Cruising

Cruising areas

Like many things in Holland cruising and having sex in public is officially not allowed, but in reality tolerated. So over the years a couple of areas have become known as places where men meet and have some fun. The last years there hardly have been reports on violence in these cruising areas, but you\'ll never know so watch out and play it save!

Cruising by night

The most well known cruising area nearby the centre is in the Vondelpark. When you walk into the park from the city centre it is on the right side of the park, at the end in an area known as the Rose Garden. A few years ago there were two murders in the park, but one of them had nothing to do with the cruising area. The Rose Garden is also a gay area on sunny days. Less well known is the Sarphati Park (in De Pijp neighbourhood, where the Albert Cuyp market is). The cruisy part is the corner of the Ceintuurbaan and the 1e Sweelinckstraat. It is not a very popular cruising area, so expect to go home without having met anyone.

Cruising by night and day

Oeverlanden/Nieuwe Meer: the major outdoor cruising area (day and night) is located on the south-west side of the city. You'll find the cruising area near the 'oude haagseweg', close to the Mercure Hotel (Oude Haagse weg 20). When the weather is fine, the cruising area is larger: it ends at the border of the Nieuwe Meer (a small lake, swimming is possible). Unfortunately this part of Amsterdam becomes more and more part of the city. Still, the rougher part is dominated by men. Nudism is allowed. Cruising during the night in this area is not our favorite.

Cruising near the beach

The nudist beach of Zandvoort is located on the south side of this city: some 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam and than a good half hour walk to the offical nudist beach. You'll find lots of gay Amsterdam men enjoying summer on this beach. The dunes at this beach are known to be a cruising area, but not as popular as years ago. Mind you, this is not a part of the nudist beach and they police will (from time to time) make sure that everybody is sufficiently dressed and not to busy.

Cruising, the traditional way

In the centre of Amsterdam you see a couple of green mettle structures in the shape of a round, open house. These are the traditional public urinals, which used to be the cruising areas in the old days. One is still 'in function' as such and if you want to feel like George Michael (without being caught), try the one on the corner of the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat and Keizersgracht.