It’s long been known as Europe’s capital of tolerance, but Amsterdam’s patience with tourist behaviour in the city’s notorious Red Light District has reached breaking point. A campaign to actively discourage big groups of people from coming to Amsterdam to party will begin this spring. Instead, city marketing will focus on Amsterdam’s substantial arts and culture offerings.
The city’s one million local residents can no longer cope with the approximately 18 million annual tourists taking advantage of the liberal attitude to cannabis and sex workers.
Local authorities are now desperate to tackle overtourism, turn around the city’s reputation as a party capital and attract a different kind of visitor to the Dutch capital. “If we let it go on like this, I think in 10 or 20 years people will no longer be living in the inner city of Amsterdam,” said mayor Femke Halsema.
New rules to curb trouble
City authorities previously announced a ban on smoking cannabis in the Red Light District, while a ban on smoking in the outdoor seating areas of cannabis coffee shops is under consideration.
The sale of alcohol in stores downtown will be banned after 4pm from Thursdays to Sundays, while a ban on drinking in public areas will be strictly enforced. Sex workers will have their legal working hours cut while bars and restaurants cannot admit new customers after 1am.
Amsterdam authorities’ patience with tourist behaviour in the city’s notorious Red Light District … [+]
The so-called “discouragement campaign” has been planned for a long time, with city bosses keen to proactively discourage what they term “nuisance” tourists. Should all the rules be confirmed following a consultation period, Amsterdam’s renowned party scene will look quite different this summer.
Yet in a bizarre twist, the city council is pushing ahead with plans for a new erotic center in a trendy area of north Amsterdam. “The situation in the inner city is unsustainable,” said Halsema of the plans to relocate 100 sex workers from the notorious De Wallen district to the new center.
Things to do in Amsterdam besides partying
City marketing group Amsterdam & Partners are heading up the campaign to encourage “nuisance tourists” to stay away. Director Geerte Udo said she wants to promote the city’s cultural venues and facilities.
For despite Amsterdam’s reputation as a party capital, there are plenty of things to do in the city for lovers of architecture, arts and culture.
First and foremost, the city is home to two of Europe’s most notable art museums. The great Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh come under the spotlight at the vast Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands.
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum is one of the best art museums in all of Europe.
Allow at least a few hours to explore Dutch history from the Middle Ages to the present day at this true cultural landmark, although art lovers could easily use an entire day.
The nearby Van Gogh Museum naturally showcases some of the artist’s masterpieces including the The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers and Almond Blossom. It’s also packed with items of interest to students of art, including his drawings and personal letters together with an exhibition covering the Dutch master’s substantial legacy and his influence on the art world for hundreds of years.
Booking in advance is essential in order to visit the Anne Frank House, the site of the now famous secret annex where the German-born Jewish girl and her family hid from Nazi persecution.
Another essential task is reading her famous diary before your trip, even if you read it as a child. That’s according to war travel expert Ashley Smith, who said “the material is so much more impressive when you read it as an adult. Reading her diary before your trip will really help to put everything you see and experience at the Anne Frank House into perspective.”
The house is located in the Jordaan district, full of canals, old churches, tree-lined streets and typical Amsterdam architecture. A stroll here with a pit stop at Lindengracht Market or the Pancake Bakery is a wise use of time.
Finally, many companies compete in offering relaxed cruises around the UNESCO World Heritage canals of Amsterdam, a wonderful way to take in the city’s architecture and landmarks.
