Amsterdam is procuring a great place to work for and residing in; it has a canal, notable architecture, and bustling entertainment. Tourism being one of the major sources of income for the city, one is always worried about safety most especially at night. In this blog post, I would like to answer some most frequently asked questions about safety and also share some useful tips on how to have a lovely evening in this city.
Essential Measures to take while in search of Amsterdam Nightlife
Amsterdam is not exactly a dangerous place, however; the same rules must be followed as while traveling any other place. Here are some tips to keep in mind when exploring the city after dark:
1. Stay in places that are well lit and always filled with people.
Yet, there are number of preventive measures that should be taken while visiting Amsterdam during the night: The first and the most effective one is never wandering around the area that it is dark or deserted. Most of the time, it is easy to count on the people around, especially when you want to tour the city center, which include Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.
2. Use Reliable Transportation
Whenever you decide to tour the city at night you should opt for safer means of transport including cab or an Uber. There is available a good range of buses and night trams in Amsterdam that operate throughout the night.
3. Keep Your Wits and Go with Your Gut
As a tourist it is always wise to be vigilant and always listen to your intuition if you have any. It only takes one person to be immune deficient to potentially be exposed to a virus that comes from the sweaty man in the back who hasn’t bathed in weeks but is walking around a less congested area. Because often, if you’re not sure about something and it looks like it can be dangerous in a way or another, it is better to change the place and definitely call the police or some other authorities.
4. Secure Your Belongings
Amsterdam, like any other large city of the world, has been experiencing cases of theft by these notorious pickpockets. As for security, it is necessary to always keep your things safe and do not flaunt such attributes as wallets, mobile phones and other things around which thieves can fight. Beware of your property especially in congested areas and transport services.
5. Plan Your Route in Advance
This goes a long way in helping you in your planning before you have to go out at night. Learn the location of some of the most recognizable places surrounding the area on the map. In this way, it will be easier not to get lost, and the likelihood of getting out into areas which are unfamiliar or even dangerous, is reduced.
6. Be Aware of Bicycle Traffic
Bicycles are tremendously used in the city of Amsterdam, and this too is practiced even at night. Especially while crossing roads or riding on the roads you should take care of the bicycle lanes and the traffic. Never go straight into the road; make sure to look left and right first before crossing it, or make sure not to walk in bike lanes.
Additional Safety Information
More to that, knowing the legal systems and culture of the area can also increase your safety in Amsterdam. Here are some additional safety considerations to keep in mind:
1. Drugs and Alcohol
It’s for example an official policy of the Dutch government not to prosecute smokers, and every visitor of Amsterdam knows its coffee shops. As a client, you need to inform yourself on any laws that govern substance use as well as other dangers that may surround substance use. If engaging in any type of alcohol or other substance abusing activities, be responsible and be conscious of your environment at large.
2. Emergency Services
In case of an emergency, and especially if you are a victim of a crime or you need a medical help, remember that a general emergency number in the Netherlands is 112. All the operators are fluent in English and they can call any required authority or guide the caller.
3. Respect Local Customs
Judging from local culture it is always advisable to respect their culture most especially when in Amsterdam. Do not pinch, prod or poke at anything that may elicit a reaction from others that would warrant unnecessary attention that may put your life in danger.
In Conclusion
Nightlife in Amsterdam has been described and seems quite interesting, and if one prepares well and is well alert he/she can explore Amsterdam at night. This way, one can avoid the examples that are illustrated by this beautiful city such as walking in ill lit areas, using dodgy transport and not minding the surroundings .
Please recall that individual security always comes first, so if something does not seem right, avoid it. By being evolutionarily and historically knowledgeable, you are able to get the best out of Amsterdam as a city as well as not getting into dangerous situations.
