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Amsterdam coffeeshop guide 2026: the rules, the areas and what to expect

By Cannactually Editorial · Reviewed by Joe Pears, editor-in-chief · · 3 min read

Amsterdam canal at night, with lit-up canal houses reflected in the water

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Amsterdam has around 150 coffeeshops, and they differ a lot: busy places near Centraal Station, small shops that have been around for decades, and quiet neighbourhood spots. This guide explains the rules first, then describes ten well-known shops by area so you know what to expect.

How this guide works

We do not rank or score coffeeshops. Shops are grouped by area and listed in alphabetical order. The descriptions come from public information and were checked at the time of writing; opening hours change, so check before you go. Coffeeshops cannot pay to appear here, and we do not link to them.

The rules for visitors in 2026

  • 18 or older, with ID. Staff check at the door. Bring a passport, ID card or driving licence.
  • 5 grams maximum. Coffeeshops may not sell more than 5 grams per person per day, and 5 grams is the tolerated amount for personal possession.
  • Tourists can buy. Amsterdam does not apply the national residents-only rule.
  • No smoking on the street in the old centre. Since 2023, smoking cannabis in public is banned in the Red Light District, Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square. The fine is 100 euros.
  • No alcohol. Coffeeshops may not sell or serve it.
  • No tobacco inside. The indoor smoking ban applies to coffeeshops, so tobacco and tobacco-mixed joints are not allowed indoors.
  • Only buy in coffeeshops. Street dealers often sell fake or unsafe products, and buying on the street is illegal.

Amsterdam is not part of the national closed-supply experiment that started in ten other Dutch municipalities in April 2025, so its coffeeshops still work under the long-standing tolerance policy.

Around Centraal Station and Haarlemmerstraat

  • Barney’s Coffeeshop, Haarlemmerstraat: a long-running shop with friendly staff, popular with visitors. Prices are on the high side.
  • Coffeeshop Amsterdam, Haarlemmerstraat: a large three-floor lounge with table service, a few minutes’ walk from Centraal Station. It gets crowded at peak times.
  • Prix d’Ami, Haringpakkerssteeg near Damrak: one of the biggest coffeeshops in the city, with three floors of seating. Expect a busy, touristy atmosphere.

The canal belt and the Jordaan

  • Paradox, Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat: a small Jordaan shop open since 1991, close to the Anne Frank House, with a mostly local crowd.
  • Siberie, Brouwersgracht: closer to a café than a shop, with art on the walls, board games and open mic nights, and a mix of locals and visitors.

The old centre

  • Grey Area, Oude Leliestraat: a tiny, sticker-covered shop near Dam Square with a loyal following. It fills up fast and keeps short hours.
  • Original Dampkring, Handboogstraat: known for its colourful interior and an appearance in the film Ocean’s Twelve. Reviews of the service are mixed.
  • Tweede Kamer, Heisteeg off Spui: a tiny old-school shop open since 1985, with very little seating.

South of the centre

  • Boerejongens, Utrechtsestraat: an apothecary-style shop near Rembrandtplein. There can be a queue and the smoking room is small.
  • Katsu, De Pijp: a relaxed neighbourhood shop with art on the walls, a short tram ride from the centre.

Before you go

  1. Go early or midweek if you want a seat; the shops near Centraal Station fill up first.
  2. Ask the staff what a product is and how strong it is. Start low if you are not a regular user, especially with edibles, which take longer to work.
  3. Bring cash as a backup. Many shops take cards, not all.
  4. Respect the neighbours. Keep noise down when you leave, and do not smoke in the banned zones.

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists buy cannabis in Amsterdam?

Yes. Amsterdam does not apply the residents-only rule, so visitors aged 18 or over with a valid ID can buy in coffeeshops.

How much cannabis can I buy in an Amsterdam coffeeshop?

Coffeeshops may not sell more than 5 grams per person per day, and 5 grams is the tolerated amount for personal possession.

Can I smoke cannabis on the street in Amsterdam?

Not in the old city centre. Since 2023, smoking cannabis in public is banned in the Red Light District, Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square, with a 100 euro fine.

Does Cannactually rank or score coffeeshops?

No. This guide describes shops by area, in alphabetical order. Coffeeshops cannot pay to be included and we do not link to them.