Whats Amsterdam like?

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U_S_S_Enterprise

Basically, it is a run-of-the-mill large city.

For foreign people one of the things that make it easier, is that most, if not all, people there speak English. Many also speak another language as well.

Amsterdam caters to many tastes. People who enjoy art (museums), architecture, history, religion or religious history, nightlife, clublife, and yes, the option to smoke weed without being arrested - all that - and more.

There are several other questions here about the city - some with links in the answers - so i suggest that as reading material.

Amsterdam is also more or less a central hub to travel to other parts of The Netherlands, but also to destinations in Germany, Belgium and France.

The general feel of the city at the moment is one of 'building'. There are a lot of large scale building and renovation/repair projects going, and that influences the area around Central Station greatly.
Sometimes people wonder if there will ever be one day without any street being closed off due to roadworks, or something similar.

The city itself is also fairly green, with some famous parks (Vondelpark) and recreational areas at various spots.

I enjoy sitting on a terrace with a beer, looking at the people, or chatting with some visitor from a foreign country. In summer, the main squares in the city are very busy with a lot of people enjoying themselves, and relaxing on a terrace.

I`m not into nightlife as such, but from people who are, i understand there is a wide choice. No matter what your music taste is, there is a place you`ll fit in.

As for the rest, just come and see.

For those that think that all drugs are legal - guess again. No drug is legal - weed is tolerated under several rules, which are strictly enforced.

Louise

"Drugs... Everywhere you go and prostitutes... if that's your type of entertainment then you will love it." THAT IS NOT TRUE.

There is good attention by the police. Prostitutes is only in the red light district and Ruyseldaelkade. I get the picture that they think that amsterdam is similar to the Bible story of Sodom and Gomorrah

Amsterdam is a very beautiful city.

Take a look at this site:
www.amsterdam-travel-tourist-guide.com

S J H

its a beautiful city..the entire city center has been designated a world heritage site..the red light district is the oldest part of amsterdam..if you can look beyond the sex part and see all the old crooked canal houses in that area..the city is trying to shake the image of sex and drugs..but the brits coming over on 50 dollars flights to get laid and get high doesnt help.

shel8866

Dutch, very Dutch!

AJ Rimmer

full of drunken Brits Abroad who chant in the street, unable to contain their excitement at finding weed and prostitutes that they can't get at home, like kids in a sweet shop.

king kong

not sure about the place is full of brits thing !!! its like spring break and all the dumb retards go crazy cause it whats expected of them.... you can find all that crazyness anywhere but if your looking for culture what about edinburgh ...thats in scotland by the way lol

sublowe

the coffeeshops, van gogh museum, red light district, beautiful scenery .

Suave-cat

Totally Boss,summat for everyone,i love it.

oakwoodalan

Very possibly the rudest place in existence!!! We've travelled all over europe and the world, and have found nowhere else like it; most of the Dutch are absolutely wonderful except in their capital city, where they seem to be in the grip of a collective insanity - all the easy drugs, perhaps?
Examples - some poor visitor we heard asking very politely how to pay for his petrol was screamed at by the assistant about "how long I work every day". Another's little girl was trapped and terrified by a malfunctioning tram door which had already trapped the limbs of several locals - this time four or five of them joined in the shouting about how she was out of control. Worst of all was an inoffensive older gentleman in a cafe, who asked if he might borrow the phone directory - their instant response was to throw it at his head.
Never have I seen anything like it, and never will I return - do visit the beautiful Netherlands and its lovely people, but for pity's sake be warned and go nowhere near Amsterdam - a few pretty bridges over canals are not worth having to suffer this!!!!!