Biggest Mistakes Amsterdam Visitors Make

Avoid These Common Blunders and You'll Enjoy Your Time Much More

If there's one mistake almost every Amsterdam visitor is sure to make, it's walking -- unknowingly -- in the paths of speedy bikers zipping through the city. Much like it takes non-British London tourists some time to get used to looking right (instead of left) before crossing the street, Amsterdam visitors on foot must be extra-observant when wandering. Look right, look left, look behind you, repeat. And if the sidewalk ends, don't just hop off into the street. Listen for the bike bells ding, or you'll surely get pinged!

Every day, hundreds of eager Amsterdam visitors pour out of Centraal Station and begin their journey down Damrak, the main drag between the train station and Dam Square -- and perhaps Amsterdam's ugliest street. Chock-full of terrible tourist-trap restaurants (see below for more on those), tacky souvenir shops, and a smattering of cafés, bars and coffeeshops with no character at all, this street gives tourists a horrendous first impression of Amsterdam, and a misrepresentation of the real heart of the city.

I suggest either hopping on a tram at Centraal Station to zip beyond Damrak quickly, or walking west (to the right out of the station) and making your way to the western canal belt or Jordaan neighborhood.