Areas to Avoid in Amsterdam (2026): Honest Local Guide

Amsterdam is consistently ranked among the safest capital cities in Europe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare, and the biggest risks for visitors are pickpocketing, bicycle-related incidents (watch out when crossing bike lanes), and the occasional scam in tourist-heavy areas.

That said, like any city with over 20 million annual visitors, Amsterdam has pockets that feel less comfortable, particularly late at night. This guide covers the specific areas where you should be more cautious, and where to stay instead for a better experience.

The Dutch police maintain a transparent crime statistics system, and Amsterdam's overall crime rate has been falling steadily since 2015. The areas listed below are not "dangerous" in any absolute sense, but they do require more awareness than the quieter residential neighbourhoods.

De Wallen, Amsterdam's famous Red Light District, is not dangerous. It is heavily policed, well-lit, and thousands of tourists walk through it every night without incident. However, it is the single worst area in Amsterdam for pickpocketing, overpriced bars, and aggressive touts trying to pull you into clubs.

The narrow streets around Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Oudezijds Voorburgwal are packed shoulder-to-shoulder on weekend evenings. This is prime territory for skilled pickpockets who work in teams. Keep your phone in a front pocket, do not leave bags unattended on bar counters, and be wary of anyone creating a distraction.

The bars and "coffee shops" immediately within De Wallen charge tourist-inflated prices. Walk 5 minutes in any direction and you will find better quality at lower prices. The same applies to food: restaurants on the main tourist streets here are consistently poor value.

British stag and hen groups are a significant part of the weekend atmosphere, which can make the area feel rowdy and uncomfortable. If you are visiting with family or prefer a quieter experience, walk through during the daytime instead.

Our advice: Visit De Wallen for the curiosity factor, but do not stay here. Hotels in the Red Light District are overpriced for what you get, and the noise levels on Friday and Saturday nights are extreme.

The area immediately around Amsterdam Centraal Station is the city's busiest transport hub and the first place most visitors encounter. It is functional but not pleasant: busy, confusing, and the highest concentration of pickpocketing in the city.

The square in front of the station (Stationsplein) and the connecting streets towards Dam Square see the most theft reports. Tourists arriving with luggage are easy targets, particularly when juggling phones, maps, and tram tickets. Keep belongings secure and do not stop in the middle of pedestrian flows to check your phone.

The streets between Centraal and Dam Square (Damrak) are lined with tourist shops and fast food outlets. They are safe but charmless. Budget hotels along Damrak and the parallel streets tend to be noisy and poor value.

Our advice: Pass through Centraal quickly. If you are taking a tram or bus, head straight to the stop. Do not linger in the station area with visible luggage or open bags.

Bijlmermeer, in Amsterdam's southeast (Zuidoost), has a complicated reputation. Built in the 1960s as a modernist housing project, it became one of the Netherlands' most troubled neighbourhoods in the 1980s and 1990s, with high crime rates, drug problems, and social deprivation.

Since 2010, the area has undergone extensive regeneration. Many of the original tower blocks have been demolished and replaced with lower-rise housing. The Bijlmer ArenA area (home to the Johan Cruyff Arena, Ziggo Dome, and a large shopping centre) is modern and perfectly safe. The outdoor market at Bijlmerplein is one of the most vibrant in Amsterdam, with African, Surinamese, and Indonesian food stalls.

However, some residential pockets remain rough, particularly at night. Streets around Kraaiennest, Holendrecht, and parts of Ganzenhoef still have higher crime rates than the Amsterdam average. Drug dealing is visible in some areas after dark.

Our advice: Visiting the ArenA area for events or the market is fine. Do not book accommodation in residential Bijlmer unless you know the specific street. It is far from the centre (25 minutes by metro) and the atmosphere at night is not tourist-friendly.

Amsterdam's western suburbs (Nieuw-West) include Slotervaart, Osdorp, and Geuzenveld. These are working-class residential areas with higher-than-average crime statistics, particularly for car crime and burglary. They are not areas that tourists would normally visit or stay in.

Slotermeer and parts of Slotervaart have seen knife crime incidents in recent years, primarily related to local disputes rather than random violence against strangers. The Slotervaart police district consistently records higher crime rates than central Amsterdam.

Culturally, these areas are some of Amsterdam's most diverse, with significant Moroccan, Turkish, and Surinamese communities. The food scene here is excellent and authentic, but the areas lack tourist infrastructure and can feel unwelcoming after dark if you do not know them.

Our advice: No reason to stay here. If you want to explore multicultural Amsterdam, the Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp offers the same diversity in a safer, more central setting.

Amsterdam's best neighbourhoods for visitors are a short tram ride from the centre and offer far more atmosphere than the tourist-heavy areas around Dam Square. Here are our top picks:

• Jordaan: Amsterdam's most charming neighbourhood. Narrow canals, independent shops, brown cafes, and a village-like atmosphere. Hotels here fill up fast, so book early. Prices are moderate to high.
• De Pijp: Bohemian, multicultural, and home to the Albert Cuyp Market. Excellent bars, restaurants, and a younger crowd. Well connected by tram and metro. Good mid-range hotel options.
• Oud-West (Vondelpark area): Residential, leafy, and adjacent to Vondelpark and the Museumplein (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk). Great for families and culture lovers.
• Oud-Zuid (Museum Quarter): Upscale, quiet, and home to Amsterdam's best museums. Higher hotel prices but a sophisticated atmosphere and easy tram connections.
• De Baarsjes: Up-and-coming, affordable, and full of independent bars and restaurants. Excellent value accommodation for travellers who do not mind being 15 minutes from the centre by tram.

For a full neighbourhood breakdown, explore our Amsterdam neighbourhood guide or check our Amsterdam areas-to-avoid page for street-level detail.

Amsterdam is a safe city, but a few precautions will make your trip smoother:

• Watch the bike lanes. This is the number one hazard for tourists in Amsterdam. Bike lanes are marked in red or with white lines. Do not walk in them, do not stop in them, and always look both ways before crossing. Cyclists will not swerve for you.
• Keep phones in front pockets. Phone snatching (from hands or back pockets) is the most common theft type, especially in tourist areas and on public transport.
• Use the GVB tram and metro system. It is safe, clean, and efficient. Buy an OV-chipkaart for the best rates. Night buses run on weekends.
• Be careful near canals at night. Amsterdam's canals have no barriers in many places. Several drowning incidents occur each year, often alcohol-related. Watch your step after dark, especially after visiting bars.
• Avoid street dealers. If someone offers you drugs on the street, ignore them and keep walking. Street-sold substances are unregulated and potentially dangerous.