on the hidden secrets of Anne Frank on your Amsterdam city break.
The Dutch brewery company Heineken was founded in Amsterdam in 1864. Visit the Heineken museum in Amsterdam to appreciate the documented history of Heineken in detail. There’s a €15 entry fee and it’s advised you buy your tickets online to avoid queuing at the ticket desk upon arrival.
Lowcostholidays.com recommend you visit the museum for a true taste of Amsterdam culture.
The sex museum also known as ‘the temple of Venus’ is a popular attraction for tourists in Amsterdam. The museum holds a comprehensive selection of erotic art, literature and artefacts. Entrance fee is €3 and needless to say children are not permitted, you must be 16 or over to enter.
Food:
Amsterdam has an abundance of restaurants catering for a wide variety of international tastes. Unlike many other European destinations, Amsterdam has a great selection of vegetarian options.
Lowcostholidays.com recommend you try the Hutspot; a traditional Dutch meal consisting of mashed potato, carrots and onions. Whatever your preference or budget, there is plenty to choose from.
Although most restaurants accept credit cards, it’s best to check before you eat your meal.
Red light district:
The red florescent lights signpost the adult entertainment hub in Amsterdam. This infamous part of the city is notorious for brothels, sex shops, different kinds of museums and sex shows.
First time visitors may be shocked, legalised prostitution is standard and girls display themselves provocatively in shop windows. Remember; do not take photos of the prostitutes in windows as it is strictly prohibited. You will find post cards and photos are readily available in plenty of souvenir shops in the area.
Don’t get haggard in by street vendors. Drugs, bikes and everything else they may be selling will be, without a doubt, illegal.
The area can become very crowded at night so be aware of pickpockets and keep your valuables in a safe place.
Women may feel a little intimidated as the area is populated with stag nights and groups of men out to have fun. Take the standard precautions and don’t draw attention to yourself, you will be fine. There is 24-hour video surveillance and the abundance of police in the area will make you feel at ease.
Don’t forget your umbrella…
Amsterdam has a similar climate to Britain and Ireland so you can expect showers - an umbrella or light fold up rain mac is always useful.
Cannabis and coffee shops…
Coffee shops in Amsterdam are permitted to sell small amounts of cannabis to anyone over the legal age of 18 but remember, cannabis is not completely legitimate so avoid smoking in public as it is prohibited and unsafe.
Menus will be rather different than those found in UK coffee shops. Typically the set of choices are divided into weed, hash, pre-rolled joints and sometimes other mixtures such as space cakes or magic mushrooms. The prices then vary according to the quantity or weight of the item such as grams, bags, joints or individual cakes etc.
Ask staff what they recommend and never underestimate the effects. Even if you have tried cannabis before, make sure you are educated on the effects and risks of each drug before trying it and avoid over doing things.
It’s considered rude to simply purchase cannabis in a coffee shop, its custom to purchase a snack or at least a drink, remember coffee shops do not sell alcohol.
How do I get around?
Bicycle hire in Amsterdam is cheap and you will find it’s the quickest and most convenient way of getting around for tourists and locals alike. Cycling facilities are great; the city provides an abundance of special bicycle lanes and traffic lights. Make sure you hire a bike with hand brakes and lights and for obvious reasons, lock your bike up in a safe place when you leave it unattended.
Trams are frequent and reliable. You can buy tickets on board but only 24 hour tickets are available. Depending on how much travelling you plan on doing; save some money and purchase a 48, 72 or 96+ hour pass for unlimited travel access.
Driving in Amsterdam isn’t recommended. The roads are narrow, the city is congested and parking can be very expensive.
Amsterdam city can be easily explored by foot. Make sure you’re not walking in the bike lane and keep an eye out for cyclist even on the pedestrianized streets and look out for trams before you cross the street.
Money:
The local currency is the euro. Be aware, some shops will not accept large value notes or smaller 1 and 2 cent coins; typically people simply round the price up to the nearest 5 cent. All prices in Amsterdam include tax and tip; most people tend to round up restaurant bills to the nearest whole number or leave a 5% tip, although this is not compulsory, it is polite.
Useful Tips:
- Never try to take any drugs outside Holland.
- Don’t drink alcohol in the street, it’s illegal and can result in a hefty fine.
- Get a copy of Amsterdam weekly; a free English-language newspaper that has the latest news about Amsterdam city culture, life, entertainment and art events.
- Tap water is safe to drink but if you prefer bottled water, it is available in an abundance of local shops.
- Before you leave Amsterdam, take canal trip around the so called “Venice of the North”, see the beauty of the city from a different perspective.
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