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The dutch capital - a metropolis lying relaxed on 90 islands. A beautiful city, Amsterdam. No wonder, because Amsterdam is an incredibly diverse city. With approximately 7,500 listed buildings Amsterdam offers the highest density of historical monuments in the Netherlands. The historic ensemble of the ring canals over the centuries has been preserved completely.
Oude Kerk
Built around 1300 it is the main church of Amsterdam, now situated in the Red Light District, is the oldest building in the city. Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm, entrance 4,50 Euro. Oudekerksplein, Tram: 4, 9, 16, 24, 25
Westerkerk
At its completion in 1631 was the Westerkerk the largest Protestant church in the world. It is the symbol of the Jordaan district. Who climbs in the highest tower in the city, will be reward with a magnificent view over the old city. Visit from April to September. Mon-Fri 11am-3pm. Tower ascent from April to September. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm. entrance 3 Euro. Prinsengracht 281, Tram: 13, 14, 17 (Westermarkt)
Grachtenring
The semicircle lays around the city consits of the old Singel and Gentlemen, Keizer and Prinsengracht and countless smaller canals. Total found in an area of about 8 sq km about 160 canals and 600 bridges. One hour canal tours are offered by various carriers. They all start before the main railway station and cost about 15 Euro per person.
Chinatown
The Zeedijk is at the heart of this small district, which is a curious mixture of old dutch architecture, red-light scene and Chinese culture. In Chinatown, there is Chinese fashion, food, books and restaurants also Chinese doctors. The colorful Fo-Kuang Shan temple can be visited. Metro: Nieuwmarkt
Van-Gogh-Museum
Countless paintings and 500 drawings by the great painter can be found in this modern, bright house on the Museumplein. Sat-Sun 10am to 6pm, Fri 10am-10pm. 10 Euro Paulus Potterstraat 7
Nieuwmarkt
Around the old city scale in the red light district covers the Nieuwmarkt, a marketplace with numerous terraces and music cafes as well as the asian snacks. Metro: Nieuwmarkt
where to stay
Wiechmann
Ideally situated hotel, over a few houses at the canal. 40 modern or antique furnished rooms, family rooms too. Prinsengracht 328-332, Tram: 13, 14, 17 (Westermarkt)
Canal House
The American owner has two canal houses from the 17th Century put together. All rooms have a beautiful old wooden floor, but no television. From the breakfast room you look out into the wild garden. 26 rooms Keizersgracht 148, Tram: 13, 14, 17 (Westermarkt)
The Dylan
Guests have the choice between seven different room styles, from classical antiquity to the asia-minimalist. 41 rooms. Keizersgracht 384, Tram: 13, 14, 17 (Raadhuisstraat)
Amstel Botel Ship Hotel
near the train station in the water. Book your room on the water side. 174 cabins. Oosterdokskade 2-4, 2 Min. on foot to the central station. Amsterdam Marriott Hotel Your first thought on seeing this brick bulk on the fringe of Vondelpark is ‘great location, lousy building’. But once inside the green-carpeted, rather country-clubbish rooms, you get all the little comforts standard to this class of hotel to help you forget the blandness of it all. Stadhouderskade 12 Hotel Prinsenhof In a great location off Utrechtsestraat, this homely canal house dating from the 1700s has rooms with beams and big windows (some looking on to Prinsengracht). They’re comfortably furnished with relaxing armchairs in a chintzy style. Prinsengracht 810, Tram 4 Inter-Continental Amstel Amsterdam Commanding wonderful views over the Amstel, the grande dame of Amsterdam hotels has been lodging the great and the good since 1867. There are only 79 rooms and suites – astonishing for a building this size – which indicates how spacious they are. Professor Tulpplein 1, Tram 6, 7, 10.
where to eat
Tujuh Maret
Authentic Indonesian. Who wants to try something particular, should take a different rijsttafels for two people. daily. Utrechtsestraat 73, Tram: 4 (Keizersgracht)
Cafe Américain
Elegant Art Nouveau cafe in the same hotel. daily Leidseplein 97, Tram: 1, 2, 5, 7, 10 (Leidseplein)
Moeders
The card is traditionally dutch, but also one or the other mediterranean dish. daily. Rozengracht 251, Tram: 10, 13, 14, 17 (Marnixstraat or Rozengracht)
Villa Zeezicht
Small cafe, where you can nicely sit in the summer on the wide bridge over the Singel. daily. Torensteeg 7, Tram: 1, 2, 5, 13, 14, 17 (Dam)
Coffeeshops Barney’s The best thing about Barney’s is its early opening hours and range of international breakfasts (complete with vegetarian and vegan options). Come here if you arrive in Amsterdam in the morning (it’s just a five-minute walk from Centraal Station) or for a civilised end to a night on the tiles. Additionally, the weed is 100% organic. Haarlemmerstraat 102 Greenhouse The Greenhouse has a worldwide reputation for its menu, which will bring a long slow smile of delight to the face of the cannabis connoisseur (although, of course, all this comes at a price). Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191
shopping
Jacob Hooy & Co
To enter these spice shop is as if you make a small time journey. 500 different herbs and spices exude their fragrance. Behind the counter are about 30 glasses with drop - sweet or salty Dutch licorice. Kloveniersburgwal 10-12, Metro: Nieuwmarkt
Heinen Delftware
Father Jaap and son Joris paint the porcelain part of themselves, but also sell goods from factories of the Royal Delft. Prinsengracht 440, Tram: 13, 14, 17 (Westermarkt)
Bijenkorf
The most prestigious department store chain in the Netherlands founded in 1870 built in 1915 the store on the Dam. In the "hive" is everything more noble than anywhere else. Dam 1, Tram: all lines (Dam) but not 3, 7, 10, 12
Trains
Between Frankfurt, Cologne and Amsterdam are circulating ICE trains (journey time is four, or three hours). From Berlin daily two highspeedtrains arrive in about seven hours over Osnabruck in Amsterdam. All trains arrive in Amsterdam Centraal, some go to the airport.
Plane
Several times a day start scheduled flights from all major European cities to Amsterdam and landing usually at Schiphol Airport. Schiphol Airport is located approximately 18 km southwest of the city. All fifteen minutes runs a train to Amsterdam Centraal (about 20 minutes, fare around 3 Euro). A taxi into the city costs about 40 Euro. Who stays in a 4 - or 5-star hotel, may also take the KLM shuttle, which leaves twice an hour.
Public Transport
There are trams (tram) and buses as well as a single metro line. A single ticket costs 1,60 Euro. In the trams you mostly enter through the back door and show the conductor who sits there, your ticket. During the week buses and trains run until about 12am, on weekends until about 1am.
Keukenhof
These flower garden you can find amid the fields of tulips in a 32-acre park in Lisse. It is open only in spring, when the 7 million tulips and other flowers bloom. This festival for the eyes is one of the most photographed sights in the world. At the end of March until mid-May, daily 8 a.m. to 7:30pm. 12,50 Euro Bus 54 from Leiden
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