Amsterdam sights
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Canal Belt
 Amsterdam has 165 canals with a total length of 100 kms. The four main canals in the city centre are: Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. They form concentric belts in the city, known as the grachtengordel (canal belt). Most of the current canals were built during the 17th century, Amsterdam's golden age. As time passed, hundreds of narrow streets and smaller canals fanned out from the center. The canals of Amsterdam’s city centre are included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Explore Amsterdam’s canals by canal cruise or hire a boat yourself. |
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Royal Palace
 The Royal Palace on the Dam was built between 1648 and 1665 and originally served as a city hall. With the arrival of the French conqueror Napoleon in 1808 the building’s function was changed because he wanted the city hall to be his palace. After he left, the building maintained its function as a palace, where nowadays Queen Beatrix receives her important (international) guests. Address: Dam Square, Amsterdam Info: + 31 20 620 4060 Website: Royal Palace |
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National Monument on Dam Square
 On 4 May 1956 the National Monument was unveiled. The National Monument was erected in commemoration of the victims of World War II. Remembrance Day takes place here every year on 4 May. The designers are: J.P. Oud (design), Johannes Anton Raedecker (statues), Paul Grégoire (relief). Address: Dam Square, Amsterdam |
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Magere brug (Skinny Bridge)
 Dating from the 1670s, the nine-arched structure has been rebuilt several times, both in concrete and timber. It's still operated by hand and remains photogenic even at night, when 1200 tiny lights make the bridge look like a Christmas confection. Address: Located at the Amstel river, between Kerkstraat and Nieuwe Kerkstraat. |
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Jordaan
 A former working class neighbourhood which is now inhabited by a colourful mixture of original 'Jordanezen', students, artists and young professionals. In the Jordaan are many sights worth seeing. There is of course the Anne Frankhuis and the Westertoren on the border of the Jordaan. But especially the Jordaan area itself is remarkable: easygoing and peaceful, cosy streets and canals, lots of pubs, bars, cafés, restaurants and interesting little shops. The Noordermarkt and the Lindengracht host a market every Saturday. The Westerstraat and the Noordermarkt have a market on Monday morning. The Jordaan is located on the west side of the centre of Amsterdam. Because of the narrow streets and canals, the only bus which serves the complete Jordaan, is the ‘Opstapper’. This unique form of transportation starts at Central Station and drives via the Prinsengracht to the Stopera. The bus has no fixed stops, but can be stopped to get on or off, along the whole route.
Website: jordaanweb.nl |
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Beguinage & Beguinage Chapel
 Dating back to the 14th century, this peaceful hidden courtyard is surrounded by the bustle of Kalverstraat, Spui and the Nieuwe Zijdsvoorburgwal. The original façades were replaced in the 17th and 18th century, but 18 of the houses still have Gothic wooden frames. The Begijnhofkapel (Beguinage Chapel), with its paintings of the miracle of Amsterdam, and the English Church remind visitors of the courtyard’s religious foundations. The Beguinage and its chapel are open every day from 9.00 - 17.00 via the gateway Gedempte Begijnensloot. After 17.00 you can reach the chapel via the gate at the Spui.
Address: Begijnhof 30, Amsterdam - Entrance via the gates on Gedempte Begijnensloot or 't Spui - after 17.00 only via 't Spui Info: +31 (0)20 622 1918 Website: Begijnhof |
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Red Light District
 This area is famous for its window prostitution, which is legal in Holland. The buildings are tall, thin and crowd together, overlooking the tree lined canals. The Amsterdam Red Light District is a beautiful area and the later it gets, the busier it gets. And the darker it gets, the more obvious the glow of the fluorescent red lights above the many windows in the area becomes. The district is full of sex shops, brothels, gay bars, cinemas, hotels and different kinds of museums. A walking tour through the "Wallen" - the Red Light District - is organised by See Amsterdam Tours - see information in our section "Tours & Guided Tours". The Red Light District is located just South of Central Station (a 10 minutes walk). |
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Vondelpark
 The Vondelpark is a public urban park, located in district Oud-Zuid (Old South), close to Leidseplein and Museumplein. The Vondelpark was designed by garden architect L.D. Zocher (1865) and is a national heritage monument. In the park you will find an open air theatre, a playground and several restaurants and cafés like 't Blauwe Theehuis and Vertigo, with large terraces outside.
The Vondelpark also has a rose garden and you can hire skates at the 'Vondeltuin' (Skate Dokter), a terrace on the South end of Vondelpark.
Address: Vondelpark, Amsterdam - Main entrance on Stadhouderskade Info: +31 (0)6 2157 5885 |
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NDSM wharf
 The NDSM wharf, a former shipyard on the northern banks of the IJ, is now a centre for underground culture in Amsterdam.This huge area contains the NDSM hall, the Docklandshal and two historic ship slipways (Hellingen) housing workshops and artists’ studios. The spacious, rough character of the NDSM wharf lends itself wonderfully to all manner of outdoor events, such as exhibitions and festivals, including the annual Over het IJ Festival (beginning of July). Apart from the slipways, the outdoor area contains also the Noorderlicht, a café-restaurant. And the IJ-Kantine, a cheerful and modern decorated brasserie for lunch and dinner, with a terrace in summer, situated at the water of the NDSM yard. Take the free NDSM ferry behind Central Station, for a 10-12 minute boatride to the NDSM area. |
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Artis, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands
 Artis is located right in the city centre of Amsterdam. In an area of 14 hectares around 700 species of animals provide a magnificent overview of the entire animal kingdom. Artis's renowned Aquarium brings you face to face with … the secret life of Amsterdam's canals. In addition to being a zoo, Artis is also a botanical garden. An entry ticket for Artis also provides admission to the Planetarium, the Geological Museum, the Aquarium and the Zoological Museum.Artis is within easy reach of the city centre of Amsterdam by public transport (trams 9, 10 and 14 and Waterlooplein metro station). During the summer season the zoo can also be reached by canal boat: board the Artis Zoo Express, a canal boat operated by Rederij Lovers. The Artis Zoo Express leaves from the West side of the Central Station.
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Dutch East Indiaman replica "Amsterdam"
 The Amsterdam is an 18th-century Dutch Eastindia Company vessel, which was used as a cargo ship. The ship, moored alongside the Maritime museum, is an exact copy of the famous Dutch East India Company ship the Amsterdam, lost on her maiden voyage in 1749. |
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Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan
 The temple is located in the Amsterdam Chinatown quarter (Chinatown is the area between Stormsteeg, Gelderse Kade and Zeedijk). The Fo Guang Shan Temple is the largest temple in Europe, that has been built in traditional Chinese palace-style. The atmosphere of the temple is Chinese, however Buddhism and practicing Buddhism are both universal and beyond architectural features and culture. Guided tours and courses are also available. |
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The Old Church
 Amsterdam’s Oude Kerk ("old church", built in 1300) is situated in the heart of the Red Light District. The floor of the Oude Kerk consists entirely of gravestones (among them the wife of Rembrandt) and the roof is the largest medieval wooden vault in Europe. If accompanied by a guide, visitors can climb the tower to enjoy spectacular views over the city. A Carillon Concert takes place every Tuesday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m., with the bridge in front of the church providing the best spot to take in this charming weekly event. |
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Just outside the city of Amsterdam |
