A Solo Traveler's Guide To Amsterdam

Discovering a new place alone opens up many possibilities, and traveling solo means that adventurous individuals can completely set their own agendas. However, getting the most out of a city isn’t always easy, and sometimes even the most experienced traveler needs a little help. Fortunately, we’ve done the research and put together a short guide for solo travelers heading to Amsterdam, covering the best spots to hang out alone, or meet other like-minded people.

Where to stay

There are a number of hotels and hostels in Amsterdam that are purposely designed to foster casual get-togethers. Volkshotel, for example, is an extremely trendy establishment that takes hospitality to a whole new level, and encourages its guests to mingle with each other inside the hotel’s numerous, socially driven facilities. For more party-focused accommodation, it’s best to look for places in central Amsterdam, such as the Flying Pig Downtown, the Bulldog Hotel and St Christopher’s at Winston Hotel, all of which are cannabis-friendly and specifically cater to night owls.

The Volkshotel is a great place to meet quieter travelers

What to see and do

After dark, it is worth checking out Amsterdam’s nightclubs and concert venues. Disco Dolly is open well into the early morning every day of the week and plays classic hits. At the weekend, De School, Shelter or Radion, regularly organize parties that feature internationally recognized DJs, and each of these clubs holds a 24-hour license. For live performances, OT301, de Nieuwe Anita, and OCCII all host concerts throughout the week, and have deep ties with the local music scene.

Where to meet people

Although there are thousands of bars in Amsterdam, striking up a conversation with strangers can be tricky, as many people aren’t looking to make new friends. Fortunately, there are several watering holes that attract amicable clientele. Coco’s Outback on Rembrandtplein is notorious for its parties and also screens international football matches. Meanwhile, the Hill Street Blues in the Red Light District has a quieter atmosphere and allows guests to spark up joints in its smoking area.

Coco’s Outback is just behind the Rembrandt statue on Rembrandtplein

Before officially launching new exhibitions, most galleries and museums in Amsterdam organize night time events that are open to the public. The Van Gogh Museum also regularly hosts a party called Vincent on Friday, which features live DJs, artwork and cocktails.

The Van Gogh Museum hosts a monthly party called Vincent on Friday

Coffeeshops are obviously a great place to meet fellow smokers, and places like Barney’s, the Bulldog Palace and Dampkring are known for their friendly ambience. Many venues around Amsterdam also host LGBT parties throughout the week, which are welcoming towards locals, foreigners and tourists.

Once a week Vrankrijk throws a LGBT party

Practical tips

To get around the city, it is always advisable to rent out a bike from a reputable cycling store. Having a bicycle in tow means getting from one place to another literally takes minutes, and allows solo travelers to experience Amsterdam from a new perspective. Alternatively, buying an extended ticket from a tram or train station makes it much easier to hop on public transport.

Obviously, pick up a bike as soon as possible

Despite Amsterdam’s reputation among drug tourists, cannabis is highly regulated in the Netherlands, and other substances are simply illegal. Although it might be tempting to purchase weed on the street, it is never worth the risk, as quality cannabis can easily be purchased from coffeeshops, while buying other drugs is exceptionally dangerous and dealers can often lie about their content.

Always buy weed from a certified coffeeshop

Need somewhere to stay in Amsterdam? Check out our guide to the best hotels for every traveller, then book your stay with Culture Trip.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.