Amsterdam
City to Meet
Let us welcome you to Amsterdam, a place of many inspiring and surprising faces. No other city mixes
cosmopolitan style and relaxed atmosphere quite like Amsterdam, where our hospitable nature attracts an
excitingly diverse population. We invite you to join us and make our metropolis your own during your stay.
Whether admiring the Golden Age gabled merchants’ houses of the old city centre or marvelling at the sleek
skylines of the new Zuidas and harbour areas, you will see that Amsterdammers pride themselves on the city’s
rich history while keeping focused on the future. Creative energy and innovation abound, strengthening and
inspiring the established international business community.
Home to some of the world’s most acclaimed works of art, with more canals than Venice, more bridges than
Paris and nearly 7,000 monumental buildings, our compact floating city offers a variety of historical and cultural
treasures. It’s no wonder Amsterdam’s historic canal ring has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Maybe you will visit our world-famous diamond factories, discover the city’s tradition as a jazz hub or simply
soak up the local nightlife in a casual café – whatever you choose, we hope you enjoy our vibrant, open spirit.
Welcome to Amsterdam and the ICON2017 conference!
Accessibility
Amsterdam would like to show you that it has excellent accessibility by air, by rail and road and could therefore
be the ideal city to go to.
By air
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the world’s most modern and efficient airports, which is why is
designated ‘Best Airport in Europe’ (and fourth best in the world) in the 2013 Business Traveller Awards.
Scheduled services fly into Schiphol from at least 128 destinations within Europe and from 108 non- European
destinations. Some 110 airlines fly from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to more than 265 destinations worldwide.
In 2010, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol served 45.2 million passengers. Schiphol train station is located directly
below the airport and by train you arrive at Amsterdam Central Station within 15 minutes. Via Schiphol Plaza,
you can walk straight to the departure or arrival hall. There are also 15 to 20 trains a day to destinations such
as Brussels, Paris and Frankfurt.
Flight times:
Amsterdam – London 1 hr 10 min
Amsterdam – Paris 1 hr 15 min
Amsterdam – Berlin 1 hr 20 min
Amsterdam – Stockholm 2 hrs
Amsterdam – New York City 7 hr 30 min
By train
The Dutch Railway company transports some one million travellers a day over the busiest railway network in
the world. The NS Group comprises a number of operating companies which ensure the transportation of
travellers and the development and exploitation of transport junctions. NS International operates the
international transport of passengers by train. Thalys Nederland, ICE International, IC, Benelux and CiyNightLine
transport passengers to various destinations including France, Germany and Belgium.
Operators:
Thalys (Paris)
ICE international (Frankfurt)
Benelux (Brussels)
IC (Berlin)
CityNightLine (Basel, Munich)
By bus
Long-distance Euroline busses connect Amsterdam with most European cities. Within the country, buses are
used for regional transport rather than for long distances. They do, however, fill the rail gaps in the north and
east of the Netherlands. Bus stations are typically situated next to the main railway station in a town. In towns
with no rail service they are usually located in the town centre.
By boat
Most travellers go overland through Belgium and France to catch a boat to England, however ferries also run
between the Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland) and Harwich, UK; Europoort (near Rotterdam) and Hull, UK;
IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) and Newcastle, UK; and IJmuiden and Kristiansand, Norway.
Local infrastructure
The compact size of Amsterdam means that almost everything is within walking distance of each other.
Nevertheless the public transport network of buses, trams and metro is efficient, modern, reliable and
inexpensive. The GVB is the public transport company of Amsterdam. One million passengers within greater
Amsterdam travel by tram, bus, metro and ferry every day.
Various
The city of Amsterdam has 750,000 inhabitants and 600,000 bicycles. It is rare to have a moment in the city
when a bicycle does not zip by you. The Dutch use their bicycles as a means of transportation - to go shopping,
commute to work and so on - rather than for recreational purposes. With beautiful scenery, flat landscapes and
some 15,000 kilometres of specially designated bicycle paths and routes, cycling in the Netherlands is not only
practical, but also very enjoyable.
Why Amsterdam?
Accessible & compact
Amsterdam is a national and international gateway. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is considered one of the best
in the world and is just 20 minutes from the city centre. Amsterdam’s compact city centre has an outstanding
public transport service and therefore most facilities and sights are within walking distance of each other. The
city’s network of canals also offers a unique opportunity to transport your delegates via the water.
Historic heart
Amsterdam was founded in the Middle Ages near a dam on the River Amstel. The city truly blossomed in the
early 17th century, when it became the world’s largest centre for trade and art. The historic heart of the city
known as the ‘Grachtengordel’ (canal ring) has remained beautifully intact to this day. The area is by no means
an open-air museum, but rather the warm, friendly and vibrant heart of the city.
Outstanding culture
The Netherlands capital city has been a centre of creativity and culture for centuries. Works by 17th century
Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer grace the walls of Amsterdam’s famous Rijksmuseum. The Van
Gogh Museum houses several of the artists’ masterpieces. Other cultural treasures include Anne Frank’s
House, the baroque Royal Palace on Dam Square and the Rembrandt House. Amsterdam can even satisfy the
cultural pallet of the most experienced visitor.
Knowledge centre
During the 17th century Amsterdam was a stockpile of trading goods; today knowledge is also being generated.
With two highly developed universities and several laboratories, Amsterdam is now firmly on the world map as
a centre of knowledge. The city attracts many prominent academics and has become an attractive meeting
place for those involved in science and research. Due in part to its central location on the edge of Europe,
Amsterdam now offers a new ‘market place’ for the free and efficient exchange of ideas and knowledge.
Dazzling nightlife
Amsterdam is home to an array of bars, nightclubs and cafés. Authentic 19th century pubs or ‘brown cafés’ can
be found all over the city, alongside their contemporary counterparts: designer grand cafés and sleek lounge
bars. The most popular bar areas are around the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. The hottest new dance
music is played in trendy Amsterdam nightclubs by some of the top DJs in the world. There are also jazz cafés,
late night bars and a large casino in the city. Best of all, nightlife venues are located less than a few square
miles of each other.
Superb surroundings
Most people think of the Netherlands as the land of tulips and windmills. In just 15 minutes from the centre of
Amsterdam you can experience this side of the Netherlands. The villages of Marken and Volendam are an
open-air museum with an unrivalled display of authentic Dutch houses and windmills. In springtime, tour the
spectacular bulb fields or take in the blossoming flowers at the world’s most photographed location: the
Keukenhof.
Facts & figures of Amsterdam
Inhabitants 799.442
Inhabitants Greater Amsterdam 2,158,592
Nationalities 175
Mayor 1
Trees 220,000
Bulb flowers in parks and public gardens 600,000
Parks 28
City trams 232
Ferryboats 9
Markets 21
Shops 6,179
Antique shops 165
Diamond polishing factories 24
Canals 165
Bridges 1,281
Wooden drawbridges 8
Canal boats and saloon boats 110
Houseboats 2,500
16th, 17th and 18th century buildings 6,800
Gable stones 654
Statues and sculptures 302
Windmills 6
Museums 51
Paintings of Rembrandt 22
Paintings of Van Gogh 206
Concerts and theatrical performances per year 16,000
Concerts and theatrical performances per day 40
Theatres and concert halls 55
Cinemas 61
Cafés and bars 1,215
Discotheques 36
Restaurants 1,250
Hotel beds 41,000
Climate
Amsterdam has a moderate, maritime climate largely influenced by the North Sea and other surrounding
waterways. Water holds temperature longer than land; it heats and cools more slowly. In watery Amsterdam,
this means the crisp, rejuvenating spring and cool, breezy autumn can linger for months, as warm summer air
and cold winter chills arrive quite gradually. Average temperatures are 17°C (62.6°F) in mid-summer (July) and
3°C (37.4°F) in mid-winter (January). Rainfall occurs an average of 120 days annually and is spread evenly
throughout the year.
Time
The conference will take place during summertime hours and Amsterdam is one hour ahead of GMT.
Opening hours
shops:
Monday 11.00 - 18.00
Tuesday - Saturday 09.00 - 18.00
Thursday evening till 21.00
Sunday 12.00 – 17.00
Offices:
Monday - Friday 09.00 - 18.00
Saturday – Sunday closed
Currency
The Dutch currency is the Euro (€). Major credit cards are accepted at most large businesses.
Language
The mother tongue is Dutch and English is the second language in Amsterdam. In addition to this, many
residents speak additional modern foreign languages.
Safety & Crime
Amsterdam is considered as a relatively safe city. In general, violent crimes do not occur very often.
However, be aware of pick-pocketing; pickpockets are mainly active in the summer and in the train
travelling between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol Airport.
They can also find you in a tram or when you are watching one of the many street artists perform.
Watch your belongings carefully.
National Emergency numbers
Police, fire brigade, ambulance: Tel.: 112
National number police, no emergency: Tel.:
+31 900 8844
Electricity
Within The Netherlands 230 Volts/50 Hertz electrical supply is used. Visitors may need converters
and adapters.
Social Activities in Amsterdam and surroundings
The following social activities are suggested and can be arranged and booked on an individual basis.
Guided walk through
The centre of Amsterdam: Amsterdam is a city where you can stroll from square to square and from terrace to
terrace. This is something you can do on your own of course, but did you know why Amsterdam’s architectural
style is characterised by tiny windows? Or why there are three crosses on a bollard? What is the city’s
nickname? And who were Johnny Jordaan and Tante Leen? Find out the answers to these questions and more
during a walking tour.
Open Air Museum Zaanse Schans
Travel back in time with a bus tour to the Zaanse Schans right into the eighteenth century. The Zaanse Schans is
a village comprised of a collection of green wooden houses and mills which were once scattered across the
Zaanstreek region. Not only are the houses and mills authentic, they are all still in use. Visit the mills, a clogmaker and the Klokkenmuseum (clock museum). You can also combine a boat tour on the river Zaan, the
largest industrial terrain during the seventeenth century.
Fishermen’s villages Volendam and Marken
Volendam is a charming fishermen’s village with its own special charm. The main street is De Dijk, situated
along the harbour. The majority of cafés and souvenir shops are located here. Sit out on one of the many
terraces and you will notice that several inhabitants are dressed in traditional costume. Photos are permitted.
There are a couple options when you go off De Dijk. The first is you can take a boat to Marken, a former island
and like a picture postcard from the nineteenth century. Or the other way and end up in a medley of winding
streets and tiny houses.
Polder region & countryside
What makes the polder landscape in the north of Amsterdam so special is the horizon, which stretches as far as
the eye can see. What will catch your eye are the dykes, waterways, windmills and of course the flower fields.
In Spring meadows are full with bulbs ready to burst into a mosaic of colour. Listed a UNESCO world heritage
site due to its ingenious design and fascinating history is the Beemster landscape. At the Zaanse Schans you can
visit a windmill, cheese-maker and a clog museum where you can have clogs tailor-made.
Amsterdam Public Transport System
Although the city centre’s compact size means that most areas and sights are within walking distance
of each other, Amsterdam’s public transport network (called 'GVB', a Dutch acronym) is efficient,
reliable, and widely used. One million passengers criss- cross the city by tram, bus, underground
metro line and ferry every day. Please note that due to the construction of a new underground line
parts of and around the Amsterdam Central Station are inaccessible.
You can travel using just one card, whether it is in the bus, tram or metro. There are two different
types of cards: disposable cards and the reloadable OV Chipkaart.
Disposable cards for public transport
For short visits a disposable OV-chipkaart is advised. A disposable card already carries a travel
product and cannot be recharged. Important: the disposable cards can only be used for
transportation within the city.
One hour ticket
In the tram and in the bus you can buy a 1-hour ticket (a disposable chipcard). The ticket is also
available at the GVB Tickets & Info counters e.g. in front of the Central Station, and from the Ticket
vending machines in the metro stations. With this ticket you can travel for one hour on all GVB tram-,
bus- and metro lines. The ticket is only valid on GVB lines, changing to other companies, such as
Connexxion or Arriva, is not possible. Price: € 2,60.
Validity:
The validity starts after the first check-in. Within the validity period you can change to other GVB
lines. When the time has expired, the ticket is no longer usable. The 1-hour ticket is NOT valid on the
GVB night buses.
1 day – 7 days ticket
GVB day or multiple day tickets entitle you to unlimited travel through Amsterdam - day and night by tram, bus and metro, for the number of hours that best suit your plans. For example the 1 day
ticket is valid for 24 hours from the time you first check in.
Prices of Disposable cards:
24 hours (1 day) € 7.50
48 hours (2 days) € 12.00
72 hours (3 days) € 16.00
96 hours (4 days) € 21.00
120 hours (5 days) € 26.00
144 hours (6 days) € 29.50
168 hours (7 days) € 32.00
You can buy disposable cards at:
 GVB Tickets & Info service outlets e.g. in front of the Central Station
 from tram- and bus drivers and conductors (only the 24-hours ticket)
 Ticket Vending Machines in the metro stations
 at VVV Amsterdam Tourist Offices
 at various hotels and bookstores
OV-chipkaart
The OV-chipkaart (PT Smart Card) is the size of a credit card and has a built-in chip. You can reload
this as often as you like, with a balance in euros. You can buy reloadable cards at GVB Tickets & Info
service outlets. You can reload your card at Ticket Vending and Add Value machines, and pay cash
and with PIN, chip or credit card.
Rules for using the OV-chipkaart
Your card must be loaded with a minimum of € 20 (train) or € 1(bus/tram/metro).
Always check in and out! Travelling with the OV-chipkaart means that you must always check in and
check out at the gates or the yellow card readers.
If you checked in, but did not check out, instead of the usual fare, € 4 (tram/bus/metro) or € 20
(train) will be charged. Travelling without checking in can result in a fine of up to €37,50.
For more information on the different cards, tram, bus or metro, see the GVB website at www.gvb.nl
Taxi
Throughout the city centre, and most certainly near the Central Station Taxis at the west
entrance/exit, there are several taxi stands.
The main taxi company of Amsterdam is TCA (Taxi Centrale Amsterdam).
Telephone number: +31 20 777 7777.
Pedal
With 600,000 bicycles for its 750,000 residents, in Amsterdam it is rare for more than a few seconds
to pass before a bike zips by. Cycling is a way of life here. The people from Amsterdam and the Dutch
people in general use their bicycles as a means of everyday transportation, whether commuting to
work in a business suit, shopping for groceries or getting the kids to school. The 400 kilometres of
bike lanes and paths in Amsterdam alone make it easy for visitors to experience the city by bike for
themselves.
Several bike rentals can be found in de city center, for instance:
Yellow Bikes
Nieuwezijds Kolk 29
1012 PV Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 620 6940
Rent a bike
Damstraat 20
1012 JM Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 625 5029