What do I need to know before traveling to Amsterdam?
What language do they speak?
The official language on the Netherlands is Dutch. However, you will find that many people, about 87%, also speak fluent English.
What kind of money do they use?
The Netherlands, as well as many other European nations, use the Euro. The exchange rate as of 5/16/14 is one American Dollar equals 0.73 Euro.
Fun fact! Before 2002, the Dutch Guilder was used.
Fun fact! Before 2002, the Dutch Guilder was used.
How do I get around the city?
Amsterdam is a very walkable city. Everything worth going to is in close proximity to one another. However, other modes of transportation include taxis, trams, metros, canal boats, city buses, and most importantly, bikes!
What's the deal with bikes?
Bikes are a critical and crucial part of being a true Amsterdammer. City authorities say there are well over 800,000 bikes in Amsterdam. There are hundreds of dedicated bike paths throughout city, as well as bike parking garages and bike rentals. Bike tours are also available through many companies. This as a great and authentic way to see the city. However, you do need to purchase such tours, and tipping your guide is encouraged.
A great website for finding the perfect bike tour for you is as follows:
http://www.amsterdamcitytours.com/bike-tours.html?gclid=CMeCjaWzsL4CFTQQ7AodnmIAaQ
A great website for finding the perfect bike tour for you is as follows:
http://www.amsterdamcitytours.com/bike-tours.html?gclid=CMeCjaWzsL4CFTQQ7AodnmIAaQ
What will the weather be?
Weather in Amsterdam is often described as unpredictable. Moderate rain showers are extremely common any time of day. However, the city is pretty mild in terms of winters and summers.
“August is the hottest month in Amsterdam with an average temperature of 63°F and the coldest is January at 37°F with the most daily sunshine hours at 11 in June. The wettest month is November with an average of 90mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in August when the average sea temperature is 65°F” (holiday-weather.com)
Some graphs on the average Amsterdam weather are shown below:
“August is the hottest month in Amsterdam with an average temperature of 63°F and the coldest is January at 37°F with the most daily sunshine hours at 11 in June. The wettest month is November with an average of 90mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in August when the average sea temperature is 65°F” (holiday-weather.com)
Some graphs on the average Amsterdam weather are shown below: