In a nutshell
- Want to visit a coffeeshop in Amsterdam but not sure where to start or which ones are worth it? We’ve got you covered.
- This is your complete beginner’s guide to Amsterdam coffeeshops — rules, prices, what to buy, and how to make the most of your visit.
- We’ve also picked out the 5 best coffeeshops in Amsterdam so you don’t have to wade through 170 options yourself.
- Rather not walk in cold? The guided coffeeshop tour is a great way to get started with a local showing you the ropes.
What Is a Coffeeshop?
If you walk through Amsterdam, you’ll find so-called coffeeshops on pretty much every corner. But these aren’t your typical coffee-and-cake spots — they actually sell cannabis. In all kinds of forms.
In coffeeshops, soft drugs can legally be sold, purchased, and consumed.
And what exactly is cannabis?
Cannabis is a medicinal plant — and a seriously ancient one that was already being used thousands of years ago.
Back then, though, it was used mainly to make clothing from hemp fibers. Its intoxicating effects were only discovered later.
Only the female cannabis plant has an intoxicating effect, since it contains a high concentration of the active compound THC — which is what triggers the high.
The second active compound in cannabis is cannabidiol — CBD. This is the compound that has a calming and relaxing effect and counteracts the stronger effects of THC.
Cannabis with a high CBD content is also used in alternative medicine to treat physical pain, anxiety disorders, and depression. Research on this is still ongoing, though.
By the way: grass, hemp, ganja, and weed are all synonyms for cannabis and essentially refer to the same soft drug.
Is the cannabis in Amsterdam safe?
The cannabis in Amsterdam’s coffeeshops is as safe as cannabis can be. Keep in mind that everyone’s body reacts differently to its effects.
If you want to give it a try, the products and guidance available in a coffeeshop put you on the “safest possible ground.”
Definitely avoid buying and consuming street drugs. These could be cut with other substances and contain harmful additives. On top of that, buying, possessing, and consuming on the street is illegal.
Coffeeshop Hours in Amsterdam
Amsterdam coffeeshops keep the same hours as regular cafés, bistros, and bars.
Most open between 9 AM and noon and close between 7 PM and 1 AM.
Amsterdam Coffeeshops: Prices
Quick price check? Amsterdam coffee shops don’t differ much from regular cafés when it comes to pricing.
Our tip: it’s worth paying a little more for really good quality.
How much does a joint cost at an Amsterdam coffeeshop?
You’ll pay between €7 and €15 per gram of cannabis. How much a joint costs depends entirely on how much cannabis is rolled into it and whether it also contains tobacco.
How much does a hash brownie cost in Amsterdam?
For a hash brownie — a brownie with cannabis baked in — you’ll pay an average of €5 in Amsterdam.
Coffeeshop Rules: What's Legal and What's Not?
To stay on the safe side and feel comfortable when you walk into a coffeeshop, there are a few rules worth knowing:
How old do you have to be to enter a coffeeshop?
To enter an Amsterdam coffeeshop, you must be at least 18 years old. You’ll likely be asked for ID at the door.
Can you really just consume freely?
Yes, you’re free to consume in coffeeshops. But of course only the products sold there.
Cannabis is prohibited on the street — even if Amsterdam’s police often look the other way.
What are you allowed to take home from Amsterdam?
Your best bet is to bring no cannabis products home at all. Importing products with a very low THC content (under 0.2 percent) may technically be permitted in some countries, but there’s no way to test the content on the spot.
Joints, brownies, and cookies already contain levels far above that threshold anyway.
If you’re caught, you could face a fine or prison sentence depending on the severity of the offense — up to five years in some cases. The fine is typically based on your income.
For first-time offenders, it’s possible for the case to be dropped in exchange for a monetary penalty, or for a warning with a suspended sentence. Ultimately, it always comes down to the individual case.
How Does a Coffeeshop in Amsterdam Work?
First visit to an Amsterdam coffee shop? Here’s exactly how everything works:
Preparing for the Coffeeshop
Before you go, eat a solid meal and drink plenty of water. Foods high in fat and protein work best — think hearty lasagna, salmon, or anything potato-based.
Skip the chocolate beforehand. It can actually intensify the effects of THC — which is also why hash brownies tend to hit so hard.
Who Can Visit Coffeeshops?
Anyone 18 or older is welcome in Amsterdam’s coffeeshops — tourists included, regardless of where you’re from.
What Can You Buy at Coffeeshops?
At Amsterdam’s best coffee shops, you can buy cannabis as flower, as a pre-rolled joint, or in the form of brownies, cookies, or other baked goods. Hard drugs are never sold.
Get Some Advice!
During your visit, definitely ask a staff member for advice. They know the products and their composition inside and out — and crucially, their effects.
They’re best placed to tell you which cannabis product suits you and what you might want to steer clear of.
Do Cannabis and Alcohol Mix?
No. Consuming cannabis and alcohol at the same time is a bad idea — cannabis amplifies the effects of alcohol, and the consequences of mixing the two are really hard to predict.
Among the Dutch, it’s practically an unwritten rule: one or the other.
What If You Suddenly Feel Sick?
If you feel unwell during or after consuming cannabis, the most important thing is to stay calm. Remember: no one has ever died from cannabis.
Either ask for help while still in the coffeeshop, or head back to your hotel room and lie down for a bit.
Orange juice, bananas, and plenty of water can help ease the effects and help your body process the THC more quickly.
How Long Can You Stay at a Coffeeshop?
You’re welcome to stay as long as you like — as long as you respect the opening hours.
We’d actually recommend hanging around a little longer and only heading out once the high has worn off.
Coffeeshop Dos and Don'ts in Summary
Here’s a quick overview of everything to keep in mind for your coffeeshop visit:
- Choose a reputable, relaxed coffeeshop
- Eat a good meal before your visit and drink plenty of water
- Don’t mix cannabis with alcohol
- Ask for advice
- Take less rather than too much
- Don’t consume cannabis on the street
- Don’t take any cannabis or similar products home with you
- Don’t drive afterward!
Top 5 Coffeeshops in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has just under 170 coffeeshops in total. Here are the five best:
Barney's Coffeeshop
Barney’s Coffeeshop is part of Barney’s Farm, which grows high-quality, award-winning cannabis in the Netherlands. At the coffeeshop, you’ll find not only top-shelf cannabis but also really great — regular — food.
Address: Haarlemmerstraat 102
Grey Area Coffeeshop
Grey Area is the ultimate VIP coffeeshop in Amsterdam. Celebrities stop by here all the time — even Snoop Dogg has smoked here. Honestly, you never know who you might run into.
Address: Oude Leliestraat 2
The Bulldog The First
The Bulldog is an entire coffeeshop chain in Amsterdam, but the most famous location is The Bulldog The First — because back in 1975, it was the very first coffeeshop in Amsterdam. This is where you get cannabis with genuine cult status.
Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90
Boerejongens Coffeeshop
Boerejongens is especially popular with tourists thanks to its excellent value for money. You get genuinely high-quality cannabis at really fair prices — a rare combination.
Address: Utrechtsestraat 21
Paradox
Paradox offers the coolest combination of a classic Amsterdam vibe and great cannabis. No flashy neon lights here — instead, you get a relaxed, natural atmosphere and the Bloemgracht canal just a few steps away.
Address: Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 2R
By the way: Rotterdam and The Hague also have coffeeshops — though only around 30 each.
Taking a Guided Coffeeshop Tour in Amsterdam
Want a little extra peace of mind before visiting an Amsterdam coffeeshop? A guided tour of Amsterdam coffee shops is a great option.
A knowledgeable local guide takes you through the city in a small group for two to two-and-a-half hours, visiting three really great coffeeshops.
You can try something at each stop and ask questions throughout — no awkward guesswork on your own.
Bonus: you get to kill two birds with one stone — a mini sightseeing tour and a coffeeshop visit all in one.
