Red Light District
The Red Light District in Amsterdam is commonly known as De Wallen. Right behind the Krasnapolsky hotel at the Dam square the fun starts with unlimited amounts of sex shows, prostitution and coffeeshops. It is one of the most crowded areas of the city, but stilla great place to walk through, but do not try to take any pictures.
Alternatively, you can go to the Spuistraat. This street is only a 5 minute walk from the Central Station. No fuss, just prostitutes.
Zeedijk
The Zeedijk is located in one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam: the nautical district. Around the Nieuwmarkt and Zeedijk you will find all kinds of Asian restaurants. The Asian-Fusion restaurants serve excellent food for a reasonable price.
The Zeedijk is right in the heart of the city and just a short walk from central station and within a few minutes walk of Nieuwmarkt as well as Dam Square.
Dam Square
Regardless of the moment of the day, you can never be lonely in the Dam Square. There is a permanent rumor day and night. Maybe you to start by visiting the Royal Palace, once the official royal residence, now the location of most important official ceremonies, private or cultural events. However, before visiting it, you should check if it opens, as the Royal Palace is sometimes closed for public.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s largest and most famous park, Vondelpark is often compared to New York City’s Central Park, the dimensions are much smaller though.
Vondelpark is at the southern edge of what is considered the city center, but it’s a very close walk from Leidseplein and even closer to Museumplein, which is where the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are located.
HotSpots & Events in/near Amsterdam
On the specialspage you will find separate pages which have no direct connection with coffeeshops, but it may contain useful information.
Mid Juli (check their site for the latest info), the partypeople crawl out of the dark. DanceValley is their destination. A massive festival in Spaarnwoude just outside Amsterdam. Over there deep beats start at 10am en won't stop till 11pm. This year the festival is even multi-day and includes a campsite. At dancevalley 100+ DJ's from all over the world play their set.
More then 10 different stages, and over 50.000 partypeople. Dancevalley has started several years ago, as an small party for less then 10.000 people. As far as I know the first massive daylight party in Europe. The loveparade in Berlin started later I think, but overflows the number of 50.000 by far of course. After an upcoming popularity and party's with mainstages as big as a four floor building, and more then 90.000 partypeople, now days the number of tickets to the festival is strictly limited.
Pre sale tickets are sold out very soon, so if you want to be there, be quick! More info can be found at the official DanceValley website.
Amsterdam its canals are the setting for this party in August
At saturday during the Amsterdam Pride is the traditional Canal Parade.
The parade had this year 80 boats!
Experience the Canalparade live next year in the 1st weekend of August.
Queensday: Every year the 30th of April Amsterdam is orange
When visiting Amsterdam around the 30th of April, be prepared for a massive party. Amsterdam has turned into orange... Why? The reason for this national event is that we (the Dutch) celebrate the birthday of the former Queen of Holland, who passed away a couple of years ago. Her daughter (Beatrix, nowdays our Queen) continued with that tradition. Most shops are closed this day, and the serious Dutch go crazy.
Outdoor DJ-performances, markets, food, drinks and a lot of tolerance. Some places which are popular every year:
Also a visit to Zandvoort is an option:
Zandvoort is located at the coast of the Northsea, 25 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station.
Although smoking cannabis is allowed, please mind the surrounding where you smoke. Shoppingmalls, trainstations and busstops are not the best choice.