Plus Amsterdam City Guide for Your Pocket
Welcome to the latest funky info packed city guide for your pocket. Just print it off for when you are cruising past the sights of Amsterdam. Afterwards you can pass it on to someone else, make an origami shape, keep it as a souvenir or recycle it in some other tree huggin' hippy way.
LANGUAGE - DUTCH
English is commonly spoken by nearly everybody and in touristy areas. German is also widely known. It can be useful to know some numbers and a few short phrases to get you around. See our printable phrase guide to get you started.
CURRENCY - EURO €1EU = $1.48USD = £0.71GBP (11/07)
Cash machines or ATMs are widely available and accept all major credit cards and those displaying the PLUS, MAESTRO or CIRRUS logos.
TIME - CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME (GMT+1HR)
Clocks forward(+1) last Sunday in March, back last Sunday in October, (-1)
PHONE - COUNTRY CODE 0031
To use local payphones you need a chipknip card, available from the train station, hostels and Tabacconists. Sold in various units and simpler to use than coins.
EMERGENCIES
| AMBULANCE | 112 |
| FIRE | 112 |
| POLICE | 112 |
| CENTRAL MEDICAL SERVICE | 0900 503 2042 |
| 24HR DOCTOR | (0)20 592 3434 |
| AMC Hospital | (0)20 566 9111 Meibergdreef 9 |
| VVV TOURIST OFFICE | (0)20 210 8800 Stationsplein 10 |
| POLICE STATION | Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 104-108 |
| USA | (0)70 310 9209 | Lange Voorhout 102 |
| UK | (0)70 427 0427 | Lange Voorhout 10 |
| CANADA | (0)70 311 1600 | Sophialaan 7 |
| AUSTRALIA | (0)70 310 8200 | Carnegielaan 4 |
| NZ | (0)70 346 9324 | Carnegielaan 10 |
| SOUTH AFRICA | (0)70 310 5920 | Wassenaarseweg 36 |
| IRELAND | (0)70 363 0993 | Dr Kuyperstraat 9 |
| SPAIN | (0)70 364 3814 | Lange Voorhout 50 |
| ITALY | (0)70 302 1030 | Alexanderstraat 12 |
| GERMANY | (0)70 342 0600 | Groot Hertoginnelaan 18-20 |
| FRANCE | (0)70 312 5800 | Smidsplein 1 |
| S.KOREA | (0)70 392 4379 | Verlengde Tolweg 8 |
Getting to and around Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM AIRPORT (SCHIPOL)
The main international and domestic airport. Most of the major carriers fly into here. The airport is well connected to the city centre by rail, trains depart every 10mins from the main concourse, €4 single to Amsterdam Centraal, and it's cheaper to buy your tickets from the machine than the ticket window. You cannot buy from the conductor on board. The Connexxion shuttle buses also depart every 10mins to various hotels, cost €11 one way.
The Thalys trains are the fastest trains to catch between the major cities and countries. Regional places are served by the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) trains, you can check times online. The main station for national and international travel is Centraal on Stationsplein.
City buses operate mainly on the outskirts of town when the trams have stopped, just after midnight.
Tickets can be used across the transport providers with a basic pass which is valid for 24, 48 and 72 hours and has unlimited connections. The tickets must be validated before boarding the Metro and on board the trams to avoid a fine. Striptickets work according to the number of zones you travel through. These are available in amounts of 8, 15 and 45. All tickets can be purchased from GVB outlets, newsagents, supermarkets and post offices.
Cheap and environmentally friendly. Amsterdam is flat and beautiful to walk around in. But mind the billions of bicycles when crossing the road. Enjoy.
What to see in Amsterdam
The centre piece of this square may resemble a fairly phallic figure but it is actually the memorial to the victims of WWII. Designed by J.P Oud it stands at 22m high adorned with statues by J.W Radler symbolising War, Peace , Women and Children, with Resistance dipicted as two men with dogs. Buried inside are 12 urns containing earth from the 11 provinces and the 12th from a cemetery of honour in Indonesia. The square is a great meeting place with busy bars, cafes and locals just hanging out round the base of the monument.
Queen Beatrix resides here with her family when she is in town. Building began the 20th January 1648 with the sinking of the first of 13,659 piles into the subsoil. Architect Jacob Van Campen drew inspiration from ancient Rome as well as engineering ideas from Venice , the main difference here being the canals are man made. The architect Stalpaert took over in 1654 finally completing the job in 1665. The carillion you can hear is at the top of the 51m tower.The palace is set to reopen after 2 years of renovation in early 2008. Tours available daily. Open 11am-5pm (Jul-Aug), often open 12.30pm-5pm Tue-Thu and weekends. Admission €4.50/€6.50 w/audio guide. Students €3.50. Closed for state functions. www.koninklijkhuis.nl
This world famous art museum dates back to Napoleon and his plan to make Amsterdam the centre of art and science. Today it holds 7 million works of art in 250 rooms and a library with 35,000 volumes. There are collection of works by artists such as Reubens, Rembrandt , Frans Hols, Vermeer and Pieter de Hooch. Non Dutch artists include Fra Angelico, Goya and Maurillo. Perhaps the most famous painting on show is Rembrandt's Nightwatch (1642). The piece was the first to depict movement in such a way that the onlooker almost believed they were looking at real figures, as if a curtain had been lifted on a stage of actors. The current restoration project has placed all the paintings in the Phillips Wing under the heading 'The Masterpieces'. Admission €10, open every day 9am-6pm, Fridays 9am-10pm. E-tickets available at www.rijksmuseum.nl
The streets between the Damrak and Nieuwemarkt are virtually nondescript during the day, but when the sun goes down... the houses along the canals open for business lighting up with neon and fluorescents. Prostitution is legal in The Netherlands and the ladies even have to pay a form of income tax. They also have to be registered and have regular medical checks. Despite the nature of the area it is relatively safe for lone females to walk around in after dark, provided you use common sense , as the majority of the crowds are stag and hen parties and curious tourists. Etiquette asks that no photos be taken of the ladies. There are several sex shows offering regular performances, some with audience participation , along with loads of toy and video shops.
From his beginnings as a clerk for an art company, his failures in love and tempestuous relationships with family and other artists Van Gogh has risen in the public consciousness as an artist of unique standing. The collection is on permanent display and contains works from his early peasant portraits to his Parisian bohemian sojourn and finally his turbulent personal life in the south of France. His most famous and recognisable works include the Vase of Sunflowers, Starry Night, The Potato Eaters and a series of self portraits. Open 10am-6pm, Fri until 10pm. Admission €10. E-tickets available www.vangoghmuseum.nl
The annex where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis in WWII is a testament to the human spirit and humanity shown by ordinary people. The rooms inside have remained as they were since 1944 with most of the furniture removed for viewing but some pieces still remain providing an insight into their daily life. The house is connected to the one next door which contains a museum dedicated to the 6 million lives lost in the Holocaust. Also on display are Anne's original diaries and copies of the diary translated into 60 languages. Open 9am-7pm, Mar 15-Sep 14, 9am-9pm, admission €8, closed Yom Kippur (Oct 2).E tickets www.annefrank.org
Whether you feel like strolling along the canal side or float along on a canal boat tour you will soon begin to understand why Amsterdam was nicknamed the 'Venice of the North'. The tall narrow buildings have a look of falling towards you or leaning to one side, creating a very unique city experience. The most famous bridge crossing the Amstel is the Magere Brug , a typical cantilever draw bridge, built to replace the original from 1670, which raises the 'leaves' every 20mins to allow ships to pass through.
What to eat in Amsterdam
The Dutch have made the 'frites and mayonnaise' an artform. Vendors and shops are dotted all around the centrum and redlight districts taking advantage of the munchy craving clientele right through the night. For those not wanting to enjoy the creamy topping there is also mustard and ketchup available.
The first 'coffee' shops opened in the 70's even though there had been regular cafes around for years. The only difference was that here you could also buy a bag of marijuana and smoke it without being arrested. Today there are more variations on the menu including space cake, cookies and milkshakes. Look for the green and white sticker in the window for a slightly different caffeine hit than your regular skinny latte.
There is a long drinking tradition in Dutch pubs of downing a whole green herring followed by a beer, either Heineken or Amstel. Try it if you must.
All charges and taxes should be noted in the final bill. This is brought to your table at the conclusion and you can leave payment in the bill book.
All charges are included in the bill, however tips are gratefully accepted but not mandatory.
You've had your fill of history and culture, now its time to get a taste of the wild side . There are plenty of touristy type bars to choose from in the centre of town around Leidseplein , including Boom Boom Chicago and the famous Bull Dog bars, Sports Bar and Coffee shops. Street performers entertain the punters during the summer. Rembrandtplein is also a general hangout in the summer, sitting on the terraces supping on a Dutch pint. Inside the redlight district there are pubs a plenty and sex shows ranging from the cheap and nasty to the full on spectacle. Wander around any where along Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Nieuwemarkt . For clubs there's no strict dress code and entry fees can be expensive but should include at least one drink. Music tastes vary but techno and RnB seem to be the order of the day.
Other things to do in Amsterdam
The most famous park in the Netherlands and quite possibly one of the more famous ones in Europe. Over 10 million people visit the park every year. During the day it is a quiet haven in the city, with a tree lined lake and areas set aside for public performances during the summer months. A perfect stroll from the Museumsplein to just hang out and chill.
Believe it or not here are several windmills inside the city limits worth paying a visit to. De 1200 Roe , on Haarlemmerweg 465, De 1100 Roe , on Herman Bonpad 6, D'Admiraal , on Noordhollandschkanaaldijk 21 and De Bloem , on Haarlemmerweg 701.
GRAND REOPENING JUNE 2008 The 75min tour takes you through the complete process of making this tasty drop and the 200 years it's been around for. Individuals and large groups are welcome, you even get a few complimentary tastings. A true test of your devotion to the amber nectar. Open 10am-6pm, Tue-Sun, admission €10.
- Oudezijds Ahcterburgwal 130
If you fancy finding out about a bit more on the subject the small but perfectly informative Hash Museum provides all you need to know, some growing specimens, tips on maintenance, history, uses, and even sells seeds. For medicinal purposes of course. For those that excel in their thirst for knowledge they can even apply to receive a diploma from the Cannabis College (#124 Oud-Agwal). Open daily 11am-10pm, admission €6.
The history of sex, from the ancient civilisations, through mediaeval times, through the 60's and up to today, everything you ever wanted to know, or didn't, is handily on display. The museum covers all aspects of the sexual spectrum, with art, sculpture, literature and film. Open to those over 18 only, daily, 10am-11.30pm admission €2.50
-Singel & Koningsplein
Originally the flowers were sold from the barges that pulled up here to sell their tulips, hence the name of floating market. The market has been in operation since 1862 and adds a colourful fragrant dimension to the city. They sell more than just tulips now as well. Open 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat.
Most places are now catching up with fast connection ADSL and some even have wifi but don't expect all internet cafes to have it. You can expect to pay 25cents a minute. These are some websites you may find useful during your stay:
These places can get you connected:
These won't make you into an SAS (or Special Amsterdam Smoker) commander but they may help avoid some difficulties as you travel around.
- Hey man its legal !
Yes smoking Marijuana is legal in the Netherlands but that does not mean you cannot get arrested. If you are caught carrying an amount over 5 grams you can be arrested for possession to deal. And the authorities are not so chilled out about harder drugs. Any amounts of illicit drugs can result in prison terms and/or huge fines . Addicts are usually referred to a rehabilitation unit. Never buy drugs on the street. Random checks are also common on travellers arriving from Amsterdam to other countries.
- Know your limit.
Just like alcohol there are different strengths of hash and cannabis and much of the stuff for sale in Amsterdam is pretty potent. For a regular user this may not be such a problem but a first timer may experience difficulties . If in doubt ask the café for advice. Also a point about baked goods. They may contain the same amount or more as a joint but deliver it to the body a lot slower . A common complaint after eating a slice of space cake or cookie is there is no effect, so instead of waiting they eat another one and so on until it all hits at once like a hammer. Although it's not necessarily fatal to overdose on cake, too much is not a pretty sight. Sleep is generally the best cure, and sweet drinks such as orange juice or sweet tea help hasten the comedown.
- Share the joy.
Effects of smoking, eating or drinking cannabis, and magic mushrooms, can range from a chilled out 'stoned' feeling, to fits of the giggles, to hallucinations and even to intense paranoia. The length of the effect depends on how much and what you have ingested, your physiological makeup and sensitivity, but generally a few puffs on a typical joint may last anywhere from 1-3 hours. Traces of marijuana ( THC ) can remain in the body for up to 6 months so take note if your job involves random drug testing.
- Lose your wits not your wallet.
Feelings of disorientation and memory loss are not uncommon after experiencing a bit too much cannabis so take a card from your hostel to help you get home and leave all the important stuff in the safe deposit boxes where you are staying. Just take enough cash with you that you think you will need. Even if you are not participating in the cannabis culture, keep a close eye on your bag at all times .
- Keep an open mind.