Amsterdam

A brief travel guide to the city of Amsterdam

If you are a new visitor to Amsterdam, we offer you on this and subsequent Amsterdam guides pages a bit of background information on the city, including language, weather, governing, and health and safety. You will also find here information about flights to Amsterdam, Amsterdam airport, Amsterdam hotels, hostels, apartments, bed and breakfast and other Amsterdam accommodation. Plus you'll learn about Amsterdam red light district, coffeeshops, and live jazz. There's a lot of useful information about other Amsterdam attractions, including University of Amsterdam, Ajax football club, Amsterdam marathon, as well as Amsterdam Printing. We also cover the stories of New Amsterdam Theater and Amsterdam News paper in New York.

Busy street lane in Amsterdam

One of the largest historical cities in Europe

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. It is known throughout the world as one of the greatest small cities in the world. It lies on the banks of two rivers, the Amstel and IJ, and from its canals to the world famous museums and historical sights, Amsterdam has long been considered as one of the most romantic and wonderful cities in the whole continent of Europe.

The City Government

Amsterdam, as all Dutch municipalities, is governed by a mayor, his wethouders (aldermen), and the municipal council. Nevertheless, the city is subdivided into fifteen stadsdelen (boroughs), which is a system implemented in the 1980s to improve local governance. The establishment of this system is what sets Amsterdam unique from other Dutch municipalities. The stadsdelen are said to be responsible for a number of activities that previously had been governed and managed by the central city. Fourteen of these have their respective council, which is chosen by a popular election. Westerpoort, the fifteenth, covers the harbour of the city and has very few inhabitants. It is also governed by the central municipal council.

Languages Spoken in Amsterdam

When it comes to language, many of the people in Amsterdam are proud of the fact that just about everyone speaks English. Although many also speak German and French, it is worth noting that in this capital city of Netherlands, it is a tradition that if you are English speaking, then speak English, unless you speak Dutch too because you are more likely to offend than do anyone a favor by trying out your French or German.

There is a common misconception in the language of Amsterdam; one of those is that Dutch is very close to German. The truth is, they are not mutually intelligible: Dutch people have to learn German at school, and in general they speak better English than German. However, Dutch and German are similar in the same sort of way that French and Italian are similar.

Amsterdam Weather

In Amsterdam, the typical weather ranges from a little around freezing in the depths of winter to typically pleasant sunny days of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in the summer. There is also a little snow during the winter season. Furthermore, the spring and autumn are pleasant in Amsterdam; however these seasons can be wet, with 100+ mm of rain per month.

Safety and Health in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a safe city, thus there is nothing really to fear from walking in any part of the city. It has been noted that even in Amsterdam's red-light district around the Oude Kerk, tourists are always spotted wandering around. However, as in any large cities in other parts of the world, you should beware of pickpockets in Amsterdam. And, don’t try to photograph the women in the red-light district for that would be risky. In terms of drinking water, the water from taps is perfectly drinkable.

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Amsterdam Articles

• Amsterdam Holland - Known as the 'Venice of the North', Amsterdam is a lively, vibrant, and liberal city. It is built on 90 islands and connected by 400 stone bridges, across 100 kilometres of water canals.
• Amsterdam Netherlands - Considered as the center of the 17th century world economy, Amsterdam is also highly acclaimed for its rich heritage and tolerant character.
• Amsterdam Weather - A number of websites offer Amsterdam weather forecast, which typically ranges from a little freezing in winter to beautiful sunny days in the summer.
• Flight to Amsterdam - Where can you book a flight to Amsterdam online? There are several reputable web sites that provide online booking services for Amsterdam flights.
• Cheap Flight to Amsterdam - Likewise, if you're looking for a cheap flight to Amsterdam, you will find several well known websites providing online bookings for Amsterdam cheap flights.
• Amsterdam Airport - The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is Europe's fourth largest airport. What sets it apart from other European airports is that it offers a number of great attractions.
• Amsterdam Hotels - Whether you're visiting Amsterdam on business, passing through, or staying for a holiday, you will find the most convenient accommodation to choose is an Amsterdam hotel.
• Amsterdam Netherlands Hotel - As the most convenient places to stay while in Amsterdam, if more pricey, Amsterdam hotels enjoy high occupancy, so it's good to book well in advance of your planned travel.
• Victoria Hotel Amsterdam - For those desiring luxury and name when staying in Amsterdam, choose the Victoria Hotel. It is one of the most remarkable historical and architectural Amsterdam buildings.
• Swissotel Amsterdam - Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Swissotel offers 4-star personalized service that will help you enjoy your holiday in Amsterdam, while being close to the city's attractions.
• Cheap Amsterdam Hotel - On the other hand, if budget is on your mind then you will find that cheap Amsterdam hotels can provide great accommodation, often in the heart of the city.
• Cheap Hotel in Amsterdam - It's worthy to note that Amsterdam offers a wide selection of cheap hotels. These include Renaissance Hotel, Park Hotel, and Ibis, and Marriott hotels.
• Amsterdam Red Light District - As one of the oldest parts of the city, the Amsterdam's Red Light District has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors for five centuries.
• Amsterdam Red Light - Much of what you might have heard of this place is true. A very popular place in the Netherlands, the red light district embraces all the virtues and vices known to people.
• Amsterdam CoffeeShops - As another well known and popular of the local attractions, Amsterdam's coffeeshops do sell coffee. But they also legally sell cannabis, the primary commodity in the Amsterdam coffeeshop.
• Amsterdam Live - If you are into live music, then Amsterdam has many acclaimed live music and entertainment hotspots. From Paradiso and Jazz Cafe Alto, to Kashmir Lounge and Boom Chicago.
• Amsterdam Map - To get around this great city, you will need a good Amsterdam map to help you find places of interest. Several websites offer easy access to reliable maps of Amsterdam.
• Amsterdam Vacation - The city of Amsterdam has an instant appeal, is easy to look at, and pleasant to walk around. You will find a welcoming attitude towards visitors on your vacation in Amsterdam.
• Amsterdam Travel - Depending on where you're coming from, you can get to Amsterdam by air, train, or bus. To get around the city, you can use bus, metro, tram, bicycle, and of course get around the city on foot.
• Amsterdam Marathon - As one of the most testing running events, the Amsterdam Marathon is an extremely well-organized event, classified in the Golden League category by the IAAF.
• University of Amsterdam - Founded in 1632, the University of Amsterdam is one of Europe's major universities, with over 20,000 students, organized in some 60 disciplinary fields.
• Amsterdam Apartments - More than 3.5 million foreign visitors come to Amsterdam annually. Some of the best holiday accommodation offered in the heart of the city is provided by different Amsterdam apartments.
• Amsterdam Hostels - If you want to find it easy to visit Amsterdam city attractions, you will find that often best value accommodation and services in the city are offered by hostels in Amsterdam.
• Amsterdam Bed & Breakfast - There are also countless and charming Amsterdam bed and breakfast houses. Many of them are located in the heart if the city, offering good accommodation service.
• Amsterdam Accommodation - There are plenty of hotels, apartments, and bed & breakfast accommodation places in Amsterdam. A number of sites will help you find the right Amsterdam accommodation deals.
• Hostels in Amsterdam - Good accommodation can be found at hostels Cosmos, AnneMarie, Lucky Lake, as well as Stayokay Vondelpark and Amigo Hotel.
• Amsterdam Tours - As you would expect, Amsterdam offers a whole variety of interesting tours. Apart from the 'red light district', there are great museums, libraries, and restaurants.
• Ajax Amsterdam - Even if you're not a football (soccer) fan, it's likely that you've heard of Ajax Amsterdam football club. This world famous club has had a very rich history and has won 27 national championships.
• Amsterdam Printing - Chances are that at some stage that you have received a direct mail envelope or a newsletter, which had Amsterdam postmark, or a return address in the Netherlands.
• Amsterdam News - Did you know that New York's original name was New Amsterdam? Accordingly, one of New York's first and leading newspapers was The Amsterdam News.
• New Amsterdam Theatre - Still in New York, one of its oldest theatres was named after the city of Amsterdam. The New Amsterdam Theatre opened in 1903, as Broadway's oldest theatre house.