In the summer you will find talented people performing music, comedy, magic, juggling, etc. all around town, but especially in areas where people congregate like the Leidseplein, Vondelpark or Rembrandtplein. These artists are usually very entertaining and it’s worth a few minutes time to relish the street scene. You’ll probably be asked to donate something and it’s only right if you enjoyed the show. These people are often foreign travelers and this is how they earn money to stay on the road. Busking can be long hard work for little reward.

It’s not only fun, but a convenient and inexpensive way to get around. If you’re going to just ride for one day, get a day pass from the tram conductor or at a vending machine in any train station. You can also purchase “strippenkaarts”with spaces to be stamped by the conductor as you ride. Most rides within the city are in one zone, and take two spaces on your strippenkaart. Each additional zone requires one more space to be stamped. Many trams rely on the honor system, with little clock punchers that you stamp your card yourself with. There is a 60 guilder fine for riding the trams and or subways and trains without a valid stamped strippenkaart.

In spite of all that, you’ll find the tram rides fun, better than walking long distances, and really convenient. It seems there’s always a tram going somewhere, and each stop has very clearly detailed maps of the entire city, and the system. Even if you are not riding the tram, but get lost exploring the city, the tram stop maps can help you find your way to wherever you may be going.

If you are really tram crazy, there is a Tram Museum, and they roll out the old antique trams regularly for tours of the city.

Amsterdam is world famous for its gay scene, and the Dutch tolerance allows it to flourish. In 1998, Amsterdam hosted the Gay Games and the city paid millions of guilders to help sponsor and promote the games. Thousands of people participated in the athletic events and tens of thousands more came for the party! Although it wasn’t successful financially it certainly had a positive impact on the gay community. Warmoesstraat in the Red Light District, Reguliersdwarstraat, and Kerkstraat are popular gay scenes with bars, clubs and cinemas. Straight Dutch often mingle with the gay crowd, since they like a good party too!

The Dutch have just passed the most liberal Gay Marriage Law in the world! Dutch gays now have full marriage rights and benefits in Holland, including , adoption, divorce, pensions and inheritance. Unfortunately, few other countries will recognize a Gay Dutch marriage and these laws do not apply to tourists, as you must be a citizen or official resident to qualify. It’s just another way the Dutch are showing the world “what should be” when tolerance and freedom are actually allowed and not just bogus claims of so called “democratic societies”. The Dutch even allow gays in the military.

For an in-depth study of the history of Amsterdam’s Gay Bars, check out: Amsterdam Gay Bar Culture.

The Jordaan District of Amsterdam is very popular with artists and students, sort of a Greenwich Village. Built during the early 19th century boom days it was an area for low income workers to live. Neglected for decades, it was scheduled to be demolished in the 1970s to make way for new development, when the neighborhood came together and protested the plan. Now the area is being restored as yuppies take over. The Jordaan is mostly residential with cafes, restaurants, antique shops, and bookstores. The small amount of traffic in the area makes it very quiet and pleasant to stroll around.

Amsterdam’s club scene is unequalled anywhere. There are lots and lots of venues for the young, and young at heart here in Amsterdam. Ads like these are everywhere, attracting a young, hip crowd to events that don’t even start until 11pm and sometimes go to noon the next day. Dj’s spin the latest house music including Acid Jazz, Trance, Techno, Hardcore, etc. while the dancers rave on a variety of mind bending drugs including Ecstacy, mushrooms, LSD or some new designer drug.

The biggest rave of the year is Dance Valley, held in the countryside in mid summer. Almost a dozen huge circus tents feature live acts and DJs that play simultaneously all day long. The Leidseplein is the center of the nightlife with the famous Paradiso and Melkweg venues nearby, and many smaller places all over the city.

The scene changes so fast it’s convenient that there are several sources of schedules and information readily available. Check our Event Calendar for the most up-to-date info. You can also look in any Coffeeshop for the UitLoper, the local guide to clubs and movies, rave ads like those pictured here, or posters plastered all over town.

The Nieuwe Kerk is located on the Dam Square next to the Royal Palace. It’s famous for it’s Great Organ (1645), gilded cherubs, stained glass and incredible carved wooden pulpit. Construction began in the 14th century, and was completed in the 1650’s. Often used for special exhibits, small fee charged.

Originally built as the City Hall, Louis Napoleon turned it into the Royal Palace during his short-lived reign over the Netherlands. Today it is only rarely used by the Dutch royal family for ceremonial occasions. It was last used during the wedding of Prince Willem and Maxima. The sculptures and artwork inside are worth seeing.

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You may have heard about this famous section of Amsterdam, and quite likely everything you’ve heard is true! Check it out for yourself, it’s unlike any place else.

Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District covers a large area in the oldest part of the city. It has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors for five centuries. There is a certain charm to the area thanks to the old buildings leaning at odd angles overlooking tree-enshrouded canals, while inviting pubs, cafes and coffeeshops tempt you to linger longer. Music of every genre can be heard along the streets from a dozen or more venues late at night. Recently redone streets, revamped façades, new, classier resturants are now transforming what was once dark and dingy into one of the most attractive parts of town! Now there are more reasons then ever to visit the Red Light district, and experience this very special place. 

The narrow alleyways that reflect the inviting red glow of the large picture windows where an endless stream of horny men oogle nearly naked female flesh is of course the main attraction. The women behind the windows run the gamut from young and beautiful to grandmotherly and almost revolting. There’s enough diversity here including Asian, Black, Latin and of course European women to satisfy any fantasy. So why not Get Laid?!

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The Leidseplein is one of Amsterdam’s biggest centers for nightlife. With hundreds of restaurants and popular clubs like the Melkweg and Paradiso as well as cinemas in the area, the Leidseplein is always jumping especially on warm summer evenings. Have a drink outside in the plaza. Street musicians, jugglers and other performers make the square a lively place until the early hours. See our reviews of restaurants and venues in the Leidseplein area.

The Vondelpark is a very popular place on warm, sunny days with the Dutch and tourists alike. The park extends over several hundred acres with bike paths, walking paths, an open-air concert venue, three large outdoor cafes and the Film Museum. Scattered through the park are ponds with swans and ducks, flower gardens, a children’s park, a display of farm animals for the kids and acres and acres of fields to play soccer or frisbee. During the 60’s and 70’s the park became famous as a hippie hangout. Nowadays you’ll still see lots of hippies around and the occasional “camper” on warm nights.