Each year Amsterdam welcomes around 3.5million visitors. It's a convivial, friendly - even cosy - city that welcomes tourists, but on its own terms. And those terms are sealed with a live and let live tolerance hard to match anywhere else. Its best architecture is domestic, its best sites glimpsed in leafy, cobbled streets and its best moments found in the small things - sipping beer in a street cafe, applauding a street entertainer or simply taking off on a bike.
Amsterdam history
Amsterdam may now be one of the world's great tourist destinations but, 900 years ago, the city was just a swamp. The poor fishermen on the River Amstel thought 'dam it', and they did - and 'Dam on the Amstel' was born. The city's wealth grew on herrings and beer. Its glory days were in the 1600s and the city's canals, gabled buildings and great art date from its long years as a centre for world trade.
World War II brought the darkest hours. Amsterdam escaped the bombing that destroyed Rotterdam, but suffered Nazi occupation and the mass deportation of the city's Jews.
Modern-day Amsterdam is a liberal minded city, soft on drugs and prostitution. But there are growing racial tensions - half of Amsterdammers have non-Dutch parents. It gets packed too - it's now one of Europe's major city break destinations.
Language
Dutch is the national language but most Amsterdammers will speak English better than you can. This is just as well in fact, as the native language is a phonetic throat strangler, full of growling r's, gutteral g's and coughing ch's. Nevertheless, a few key phrases in the local language will always be appreciated by residents, so it's worth learning a few.
Hello/Goodye - Hag/Tot ziens; Thank you - Dank u; Yes/No - Jan/Nee
1 - een; 2 - twee; 3 - drie; 4 - vier; 5 - vijf
And some useful signs to look out for
Chemist - Apotheek; Boat - boot; Cafe serving meals - Eetcafe ; Canal - Gracht
Click here to Learn Dutch
Money
Amsterdam dropped the guilder for the euro in 2002 and is generally less expensive than other European cities. However, you may have to fork out more for accommodation. ATMs are outside most banks, at Centraal Station and at Schiphol Airport. Exchange booths are all over the city centre but commission charges tend to be high.
Medical
There are no compulsory vaccinations for the Netherlands but up-to-date immunisation for tetanus, polio and diphtheria are always recommended. For minor ailments and anything more medicinal than toothpaste find a chemist (drogist) or pharmacy (apotheek). There is a 24hr medical centre 0900 503 2042 that will find you a doctor, dentist or pharmacy if you need one.
Phones
Amsterdam has a reasonably priced phone network and phone booths are plentiful. It's best to get a phonecard and calling from a cafe or hotels usually cost more. To ring abroad dial 00, the country code, area code without the leading 0 and the number. The country code for the Netherlands is 31 and Amsterdam area code 020. Mobiles use GWM 900/1800; but remember, long drunken phone calls back to the UK will cost you dearly!
Tourist offices
The Amsterdam Tourist Office has outlets inside and outside Centraal Station and just off Leidseplein as well as Schiphol Airport. They have good city maps but most publications cost money and there are commission charges for hotel bookings. Amsterdam's Uitburo, on Leidseplein, has information and tickets for almost all entertainment related events.
Rijkmuseum poster
Street signs
Canal at night
Canal houses
