Amsterdam is famous for its beautiful burgundy water canals and more specifically beautiful old buildings, beautiful culture. That is why; millions of tourists come to visit this beautiful city every year it is said. For an utter novice who intends to visit Amsterdam, you probably feel unsure what possibilities this city has to offer in terms of tourist-friendliness. In this blog post, we will discuss the topic with you and give you all the necessary information that would be useful before you go.
1. English Proficiency
Among the benefits for English speaking tourists, it needs to be mentioned that the level of English that is spoken by the Dutch population is extremely high. Surprisingly, you will not be hard-pressed to find people who speak English very well. English does not present itself to be a problem when speaking with the locals or navigating Amsterdam in general.
2. This network of public transportation is well-connected.
Amsterdam is well linked by public means of transport, thereby making it easy for anyone to move from one point to the other in the area. Tram, buses and trains are available and all are hop-on-hop-off ticketing known as OV-chipkaart. In this system the card could be used in all types of facilities of transport hence fits the requirement of tourists in view of expenses.
2.1. Trams
Tram means of transport is very popular and effective for getting around the central part of the city. All areas of tourist interest and the districts of this city are well connected by this means of public transportation. Tram tickets can be bought at machines at the tram stops or the OV-chipkaart for a more convenient journey.
2.2. Buses
Travelling by buses in Amsterdam is also useful when the tram line cannot get a person right to his or her destination. The network is vast and therefore there are many buses operating within the day on the roads. As with trams, tickets may be bought from the ticket machines or OV-chipkaart cards.
2.3. Trains
In case you are going to travel around other regions of interest apart from the royal city of Amsterdam, then the train option is for you. Amsterdam Centraal Station is the transport crossroad where you can get transportation to several cities and towns in the Netherlands as well as to bordering countries. Tickets can be bought at the station or through internet.
3. Safety
Over all, Amsterdam can be safely regarded as a safe city for tourists. It has a small crime rate in comparison with similar cities in Europe. Although, like with any tourist hotspot always pay attention and be careful, avoid dark streets at night and be cautious with personal belongings in places with crowds of people.
3.1. Bicycles
Amsterdam is well known for its cycling and it could easily be said that there are more bicycles than people around. Now that cycling is a common activity which is cheap and convenient as a way of transport, being a pedestrian one needs to be very careful. Bear early consideration for bikers, not only pay attention to traffic signs, but also utilize crosswalks before crossing the street.
4. Tourist-Friendly Attractions
Tourism in Amsterdam boasts of a variety of attractions that we consider of interest to every tourist. Whether you like history, art, cuisine or just walking through beautiful streets – nobody will remain indifferent.
4.1. Museums
Always plan for a trip and tour in Netherlands and do not overlook the well known museums all over the world like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Most of these attractions have a form of English translation and some even come with an audio guide to help you enjoy the tour.
4.2. Canal Cruises
Over the years sightseeing in and around Amsterdam has particularly involved boat cruising along the canals. Several companies that deliver canal tours include audio guides in multiple languages, which give numerous pieces of information about the region’s history and construction. It is a nice method of viewing the city in a different manner.
5. Cultural Sensitivity
As in any other country, you have to consider that there is certain etiquette that you have to follow while in this country. In Amsterdam, people endeavour to respect the personal space and personal privacy of fellow beings. Do not approach strangers, do not make any loud noises in public spaces, and be aware of the areas one does not need to raise one’s voice to be heard, for instance, residential areas.
Conclusion
I have to agree that Amsterdam is very tourist friendly due to factors such as efficient transport, fluent English, safety and the fact it has much that will appeal to tourists in it. If you ensure that you respect the local people, Mainly you can avoid things that make them uncomfortable and also avoiding to be insecure, this will ensure that this beautiful city remains one of the best and most cosmopolitan cities on this planet.
