Safety & Tips|7 min read•February 5, 2026

Safe in Amsterdam: The Practical Guide (Bikes, Pickpockets & Scams)

Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the world, but it has big city problems. Here is how to handle pickpockets, bikes, and "fake police."

Amsterdam is statistically one of the safest capitals in Europe. You can walk alone at night in almost every neighborhood without fear.

However, "safe" doesn't mean "nothing happens." It just means you won't get mugged. You might, however, get your phone stolen or get hit by a scooter.

Here is the practical guide to staying safe, keeping your stuff, and knowing who to call.

1. The Pickpocket Hotspots

Pickpockets here are professionals. They don't look like criminals; they look like well-dressed tourists or businessmen. Where they work:

Central Station: Especially on the escalators.
Tram 2: The "tourist tram" to the museums.
Damrak: The busy street from the station to the square.
The Kalverstraat: The main shopping street.

The Strategy: One creates a distraction (drops a coin, asks for directions, spills coffee), the other takes your wallet. The Fix: Keep your wallet in your front pocket. If someone bumps into you, immediately check your valuables.

2. The "Fake Police" Scam

This is rare but happens to tourists. A car pulls up (or two men walk up) claiming to be "undercover police." They flash a fake badge and ask to check your wallet for "counterfeit euros" or drug money. The Reality: Dutch police will never ask to look inside your wallet or check your money. Never. The Fix: If this happens, walk away. If they persist, say "I am calling 112 now." They will vanish.

3. Bike Safety (How Not to Get Hit)

The biggest danger in Amsterdam is not crime; it's traffic.

Look Left-Right-Left: Bike paths are two-way. Just because the near lane is clear doesn't mean a bike isn't coming from the other direction.
The Shark Teeth: If you see white triangles painted on the road pointing at you, you must yield.
Don't Walk in the Bike Lane: It is red (or pinkish). It has a bike symbol. Do not walk there. You will get hit.

4. Emergency Numbers

Save these in your phone.

112: The number for life-threatening emergencies (Police, Ambulance, Fire). Operators speak English.
0900-8844: Non-emergency police (e.g., reporting a stolen bike).
088 00 30 600: Huisartsenpost (HAP). If you need a doctor at night or on the weekend (non-life-threatening), call this. Do not go to the ER for a fever or sprained ankle; go to the HAP.

5. Street Dealers

As mentioned in our Red Light District Guide, street dealers are a nuisance, not a threat. Ignore them. Buying from them supports organized crime and gets you fake products.