Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM
Area: Netherlands
Location: In N Holland province, 33 miles NE of The Hague, 38
miles N of Rotterdam; 9 miles NE of Schiphol Airport with
frequent trains to Amsterdam Central Station.
Telephone code from UK: 31 20
Website: http://www.visitamsterdam.nl
Position: Built on 90 islands on the S side of the River Ij at
its confluence with the River Amstel, forming a long inlet at
the SW corner of Ijsselmeer (inland sea). Connected to the North
Sea by ship canal.
Description: This major port must be one of the most interesting
cities in the world. It has over 7,000 protected buildings _
many of them elegant 17th-century merchants' houses _ and 40
museums, combined with a unique and lively nightlife.
Criss-crossed with canals which have more than 1,000 bridges, it
has a very attractive, compact centre and an atmosphere more
like that of a provincial town. In the early 13th century,
Giesebrecht II and III of Amstel built a castle near this former
fishing hamlet and dammed up the sea _ hence its name. By the
17th century it was the source of Dutch commercial and naval
power, the centre of the Dutch East India (1602) and West India
(1621) companies and Europe's richest city. It was connected by
a 17-mile canal to the North Sea in 1875. An ancient tax on the
width of buildings explains the tall, narrow constructions. Some
even slant forwards to allow furniture to be hoisted up. The
city's 700,000 inhabitants have a famously liberal attitude to
drugs and sex. Prostitutes, who pay taxes, can be seen openly in
shop windows, and "coffee shops" (take note if you just want a
cappuccino) sell marijuana legally. Do not be put off by these
aspects if they do not interest you; they are easily avoided and
Amsterdam is a very safe and friendly city. The focal point of
the city is Dam Square. Leidseplein is another bustling square
of shops, restaurants and bars _ not dissimilar to London's
Leicester Square _ which attracts plenty of tourists. The
Jordaan district is particularly good for exploring, with its
narrow shopping streets and charming courtyards. Reminders of
the days of the Golden Age are everywhere _ in the layout of the
city, its unique architecture, extensive canal system and
masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.
Suitability: Younger crowds may enjoy the relaxed laws;
art-lovers for the museums and galleries; couples for the sheer
romance. Particularly attracts English and American visitors.
Accommodation: Full range from luxurious to modest, from
old-world charm to modern sophistication. Reservations advisable
at any time, especially in tulip season (March_June). You will
generally pay more for a canalside spot.
Shopping: Excellent, with convenience and variety. Fashionable
PC Hooftstraat; popular pedestrianised de Kalverstraat; lanes
with innumerable small speciality stores; Cuypstraat, the oldest
street market. Flower market. Magna Plaza is a pleasant shopping
mall _ one of the few in the city. De Bijenkorf on the Dam is a
hundred-year-old department store. Upmarket shops at
Museumkwartier and Spiegelkwartier.
Entertainments: Daytime: famous museums: Rijks (Dutch masters),
Van Gogh and Stedelijk (modern art) are all in or near
Museumplein square. Rembrandt's house, Anne Frank's house,
Historische Museum. Royal palace, canal trips, diamond-polishing
factories, Heineken brewery. Singel Canal's floating flower
market. Spring and autumn flower shows. Walking tours (guide
books from tourist office). Erotic museum and tours of red-light
district. Madame Tussaud's. Nightlife: walks or boat trips along
flood-lit canals. Rich offering of theatres (32), some with
shows in English, cinemas (30) and concert halls (12) especially
Concertgebouw and Muziektheater. Numerous clubs, discos and a
thriving music scene. Bars, cabarets, famous red-light district
and casino. More than 1,000 Bruine (brown) cafes _ traditional
Dutch pubs.
Eating: The Dutch are not known for their food, except perhaps
pancakes. Fish features heavily on menus, and cheese or cabbage
soup are local specialities. Over 700 restaurants, which tend to
be intimate and characterful. A large number of Indonesian
restaurants and Argentinian steakhouses. Chinese, tapas,
Turkish, Lebanese, sushi and some international options. A
particularly good selection in the Jordaan district. For a
delicious, cheap snack have a falafel with serve-yourself salad
like the locals.
Public-transport: Excellent network of trams and buses, though
the city is best explored on foot. Circle tram 20 stops at all
the main tourist attractions. A pass allows unlimited travel on
bus, tram and metro (four lines) for 1 to 9 days. Many locals
ride bicycles, and these are widely available for hire _
although cycling on the roads can be dangerous. Water and
regular taxis. Four ferry boats.
Local-excursions: Half day: Edam and windmills; tulip fields (in
season); Volendam and Marken. Full day: Aalmeer flower auction;
The Hague and Delft; Alkmaar cheese market; Brussels and
Antwerp.
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