Every Amsterdam Visitor Needs an Amsterdam Weekly

While I strive to offer you high-quality, helpful articles about where to go and what to do in Amsterdam, I don't aim to post a list of every single event going on in the city every single week of the year. I don't have to; for the past two years, Amsterdam Weekly has done a great job of it.

I consider this free weekly paper indispensable, and not just because it's entirely in English (although that's a huge plus!). Every Wednesday, I turn straight to the event guide pages to find every type of happening in and around Amsterdam: music, clubs, art, stage, film, festivals and anything else that doesn't fall into one of those categories. The refreshing honesty in the writers' brief event overviews gives you an idea of what to expect. And the "Short List" -- a rundown of what you shouldn't miss this week -- helps narrow down the endless opportunities.

Speaking of writers, this paper isn't just a "what's on" publication. The rest of the pages are filled with features, editorials and photographs from local journalists who cover everything from the plight of squatters in Amsterdam to sports to everyday life in the city.

The bottom line is: No Amsterdam visitor should go without an Amsterdam Weekly. In this day and age, you can scroll the event guide and even download the entire issue online. But I prefer the old-fashioned newsprint copy, available in plenty of stores and cafés (go to "Find a Copy" at the top of the Web site for a list). Armed with the most comprehensive events list and great reading for an afternoon coffee, you'll feel oh-so-Amsterdam during your visit.

^{Photo © Amsterdam Weekly}