In an emergency
112 is the EU-wide emergency number for police, fire and ambulance.
Fair prices
What locals pay. If you are asked for much more, you are probably being overcharged.
| Glass of beer in a barBrewery taprooms such as Brouwerij 't IJ pour house beers for about EUR 3.95-4.50. | 4-7 EUR |
|---|---|
| Cup of coffeeAbove this range you are paying for the view. | 3.50-5.50 EUR |
| Glass of wine in a bar or restaurant | 5-9 EUR |
| Herring (per piece or broodje haring) at a street stallStalls quote about EUR 3.50-5 per piece; a herring sandwich runs EUR 4-6. | 3.50-6 EUR |
| Old-school Dutch sandwich (Van Dobben)A cafe sandwich elsewhere is typically EUR 10-15. | 3-7.25 EUR |
| Three-course dinner, per person without drinksBib Gourmand and neighbourhood places are the value end; Surinamese mains at New Draver cost EUR 10-15. | from 50 EUR |
| Indonesian rijsttafel at a top restaurantPer person at Restaurant Blauw. | 42-48 EUR |
| Stroopwafels, pack of 10 at HEMACompare with single 'fresh' stroopwafels sold at a premium on Kalverstraat. | 3 EUR |
| Canal cruiseTime Out puts a typical cruise at about EUR 20 per hour. | from 15.50 EUR |
| GVB 1-hour tram/bus/metro ticket24-hour ticket EUR 10; paying by contactless card caps at EUR 10.50 per day. | 3.40 EUR |
| Schiphol to CentraalBy train; a taxi costs about EUR 55-70. | 6.20 EUR |
Tickets
Official prices and the only places to buy. Anyone else selling on the street is a reseller.
- Rijksmuseum
EUR 25 adults; under 18 free; CJP/EYCA EUR 11.25
Buy at: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl
Third-party sites charge more for the same timed slot.
- Van Gogh Museum
About EUR 27 adults; under 18 free with ID
Buy at: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl (tickets.vangoghmuseum.com)
Buy only from the museum or its listed official resellers; 'skip-the-line' resellers add mark-ups.
- Anne Frank House
EUR 16.50 adults incl. EUR 1 fee; 10-17 EUR 7; 0-9 EUR 1
Buy at: https://www.annefrank.org
Tickets are sold only on the official website; resold tickets can be refused.
- Royal Palace Amsterdam
EUR 13.50 adults incl. audio tour; students EUR 9; 17 and under free
Buy at: https://www.paleisamsterdam.nl
- Rembrandt House Museum
EUR 23.50 adults; EUR 19.50 off-peak 16:00-18:00; up to 25 EUR 15; 6-17 EUR 8
Buy at: https://www.rembrandthuis.nl
- Stedelijk Museum
EUR 22.50 adults; under 19 free; students/CJP EUR 12.50
Buy at: https://www.stedelijk.nl
- Jewish Museum and Portuguese Synagogue
Combiticket up to EUR 30 (4 sites); Duoticket up to EUR 20
Buy at: https://jck.nl/en/tickets
- Our Lord in the Attic
EUR 16.95 adults; 5-17 EUR 7.50
Buy at: https://opsolder.nl
- NEMO Science Museum
EUR 21.50 from age 4; under 4 free
Buy at: https://www.nemosciencemuseum.nl
- A'DAM Lookout (A'DAM Toren)
About EUR 24 adults
Buy at: https://www.adamlookout.com
- Heineken Experience
About EUR 24.95-25
Buy at: https://www.heinekenexperience.com
- ARTIS Zoo
About EUR 26.50-29.50
Buy at: https://www.artis.nl
Traps
- Watch outAnne Frank tickets exist only on annefrank.org
Tickets are sold only online by the museum, are name-bound and cannot be exchanged or refunded. Any tour or site 'guaranteeing' entry at the door is selling something else.
Source: annefrank.org - Watch outVan Gogh Museum has no door sales
Tickets are online-only with a time slot; buy from the museum or its official resellers, not from mark-up 'skip-the-line' sites.
Source: vangoghmuseum.nl, holland-explorer.com - Watch outTaxi from Schiphol costs ten times the train
A taxi to the centre runs about EUR 55-70, while the direct train to Centraal is EUR 6.20 and takes 17 minutes.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - Watch outForgetting to tap out costs you
If you do not check out, OVpay or your card charges a maximum fare: EUR 4 on trams and buses, EUR 20 on trains. You can claim the difference within 60 days.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - Watch outNo valid check-in means a EUR 70 fine
Since October 2025 inspectors fine EUR 70 plus the fare. Tap in on every vehicle, with one card per person.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - Watch outKalverstraat stroopwafel premium
Single 'fresh' stroopwafels on the Kalverstraat shopping strip cost several times a HEMA pack of 10 (about EUR 3); for a hot one, the Albert Cuyp market stall is the local choice.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com, wanderlog.com - Watch outHotel price plus 12.5% tourist tax
Amsterdam adds 12.5% of the room rate as tourist tax, on top of 21% VAT on accommodation; check whether a quoted price includes both.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - Watch outCruise day-trippers pay a EUR 15 tax
Transit cruise passengers pay a separate day tourist tax of EUR 15 per person (2026).
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - Watch outListings still show closed venues
Online lists still show places that are permanently closed, such as De Marktkantine club, Delirium Cafe and The Seafood Shop on Leidsestraat. Check before you cross town.
Source: wanderlog.com, wanderlog.com, holland-explorer.com - TipHerring stalls close before the sign says
Street stalls often close earlier than their posted hours; go before late afternoon.
Source: holland-explorer.com
Money
- TipCarry a card, not cash
Public transport no longer takes cash on board, and the Rijksmuseum is fully cashless. A contactless debit/credit card or phone covers almost everything.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com, rijksmuseum.nl - TipYour bank card is your transit pass
Tap the same contactless card in and out (OVpay): EUR 1.16 base plus EUR 0.217 per km on GVB, capped at EUR 10.50 a day.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com, iamsterdam.com - TipTypical price benchmarks
Beer EUR 4-7, coffee EUR 3.50-5.50, wine EUR 5-9, herring sandwich EUR 4-6, three courses from EUR 50 (2026).
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - TipBuy museum tickets online to save
The Jewish Cultural Quarter charges EUR 2 more at the desk; the Rembrandt House is EUR 4 cheaper after 16:00.
Source: jck.nl, rembrandthuis.nl - TipUnder-18s are free at the big museums
Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are free under 18, the Stedelijk under 19 and the Royal Palace 17 and under.
Source: rijksmuseum.nl, holland-explorer.com, stedelijk.nl - TipBib Gourmand is the value benchmark
Michelin's Bib Gourmand list (good cooking at moderate prices) includes Gitane, Auberge, Rijsel, Scheepskameel, Sea Palace and Fa. Pekelhaaring.
Source: guide.michelin.com, amsterdamspotted.com
Transport
- TipFerries across the IJ are free
GVB ferries behind Centraal are free for pedestrians and cyclists; the Buiksloterweg ferry runs around the clock.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, iamsterdam.com - TipMetro 52 is the fast way south
The Noord/Zuidlijn runs Noord - Centraal - Rokin - Vijzelgracht - De Pijp - Zuid, handy for the Albert Cuyp market.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipAirport: train or bus 397
Train to Centraal EUR 6.20 (17 min, every 7 min); bus 397 to Museumplein and Leidseplein EUR 6.50 (30 min).
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - TipNight buses are mainly a weekend thing
Eleven N-lines run at night, but only two run seven nights a week; the rest mostly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - RuleNew Year's Eve shutdown
All GVB trams, buses, metro and ferries stop at 20:00 on 31 December and restart with night buses and metro 52/54 from 01:30.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - TipKids travel cheaply
Under-4s ride free; ages 4-11 pay EUR 5 a day on GVB.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - TipTrams do not go to Noord
Trams cover most districts but not Amsterdam-Noord or NDSM; use the ferries, metro 52 or buses.
Source: iamsterdam.com - TipUse 9292 for journey planning
The 9292 app covers all Dutch public transport with live updates.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com
Etiquette
- RuleKeep your museum time slot
The big museums run on timed entry; arrive on time with your ticket on your phone.
Source: rijksmuseum.nl, vangoghmuseum.nl, annefrank.org - TipVisit the Red Light District by day
Time Out suggests seeing De Wallen, the oldest part of the city with its monuments and churches, in the daytime.
Source: timeout.com - TipSpeakeasies need reservations
Hiding in Plain Sight requires a reservation and Door 74 works best booked; walk-ins are often turned away.
Source: timeout.com - TipBrown-cafe manners
Brown cafes are neighbourhood living rooms; in Jordaan sing-along bars like Cafe Nol and De Twee Zwaantjes, joining in is welcome.
Source: iamsterdam.com - TipThe Begijnhof is someone's home
The courtyard off the Spui is residential; keep your voice down.
Source: wanderlog.com
Food
- TipHerring from a stall
Order raw herring with onions and pickles, or in a bun (broodje haring), from a fish stall; about EUR 3.50-5.
Source: holland-explorer.com - TipBroodje pom
The Surinamese sandwich of chicken and pomtayer root; Tjin's Toko in De Pijp is a local favourite, De Tokoman another.
Source: amsterdamfoodie.nl, yourlittleblackbook.me - TipRoti in a metro station
De Hapjeshoek in Waterlooplein station sells Surinamese roti rolls; it is packed at lunch.
Source: amsterdamfoodie.nl - TipRijsttafel
The Indonesian 'rice table' of many small dishes; Restaurant Blauw charges EUR 42-48 per person.
Source: timeout.com - TipKopstootje in a brown cafe
Order a small jenever with a beer, as at Cafe Chris, the Jordaan's oldest cafe (1624).
Source: iamsterdam.com - TipDutch-only craft beer
Arendsnest pours only Dutch beers from 52 taps; Brouwerij 't IJ brews beside a windmill.
Source: timeout.com - TipGraze a market
Albert Cuyp (Mon-Sat) for stroopwafels and poffertjes, Dappermarkt and Ten Katemarkt for local prices.
Source: timeout.com, wanderlog.com
Safety
- RuleEmergency number
Dial 112 for police, fire or ambulance (EU-wide number).
Source: gov.uk - TipPlan the ride home from outer clubs
Clubs like RADION (Nieuw-West) and Garage Noord are far from the centre and most night buses run only at weekends; plan a night bus or taxi.
Source: timeout.com, en.wikipedia.org - Watch outNew Year's Eve: no transport 20:00-01:30
Plan to be where you want to celebrate before 20:00 on 31 December.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - TipNoord is reachable all night
Many of the best local spots are across the IJ in Noord; the Buiksloterweg ferry runs all night, so you are not stranded.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipCheck closures before going
Palaces and synagogues close for state events and holidays: the Royal Palace follows a calendar and the Portuguese Synagogue closes 27 September 2026.
Source: paleisamsterdam.nl, jck.nl
Free
- TipNEMO's roof terrace
Walk up the outside stairs to NEMO's roof for a free view of the old city (weather permitting).
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com, iamsterdam.com - TipRide the ferries
The IJ ferries are free; the NDSM run is a 15-minute harbour cruise.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, timeout.com - TipCity Archives exhibitions
Free exhibitions in the Art Deco De Bazel building.
Source: iamsterdam.com - TipTolhuistuin
Free concerts, yoga and meditation in the garden by the Buiksloterweg ferry.
Source: spottedbylocals.com - TipParks and the Begijnhof
Vondelpark (open 24/7), Flevopark, Westergas and the Begijnhof courtyard are free.
Source: timeout.com, wanderlog.com - TipFree club entry
Canvas on the 7th floor at Wibautstraat and the Vondelbunker often have free entry.
Source: timeout.com
Fun
- FunThe smallest bar
Cafe de Dokter claims to be Amsterdam's smallest bar at 18 m2, open since 1798.
Source: timeout.com - FunA church in the attic
Our Lord in the Attic hides a full Catholic church in the rafters of a 1660s canal house.
Source: iamsterdam.com - FunJenever since 1619
De Drie Fleschjes behind Dam Square has poured jenever since 1619.
Source: timeout.com - FunThe cistern outside the toilet
At Cafe Chris (1624) the toilet cistern sits outside the toilet.
Source: iamsterdam.com - FunA club in a Cold War bunker
The Vondelbunker under Vondelpark is a 1940s bunker and atomic-bomb shelter turned music venue.
Source: timeout.com - FunCinema in an anatomy lab
LAB111 shows cult films in a former pathological anatomy lab.
Source: iamsterdam.com - FunJenever from a pumping station
Distillery 't Nieuwe Diep makes fruit jenevers in a former polder pumping station in Flevopark.
Source: timeout.com - FunLive on a houseboat for 30 minutes
The Houseboat Museum is a 1914 cargo ship, the Hendrika Maria.
Source: iamsterdam.com - FunA club in a garage
Garage Noord is an old car repair shop that becomes a club after 22:30.
Source: timeout.com - FunHerring party at Hoppe
Cafe Hoppe on the Spui holds an annual herring party in June.
Source: iamsterdam.com - FunThe biggest back bar
Flying Dutchmen Cocktails has about 800 bottles, billed as the largest back bar in the Netherlands.
Source: timeout.com - FunStorytelling nights
Mezrab hosts storytelling nights in English, some free.
Source: spottedbylocals.com, iamsterdam.com
When to go
- TipAmsterdam Dance Event
ADE runs 21-25 October 2026 across 200+ venues with 1,000+ events; tickets EUR 15-175.
Source: timeout.com - TipBook Van Gogh early in high season
From March to October, popular slots sell out; book 5-6 weeks ahead.
Source: holland-explorer.com - TipAnne Frank: Tuesday 10:00 releases
All tickets for six weeks ahead go on sale every Tuesday at 10:00.
Source: annefrank.org - RuleKing's Day closures
Several museums, including the Rembrandt House and NEMO, close on King's Day.
Source: rembrandthuis.nl, amsterdam-explorer.com - TipHerring season
Look for Hollandse Nieuwe, the new-season herring, at stalls; Cafe Hoppe marks the season with a herring party in June.
Source: iamsterdam.com, yourlittleblackbook.me - TipNEMO opening days
NEMO opens daily April-September and in school holidays, otherwise closed Mondays.
Source: amsterdam-explorer.com - TipFriday nights at the Van Gogh
Most Fridays the Van Gogh Museum stays open to 21:00.
Source: holland-explorer.com
Words
- TipBroodje haring
A herring sandwich from a fish stall.
Source: holland-explorer.com - TipBruin cafe
'Brown cafe': a traditional pub with dark wood, where locals drink.
Source: iamsterdam.com - TipKopstootje
'Little headbutt': a small jenever with a beer chaser.
Source: iamsterdam.com - TipProeflokaal
A tasting room, for jenever or beer (e.g. Proeflokaal Arendsnest).
Source: wanderlog.com - TipRijsttafel
'Rice table': an Indonesian spread of many small dishes.
Source: timeout.com - TipBroodje pom
Surinamese sandwich of chicken and pomtayer root.
Source: amsterdamfoodie.nl - TipGeveltuin
A tiny 'facade garden' planted against a house front, as on Nieuwendammerdijk.
Source: spottedbylocals.com - TipBakabana
Fried plantain slices with satay sauce, a Surinamese snack.
Source: amsterdamfoodie.nl
Checked September 2026. Every item links to where it came from.