Amsterdam - Get Around

A semi-circle of four major canals ring Amsterdam’s centre, with Dam at its heart. Explore it on foot or by bike, hopping on a tram for longer journeys.

The central canal belt is Amsterdam’s picture-perfect hub, with gabled houses and bridges lit at night. Within this area, Central Station and Dam mark the northern edge for most visitors.

On the southern side of the canal belt, Leidseplein is a tourist hub, with the Vondelpark and Museumplein nearby. South of the centre, De Pijp is a vibrant mixed neighbourhood teeming with restaurants and markets. West, the hip Jordaan area starts just beyond Prinsengracht, the outermost canal in the Canal Belt.

The centre of Amsterdam is excellent for walking – but always check for cyclists before you step on to the road, or you’ll get a volley of abuse. Cobblestones pave many streets, so leave the stilettos at home.

Amsterdam is mostly flat, and cyclists rule. You can hire bicyles by the day or for longer periods. It’s easy and fun – but beware of thieves.

Trams rattle through Amsterdam and are a fast, convenient way to get around. There are 17 lines, and tickets are sold on board or from newsagents, train stations and some metro stations.

Buses connect the city centre with the periphery. If you miss the last tram (around 12.30am) from the outskirts, a night bus can get you home or close.

Explore the canals on your own. Pedal boats can be hired from one of four locations in the city and returned to another.

Amsterdam’s public transport company GVB sells travel passes valid for 24, 48 and 72 hours on all trams, buses and the metro. You can also buy a strippenkaart , validated with a stamp depending on distance travelled. Consider the I amsterdam Pass, which gives unlimited travel plus free entry into dozens of attractions for one, two or three days.

Wander along Keizersgracht and marvel at the 17th century warehouses. In the 1600s, when the city was a global trading centre, nearly all commodities were stored in these tall, narrow buildings. Explore the Jodenbuurt (former Jewish quarter) around Waterlooplein, home to the Jewish Historical Museum. Look out for the Dockworker statue on JD Meijerplein, which commemorates the 1941 general strike against Nazi deportation of the city's Jews.

GVB Amsterdam Transport website