Discover Amsterdam’s Street Art

Now that the Banksy exhibition has left Amsterdam, it’s the perfect time to explore the city’s street art, available year-round and for free. At first glance, Amsterdam might seem to have only a few murals, graffiti, stencils, and stickers. But don’t be fooled — the city is full of hidden treasures. You just need to pay attention, know the hotspots, and keep your eyes open. Let us guide you to the best spots.

Even the Amsterdam Teleport Hotel is a kind of street art object itself, featuring colorful murals and creative details for visitors to enjoy.

The NDSM Wharf

The northern part of Amsterdam is bursting with creative energy. Walk around the NDSM Wharf, and you’ll see stunning graffiti, stencils, old cranes, trams turned into art, metal containers, and huge ship halls. The colors of street art pop against the rusty background. Artists often work right in front of visitors, bringing old walls to life.

Take the free ferry behind Central Station to reach NDSM. On arrival, you’ll be amazed by a gigantic mural of Anne Frank (240 m²), painted by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. The waterfront and street art here are unforgettable.

Space Invaders in the Jordaan

The Jordaan may seem historic and quiet, but it hides countless charming street art pieces. Look for murals by the London Police, spreading love with their joyful LADS characters.

You can also find Space Invaders mosaics scattered across the neighborhood. Now, you can collect them through the Flash Invaders app, similar to Pokémon. For constantly updated colorful graffiti, don’t miss Marnixstraat.

Spuistraat — Past Glory

Not long ago, Spuistraat hosted countless artworks on squatted buildings in the city center. Creativity felt limitless, and the rebellious vibe filled the air. After the municipality took over De Slang, much of the iconic art disappeared.

However, you can still find brightly painted garage doors, squatted bars with graffiti, and millions of small stencils and stickers along the street. Spuistraat remains worth exploring, but you need to look closely and check side streets.

Schellingwoudebrug — Roots of Street Art

To trace the roots of Amsterdam’s street art, head to Schellingwoudebrug, under the bridge near Flevopark. Take tram 14, and you’ll reach a graffiti paradise at the end of the line. The bridge overlooks the IJ and witnessed the crazy 90s, when street artists from around the world showcased their work in Amsterdam.

Downtown Street Art Map

How about turning your day in Amsterdam into a street art quest? Just use this map to locate the best pieces in town, see how many invaders you can detect and what gallery turns out to be your favorite. Amsterdam’s street art goes way beyond some cool graffiti in the hidden spots, it becomes a trend of the city, worth exhibiting in museums and galleries. Even the local municipality realizes the importance of alternative art for the cultural life, providing the street artists with legal opportunities to create and present their pieces to all the guests to enjoy.

Discover the Amsterdam Red Light District

The Red Light District is one of Amsterdam’s most famous — and misunderstood — areas. It’s not just about nightlife; it’s also full of history, character, and unique charm.

As you wander through its narrow streets, you’ll find cozy cafés, old churches, and small canals reflecting the city lights. The mix of the old and the new gives this district its special vibe.

If you’re staying at Teleport Hotel, you’re in a great spot to explore it easily. This famous district is one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions, known for its legal sex work, bright red windows, and curious crowds.

Walking through its narrow streets, you’ll notice the lively mix of people, lights, and stories. You can simply observe the half-naked girls behind the glass or, for a deeper experience, join a guided tour. These tours help you understand how the district works and offer an open-minded, respectful view of Amsterdam’s sex culture.

SANDEMANs Red Light District  Teleport’s Team favorite!

If you’re exploring Amsterdam solo, join a guided tour through the famous Red Light District. A cheerful local guide shares honest and entertaining stories about the area — from its exclusive streets and sex shops to the Prostitution Information Center, run by a former sex worker.

Moreover, you’ll spot hidden sculptures, step inside an S&M studio, and discover curious facts about the city’s culture. It’s both fun and educational — a must-try experience recommended by the Teleport Hotel team.

Famous Twin Prostitutes Tour in Amsterdam

Curious about who works in the Red Light District, or what happens when they retire? Then the Famous Twin Prostitutes Tour is for you. During the walk, you’ll meet twin sisters who spent 50 years in the industry.

They openly share personal stories, answer questions, and happily pose for photos. In addition, you’ll visit the world’s first condom shop, admire local street art, and stop by a cannabis store to learn about Amsterdam’s liberal culture.

Red Light District Tour with a Local

For a more authentic perspective, take a Red Light District Tour with a Local. You’ll visit the blue lights area, see a local brewery, admire Amsterdam’s oldest building, and explore a temple in Chinatown. Meanwhile, your guide will reveal hidden details and stories that most tourists never hear.

Red Light Workshop

If you’re looking for something truly unique, try the Red Light Workshop led by former sex worker Mariska. You’ll sit behind a real red light window to experience what the job is like — no clients, just insights, learning, and great photo opportunities.

Don’ts of the Amsterdam Red Light District

Whether on your own or on a tour, follow these rules:

• No photos of the ladies in the windows.

• Do not knock, tap, or spit on the windows.

• Don’t buy anything from street sellers; go to a coffeeshop for cannabis.

• Watch out for pickpockets targeting distracted tourists.

• Don’t pee on the street or in the canal, and don’t throw anything into the water.

Most importantly, enjoy your time in Amsterdam, explore every corner, and be ready for surprises in the Amsterdam Red Light District! Staying at Teleport Hotel puts you close to all the action, making it easy to explore safely and comfortably.

XXX: The Symbol of Amsterdam

No, we’re not starting with the X-rated entertainment linked to the Red Light District. Instead, let’s explore the three crosses that appear everywhere in Amsterdam — on buildings, flags, poles, manholes, and souvenirs.

You might know that the XXX symbol is part of Amsterdam’s coat of arms. But what does it mean? It represents three vertical St. Andrew’s Crosses, named after the apostle who was crucified on an X-shaped cross in the 1st century AD.

There is no exact explanation for the crosses’ meaning in Amsterdam. One theory suggests they originate from the Persian crusader family that owned much of the city’s land. Another links St. Andrew, a fisherman, to Amsterdam’s roots as a fishing town, where fishermen sailed under the XXX flag. Some believe the crosses represent the three major threats of the medieval city: floods, fire, and the black plague.

Today, these white crosses appear on a black band in the middle of a red shield. This design is the flag of Amsterdam and part of the coat of arms. The shield is decorated with the Imperial Crown of Austria and two golden lions. Below, the city motto reads: “Heroic, Resolute, and Merciful.” Some jokingly say it should read: “Stubborn, Defiant, and Extremely Tolerant.”

Have you picked up a few souvenirs with the XXX symbol yet?

Why Everything in Amsterdam is Orange

You may notice that the Dutch love orange. It’s everywhere — not the fruit, but the bright color sold at markets and souvenir shops. On King’s Day or during football championships, the city turns completely orange.

Why orange? The color comes from the Dutch Royal Family. They descend from the House of Oranje-Nassau. The current king, Willem-Alexander, traces his lineage to William of Orange (Willem van Oranje). The national football team is called Oranje, and most Dutch sports teams wear orange uniforms. The color unites the nation and has become a symbol of Amsterdam.

I AMsterdam: The Famous City Letters

Can you really say you’ve visited Amsterdam without a photo with the I AMSTERDAM letters? This symbol has become part of the city’s branding. It started as a marketing campaign but became one of the most photographed landmarks in Amsterdam.

The letters stand near the Rijksmuseum. Tourists climb them and take photos. To avoid crowds, visit late in the evening — you’ll be surprised how empty it gets.

You can also see the letters at festivals, fairs, fashion shows, and special events. Sometimes they appear in rainbow colors, celebrating love, freedom, and diversity.

Until 7 August, the travelling letters are near the Amstel River, in front of the Hermitage, during the Canal Parade. For a unique photo, sit on the red I AMSTERDAM mosaic sofa outside City Hall at Amstel 1. You can also spot the symbol at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol before leaving the city.

Stay at Teleport Hotel

When visiting Amsterdam, consider staying at Teleport Hotel, a comfortable and convenient base. It’s located close to major attractions, restaurants, and canals. After a day of sightseeing, you can relax in your room or order food directly to your door from nearby restaurants. The friendly staff is happy to provide tips about the city and help you plan your day. From here, you’re never far from the iconic sights, local gems, and even hidden corners of Amsterdam.

One of the best features of Amsterdam is its well known bicycle-friendliness, which makes it the world capital of bikes. It’s so easy to get around on two wheels that hardly any other transportation is needed here. Cycling is so important in the Dutch culture that more than half of Amsterdam city center traffic movement is by bicycle. Traffic education, cycle traffic lights, special routes, numerous bike lanes and free bike parking (versus extremely expensive car parking) encourage Amsterdammers and guests of the city to use bikes more. Let’s have a closer look at this interesting typical Amsterdam thing to do!

Friendly numbers

It’s a fact that there is more bikes in Amsterdam than people with the proof of a full four story bicycle parking next to Central Station, lots of underground parking and always packed bike racks everywhere around the city. There are about 881,000 bikes for 800,000 people in Amsterdam, therefore almost everybody cycles. To be precise, 83% of people living here use their bikes at least once per week. Then how is it possible with countless cyclists that there is enough space for everybody? The answer lies within the highly developed infrastructure with around 500 kilometers of cycle paths in Amsterdam alone. But we all know that the life of a bike is not eternal, so guess where many of the old ones end up? In the canals of Amsterdam! Every year the municipality fishes from 12,000 to 15,000 bicycles, which is actually quite a view to observe. Next time you might think twice when having a thought of swimming in the canal.

Outstanding bike types

The most common bike type in Amsterdam is a simple omafiets  (grandma style one) with pedal-back brakes, no gears, often with a wicker basket in front or panniers for groceries in the back. That’s a convenient, nothing fancy model that decreases the chances of your bike being stolen by a junkie (who will sell it to new coming students later on). However, when you look around the city, it is far from the only type out there. Some of the cooler bike representatives in Amsterdam are bakfiets, tandem bikes, fixies and of course legendary beer bikes.

Bakfiets

Modish and posh, bakfiets is the privilege of the richer Amsterdammers, who can afford spending couple of thousands Euros on a bicycle. It makes the life of modern mothers way easier though, as a typical bakfiets can fit in a few children. It’s a common scene to see one full of toddlers and a happy mum cycling hard.

Tandem bikes

Amsterdam tandem bikes come in all shapes and variations: it can be for 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 kid, or 1 adult and 2 kids, or 3 adults… the list is endless, as you can find a bike fitting any needs in this city. Actually a tandem bike can be a brilliant solution for a couple, when one doesn’t feel too comfortable with cycling in the city. Only one person has to steer, and another can peacefully pedal and have his hands free for picture taking on the way.

Fixies

Fixies or fixed-gear bikes have become very popular in Amsterdam, as it’s full of hipsters who tend to love this type. Fixies are known for their smooth minimalistic designs, extremely low weight, less human energy needed for riding it withz great speed. Although some people prefer to have brakeless fixed-gear bikes, it’s required to have a proper brake system in the Netherlands.

Beer bikes

Have you ever dreamed about having a beer and cycling at the same time without putting your life in danger? It’s absolutely possible in Amsterdam with crazy beer bikes when pedaling and drinking come together. What a great idea for a bachelor party! But no worries, you will always have a sober driver provided by the rental company, who will guarantee fun and safe journey.

As you can see cycling is a must-have experience in Amsterdam, so don’t hesitate to hop on one of our bikes and explore the numerous parks, fairytale-like downtown area or peaceful Jordaan. And even better, join us for one of our free alternative bike tours around the city and enjoy a true adventure. Welcome to Amsterdam on two wheels!