Nina Out and About contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.
What You Need to Know Before Travelling to Amsterdam Alone
Travelling to Amsterdam was the first time that I’d travelled alone.
Technically, I’d done solo trips before through Contiki’s European tours and day trips while my mom had to work in London and New York. But Amsterdam was the first time I really felt in control of my entire trip on my own.
I was genuinely terrified for my first trip. It was horrible watching the dollars drip out of my bank account with each booking (a sight I’m not far too familiar with).
I’ll be honest: I made a lot of mistakes. Mistakes that were costly. Mistakes that ended up with me lost and nearly having to sleep in a train station.
Luckily, all mistakes and travel fails are opportunities to learn. And Amsterdam is a pretty great place to learn from those mistakes.
I’m going to share my tips on how to solo travel in Amsterdam the right way (aka. Not ending up lost and breaking into a train station by accident).
I recommend this tour for solo travelers in Amsterdam to avoid my mishaps!
Why Amsterdam is Great for Solo Female Travellers
Amsterdam is one of my favourite spring travel destinations, but it’s also incredibly solo female travel friendly. If you’re unsure of where to go on a solo trip, check out Amsterdam. It may just be the perfect spot for you.
Amsterdam is a very walkable city with easy public transit. You’ll find it very easy to get around without having to pay for cabs. This means that you can see more of the city on a budget.
It’s also a very kind country. Amsterdam is known for having friendly locals who all know enough English to help you if you’re confused. They were very helpful when I was desperately trying to find the right streetcars to get home each evening (this is why you write down the information and don’t rely on a phone that always dies after 2 hours!).
The great thing about Amsterdam is that there is so much to do. You can go for a week or a weekend and still create a great itinerary. I visited for 3 days and explored half the city thanks to the ease of the transit system.
Moving abroad? Save more in booking your flights and accommodations by using this platform!
Is Amsterdam Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Yes, Amsterdam is a very safe city for solo female travellers.
The biggest crime in Amsterdam is bike theft. So, as long as you’re not bringing your prized bike along for the journey, you’ll feel very comfortable.
When I was in Amsterdam, I was new to solo travel. I didn’t know about wearing certain clothing or that headphones are a great way to block out catcalls. But it didn’t matter in Amsterdam because I never had to face any of it.
I was able to go about my days without feeling scared for my safety.
The only time I was ever concerned was one night, after I’d gotten lost due to my dead phone, and I had to walk through the park to get back to my accommodation from the bus stop. Unfortunately, this park had zero lighting. I could literally only make out the blackness. I heard people talking as they passed me, but I couldn’t see them.
That was spooky.
But that was far outside the city centre. Stay at a hotel that’s actually within the city limits and you’ll be fine!
Most of the city is covered in CCTV, which means that the police are always watching. That’s a pretty strong deterrent to crime that has worked to help keep the city safe for solo travellers.
To stay safe, follow these common sense tips:
- Don’t flash your money around
- Keep a hand on your purse, especially in the Red Light District
- Avoid dark parks with no lighting. That’s a good general rule
- Use common sense and trust your gut
- Be careful of your belongings in crowds, especially on trams and buses
- If you plan to go out and enjoy the nightlife, have a plan to get home safely and don’t drink to the point of blacking out while you’re in a strange place
- Carry a portable power bank to keep your phone charges so you won’t get lost like I did
👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.
Practical Tips
Best Time to Visit Amsterdam Alone
Amsterdam is most popular as a summer tourist destination. That means June – August is full of tourists.
I recommend avoiding this time and visiting during the Spring months (March – May) just when the tulips bloom. Try to time your visit to the tulip bloom to see the most beautiful sight in Amsterdam.
Although you can visit in the autumn and winter, the weather is much more unpredictable and you won’t be able to enjoy cycling the city the same way.
Amsterdam is a popular location for stag and hen doos from the UK. Try to visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds of raucous drunk people partying.
Languages Spoken in Amsterdam
Dutch is the official language of Amsterdam. However, every person I encountered spoke amazing English. You can usually find someone who speaks English, especially in the city centre.
Getting to/from the Airport
- Take a taxi from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to the city centre for 39€. It takes 15-20 minutes. You can pick up a taxi outside the airport. They typically access debit and credit cards.
- Taking the train from the Airport to the city centre costs 5.40€ and takes 20 minutes. You can buy the tickets at the machines in the terminal. It is called the Intercity direct Train.
- Save money by taking the bus which costs 5€ and takes 35 minutes. You can buy the tickets from the bus driver or the ticket booths in the Airport. You’ll be looking for bus 397.
Personally, I think saving 0.40€ isn’t worth an extra 15 minutes. I highly recommend the train as it’s very user friendly.
I recommend this airport transfer service
Getting Around Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a very walkable city. I spent most of my time walking between neighbourhoods or exploring individual areas of the city on foot.
This is a great, cost-effective way of seeing more of Amsterdam on your own.
Being alone makes taxis an inefficient form of transit. You’ll spend far more than you need to in order to get around. I made this mistake, as I was new to time management as well as travel and was constantly rushing to start my days.
Looking back, I should have used public transit in the mornings as well as in the evenings. It would have helped me stick to my travel budget much better.
Amsterdam’s public transit system is amazing. It includes buses, trams, ferries and trains. You can purchase individual rides or get an I Amsterdam City Card, which allows you to get free use of all public transit for 24, 48, or 72 hours (plus free museum access!). You can buy them from supermarkets or from the transport stations.
Be sure to download the transit app before you arrive to help you find your routes. Download it here.
Buy your I Amsterdam card now!
Dangerous Areas
Amsterdam is a really safe city to travel to alone. Even as a woman, there aren’t many places that are dangerous to visit.
The Red Light District is the only potentially dangerous area due to the higher rates of pickpocketing; however, this tends to occur due to travellers not paying attention. Stay vigilant of your belongings and you’ll be alright.
I visited the District in both the day and night times and never felt concerned. I kept my hand on my satchel and was left alone.
Weed
Amsterdam is famous for its relaxed drug laws. But did you know that cannabis actually isn’t legal in the Netherlands? The cops just don’t bother arresting people for it the way that we do in North America (pre-legalization).
You can buy and smoke cannabis throughout the city wherever smoking is allowed.
Toilets
This was a weird sexist thing that I noticed in Amsterdam: men’s toilets are free but women’s cost money to use.
I’m not sure why this is the case, but you’ll need to plan to have 0.50€ on you whenever you need a wee. Another option is to duck into a cafe and grab a fresh mint tea (the most delicious drink on this planet!) to get to use their toilets for free.
How Many Days You Need
3 days is the optimal amount of time for a solo trip to Amsterdam.
Things to do Alone in Amsterdam
Wander the Canals
You don’t always need a set plan when you travel solo. Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you always need to be on tours or doing activities.
Sometimes the best thing to do is to wander the city with a coffee or a cup of mint tea in hand.
With a city as stunning as Amsterdam, taking a stroll along the canal sides is easily one of the best things to do on your own.
You’ll be able to eavesdrop on other people’s lives, enjoy the passing cyclists, and get stunning pictures of the flowers adorning the bridges.
Museums
Anne Frank House
I visited the Anne Frank House in part due to recommendations and in part because it was very near the end of my food tour and I needed something else to do before going back to my hotel.
It turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip.
Anne Frank House is the preserved house where Anne Frank famously hid in the attic during World War II. You get to wander through the actual abode, complete with her pictures still stuck on the walls of the small room.
It was daunting to walk through this piece of history, following waves of tourists as they explored this young girl’s tragic life.
I’ve learned about Anne Frank before, but never like I did at the museum. You come to appreciate her bravery so much more as you duck through the bookcase their hidden home was behind. You realize how truly young and innocent she was when she has small images of her idols plastered above her bed.
While this is a hugely tourist-y spot and often has a long line up during mid-day, it’s very much worth the visit.
It doesn’t take long to work your way through the museum. Reserve about 1 hour to view the whole thing.
Buy tickets online to avoid a long wait time. And if you’re claustrophobic or can’t take stairs, this tour may not work for you. Consult their website for more information on options.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is dedicated entirely to Vincent Van Gogh, the famous Dutch painter. He’s best known for the painting “The Starry Night” and for cutting off his own ear due to his mental illness.
I had no real knowledge of or interest in Van Gogh before visiting the museum. Now, I’m a full fledged Van Gogh fan.
Purchase tickets online to avoid waiting in line. I recommend getting the audio guide for a more in depth look at Van Gogh’s life. The guide takes you through Van Gogh’s life through his artwork. You learn more about his mental illness and his love of his family.
When I visited, the museum’s most famous piece – Van Gogh’s sunflowers – was out for restoration. But I didn’t care. Going through the hall of his self portraits, watching how he saw himself and how his style evolved, was more than enough for me.
It takes at least 1 hour to visit the museum, although I recommend allotting 2 so you aren’t rushed.
Click here to get more information on tickets.
I recommend this tour of Van Gogh
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is dedicated to Dutch arts and history. It is the most visited museum in the Netherlands and the largest in the country. You’ll find stunning works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer when you visit. You can also find a collection of doll houses, model ships, and an armoury.
Find out more about visiting the Rijksmuseum here.
Food Tour
The best thing I did in Amsterdam was taking a food tour of the Jordaan district from Eating Europe. The company runs excellent, small walking tours in Amsterdam’s different districts that allow you to explore the culture through taste.
During the tour, you spend 3 hours exploring the Jordaan neighbourhood, learning about its history and more about the Dutch culture. While you learn, you get to feast on local delicacies.
We sampled herrings with pickles, mini pancakes with maple syrup and icing sugar, local cheeses, deep fried balls of veal stewed in gravy, and the oldest dutch apple pie recipe in Amsterdam. This was how I discovered my later obsession: fresh mint tea.
It’s literally a bunch of mint leaves in a glass of boiling water. You can add some fresh honey if you want for some sweetness. I drank at least three cups a day for the remainder of my stay in Amsterdam.
I love this walking and food tour!
Albert Cuyp Market
The Albert Cuyp Market is the biggest market in the city. It’s a blend of clothing shops, jewelry makers, food trucks, and souvenir sales people who convene daily to set up their tables and sell you some wares.
I highly recommend a visit to the Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam. It was one of my favourite places to visit in Amsterdam. Not only did I get to enjoy browsing for pretty embroidered shirts and chat with local vendors, but I also got to eat my weight four times over in the delicious treats.
Make sure you get a paper cone full of thick french fries. These are served with a slattering of mayo and expertly salted. Although they’re thick cut, they’re somehow perfectly crispy like frites. I nearly bought four cones.
On a cool spring day, a cup of gluwein hits the spot. It’ll warm you from your toes to a lovely pink blush on your cheeks. I fell in love with gluwein in Amsterdam that day – a love affair that continued well into Berlin and my visit to Neuschwanstein Castle in winter.
The best thing I found in Amsterdam during my solo food tour was stroopwafels.
If you’ve never had stroopwafels, you need to book a flight to Amsterdam tonight!
They’re these thin wafer cookies with gooey fresh caramel sandwiched in between. It’s a very thin snack, with the full cookie about the size of your hand. You can get them plain or half dipped in chocolate.
Of course, I got both. For science. … and for my stomach.
They are perfectly warm and wonderful and sugary. I was trembling from the sugar of two after a large cup of gluwein for about an hour.
But I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
In fact, I probably would have had a third if I could do it again.
It takes about an hour to walk from one end of the market to the other without stopping. It takes three if you are constantly eating stroopwafels and ducking in to clothing shops.
Red Light District
The Red Light District is an incredibly famous area of Amsterdam, known for its iconic red-lit windows where women would advertise their services for sex work.
It’s not quite as scandalous anymore, as it’s become quite a tourist hot spot. The windows typically display clothed women in lingerie or short dresses. More often than not, the windows display manquines instead of actual people.
I suspect this change is due to tourists breaking the no photography rule, which is in place to protect the privacy of the sex workers in the area.
You can visit during the day, but you’ll get the full effect of the red lighting when you visit in the evening.
To be honest, I found the area rather anticlimactic. It’s just a few blocks with red windows; not the haven of sin I imagined I’d find from the street.
The most prominent thing in the area was actually cannabis stores and cafes.
Take this tour of the district
Visit the Flower Market
Amsterdam is synonymous with tulips. But when they aren’t around, you have the flower market in the city centre.
Bloemenmarkt or the floating flower market is open every week from Monday to Saturday. You can stop in for fresh cut flowers or bulbs to take home with you.
On top of flowers, you’ll find souvenirs, cheeses and Christmas ornaments to take home with you.
If you’re going to visit and you have even the slightest allergy to flowers, take an allergy pill before you arrive. I didn’t when I visited Amsterdam alone and was actively sneezing for forty minutes. It made it a bit more difficult to enjoy the ambiance when people thought I was plagued.
Visit an Iconic Tulip Field
Every spring, Amsterdam hosts a tulip festival. From March to May you can visit the popular tulip field in Keukenhof, where the flowers grow in vivid fields.
It’s an iconic Amsterdam photo spot and a perfect location to visit as a solo female traveller.
If you’re visiting alone, be sure to bring a tripod so you can capture some non-selfie shots of yourself in front of the stunning tulip fields of Amsterdam.
Take this epic tour to the tulip fields
Walking Tour
Some people don’t feel comfortable walking around on their own. Others prefer a walking tour to the hop on hop off bus tours.
Both of those individuals would enjoy a walking tour through Amsterdam. You’ll get to learn more about the city, meet other travellers, and get local tips.
Canal Tour
Amsterdam’s famous canals flow throughout the city. They offer a great way to see the city from a different perspective.
I took a similar tour on my day in Zurich and found it so fascinating. Looking up at the city really changes your perspective.
Tour a Brewery
There are two very famous beers from Amsterdam: Heineken and Amstel. You can actually tour the Heineken brewery when you visit Amsterdam alone. It’s a great way to drink without being by yourself at a bar, as they have a beer garden where visitors can hang out after the tour.
If you’d like a less expensive and less busy brewery to visit, check out Brouwerij ‘t Ij.
Get your ticket to the Heineken brewery here
Rent a Bike
Amsterdam, and the Netherlands in general, is known as being very bike-friendly. Most tourists want to visit and rent a bike to ride over the canals.
Please do not do this if you are not confident riding bikes on the roadway. In Amsterdam, cyclists ride alongside the cars. This means that you need to be confident cycling quickly, using hand signals for turns, and being aware of other cyclists, buses, cars and pedestrians all at once.
If you feel that you are capable, try out renting a bike and going for a ride for an hour before you commit to a long-term rental.
Alternatively, go on a bike tour of Amsterdam. These tours let you see the city with a guide who will help keep you safe and comfortable as you explore.
Restaurants to Try
- Café ‘t Papeneiland for the best (and oldest) dutch apple pie in the Amsterdam
- Ron Gastrobar, run by the famous chef Ron Blauuw who “gave back” his two Michelin stars to launch this casual eatery
- Cafe-Restaurant Stork for a seafood lunch by the water
- Cafe De Klepel for bistro food
- Foodhallen for a taste of dutch street food
Amsterdam Nightlife
The drinking age in Amsterdam is 18. You will need an ID to get into clubs.
Most places have last call at 2:30 am.
It’s best to bring some cash with you, as some bars don’t accept non-Dutch credit cards.
Most Dutch people don’t go out at night to make friends. They’re going to spend time with people they already know. You can go out for a night in Amsterdam alone and be left to enjoy your time.
If you’re not comfortable drinking alone in a foreign country, join a nightlife tour or make friends at your accommodation beforehand. For tips on how to meet people while travelling alone click here.
- Oedipus Brewing for craft beer and burgers
- Tales & Spirits for cocktails and delicious bites
Where to Stay if Travelling Solo
Hostel
Amsterdam has plenty of hostels to choose from. In fact, they have so much selection that they’re usually incredibly nice for the price.
Choose a hostel that fits your needs. If you want to party, you’ll enjoy the hostels where that’s the focus.
Get tips on what essentials you need to survive hostel life.
My favourite hostels in Amsterdam for solo travellers:
Airbnb/Vrbo
I love staying in Airbnbs when I travel. It has a home-y feeling that allows you to feel less like you’re on the road. As someone who now travels for a living, I really enjoy being able to make my own toast and have a cuppa alone in my room without an exorbitant room service charge or any roommates around.
Most places won’t have an elevator though and will require going up some stairs.
Hotel
I stayed in a hotel when I visited Amsterdam and really regretted it. That’s because I stayed SO far outside the city that it genuinely wasn’t on any city maps of hotels, which is how I ended up getting massively lost.
There are some lovely hotels that you can stay at in the city centre, but they’re more expensive than staying in a hostel or Airbnb. You’ll end up paying the single supplement for sure, but you’ll get a nicer room for it.
I recommend this hotel in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Alone Wrap Up
Travelling to Amsterdam alone is a decision you won’t regret. It’s the ultimate experience for any traveller looking to start off in a safer city.
I started my solo travel journey in Amsterdam. Even though absolutely everything went wrong during my adventure, my love of solo travel was solidified. I felt stronger for having gotten through it.
I don’t think I could have done it in any other city. Amsterdam made me feel safe. It had tons of interesting things to do very close to one another. The food was absolutely tremendous (I literally own a mint plant now solely to make fresh mint tea on the regular).
Don’t hesitate to take the plunge and travel to Amsterdam alone.
Moving abroad? Save more in booking your flights and accommodations by using this platform!
Related Posts:
- Benefits of Travelling Alone: 20 Pros and Cons of Solo Travel
- Is Solo Travel Lonely?: Conclusively Debunking The Myth
- 18 Best Destinations for Safe Solo Female Travel
- What Type of Solo Traveller Are You?
- 8 Things I Learned From 8 Months in Europe
- 11 Fairytale Castles in Germany: Most Beautiful Castles to Tour
Pin this for later!
Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?
Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
💻 Do I need a VPN?
Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. (Read more)
🏨 What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommend Booking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗 What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommend Discover Cars.
🚗 What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommend Viator.
