Things not to do in Amsterdam: We all research the things to do when we are planning to explore a place in order to have a great experience but it is also important to know the things that one should avoid doing at a place. So, if you are an international student based out of Amsterdam or planning to visit this beautiful city, this blog will help you greatly as we have covered some things not to do in Amsterdam.
This Blog Includes:
Buying Souvenirs from a Souvenir Shop
In the middle of Amsterdam, many shops sell souvenirs, but they’re expensive and have similar items. If you want to buy a small gift for someone, it’s better to go to one of the street markets. One good market is Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam, which has about 260 sellers. Here, you can find the same souvenirs as in the city centre, but they’re cheaper because the sellers don’t have to pay high rent. You can also try bargaining for a better price. They sell a variety of things like stroopwafels, clogs, and custom T-shirts.
Trying to Speak Dutch
Even though it’s a good idea to try speaking the local language in the country you’re visiting, it’s not the case in the Netherlands. Dutch is a difficult language; if you try to talk to local people in Dutch, they might get annoyed. Surprisingly, 90%–93% of Dutch people are good at English. So, if you try to start a conversation or ask a question in Dutch, they will probably respond in English. It’s not that they don’t appreciate your effort; they are straightforward and know that talking to tourists is easiest in English!
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Renting a Car
If you’re staying in Amsterdam, you really don’t need to rent a car. The city is easy to walk around, and it has a great public transportation system with trams, a metro, and a free ferry. You can also get almost anywhere in the city by bike in about 20 minutes. Having a car is a big hassle because there’s hardly any parking in the city centre. Driving in Amsterdam can be very stressful with trams, pedestrians, and lots of bikes to watch out for. If you’re planning to go on a road trip or day trip outside Amsterdam, just rent a car for the specific days you need it.
Walking on the Bike Paths
You’ll hear from a lot of people that you shouldn’t walk on the bike paths in Amsterdam. The bike paths are always busy, and bikes move really fast. Just like you wouldn’t walk in the middle of the road, it’s important not to walk where the cyclists ride. Biking is super popular in the Netherlands, with four times more bikes than cars in Amsterdam! The Dutch really enjoy biking, so the bike paths can get crowded. If you walk on the bike path, bikers might try to go around you and accidentally hit you, and that can lead to injuries. You definitely don’t want to spend your holiday with a broken arm or a sore back. It’s best to stay off the bike paths, and if you need to cross them, always look both ways.
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Going to Famous Coffee Shops
If you want the best coffee shops in Amsterdam, here’s a tip: the really famous ones might not have the best stuff. That’s because the super popular shops can sell a lot just because of their name, so they don’t always focus on having the best quality.
The coffee shops that actually have the best products don’t need a big reputation; they have loyal customers, especially among the local Dutch residents. You might have to look for these places. Some good coffee shops in the city centre are Dampkring on Haarlemmerstraat, Grey Area behind Dam Square, and Boerenjongens near Rembrandt Square.
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FAQs
Amsterdam is called Sin City as it has a place called Red Light District which is famous all around the globe for its prostitutional activities.
Amsterdam is quite popular for its historical attractions and collection of some great artwork.
Mentioned below are some of the fun facts about Amsterdam:
– This city has more canals than Venice.
– There are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam.
– You can only buy/smoke cannabis in coffee shops.
– Tobacco is not allowed in cafes and restaurants.
Amsterdam is famous for the following food items – Bitterballen, Kibelling, Gerookte Paling (Smoked Eel), Pannenkoeken (Dutch Pancakes), etc.
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