Amsterdam solo: tips for travelling alone in the city

Why Amsterdam suits solo travel

The city is visited at a human pace. The canals are walked, the major museums are close to one another and distances stay short: you can improvise a day without a precise plan. The public is international, and wandering alone with a guide or a map is nothing unusual. Evenings are lively but, outside the tourist centre, rather calm.

Where to stay when travelling alone

For a first solo stay, choose a well-connected district that is lively in the evening, so you do not walk back alone through empty streets: the historic centre or the Jordaan, or the area near Central Station. Hostels are the easiest way to meet other travellers, and many offer dorms, private rooms and organised evenings. Our guides where to stay in Amsterdam and where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget detail the districts; for a first visit, see also where to stay in Amsterdam for a first visit. Read the reviews on safety, the room key and the distance to a tram stop, and choose accommodation with a reception desk or a code lock.

Getting around alone

Trams, metro and buses cover the whole centre, and Central Station is the starting point for trains to the airport and for day trips. The streets of the centre are often quicker on foot. The bike is the Amsterdammer's tool, but it needs attention when you are alone: the cycle paths are very busy and cyclists do not slow down. Our guide to cycling in Amsterdam covers rental and rules. For tickets and cards, see transport in Amsterdam.

• In the evening, prefer a tram or a licensed taxi to a long walk through empty streets; see our guide to taxis and Uber in Amsterdam.
• Share your location with someone close if you go out late.
• Keep your phone charged: it replaces your ticket, your map and your wallet.

Eating alone

Eating alone is nothing to be embarrassed about in Amsterdam. The easiest options:

• Brown cafés (see our brown cafés in Amsterdam): you sit at the counter or a small table with a book.
• Food halls, such as the Foodhallen at De Hallen, open every day from 7am to 1am, where you can taste several cuisines without sitting at a big table.
• Open-air markets, for a quick lunch: see our guide to markets in Amsterdam.
• Brunches and breakfasts, very common alone: see our guide to brunch and breakfast in Amsterdam.

For more upscale tables, book ahead: restaurants may prefer tables of two; simply say "one person" when booking, or sit at the bar. Our ideas for places are in where to eat in Amsterdam.

What to do alone

Activities that work well solo:

• Museums: you move at your own pace, with no compromise. See our best museums in Amsterdam and, for tickets, booking tickets in Amsterdam.
• A canal walk on foot, with our itinerary of the canal belt, or by boat: a canal cruise is a simple way to see the city with no organisation.
• Parks: a day at the Vondelpark or Westerpark, with a picnic.
• Concerts and cinemas: see concerts and shows in Amsterdam and cinemas in Amsterdam. Going to the cinema or a concert alone is common.
• Day trips: direct trains run to Haarlem, Utrecht or The Hague (see day trips from Amsterdam).

Meeting people

To meet people without forcing it: hostels and their evenings, guided walking tours in a group, breweries (see craft breweries), classes and workshops, cafés where people chat at the counter. The Dutch are direct and welcoming, but do not necessarily start a conversation: it is up to you to say a word. Do not give your accommodation address to strangers.

Safety and traps to avoid

Amsterdam is generally a safe city, but pickpockets are active in tourist areas, on trams and at Central Station. A few habits:

• Keep your belongings in front of you and do not leave your phone on a table.
• Be wary of street offers: see our guide to scams and safety in Amsterdam.
• In the evening, in the Red Light District, stay on busy streets and read our Red Light District rules; do not photograph the windows.
• Watch your drink and do not accept one from a stranger.
• Stay on pavements and paths: the quays often have no railings, especially after a boozy night.

For going out in the evening, see Amsterdam at night. If something goes wrong, the European emergency number 112 works in the Netherlands; our guide to health in Amsterdam gives the details.

Key points

Going further

To plan your stay, start with what to do in Amsterdam in one day or in 2 days, and with the budget for a trip to Amsterdam. Common mistakes are listed in mistakes to avoid in Amsterdam.