Amsterdam, the Netherlands | City guide for expats

Planning on spending some time in Amsterdam? Read our guide and find useful links for locals, expats, students and tourists.

Amsterdam city guide

Known around the world as “the Venice of the North”, Amsterdam is famous for its kilometres of picturesque canals, well-preserved medieval city centre and vibrant cultural scenes, both historic and current.

The history of Amsterdam

The first settlement in the area recognisable as Amsterdam was founded in 1170, when a dam was built on the Amstel in response to severe flooding in the region. This is even where the city’s name came from - Amstelledamme morphed through time into Amsterdam.

Prosperity and growth

At the end of the 16th century, the Netherlands entered what is known as its “Golden Age”. However, as the source of its immense prosperity at this time was colonial activities, that name is no longer universally used.

At the start of the 17th century, the famous Amsterdam canal ring was built, the Dutch East India Company was founded and Amsterdam became the biggest port in the world. Amsterdam flourished and much of the city centre you can see today dates from this period.

World War II

Having remained neutral in WWI, the Dutch again attempted to do so in WWII. However, after the Nazis bombed Rotterdam, the Dutch government surrendered, and the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam began in 1940. In 1941, the outlawed Communist Party organised what is now known as the February Strike (Februaristaking). 

It was the first strike against the Nazis in Europe, and was organised to protest against their treatment of the Jewish population of Amsterdam. The day is still commemorated every year on February 25.

Counter-culture

Amsterdam was a magnet for hippies in the 1960s, and from then until the 1980s, the city was marked by deep generational divisions between its radical youth and conservative government. The city was famous for its lawless areas, squatted canal houses and anarchist student movements. This mostly ended as the squats were cleared and various movements outlawed or simply forgotten about. Squatting was replaced with anti-squatting.

Amsterdam today

Amsterdam is now a world-class tourist destination, with many museums, nightclubs and sights to enjoy, as well as a major tech and investment hub.

Groups and clubs in Amsterdam

With a population of almost 1 million people in the city proper and many more in the surrounding regions, there are always like-minded people to find and make friends with in Amsterdam. 

Whether you want to meet up with fellow film heads, join a theatre group or network with international entrepreneurs, there’s a club out there for you. Explore some of the various clubs and groups in Amsterdam.

Jobs in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a thriving economy, with a wide range of job opportunities for people from all industries and disciplines. Many major international companies, such as Uber, Netflix, Panasonic and Booking.com, have their European headquarters in Amsterdam, meaning there is no shortage of professional jobs for internationals in the city. Check out our job board for the latest vacancies for expats in Amsterdam.

Housing in Amsterdam

There’s no shying away from the fact that housing in Amsterdam is in short supply and often comes with a high price tag. However, by shopping around and casting your net wide, you will find that there are plenty of options out there, from rooms in shared apartments to whole houses.

The neighbourhoods of Centrum, Zuid and West are typically the most expensive to live in, while Zuidoost and Noord are generally more affordable. Find the perfect place to live in our housing listings in Amsterdam.

Sights and activities

There’s a reason that millions of people make their way to Amsterdam every year. There are simply so many amazing things to see and do here! These are a few choice tips for those in Amsterdam:

Museums and galleries

Amsterdam has a whole host of world-class museums and galleries for visitors to explore. From the ancient Egyptian worlds of Gods and monsters at the Allard Pierson to cutting edge modern art at the Stedelijk, there’s something for everyone.

The Rijksmuseum hosts a world-famous collection of art and artefacts from around the world, including the impressive Night Watch by Rembrandt, and the Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to perhaps the Netherlands' most famous son. On the other side of town, the World Museum is doing sterling work showing how people live in different places while also tackling the colonial origins of many of their exhibits.

For those interested in the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House (make sure you book ahead!) and the Resistance Museum give incredible glimpses into that period.

Kids are always big fans of the interactive and informative NEMO science museum, and getting to clamber about on a replica 18th-century East India Company ship at the Scheepvaartmuseum.

Take a canal cruise

No trip to Amsterdam is really complete without getting on the water. Even if you’ve lived here for years, the city looks and feels totally different from the canals, and the canal tours are always informative and fun.

If a group tour doesn’t appeal to you, there are also places you can hire your own boats to explore with, or even rent pedalos if you’ve got the leg muscles for it. Just make sure you pay attention to the one-way signs!

Hire a bike

It might seem a bit intimidating at first, what with all the locals whizzing along the bike paths with confidence and panache, but it’s well worth trying to experience Amsterdam the way the Dutch do. 

If you’re a nervous cycler, don’t start on the busy city centre streets, but maybe take a turn through the beautiful Vondelpark, or alongside the river Amstel. The adventurous can perhaps even cycle down as far as the 17th-century Riekermolen windmill by Amstelpark, as immortalised in a sketch by Rembrandt.

Annual events

Amsterdam is an extremely lively city, with all kinds of events to entertain its multi-cultural residents. You can take a look at all the upcoming events in Amsterdam on our events page, but here are a few of the yearly highlights:

Holland Festival

The Holland Festival is a celebration of music, theatre, dance and film and takes place for three weeks every year in June. All the stalwarts of the Amsterdam cultural scene take part, from the Opera House to the Rijksmuseum, as well as at outdoor locations. Many events are free, and it’s a great way to discover new artists and interests.

Amsterdam Pride

The Netherlands is renowned for its tolerance and openness, and it was the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage. As a result, Amsterdam Pride is a huge event, with over half a million people out on the streets to celebrate. There are nine official days of festivities in July and August, with a march, a day of street parties, a LGBTQI+ film festival and many more exciting and inclusive events. A truly unique aspect of Amsterdam’s Pride parade is the flotilla of boats that traverse the canals.

IJ-Hallen Flea Market

For fans of a bargain, the IJ-Hallen Flea Market is a must-do. Taking place at least once a month through the year, this is no regular second-hand sale - this is Europe’s biggest flea market. In the summer, the stalls are set up outside, and there is little better way to while away a sunny Sunday morning than browsing for curios and knick-knacks among the hundreds of stalls.

ADE

While Amsterdam is home to some legendary rock music venues, its true love is techno and electronic dance music. ADE, standing for Amsterdam Dance Event, is Europe’s biggest electronic music festival. It takes place at the end of October every year, and the whole city is transformed into a techno party. The festival takes place in hundreds of venues across the city, with some DJs in vast arenas, and some in tiny hideaway spots, so it’s a great way to explore the city as well as get your groove on.

Light Festival

The winters in the Netherlands are very dark, but the Amsterdam Light Festival is here to change that. Every November to January, the canalside streets come to life with incredible artworks made from light. The theme changes every year, as do the participating artists, and you can choose to either wrap up warm and walk the route, take a comfy boat tour with a guide, or simply let serendipity show you them as you make your way across town doing your Christmas shopping.

Make it your city

Amsterdam has so much happening, and so many things to see and do, that you shouldn’t hope to see and do it all. It’s a welcoming city for everyone to enjoy, and by choosing your favourite places and activities, you can create a city made perfectly for you.