Is it safe to walk in Amsterdam at night?
Most Amsterdam neighborhoods are safe for walking—even alone—with a few exceptions. One place to avoid come nightfall is the Red Light District. While it's filled with all types of people during the day, the area attracts seedier visitors and vagrants at night.
The country is very safe and friendly. Just avoid poorly lit and deserted areas and walking alone at night, with a few more basic precaution rules and your trip should go smoothly.
Yes, Amsterdam is a safe city to visit. In the last Safe City Index (2019), Amsterdam ranked fourth position in the list of safest cities in the world. Though you can buy marihuana freely in coffee shops, smart drugs in smart shops and prostitution is legal, Amsterdam is not a dangerous city.
How Safe Is Amsterdam's Red Light District? Compared to other prostitution areas around the world, Amsterdam's red light district is one of the safest. Not only do police officers regularly patrol the streets, but many of the prostitutes employ private bodyguards, and the area is further monitored by cameras.
For those that plan on visiting the Red Light District, it's important to know that purple lights in the window signifies that the lady is a transvestite!
It is rude to speak whilst chewing gum. Knock before entering a room if the door is shut. Standing with your hands in your pockets can be considered impolite. Compliments are usually given in private directly to the person that deserves them.
If you're visiting Amsterdam for a few days, I'd suggest avoiding places that might seem nearby, but in reality, they are neither pretty nor convenient. That said, do NOT stay in Diemen, Amstelveen, Bijlmar, or Zuid-Oost. Unless you want to bike the city center for at least 25 minutes.
Pickpockets have been known to target tourists on trams, buses and ferries in Amsterdam, taking advantage of the crowded situations and the fact that people are often distracted by their journey planning. So be extra vigilant while travelling by public transport. In fact, don't put anything in your back pocket.
Amsterdam is a safe city for women of all ages traveling alone or together. Female travelers experience very little to no harassment in the streets or elsewhere. Incidents do occur, though. As everywhere, it is best to observe normal safety precautions.
- Don't expect wild parties during weekdays.
- Don't get on public transport without an OV-Chip card.
- Don't take cash or credit cards for granted.
- Don't hire a bike if you can't ride one.
- Don't walk in cycle paths.
- Don't buy a bike from an unofficial source.
Is it safe to walk in the Red Light District at night?
Yes, the area is safe both day and night time. The only real threat in the area is pickpocketing. Due to the area being crowded with tourists and a lot of distraction, the area is very popular among pickpockets.
- Respect a Dutch person's personal space. ...
- Engage in deep conversations with your Dutch counterpart if possible. ...
- The Dutch enjoy a good joke, so feel free to use humour when appropriate and if you're comfortable doing so.
![Is it safe to walk in Amsterdam at night? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OnYwYMgQZ2E/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLApZV60ixOWpwFeVH0oN7nEHjGhKA)
You might also notice windows with a blue light instead of a red one. This means that the person behind the glass is transgender or transvestite. There are around 400 such vitrines in Amsterdam, so you can imagine that the competition is fierce.
The three Xs (XXX) are actually the three Saint Andrew's crosses. St. Andrew was a fisherman who was martyred on an X-shaped cross in the 1st century AD, which is relevant to Amsterdam as the city's symbol dates back to 1505 when it was a fishing town and all ships registered in Amsterdam flew this flag.
Amsterdam's Red Light District is famous for the line of windows and doors surrounded in red lights - red lights that signify legal prostitution. You can walk down the street and see barely-dressed women sitting behind the windows and waiting for customers.
- Littering.
- Asking people about income or appearance.
- Informally addressing someone without permission.
- Speaking with your hands in your pockets.
- Condescending to people or showing superiority or intolerance.
- Chewing gum.
- Touching or close-talking of business or casual relationships.
Dutch. As in many other languages, the first time you sneeze the Dutch wish you “health” (gezondheid). But my personal favorite response comes after the third time you sneeze: morgen mooi weer, which translates to “good weather tomorrow.” That escalated quickly.
According to The Economist, Amsterdam is the 6th safest major city in the world and number 1 in Europe. That being said, Amsterdam is still the least safe city in the Netherlands. Regardless of whatever the numbers say, Amsterdam still has criminal elements (every major city does).
According to the latest report by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in Europe. By comparison, London didn't make it to the top five in the same report. The report included 60 cities around the world and analysed 76 indicators contained within four types of safety.
“A pickpocket doesn't usually have time to search all ten, but when they see you check your pocket when you see the sign, they now know the exact location.” Even just glancing down at the location can clue in a potential crook. If you think pickpockets might be around, resist the urge to glance down at your belongings.
Can pickpockets steal from front pockets?
While a skilled pickpocket can swipe your stuff from your front pocket, it's more difficult to do than when your stuff is in your back pocket. If you're looking for a wallet that fits nicely in your front pocket, check out the Rogue Wallet.
Your bag or backpack is probably the most vulnerable area that pickpockets love to target. Backpacks are especially vulnerable because you can't see if someone is trying to get into it.
Therefore, the best way to "not stick out" in Amsterdam is to wear whatever you damn well want, but be polite, be pleasant, be conscious of the well being and feelings of others, and learn a few words of Dutch and use them liberally (with no expectation that anyone anywhere is ever going to think that you are anything ...
- English speakers don't need to worry about a language barrier. ...
- Book in advance. ...
- Coffee shops are different from cafes. ...
- Lock your bike… ...
- The Red Light District is relatively normal during the day. ...
- Don't take pictures of the ladies in the Red Light District. ...
- Don't just plan on visiting Amsterdam.
Money and currency
Credit cards are widely accepted too, though in some small shops or hotels, there might an extra charge (2-6%) if you pay by a credit card, passport may be required. Generally, the most preferred payment method is Euro cash with the banknotes up to 50 Euro bill.
If you're visiting Amsterdam for a few days, I'd suggest avoiding places that might seem nearby, but in reality, they are neither pretty nor convenient. That said, do NOT stay in Diemen, Amstelveen, Bijlmar, or Zuid-Oost. Unless you want to bike the city center for at least 25 minutes.
- Respect a Dutch person's personal space. ...
- Engage in deep conversations with your Dutch counterpart if possible. ...
- The Dutch enjoy a good joke, so feel free to use humour when appropriate and if you're comfortable doing so.
- English speakers don't need to worry about a language barrier. ...
- Book in advance. ...
- Coffee shops are different from cafes. ...
- Lock your bike… ...
- The Red Light District is relatively normal during the day. ...
- Don't take pictures of the ladies in the Red Light District. ...
- Don't just plan on visiting Amsterdam.
According to The Economist, Amsterdam is the 6th safest major city in the world and number 1 in Europe. That being said, Amsterdam is still the least safe city in the Netherlands. Regardless of whatever the numbers say, Amsterdam still has criminal elements (every major city does).