About half of the attendees at The Next Web Conference aren’t from The Netherlands. They fly into Amsterdam early in the week and stay for the weekend after he conference. We love it, and are very proud, that our conference has grown into an event with international appeal.
For our international visitors we have a few tips when it comes to surviving Amsterdam. Here they are, on no particular order:
Bikes
Beware of people of bikes. There are more bikes in Amsterdam than people and the people riding these bikes don’t stop for anything. Stick to the sidewalks and keep your ears open. If you hear someone ringing their bells seek cover or they will run you down. Sorry about that.
Drugs
Amsterdam is sometimes referred to as the ‘Drug capital of the world’. This is a lot more credit than we deserve but it is true that certain drugs are legal and readily available. If you absolutely have to get a taste of that we won’t stop you. But be very cautious. Our soft drugs are very potent and can easily make you sick. Locals usually aren’t too interested in drugs either so be discrete about your experiences. Apart from that, enjoy!
Flights
Flying into Amsterdam via Schiphol? Get a taxi (you might call it a cab but in The Netherlands we call them Taxis) or the train. Train is cheap and comfortable unless you arrive after dark in which case I would advise to take a taxi. Trains leave every 15 minutes from schiphol – costs 3,80 euros), then take a tram (line 4 or 25 – costs 1,60 euros) and get out at Frederiksplein (right in front of Hotel V). Total travel time 40 minutes
A taxi into town shouldn’t cost you more than 45 euros depending on where you need to go and should take no more than 35 minutes.
Also read this excellent article at The New York Times on how to arrive healthily and save. In short: drink a lot of water, keep moving around and take lots of vitamins.
Red Light District
Yes, the red Light District is a major sightseeing opportunity. Lots of sights to see there. Go ahead, check it out but pay attention to a few things. Beware of pickpockets: most people are so distracted by the sight of, well, what they see, that they don’t watch their personal belongings. Also, don’t make photos of the ladies, or men, behind the windows. They DON”T like that and won’t ask you politely to stop if you do take a photo. Don’t risk finding out what they WILL do.
Where to go and for what
The Next Web Conference will be held at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam. We’ve created a map with some interesting places in Amsterdam. We’ll add stuff to the map almost every day.
I love the “Drugs” paragraph…
If locals hated the weed smell that much they would ban coffeeshops. Amsterdam likes hippies and makes a ton of money because of them. Just don’t blow the smoke in the face of the VC whose bum needs licking.
And for those who can’t read between the lines: “locals usually aren’t too interested in drugs either so be discrete about your experiences” means that *a lot* of locals hate smelling hash/marijuana on the street, so please use it indoors (at a coffee shop, your hotel will be very annoyed if you use it there ;)).
I disagree. As a local myself and numerous others with me, the smell just annoys me/us. I can’t speak for all, but for a lot of us.
I really don’t care about the coffee shops, feel free to go there and have a smoke. Good for tourism and the economy. Just don’t force it upon me. Apart from that, it’s illegal to smoke the stuff on the street too (although you won’t get a fine, because it’s a law that cannot be enforced due to the number of violators).
Thanks for the offer.
I find it interesting you think i should relax. My whole point was that Roy should relax and accept what Amsterdam is today.
I strongly suggest you smoke some weed yourself and relax a bit. I will happily pay for it too. Looks like you need it.
;-)
I have always accepted Amsterdam the way it is, being the most vibrant city of The Netherlands and the center of my world when it comes to internet related business (and conferences ;)).
That doesn’t mean I have to like smelling drug fumes, or inhaling regular cigarette smoke or getting bumped into by drunk tourists. The world would make a terrifying place if we would all just accept what it is today.
Nonetheless I *will* have a great time next week, and you’re still happily invited to have a drink on me and chat some more. You could even smoke some with that, as long as you promise to exhale in the other direction ;)
Okay, sounds like we should ALL get together and relax then… :-)
Yeah, she bought a ticket last week. Why?
Boris, Did you invite Paris H. as well for the conference? -> http://www.nu.nl/achterklap/1948066/paris-hilton-in-amsterdam.html