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10 Things You Shouldn’t Do in Amsterdam

Let’s not beat around the bush: there are a lot of things you shouldn’t do when in the Netherlands in general, even walking on the wrong side of the road can be a major no-no in some parts. 

This is a land that runs on logic and efficiency. A place where rules are respected, and things work because of it. Does this mean that you’ll sometimes want to scream into the void due to the frustration that can come with this kind of rigidity? Absolutely. 

But for the most part, Amsterdam is a place to let loose and kick back. Here are some things to be mindful of so as to not upset any of the locals. 

1. Don’t Disrespect Bike Rules 

First of all, don’t even hire a bike if you a) don’t know how to ride one, b) are an anxious driver, or c) have no intention of adhering to the bike lanes or street etiquette. 

Amsterdam – by FaceMePLS –

Biking in Amsterdam is taken as seriously as driving a full sized car. There are road rules, considerate practices and a whole system of indicators that you’ll need to take part in. 

2. Don’t Confuse Coffee Shops for… Coffee Shops

In Amsterdam, coffee shop means something very different to the rest of the world, and unsuspecting customers are in for a rude awakening upon entering a traditional ‘coffee shop’ in search of a cup of Joe and maybe a baked treat. 

Amsterdam – by Eissink –

In Amsterdam, coffee is enjoyed in cafes, and marijuana is enjoyed in coffee shops. Also make a note not to smoke outside of either of them; locals aren’t too fond of the fad and prefer it be kept behind closed doors. 

3. Don’t Drink or Smoke in Public

Drinking in public is illegal in Amsterdam and will earn you a night in the local police station if you’re caught. Smoking is more frowned upon/strongly discouraged, but not worthy of a jail visit like alcohol would be.

It’s best to save both for between the walls of coffee shops and bars/restaurants. During festivals and public holidays the law enforcement is a little more lenient, but always remember they don’t owe you anything, and an officer having a bad day could decide to make an example out of you even in such scenarios. 

4. Don’t Try to Order a Pint of Beer

German-style drinking isn’t common in Amsterdam, so a pint of beer is a hard thing to come by. In Amsterdam, beers are served in glasses known as ‘fluutjes’, and the biggest size you can get is the 33ml. 

Dutch beer – by calflier001 –

5. Never Walk Along a Fietspaden!

If you’ve opted out of the rent-a-bike experience, there are still some things to be mindful of as a pedestrian sharing the roads with bikers. The ‘fietspaden’ means bike lane, and it is a place one should never set foot on without a bicycle. 

Fietspaden – by Père Igor –

When I say that locals have no sympathy for ignorant tourists who choose to walk here (usually because it’s less crowded and far more inviting), I mean it. You will be wiped out eventually, and your travel insurance broker won’t be happy about it. 

6. Don’t Buy Drugs Off the Street

Because it is completely legal (and encouraged) to purchase marijuana from coffee shops and accredited establishments, buying from independent dealers is actually quite dangerous in Amsterdam. There have been many incidents where poisoning has occurred, as a way to target tourists and get back at the legal sellers who take all the clientele. 

by Coaster420 –

7. Don’t Miss Out on Street Food

You won’t find a lot of it in Amsterdam, but when you do, it’s a good idea to take full advantage. The De Pijp neighborhood is known for some great road-side eats, and no matter where you walk in the center you’ll always find French fry stalls and places for hot stroopwafels. 

Amsterdam – by jimmyweee –

8. Don’t Visit Attractions Without Pre-Booking

In Europe, it’s always a bad idea not to pre-book your entry into an attraction. Amsterdam has made things easy with the Iamsterdam City Card. You can pre-order it online and collect it upon arrival in the Dam. 

The card gets you into more than 70 museums and public transport options. For those that are not covered by the card, always visit the attraction website prior to your arrival, book your time slot, pay for your ticket, and skip the unfathomably long queues on the day — you’ll thank me later. 

9. Don’t Assume You Won’t Be Pick Pocketed

This may be one of the world’s safest cities, but it is not exempt from petty theft and opportunists. Keep your possessions in plain sight at all times; don’t leave a handbag on a cafe table and walk away for a phonecall; it’s likely you’ll come back to a missing wallet or camera. 

Amsterdam – by Txllxt TxllxT –

10. Don’t Expect Your Cash to Be Accepted Everywhere

A lot of businesses in Amsterdam have done away with cash altogether, and many do not even accept credit cards. The preferred method of payment is debit cards, so always check first before ordering something with the intention of paying cash!