Frequently asked questions about staying in Amsterdam

King's Day is on 27 April (26 April if the 27th falls on a Sunday) and is one of the busiest days of the year in Amsterdam.

• Free market: second-hand goods are sold all over the city, most of all in the Vondelpark; the children's market is in the Vondelpark.
• Times: cafés and markets open around 9 am, parties start around noon and outdoor activities in the centre end in the evening; the party then moves into the nightlife.
• Orange: it is not required, but almost everyone wears something orange.
• Shops and museums: many shops on the Kalverstraat and most major museums are closed; small supermarkets are usually open.
• Alcohol: you may only carry a limited amount of alcohol in the street; extra drinks can be confiscated.
• Getting there: come by train; public transport runs an adapted timetable outside the centre and is not free. For Museumplein or Leidseplein, get off at Amsterdam Zuid station.
• Car and taxi: cars cannot enter the centre; taxis wait on the Martelaarsgracht opposite Central Station.

Display Amsterdam
on the map

In 2026 the tourist tax in Amsterdam is 12.5% of the overnight price, excluding VAT.

• Source: amsterdam.nl (in Dutch).

It depends on the accommodation; the terms are in your confirmation or invoice.

• Hotels: many hotels allow free cancellation or changes up to 24 hours before arrival, unless you booked a non-refundable rate.
• Other accommodation: holiday homes and apartments often charge a cancellation fee.
• Questions: contact the owner or host.

Three days and two nights is enough to see the main sights of Amsterdam; five days is ideal.

• Tip: use one of the itineraries to plan your time.

Each accommodation provider has the freedom to set their own rental conditions. However, the following payment conditions are customary in Amsterdam:

1. After reserving your chosen holiday accommodation and period, you will receive a reservation confirmation (or invoice) with a payment request.
2. For reservations made more than 8 weeks before the arrival date, you pay 50% of the rental fee within 14 days. The remaining 50% should be paid at least 4 weeks before arrival.
3. For reservations made within 8 weeks of the arrival date, the entire invoice amount should be paid within 14 days.
4. For reservations made 1 to 3 weeks before the arrival date, you should immediately pay the entire invoice amount.
5. Failure to pay on time may result in the cancellation of the reservation by the landlord.

City tax (also known as: Tourist tax) is a general tax that a municipality can levy. This allows the municipality for example to finance the use of facilities by tourists.

When paying city tax?
You pay city tax if you stay in Amsterdam. For example, when overnight in a hotel, guest house, caravan, apartment, B&B or bungalow.

Should business travelers also pay city tax?
Also if you are visiting the region for business purposes you pay city tax. The name of the tax suggests that it is only for tourists, but that is not the case.

Tax assessment for city tax
The owner of your residence gets the city tax assessment. For instance, the hotel owner or campsite owner. He may pass on the city tax to you.

Height of city tax
The local height of city tax varies by municipality. Municipalities may determine whether they levy city tax and how they calculate the rate. For example, a fixed amount per night or a percentage per night price. Each municipality can arrange the height in its own regulation. The local regulation of Amsterdam can be obtained or viewed at the municipality of Amsterdam.

Why city tax?
A municipality receives from central National government an amount per capita. If there are many tourists in a town, a municipality makes this more cost. For example, to keep the streets and beaches clean or maintain roads.

Can the city tax on the invoice be higher than the municipal rate?
No, but perhaps it is a mistake on your bill. It is best to inquire the entrepreneur who has made the invoice. Another possibility is that the entrepreneur under the heading of city tax also calculates other costs. This is not allowed. Dutch Minister Verhagen indicated that this is contrary to the 'code travel deals' in a letter on 17 March 2011. You can lodge an objection with the entrepreneur.

More information city tax
For more information about the local city tax in Amsterdam, you can contact the municipality of Amsterdam: https://www.amsterdam.nl/.

Yes, accommodation in particular is expensive in Amsterdam compared to the rest of the Netherlands.

• Hotels: hotels are much cheaper in winter than in high season.
• Tourist tax: Amsterdam has one of the highest rates in Europe.
• Tip: free things to do in Amsterdam.