Destination guides > Europe > Netherlands > North Holland (Noord-Holland) > Amsterdam > Drugs in Amsterdam
The straight dope on drugs in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has a reputation as a free and easy place where everything is legal. In reality, things are much more complex than this, but it's generally no problem if you sit in a coffee shop across the road from the police station and have a quiet toke.
Hard drugs like heroin, cocaine, ecstacy, speed and LSD are forbidden in the Netherlands. Soft drugs like hashish and marijuana are also prohibited, although the authorities allow the sale of soft drugs at coffeeshops as long as they stick to the following rules: no hard drugs, no advertising, no selling to people under 18, and no more than 5 grams per customer.
If you want to smoke, buy your dope at a coffee shop where you can be assured of the quality. Never buy from dealers on the street.
Don't try to take drugs across the border, trains from Amsterdam are often checked by police and customs officers.
For more information on the Dutch Drug Policy, check out the Wikipedia article on the Dutch Drug Policy or the Coffeeshop pages on the I Amsterdam website.
Smoking coffeeshops in Amsterdam
For many people one of Amsterdam's big attractions is the allure of legal soft drugs but even some non-smokers will visit a coffeeshop (for a coffee or juice) out of curiosity.
Amsterdam has around 300 coffeeshops, which can be found all over the city with a high concentration near Centraal Station and around the Red Light District. Each coffeeshop is different and half the fun is trying out a few until you find a favourite that can become your regular on future visits.
The Bulldog (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90, Amsterdam; tram 4, 9, 16, 24, 25 (stop: Dam); tel (020) 62 59 864) is regarded by many as the original smoking coffeeshop, but there are plenty more to choose from. Our favourite is Hill Street Blues (Warmoesstraat 52, Amsterdam; metro Centraal Station tram 4, 9, 16, 24, 25, 26, 51 (stop: Centraal Station)) with its laid-back atmosphere and comfortable sofas with canal views.
The Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory is an excellent online guide with reviews of coffeeshops all over Amsterdam.
