Tips on Avoiding Amsterdam Tourist Traps

Amsterdam Tourist Traps

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and also the most heavily populated area of the country. Though it regularly draws thousands of tourists, visitors should be wary of tips that will help them avoid tourist traps in the city.

The Red Light District

The Red Light District is one of the major draws for the city. If you wander through the Red Light District, you’ll be walking with visitors from all over the world. Few locals visit, and in the summer, this place is thick with tourists. However, there are also a lot of drug users, pickpockets, and others looking to take advantage of the crowds. If you do to go to the district, leave in the early evening while things are quiet. Also, if you do visit, leave your valuables at the hotel and keep an eye on your wallet, bags, and cameras.

Boat Tours

Some consider the canal cruises available by Central station to be a disappointment. These are closed boats where you sit in tightly packed seats alongside 30 other tourists. These trips can be uncomfortable and strain your neck to see the surrounding area. The only local person you will find on a canal cruise is the guide, since the tours are designed completely for tourists. Whether it’s worth your time and money is questionable.

The Ann Frank House

The house that once belonged to Ann Frank is on the wish lists of many visitors to the city of Amseterdam. Sadly, the Ann Frank Museum feels empty in some sense. Much of this is due to the fact that the house is no longer visible in its original form. It has been encased in a shroud of silver metal and modern glass, giving it a futuristic feel that seems inappropriate for the subject matter within. Another problem with visiting is the lengthy queue you’ll have to wait through before entering. This wait can sometimes take hours, which might not be worth waiting through.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about tourist traps in Amsterdam.