Lonely Planet Amsterdam City Guide [With Pull-Out Map]

First time I went to Amsterdam this book came in handy. A brief description of plenty of places to go and a map to help you along.

I had been to Amsterdam before without a guidebook and had a great time visiting a friend of a friend. On my second trip, this book helped me understand the neighborhoods a little better and helped in picking out a great cheap hotel in a quiet neighborhood.

In a lot of respects I'm a neophyte, an amateur, a greenhorn (including reviewing, I don't think I've ever reviewed anything before). But on my first solo trip to Europe, this particular guidebook was a lifesaver. My plans were turned on their heads, my friends had missed their train to Amsterdam, and I was absolutely alone in the city. I didn't have any idea how to get anywhere. Fortunately, I had borrowed this guidebook from my cousin prior to travelling to Amsterdam, and it was a veritable lifesaver. From the perspective of a fresh college grad who's not necessarily going for the tulips (especially not in November) Lonely Planet's no-nonsense descriptions of everything from the Anne Frank Huis to the gay/lesbian nightclubs and the Van Gogh Museum to the coffeehouses was the perfect blend. The layout was simple and orderly, the blurbs concise and descriptive. My only complaint would be the maps, which (despite their fold-out nature) seemed small and condensed. We sometimes ended up on streets we could not find listed on the map, and had to re-orient ourselves at Dam Square (that could also be a personal problem). But to sum up, I'm writing this review because I was looking for the book to go back again. I trust this book to get me where I need to go and tell me what I need to see, and ensure that I get both in and out of trouble. If you're headed to the 'Dam, take it with you.

We stayed in Amsterdam for just two days en route back home to Canada, but without this guide, we'd have been lost. It's thin and light, but there's a small wealth of information crammed into it. Of course, if you're staying Amsterdam longer, invest in a more in-depth guide. But we're returning later this year, and it's definitely coming along for the ride - the fold-away maps are worth the price alone.