AMSTERDAM

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OVERVIEW

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and it famous for its impressive architecture and its famous canals rings. Amsterdam is known, also, for the quality shopping and because practically everyone in town speaks English.

If you like history and culture, festivities or simply the charm of an historical european city, Amsterdam is the right place for you. Although the seat of Netherlands Government is in The Hague, Amsterdam is the nominal capital. It is also the country’s largest city, with a population of more than 750,000, and the most visited, with over 3,5 million foreign visitors a year.

Surrounding the old centre, there are four more concentric half-circles of canals with their ends emerging at the IJ Bay. These canals were built during the Dutch Golden Age, in the 17th Century. Three of them were mostly for residential development: the Herengracht (Gentleman’s Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince’s Canal). The fourth and outermost canal, the Singelgracht, served as a defense and was the location of the city’s moat and fortifications at the time. Nearly everything outside this line was built after 1870, and almost all major tourist sights, and most hotels, are located inside it.

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THE CANAL BUSCanal buses run every 40 minutes and make 14 stops along three different routes. Most of Amsterdam’s important tourist attractions are on the routes, and passengers can get on and off the buses as often as they like.

CANAL BIKES AND RENTED BOATSIf you want to choose your own route to tour the canals, you can hire a canal bike or an electric boat from one of the several points located throughout the city. Canal bikes seat two or four people and come with a detailed map, route suggestions, and information about the places you’ll pass pedalling. Electric boats also give visitors the option of discovering the city from the waterways at their own pace.

BIKESA great way to travel around Amsterdam is by bike. Bikes can be hired, and there are good facilities for who opt to use them, such as special bike lanes which can be distinguished by their reddish color and traffic lights for cyclists.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTAmsterdam also has superb public transport facilities, the best of which is the tram system. Trams are frequent, fast and dependable.

ATTRACTIONS

QUEEN’S DAY

Queen’s Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands and is celebrated on April 30th (or on April 29th, if the 30th falls on a Sunday). Queen’s Day, which nominally celebrates the

July and August are the warmest months of the year in Amsterdam with temperatures averaging around 72°F, or 22°C. In the depths of winter, temperatures can fall to as low as freezing point, though there is usually little snow. Spring and autumn can be pleasant, though they can be wet. Locals will often carry an umbrella even on the hottest of summer days, as summer rain in the morning sometimes precedes the arrival of bright sunshine later on. Most of the rain that falls in Amsterdam is light or in the form of protracted drizzle.

Most tourists visit Amsterdam between April and September, when the days are longer and temperatures are milder than during the rest of the year. However, any time is a good time to visit the city. The weather is never really extreme in Amsterdam, but it’s good to remember that some attractions are seasonal, as, for example, the fields of Tulips near Amsterdam are bursting with color from mid-April to mid-May, and, in the winter, the days are short and the weather often becomes too cold to cycle.

TRANSPORT

CANAL BOAT TOURSCanal cruises last about 90 minutes and take visitors on a leisurely trip along the city’s canals, under the bridges, and through the harbour. Tour operators can be located near Central Station and along the Damark and Rokin in the city centre.

Queen’s birthday, is a day of national unity or “togetherness”. Hundreds of people travel to Amsterdam to celebrate the day and, for 24 hours, the city turns into one giant mass of orange-clad people out on the streets partying. Queen’s Day is also known for its “free market”, when people are allowed to sell goods on the streets.

CANAL PRIDEThe gay pride parade in Amsterdam is held each year on the first weekend in August. It is one of the biggest festivals in Amsterdam with parties, performances, workshops. The unique floating Canal Parade through the canals on the Saturday afternoon is always well worth seeing.

PROSTITUTION AND DRUG LAWS

Amsterdam is infamous for its liberal policy for sex and soft drugs. The De Wallen area in the old city centre, also known as Walletjes or Rosse Buurt (“Red Light Disctrict), is a designated area for legalized prostitution. The neighborhood is made up of a network of roads and alleys containing several hundred small, one-room apartments. From behind the glass doors and windows of these apartments “window prostitutes” offer their services. This area is now somewhat of a tourist attraction and is well policed and safe.

Amsterdam has a policy of tolerating the sale and use of soft drugs. This activity is centered on the so-called smoking cafes or “Coffee shops”, as the Dutch call them.

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DINING OUT

There are more than a thousand restaurants to choose in Amsterdam, most of them being in the city centre. They range from large and modern to small and cozy, from rather luxurious and expensive to ordinary and affordable. In the summer, almost all have outdoor seating. This is most enjoyable since diners get a chance to people watch, and musicians often come around to serenade.

Typical Dutch cuisine isn’t regarded as being very exciting or original. However, the one thing that everyone will commend is the size of the portions which are usually very plentiful.

Visitors who want to try some typical Dutch dishes should try pea erwtensoep - a thick pea soup served with smoked sausage and cubes of bacon with brown or white bread as an accompaniment; hutspot - a potato, carrot and onion stew; groentensoep – clear consommé with vegetables, pasta and meatballs; boerenkool met rookworst – kale and potatoes served with smoked sausage; or vlaamse frites- large french fries served with mayonnaise.

Seafood is popular in the Netherlands, particularly herring, mussels, sole, shrimps and oysters. Herring is the most popular and is eaten fresh when it’s in season in May. At that time of the year, green herrings are sold along city streets and eaten in the special way by holding them by the tail and slipping them down the throat. Freshwater eel, which is usually smoked, filleted and served on toast, is also a big favorite in Amsterdam.

Local cheese is first class, and can be purchased at the Albert Cuypmarkt or at specialist cheese shops found around the city centre. They are is traditionally firm and large wax-covered wheel-shaped. Among the most valued Dutch cheeses is cumin (Komijn) cheese, which is exclusive to the Netherlands.

Deserts in the Netherlands are gastronomically very pleasing. With over twenty-five different varieties of pancake (or pannekoeken) as well as waffles, pastries and cakes, there is plenty to choose from.

Since Amsterdam is a multicultural city, there are a lot of different ethnic restaurants in the city. Indonesian food is usually excellent in Amsterdam. Indian and Surinamese foods are also widely available. The highest concentration of Surinamese restaurants can be found on Albert Cuypstraat. For Chinese food, which is usually tasty and cheap, visit the Zeedijk in the Nieuwmarkt area. Amsterdam’s falafel bars offer very good value and there are many of them scattered around town, most of having “help yourself” salad bars.

The Dutch are more famous for their drinks than their food thanks to the importance given to the brewing of beer over the centuries. In the past there were hundreds of breweries scattered throughout the Netherlands, but today there are only handful of working breweries in the country. The original home of the most famous Dutch beer can be visited in Amsterdam (Heineken Experience).

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WHERE TO STAY

The city has over 400 registered hostels and hotels and most of them are in the centre of the canal ring, especially south of Central Station or near Museumplein. A bed in a hostel starts at around €15 on a weekday in the winter and could cost up to €30 on a summer weekend. A twin room in a one or two star budget hotels can cost around €40 on winter weekdays and up to €100 on summer weekends. In a three and four star hotel, the prices can range from €100 to €200, depending on the season, and a bed at five stars hotels can cost between €150 and €400 a night.

Small hostels and hotels in the centre of Amsterdam often have unusually steep staircases and no elevators, so if you have trouble climbing stairs make sure you book a first or second floor room.

SHOPPING

Since many streets in the centre of the city are closed to cars, Amsterdam makes for pleasant shopping. There are several “shopping corridors” in the city and each one has its own special characteristics.

The main central shopping streets run in a line from near Central Station to the Leidseplein. Nieuwedijk, a street close to Central Station, is basically dedicated to clothing, sportswear, music and gift shops with that special Amsterdam flavor. On the other side of the square along the Kalverstraat the shopping continues. There you can find shoes, clothing, bags, gift shops, cards, perfume, and the occasional coffee shop, fast food restaurant and ice cream parlor. The shops on these streets are not particularly up-market.

P.C. Hooftstraat (near the Rijksmuseum) is Amsterdam’s most up-market shopping street. It is a street full of luxury designer shops which are very popular amongst the rich. If you want to buy Italian or French design clothes, matching bags and accessories, tailor-made suits or exclusive gifts, this is the place to go.

Haarlemmerstraat is a busy, bustling street which is ideal for strolling along and has a great diversity of shops.

Haarlemmerdijk, just outside the old centre, is an excellent shopping street where the locals go to shop. There you can find big supermarkets, and lots of small shops with exotic food you won’t find elsewhere.

Utrechtsestraat is one of Amsterdam’s best shopping streets. You’ll be overwhelmed with choices of high-end boutiques, specialty furnishings shops and plenty of local-favourite cafés.

Spiegelstraat is one of the last great antiques hubs in Europe. A long street that runs straight to the Rijksmuseum is a legacy of the Dutch

Golden Age when Holland’s traders travelled the globe and returned laden with goods. Spiegelstraat is lined with mysterious shops, each with its own selection of curiosities.

Zeedijk, the street that connects Amsterdam’s Central Station with Nieuwmarkt, is a lively mix of Chinese shops and restaurants and traditional brown cafes serving Dutch beers and gin.

The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) are in the heart of Amsterdam’s canal district and is one of the city’s most delightful shopping areas. These picturesque streets straddle the canals from the Singel to the Prinsengracht and are lined with designer boutiques, art galleries, jewellers, gift shops, fashion shops, specialist businesses as well as plenty of great bars, cafes and restaurants to refresh you along the way.

Jordaan, one of the most beautiful ‘village’ areas of Amsterdam has always been a centre for artisans, artists and creative minds. Nowadays the neighbourhood is an oasis of peace with a labyrinth of narrow streets and little canals, where you will find a mixture of art studios, monumental buildings, old-fashioned ‘brown’ pubs, boutiques and galleries.

In general, shop-opening hours are from 1p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and from 9 or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday. Most shops have late night shopping until 9 p.m. on Thursday and close at 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Some supermarkets stay open until 8 or 10 p.m. On Sundays, you can shop in the city center, Kalverstraat, Damrak, Leidsestraat, and near the Noorderkerk.

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STREET MARKETSToday, there are 12 daily outdoor markets in Amsterdam and 15 markets which open one or two days a week. Most are open during normal shopping hours. These markets originally sold mainly food and clothing and most still do, but many have become specialized in everything from biological food and antiques, to post stamps and art. All Amsterdam’s street markets are located within walking distance of the centre of the city.

Albert Cuyp is Amsterdam’s largest and best-known street market and opens from Monday to Saturday from about 9 a.m. to around 5 p.m. Stalls sell everything from fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and spices to clothes, cosmetics and bedding. The prices are among the cheapest in Amsterdam. The market gets very crowded especially on sunny days and Saturdays.

TenCate Market, the 3rd largest in Amsterdam, opens from Monday to Saturday from about 8 a.m. until around 5 p.m. and sells food, household goods, flowers and clothing.

Dappermarkt in the east, behind the zoo, was voted best market in the Netherlands. This market also opens from Monday to Saturday from about 8 a.m. to around 5 p.m.

Lindengracht in the Jordaan area sells a wide range of goods, including fruit and vegetables, fish and various household items. This market only opens on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4p.m.

Bloemenmarkt flower market opens daily on Singel, near Muntplein. You will find all sorts of tulips, narcissus and other bulbs and flowers there. The bulbs are ready for export, so you can enjoy them at home if you wish.

The Farmer’s Market located in the historical Jordaan area of the city, is so popular, that it draws large crowds from all over the city. This is a biological food market, selling a wide range of ecological products like organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, cheese, mushrooms etc.

CURRENCYAs in most other countries in the Europen Union, the currency used in the Netherlands is the Euro (EUR or €). Euros are divided into 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. There are also 1 and 2 euro coins. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. The Dutch Guilder is no longer usable.

There are many places to change money in Amsterdam. GWK is a national organization with currency exchange offices throughout Amsterdam. Offices are indicated by the letters GWK are open seven days a week. Post offices also exchange money and offer a good rate. Hotels usually charge high commissions for exchanaging money and banks can be slow.

When consulting exchange rates, it’s good to know that the Dutch word “verkoopt” means “sell”, while “koopt” means “buy”.

2031

112112

CITY CODE

COUNTRY CODE

EMERGENCIES

FIRE STATION

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

794-0800

POLICE

559-9111

TOURIST INFORMATION

625 32 46

IMPORTANT NUMBERS