Amsterdam City Map: How to get around and explore the city.

Two main ways to get around Amsterdam are by public transportation and by walking when you are visiting the city. Public transportation is the most common way to get around as a tourist, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to explore the city. To find the nearest stop, look on the map or use the public transport website of your choice.

If you want to explore Amsterdam by walking, start with one of its many attractions. The city is well-maintained and there are plenty of places to walk either within the city limits or beyond them. To get started, head to one of its major areas – like Dam Square or the Red Light District – and take in all that the city has to offer.

Make sure to don’t walk on the bicycle lane! Otherwise you may get yelled at by one of the cyclists in the city (you are warned for this! Usually the Dutch are quite friendly, but not anymore when you are standing in their way when they are cycling!). Good to know: You can recognize the specific bicycle lane by its distinguished pinkish/red colour.

The locations on the Amsterdam Map

• Number 1: Amsterdam Central Station – This is the largest station of Amsterdam. Here you can find the international and regional trains, trams, busses and the subway lines.

• Number 2: A’DAM Lookout Tower – Observation deck with a panoramic view of the city of Amsterdam. If you dare, you can also swing on the Europe’s highest swing and dangle at a height of 100 meters

• Number 3: Amsterdam Sex Museum – The oldest and the first museum about sex in the world. The museum has a collection of historical erotic objects, sculptures, paintings and photographs.

• Number 4: Dam Square / Royal Palace – The Dam square (“de Dam”) is the central square of the city of Amsterdam. The Royal Palace (which is still used by the Dutch royal family) is also located on this square.

• Number 5: The Red Light District Amsterdam – This area is also goes by the names: “De Wallen” or “Le Quartier Rouge“. The Red Light District in Amsterdam is already very old. Here you can find prostitutes working behind the iconic red windows.

• Number 6: Madame Tussauds – Amsterdam has also its own Madame Tussauds, located just next to the Dam Square. This wax museum has several wax figures of (Dutch) celebrities such as famous soccer players, singers and actors.

• Number 7: Anne Frank House – The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to the Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family. This house is where she and her family have hided for more than two years during World War II.

• Number 8: Jordaan area – This neighbourhood is one of the most nicest and romantic areas in town. Walk through the area and experience the vibe of the city by yourself. Here you can find canals, small boutiques, cosy streets and alleys.

• Number 9: De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets) – The 9 straatjes is a small shopping district of the center of Amsterdam. The nine streets of this area connect the different canals with eachother and here you can find beautiful monumental buildings, shops and lots of places where you can get your self a good cup of coffee + cake!

• Number 10: Rembrandtplein – Looking for a place to enjoy a good evening? The Rembrandt plein is one of the major nightlife areas of the city. Here you can find pubs, bars and clubs.

• Number 11: Rembrandt House – This is where the famous Dutch painter and art dealer of the Dutch Golden era, Rembrandt van Rijn, has lived for 19 years (between 1639 and 1658). In this house he also had his own atelier where he made his famous painting. This house is currently a museum about Rembrandt and his paintings.

• Number 12: Artis Zoo – The city Zoo of Amsterdam is the oldest zoo of the Netherlands. Here, you can spend your day looking at cute penguins, giraffes, elefants and more!

• Number 13: Hortus Botanicus – Opened in 1638, the botanical garden Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is one of the oldest still operating botanical gardens in the world. The garden itself is approximately 1.2 hectares big and has a collection of about six thousand tropical/native trees and plants.

• Number 14: Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug) – This bridge is a famous bridge in Amsterdam. Often also called the love bridge.

• Number 15: Leidseplein – This is where you go if you are looking for nice bars, clubs and pubs. To really feel the nightlife here, don’t go too earlier. Around 11 pm you will start feeling the party vibes here.

• Number 16: Vondelpark – Place to be if you are looking for a spot to chill and relax in the city. This park opened in 1865 and is the most popular park in Amsterdam.

• Number 17: Rijksmuseum – A must-see museum when in Amsterdam as it house vests many Dutch paintings and artworks. This is also a good place to go when it’s raining outside.

• Number 18: Van Gogh Museum – An impressionistic art lover? Then Van Gogh museum is a must-visit spot as it houses the largest collection of the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh in the world. 

• Number 19: Heineken Experience – See and get a tour in the Heineken’s oldest brewery. Founded in 1864 in Amsterdam, Heineken is one of the largest breweries in the world now.

• Number 20: Albert Cuyp Market – The largest outdoor market in the Netherlands with 260 stands which is open from Mon-Saturday. Make sure you try the fresh “stroopwafels” here!

How to Explore Amsterdam City.

When you’re in town, there are plenty of things to do whether you want to stay indoors or out. If you want something more active, try to see and do some of Amsterdam’s popular tourist attractions such as walking in the canal belt area, see the bridges, go shopping in one of the major shopping streets in the city center or visit one of the many good museums. If you’re looking for something more leisurely, head for one of the many city’s parks, Cannabis coffeeshop or art galleries where you can explore new talent and old masterpieces at the same time.

Public transportation in Amsterdam

One way to get a good tour of the Amsterdam area is by taking one of the city’s public transportation systems: tram, bus, subway and the iconic ferry’s!. These four modes of transport are all very accessible and provide great alternatives for getting around the city.

To find more information how to get around in Amsterdam with public transportation, here are some useful links:

• The city’s official public transportation website: https://www.gvb.nl/en (Here you not only can find where and how to buy a ticket, but also when a bus/tram/metro/ferry departs).
• Plan your public transport journey with these useful apps: “GVB reisapp” (iOS & Android) and “9292 OV” (iOS & Android). These two are both useful Amsterdam public transport apps. If you don’t need an extra app, Google Maps is very handy too (especially if you are planning to explore Amsterdam on foot)

Rent a bicycle in Amsterdam

Feeling adventurous and curious how it is to bike in the city of bycicles? In the city you can easily rent a bicycle for a couple of hours and discover the city on the bike by yourself. Just to be careful that you don’t get hit by other cyclists, cars, trams and busses. We would recommend to bike in Amsterdam only if you know how to cycle, otherwise it can be a bit stressful and dangerous. Not so sure about your biking skills? Follow the cycle routs to go out of the city centre and discover the city in more quiet neighbourhoods.