Amsterdam Revisited: How Cannabis Tourism Is Changing

Amsterdam has long been the most famous cannabis destination in the world. For decades, travellers flocked to its canal-side coffeeshops, where the Dutch policy of tolerance created a unique cultural experience. But with cannabis now legal in Canada, parts of the United States, and even Thailand, the city is reinventing itself. For visitors today, Amsterdam offers more than just a place to roll a joint – it provides a blend of history, culture, and carefully curated cannabis experiences.

Visit the Iconic Coffeeshops

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without stepping into one of its legendary coffeeshops. Established under the tolerant drug policy of the 1970s, these venues became world-famous for offering a relaxed, social space to enjoy cannabis. While the number of coffeeshops has declined from over 700 in the 1990s to around 166 today, according to city data, the experience remains unique.

Many coffeeshops are directly connected to the seed banks and breeders that made Amsterdam a global hub for cannabis genetics. Barney’s Coffeeshop, operated by the renowned Barney’s Farm, is one of the most famous stops, offering visitors the chance to try strains that have won multiple High Times Cannabis Cups. Dutch Passion, another pioneering breeder, also has a long history of influencing coffeeshop menus with classics like Blueberry and Orange Bud. Green House Coffeeshop, tied to Green House Seeds, has become a tourist destination in its own right, attracting visitors eager to sample award-winning genetics such as Super Lemon Haze.

These coffeeshops do more than sell cannabis – they represent decades of breeding innovation and cultural exchange. For many travellers, sitting down in a coffeeshop with a strain like Pineapple Chunk from Barney’s Farm or White Widow from Green House Seeds feels like connecting with the very roots of modern cannabis culture. Today, coffeeshops are evolving, with many focusing on quality, knowledgeable staff, and an atmosphere that appeals to a wider range of visitors.

The Legacy of the Cannabis Cup

To truly appreciate Amsterdam’s role in global cannabis culture, it helps to understand the impact of the High Times Cannabis Cup, first held in the city in 1988. For years, this event drew thousands of visitors and became a showcase for breeders, coffeeshops, and new strains. Seed banks like Barney’s Farm, Dutch Passion, and Green House Seeds cemented their reputations by winning multiple awards, turning their genetics into household names among cannabis enthusiasts.

Although the Cup has since moved to the United States, its legacy is still felt throughout Amsterdam. Many coffeeshops proudly display trophies and certificates, offering tourists a chance to taste strains that once topped the competition. For visitors, this creates a direct link between Amsterdam’s coffeeshops and the global cannabis scene – a reminder that the city didn’t just host cannabis culture, it helped launch it worldwide.

Join a Cannabis Tour

From coffeeshops, many visitors move on to guided cannabis tours, which bring the city’s cannabis culture into sharper focus. Rather than exploring blindly, travellers can join curated experiences that combine Amsterdam’s architecture, history, and cannabis scene into one itinerary. Walking tours often begin with stops at iconic coffeeshops like Barney’s or Green House before expanding to seed shops, museums, and cultural landmarks.

A growing number of tours highlight the breeders behind Amsterdam’s reputation. Visitors may encounter shops linked to DNA Genetics, Serious Seeds, or Paradise Seeds, alongside the classics like Barney’s Farm and Dutch Passion. Guides explain how these seed banks shaped global cannabis culture by developing strains that went on to win international awards and spread worldwide. Some tours even include behind-the-scenes experiences, such as cultivation demonstrations or educational tastings that show the diversity of modern cannabis.

By moving naturally from coffeeshop to Cannabis Cup winners to seed banks and museums, these tours create a narrative that helps travellers understand why Amsterdam became the epicenter of cannabis culture – and how it continues to influence the world today.

Explore the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum

For those who want to learn as well as indulge, the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum is a must. Founded in 1985, it showcases the plant’s influence on medicine, industry, and culture. With more than 100,000 visitors annually, the museum highlights how cannabis shaped societies around the world, from ancient rituals to modern legalization. Its sister location, Hemp Gallery, explores industrial uses of hemp – from textiles to sustainable construction.

Stop by the Cannabis College

Located in the Red Light District, the Cannabis College offers free information sessions and displays on cannabis cultivation, history, and safe consumption. Travellers can view live plants in its organic garden and ask questions of knowledgeable staff. This is a popular stop for tourists who want a deeper understanding of cannabis beyond the coffeeshop experience.

Discover Wellness Experiences

Amsterdam’s cannabis scene is no longer only about smoking. CBD wellness treatments are available at local spas, while some retreats on the city’s outskirts incorporate cannabis into yoga or mindfulness sessions. This reflects a growing trend worldwide: cannabis as part of a holistic travel experience that blends relaxation, health, and culture. Analysts at Grand View Research project the global cannabis market could reach $102.2 billion by 2030, with wellness positioned as a key driver.

See the Broader Picture

Travellers should also be aware that Amsterdam is debating the future of cannabis tourism. In 2023, the city banned smoking on certain streets in the Red Light District, and proposals have been made to limit coffeeshop access for non-residents. These changes are designed to reduce overcrowding, but they also underline how cannabis tourism is evolving.

At the same time, cannabis destinations elsewhere are expanding rapidly. Canada and U.S. states like Colorado have legalized cannabis nationwide or locally, while Thailand recently joined the market in Asia. For global travellers, this means cannabis tourism is no longer unique to Amsterdam – but the Dutch capital remains the original.

Looking Ahead

Amsterdam’s cannabis scene is changing, but it is far from disappearing. Today, visitors can not only relax in iconic coffeeshops but also immerse themselves in museums, tours, and wellness activities that tell a broader story. For travellers curious about cannabis culture, Amsterdam remains an essential stop – a place where the past, present, and future of cannabis tourism converge in one unforgettable city.