Why visit
Amsterdam is Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh, Anne Frank's house, 17th-century canals (UNESCO), and bikes everywhere. Jordaan and De Pijp are the neighborhoods to linger in.
Amsterdam at a glance
City population
920k
Metro: 2.5 million
Elevation
2 m
7 ft
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 DST)
Europe/Amsterdam
Airport
AMS
Schiphol
Founded
12th century
Getting around
Metro, trams, buses, ferries, world-class bike network
Signature dish
Stroopwafel, bitterballen, rijsttafel (Indonesian legacy)
Neighborhoods for travelers
JordaanDe PijpOud-ZuidOost
Netherlands at a glance
Country center
52.5°, 5.8°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
41,850 km²
16,158 mi²
Country population
17.6 million
421/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+31
Language
Dutch
Demonym
Dutch
Internet
.nl
UN
Member state
ISO code
NL / NLD
Where in the world
52.5° · 5.8°
Netherlands
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Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Amsterdam has more canals than Venice (165 vs ~150) and more bridges.
- Houses lean forward on purpose to lower goods up through hoists on the facade.
- There are more bikes than people in the city and Dutch cyclists still do not wear helmets.
- The Netherlands has more bicycles than people (22M vs 17M).
- About 26% of the country is below sea level: protected by dikes and dunes.
Bordering Netherlands
Traveler notes
- Book Anne Frank House weeks in advance
- OV-chipkaart covers tram + metro + bus
- Rent a bike; don't walk in the bike lane
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Amsterdam
What currency is used in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Netherlands?
The primary language is Dutch.
What is the international calling code for Netherlands?
The calling code is +31.
What airport serves Amsterdam?
Schiphol (IATA: AMS).
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