safe amsterdam

Is Amsterdam Safe?

Explore without a hitch with our guide to staying safe in Amsterdam!
By Dom Bewley

From avoiding petty crime to staying safe on the go, get the lowdown on how to explore Amsterdam like a pro.

Amsterdam is a city on many people's bucket lists. With plenty of unique things to do, see, and experience, everyone should try it at least once! But is Amsterdam safe? Let's talk about it!

Including:

  • How safe is Amsterdam?
  • Common threats to safety in Amsterdam
  • Neighborhoods to avoid
  • Is Central Amsterdam safe?
  • Is public transport safe in Amsterdam?
  • and more!
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How safe is Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is one of Europe's most celebrated cities, and as such, it's a popular tourist spot. People from all over the world come to Amsterdam to see the sights, experience the nightlife, and perhaps partake in some of the city's unique vices. But how safe is Amsterdam?

Well, the good news is that it's considered one of the safest cities in the world, ranking 6th in The Economist's Safe Cities Index 2021. This takes many things into account, including personal safety, environmental safety, and even digital security. However, it's worth noting that Amsterdam's 'personal security' ranking has it 2nd in the entire world. So if we're simply taking that into account, you can't get much safer!

This is despite, or perhaps because, of the city's approach to sex work and cannabis use, which other cities often demonize. Maybe they should take a leaf out of Amsterdam's book if they want to boost their safety rating!

Common threats to safety in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's most frequent crimes are petty theft. And, like most tourist hotspots around the world, vacationers are usually the target. There are three main types of theft you could potentially experience in Amsterdam.

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Pickpocketing

Pickpocketing is one of the biggest ones directed at tourists, and as the holiday season kicks in between June-August, the number of chancing thieves increases. The sneaky ruffians!

They tend to operate in the city's central areas, where many of the city's tourist attractions are based. But this is the same in any major tourist city, so if you've been abroad before, you probably know how to stay safe.

For those in the back who are too nervous to raise their hands, let's go over some top tips to stay safe anyway!

  • Keep your bag, purse, or clutch close to you at all times
  • Try and avoid carrying large amounts of cash - most places will accept card, even if it's from a different country
  • Don't leave coats, jackets, wallets, or phones unattended when you're having a drink, getting a bite to eat, or going up to the counter to collect your order
  • Be aware of distraction techniques. Thieves often work in pairs, so while one may strike up a conversation, ask directions, or 'accidentally' fall into, the other may well be attempting to swipe your goodies
  • Avoid using paper maps when out and about. If you know where you want to go, use your phone's GPS and then stick an earbud in and listen for directions. You'll blend right in
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Bike theft

Arguably the most common form of theft in the country for residents, bike theft is big in Amsterdam. It's hardly surprising in a city that has more bikes than people, but it's sadly a fact. Many residents resign to buying cheap bikes so they don't have to heavily insure them, or risk their expensive two-wheeler being nicked.

While getting around Amsterdam on a bike is brilliant, it might not be your preferred mode of transport if you're visiting the city. Still, if you're bringing a bike or planning to rent while you're out there, here are some tips to keep it safe!

  • Use two different locks to lock it up
  • Splurge on a solid, decent lock. If not two, then at least one, arguably with a steel chain as their more difficult to cut
  • Avoid U-shaped locks
  • Attach the frame to a pole, or one of the city's many bike racks
  • Take a picture of the bike and the frame number should the worst happen, it will help the police potentially track it down
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Theft from cars

Thieves may break into cars and steal valuables. So, if you're renting a car while you're over, keep all your valuables hidden, or stashed away in your accommodation. This includes phone or satnav chargers, as they may point towards more valuable items within.

Neighborhoods to avoid

While Amsterdam is almost completely devoid of violent crime, it doesn't mean it's some kind of 1950s paradise where you can leave your front doors unlocked!

And, while most neighborhoods are about as safe as each other, there's one area in particular you may want to avoid. Given its relative distance from the center of the city, you may never even come across it on your vacation.

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Amsterdam Zuidoost

Amsterdam Zuidoost, or Amsterdam Southeast, is the city's most poverty-stricken area. And, while there are ongoing plans to renovate the area and improve livability for residents, it's sadly the most crime-saturated part of the city.

However, this is predominantly due to theft rather than violent crime. Most violent crime is shared between criminal organizations, so residents or tourists are hardly ever involved.

However, Amsterdam Zuidoost is still relatively safe to visit during the day, though you may have little reason to. We recommend you avoid going there at night, or travel in groups of two or more if you must!

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Is Central Amsterdam safe?

Amsterdam's most popular tourist destination, Amsterdam Central is where you'll find the red light district, myriad cannabis cafes, bars, clubs, and multiple tourist attractions. Overall, it is considered a very safe part of the city. With pickpocketing peaking there, it is worth keeping your belongings safe and following our guidelines above.

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Is public transport safe in Amsterdam?

With a huge network of buses, subway trains, taxis, and trams, Amsterdam gives you multiple ways to get about. Public transport is considered very safe, but be aware of pickpockets. Keep your bags and coats close at all times, and don't flash wads of cash!

Like any city, there's always a higher chance of crime at night, so bear that in mind. However, as Amsterdam is such a compact city, you might choose to walk or cycle everywhere anyway!

So, is Amsterdam safe? We'd say so! Put your anxiety to rest and go enjoy the city! Looking for things to do while you're there? We've got you covered.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Rijksmuseum reflected on calm water
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Amsterdam in August

You’d be hard pressed to find the Dutch capital thriving more than it does in August. Seeing its largest annual throughput of tourists, the city brims with life in every way, from its bustling nightlife scene to its busy squares and huge selection of events and festivals. If you can put up with busier attractions during this time, then you’re bound to find a trip to Amsterdam in August beyond rewarding. Visiting Amsterdam in August Average Temperature: 54 - 70°F • Average Rainfall: 11 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 6 hours/day There are few periods busier for Amsterdam than summer, and August truly takes the cake. At the height of peak season, you can expect the city to be packed with families and summer vacationers, resulting in busy attractions and high accommodation prices. However, that also means you’ll get to experience the Dutch capital at its best, with its veritably electric summertime atmosphere. Upholding the seasonal climate established in July, Amsterdam typically experiences bright, mild days throughout August. While you shouldn’t expect the heatwaves of more southern European destinations, you’re likely to spend some very pleasant days in August, ideal for exploring its iconic streets, squares and open spaces. That being said, it’s always smart to pack an umbrella, as rainfall is never unlikely in the Netherlands. Things to Do in August No matter the time of year, any trip to Amsterdam would be incomplete without discovering at least some of its famous cultural hubs. Taking precedence is the emblematic Rijksmuseum towering over the Museumplein, housing a vast collection of renowned artworks and historical artifacts. Where historical insight is concerned, the Anne Frank House stands as the most potent recounting of life in the Netherlands during the Second World War. As a city with more bicycles than people, there are few better ways to explore Amsterdam than on your very own pair of wheels. Over 470 miles of cycle paths make up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, making for a fantastic excuse to take a more physically active approach to exploring the capital. Many bike rental stores offer daily rates somewhere in the region of €10. There’s no better time than summer to make the most of Amsterdam’s many sprawling green spaces. The weather in August offers a perfect opportunity to take a stroll among Vondelpark’s ancient trees and stunning lakes, and grab a seat at one of its many charming park cafés. Equally, why not have a picnic in Westerpark, make the most of its live summertime events and shows, or even catch a viewing at its very own arthouse cinema? Second only to cycling, Amsterdam’s emblematic waterways offer a uniquely alternative means of seeing the city. You can choose from a large variety of tour operators offering their own canal boat excursions, often including tours of the capital’s key landmarks accompanied by local insights into their cultural and historical significance. Amsterdam’s nightlife scene is never better than in summer, when you can expect most bars and clubs to be brimming with life. Popular venues can be found throughout the city, but as a general rule of thumb, the old area of Jordaan is typically very popular with young people for its trendy bars. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are particularly popular for their club offerings, while the street of Nes often attracts more of an intellectual theater crowd. Events in August Pluk de Nacht Film Festival Mid-August is prime time for sultry evenings beneath the stars, and the Pluk de Nacht (‘Seize the Night’) film festival aims to deliver just that. This event consists of an open-air cinema premiering acclaimed independent films never before released in the Netherlands. Film lovers can grab a lazy beach chair and enjoy an evening of cinema accompanied by warm blankets and cocktails. Grachtenfestival Amsterdam’s Grachtenfestival, or Canal Festival, is considered one of the country’s most charming cultural events. The event brings together talented classical musicians from both around the country and abroad to perform in a 10-day classical music marathon on the city’s world-renowned canal belt. Throughout the event, over 150 unique stages open up across private gardens, rooftop terraces, canal houses, cruise ships, hotel suites and tube tunnels. Visitors can enjoy classical music, jazz and world music concerts from international names, with many performances offered at very affordable prices or even free of charge. Amsterdam Pride As the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, nobody knows how to celebrate Pride more than the Netherlands. Now a multi-day festival, Amsterdam’s Pride Festival typically attracts around half a million visitors each year in late July in celebration of equality, diversity and personal identity. Should you happen to visit around this time, you’ll find local bars and clubs veritably thriving with festivity. Various street parties and events bring together thousands of revelers dressed in the full color spectrum to enjoy live music performances and Amsterdam’s famous Canal Parade, during which over 80 official vessels celebrate the past, present and future of the LGBT community. Uitmarkt Late August marks the opening of the Netherlands’ cultural season, with Uitmarkt standing as its opening act. The largest cultural festival in the country, Uitmarkt draws in over half a million visitors each year to appreciate a huge selection of performances taking place throughout the city. Over 2,000 of the Netherlands’ best performers, musicians, actors, orchestras and filmmakers come together to perform across more than 30 venues. The full program of events is offered free of charge to the public and includes everything from classical music performances to dance demonstrations and everything in between in a show of the country’s vast cultural wealth. De Parade Touring the country’s five largest cities, De Parade is a traveling theater festival that transforms the open spaces of its host cities into festival venues filled with colorful carnival tents, live entertainment acts, a carousel and a variety of family activities and food stands. Beginning in Eindhoven, the event also travels to Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht before arriving at its final destination in Amsterdam. The festival typically arrives in Amsterdam in August and offers locals and visitors alike the chance to revel in fun-filled performances and the jovial carnival atmosphere. Whether you’re a fan of theater and the circus or simply want to spend an evening exploring the event grounds accompanied by live music and delicious local delicacies, De Parade is well worth a visit.
Robert Heaney
Panoramic view of Amsterdam's canal houses
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Amsterdam in June

A trip to Amsterdam in June offers a unique combination of a bustling city atmosphere and nightlife scene with the last remnants of a quieter period for the city. With the weather on an upward trend, the Dutch capital truly begins to come into its own throughout this period, making it an ideal time to see the city at its best. What’s more, June serves as the opening act to Amsterdam’s summertime festival season, giving you plenty of options for making your visit a truly exciting one. Visiting Amsterdam in June Average Temperature: 50 - 64°F • Average Rainfall: 9 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 7 hours/day With spring now in the past, Amsterdam prepares for its busiest period of the year. June marks the last days of the tourism shoulder season, meaning you can still benefit somewhat from the shorter queues and occasional lower accommodation rates, but the city will be quickly filling up as the month moves along. This increase in traffic feeds into Amsterdam’s famously bustling nightlife scene, giving the city a real buzz throughout this period. Likewise, the weather in Amsterdam also begins to gear up for summer during this period. Throughout June, you can expect mild to warm days, often complemented by relatively clear conditions – perfect for exploring the city’s iconic streets and squares. It’s still advisable to pack an umbrella and some waterproof layers, but if you’re lucky, you might not have to whip them out during your stay. Things to Do in June One of the best things to do in Amsterdam year-round is to explore its world-renowned cultural hubs. The Rijksmuseum proudly towers over the Museumplein, housing within its Gothic-Renaissance exterior the country’s largest collection of artworks and historical artifacts. Most notable among the museum’s art pieces are a number of celebrated works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Serving to chronicle the Dutch capital’s diverse history, the Amsterdam Museum documents the city’s growth from as far back as the middle ages to the modern day. Most popular, however, is the Anne Frank House, originally the home where the famous wartime diarist evaded German capture and now a monument to both her life and the lives of many others like her during the Second World War. Known as a city rich with art and culture, Amsterdam is also replete with a vast selection of major art galleries. The Van Gogh Museum, for example, stands as one of the largest collections of the renowned Post-Impressionist painter’s works, while the MOCO Museum next door celebrates all manner of modern art, from Damien Hirst to Banksy. To make the most of the milder weather in June, there are few better ways to explore the city than on your own two wheels. With more bicycles than people, Amsterdam is a city literally built for cycling, complete with over 470 miles of cycle lanes throughout. You’ll find a variety of bike rental stores dotted throughout the city where you can typically grab your own bike for around €10/day. Another unique way to see the Dutch capital from a new angle is by cruising along its characteristic waterways. There are multiple agencies and organizations operating a variety of boating tours and excursions on the canals, offering a different way to get around while also providing engaging insights into the cultural and historical significance of many of Amsterdam’s key points of interest. If you find yourself looking to spend a pleasant day in the great outdoors, head over to Amsterdam’s Vondelpark where you’ll find a theater stage set up shop for the summer. Between June and September, the Vondelpark Open Air Theater offers a vast program of live performances, ranging from kids’ shows to classical music concerts to appearances from some of the latest Dutch and international pop artists. Events in June Holland Festival Running throughout June, Holland Festival is the Netherlands’ largest performing arts festival. This theatrical festival takes place across several venues throughout Amsterdam and offers a wealth of performances from multiple mediums. Acts are held to the highest artistic standards, making for an incredibly talent-rich program across the board. As a leading international theatre festival, you can expect performances in theatre alongside music, opera, film and visual arts, many of which are offered in a variety of languages. Disciplinary crossovers are highly encouraged among acts, often bringing together otherwise isolated art forms into something new and modern. Taste of Amsterdam Over four days in June each year, Amstelpark is taken over by a hearty festival of food, drink and live entertainment. The Taste of Amsterdam food festival is a paradise for foodies, bringing together top Amsterdam chefs to serve their specialty dishes across multiple categories of cuisine. This open-air feast is accompanied by an impressive program of live events, including music performances, wine tasting workshops, cooking demonstrations and, most anticipated of all, a live cook-off between the guest chefs. Amsterdam Open Air Amsterdam Open Air takes place over two days in June and serves as a combined music, arts and culinary festival. Setting up shop in Gaasperpark, the event brings together some of the city’s hottest promoters for a weekend of good food, great tunes and stunning visual aesthetics. Gaasperpark’s vast open spaces offer fantastic greenery within which to relax beside scenic rivers and among hundreds of old trees. The open-air festival makes good use of the park’s space, providing a camping area for visitors who choose to stay on site for the duration of the event. Amsterdam Roots Festival One of the biggest events focused primarily on non-western music, the Amsterdam Roots Festival brings together around 25,000 visitors each year to revel in some of the world’s best musical performances. The festival combines multiple languages and musical genres, bringing to the spotlight some of our planet’s more overlooked musical gems. Taking place across multiple different stages and areas, the event also brings in elements of circus performance, with musical performances accompanied by the talented acts of international entertainers and dancers. Visitors can also attend a wide selection of workshops, activities and presentations on a variety of themes and from a vast range of disciplines. Open Garden Days On the third weekend of June, Amsterdam’s Museum Van Loon opens up a part of Amsterdam which is otherwise invisible to tourists throughout the rest of the year. During this weekend, more than 25 of Amsterdam’s canal house gardens are opened to the public, giving tourists and locals alike the chance to freely roam some of the city’s most beautiful green spaces and floral displays.
Robert Heaney
Cyclists taking a break on the grass in Amsterdam's Vondelpark
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Westerpark Vs Vondel Park Comparison

If you've only got time for just one of Amsterdam's beautiful public parks, then this guide is for you!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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