Are you planning a trip to Amsterdam? Or are you just looking to feed your curiosity? Check out these 10 interesting and fun facts about Amsterdam that will absolutely surprise you.
Maybe you’ve done a bit of research beforehand, you’ve booked your hotel, and you’ve booked your flights. If you’re a really good planner, you’ve even mapped out your itinerary of the must-see sights. But how well do you think you know Amsterdam? Test your knowledge of the city with these 10 fun facts about Amsterdam:
10 Fun Facts About Amsterdam
1. Everyone is extremely tall
The average Dutch man is 1.83 m (6.1′) tall, and their lengthy female counterparts reach a respectable 1.71 m (5.6′). The Dutch are people you can look up to, literally. The fun thing is, that the Dutch haven’t always been that tall: in only a century, they went from being amongst the shortest nations to being the tallest people on the planet. If I can figure out their secret, I’ll let you know.
2. People don’t like curtains
When walking around Amsterdam, you’ll soon start to notice that nobody likes curtains. Nobody. Curious about the neighbour’s new sofa bed? Want to know what most Dutch folks are watching on the TV? Want to know what they eat for dinner? You can find the answers to all your questions with a stroll along the canals.
3. There are more bikes than people in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s population is about 850.000, and with an estimated 881.000 bikes in Amsterdam, it’s correct to say that there are more bikes in the city than residents. About 70% of citizens are believed to use their bikes daily, meaning that if you don’t own a bike, you are practically a weirdo. The Netherlands is famous for its dedication to cycling, and there are infinite bike lanes all over the country.
4. Amsterdam has more canals than Venice
Venice is the most well-known canal city in the world, but not because of quantity. Often called the “Venice of the North,” Amsterdam boasts over 165 canals, about 15 more than Venice.
5. Buildings are wonky
In Amsterdam, there are 7 famous leaning houses called the Dancing Houses – but once you see one, you’ll start to see quite a few more. Buildings are that wonky because the foundations are frequently built on trees, which are now sinking. What is even funnier is the fact that, instead of rebuilding the houses, they usually just straighten the facades, so you might see leaning buildings with perfectly straight doors and window frames.
6. There are more than 200 coffee shops
It is a well-known fact about Amsterdam: licensed coffee shops are allowed to sell soft drugs, and people are allowed to grow cannabis at home for personal use. But you know what’s funny about it? Since this law was put in place, the number of people in Amsterdam addicted to drugs has gone from 10,000 to 200, and the number of locals who smoke weed regularly went down to 5%!
7. Say no to smoking…cigarettes!
Smoking tobacco in cafés and restaurants was banned in Amsterdam in 2008, and shops are mixing a kind of herbal tea as a substitute. Essentially, you can light up a joint, but if they catch you with tobacco…look out!
8. Amsterdam lies below sea level
Amsterdam, and even half of the Netherlands, lies below sea level. Apparently, without the various technologies that have been studied and implemented over the last five hundred years, the city would be submerged under about six feet of water.
9. There are over 2500 houseboats in the city
Floating in the canals of Amsterdam are over 2,500 houseboats which have become somewhat of an icon of the city. Many of them have been converted into hotels or b&b, so they’re perfect for those who want to experience what it’s like to live inside a houseboat. For those who love cats, check out the unique “De Poezenboot.”, also known as the “Cat Boat”.
10. Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the worlds
Surprised? For a city with the reputation of “anything goes”, Amsterdam is actually among the safest cities in the world. In a personal safety survey, it ranked 13th in the world. Amsterdam has also a far lower crime rate than most other European urban communities.
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