Amsterdam Practical information

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

Children

There is much to keep kids occupied in Amsterdam – a zoo, playgrounds and parks, canal boat trips, a marionette theatre and kid-friendly museums, just for starters. Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children is a goldmine for planning ahead.

In general, attitudes towards children in the Netherlands are very positive, apart from some hotels with a no-children policy – check when you book. Most restaurants have high chairs and children’s menus. Facilities for changing nappies, however, are limited to the big department stores, major museums and train stations and you’ll pay to use them. Breast-feeding is generally OK in public if done discreetly. Kids are allowed in pubs but aren’t supposed to drink until they’re 16. While they’re still tots, be careful of all the open water (Dutch kids all learn to swim at school).

Check local listings for special events (under jeugd for ‘youth’).

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Babysitting

Babysitters charge between €5 and €6 an hour depending on the time of day, sometimes with weekend and/or hotel supplements and a service fee for the agency, and you might have to pay for their taxi home if it gets late. Agencies use male and female students, but you may not always be able to specify which gender. Weekends frequently get booked out, so plan ahead. Ask at hotels about babysitting services, or try Oppascentrale Kriterion (Map p122; 624 58 48; www.kriterionoppas.org ; Valckenierstraat 45hs; 4.30-8pm daily, 9-11am Mon).

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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’ll be able to claim it back again 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.

There are no compulsory vaccinations, but if you’ve just travelled through a yellow-fever area you could be asked for proof that you’re covered. Up-to-date tetanus, polio and diphtheria immunisations are always recommended whether you’re travelling or not.

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) or try the Centrale Doktersdienst (0900 592 34 34), the 24-hour central medical service that will refer you to an appropriate doctor, dentist or pharmacy. For matters dealing with STDs and HIV/AIDS, see opposite.

Forget about buying flu tablets and antacids at supermarkets; for anything stronger than toothpaste you’ll have to go to a pharmacy. A convenient one is Dam Apotheek (624 43 31; Damstraat 2; 8.30am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat), just off the Dam.

A number of hospitals have 24-hour emergency facilities:

Boven-IJ Ziekenhuis (634 63 46; Statenjachtstraat 1, Amsterdam Noord) Take bus 34 north from Centraal Station.

Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis (599 91 11; 1e Oosterparkstraat 1) At Oosterpark near the ­Tropenmuseum. The closest public hospital to the centre of town.

St Lucas Andreas Ziekenhuis (510 89 11; Jan Tooropstraat 164) In the western suburbs.

Slotervaart Ziekenhuis (512 93 33; Louwesweg 6) In the southwestern suburbs.

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

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Women travellers

Equality has long been taken for granted, although far fewer women than men are employed full-time, and fewer still hold positions in senior management.

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.

Centrum voor Seksuele Gezondheid (624 54 26; Sarphatistraat 618; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, Tue also 6-9pm, by appointment) is a clinic offering information and help with sexual problems and birth control, including morning-after pills.

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For children

Vondelpark A hot favourite with the small fry, this park near the old centre is replete with leafy picnic spots, playgrounds and duck ponds.

Kinderkookkafé Put the kids to work on their own gourmet creations, and take a load off.

Amsterdamse Bos A huge recreational area with a forestry museum, a petting zoo and energy-burning meadows.

Tram Museum Amsterdam Take a historic tram complete with clanging bells from the Vondelpark to the Amsterdamse Bos.

NEMO science and technology centre A tailor-made, hands-on science fun fair useful for answering all those How and Why questions.

Tropenmuseum The children’s section devoted to exotic locations is a hit in any language.

Joods Historisch Museum The kids’ section on Jewish life in Amsterdam is accessible and fun.

Artis Zoo The extrovert monkeys, shimmying fish and the planetarium will keep those young eyes shining for hours

Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum The old masted ship is staffed with costumed hosts who always put on a grand show.

Civic Guard Gallery A bite-sized gallery of giant paintings guaranteed to awe the young ’uns.

Canal bike Take a unique pedal-powered ride through the city’s beautiful canals.

TunFun Set ’em loose for a romp in this underground all-round pleasure centre.

Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day) Kids of all ages revel in the madness of30 April, the country’s biggest party.

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