If your trip to Amsterdam is all organized but your travel itinerary is a bit on the empty side, we can give you a helping hand.You’ll need to jump out of bed early if you want to check out all the great attractions that this place has to offer. Dam Square and Royal Palace are no-brainers. New Church and Amsterdam Museum can’t be missed either.Stop by Sexmuseum. It’s one sight you’ll usually find on most travelers’ to-do lists. If you still have room on that schedule, Madame Tussauds and Melkweg will keep you on the go too.

Don’t just journey from point A to point B. Get the most out of your rental car by making a pit stop at The Hague. Located 30 miles from Amsterdam, it’s home to popular attractions like Scheveningen Pier and Madurodam. Still up for some sightseeing? Key Rotterdam into your GPS. This delightful destination also features some great sights like Erasmus Bridge and Euromast, and it’s only 35 miles away.

Nothing screams vacation like jumping in the car and heading to the coast. Amsterdam has some awesome beaches close by, so grab a book (and a kite if it’s breezy) and make your way to one of these fantastic options:

• Almeerderstrand (11 miles away).
• Vuntusstrand (14 miles away).
• Zandvoort Beach (16 miles away).

If you have some important work-related business to see to in Amsterdam, chances are you’ll be spending lots of time in a convention center. If that’s the case, you might like to know about some of the ones that have cafés and restaurants nearby:

• Berlage Stock Exchange (0.2 miles away).
• Ronde Lutherse Kerk (0.3 miles away).
• De Burcht (1 mile away).

Having your own ride in Amsterdam will give you more flexibility to squeeze in as many attractions as you can. Maybe you’re planning to head out of town, hit the open road, and go where the wind blows. If that’s the case, drive off in one of our mid-size or full-size SUVs and explore the shingle seashores in the area. If you’d rather experience the bright city lights, something small is a good idea. Navigating those busy streets will be a lot less stressful with a compact or mini car.

You’ll be happy to hear that there’s a huge variety of both high-end and economy vehicles to rent in Amsterdam. What you opt for depends on how much you want to spend as well as what you plan to do. Prestige vehicles offer unparalleled mod cons and comfort. If you’re splurging, why not pick up an SUV with all the bells and whistles, or perhaps a cushy medium-sized vehicle? Otherwise, if you just need a set of wheels to get from A to B as economically as possible, you’re better off choosing a no-frills compact vehicle (or something else that won’t burn a hole in your pocket).

Finding a car space in Amsterdam isn’t always easy. That’s why many travelers opt for a hotel that comes with a parking lot. When leaving the car around town, keep a close eye on the signage. Overstaying the time limit could get you a hefty fine.

One of the upsides of visiting a smaller city is less traffic, so you don’t have to worry a whole lot about rush-hour gridlock. With a population of approximately 741,600, you can expect a smooth Amsterdam driving experience.

Generally, one of two things will happen. Your chosen car rental company may charge the amount stated on the fine to your credit card. This is the most common practice. Or it may pass on your contact information to the relevant local agency so the fine is sent to you directly.

Provided you have Bluetooth or similar functions enabled, you can use your cell phone while cruising around Amsterdam. But make sure you stay focused on the road.

The legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limit while operating a vehicle in Amsterdam is 0.05%. If you’re in the mood for a big night out, leave your wheels behind and organize some other way of getting home instead.

No. In Amsterdam, red equals stop, with no exceptions. When nearing a set of traffic lights, always maintain a safe speed so you can easily stop if you need to.

They are, so buckle up. However, there may be exceptions for vehicles run by public transportation networks.