We are planning on spending 3 days in Amsterdam at the end of March. I have never been there but am excited to visit. When I told one of ladies that I work with that we are planning to spend a few days there, she said she was there 3 years ago and really didn't enjoy it at all. She said it was a dirty city. Is this true? <BR>(We are going to spend one day in Brugge, and can't wait, heard lots of good things!) <BR> <BR>Thanks for any input. <BR>Robbyn

For two years I have waited to say my two cents' worth about Amsterdam. Yes, it is dirty. Yes, it has graffiti and is not friendly. I would not go out of my way to see it. If you are there, I certainly would not stay 3-4 days, as I did. I should have stayed in Italy, where I had been before and was deliriously happy. My whole 3-4 days in Amsterdam I was kicking myself for leaving. The countryside in the Netherlands is lovely. Still...it's not Italy. I know. I know. Everybody is different, and that's why I have never said this before on Fodors.

I think you will be able to find a number of people that will agree with your friend at work and Kay about Amsterdam, but I truly do not understand why Amsterdam brings out such negative reactions, since mine is just the opposite. If there is dirt and graffiti, I cannot say I noticed it. It was the first city I ever visited in Europe - I won't say when, but the guidebook I was carrying was called "Europe on $5 a Day" and I found it so exciting that I hardly slept. I returned in 1992 for a week and found it equally, even more interesting , and I am still saving the Rijksmuseum and the concertgebouw for a future visit. <BR> <BR>Robbyn, it may indeed turn out that you do not like Amsterdam, but please let it be because you have gone and seen it for yourself, not because of what others have told you about it.

Ok, here's my 2 cents..Having lived in Holland before and being Dutch, I have been to Amsterdam quite a few times. Amsterdam is a big city - like New York, and with that, comes big city experiences. Yes, Amsterdam is not the cleanest city, but neither is New York or Brussels or Paris or any other big city. It all depends on what you want to see and do. If you would like to visit museums and take walking tours, canal tours, go to markets and go shopping, then Amsterdam is a good place to spend a few days. If you don't like Amsterdam, you can always take a quick train to a nearby city in Holland for the day. Another thing to keep in mind is that Amsterdam is not the only thing Holland has to offer...just like NYC is not the only thing the US has to offer. By the way, Brugge is beautiful. Have a great trip. Feel free to email me if you want any more information. I am going to Amsterdam again myself at the end of February and can't wait!

I'd go back to Amsterdam in a second. My husband and I found it thoroughly delightful! My uncle told me it was a dirty city but we didn't find it so at all. I only saw a couple of pieces of debris in a canal, and grafitti on buildings that we passed on the train going out of Amsterdam, but we have that at home. Plus the people are so friendly. We were there only a week and it wasn't long enough. <BR> <BR>I never know if I like a place until I get there. Some that I held such hope for, like Santorini, were great disappointments. Others, like the Netherlands, turned out to be gems. <BR>

A'dam is not a dirty city, but it has a very public & famous redlight area which is gawped at by guided parties of tourists.They seek these areas out,gawp, then blame the city instead of their own prurient natures. <BR>Some people can't handle seeing what goes on in their own hometown in secret(with less medical inspection) so <BR>they call it dirty.It is a very friendly city,good for pedestrians,beautiful architecture, <BR>everybody speaks english, just stay away <BR>from those small areas if you can't handle them.You will also notice many cafes where cannabis is legally available.Again, this is the same as in your hometown, except that they advertise.Nobody there thinks this is a big deal, but again nobody is forcing you to go in.In general, uptight people avoid Amsterdam, which contributes to the good atmosphere.It is also safer <BR>than most big cities and has a lot less theives than Italy.

Thanks for all your letters and advice. I am now looking forward to our time in Admsterdam! <BR> <BR>Robbyn

Hi Robbyn, <BR> I went to Amsterdam in May. I find it to be a beautiful city full of charm and character. I do not think Amsterdam is dirty at all, but of course it does have its share of drugs. <BR> I felt very safe there and want to go back again soon. If you get a chance take a 20 minute train ride to Zaandam and visit Zaanse Schanse. I had a wonderful day there.

Amsterdam may be dirty (on our 3 night stay I did not notice) but is any century old city not have some dirt. Actually I think Italy, naples, Rome, in particular are quite dirty and unfriendly. In Amsterdam the people were great, friendly, you could, shop go to museums, tour breweries, see floweres, cruise down the canal and admire the architecture, etc. I guess beauty is where you seek it in the eye of the beholder. I would not hesitate to go back. But in Italy, I would only visit Venice and North.

Robbyn-you'll have a great time. Yes, parts of Amsterdam were "dirty"- but what a laugh how they cleaned it up- at night a garbage truck with a huge vacuum tried to suck the trash out of the cans! One evening a hose spraying crew came and washed down Dam Square and people hardly moved out of the way! We thought it was hysterical. I'm originally from NYC so, none of it bothered me.In fact, I really enjoy Amsterdam- there are many different sections to explore. I found most of the "red light district" fun and with inexpensive restaurants.Maybe "ladies" are more easily offended. Please check out my advice to Karen on the other Amsterdam question. <BR>But , I definitely agree, leave Amsterdam at least once if you can- the trains to other cities are fabulous. donna

Hi Robbyn, <BR>I spent five days in Amsterdam in Autumn and I really loved it. We did a lot of walking round the city and visited many places. We stayed in the Joordan district not far from Anne Frank House. Our room overlooked a canal. We went on a canal cruise which lasts for about an hour and departs near Centraal Station. This was beneficial to get our bearings and the guide covered some of the history of the city. The Rijksmuseum is a must, with over 100 rooms displaying paintings, sculpture etc. which date from the 9th to 19th centuries. The botanic gardens are a haven away from the bustling city (visit the world's oldest pot plant!) as is the Begijnhof. A walk or cycle through Vondel park on a crisp Autumn morning is good for the soul. There are many cafes and restaurants to choose from. We found the food to be excellent. One of my favourites was apple pancakes and hot chocolate to drink. We took the train to the Hague and Delft for one day, a pleasant journey. Next time I go, I plan to visit Utrecht as photos I have seen look very beautiful.There is certainly much, much more to see in Amsterdam than dirt!