podtour
At a glance
- Country
- Netherlands
- Region
- North Holland
- Language
- Dutch. Hello: hallo. Thank you: dank je. English is widely spoken.
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Population
- Close to a million people in the municipality
- Sockets
- Types C and F, 230 V; bring an adaptor for a British plug.
- Emergencies
- 112
- Tap water
- Yes, safe to drink; bring a refillable bottle.
- Card payments
- Very widely accepted, including small purchases; check that your card is accepted.
- Tipping
- Optional; a small amount for good service is appreciated.
- Driving side
- right
When to go
| Season | Approximate temperature | Rain | Daylight | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Roughly 5–18 °C | Showers and quick changes. | Longer afternoons. | Flowers, outdoor tables and many visitors. |
| Summer | Roughly 13–24 °C; hotter spells occur. | Rain remains possible. | Long days. | Lively canals and parks. |
| Autumn | Roughly 5–18 °C | More frequent wind and rain. | Less daylight. | Leaves beside the canals and damp pavements. |
| Winter | Roughly 0–8 °C | Cold rain and possible frost. | Short days. | Museums and warm pauses. |
- Spring and summer offer more light for walking; autumn suits a mixture of routes and museums.
- In April, King’s Day turns the centre orange with celebrations. Book accommodation ahead if you want that atmosphere.
- Don’t plan on skating on the canals: cold weather doesn’t guarantee either ice or safe conditions.
Walking the city
- Gradient. The centre is mostly flat, apart from little climbs over bridges.
- Underfoot. Brick, cobbles and narrow pavements can become slippery with rain and leaves.
- Weather on foot. Wind catches the waterfront. Carry a waterproof layer even under a clear sky.
- Distances. Combine routes in the same part of the canal ring. Detours to bridges count; straight lines on a map don’t tell the whole story.
- Crossings. Traffic keeps right. Cycle lanes, often surfaced in red, aren’t extra pavement: look both ways before stepping into one. Bicycles approach quickly and quietly, with a bell to warn you. If you hear it, move predictably towards a safe place rather than jumping sideways.
- Daily rhythm. Make time for dinner before a long late walk. Summer evenings invite wandering; residential courtyards require quiet.
Getting there and around
- Schiphol has train, bus and taxi links. Rail connects the airport with the city and urban transport.
- Centraal Station sits beside the historic centre. Check which exit you need: the canal side and IJ side face different areas.
- Trams and the metro connect districts. Walking within each route gives you time for details.
- You don’t need to hire a bicycle to enjoy Amsterdam. If busy cycling traffic feels unfamiliar, stick with walking.
The neighbourhoods
| Neighbourhood | What it's like | Who it suits | Our routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dam and Kalverstraat | Busy central squares and shopping streets. | A first visit and orientation. | The Dam, the Kalverstraat and the Begijnhof Free |
| De Wallen and Zeedijk | Old streets, religious buildings and intense city life. | A respectful view of a working neighbourhood. | The Red-Light District and the Zeedijk: from the Oude Kerk to the Waag |
| Jordaan | Small canals, local streets and residential courtyards. | Slow wandering. | The Jordaan: Warehouses, Hofjes and Uprisings |
| Western canals | Waterside façades around the Westerkerk. | Architecture and memory. | Western Canals: the Westerkerk, Anne Frank and Descartes |
| Jewish Quarter and Waterlooplein | Open squares, synagogues and memorials. | History and unhurried museum visits. | Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter: Sephardim, Spinoza and the February Strike |
| Lastage and Nieuwmarkt | Streets between old harbour spaces and canals. | A little away from the busiest axis. | The Lastage and the Nieuwmarkt: from the harbour to the East India Company |
| Southern canals | Bridges and squares near the Mint Tower. | Water, façades and breaks. | Southern Canals: From the Mint Tower to the Golden Bend |
| Leidseplein and Museumplein | Theatres, museums and the entrance to Vondelpark. | Art with breathing space between interiors. | From Leidseplein to Museumplein: the Theatre, the Prison and the Night Watch |
What to try
| Dish or drink | What it is |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Two thin waffles with a syrup filling. |
| Poffertjes | Small fluffy pancakes, often with butter and sugar. |
| Bitterballen | Fried balls of creamy meat ragout; beware of the hot filling. |
| Haring | Cured herring, served on its own or in bread. |
| Kibbeling | Battered pieces of fish. |
| Erwtensoep | Thick pea soup, often containing meat or sausage. |
| Stamppot | Mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and different accompaniments. |
| Appeltaart | Apple tart, often with cinnamon. |
| Dutch cheese | Young to mature; try different textures rather than expecting one flavour. |
| Rijsttafel | An Indonesian spread of small dishes for sharing. |
What to pack
- Comfortable shoes with grip on wet brick.
- A hooded waterproof; wind can make an umbrella awkward.
- Light layers in summer; coat, scarf and gloves in winter.
- A compact rucksack leaves room on the pavement and keeps hands free.
- An adaptor for a British plug; sockets use types C and F.
- A refillable bottle and a downloaded route: Podtour works offline.
- Pack a light suitcase: stairs in old houses are often very steep and narrow.
For the trip
Customs and common mistakes
- On bridges, take photographs without blocking passage or edging towards the water.
- In De Wallen, don’t photograph people working in the windows; respect their privacy.
- Hofjes are residential courtyards: enter only when allowed and keep quiet.
- Let passengers leave the tram before boarding.
- Wait your turn at shops and counters; there’s no need to raise your voice.
- Holland isn’t the whole country: Amsterdam is in North Holland, within the Netherlands.
If it rains (or it's very hot)
- From Leidseplein to Museumplein: the Theatre, the Prison and the Night Watch pairs an outdoor walk with a separate visit to the Rijksmuseum or Stedelijk Museum.
- In Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter: Sephardim, Spinoza and the February Strike, museums can divide the day between outside and inside; access is separate for each visit.
- Western Canals: the Westerkerk, Anne Frank and Descartes and The Jordaan: Warehouses, Hofjes and Uprisings remain outdoor routes. Shorten the plan if the wind is strong by the water.
- In heat, pause in the shade of Vondelpark. In rain, find cover without occupying someone’s doorway.
Itineraries with Podtour
Leave room for breaks and visits inside: these plans suggest no more than two routes each day.
Days Plan
1 day
Day 1: start with the free The Dam, the Kalverstraat and the Begijnhof Free. Continue towards Southern Canals: From the Mint Tower to the Golden Bend, with a pause between the two routes.
2 days
Day 1: The Dam, the Kalverstraat and the Begijnhof Free and Southern Canals: From the Mint Tower to the Golden Bend. Day 2: Western Canals: the Westerkerk, Anne Frank and Descartes and The Jordaan: Warehouses, Hofjes and Uprisings, neighbouring areas by the canals.
3 days
Days 1 and 2: follow the plan above. Day 3: Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter: Sephardim, Spinoza and the February Strike and The Lastage and the Nieuwmarkt: from the harbour to the East India Company, in the eastern centre; save the large museums for another part of the trip.
What to see with Podtour
marks stops on the free route. Listening outside doesn’t include admission to the building.