Amsterdam Travel Guide

In Amsterdam, if it isn't bolted to the floor somebody will try to steal it -- and even if it is bolted to the floor somebody will try to steal it. Watch out for pickpockets on trams, buses, and Metro trains, and in train and Metro stations. Constant public announcements at Centraal Station and Schiphol Airport warn about pickpockets, and signs on the trams say in a multitude of languages ATTENTION: PICKPOCKETS. Drivers occasionally recognize members of the fraternity (and sorority) who board their vehicle and put out an announcement for passengers. Pickpockets and other thieves often wait until you are occupied or distracted -- or act to occupy or distract you -- before making their move. Consider wearing a money belt. Women should wear their purse crossed over their shoulder so that it hangs in front, with the clasp or zipper facing in. A backpack worn on the back is an open invitation to thieves, so either don't wear it like this or don't put anything valuable in it (you could consider packing it with loaded mousetraps).

Violence is not unknown to Amsterdam, but it's not at all a violent city (foreign drug dealers whacking each other doesn't qualify, unless innocents get caught in the crossfire, and usually merits a single-sentence news story on p. 21 of the local papers). Drug-related crime is prevalent, most of it, like pickpocketing, is nonviolent, relatively minor, and opportunistic. Stealing bicycles is a big problem here! Mugging and armed robbery do happen, though incidents are not common.

There are some risky areas, especially in and around the Red Light District. Be leery of walking alone after dark through narrow alleyways and along empty stretches of canal. Don't use ATMs at night in quiet areas. It's wise to stay out of Vondelpark at night, but there are cafes on the edge of the park that are busy until closing time.

The rules about not walking alone in poorly lit and unpopulated areas at night apply especially to women. Although Amsterdam is generally safe, incidents of harassment do occur, and rape is not unknown. It's safe for groups of women to go around in the city's famed (or notorious) Red Light District -- always supposing they can stomach seeing other women serving purely as sex objects -- but a young woman on her own, particularly after dark, could be subject to at least verbal harassment, and misrepresentation as a "working girl." Public transportation is usually busy even late at night, so you generally won't have to worry about being alone in a tram or Metro train. If you feel nervous, sit close to the driver where this is possible. Many local women go around by bicycle at night.

Amsterdam has some weird folks who may lock onto you for one reason or another. If you can't shake them off, go into a cafe or hotel and either wait until they leave or call a taxi to take you away. More common are beggars. The generous Dutch welfare system ensures that few, if any, locals need to resort to panhandling. Those who do this might be drug addicts, illegal migrants, young visitors trying to make their money last longer, lazy ne'er-do-wells -- and some genuine hardship cases. If you are prepared to give money to these people, keep some coins handy rather than have to go rummaging through your billfold or purse, which might get grabbed by the intended recipient of your generosity.

Note: Listing some of the possible dangers together like this can give a false impression of the threat of crime in Amsterdam. There is no need to be afraid to do the things you want to do. Amsterdammers aren't. Just remember to exercise the usual rules of caution and observation that apply in any big city. Report any crime committed against you to the police, most of whom speak English.