Amsterdam City Overview

Amsterdam has an extensive spectrum of recreational and cultural sights that range from captivating old buildings,
like the Oude Kerk, to oddities such as the Hash Marihuana Museum.

Museums are the main tourist attraction in Amsterdam. Everyone knows the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and
Stedelijk Museum, but there is much, much more. Amsterdam has over fifty museums which attract millions of visitors every year.
The following sites and monuments should also be of interest and are an essential part of the Amsterdam experience.

Oude Kerk

This old church with little houses clinging to its sides remains a tranquil haven at the heart of the wild
Red Light District. Its buildings, especially the Gothic-renaissance style octagonal bell tower, were used by sailors
to get their bearings.

Dam square

The Dam is the very centre and heart of Amsterdam, although there are arguably prettier sights in the city. As an
historical site however, it is fascinating and worth taking the time to appreciate. The Dam has seen many historical dramas
unfold over the years, and was for example, the reception area for Napoleon and his troops during the 1808 take-over of the city.
The impressive history of the square is well documented in the Amsterdam Historical Museum. The Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) which dominates the square, was originally used as the town hall and its traditional facade and fine sculptures were intended to glorify the city of Amsterdam and its government. In contrast to its tumultuous history, the square is now a peaceful place and is home to hundreds of pigeons and tourists resting their tired feet.

Begijnhof

A narrow, vaulted passageway leads to this charming garden surrounded by old houses. The houses in the courtyard were once occupied by devout celibate B�guine nuns and are still home to single women today. In the centre of the lawns is a medieval church and at No.34 stands the oldest house in Amsterdam. The entrance is on the Spui and is indicated by a carved sign. Entry is free, but you must be quiet!

Amsterdam's Canals

The number of canals have led Amsterdam to become known as �The Venice of the North�. And thus, a trip to Amsterdam is not complete without a boat cruise. A canal tour can be both fascinating and relaxing by day and enchanting and romantic at night when many of the houses and bridges are illuminated. The four main city center canals are Prinsengracht, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Singel. There are also numerous smaller canals in the neighbourhood of Jordaan, of which the Brouwersgracht, the Bloemgracht and the Leliegracht are especially pleasant.

Magere Brug

Of Amsterdam's 1280 or so bridges, the Magere Brug, or � Skinny Bridge� is the most famous. It is a traditional double-leaf, Dutch draw-bridge connecting the banks of the river Amstel. Approximately every twenty minutes, the bridge opens to let boats through. The original bridge was built in 1670, but as the traffic on Amstel increased, a wider bridge was built to replace the narrow one.

Jordaan

Once a working class area, Amsterdam�s Jordaan has become greatly sought after. The converted warehouses are especially popular, and the Jordaan is now inhabited by a colorful mixture of students, well-to-do businessmen and creative professionals. The Jordaan oozes atmosphere with its narrow streets, picturesque canals, brown cafes, art galleries and unique shops. You can easily lose yourself in a pleasant stroll in through the enchanting streets that connect the 3 main canals.

Rembrandtplein (square)

Rembrandtplein is lined with pubs, restaurants, cafes and hotels and is thus a tourist magnet. A popular centre for nightlife, it also includes traditional Dutch pubs which play real Dutch music. In summer, the terraces are packed with people enjoying a drink and watching the world go by. In the centre of the square is a small but pleasant park where you can relax or pay homage at the statue of Rembrandt. Around the area you�ll also find quality night clubs, gay venues, respectable diamond dealers and the inevitable tacky souvenir shops.

Leidseplein (square)

The Leidseplein or Leidse-square is one of Amsterdam's most popular centres for nightlife. With many restaurants, clubs, coffeeshops, cinemas and theatres in the area, the Leidseplein is vibrant and colourful. On warm summer evenings, tourists and locals alike take advantage of the pubs� outdoor seating for long, lazy drinks with friends. Street musicians, jugglers, fire-eaters and other performers liven up the square, often till the early hours.

Red Light District

Beer and party atmosphere, sex for sale, and limitless people-watching. The stores are full of hardcore videos, magazines and sex toys. The Red Light District is somewhat of a sexual amusement park and often not taken too seriously by the hordes of tourists who frequent it. The famous red window lights are striking against the quaint, old canal houses and even the fairy lights that line the bridges at night are colored red. Although it is generally considered to be a very safe area, care should still be taken when walking through the quieter streets of the area. There is a strict �no photography� policy.

Albert Cuyp market

The Albert Cuypmarkt is arguably the best-known and busiest outdoor market in Europe. It attracts thousands of visitors every day, and is especially popular on Saturdays. There are over 300 stalls and goods range from fresh produce, to clothes, to odds and ends, with prices among the cheapest in Amsterdam. The market is located in the Pijp district, surrounded by many pleasant cafes and small shops.

Artis ZOO Right in the center of Amsterdam, you can also find the oldest Zoo of Holland. It consists of four main areas: Zoo, Planetarium, Botanical Gardens and Geological and Zoological museum. In the zoo itself you will find animals from all over the world. In addition, a distinctive canal aquarium shows you which animals roam the canals of Amsterdam. The planetarium offers children a trip through the universe. In the peaceful gardens, you can find many old trees and statues of contemporary artists as well as an impressive, tropical rainforest greenhouse. The Geological museum shows you how the planet has evolved over the past 4 billion years.

Vondelpark

The Vondelpark is located in the south of Amsterdam, just five minutes walk from the Leidseplein and in walking distance from the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum and Van Gogh Museum. With 10 million visitors a year, the Vondelpark is the most famous park in the Netherlands.

Hortus Botanicus - the Botanical Garden

Amsterdam has an extensive and attractive botanical garden called Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest in the world (est. 1632). In the recently renovated Orangery of Hortus Botanicus, a beautiful caf� with a large outside terrace open to the garden welcomes the visitors. Located a short walking distance from the Rembrandts House, very close to Artis � Amsterdam ZOO, the Jewish Historical Museum and the Resistance Museum, Hortus Botanicus remains a delightful oasis of serenity in the hectic and crowded Amsterdam centre.

Squares in Amsterdam

Big and open Dam square with the Palace of the Queen and the best department store has a central role in town; Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are entertainment and tourism centers while the Museumplein name speaks for itself. Nieuwmarkt, Westermarkt and Noordermarkt are old markets, which found today a new function, each of them different. Even a small square called het Spui has its own special character, making it a real treat to visit.

Amsterdam Windmills

A trip to Holland just wouldn�t be complete without a visit to a windmill. Believe it or not, there are 8 stunning windmills in the heart of the city just waiting to admired. Don�t forget to take your camera.