Cheap Hotels Amsterdam
What to see by foot: Amsterdam
    
With its gabled canal houses, houseboats and specialised shops, Amsterdam is
wonderful to explore on foot or by bicycle. Wandering along the numerous canal-side
lanes, taking in the atmosphere of this village-like city is charming, and the
roads a relatively free of traffic and noise.
The Damrak runs from the ornate Centraal Station down to Dam Square, which
is lined by stately buildings, including grand banks, and the Koningklijk Palace.
Behind it is the Magna Plaza, a good shopping option if it's raining. Several
of the cities best known shopping street fan out from this square.
By day or night a wander through the red light district is always fascinating,
and many bars, coffee shops, respectable restaurants and, of course 'women-in-windows'
line the Ouderzijds Voorburgwal and Ouderzijds Achterburgwal canals. Two pretty
squares with commendable churches are found in this area; the Nieumarkt and
Oudekerks Plein. Here you'll also find the Hash museum, hile those more interested
in the sex museum should head back to the Damrak.
The easiest way to get to one of the main attractions, the Museumplein, is
to take tram 2 or 5. Once at the Museumplein, visit the Van Gogh Museum, which
holds many of Van Gogh's greatest works, along with works from various other
acclaimed artists.
Next to the Van Gogh Museum is the Stadelijk Museum, which houses a collection
of modern art and has numerous exhibitions throughout the year. A short distance
away is the Rijks Museum. This is n enormous museum and it could take some time
to get around, but it is worth it. Art dates from the 12th century, and it has
a superb collection by Dutch masters, including the Nachtwacht by Rembrandt.
Another popular site of historical interest is the house in which Anne Frank
and her family hid from the Nazis for several years - an ordeal revealed in
her famous diaries. Today this Holocaust memorial site is a must see for people
of Jewish decent.
A great place to have lunch not far from the Museumplein, is on top of the
old shopping building, Metz, in the Leidsestraat. Take the elevator to the top
floor restaurant and sample some delicious Dutch meats and cheeses. The view
of the city from the restaurant is fantastic.
The Albert Cyup Market is near the Leidseplein and the Heinekenplein. It is
an excellent place to shop for clothes and fresh food, and also a great way
to see the real international Amsterdam. After sampling the delights of the
city, head for the Vondelpark, which is also situated near the Leidseplein,
and have a picnic or watch the world go by.
At night, a nice way to explore the canals a little more without having to
use your feet is to take a dinner cruise. You will be served top class cuisine
and you can enjoy the beauty of the canals by night. It can be a little expensive,
but is definitely the perfect way to eat delicious food while enjoying the beauty
of Amsterdam.
The Jordaan, the upmarket neighbourhood around the Westerkerk, has some nice
cosy bars perfect for starting the evening's drinking. Afterwards head for the
Leidse Plein (square) or Rembrandt's Plein, a huge terrace where one can sit
until late at night and watch the numerous attractions. Or, of course, there
is the red light district which is not as seedy as one may imagine, and is well
located between two canals.
Selection of hotels in this region:
The Gresham Memphis | | Le Meridien Apollo | | Delta Hotel Amsterdam City Centre | | The Albus Grand Hotel | | King Hotel | | Aadam Hotel Wilhelmina | | Banks Mansion | | Hotel Falcon Plaza Centre | | Jolly Hotel Carlton Amsterdam | | Nova Hotel | | Slotania Hotel | | NH Doelen | | Hotel Cordial | | Golden Tulip Inntel Amsterdam-Centre | | Die Port Van Cleve Hotel | | NH Schiller | | NH City Centre | | NH Museum Quarter | | HEM Hotel Amsterdam | | Tulip Inn Amsterdam Centre | | Singel Hotel | | Prins Hendrik | | Aalborg Hotel | | NH Caransa | | NH Tropen | | Di Ann Hotel | | NH City North | | PC Hotel | | Artemis Amsterdam Hotel | | Holiday Inn Amsterdam | | Golden Tulip Amsterdam Art | | Museum Hotel | | Seasons Hotel | | Apple Inn Hotel | | Tulip Inn Amsterdam Art | | Hotel Eden | | AMS Toro | | AMS Hotel City Centre | | AMS Atlas Hotel | | AMS Hofpark Hotel | | AMS Concert Inn | | Hotel Ibis Schiphol Airport | | NH Caransa | | AMS Omega Hotel | | AMS Hotel Terdam | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
|
