Originally Posted by
rrz518
For a city that is so beautiful (architecture, museums, waterways, etc.), the cleanliness level approaches "vile".
Has it always been like this, or is a new development? Has the drug culture made this problem worse? Does the Dutch govt. recognize it as a problem? What are they doing to correct it?
Too bad such a nice place is so downright nasty (in regards to cleanliness....the people are great)
Thanks
The dirtiest parts of Amsterdam are the tourists zones - especially those parts where most Amsterdammers don't go -ever. ;-) (Damrak, Dam, Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat, Leidseplein). If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday it is worse: more tourists and fewer cleaners.
Most of Amsterdam is fairly clean. I cycle an hour every day to and from work through Amsterdam and I hardly ever notice anything dirty. (and I am a person that will pick up a stray plastic bag when I see it on the street in front of our house)
I'd rate Amsterdam as "average" on the cleanliness ranking - I have seen much dirtier and also much cleaner (Switzerland!).