You’re coming to Amsterdam! That’s great. (Seriously. This city rules.) Here’s what you need to know.

What to book now

Amsterdam gets more than 26 million people every year, so some things fill up quickly, especially during summer.

• The Anne Frank House takes visitors through the tiny space where the family hid, so it has extremely limited capacity. Book your ticket immediately and take any spot that’s available.
• The Van Gogh Museum is also popular, though it doesn’t sell out as quickly as the Anne Frank House. However, the museum heavily limits guides. If you want a guided tour, book it soon. Even if you don’t, it’s still a good idea to book your tickets as soon as you can.
• Speaking of guides, it’s always good to book a Badass tour in advance…
• Small restaurants. If all you want is a good meal, there’s no need to plan ahead. However, a couple renowned restaurants have small dining rooms and get booked up during summer. Speaking of which, restaurants plan on meals taking at least a couple hours. If you’re looking for a quick meal, let the maître’d know and they may be able to fit you in.

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

It can be challenging to find a place to stay, but there are some lovely options.

• First, hotel rooms and vacation rentals are limited. To improve citizens’ quality of life, the municipality has capped the number of hotel nights across the city per year. They have also tackled the housing crisis by heavily limiting the number of nights an apartment owner can rent out their home.
• If you can’t find a hotel room or vacation rental, try a B&B. Amsterdammers are allowed to rent out rooms in the apartment they occupy. It means living with a stranger, but you get the true Amsterdam experience and a knowledgeable host.
• Some hotels offer more than just a room. Hotel Casa, created to answer the ongoing student housing crisis, is full of community spaces. Conscious Hotels are ecofriendly. The Social Hub is sustainable and aimed at a variety of travelers.
• There are also many cities like Utrecht, Haarlem, and Zaandam that are a ten- to twenty-minute train ride away. The trains are safe and run 24/7, though less often after midnight.

Amsterdam Transit

As we previously wrote, don’t rent a bike. Luckily, Amsterdam is not only walkable, but it has convenient public transit.

• Paying. Metro, tram, and buses can be paid for with your credit or debit card. You just swipe in as you enter and swipe out as you leave. You can also buy unlimited tickets through the GVB.
• Planning. The public transit company has an app, but it doesn’t always work well. A better option for up-to-date route-planning is 9292.
• Ferries. Amsterdam is bisected by a massive sea canal called Het IJ. There are free ferries across it, but be sure to check the schedule as some don’t run late at night.
• Metro. This subway/underground connects the city center with outlying neighborhoods.
• Tram. These above-ground small trains connect neighborhoods to each other. They can get crowded in the city center, especially when it’s raining. It’s often better to walk if you’re only going a couple stops.
• Buses. These fill in where the tram and metro don’t go. They’re generally reliable and safe.

Safety in Amsterdam

Speaking of which, Amsterdam is an incredibly safe city. The odds of being attacked by a stranger are about the same as being hit by lightning. Of Amsterdam’s 26 million visitors and 1 million residents, there were 10 murders last year. The country’s violent crime has been steadily decreasing for the last fifteen years. However, pickpocketing remains a real issue in Amsterdam, especially in the city center. Don’t wear a backpack or put your wallet in an unbuttoned back pocket.

Emergency

• Emergency number. Dial 112 for life-threatening situations (police, ambulance, fire department). Dial +31 800 8112 if you are deaf or hard of hearing. Operators speak Dutch and English.
• Dental emergency. Dial +31 85 105 0757 for dental emergencies.
• Medical non-emergencies. Urgent care is only by referral, so you need to go to a tourist clinic. Amsterdam Tourist Doctors are available 24/7 at +31 20 237 3654. TouristDoc and The Tourist Doctors are also for visitors.
• Police non-emergency. Dial +31 900 8844. Dial +31 900 1844 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.

Hopefully these details will free you up for the fun part of researching and planning your Amsterdam vacation!