Frequently asked questions about amenities in Amsterdam

Is carnival celebrated in Amsterdam?

No, carnival is hardly celebrated in Amsterdam and there is no parade.

• Tip: carnival is mainly celebrated in the south of the Netherlands; for parties in the city see the events.

Where is the nearest hospital in Amsterdam?

All medical addresses in Amsterdam and the surrounding area are on our medical addresses page.

• On that page: among others the GP, the hospital, the pharmacy and the dentist.
• Emergency: in a life-threatening situation always call 112.

Where can I find an estate agent or a house for sale in Amsterdam?

Almost all houses and apartments for sale in Amsterdam are listed on funda.nl.

• Estate agents: each listing shows the agent selling the property.

When are the bulb fields near Amsterdam in bloom?

The bulb fields bloom from late March to mid May, with the best chance in the second half of April.

• Weather: the exact timing depends on the weather.
• Keukenhof: the best-known flower park is Keukenhof in Lisse.

Are shops and restaurants in Amsterdam open at Whitsun?

Yes, in Amsterdam shops may open on Sundays and public holidays, so also on Whit Sunday and Whit Monday; most shops in the centre are open as usual.

• Supermarket: Albert Heijn Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal (open on Sundays). Holiday hours only appear on the supermarket's website shortly beforehand, so check them just before Whitsun.
• Food and drink: restaurants and terraces are open as usual at Whitsun and it gets busy, so book ahead, especially for dinner. More tips under food and drink.
• Museums: most museums are open at Whitsun and the city is busy, so book tickets online in advance.

Are shops, museums and restaurants in Amsterdam open at Christmas and New Year?

On Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year's Day (1 January) most shops, museums and attractions are closed; on other days normal opening hours usually apply.

• Shops: on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve many shops close earlier than usual.
• Museums: check the holiday hours on the museum's website; see the overview of sights.
• Restaurants: many restaurants are open at Christmas, but booking is often necessary. On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day some are closed.

We do not have a complete overview with opening hours of all restaurants in Amsterdam, but our food and drink page has tips for restaurants and terraces.

• Opening hours and booking: check TheFork or Eet.nu, which also have reviews.
• Tip: book in good time in high season and at weekends.

Where is the cruise terminal in IJmuiden and how do you get to Amsterdam?

The Felison Cruise Terminal is at Sluisplein 55 in IJmuiden, just over 30 km from Amsterdam city centre.

• Public transport: it takes about an hour by bus and train or tram to reach the centre; plan your journey on 9292.nl.
• In the city: ships that sail into the city moor at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, within walking distance of Central Station.

Display Felison Cruise Terminal
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Where is the police station in the city centre in Amsterdam?

The police station in the city centre is Burgwallen station, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 35, Amsterdam.

• Phone: +31 343 578 844, in an emergency 112.
• Open: daily from 8 am to 11 pm; current information on politie.nl (in Dutch).

Display Politie Amsterdam - Burgwallen
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What should you do if you have lost something in Amsterdam?

You indicate that you have lost or found something.

If you have lost something you can report this at the municipality Amsterdam (https://www.amsterdam.nl/). Not the police. Is it an object which has been stolen from you? Then you should indeed do report to the police. Sometimes you also need to go to the police when it comes to a lost identity document.

Lost something?
If you have an lost an object in (the region of) Amsterdam, you can inquire the local municipality Amsterdam. Perhaps your item is already found. You can declare an lost object on https://verlorenofgevonden.nl/. You can of course also come to the town hall.

After declaration of loss and showing your ID, you can retake your possession immediately.

Anything?
Do you have found an object (in this region), then it is your duty to do your best to give it back to the owner. If you know who the owner is, you can do this yourself. Do you not know who the owner is? You report the the item to the local municipality.

You can declare an found object on https://verlorenofgevonden.nl/. You can of course also always come to the town hall.

What are the address and contact details of the tourist office in Amsterdam?

I Amsterdam
Stationsplein 10
1012 AB Amsterdam
t. +31 20-7026000
e. welcome@amsterdam.nl

Display VVV Amsterdam
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What are the address and contact details of the municipality of Amsterdam?

Gemeente Amsterdam
Amstel 1
1011PN Amsterdam
tel. +31 20-624 11 11
e-mail. stadsdeel@centrum.amsterdam.nl
web. https://www.centrum.amsterdam.nl/

Display Gemeente Amsterdam
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Where can you rent a bike in Amsterdam?

All information about cycling and bike rental in Amsterdam is on our cycling page.

• Bike rental: there you will find the rental shops with their address.
• Routes: the same page also has cycle routes in the area.
• Tip: book your bike in advance in high season and during school holidays.

Is there an overview of restaurants in Amsterdam?

We do not have a complete overview with opening hours of all restaurants in Amsterdam, but our food and drink page has tips for restaurants and terraces.

• Opening hours and booking: check TheFork or Eet.nu, which also have reviews.
• Tip: book in good time in high season and at weekends.

Are the shops in Amsterdam open on 11 November?

Yes, 11 November is a normal day in the Netherlands and the shops are open as usual.

• Belgium and France: there, 11 November is a public holiday in memory of the First World War.
• St Martin's Day: children go door to door with lanterns in the evening.

Are the shops in Amsterdam open on Sundays?

Popular shopping streets in the centre of Amsterdam (such as Nieuwendijk, Damrak, Kalverstraat, 9 Straatjes, Rokin, Leidsestraat, Haarlemmerstraat and P.C. Hooftstraat) are open every Sunday.

Standard opening hours on Sundays are: 12:00 to 17:00.

More information: /en/shopping.php#Shopping-hours

Are shops and restaurants in Amsterdam open on Good Friday and at Easter?

Yes, in Amsterdam shops may open on Sundays and public holidays, so also on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday; most shops in the centre are open as usual.

• Good Friday: Good Friday is not an official public holiday in the Netherlands; shops, supermarkets and restaurants are open as usual that day.
• Supermarkets: Albert Heijn Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal (open on Sundays). Holiday hours only appear on the supermarket's website shortly beforehand, so check them just before Easter.
• Food and drink: restaurants and terraces are open as usual at Easter and it gets busy, so book ahead, especially for dinner. More tips under food and drink.
• Museums: most museums are open at Easter and the city is busy, so book tickets online in advance.

How do you arrange a wedding in Amsterdam?

A wedding in Amsterdam is arranged through the municipality of Amsterdam.

• Information: wedding venues, costs and available dates via https://www.amsterdam.nl/.

Where is a pharmacy in Amsterdam?

All medical addresses in Amsterdam and the surrounding area are on our medical addresses page.

• On that page: among others the GP, the hospital, the pharmacy and the dentist.
• Emergency: in a life-threatening situation always call 112.

Didn't find what you were looking for? The general FAQ page lists all frequently asked questions about Amsterdam, sorted by topic.