Amsterdam Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 03 September 2024

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is renowned for its picturesque canals, historic architecture, and lively cultural scene. 

How many tourists visit Amsterdam each year?

Over 8.8 million tourists visited Amsterdam in 2023.¹

• In 2019, Amsterdam welcomed 7.7 million international visitors. When the pandemic began in 2020, this number dropped by 72% to 2.1 million.

• By 2021, Amsterdam experienced a further 19% decline in international tourism with 1.74 million visitors. 

• Inbound tourism increased to 5.6 million visitors in 2022. This trend continued into 2023, with visitor numbers rising to 6.9 million, marking a 23% increase from 2022, but still 10% less compared to 2019. 
  

How many people visited Amsterdam in 2023?

• In 2023, Amsterdam welcomed 8.87 million visitors, with 6.97 million being international tourists and 1.9 million domestic travellers. This marked an increase of 206% from 2021, but still 3% less than 2019 figures.

How much do tourists spend in Amsterdam every year?

International tourists spent over €9.5 billion during trips to Amsterdam in 2019.

• This number decreased by 52% to €4.6 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions and fewer international visitors. It dropped again by 5% in 2021 to €4.43 billion.²
  
  

Which countries visit Amsterdam the most?

The USA is the leading source of foreign tourists to Amsterdam, followed by the UK, Germany, Asia, and France.

• The USA dominated with a 35.2% market share, recording 2.4 million visits in 2023.

• The United Kingdom followed with a 16.1% market share, contributing 1.1 million visits.

• Germany held a significant 13.3% market share, with 912,000 visits recorded.

• Asia showed growing interest with an 8.9% market share, totaling 609,000 visits.

• France maintained a notable presence with a 6.8% market share, amounting to 467,000 visits.
  

Amsterdam Tourism Statistics 2023 – International & Domestic Tourism

In 2023, Amsterdam welcomed 1.9 million domestic visitors, indicating a significant recovery and growth from the pandemic years. 

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant drop in visitor numbers. Domestic visitors fell to 870,000 in 2020, while international visitors decreased to 2.09 million. The numbers slightly improved in 2021 but remained far below pre-pandemic levels.

• 2022 and 2023 showed signs of recovery in domestic and international tourism. Domestic visits increased to 1.77 million in 2022 and to 1.9 million in 2023. International visitors rose substantially from 1.74 million in 2021 to 6.97 million in 2023.

• The 2023 figures are among the highest in the past decade, with domestic visitors surpassing all previous years and international visitors nearing the peak levels of 2019.
  

When is the tourist season in Amsterdam?

• July 2023 (930,000 visitors) was the most popular month due to summer vacations, excellent weather, and numerous festivals such as Amsterdam Pride and the Grachtenfestival.

• June saw 797,000 visitors who benefitted from the onset of summer, with many enjoying outdoor activities, canal tours, and cultural events like the Holland Festival.

• October had 790,000 visitors due to mild autumn weather, appealing fall foliage, and cultural events such as the Amsterdam Dance Event and the Amsterdam Marathon.

• May, attracting 786,000 visitors, was popular for its spring attractions including the famous tulip season, National Tulip Day, and Liberation Day celebrations.

• April (783,000 visitors) was popular due to springtime activities, Easter holidays, and events like King’s Day, which is celebrated with nationwide street parties and festivities.
  

Amsterdam Travel Resources

Why do people visit Amsterdam?

Amsterdam attracts visitors with its rich cultural heritage, including museums like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House, as well as historical landmarks such as Dam Square and the Royal Palace.

• The city offers unique experiences, including canal tours, extensive biking paths, and green spaces like Vondelpark.
  
  
• Visitors enjoy diverse culinary options, festivals, and cultural events like Amsterdam Pride, showcasing its inclusive and vibrant atmosphere.
  
  

Laws for Tourists in Amsterdam

• Tourist Restrictions: Amsterdam caps annual visitors at 20 million, with actions taken if numbers exceed 18 million.
  
  
• Cannabis Rules: Public cannabis smoking in areas like the Red Light District is banned, with violators fined €100. Coffee shops are restricted from targeting tourists.
  
  
• Nightlife & Noise: Bars and clubs have earlier closing times in some areas, and fines for disturbances like noise or littering range from €100 to €150.
  
  
• Accommodation: New hotels are banned, and the number of B&Bs in the city centre have been reduced by 30%.
  
  
• Behaviour Campaigns: Initiatives like “Stay Away” and “Stop the Madness” promote respectful tourism and discourage disruptive behaviour.
  
  

Why did Amsterdam create this law for tourists?

Amsterdam’s laws for tourists aim to balance tourism’s economic benefits with preserving the quality of life for residents and protecting the city’s cultural and environmental heritage:

• Managing Overcrowding: With millions of visitors annually, restrictions like the visitor cap help prevent overcrowding that strains infrastructure and public spaces.
  
  
• Maintaining Public Order: Rules on cannabis use, nightlife, and noise aim to reduce disturbances and ensure the city remains safe and enjoyable for locals and visitors.
  
  
• Protecting Local Life: Limits on accommodations and behaviour campaigns address issues like housing shortages, excessive commercialisation, and the disruption of residential neighbourhoods.
  
  
• Promoting Sustainable Tourism: These measures encourage responsible tourism that respects the city’s environment, culture, and community.
  
  

Explore Amsterdam’s approach to managing overtourism.

Most-visited attractions in Amsterdam

Canal Boats attracted 3,753,420 visitors in 2023, offering scenic tours through Amsterdam’s iconic waterways and providing a unique perspective of the city’s historic architecture.³

• Van Gogh Museum welcomed 2,255,010 visitors, showcasing the extensive works of the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and offering insights into his life and art.

• Rijksmuseum (2,160,000 visitors) features a vast collection of Dutch art and history, including masterpieces from the Golden Age such as Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch.”

• Artis Zoo hosted 1,411,908 visitors. The zoo provides a family-friendly experience with diverse animal exhibits and educational programs about wildlife and conservation.

• Anne Frank House (1,266,966 visitors) is popular among tourists. It presents the poignant history of Anne Frank and her diary, allowing visitors to reflect on the impact of World War II and the Holocaust.
  
  

Europe Travel Statistics Resources

• Austria Statistics
• Belgium Statistics
• Croatia Statistics
• Denmark Statistics
• France Statistics (incl. Paris, Disneyland Paris, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame)
• Georgia Statistics
• Germany Statistics (incl. Berlin)
• Greece Statistics (incl. Parthenon)
• Iceland Statistics
• Italy Statistics (incl. Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice)
• Netherlands Statistics
• Norway Statistics
• Portugal Statistics (incl. Lisbon)
• Spain Statistics (incl. Barcelona, Madrid, Mallorca)
• Sweden Statistics
• Switzerland Statistics
• UK Statistics (incl. Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Oxford, Scotland)
  
  

---

References

1. TNF: Number of Visitors in Amsterdam ↩︎
2. STATISTA: Tourism revenue from 2019 to 2021 ↩︎
3. AFF: Top attractions in Amsterdam ↩︎