I'm going amsterdam next month but i have never been. Whats it like? i don't want to get there and its boring

Answer 1

Amsterdam is a vibrant and beautiful city. Don't just head for the Red Light district and bars (you can do that anywhere). Look UP. Appreciate the traditional architecture and see what a real Dutch Gable is like.

It can rain hard even in summer. While it's still warm you don't want to get wet in one of the short sharp storms so be prepared with a lightweight plastic mac. or equivalent.

Find a friend and enjoy cool beer at a canalside cafe or eat in the square outside the Schiller Hotel.

You could have a good laugh trying to speak the language. It's so difficult that most Dutch use English.

If you don't want to be bored then avoid the 'drug bars' around the Old Town and red light district. They're full of very boring people who think that they're 'cool'. I.e. they're the sort of parasitic drop out that you can find anywhere.

Visit the Heineken Experience. It's in the old brewery and is a pretty good half day's worth. The complimentary beer's good too.

Don't bother with the Van Gough museum. It's expensive and they only have a small collection of (his poorer quality) work there anyway. Go if you want to be amused by watching crowds of pretentious Americans who can't pronounce "Van Gough" properly and who are trying to prentend thay they're enjoing themeslves.

Do visit the Rijksmuseum. If you appreciate art at all then you'll like this place.

Take a boat trip around the canals and harbour.

Amsterdam has some great Thai, Korean and other Far East restaurants. Much cheaper than the UK and just as good.

If you can get a car then take a day trip around the great dyke and the polderlands. Don't expect to see many traditional windmills, they have hundreds of modern tall wind turbines though. Especially visit the twin villages of Vollendam and Marken.

Amsterdam is not just a place for tourists so it has a good selection of shops. You'll recognise our High Street names as well as their own chains. Compare prices with what the same shop will sell for at home.
Did you know that C&A are a Dutch chain?

If you step a few yards from the 'tourist routes' you'll eat and drink better and cheaper. That's true of most places though.

Ther trams and busses are good, frequent and comprehensive. Don't be a chancer and not use a valid ticket. They inspect tickets frequently and have high fixed penalties for fare dodgers.

I recommend that you take a decent guide book. The Lonely Planet series seems to be obsessed with the "gay scene" in ALL of its recent publications and is a bit biassed towards homosexual drink/drug adicts (believe me, they ARE boring after a very short while). Buy the AA book instead, it's also a better fit for a jacket pocket.

Answer 2

Amsterdam is a very interesting city. You will not be bored.

First, there is the art of the city. The Dutch master painters of the 1600's painted their greatest works in Amsterdam and can be found at the Rembrandt museum.

The architecture of the buildings is facinating. The canals go everywhere. People live in row houses by the canals and some live on houseboats.

It is a very dirty city. Garbage is everywhere. The Dutch love dogs but do not clean up after them so dog poop is all over the sidewalks.

The city has no morals. There are sex shops, drug shops, and prostitutes everywhere you look. Young people just hang out in places like Dam Square all day smoking cigarettes. The city is not safe to walk in alone at night. You will get mugged.

Interesting food. Lots of Indonesian food since the Dutch once owned Indonesia and there are lots and lots of immigrants living in Amsterdam.

You will be glad you visited but probably will not want to go back again.

Answer 3

It's what you make of it and who you're with that will make your holiday. The Red light district is only interesting after about 7 at night, but there's enough pubs and restaurants too keep you occupied every night you're there. During the day you can go sightseeing, I normally slept late from being up till the wee hours every morning.

Answer 4

I've been 4 times. twice with my parent and twice with mates. If you like green, red light district and 24 hr cities then you'll love it. It's a bit dingy in parts. my personal advise is there are quite a few people around the centre which will try and mug you. if somebody speaks to you on the street and theres not many people around just blank them and keep walking and you should be fine.

Answer 5

It's impossible to be bored in Amsterdam. I think they have laws against it. What things are you interested in?

Answer 6

go on a river cruise
rent bike
visit Anne Frank's House
have look at the Heineken museum
it is a lovely city and if you smoke even better for you!!

Answer 7

It's definitely not boring ... get yourself a DK Eyewitness Guide and start reading it. Very helpful series!

Answer 8

well, if you had said anything about the kinds of things you're looking for we have an idea of whether you would like it or not.....