Where Is Amsterdam Located?

Are you wondering where is Amsterdam located? Do you know where Amsterdam is, why it’s famous, and which spots are a must-visit? This vibrant city draws people from all over the world because of its unique charm and rich culture, to name a few. 

Where exactly is Amsterdam located? Amsterdam is located in the province of North Holland, near the coast of the North Sea. It is bordered by Diemen and Ouder-Amstel to the southeast, Amstelveen to the south, and Waterland to the north. The latitude of Amsterdam is 52.377956 while its longitude is 4.897070. 

I can’t wait to introduce this charming destination to you! Let’s learn more about Amsterdam’s location along with some fun facts that make this city even more interesting than it already is.

Where is Amsterdam Located on the Map

Amsterdam at a Glance

Amsterdam is the capital city of the country of Netherlands. Located in the western region, this city is part of the province of North Holland. What was once a small fishing village in the 12th century is now a thriving and very liberal tourist destination.

You can’t speak about Amsterdam without highlighting its vast network of canals. This city feature is so important that it is awarded the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage site. People are encouraged to go on boat tours to appreciate Amsterdam’s charm even more.

Weather in Amsterdam is temperate. You can comfortably go on a leisure walk outside during summer, with June to August being the most recommended months to visit here. It rains quite often in Amsterdam, so be sure to pack a raincoat or an umbrella with you.

There is an international airport in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is regarded as the third busiest airport in all of Europe. AMS is located nine miles southwest of Amsterdam.

The public transport system in the city is highly functional and easy to navigate. There are trains, trams, buses, and ferries here in Amsterdam. If you purchase OV-chipkaart, you can benefit from this reusable contactless smart card as it makes public transport as seamless as possible.

If you want to blend in with the locals, going by bicycle is a great way to travel between each spot in Amsterdam. The city is well-known worldwide for having a bike-friendly environment, and the biking culture is deeply ingrained in the city’s features and people. 

Euro (€) is the currency used in Amsterdam. As with the timezone, the city follows the Central European Time (CET) during standard time, and Central European Summer Time (CEST) during daylight saving time.

The standard plug and socket type used in Amsterdam, and the rest of the Netherlands for that matter, is Type C and Type F. 

Distance of Amsterdam to UK Destinations

Fun Facts About Amsterdam

1. A portion of Amsterdam’s surface area is situated below sea level. This fact makes it one of the lowest-lying capital cities in the world.
2. Amsterdam is actually built on clay soil! The city is a collection of reclaimed lands, with 11 million wooden poles supporting the buildings so that they don’t sink. The poles are driven deep into the grounds so that they can come up with a stable foundation for the city to build into.
3. The name Amsterdam was taken primarily from the River Amstel, a body of water that flows within the city. Early settlers called the area around the dam on the Amstel their home, hence the name Amsterdam. 
4. The popular nickname for Amsterdam is “Venice of the North.” It is because of the 100 kilometers or 60 miles of canals (with more than 1,500 bridges) that you can find here. That’s why it doesn’t come as extraordinary that houseboats are popular here in Amsterdam. There is even one that is dedicated to housing stray cats!
5. When one thinks of Amsterdam, bikes will surely come to mind. The city is known for being bike-friendly, so much so that bikes are said to surpass the number of actual people living here.
6. Because there are so many bikes in Amsterdam (a million in estimation,) some find themselves in canals. They say that each year, at least 25,000 bicycles are fished out of the waters. 
7. Amsterdam is home to many world-renowned museums. These include the Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museums. The Van Gogh Museum, in particular, has the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s artworks. 
8. Another thing that Amsterdam is famous for is being the location of Anne Frank’s hideout during World War II. Today, you can visit the Anne Frank House to catch a glimpse of her and her family’s life as they hid from the Nazis. 
9. The Red Light District in Amsterdam is De Wallen. This part of the city is well-known worldwide for legalizing prostitution. All over the place, you see advertisements of sex workers freely posted for all to see.
10. When you go to a coffeeshop in Amsterdam, don’t expect to get a hot cup of coffee here! A coffee shop is where they sell cannabis (provided they have a license to do so.) If you are looking for the usual kind of cafe, look for a koffiehuis instead. 

More About Amsterdam

• Is it your first time to visit Amsterdam/? I made a list of all the best things to do in Amsterdam for first-time visitors like you! It includes an Amsterdam canal cruise, a visit to various Dutch museums in Museumplein, and a satisfying Dutch food trip.
• Amsterdam has many interesting neighborhoods. One of them is De Pijp which is a true food lover’s paradise. I wrote a simple guide about each neighborhood that you can use on your visit there. 
• Wondering if you should get the IAmsterdam card for your travel there? I think it is totally worth it! Here is my honest review about IAmsterdam.
• Amsterdam is easily accessible from neighboring areas in the UK. I trust Trainline and Omio when it comes to booking trains and bus rides. If I need to book a flight to where Amsterdam is, I go to Skyscanner. When I am thinking of going on a ferry ride to Amsterdam, Direct Ferries saves me a lot of time by giving me all options in just one click.
• Are you excited about your trip to Amsterdam? Get Your Guide will help you jumpstart your itinerary planning and book activities in advance. This guided bike tour of Amsterdam, for example, takes you to some of the most iconic sites in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Everything Zany

Travel Blog

Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British – Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our missions are to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.