Amsterdam has roughly 20 million tourists visiting the city every year. As with many other tourist destinations, there are several disappointing experiences and scams that visitors should be aware of. A short blog about the 5 most common Tourist Traps and Scams in Amsterdam.
Tulip Bulbs on the Amsterdam Flower Market
The flower market and many of the tourist shops have tulip bulbs for sale all year round. Many people buy these bulbs to take home with them to have a little bit of the Netherlands in their own garden. Months later, they are disappointed when the tulips fail to grow, and assume that they must have planted them wrong. This is not the case. The majority of the bulbs you buy from places like this are old or dead bulbs! The Amsterdam council recently (2022) tested the bulbs from all the shops at the Amsterdam Flower market and found over 90% were very old and would not grow if planted!
Just like tulip flowers, the bulbs have a season too. Tulip bulbs are not ready for sale until September at the earliest. Reputable companies will allow you to pre-order your bulbs, and then ship them to you when they are ready. If buying bulbs to take home with you, you should also check the regulations for your country. Many countries require the bulbs to be cleaned, in a sealed bag and certified.
The ‘Golden’ Tourist Cheese Shops
There are many amazing cheese shops in Amsterdam, but also quite a lot of not so good ones too. Tourists are drawn to these shops with their large displays of big cheese wheels (wooden or plastic) and their ‘ready to take home’ wrapped in plastic cheeses. We call them the ‘golden’ cheese shops and locals will never buy their cheese over there.
The cheeses in these shops are very expensive, sometimes more than double the price that they should be. So it is ‘golden’ business for the owners of these shops. Next to that they are also not as fresh as the cheese you get in traditional cheesemongers. If the cheese is already sealed in a package, it is very hard to know how old it is. Plus the plastic impacts on the taste and can make the cheese sweat.
Another common problem is that some cheeses (such as the black Old Amsterdam) are artificially aged using chemicals, and are not old cheeses at all. These cheeses are mass-produced in factories and artificial ingredients are added to try to recreate the same tastes you get from farm produced cheese.A cheese labelled as being 2 years old, can in fact be as young as 8 months old, it has just been chemically altered.
There are some fantastic cheesemongers in Amsterdam who will let you sample their cheeses and happily vacuum pack them for you so that they are safe to travel with. So always buy cheese that is freshly cut from a cheese wheel. Most cheeses sealed this way are good for 2 to 6 months if left unopened.
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus to see Amsterdam?
Many cities have hop-on, hop-off buses, which tourists like to use to explore a city when they visit. Amsterdam is no different and has several routes available. However, due to the restrictions on vehicles entering the city centre, these buses do not go where most tourists wish to be. They take tourists on a circle around the edge of the centre, totally missing many of the popular sites and attractions.
A better option is to buy an all day tram ticket and take several lines in Amsterdam. Or try to see if you can find one of the historical trams going every weekend from the Dam Square.
Over-hyped Instagram and TikTok locations
When walking around the centre of Amsterdam, you may come across lines of people queuing for up to an hour at a time. These lines of tourists often have their own security, to keep things in order.
The queues are for certain shops that have appeared on social media, and are now seen as ‘hot spots’ and ‘must do’ locations.
The problem is, the product they are selling is no different to what you can buy elsewhere, and usually much cheaper. It has just been hyped on places such as Instagram and TikTok.
For example, one ‘Insta-Famous’ shop is selling a single stroopwafel for €13, when you can buy the same thing at a local market for €3, and not have to queue for an hour to get it 🙂 Best is to go to for example the Albert Cuyp market to get the best warm stroopwafels.
Ticket Scams with Anne Frank House and museum tickets
Amsterdam is the perfect location for a last minute, spontaneous city break. However, some of the most popular attractions sell out weeks in advance, which means people are unable to buy last minute tickets.
For example, to get into Anne Frank House, you need to book your ticket 6 weeks in advance. Many tourists do not realise this, and are then susceptible to ticket scammers selling fake tickets or tickets for triple the price.
Do not buy tickets for Anne Frank House via 3rd party resellers. Anne Frank House’s online ticket office is the only place you can buy legitimate tickets, and there are no waiting lists or ‘on the day’ tickets released.
It is also good to remember that the Anne Frank Foundation is a charity and the ticket sales go towards the work the foundation does around the world.
If you are struggling to get tickets for the house, you can find tips here and even an alternative if you did not find tickets in time, https://amsterdamexperiences.nl/the-secret-to-get-anne-frank-house-tickets
As your local Amsterdam travel adviser, and owner of a local tour agency we like to ensure guests leave our city having had the best experience and wanting to recommend The Netherlands to their family and friends.
Last updated: April 2026. All scam warnings and tips verified by our Amsterdam guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Amsterdam Tourist Traps and Scams
What are the most common tourist traps in Amsterdam?
The most common traps include buying tulip bulbs at the Flower Market (over 90% are dead and will not grow), overpriced restaurants directly on Dam Square and the main canal bridges, mass-produced souvenir shops near the main attractions, and touts who offer unofficial Anne Frank House tickets that simply do not exist through legitimate channels. For where to eat well instead, try one of the best local restaurants in Amsterdam.
Are tulip bulbs from the Amsterdam Flower Market worth buying?
No. Amsterdam city council testing found over 90% of bulbs sold at the Flower Market and tourist shops are old or dead and will not grow. If you want quality tulip bulbs, buy from a reputable garden centre or specialist bulb supplier outside the main tourist areas.
Is Amsterdam safe for tourists in 2026?
Amsterdam is generally a very safe city. The main risks for tourists are petty theft in crowded areas such as Central Station and the Red Light District, and overpriced services in heavily touristed spots. Staying alert and booking through reputable, local companies greatly reduces these risks.
How can I avoid being overcharged at Amsterdam restaurants?
Avoid restaurants directly on Damrak, Dam Square, or the busiest canal bridges. Walk one or two streets away for far better value and quality. Ask your hotel or a local guide for honest recommendations.
How do I experience Amsterdam without falling into tourist traps?
The best way is to explore with a knowledgeable local guide. Amsterdam Experiences offers private tours led by expert Amsterdam guides who show you the authentic city, help you avoid overpriced and disappointing experiences, and tailor the day entirely to your interests.
One of the best ways to enjoy Amsterdam without falling into the tourist trap cycle is with a knowledgeable local guide. Our Amsterdam City Highlights private tour takes you to the right places, at the right prices, with someone who knows the city and its pitfalls inside out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tourist Traps and Scams in Amsterdam
Are the tulip bulbs at the Amsterdam Flower Market worth buying?
Usually not. The Amsterdam city council tested bulbs from all Flower Market shops in 2022 and found over 90% were too old to grow. If you want tulip bulbs that will actually flower, buy from a specialist garden centre or a reputable bulb farm outside the city rather than a tourist market stall.
How do I avoid scams when buying Anne Frank House tickets?
Always buy Anne Frank House tickets directly from the official website (annefrank.org). Tickets frequently sell out weeks in advance, so book early online. Never buy from touts outside the museum — these tickets are likely counterfeit or heavily overpriced.
What are the most common tourist scams in Amsterdam?
The most common scams include dead tulip bulbs sold at the Flower Market, unofficial ticket sellers near major attractions, fake plain-clothes police officers asking to inspect your wallet, and currency exchange booths near tourist areas offering very poor rates with hidden fees. Staying alert and booking through official channels protects you from most of these.
Which restaurants should tourists avoid in Amsterdam?
Avoid restaurants immediately surrounding Dam Square and Leidseplein that have laminated photo menus, aggressive staff outside trying to pull you in, and no local customers. These typically serve poor-quality food at inflated prices. Walk a few streets away from the main tourist zones and you’ll find far better value.
Is the currency exchange at Amsterdam Schiphol airport a good deal?
No — airport currency exchange booths offer poor rates with hidden commissions. Use an ATM instead and withdraw euros directly. If you need to exchange cash in the city, use a GWK Travelex office rather than tourist-area booths which typically charge excessive fees.
Are there fake police officers operating in Amsterdam?
There have been reports of people posing as plain-clothes police officers asking to inspect wallets or bags. Real Dutch police will always show an official badge and will never ask to handle your money or valuables. If you have any doubt, walk to the nearest police station rather than complying on the street.
Are tourist scams worse in summer in Amsterdam?
Scams do increase in peak season, but the single best defence year-round is simple: pay by card wherever possible. Amsterdam’s GVB trams and buses, almost every shop, café, and restaurant all accept contactless payment — so you rarely need cash at all. This keeps you away from ATMs, which are a favourite target for card skimmers and distraction thieves, and removes the risk of being short-changed with unfamiliar euro notes. If you do need cash, use an ATM inside a bank branch rather than a freestanding machine on the street. In summer specifically, watch for ticket touts near the Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum — always buy attraction tickets online in advance.
