IrisAs a traveler, your goal should always be to be curious but respectful and eager but not ignorant. It’s a big world out there and seeing and learning about different cultures and people is one of the greatest benefits of travel. I realize what a privilege it is to be able to see the world and I know how exciting and fun it is, but please remember that what may be a vacation destination to you is home to someone else.
I recently visited Amsterdam and the first comments I heard from people when I returned from my trip were stereotypical ones rooted in ignorance about the libertine spirit of the city and how, if they were me, they would have done X, Y, Z [insert huge eyeroll here]. There’s so much more to Amsterdam than the legal trades of cannabis and prostitution but, sadly, many take advantage of the city’s liberal policies and use it as a blanket license to behave poorly. It saddens me when people use traveling abroad (or traveling anywhere, really) as an excuse to act like fools and it always makes me think of my mother who was quick to tell someone that he or she had no home training.
Here are 10 things you should NOT do when visiting Amsterdam:
1. Heavy drug use
Let me preface this by saying I don’t and have never smoked marijuana, so the government’s look-the-other-way stance on drug use is of no concern to me. There are cannabis cafés all over the city and “space cake” (a type of edible marijuana dessert) can be found on more than a few menus but don’t use the city’s lax policies toward marijuana usage as an excuse to go crazy. If you’re already a drug user, don’t be foolish enough to think you can handle Amsterdam’s offerings. (Some cafés sell marijuana that has as much as 66% THC!) Also, you should never buy street drugs under any circumstances. If you’re not a drug user, don’t wait until you get to the city to start–the last thing you need is to have a bad reaction and end up having a medical emergency.
2. Don’t photograph the red light district women
Admittedly, most people come from countries where prostitution is illegal and it is quite novel to see escorts legally allowed to ply their trade, but they should be allowed to do it without having their picture taken. If you’re curious about Amsterdam’s oldest area, take an evening stroll through the district or book one of the many guided tours offered.
3. Don’t judge the city by the red light district
It can’t be repeated enough: There is much more to Amsterdam than drugs and prostitution and it’s a mistake to sum up the city as nothing more than a hedonistic playground. For goodness sake, the city has a rich and interesting history and is home to the Van Gogh museum, the Anne Frank House, delicious food, and so much more. Take some time to explore.
4. Don’t forget to book your Anne Frank House tickets early
The Anne Frank House is one of the most popular attractions in the city and scoring entry on the actual day of your visit is nearly impossible. The line is endless and if you do get a ticket, you will likely spend more time in line than you will touring the house. In fact, there are only a few tickets released for purchase daily; all other tickets must be pre-ordered well in advance.
>> Book your Anne Frank House tickets here
5. Don’t ride/rent a bicycle
Yes, Amsterdam is known for its bicycle culture and it’s the stuff of Instagram story dreams. I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures of people posing in front of bikes on one of the city’s many canal bridges–that’s as close as you should come to touching a bicycle in the city. You may have romantic notions of yourself sailing along on a bike ride but, trust me, you won’t understand the riding rules or how to navigate the designated bicycle paths and you don’t want to incur the wrath of angry residents when you inevitably mess up.
6. Don’t walk in the bicycle path
The Dutch take bicycle riding seriously; it’s woven into the fabric of their culture. To give you an idea of how much they love it, there are 850,000 residents in Amsterdam and 847,000 bicycles! There are bicycle paths all over the place and understanding them is not easy for a non-resident. Many people use the paths to get to and from work, so be mindful of where you’re walking and don’t end up being roadkill.
7. Don’t skip a canal tour
Like bicycles, houseboats are a huge thing in Amsterdam and you’ll see plenty lining the canals. Many travelers shy away from any activity that seems too tourist-y and, yes, canal tours can seem a little hokey but booking one is well worth it and a great way to get up close and personal with the Golden Age architecture not to mention the famous narrow, leaning houses.
8. Don’t skip the street food
Amsterdam has some amazing restaurants (the floating Chinese eatery Sea Palace Restaurant, traditional Dutch food hotspot Haesje Claes, and crazy-good Italian gem Gustatio come to mind), but don’t neglect the street vendors, hole-in-the-wall spots, and food halls. You’ll likely see people walking with paper cones of Holland fries with a huge dollop of mayonnaise or little dishes of poffertjes (puffy mini pancakes). And, of course, you must try the most famous of these snacks: bitterballen (pictured above; fried croquettes of beef, veal, and sometimes chicken).
>> Where to find bitterballen in Amsterdam: De BallenBar (from Michelin-starred chef/owner Peter Gast)
9. Don’t overpack
You know those gorgeous narrow buildings the city’s known for? They’re wonderful to look at, but imagine schlepping heavy luggage up steep and narrow staircases in hotels or rental houses/apartments. In many buildings, you will not find lifts so pack light and save yourself the agony of dragging your belongings up flights of stairs.
10. Don’t think Amsterdam is the only city in The Netherlands
There is so much to see and do in The Netherlands and, thanks to a wonderful transit system, navigating the country is easy. Go see the famous windmills of Kinderdijk or visit the Kröller-Müller Museum to see the van Gogh exhibit; day trips and visits to other parts of The Netherlands offer a bit of a reprieve from the bustling city center of Amsterdam.
Thinking of visiting Amsterdam? Read a detailed post about my experience here.
