I am considering ending a trip in Amsterdam. My first concern is to have a visit, that is basically free of graphic "red light" exposure and drug use. Of course this is noted pretty frequently. Can it be, not a focus of my visit??

My priority would be the scenic canals, perhaps a windmill "tour" and a few museums. Would enjoy some culture walking type of tour.

How many days should I be looking at for a min..??? I will be gone a month, so can't really do a boatload of time.

I'm not sure why your "first concern" is about staying clear of the red light district. It's up to you where you go.

I love Amsterdam, but it's a relatively small city. If you've got time to spare, I'd plan on about 4-5 days there at most.

You can very easily avoid the RLD and drug scene in Amsterdam. The worst you may experience is a whiff of a passing spliff. Know that a Coffee Shop is not where you go for coffee and a smart shop has nothing to do with intelligence and you will be fine.
I would say a minimum of three full days, more if you can so that you have time for a trip out to Zaanse Schans for windmills.
When are you planning on being in Amsterdam - remember it gets dark fairly early now - about 7 pm and will be by December that will be about 4.30 pm.
If you wish to visit the Anne frank house I recommend you buy your ticket online in advance to avoid the queues.

Stayed a week in Amsterdam and found all we wanted to do without being in the drug and redlight scene. We took a day trip to Harleem-a short ride on the train which we enjoyed. Corrie Ten Boon house which does limited tours is there.
There is a Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam that many people do not visit which we found interesting. The Anne Frank is at the top of the list as well as The Van Gogh Museum and Rijks Museum. One house we really enjoyed was the Willet Holthuhsen which showed how the rich Dutch lived. Another is called the Hidden Church(Amstelkring Museum). Rembrandt's House is quite unique. An old Portuguese Synagogue where you are shown a film about its early beginnings. Also a Biological garden was a nice walk.
I was pleasantly surprised by the city. Just walking the streets and riding on the canals is a wonderful way to enjoy the city.
The tulips were blooming when we were there,but probably you will not be there during that time.
Do enjoy an Indonesian rice table. We dined at Sama Seba which is a well known one.

BQ,

Just by nature of where my hotel was, I did often have to walk through the red light district to get "home" each night. It was the only time I didn't like Amsterdam. Just choose your neighborhood carefully so you won't have to do this. It can easily be avoided with a little planning. I have no issue with smoking cannabis so that wasn't my issue. I was traveling alone and am a woman, and some nights I just didn't feel "safe" in one neighborhood.

I absolutely loved Amsterdam otherwise. I was there for 3 nights and about 3 days. It was not quite long enough. I think 4 or 5 nights would have made it less rushed.

The art museums are wonderful as was a small house boat museum I visited. There are many really special museums throughout the city including Anne Frank's House.

Enjoy!

gruezi

October 4, 2008

It would be helpful if those with
experience in Amsterdam, like Gruezi,
would specify the areas in the city to avoid when booking a hotel. Of course,
specific recommendations about hotels located away from the drug and red light districts would be especially welcome.

Pat

Hi Pat,

I can't remember where I stayed! I think it was the Sofitel Grand Hotel.

It was a 4 or 5 star and a special gift from my husband who ironically wanted to make sure I was in a safe area. The hotel was really nice, beautiful room, wonderful restaurant, lovely bar area. Just hard to avoid the RLD when I would leave it. If I had been staying with my husband or a friend it would have been fine.

I wish I had stayed at the Pulitzer which is where I had originally booked. The location is in a nice area away from the RLD.

Given her name, I don't think either hotel will fit the OPs budget...

Sorry, I wasn't in Amsterdam long enough to give you better advice but I know others here on Fodor's will know.

gruez

The REd Light district is small and very easily avoided. (And even if you have to go through at night is only mildly unpleasant - not shocking or dangerous.)

If you have a lot of territory to cover you can see most of Amsterdam comfortably in 3 days - 4 if you're there in flower season and want to do a day trip.

Well, I was propositioned to buy drugs and also followed by 2 men. 2 separate occasions...

Just my experience.

I'm not "shocked" by such things as I've lived in a lot of urban areas. I just didn't feel safe and I wouldn't recommend it to a single woman.

Also, some people actually might be shocked by the huge number of young, foreign prostitutes standing in windows displaying their "wares."

Amsterdam's red light district has been growing and is no longer the tightly contained little neighborhood it once was. Even Amsterdam isn't happy about it's RLD these days.

The Jordaan is a great place to stay, a real neighborhood feel with wonderful restaurants and shops. You could also stay in the museum district which is on the opposite end of town from the red light district. I've stayed in a few really great B&B's while there, one was a little bit off the beaten path, Dumas and Considine http://www.amsterdam-bed-and-breakfast.com/, and Maes Bed and Breakfast, http://www.bedandbreakfastamsterdam.com. /. Amsterdam is one of my favorite places and you can certainly go and totally avoid the drugs and red lights.

"Amsterdam's red light district has been growing and is no longer the tightly contained little neighborhood it once was. Even Amsterdam isn't happy about it's RLD these days.

A great number of brothels and "windows" have been taken over by the city council and in fact the RLD is now shrinking and more tightly controlled than ever. I agree however that it is not a pleasant place to walk as a solo female at night, and in my opinion should not be on the tourist trail at all, given that the vast majority of the women there are the victims of trafficking and abuse.

If you want to be on the safe side, get a map of Amsterdam and locate the central station (Centraal Station).

Now start a virtual trip by walking down the major street Damrak, leading from the station into town.

The Red Light District (without guarantee for perfection and a bit generously enlarged), will be a rectangle with the following streets as its border (counter-clockwise):
Damrak (which itself is not really RLD), until you make a left on Damstraat which becomes Oude Doelenstraat and finally Oude Hoogstraat, turn left on Kloveniersburgwal which will become Zeedijk.
And Zeedijk will take you back to the station where you started.

Warmousstraat is the major artery of the RLD with a rather mixed crowd.

I went to Amsterdam the first week of Sept. I spent 6 days there (4 or 5 would have been enough. I stayed at the Hotel Brouwer (not in the RLD, I thought), but realized two doors down there was an Asian Girl in the window. The hotel Manager told me "it's a mini RLD".

Amsterdam has a great restaurant called the "Get Together". I cannot remember the street it is on but I believe it's on a main street near the flower mart. The prices, food, atmosphere and staff are Great! Lunch or dinner was wonderful.

Also, when I went to Anne Frank House I waited in line about 10 minutes without having advanced tickets.

Take advantage of the trams and please when walking "WATCH OUT FOR THE BICYCLES!" or you could get killed.

Enjoy this beautiful city!

My husband and I (from the States) are living in Amsterdam for a year. We've been here almost two months and I have yet to encounter the RLD. My point being it is quite possible to avoid the RLD if you have no interest in it.

(Hetismij - I agree with your take on it as a tourist attraction. I often don't even enjoy zoos as I feel sorry for the inhabitants; I think I would have somewhat similar feelings about some of the women in the RLD - my understanding is that they are often captives of situations over which they have very little control. I don't consider it "entertainment" to gawk at unfortunate people.)

I agree with Valerie: what you should really worry about are the bicycles! I often found myself accidentally wandering into bike lanes when we first arrived (the distinction between the sidewalk and the bike lanes is not always clear to a slightly overwhelmed and preoccupied newcomer.) A Scottish guy my husband works with here told him he (as a pedestrian) was hit by bikes 3 times his first year here. The next two years he was only hit once each year. So you can improve your bike evasion skills if you concentrate!

We LOVE living here. From your description of your interests I think you'd enjoy a visit.

Apart from bikes, TRAMS are even more dangerous!!!
People are really killed by them. Watch out when you cross a street, never cross in front of a tram.
Remember that cabs are allowed the use the tramrails, they also drive very fast.

In case my RLD posts were a turnoff...which was def. not my intention...

Just wanted to re-state what a wonderful time I had in Amsterdam and how warm and friendly the people were and how much I loved the food...not to mention the museums!

If you get to the Rijksmuseum there are 2 audios. Get the one by the Dutch actor - it is my favorite audio of any museum I've ever visited.

gruezi

Thank you for the helpful replys. I am traveling next August with my young adult son.

I will be flying to Amsterdam direct from Glasgow after a few days at the Piping Championships. I did the UK this summer for a month with Norway. Next year, I'll be in Dublin a week, then, 14 day Med cruise from Southampton, Glasgow then Amsterdam.

I'll look at 3-4 days, and am in the process of reviewing Amsterdam travel books. Thanks for the helpful information.

I've stayed close to the main train station on two trips to Amsterdam in the last few years. Will be going again this November, right after Thanksgiving.

DH and I stayed at Barbizon Palace last year, and a Crowne Plaza a couple of years ago.

We don't book ahead, waiting until we drive into the main train station to make reservations at their tourism desk. DH thinks he saves us some money by not booking ahead... I'm not so sure about that.

Pick a hotel out in Leidseplein or Vondelpark area... Just don't stay in the central area around the train station, Dam, RLD. It is easily avoided.

I spent a week solo in Amsterdam & would not have ever seen the RLD if I hadn't specifically gone to take a walk there.

More to add concerning our hotel and location
A small like bed and breakfast hotel is where we stayed.
website www.fita.nl
It is right there at the Van Gogh Rijks Museum. There is a tram stop in the next block around the corner from it where it was easy to catch transpo to the rest of the city. Vondel Park is also at the back of this hotel. A grocery stor also right around the corner where we bought the tram tickets.
A nice breakfast is included with the room.
My adult daughter and I got a larger room on the backside away from the school playground which was perfect for us.
Check it out. You can't go wrong.
We really loved Amsterdam and found the Dutch people so helpful and kind.