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Amsterdam City Guide
Marvel at the Dutch Masters and take a step back in time in an elegant merchant's house. Join the late-night revellers in the Red Light District or cosy-up canalside in a brown café'. Get the low-down on Queen's Day and see the Royal Orchestra at the Concertgebouw. Elegant, history-steeped port; liberal, laid-back party town. Connect with your Amsterdam using this stylish and streetwise guide.
Comprehensive Listings—more than 250 reviews of the best restaurants, cafés, coffeeshops and clubs in town.
Expanded Architecture Chapter—get gable-gazing with our chapter dedicated to this remarkable city's characterful buildings.
Be Informed—in-depth analysis of current events gets you under the skin of the city.
Explore The City Your Way—tailor-made cycling and walking tours and recommended canal cruises.
Who We Are
At Lonely Planet, we see our job as inspiring and enabling travelers to connect with the world for their own benefit and for the benefit of the world at large.
What We Do
We offer travelers the world's richest travel advice, informed by the collective wisdom of over 350 Lonely Planet authors living in 37 countries and fluent in 70 languages.
We are relentless in finding the special, the unique and the different for travellers wherever they are.
When we update our guidebooks, we check every listing, in person, every time.
We always offer the trusted filter for those who are curious, open minded and independent.
We challenge our growing community of travelers; leading debate and discussion about travel and the world.
We tell it like it is without fear or favor in service ofthe travelers; not clouded by any other motive.
What We Believe
We believe that travel leads to a deeper cultural understanding and compassion and therefore a better world.
298 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
536 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,652 books882 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 6, 2022
Lonely Planet's Amsterdam covers the bases when it comes to planning a trip. Personally, I am just a couple of months out from heading there myself, so while I cannot yet attest to how often and how useful it will come to be once I am there, I can say it has been pretty useful to get a handle on what I might be looking forward to. I used this book as a casual read whenever I found the time. The majority of the book goes through the top spots in each of Amsterdam's neighborhoods. This includes places to eat, sights to see, entertainment options, shopping experiences, and sometimes other activities. For any length of trip, there are endless references you can pick from in the book, and you will never run out of places to go eat. One of my favorite parts about the Neighborhood section is the "Neighborhood walk" that lays out a nice walk or bike around the neighborhood to visit the top spots. Throughout this section as well there are various pictures for you to get the vibe, but not enough to spoil anything.
Another section goes through the history of the Netherlands, and while I didn't particularly like this section the most myself, I can see how history buffs would be able to plow right through it and love it.
Additionally, I would want to point out that the authors make sure to include all logistical information as well. This would include trams routes, bike rentals, power outlet types, service fees, tipping amount, wifi, ticket costs, hotels, and even Language basics at the back of the book.
Overall I have enjoyed my read of this travel guide, and the only reason it doesn't get a 5 star is I haven't yet used it in Amsterdam yet. I may come back and update this if I find it exceptional.
Another section goes through the history of the Netherlands, and while I didn't particularly like this section the most myself, I can see how history buffs would be able to plow right through it and love it.
Additionally, I would want to point out that the authors make sure to include all logistical information as well. This would include trams routes, bike rentals, power outlet types, service fees, tipping amount, wifi, ticket costs, hotels, and even Language basics at the back of the book.
Overall I have enjoyed my read of this travel guide, and the only reason it doesn't get a 5 star is I haven't yet used it in Amsterdam yet. I may come back and update this if I find it exceptional.
June 10, 2022
L’ho letta tutta diligentemente e poi durante il viaggio non ho seguito uno solo dei consigli
November 18, 2020
Who the fuck skaffar en resguide för att få ett sådant här råd: "... a light trench coat or jacket and a small travel umbrella will mean you're prepared for the weather but can still blend in with the crowd."
Styrkan hos Lonely Planet är annars living like a local-intentionen och understanding-sektionen, där man brukar få överblick över befolkningens värderingar och livsstil eller avgörande förändringar i infrastruktur och arkitektur och gärna med popkulturella referenser. När det är som bäst skrivet påminner en LP om podcasten Staden. Guiderna till Seattle, New England och Puglia & Basilicata är några favoriter.
Tillförde Amsterdamguiden något? Ja, passagen om Van Gogh är fin (suffering as an art form, morbid style, self-destruction...). Vid mitt återbesök förra helgen ville jag gärna utforska det nya Amsterdam. Glad över att denna LP gav mig idén att hoppa på en båt bakom Centraal Station ut till NDSM Werf, "post-apocalyptic vibe", "ubercool", "edgy arts community", "abandoned trams", "an old submarine"... etc.
Litteratursektionen är minst sagt measly. Kan vi i #boblmaf skicka in en komplettering?!
Styrkan hos Lonely Planet är annars living like a local-intentionen och understanding-sektionen, där man brukar få överblick över befolkningens värderingar och livsstil eller avgörande förändringar i infrastruktur och arkitektur och gärna med popkulturella referenser. När det är som bäst skrivet påminner en LP om podcasten Staden. Guiderna till Seattle, New England och Puglia & Basilicata är några favoriter.
Tillförde Amsterdamguiden något? Ja, passagen om Van Gogh är fin (suffering as an art form, morbid style, self-destruction...). Vid mitt återbesök förra helgen ville jag gärna utforska det nya Amsterdam. Glad över att denna LP gav mig idén att hoppa på en båt bakom Centraal Station ut till NDSM Werf, "post-apocalyptic vibe", "ubercool", "edgy arts community", "abandoned trams", "an old submarine"... etc.
Litteratursektionen är minst sagt measly. Kan vi i #boblmaf skicka in en komplettering?!
March 27, 2012
I have spent quite a while in study for my forthcoming sojourn to the Netherlands, both using books and the internet. Hot off the press is 2012's 'Amsterdam' from 'lonely planet'. Written by Karla Zimmerman and Sarah Chandler, this guide is very comprehensive and well worth the time spent in perusal. The neighbourhoods of the city are split up into sections with adequate maps, main site recommendations and some very useful local knowledge tips. For the prospective tourist interested in art museums, historical and cultural information or the way to the cannabis college and the erotic museum this guide contains over three hundred factual pages of up to date advice. Not just a city guide, also included are a number of additional day trips from Amsterdam within a radius of thirty five miles to such locations as Haarlem, Leiden and Delft.
I will hit my local library in the next few days to renew this book and use it in Holland. Who better to saunter around Amsterdam with than someone called Zimmerman.
I will hit my local library in the next few days to renew this book and use it in Holland. Who better to saunter around Amsterdam with than someone called Zimmerman.
July 11, 2017
I still prefer a guide book to a trawl of the web, provided useful on the go information although I think these days fewer hotel where to eat recommendations and more itineraries etc would be a better use of the format
August 4, 2019
Decent book, especially when you have limited time in the Netherlands and still wants to have a glimpse of what it’s like.
June 8, 2020
Not as useful as I hoped it would be, but still worth having on my trip.
At some point I am really going to need to stop and figure out what it is that makes some places more accessible by guide than others. I once thought that it might be a matter of how walkable a city is, like Amsterdam having nearly all of its places of greatest interest in the center of the city making a guide less helpful because you would just find things as you moved from one thing to the next. This isn't the case, as I discovered in Delft. Having a lovely walkable city to tour was improved with the help of the city guide, as was Haarlem. Amsterdam not so much. It may be how much I share the tastes of the writer of the guide.
Anyway, this volume wasn't useless as a guide to Amsterdam, but it wasn't essential either.
At some point I am really going to need to stop and figure out what it is that makes some places more accessible by guide than others. I once thought that it might be a matter of how walkable a city is, like Amsterdam having nearly all of its places of greatest interest in the center of the city making a guide less helpful because you would just find things as you moved from one thing to the next. This isn't the case, as I discovered in Delft. Having a lovely walkable city to tour was improved with the help of the city guide, as was Haarlem. Amsterdam not so much. It may be how much I share the tastes of the writer of the guide.
Anyway, this volume wasn't useless as a guide to Amsterdam, but it wasn't essential either.
June 13, 2018
Guide all about it!
I’m able to take the guide with me (on my kindle) as I spend a wonderful few days in Amsterdam. Language translation is easy and extremely helpful. Now I’m ready to take on Norway and it’s beautiful coastline. Thank you Lonely Planet for keeping my trip informative, practical and in my hands to get the most out of my visits to The Netherlands and Norway. Dank u.
I’m able to take the guide with me (on my kindle) as I spend a wonderful few days in Amsterdam. Language translation is easy and extremely helpful. Now I’m ready to take on Norway and it’s beautiful coastline. Thank you Lonely Planet for keeping my trip informative, practical and in my hands to get the most out of my visits to The Netherlands and Norway. Dank u.
March 6, 2019
Davvero un'ottima guida turistica, tra pochi giorni partirò per Amsterdam e devo dire che dopo aver letto questa guida mi sento preparatissima, i consigli presenti all'interno sono semplici e pratici e spesso vengono consigliate attrazioni meno turistiche e più tipiche per provare a pieno l'esperienza Olandese.
La consiglio davvero a tutti coloro che devono partire e sicuramente ne acquisterò altre di questa marca per i miei prossimi viaggi!
La consiglio davvero a tutti coloro che devono partire e sicuramente ne acquisterò altre di questa marca per i miei prossimi viaggi!
July 27, 2023
Definitely informational! I don’t think you’re supposed to read travel guides cover to cover but I am a crazy person. Beware the edition that you get! Some of the places listed were closed when I looked online since I had the 2013 edition. That’s not the book’s fault though, just my library’s.
March 3, 2017
I loved the layout and how many pictures of Amsterdam they featured! It got me really excited to travel! Also the language part at the back was helpful.
February 20, 2020
Book was organized and offered good itineraries. Trip is in April so will have to update then.
February 3, 2023
Can't go there yet, but really enjoyed learning about Amsterdam from this Lonely Planet guide.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
July 16, 2015
Another winner from Lonely Planet. The map is a great overview of the city's tram line, and the neighborhood guys really helped us make an itinerary. I wish the hotel guide had been a little more thorough, but hotel info changes too fast for a book to keep up.
Read
January 28, 2011Oh the places we will go
June 16, 2011
We took this book with us when we were in Amsterdam-it was very useful and much easier than carrying than other travel books that we had with us.
July 12, 2011
Very useful when I lived in A'dam in the spring of 2006(two months plus).
September 25, 2011
Without this book, I would have felt pretty helpless in Amsterdam. Good descriptions of attractions, handy maps, and interesting tidbits. Very useful!
February 19, 2013
Ottima guida, consigliatissima!
January 5, 2016
Ich habe ein Buch bei BookCrossing.com registriert!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13795097
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13795097
November 27, 2016
Decent guidebook. Amsterdam seem like a place worth re-visit.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews