Things You Should Never Do in the Netherlands, Mistakes From Local

Wandering into a Dutch bike lane is a fast track to two things: a near-death experience and an unexpected lesson in Dutch curse words.

After living in the Netherlands for the past decade, I’ve seen tourists repeatedly make this mistake — and many others.

Whether you’re spending a weekend in Amsterdam or venturing farther north to Groningen, knowing what not to do can make all the difference. Here are the six biggest mistakes I see tourists make when they visit the Netherlands.

Only visiting Amsterdam

If your entire Dutch travel itinerary is based in Amsterdam, I think you’re making a mistake.

Sure, the iconic city is featured in travel guides for a reason — romantic canals, the Van Gogh Museum, and an army of bikers with zero fear, come to mind — but there’s so much more to the Netherlands.

Instead, I recommend visiting cities like Utrecht, Haarlem, and Groningen. Like Amsterdam, they have adorable Dutch houses and lots of charm, but are generally quieter and see fewer groups of tourists.

Traveling to popular tourist destinations without planning ahead

If your plan is to wing it in the Netherlands, you’ll likely be disappointed.

I recommend booking tickets for popular tourist excursions like Keukenhof (one of the world’s most famous gardens, best known for its tulips) or the Anne Frank House ahead of your trip.

Otherwise, you risk spending the majority of your trip in line with the other hopefuls.

Expecting small talk

In my experience, many people in the Netherlands don’t engage in small talk — although the weather is exempt from this, as complaining about the rain, or the lack thereof, is basically a national sport.

However, this tends to surprise many first-time visitors. I’ve noticed people here don’t typically ask how your day’s going while bagging your groceries, unless it looks like your day has been a dumpster fire. Even then, I wouldn’t expect a lot of sympathy.

The Dutch are known for their efficiency and getting to the point, and once you get used to it, the directness is kind of refreshing.

Walking in the bike lane

Those red paths at the side of the road aren’t decorative — they’re high-speed lanes for cyclists with zero patience. Most importantly, they’re not safe for pedestrians.

Pro tip: If you hear a bell, move, and make it quick.

Anticipating American-style customer service

If you’re used to American-style customer service where the waiter checks on you every five minutes, the Dutch approach might feel much more hands-off.

In my experience, servers won’t typically try to upsell you the truffle fries or ask if you’re “still working on that.” Instead, it’s common for patrons to just flag waiters if they need something.

I also wouldn’t stress about tipping. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is appreciated, but not expected.

Booking accommodations in the city center

Booking a place to stay in the middle of the city might seem like a good idea. However, there will likely be lots of noise.

Cities like Amsterdam have quieter neighborhoods, like De Pijp or Jordaan, with all the charm but fewer crowds (and significantly less yelling at 3 a.m.). In my experience, you’ll also find more locals, better coffee, and aesthetic shops.

Staying just a little outside the chaos means you can still get the vibe you’re looking for, but with a good night’s sleep. Your future jet-lagged self will thank you.

This story was originally published on May 23, 2025, and most recently updated on October 29, 2025.