|
|
|
|
Amsterdam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Despite the popularity of the red light district, cafés
The Rijsmuseum has the best collection of 17th century Dutch art in the world - plus a few million other pieces - and the Van Gogh museum houses an unrivalled collection of Vincent's work.
If you’d rather stay outdoors, there’s also lots to enjoy.
Amsterdam has accumulated almost seven thousand 16th, 17th
and 18th century buildings, 47 miles of canals, 1281
And a great way to explore all this is by hiring a bicycle.
On a sunny day - even if you’re not particularly fond of bikes - riding around the city for an hour or two is great fun and quite addictive.
[Eating] [Drinking] [Events] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
Amsterdam is one of the easiest European cities to reach from the UK, and with flying times as short as one hour, one of the closest. Here is a selection of flights; arrival times are in brackets and all times are local.
Schiphol airport is just 20 minutes by rail
from Centraal
The airport is about nine miles from the centre, and expect to pay around €35 for a taxi to Centraal Station.
If you'd like more information on getting to Amsterdam, take a look at our booking and travel planning section.
Eco-friendly travel - to find out how you can make your travel carbon neutral visit CarbonNeutral or ClimateCare.
[Eating] [Drinking] [Events] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
A one-day travel card valid for all public transport costs €6.40 and is available from tram drivers, tobacconists and tourist offices - there’s one in Schiphol Airport Arrivals 2, another in Centraal Station near platform 2b and one opposite the station.
A good way to see Amsterdam is from the water. Apart from hiring a water taxi or taking a formal canal tour, you could hop on the Museum Boat - a six-stop service for the major museums – or use the extensive Canalbus network.
But if you use one of the glass-topped boats for a canal
If you fancy something a little more energetic, you could hire a pedalo.
Also consider getting a €33 one-day I amsterdam Card. This gives you free travel on the trams, buses, metro and Canalbus; free or discounted entry to museums and attractions; and a free canal tour and restaurant discounts.
[Getting There] [Drinking] [Events] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
What To Visit
Rijksmuseum - as befits the treasure trove of almost seven million works of art that it houses, Holland’s largest museum is one of the most imposing buildings in the city - virtual tour.
Sadly, most of it is closed for renovation, but a selection of highlights is on display in the Philips Wing. Map
Van Gogh Museum - the world’s
largest collection of Van Gogh's work rubs shoulders with the works of other 19th
Amsterdams Historisch Museum - once the town orphanage, this museum traces the city’s history but majors on its 17th-century golden age. Map
Museum Amstelkring - the attic of this gorgeous 17th-century building houses a rare and perfectly preserved baroque-style clandestine church - virtual tour. When Catholics were forbidden to worship publicly, they had to use secret churches like this one. Map
[Getting There] [Drinking] [Events] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
Highlights include the magnificent Great Organ and the Maria Kapel stained glass windows and, reputedly, the largest wooden vaulted ceiling in Western Europe. Map
Dam Square - five-minutes walk from Centraal Station is the bustling heart of Amsterdam and the site of the Amstel river dam where the city began its life. Map
Dominated by the 70ft World War II memorial obelisk, this vast square is home
to the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal
Palace),
It’s also where you’ll find the monumental five-star Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, and the city’s best-known department store, De Bijenkorf.
Museum Van Loon - a visit to this small but enchanting canal house will transport you back to the 18th-century - virtual tour one. It has been lovingly and meticulously restored to its 1750s grandeur - virtual tour two. Map
Begijnhof - a complete change of
pace, this tranquil and
Anne Frankhuis - it’s hard to imagine Anne Frank and her family hiding out for over two years in the secret annexe of this building. This museum is a fascinating but extremely sombre experience, so do something uplifting afterwards. Map
If you want to find an address that’s not listed on this page, please click here.
[Getting There] [Drinking] [Events] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
Amsterdam is home to over 170 nationalities. So it’s
no
If you want to book a restaurant, the dialling code is 00 31.
Vossius at Hobbemastraat 2 is not a place for the faint of wallet, but for special occasions and those times when only the best will do, it's hard to beat - 0205774100. Map
Van Vlaanderen at Weteringschans 175 is a gourmet paradise of French and Mediterranean cooking, and one of around seven Michelin starred restaurants in Amsterdam. Ask for a terrace table - 0206228292. Map
Le Pêcheur - this stylish fish restaurant has a wonderful terrace garden, overlooked by some of Amsterdam’s finest houses. The superb menu makes it difficult to choose and the staff are friendly and helpful. The €40 four-course set menu is great value for money. Map
De Compagnon is a little difficult to find but worth the effort as it offers some of the best French cooking in the city, and at very reasonable prices. It specializes in Bourgondian dishes and accompanied by excellent wines. It's intimate, welcoming and a window table gives you great canal views. Map
[Getting There] [Drinking] [Events] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
For more modestly priced dining try Brassiere Schiller in
the
Lucius is well-known among Amsterdam's seafood aficionados as one of the best and most reasonably priced fish restaurants in the city. Shellfish is a speciality, especially the oysters. Map
d’Theeboom is part of a former cheese warehouse dating back to 1702. It serves mouth-watering French and Mediterranean dishes and great wines, and weather permitting, you can eat by the canal. Three course set menus from €33. Map
The beautiful art deco Café
Americain opened its doors in 1902, and is Holland's oldest grand café and a listed
If you haven't tried Indonesian food yet, short of going to Indonesia, Amsterdam is the place to give it a try. Go for a rijsttafel, a feast of around 18 dishes, which will satisfy most appetites and tastes. Here are two recommendations to get you started.
Tujuh Maret is a little outside the centre but it's one of the best in the city and their rijsttafel includes a chicken satay that’s so good it should be illegal. Map
Sarang Mas is close to Dam Square and offers a choice of rijsttafels starting at €28. The the excellent food is complemented by pleasant surroundings and helpful staff. Map
There are also several Japanese eateries including Yoichi
Utrechtsestraat - south of Rembrandtplein - is a bit of a trek from Centraal Station, but it's a target-rich environment for food lovers of all tastes.
For a wider choice of restaurant reviews, take a look at these excellent independent guides - specialbite and iens.
[Getting There] [Sightseeing] [Events] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
If you fancy drinking, and eating, in more stylish surroundings, opt for one of the grand cafés such as De Jaren with its picturesque canalside terrace. Map
The art deco L’Opera spills out onto Rembrandtsplein and is a great place to rest after a few hours in the Rijksmuseum. Map
Land van
Walem is modern and minimalist, and has two
For something a little less fancy try the comfy sofas and armchairs in De Admiraal a proeflokaal or tasting house - Herengracht 319. Map
Or why not visit one of Amsterdam’s oldest taverns, De Drie Fleschjes, which was opened in 1650. Gravenstraat 18 behind Nieuwe Kerk. Map
In the beautiful and historic Prinsengracht area you’ll find two very popular brown cafés, De Prins at Prinsengracht 124 - map; and a short walk from there, De Reiger at Nieuwe Leliestraat 34. Map
For a complete
contrast try the designer chairs and flavoured vodkas in Moko at Amstelveld 12 near the
Bagels & Beans - if you'd rather avoid anything to do with alcohol, this café does a good selection of coffees, teas and soft drinks. It's also probably serves the best bagels in the city. Map
[Getting There] [Sightseeing] [Eating] [Shopping] [Practical Info] [Top]
30 April - Queen’s Day - the national celebration of the Queen Mother’s birthday turns the city into Holland’s biggest street party and car-boot sale.
People dress in the royal colours (orange), and there's a fair in Dam Square, live music and street theatre, as well as parties and parades, flea markets and fireworks.
June - Holland Festival - an extensive programme of art, music, ballet, opera and theatre, which attracts national and international performers.
August - Grachten Festival - Amsterdam plays host to a wide range of classical concerts given by top performers from Holland and around the world.
September - National Heritage Days - every
year,
September - Bloemencorso - on the first Saturday in September, a magnificent procession of flower floats starts out Aarlsmeer, home of the flower industry, and ends up in the Dam Square. But don’t expect to see tulips because they’re out of season.
September - Jordaan Festival - the charming Jordaan area is host to a loosely organised festival of music, street parties, fairs, drink and food.
[Getting There] [Sightseeing] [Eating] [Drinking] [Practical Info] [Top]
A short walk from Centraal Station brings you to Noordermarkt where there has been a market since 1627. It’s open on Mondays and Saturdays and sells a variety of local delicacies, second-hand clothes and general bric-a-brac. Map
Waterlooplein is a vast Monday-to-Saturday flea market and one of the four metro stops in the city centre. Map
If you’re looking for upmarket shopping, try the De
Bijenkorf department store in Dam Square, frequently
Magna Plaza is a smart shopping centre housed in a stunningly beautiful building on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal that was originally designed as the city’s head post office.
Worth a visit just to look at the building inside and out. Map
Bloemenmarkt - Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market, near Rembrandtplein, is the only one of its kind in the world. Even if you don't like flowers, it's worth visiting for the riot of colour. The market runs the length of Singel between Konnigsplein and Vijzelstraat. Map
[Getting There] [Sightseeing] [Eating] [Drinking] [Events] [Top]
Amsterdam is generally a safe capital, but you have to be careful about petty crime such as pickpocketing in crowded places.
And don’t flash cash around in public or leave handbags, baggage or cameras unattended or exposed.
This is a great city for cyclists but you still have to watch out for tram tracks and traffic and show consideration for pedestrians.
Tips and service charges - taxi, restaurant, bar and café bills in Holland have to include tax and service charges by law.
However, it’s customary to round up the bill
to the nearest
All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the city, but it’s always wise to check if you’re not sure.
Cash dispensers are called Pin Automaats, are normally multi-lingual, and there are plenty of them.
In the summer the canals attract mosquitoes, so don’t forget to bring some kind of repellent or bite cream.
The currency is the Euro; to find out how many you get to the pound, click here.
Local time and other useful information.
BBC Languages - some basic phrases together with audio pronunciation.
Ielanguages - basic to more advanced Dutch with pronunciation guides.
Languages for Travellers - a good introduction to the basics.
[Getting There] [Sightseeing] [Eating] [Drinking] [Events] [Shopping] [Top] |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Copyright (c) 2008 daytripstoeurope.co.uk |
specializing in something a little stronger than French cigarettes and the
flower market, there’s more to Amsterdam than sex, drugs and tulips. 
tour on a sunny day, make sure you sit near a window that opens, because
they can get uncomfortably hot.
century artists - 
originally built as the town hall; and the striking 
elegant little corner of the city was built as a
sanctuary for the Beguines lay Catholic sisterhood. A great place for some quiet
contemplation. 
surprise that a diverse range of cuisine is on offer in its 800 or so cafés,
restaurants and lunchrooms. 
Schiller Hotel. This art deco landmark with its stained-glass skylights is a great setting for the excellent food. 
Amsterdam is
teeming with cafés and bars, and traditional Dutch local pubs know as brown cafés because of their
nicotine-stained interiors.
There are 
over the second weekend of September, 35 of Amsterdam’s most historic
monuments are open to the public free of charge. 
South of the centre in the De Pijp district is the
Albert Cuypmarkt, Amsterdam’s largest general market and supposedly the busiest
market in Europe. Over 300 stalls sell everything from fruit and vegetables, to
shoes and cosmetics. Closed on Sundays. 
referred to
as the Dutch Harrods. 
