Local rhythm
Museums 09:00–17:00, markets close mid-afternoon, restaurants fill up by 19:00 and stop seating around 21:30.
Getting around
Trams and metro take contactless cards. Schiphol to Centraal is 15–20 minutes by train, every few minutes.
Practical tips
01Buy museum slots before you fly
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Anne Frank House sell out days ahead. Fix the times first, then fill the gaps around them.
02Watch the bike lanes
Red asphalt is for bikes, not pedestrians. Stepping off a tram means checking the lane before the pavement.
03Rain is a scheduling problem
Showers are short and frequent. Pair every canal walk with a nearby indoor stop so a wet hour doesn't cost the day.
Useful words
- Dank je
- Thank you
- Alsjeblieft
- Please / here you go