Amsterdam

Health & safety

Dangers & annoyances

Theft is rare in normal hotel rooms, although it’s always wise to deposit valuables for safekeeping at the reception desk or, where available, in your in-room safe. Theft is more common at hostels; bring your own lock for your locker.

Watch out for pickpockets in crowded markets and trams. Violent crime is rare, especially involving foreigners, although there have been a small number of gay-bashing incidents recently.

Cars with foreign registration are popular targets for smash-and-grab theft. Don’t leave valuable items in the car; remove registration and ID papers and the radio/stereo if possible.

If something is stolen, get a police report for insurance purposes, but don’t expect the police to retrieve your property or apprehend the thief. C’est la vie.

There are occasionally some junkie types around the Zeedijk and Gelderskade, and also on the Nieuwendijk near Centraal Station. Generally they won’t bother you if you don’t bother them.

Bicycles are numerous and can be dangerous for pedestrians. When crossing the street or a bicycle lane look for speeding bikes – the ‘silent killers’, as we like to call them. Cyclists, meanwhile, should take care to watch out for unwitting foreign tourists in their paths. And always, always, lock up your bike with a ­decent lock.

Finally, two words: dog poo. The city is trying though.

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While you're there

Emergency

In a life-threatening emergency, the national telephone number for an ambulance, police and fire brigade is 112. It’s an all-in service that feeds you into the right emergency service, with no waiting.

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Medical services

The Netherlands has reciprocal health arrangements with other EU countries and Australia. If you’re an EU citizen, a European Health Insurance Card (EUIC), available from health centres (or, in the UK, post offices), covers you for most medical care. You still might have to pay on the spot, but you should be able to claim it back at home. Citizens of other countries are advised to take out travel insurance; medical or dental treatment is less expensive than in North America but still costs enough. For minor health concerns, see a local drogist (chemist) or apotheek (pharmacy, to fill prescriptions). For more serious problems, go to the casualty ward of a ziekenhuis (hospital).

Contact the Centrale Doktersdienst (Central Doctors Service; 592 34 34; 24hr) for doctor, dentist or pharmacy referrals.

Emergency Rooms Hospitals with 24-hour emergency facilities:

Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis (599 91 11; www.olvg.nl, in Dutch; 1e Oosterparkstraat 1) At Oosterpark, near the Tropenmuseum. It’s the closest public hospital to the centre of town.

VU Medisch Centrum (444 44 44; www.vumc.com; De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam Buitenveldert) Hospital of the Vrije Universiteit (Free University).

Pharmacies Forget about buying flu tablets and antacids at supermarkets; for anything stronger than toothpaste you’ll have to go to a pharmacy.

Dam Apotheek (624 43 31; Damstraat 2; 8.30am- 5.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, noon-5pm Sun) is conveniently located just off the Dam.

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Women travellers

In terms of safety, Amsterdam is probably as secure as it gets in the major cities of Europe. There’s little street harassment, even in the Red Light District, although it’s best to walk with a friend to minimise unwelcome attention.

The Centrum voor Seksuele Gezondheid (512 49 03; www.acsg.nl, in Dutch; Louwesweg 6; h8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri) is a clinic at Slotervaart Hospital offering information and help with sexual problems and birth control, including the morning-after pill.

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