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ART
& ATTRACTIONS IN AMSTERDAM |
HOT SPOTS
The City Centre
In Amsterdam's oldest quarter you can browse through medieval
streets. Ancient cafés alongside the trendiest of shops. The
city was built around the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam's oldest building
dating from 1300. In this part of Amsterdam every stone tells
a story!
The Dam
The Dam was built around 1270 between two dikes in order to
prevent floodings. Now it is the central square between Rokin
and Damrak. The Palace on Dam Square, The Nieuwe Kerk, The War
Memorial and Madam Tussaud's are its main attractions. The Dam
has a rich history of revolt and demonstrations.
The Jordaan
This more than 300 year old working-class area was given the
name jardin (garden) during the French occupation because all
the streets are named after flowers, plants and trees. On Mondays
and Saturdays you can visit several markets. An exploration
of the many courts, shops and galleries is an absolute must!
Conclude the day with dinner in one of the many atmospheric
restaurants.
The Nieuwmarkt
The Nieuwmarkt is on the edge of the Red Light District and
is dominated by the 15th century Waag (weighhouse). The square
is surrounded by 17th and 18th century facades and has many
nice cafés and restaurants. In summer the square is transformed
into a big outdoor café where you can see all of colourful Amsterdam
pass by.
The Oosterpark area
In this area you can see, taste and smell Amsterdam's and Holland's
colonial past. The Museum of the Tropics has exhibitions and
performances from all parts of the world all through the year.
At the Dappermarket all cultures of Amsterdam are represented.
Want to cook Surinamese, Indian, Moroccan, Turkish, Thai or
Chines? Here you can find everything you need.
The Pijp
The Pijp was built as a working-class area in order relieve
the overpopulated Jordaan in the 19th century. Nowadays it is
Amsterdam's most colourful area with the daily Albert Cuyp street
market as its centre. In the Heineken brewery on Stadhouderskade
you can see how our beer is traditionally brewed.
The Wallen or Red Light District
The Wallen form the old defence system of Amsterdam. Here the
boats used to dock and the sailors searched for pleasure. Behind
the red lit windows the prettiest women offer themselves for
further acquaintance. You can visit Europe's only Buddhist temple
and have a meal in one of the many oriental restaurants afterwards.
Rembrandtplein
Until Rembrandt's statue was unveiled in 1876 this square was
called Botermarkt (buttermarket). For over a century it has
been the centre of Amsterdam's nightlife. Here you can find
famous cafés, discos and the renowned Tuschinski theatre. In
summer, sitting in one of the many outdoor cafés, you can see
the world pass by till way past midnight.
Plantage/Artis
In the 17th century 'The Plantage' (plantation) was a green
area outside the city walls where Amsterdammers spent their
free time. From 1848 onwards it became one of the most prominent
areas of Amsterdam. The Jewish Historical Museum and the Portuguese
Snoge tell about the rich and sad history of this area. Exotic
plants can be seen in the Hortis Botanicus (botanical garden)
and you can visit wildlife in Artis Zoo.
The Spui quarter
The Spui quarter is heart of the old city and is an excellent
starting point from which to discover the rest of the city.
Here you can find chic restaurants next to authentic old brown
cafés and trendy fashion outlets next to second hand clothing
shops. Visit the flowermarket, the Begijnen court or the Amsterdam
Historical Museum.
ARTS
Amsterdam is regarded as a piece of art by itself, but also
within one can detect a kaleidoscope of cultural activities.
Here you can satisfy your every desire for the arts, from the
masterpieces of the old dutch masters, through the impressionists,
and to the most recent modern art. The city holds within its
boundries some of the most famous museums in the world, such
as the Rijks, the Van Gogh and the Stedelijk Museums.
MUSEUMS
Van
Gogh Museum
 The
Van Gogh Museum is located on the Museumplein, between
the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. The museum entrance
is at No` 7 Paulus Potterstraat. The museum can be reached
from central station with trams 2, 5 and 20. The museum
is easily accessible for the disabled. All floors can
be reached by lift; wheelchairs and buggies are available
free of charge.
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Rijksmuseum
 The
country's premier art museum and the house of most dutch
old masters. The museum contains Amsterdam's greatest
art and historical collections. Including works by Rembrandt,
Hals, Vermeer, and Steen. Dollhouses, delftware, Asiatic
art, changing displays of prints and drawings and special
travelling exhibitions can all be find and savour upon
in this great XXX. The museum is far too big to absorb
in one visit- it pays to be selective and you can return
as often as you like.
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Stedelijk
Museum
 One
of Europe's most important museums for modern and contemporary
art, which closely follows developments in art, particularly
those of the second half of the 20th century, with a comprehensive
exhibition programme. The collection of paintings and
sculptures, drawings, prints, photography, graphic design,
applied arts and new media is world-renowned. The Museum
is known for its trend-setting and discussion-provoking
exhibitions: both large retrospectives of famous modern
and contemporary artists and smaller presentations of
unknown or young artists.
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KIT
Kindermuseum
In the KIT you can find exhibitions for children aged
from six to twelve years old. The museum's method, whereby
children bring the exhibition to life under expert guidance,
and its high quality as a whole, make it unique in Europe.
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De
Nieuwe Kerk
Famous for its much spoken-of exhibitions, with close
to 500,000 visitors per year, the Nieuwe Kerk is one of
the most attended exhibition centres in Holland. Hosting
a large-scale of exhibitions on treasures from many other
countries, cultures and religions, this great place is
undoubtly a household term to many people.
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Vondelpark
 The
city green heart, situated close to the Leidseplein and
the museumplain and by far the most popular with visitors
and locals, especially during summer and on sunny winterdays.
The park is always filled with skaters, joggers and all
sorts of street performers. In the summer the Vondelpark
open air theater stages regular performances.There are
several bars in the park, and at Vertigo you can also
find good food at reasonable prices.
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Madame
Tussaud
Madame Tussaud Wax Museum concentrate on the glory of
Holland's Golden Age. Special effects surrounding a vivid
presentation of moving wax figures depict a historical
journey through Holland, creating a marvellous impression
of life in Holland.
FILM AND THEATRE
Amsterdam is the city when it comes to cinema and theatre.
Whether you want to see a cabaret show, a Shakespeare
play, an American action movie or a cult film, it's all
within your easy reach every day, 24 hours a day.
For big productions visit the Tuschinsky, (one of the
oldest cinemas in Amsterdam. It was built and decorated
completely in the art deco style, which makes it worth
a visit even without seeing a film!) the City Theater
or the Pathé Arena.
Amsterdam also has a great number of smaller theatres
that mainly focus on non-Hollywood productions.
There is also a lot going on in the field of drama and
stage productions. In the Stadsschouwburg there is drama
and for cabaret De Kleine Komedie is the place to be.
A night out at Toomler is a hot tip. Laugh at the jokes
of the many stand-up comedians while you enjoy your meal.
Het Muziektheater with the City Hall is part of the Stopera.
It hosts dance and opera performances and during the breaks
you can enjoy the sparkeling view of the river Amstel
while you enjoy your drink. On the Amstel you can also
find the Carré. Originally a circus theatre, it is now
Holland's musical Valhalla!
MONUMENTS
Amsterdam has got almost 6500 monuments, including churches,
bridges, gables, and city furniture. Together they form
one of the most important historic city centres in the
world. Important monuments include city views, such as
on the Nieuwmarkt or the jordaan neighbourhood, Centres
such as the Magna Plaza, The Bijenkorf, the Canal Houses
and many others
CANALS & BOATS TRIPPING
Many of Amsterdam's canals were filled in around the start
of the 20th century, mainly for sanitary reasons. As beautiful
as it usually is, there's nothing like seeing Amsterdam
by boat, the city becomes even more picturesque from a
duck's perspective: the houses look impossibly higgledy-piggedly,
leaning, looming and jostling on both sides of the canal;
bridges arch over the water, some of them opening for
tall water traffic; and you get to spy on all those magnificent
houseboats, ranging from restored barges overflowing with
tomato plants and cats peeking from the portholes to sleek
purpose-built 'arks' with feature windows and sundecks.
There are numerous tourist boats doing the rounds, and
it's also possible to rent a pedal boat, if you're feeling
energetic. Of course, if the canals freeze over in winter,
the boats get stuck and there's skating to be had. Amsterdam
frozen over is a wonderful place: the locals dust off
their ice skates, children and dogs scramble around, and
vendors sell hot chocolate, glühwein and soup. Watch
out for thin spots in the ice, especially under bridges
and at the edges: people die under the ice every year.
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