Amsterdam Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Amsterdam

I came to Amsterdam expecting non-stop parties and weed, but was surprised to see that it was actually a beautiful city full of culture. It was easy to walk around, but I wouldn\'t trust the public transportation. The trams wouldn\'t stop and it\'s hard to know where...more I came to Amsterdam expecting non-stop parties and weed, but was surprised to see that it was actually a beautiful city full of culture. It was easy to walk around, but I wouldn\'t trust the public transportation. The trams wouldn\'t stop and it\'s hard to know where they\'re going due to the structure of the city. The red-light district is a must, as it is a unique experience that is much safer than you\'d expect, as it is filled with more tourists than actual customers. The museums were great, and the library is phenomenal. I loved Amsterdam.close

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by esmallen6423 – posted on May 11, 2008

6

Amsterdam is a wonderful city where you can explore 100% tolerance. Partying goes without saying - it\'s fabulous and you can go all out or find a coffeeshop and just chill with friends. But don\'t forget there are some wonderful museums in the city as well. Van Gogh, Anne Frank, and...more Amsterdam is a wonderful city where you can explore 100% tolerance. Partying goes without saying - it\'s fabulous and you can go all out or find a coffeeshop and just chill with friends. But don\'t forget there are some wonderful museums in the city as well. Van Gogh, Anne Frank, and lots and lots of other art and culture related museums. However, make sure you have a lot of money saved up because this city is EXPENSIVE - but well worth it. Keep in mind there are no student discounts for museums, but they are worth the 10 euros to get in.close

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by lauraann6580 – posted on Apr 18, 2008

4

i\'ve been to amsterdam for countless of times and i should say i know it like the back of my hand. i\'ve stayed in all thinkable budget accommodations and i believe, the horror stories about decrepit and execrable rooms are true. so when i booked this accommodation because of course...more i\'ve been to amsterdam for countless of times and i should say i know it like the back of my hand. i\'ve stayed in all thinkable budget accommodations and i believe, the horror stories about decrepit and execrable rooms are true. so when i booked this accommodation because of course of its really cheap accommodation, i didn\'t expect anything better than the usual. but what a breathe of fresh air! this little hotel rocks!!! the whole place is clean, roomy and lively! benjamin, the all-around reception guy, goest to extra length just to help out! my laptop broke down and asked him where i could have it fixed and he asked if he could take a look. in a few moments, he made it work again and didn\'t charge me at all :) and yes, they have free internet. so handy for someone like me on the go. the neighborhood has a laid-back atmosphere and everything is just within walking distance or a short tram or bus ride away. we checked out the nearby dapper market the next morning and we were just amazed in the selection of stuff available on sale there. and the prices are really cheap and haggling is always possible. we ended up buying nice souvenirs for our friends back home. we noticed later that the goods were made in india. but the quality is really good and who cares anyway? we bought it in amsterdam :) i will definitely be staying in this place again on my next visit next month!close

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by LeonardBennett – posted on Mar 2, 2008

2

I had barely two days to explore the city but it is easy to get around on foot and everything is within walking distance. I did the usual touristy stuff like visiting the Anne Frank house, which was an amazing experience, especially being able to touch the actual bookcase that hid two families...more I had barely two days to explore the city but it is easy to get around on foot and everything is within walking distance. I did the usual touristy stuff like visiting the Anne Frank house, which was an amazing experience, especially being able to touch the actual bookcase that hid two families there from the Nazis for so lone. I also went to both the Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum - both well worth a visit. Rembrandt's Nightwatch is so much more impressive in real-life. Nightlife is great and it felt pretty safe walking through the Red Light District at night. There are so many great coffee houses and restaurants - all with a relaxed vibe. I didn't get to go to a Jazz club, but hopefully will make it this year. Just walking around the city of Amsterdam on a clean, crisp Spring day surrounded by canals and with tulips for sale on every corner as cyclists whizz by is an experience in itself. This city has a great mix of culture, fun, relaxation, shopping and craziness. Perfect weekend city break.close

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by PixieVonDust – posted on Feb 19, 2008

4

This is quite a beautiful city to visit, quite different from anything else I had visit before. It is easy to move from one point to the other with the tram and most people would gladly help you in english if you have questions. Just beware of the bycicles, as the guy from the hostel said, it is...more This is quite a beautiful city to visit, quite different from anything else I had visit before. It is easy to move from one point to the other with the tram and most people would gladly help you in english if you have questions. Just beware of the bycicles, as the guy from the hostel said, it is easier to be run over by a bike than a car. If you are good riding a bike I strongly recommend to do so as soon as you can and enjoy the city, amsterdam style!close

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by lauri124 – posted on Feb 19, 2008

10

Great location situated on the canal in the nice part of the red light district. Staff are awesome. Very helpful and friendly. Breakfast is included and served in the bar/restaurant. There is no kitchen but cheap meals are available at the restaurant. We stayed in a 12 bed dorm and it was...more Great location situated on the canal in the nice part of the red light district. Staff are awesome. Very helpful and friendly. Breakfast is included and served in the bar/restaurant. There is no kitchen but cheap meals are available at the restaurant. We stayed in a 12 bed dorm and it was comfortable and spacious with lockers. The bathroom is also good but could use a curtain on the shower... overall an AWESOME hostel and we will definately be back! Do expect your clothes and hair to smell like weed though! close

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by ladyezza6014 – posted on Dec 18, 2007

1

Amsterdam is a great city and also very pretty, I can now see why it is called “The Venice of the North”. It is very compact so is quite easy to get around by foot, although many choose the most popular mode of transport- a bike! In fact your more likely to be knocked down by a bike than you...more Amsterdam is a great city and also very pretty, I can now see why it is called “The Venice of the North”. It is very compact so is quite easy to get around by foot, although many choose the most popular mode of transport- a bike! In fact your more likely to be knocked down by a bike than you would a car or tram! There are a few main areas such as Dam Square (just off it you will find the infamous red light district), Rembrandtplein which has a number of nice restaurants and is home to one of the more famous nightclubs in Amsterdam – Escape and of course Leidseplein which is best known for its shopping! If fact I found the best shopping to be just off Munt Plein, rows and rows of shops! While there were hundreds of shops I found the shopping ot be only ok as most of it was the same as home! As it was the run up to Christmas when I was there there was a small ice skating rink on Leidseplein. There is lots to do in Amsterdam from a boat trip along the canals (you can do a number of boat trips including brunch or dinner trips or shopping hop on hop off trips), a visit to Anne Franks House, and of course the numerous bars and café’s that this city has to offer! One negative I would have to say about the place is that the service is terrible, maybe their attitude is a little too relaxed!!close

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by aisling – posted on Dec 12, 2007

71

Easy enough to cover by foot. Watch out for bikes! Do the free tour. Red light district is interesting, although it is an expensive city pot was cheaper than i thought, didnt go to any nightclubs so dont know how they are. Its a beautiful city which has been unfortunatley destroyed by...more Easy enough to cover by foot. Watch out for bikes! Do the free tour. Red light district is interesting, although it is an expensive city pot was cheaper than i thought, didnt go to any nightclubs so dont know how they are. Its a beautiful city which has been unfortunatley destroyed by commercialism. Anne frank house is good, and Madam Tusseuds was great fun. Watch out for bikes! Was freeeeeezing when we were there but it didnt rain. Has the possibility to be a fantastic city, but unfortunately I wasnt blesses with the right company! Will i go back? Definitelyclose

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by everythingis-peachy7191 – posted on Dec 12, 2007

22

Basically it\'s a hotel because most hostels if not all hostels in amsterdam are hotels. so the reception was very welcoming and they had a free continental breakfast as well as linens (blankets as well) and towels included. Not only that but they were changed on a daily basis. :) its a bit...more Basically it\'s a hotel because most hostels if not all hostels in amsterdam are hotels. so the reception was very welcoming and they had a free continental breakfast as well as linens (blankets as well) and towels included. Not only that but they were changed on a daily basis. :) its a bit far but he that\'s why there\'s public transportations and everyone speaks englishclose

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by abg18320 – posted on Nov 23, 2007

1

As it was our first time visiting Amsterdam... we didn\'t really know what to expect, but it\'s just like you see on the TV. A beautiful city, the red light district and smokes. As for the crime, we didn\'t see any of it to be honest. It was weird bieng able to smoke while the...more As it was our first time visiting Amsterdam... we didn\'t really know what to expect, but it\'s just like you see on the TV. A beautiful city, the red light district and smokes. As for the crime, we didn\'t see any of it to be honest. It was weird bieng able to smoke while the police just walk by, and as for seeing half naked women in the window at 2 in the afternoon... it was just normal by the end of the trip. Beware of the bicycles... They are worse than your usual traffic! I would say that a trip to Amsterdam is suitable for any age group becuase I believe everyone should try anything once! Its a gorgeous city in itself and we can\'t wait to visit again :o)close

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by clairehunter6787134 – posted on Nov 21, 2007

2