Can Tourists Buy Weed in Amsterdam?

Detailed Answer

Amsterdam remains one of the few places in Europe where tourists can openly purchase cannabis. Licensed coffeeshops sell cannabis to anyone aged 18 and over, regardless of nationality or residency. You will need to present a valid passport or government-issued ID to prove your age. Each transaction is limited to 5 grams of cannabis.

There are approximately 160 coffeeshops currently operating in Amsterdam, ranging from small neighborhood establishments to well-known tourist destinations like The Bulldog, Barney's, and Grey Area. Most coffeeshops offer a menu of different cannabis strains, pre-rolled joints, and sometimes hashish. Prices typically range from 8 to 18 euros per gram depending on quality and strain. Edibles (space cakes, brownies) are available at many locations as well.

It is worth noting that while buying and consuming cannabis in coffeeshops is tolerated, smoking in public spaces can result in fines. Many Amsterdam parks and public areas have designated no-smoking zones. Since 2008, smoking tobacco indoors in the Netherlands has been banned, which means mixing tobacco with cannabis in a joint is technically prohibited inside coffeeshops — though enforcement of this specific rule varies.

The Amsterdam city council has periodically discussed restricting cannabis sales to residents only, particularly in the red-light district area where overtourism is a concern. As of early 2026, no such restriction has been implemented, but travelers should check for any policy changes before visiting. The broader Dutch Wietproefexperiment (regulated supply chain experiment) may also eventually change how coffeeshops operate.