Established in , this is Prague's most perfectly formed—yet totally asymmetrical—neighborhood. Also known as "Little Town," it was home to the merchants and craftsmen who served the royal To this day, Charles IV's building projects are tightly woven into the daily lives of Prague citizens. Despite its monolithic presence, Prague Castle is not a single structure but a collection of structures dating from the 10th to the 20th century, all linked by internal courtyards.
The most important are Old Town is usually the first stop for any visitor. Old Town Square, its gorgeous houses, and the astronomical clock are blockbuster attractions. On the other hand, the north end of Wenceslas Square—its From Riegrovy Park the eclectic apartment buildings and villas of the elegant residential neighborhood called Vinohrady extend eastward and southward. The pastel-tint formation of turn-of-theth-century Prague is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — consider printing them all.
Praha [1] is the capital city and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is one of the largest cities of Central Europe and has served as the capital of the historic region of Bohemia for centuries. Confusingly, several incompatible district systems are used in Prague. Partially, different systems are from different historic periods, but at least three different systems are used today for different purposes.
To make things even worse, a single district name can be used in all the systems, but with different meanings. For purposes of this guide, the "old" district system is used. In this "old" system, Prague is divided into ten numbered districts: Praha 1 through to Praha If you encounter a higher district number, a different system is being used. For example, Praha 13 is part of the "old" Praha 5 district. The advantage of the "old" system of ten districts is that it is used on street signs and house numbers throughout the city, so you can always easily determine the "old" system district you are located in.
Praha 1 is the oldest part of the city, the original 'Town of Prague', and has by far the densest number of attractions. Praha 2 also contains important historic areas. In this central area, the "old" district system or any of the newer systems is too crude to be practical, a finer division is needed.
Traditional city "quarters" provide such a division. Their disadvantage is that they are somewhat incompatible with the modern district systems - although "quarters" are smaller than the "old" system districts, a single quarter can belong to two or even more districts. The advantage is that these central quarters are well known and widely used and identical with the homonymous cadastral areas shown on on street and house number signs along the "old" district designation, allowing easy orientation.
Buildings in big cities in Czech Republic have two numbers, one blue and one red. The blue ones are the orientation numbers - it is the ordinal number of the building on its street. Historicaly these numbers always started from the end of the street which is closer to a river. As is normal in Europe, odd numbers belong on one side of the street and even numbers on the other. This allows you to find quickly the house you are looking for. Most people do not remember them; if somebody says e. Red numbers usually have 3 or more digits. View over Prague Castle on the left.
A university student, Jan Palach became a Czechoslovakian martyr when he set himself ablaze in protest to the Warsaw Pact intervention against the Prague Spring reforms, which liberalised government policies and human rights restrictions. Palach died three days later from his injuries. Palach's funeral erupted into mass protests against the government. However, Plocek's protest went largely unnoticed since his death was not reported by the media.
In , twenty years after Palach's death, large scale protests were held in what became known as Palach Week , a precursor to the Velvet Revolution later the same year. This magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has been mirrored in the surface of the swan-filled Vltava River for more than ten centuries. Almost undamaged by WWII, Prague's compact medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her.
Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and special events catering to the independent traveller's thirst for adventure. It is regarded by many as one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities, Prague has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe along with Budapest and Krakow.
Millions of tourists visit the city every year. Prague was founded in the later 9th century, and soon became the seat of Bohemian kings, some of whom ruled as emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. The city thrived under the rule of Charles IV, who ordered the building of the New Town in the 14th century - many of the city's most important attractions date back to that age. The city also went under Habsburg rule and became the capital of a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In , after World War I, the city became the capital of Czechoslovakia. After many foreigners, especially young people, moved to Prague. In , Czechoslovakia split into two countries and Prague became capital city of the new Czech Republic. The east bank of the Vltava river. The Vltava River runs through Prague, which is home to about 1. The capital may be beautiful, but pollution often hovers over the city due to its location in the Vltava River basin.
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Many Praguers have a small cottage which can range from a shack barely large enough for garden utensils to an elaborate, multi-story dwelling outside the city. There they can escape for some fresh air and country pursuits such as mushroom hunting and gardening. These cottages, called chata plural form chaty , pronounciation of ch as in Bach , are treasured both as getaways and ongoing projects. Each reflects its owners' character, as most of them were built by unorthodox methods.
There were no Home Depots under communism. Chata owners used the typically Czech "it's who you know" chain of supply to scrounge materials and services. This barter system worked extremely well, and still does today. Chaty are also sometimes used as primary residences by Czechs who rent out their city-centre apartments for enormous profit to foreigners who can afford to pay inflated rent. Public transportation is very convenient in most of the areas visitors are likely to frequent.
One key thing to note if you are staying outside of the the city centre is that public transport buses do not enter the historic districts Old Town, New Town, Lower Town, etc. One must transfer to a cleaner and quieter electric-powered tram or a metro before reaching historic areas. Prague is renowned as a very "walkable" city. However almost all of the streets are cobbled, rendering it very difficult for disabled or elderly travellers to get around effectively. Also, pedestrians should enter crosswalks carefully in Prague, as drivers are not as likely to yield as they are in other European cities.
Remember that in the Czech Republic, it is illegal to cross at a pedestrian crossing on a red man, and if caught this incurs a fine of CZK. The tram and bus schedules are posted on the stops, and the metro operates from early in the morning around Buses and trams start earlier and end later to connect to metro. Between 11pm and 1am you an use trams going to the garage, sometimes taking unusual routes. The schedules [37] , maps [38] and prices [39] may be checked at their website.
Prague public transport is fast and efficient when you know how to use it. Sometimes you have to change a few times - the schedule website [40] is the best way to plan your trip. These tickets may be of interest to visitors prices valid from July Children under 15 years get the discount. Children under 6 years travel free of charge. As you can see, the hour or 3-day tickets are not economical unless you plan to travel more than 4 times a day for 90 minutes 6 hours.
Tickets can be bought at various places: Validate your ticket by slipping it into one of the yellow boxes in the tram or bus, as soon as you board. In the metro, validation boxes are located inside the stations before the stairs. Be sure to keep it handy until it expires. Tickets are not checked upon boarding, but uniformed or plain-clothed ticket inspectors often make the rounds asking to see your ticket. One problem is false inspectors who most often ride the trams between "Malostranske Namesti" and Prague Castle - these deceivers can be detected by asking for the identity card and badge which should be possessed by every inspector.
An unstamped ticket is invalid - it will be confiscated, and you will incur a CZK fine. Even though "riding black" seems easy in Prague, you should invest in the cheap ticket for the simple reason that Prague's transportation works perfectly and it functions on the honor system - help it stay that way. Public transport continues at night and it's fairly extensive [41].
Night trams or night buses All night trams go through this stop. You can easily change tram lines here if nowhere else. Do not underestimate how close to the footpath the trams will be when they reach the stop. It's safer to take a few steps back before the tram arrives, as wing mirrors could cause injury for taller people. In Metro, you should stay behind the dashed safety line on the floor about half a meter from the edge of the platform. On an escalator, it is customary to stand on the right side and walk up on the left side.
When you use public transport in Prague, keep in mind that it is good etiquette to let elderly people, pregnant women or disabled people sit down. You can travel down the famous Vltava River Moldau, in German , which inspired writers and composers such as Smetana and Dvorak. There also few small passenger ferries across the river [61] , integrated to the Prague's public transport tariff.
Individual listings can be found in Prague's district articles. Frank Gehry's Dancing House. Elephant in Prague Zoo. Artbanka Museum of Young Art. As with many major European cities, you can get a good deal by buying a tourist card. Be discerning when choosing based on your needs for example, cards may list free entry to locations that are normally free anyway - this concerns Prague Pass.
Here are your options: Many of the town's museums and galleries--including all branches of the National Gallery and the National Museum--are also included, and over four days you can easily see 3 times the card's value.
As such, this is an excellent choice if you're planning on visiting a lot of museums. Card Benefits There is something for everyone with Vysehrad and its casemate catacombs and basilica, take a boat trip through Prague on the river Vltava Moldau , effortless up in the TV tower with the best panorama of Prague or enjoy a ride on the Petrin hill cable railway.
The whole city in one hall perfect model in 1: Don't fear the sharks and marvel at the blaze of colors in the Sea World Aquarium, a magical ride at a performance of a Black-Light-Theater or let your soul swing at a concert in a church. Some of them however have free entry anyway! Also in your pack is a free map of Prague and a program guide booklet as well as a free welcome present. There are many opera and Black Light Theatre companies in Prague.
There are several performance groups that cater to tourists. They aren't strictly to be avoided, but common sense should tell you that the opera advertised by costumed pamphleteers is not going to be up to truly professional standards. River cruises are both popular and varied, from one hour cruises to long evening cruises with dinner or music. For the travelers who wants to get a real taste of Prague, you can join real native people that will show you their city around. Everyday with small groups they share their passion of the Magical city during 90 minutes walking tours.
This service is free, guests choose their tip. Learn about the main landmarks but also the everyday life, the best addresses from young energetic, fun and educated guides. Christmas market at night. The streets around Old Town are full of gift shops geared towards tourists, selling Bohemian crystal, soccer shirts and other mass-produced memorabilia.
The thoroughfare between Charles Bridge and Old Town Square is particularly bad, turning off into one of the laneways you can find the exact same merchandise for half the price.
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If you are looking for some decent souvenirs, try to get off the beaten path. Street vendors can have some unexpected treasures and there are plenty in the Charles Bridge area. Prints of paintings and good quality photos are very popular, and a really good way to remember Prague. Don't bother buying overpriced furry hats and Matryoshka dolls, though, because they have nothing to do with Prague - they are Russian in origin, and their sellers are just trying to capitalize on unknowing tourists. In December, the squares host Christmas Markets selling a mix of arts, craft, food, drink and Prague memorabilia.
The markets are an attraction in their own right and a great place to pick up a more unique memento of the city. There are several large shopping malls in Prague, you should take "Na Prikope" street - the 18th most expensive street in the world measured by the price of property , with famous shopping arcades "Cerna ruze" Black rose and "Palac Myslbek" and many shops. If you are looking for souvenir shops, you will find them in the city's historical centre - mostly around Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and Prague Castle. There are many other shops offering Bohemian crystal - especially in the centre near the lower end of Wenceslas Square.
The other typical if rather expensive Czech goods is the garnet jewellery - typical Czech garnet stones gathered near the town of Turnov are dark red and nowadays are produced by a single company - Granat Turnov - and if you buy genuine traditional Czech garnet, you should get a certificate of authenticity. Palladium [] - situated directly in the city centre, it's the newest and perhaps most luxurious shopping mall. OC Chodov - a huge shopping mall with hypermarket located slightly further away from the centre at metro station Chodov.
Very far away from the center but ideal for last minute shopping before your departure. Take bus from Dejvicka metro station. The current exchange rate can be found at the official website of the Czech National Bank []. In Prague, especially around tourist sights, there are plenty of Exchange offices with very bad rates. Threre are about 5 offices, mostly arab-owned, and offer very good rates even for smaller amounts, and even better or negotiable for higher over EUR, USD or such.
Every weekday between 11am and 2pm you can enjoy a discounted lunch menu in almost every restaurant in Prague. As a tourist you'll encounter a few barriers: After that it's up to your luck on what to pick, but it's gonna be a nicely cooked typical meal and will cost under 5 euros, sometimes a soup included as well.
Lunch is traditionally the main meal in Prague. Czech cuisine is typically based around pork or beef with starchy side dishes such as dumplings, potatoes, or fries. Fish is not as popular, though these days it is widely available. Most restaurants become very crowded during lunch and dinner, so consider making a reservation or eating earlier than the locals. Taxes are always included in the price by law. Many restaurants in heavily-touristed areas along the river, or with views near the castle will charge a cover or "kovert" in addition to your meal charge.
If this is printed in the menu, you have no recourse. But a restaurant will often add this charge to your bill in a less up-front manner, sometimes after printing in the menu that there is no cover. Anything brought to your table will have a charge associated with it bread, ketchup, etc. If you are presented with a hand-scrawled bill at the end of the meal, it is suggested that you take a moment to clarify the charges with your server. This sort of questioning will usually shame the server into removing anything that was incorrectly added.
It should be noted that some waiters are impolite especially to people from the eastern part of Europe. Pay no attention to this, and simply find another restaurant. If you're on the look out for fast food , you won't be able to move without tripping over street vendors serving Czech style hot dogs and mulled wine in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square in New Town. If you're after Western-style fast food, the major chains also have a large presence in Wenceslas Square and the area immediately around it. Most beer halls also serve light snacks or meals.
Small, hollowed-out French baguettes are used for the bread, filled with mustard and ketchup, and then the frankfurter is inserted afterwards. This turns the bread into a convenient carry-case and means you don't get ketchup all over your hands. Make sure you get mustard, even if you don't normally like it - unfortunately the hot dogs are somewhat flavorless and need that extra bit of kick. Prices range from around 15 crowns for a small one to 45 crowns for the terrifying-looking 'gigant'.
Note that size of hot dog relates to girth rather than length. Try the trdelnik, a traditional tube-shaped pastry, which can be found at street vendors in Old Town for 50 crown. Some of them will target tourists by providing them with extra products they did not ask for and not giving enough change.
Pubs in Czech "hospoda" abound throughout Prague, and indeed are an important part of local culture. The exact brand of beer usually vary from pub to pub, and recommendations are difficult to give as natives are usually willing to argue at lengths about their preferences. There are other brands famous among Czechs like Gambrinus. If you are looking for a beer brewed in Prague, go for Staropramen. Usual prices for a half-liter glass are between 20 and 35 CZK, based on the brand and locality, while certain restaurants at tourist areas like the Old Town Square are known to charge more than CZK for an euro-sized glass.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different beer brands, even if they are not mentioned in this article. In Prague it is customary, especially at beer halls, to sit with a group of people if there are no free tables, so go ahead and ask if you can join. Save your money and find the bars yourself - you might be surprised at the discoveries you make away from the tourist circus. But if you're not bothered about making an effort, don't want to discover anything new, and only want to meet other English-speaking travelers For other places with the same name, see Amsterdam disambiguation.
Amsterdam is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — consider printing them all. Amsterdam [1] is the capital of the Netherlands. With more than one million inhabitants in its urban area, it is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre. Amsterdam is colloquially known as Venice of the North , because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1, bridges.
There is something for every traveller's taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important trading centres in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. The city's small mediaeval centre rapidly expanded as the Jordaan and the Canal Belt neighbourhoods were constructed; the latter's cultural significance was acknowledged when it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded in all directions, with many new neighbourhoods and suburbs designed in modernist styles.
Amsterdam is not the seat of the government, which is in The Hague.
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Partly because of this, the city has an informal atmosphere unlike other capital cities its size. In fact, Amsterdam has a history of non-conformism, tolerance and progressivism, all of which come together in its liberal policies concerning cannabis and prostitution. Old Centre The mediaeval centre and most visited area of Amsterdam. It is known for its traditional architecture, canals, shopping, and many coffeeshops. Dam Square is considered its ultimate centre, but just as interesting are the areas around Nieuwmarkt and Spui. It is still a posh neighbourhood with many Dutch celebrities owning property.
The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the city's prime nightlife spots. Jordaan A traditional working class area gone upmarket with plenty of art galleries, hip boutiques and happening restaurants. Also includes the Haarlemmerbuurt and the Western Islands. Plantage Intended to be an extension of the Canal Ring, lack of demand made this into a leafy area with lots of greenery, botanical gardens and Artis Zoo. Also includes the Weesperbuurt and the Eastern Islands. South One of Amsterdam's prime areas, a trip to the city is not complete without a visit to the Museum Quarter. You can chill in the Vondelpark with a bottle of wine, or go hunt for bargains at the Albert Cuyp Market.
It is the most popular area for accommodation as rates are considerably cheaper than in the city centre. West A vast suburban area that can be divided in Old and New West. The Old West is a charming area built in the late 19th century. The New West was built after World War II and often catches newspaper headlines for crime; urban renewal is underway to improve living conditions in this area.
North The North is a newly-built suburb that lies at the northern side of the IJ. Most visitors go to the area east of the motorway A10, a protected polder area that culturally belongs to the Waterland and Zaan Region. This traditional Dutch countryside is best explored by bicycle. East The East is a large and diverse residential area. The Eastern Docklands and IJburg stand out as relatively affluent neighbourhoods known for their modern architecture.
Bijlmer An exclave of Amsterdam, the Bijlmer was foreseen as a neighbourhood of the future with large apartment blocks separated by tracts of green. It turned into a lower-class residential district home to people of over nationalities, often associated with crime and robberies. Its safety record has improved remarkably the last years, but it still is mostly visited by adventurous travellers and football fans. The "Amsterdam" that most visitors experience is the city centre, the semi-circle with Central Station at its apex.
It corresponds to the city as it was around Five major concentric canals ring the Old Centre ; the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, the Prinsengracht, and the Singelgracht, together forming the Canal Ring. Other districts inside the city centre are the Jordaan , a former working-class area gone upmarket, and Plantage , a leafy and spacious area known for its zoo and botanical gardens. The roads Nassaukade, Stadhouderskade, and Mauritskade surround the centre and mark the location of the former city moat and fortifications. Almost everything outside this line was built after The semi-circle is on the south side of the IJ , often called a river but more exactly is an estuary.
Going east from Central Station, the railway passes the artificial islands of the redeveloped Eastern Docklands. North of the IJ is mainly housing, although a major dockland redevelopment has started there too. The river Amstel flows into the city from the south. Originally, it flowed along the line Rokin-Damrak. The dam in the Amstel , which gives the city its name, was located under the present Bijenkorf department store.
The original settlement was on the right bank of the Amstel, on the present Warmoesstraat: The city has expanded in all directions, except to the northeast of the ring motorway. That area is a protected rural landscape of open fields and small villages that could be considered a part of the Waterland region. The radius of the semi-circle is about 2 km. All major tourist destinations, and most hotels, are located inside it or just outside it. As a result, a large swathe of Amsterdam is never visited by tourists: Most economic activity in Amsterdam — the offices of the financial sector, and the port — is near or outside the ring motorway, which is km from the centre.
The expansion of Amsterdam outside this beltway, and the expansion of activity outside the old centre, is redefining what locals consider the 'central area' of Amsterdam. Without a doubt the most popular district outside of the city centre is the South for its quality museums and gentrified neighbourhood 'De Pijp'.
Many people choose to visit Amsterdam because of its reputation for tolerance, although part of this reputation is attributable to cultural misunderstandings. Prostitution is legalised and licensed in the Netherlands, and in Amsterdam it is very visible window prostitution , and there are large numbers of prostitutes. The sale, possession, and consumption of small quantities of cannabis, while technically illegal, is tolerated by authorities the policy of gedogen.
This does not mean that you can get away with anything in Amsterdam. In any case, public attitudes and official policy have hardened in recent years. For more on coffeeshops and drugs, see below in Stay safe. Depending on your viewpoint some people will consider Amsterdam an unwholesome city whereas other people will find their relaxed attitudes refreshing.
If you avoid the red light district, Amsterdam is an excellent family destination. Most people in Amsterdam, young or old, seem to speak at least some conversational English. Alternatively, take the express bus directly from the airport to Amsterdam central station, which takes 2 hr 15 min.
This service goes only 3 to 4 times per day; see their website for a schedule. Amsterdam's centre is fairly small, and almost abnormally flat, so you can easily get to most tourist destinations on foot - from the train station, within half an hour. A new national ticketing system has recently been introduced, based on a contactless card, called OV-chipkaart "Public Transport chip card".
Since 3 June , the old 'strippenkaart' system has been abandoned on all forms of public transport in Amsterdam, making the chipkaart the only valid way of travelling in Amsterdam. To travel with a card, one has to check in at the start of the journey and check out at the end by holding the card in front of the card reader. Three types of OV-chipkaart are available: The OV-chipkaart can be obtained from GVB vending machines in all metro stations, from the desks at some bigger stations including Centraal Station and some shops see this map.
This allows the holder to travel on an unlimited number of journeys on the tram, metro and night bus throughout the validity period of the pass. On a tram, only the 24 hr ticket can be purchased from the conductor. Day passes are not valid on busses operated by Connexxion and Arriva.
Best deal in Amsterdam [32]. Prices as of Jan If you stay longer in Amsterdam, you can buy discounted weekly or monthly tickets from most post offices or other ticket sale points which are cheaper. GVB tickets are not valid on trains to Schiphol airport. You can use them on buses to Schiphol but it's usually quicker to get there by train.
Public transport within the city is operated by the GVB Gemeentevervoerbedrijf [33]. The tram 18 lines is the main form of public transport system in the central area, and there are also dozens of night- bus routes. Regional buses, and some suburban buses, are operated by Connexxion [34] and EBS [35]. All tram stops have a detailed map of the system and the surrounding area.
Most trams these days have conductors, near the rear of the tram. Board by the driver or the conductor. If you have questions, the conductor will be sure to respond to your query. You can also buy 1 hr and 24 hr tickets at the conductors. Enter buses only via the front door. There is a four line metro , including a short underground section in the city centre, that serves the neighborhoods of the South East.
The project has proved somewhat of a disaster for the city government with big budget overruns and delays. Building in the wet underground of Amsterdam is difficult and some buildings along the line have sustained damage due to subsidence. For the visitor to Amsterdam, the only thing to note are the ongoing roadworks along the route of the metro line. Underground metro stations are still being built or finished often causing parts of roads to be blocked off to cars, buses and trams for an extended time. Usually you can pass on foot or bicycle. Just like the tram and metro, local buses are operated by the GVB.
There are also suburban buses to nearby towns such as Haarlem and Uithoorn; these are operated by Connexxion or EBS the company name and house style is prominent on the bus side and can be used within Amsterdam if you travel with an OV-chipkaart. There are several free ferry services across the IJ river, to Amsterdam North, the most frequent runs every 7 min. They all leave from a new jetty on the northern rear side of Centraal Station. The nicest one is the 15 min service to NDSM Werf, a funky, up and coming, industrial neighborhood with a nice cafe-bar IJkantine restaurant Noorderlicht , indoor skateboard park, and the Pancake Boat Pannekoekenboot which sails many times each week.
Double frequencies during rush hours. There are several rental boat companies in Amsterdam. Here you can rent your own boat for max. Boaty rent a boat Amsterdam [36] is one of them. You will get a personal instruction and a good map before you leave. The boats are electric and easy to drive yourself. Another boat rental company you might like to try is Boat Amsterdam [37] , which offers a large selection of large and small rental boats. There are several scooter rent shops in the centre.
A pleasant way to cover a lot of ground is to rent a bicycle. There are approximately , people living in Amsterdam and they own about , bicycles. The city is very, very bike-friendly, and there are separate bike lanes on most major streets. In the city centre, however, there is often not enough space for a bike lane, so cars and cyclists share narrow streets. Cyclists do not have the right of way even though it might appear so when observing the typical Amsterdammer's cycling behaviour see Extra legal protection.
Be very careful watch out for other cyclists. Always show other traffic where you're going e. If not indicated otherwise by signs, the right-before-left rule applies. Avoid getting your tire in the tram rails; it's a nasty fall. Always cross tram rails at an angle. When crossing tram lanes, watch out for fast approaching taxis. They have a rather ruthless driving style. Let none of the above deter you from doing it the Amsterdam way. There are bike rental shops at stations, and several others in and around the city centre. When preparing a route, there's a digital bicycle route-planner for Amsterdam, see Routecraft.
Use the special bike racks, locations indicated by a bicycle sign on the outside of the carriage. Make sure to get a good lock or two , and to use it. Amsterdam has one of the highest bicycle theft rates in the world, see the Netherlands page. Note also that if buying a bike, prices that seem too good to be true are stolen bikes. Any bike offered for sale to passers-by, on the street, is certainly stolen. There's an old Amsterdam joke; When calling out to a large group cyclists passing by; "Hey, that's my bike! The bicycle is ideal for exploring the surrounding countryside.
Within half an hour you're out of town. Go North, take the ferry across the IJ to Waterland. Or go South, into the Amsterdamse Bos a giant park , or follow the river Amstel where Rembrandt worked. You can also take your bike on the metro with a reduced fare ticket, see public transport gvb. Idyllic canals and houses with hoists. Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centres in Europe, with about 7, registered historic buildings. The street pattern has been largely unchanged since the 19th century — there was no major bombing during World War II.
The center consists of 90 islands linked by bridges, some of them beautifully lit at night. The inner part of the city centre, the Old Centre , dates from medieval times. The oldest streets are the Warmoesstraat and the Zeedijk located in the Nieuwmarkt area of the Old Centre. As buildings were made of wood in the Middle Ages, not much of this period's buildings have survived. Two medieval wooden houses did survive though, at Begijnhof 34 and Zeedijk 1.
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Other old houses are Warmoesstraat 83 built around , Warmoesstraat 5 around and Begijnhof around The Begijnhof is a late-medieval enclosed courtyard with the houses of beguines, Roman Catholic women living in a semi-religious community. House number 34 at the Begijnhof is the oldest home in Amsterdam. Entry to the courtyard and surrounding gardens is free, but be careful not to disturb the local community still living here. One of the most prominent features is the Canal Ring , a concentric ring of canals built in the 17th century.
The merchant-based oligarchy that ruled the trading city of Amsterdam built canal houses and mansions in the most prestigious locations here, especially along the main canals. Typical for the country are its traditional white draw bridges. The best example has to be the Magere Brug in the Canal Ring, which is over years old and nearly in its original capacity.
It is a beautiful place to overlook the river and take in some traditional Dutch architecture. The Jordaan was built around along with the Canal Ring, but not for the wealthy merchants. For a long time it was considered the typical working-class area of Amsterdam, and included some notorious slums. The name probably derives from the nickname 'Jordan' for the Prinsengracht.
Apart from a few wider canals, the streets are narrow, in an incomplete grid pattern as the grid followed the lines of the former polders located here in medieval times. This district is the best example of "gentrification" in the Netherlands, as recently it turned into a hip boutique district.
There are several large warehouses for more specific uses. Others include the former turf warehouses along the Nes, now the municipal pawn office; a similar warehouse at Waterlooplein Arsenaal, , now an architectural academy, and the warehouse of the West India Company at the corner of Prins Hendrikkade and 's-Gravenhekje. The city office for architectural heritage BMA [48] has an excellent online introduction to the architectural history and the types of historical buildings available.
The website includes a cycle route along important examples. Windmills were not built in urban areas, since the buildings obstructed the wind. The Amsterdam windmills were all originally outside its city walls. There are a total of eight windmills in Amsterdam, and most of them are in West. However, the best one to visit is De Gooyer , which is not far from the city centre, and is being used as a brewery for you to enjoy.
The only windmill fully open to the public is the Molen van Sloten in Sloten, a former village now part of West. Since the Middle Ages and throughout the 17th century, the Netherlands was a country with a relatively high degree of freedom and tolerance towards other religions and cultures, especially compared to other countries in Europe.
Between and , the estimated foreign-born population was never less than 5 percent, many of them settling in Amsterdam. This led to a large diaspora of Jews, Huguenots French protestants , Flemish, Poles and other peoples in the city. Especially the Jewish have always had a large presence in Amsterdam, notably in the Old Jewish Quarter though this quarter has been in a status of decay since World War II. The most prominent synagogue is The Esnoga [49] or The Portuguese Synagogue , built in in an austere Classicist style.
As the Netherlands was a protestant nation, most of the churches are from this branch of Christianity. Some of the most notable churches: The late-medieval city also had smaller chapels such as the Sint Olofskapel circa on Zeedijk, and convent chapels such as the Agnietenkapel on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal originally , now the University of Amsterdam museum.
Later churches included the Oosterkerk in the eastern islands, and the heavily restored Lutheran Church on the Singel , now used by a hotel as a conference centre. Catholic churches were long forbidden, and built again only in the 19th-century: Nicholas opposite Central Station. Also, investigate some of the "hidden churches" found in Amsterdam, mainly Catholic churches that remained in activity following the Reformation.
Two hidden churches still in use are the Begijnhofchapel [56] near the Spui, and the Papegaaikerk [57] in the Kalverstreet both Catholic. Amsterdam has an amazing collection of museums, ranging from masterpieces of art to porn, vodka and cannabis. The most popular ones can get very crowded in the summer peak season, so it's worth exploring advance tickets or getting there off-peak eg.
Some of the quality museums that you can't miss: The other museums are described in the district articles. It covers the cost of admission to over museums across the Netherlands and you can buy it at most major museums. It is valid for an entire year, and you will need to write your name, birthday, and gender on it. The tickets to the major museums, including the audio guide, can be bought early from the tourist information desk at no extra cost. The locals spend their summer days in Amsterdam opening a red wine in the Vondelpark — and so should you. Every district in Amsterdam has at least one park, but the Vondelpark in South stands out for its size and convivial atmosphere.
The neighbourhood best known for its greenery is the Plantage. Besides its leafy boulevards and grand mansions, it also features the botanical gardens of the Hortus Botanicus. Finally, Artis Zoo is a good attraction for the kids. A more recent tradition is the opening of so-called city beaches. Yes, it's now possible to lay in the sand far from any natural coastline! Amsterdam counts three of these beaches, which are located in West , East and South. The one in East is probably the best one, and you get the fine architecture and atmosphere of the IJburg neighbourhood included for free.
The Red Light District consists of several canals, and the side streets between them, south of Central Station and east of Damrak. Known as 'De Wallen' the quays in Dutch, because the canals were once part of the city defences walls and moats. Prostitution itself is limited to certain streets, mainly side streets and alleys, but the district is considered to include the canals, and some adjoining streets such as Warmoesstraat and Zeedijk.
The whole area has a heavy police presence, and many security cameras. Nevertheless it is still a residential district and has many bars and restaurants, and also includes historic buildings and museums — this is the oldest part of the city. The oldest church in Amsterdam, the Netherlands-gothic Oude Kerk on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal at Oudekerksplein, is now surrounded by window prostitution. The area has many sex shops and peep show bars. This section of town is a common attraction for bachelors celebrating a stag night, if you ever get hassled, a firm and loud "Leave me alone" will work most of the time.
Modern architecture is under-represented in Amsterdam as opposed to Rotterdam , but as the outer districts were built in the 19th and 20th centuries, there is definitely some to be found. Immediately outside the Singelgracht the former city moat is a ring of 19th-century housing.
The most prominent buildings from this period are the Central Station and the Rijksmuseum , both by P. Amsterdam West , especially the neighborhood De Baarsjes, was built in the Amsterdam School and New Objectivity architectural styles from the 19th century. A completely different approach to architecture has been the Bijlmer , built in the s and forseen as a town of the future for upper-middle class families. Large apartment buildings and relatively large rooms were combined with common grass fields and a separation of pedestrian and car traffic.
It has been a revolutionary way of thinking in the architectural world, but eventually the neighborhood turned into a lower-class residential district home to people of over nationalities, and it is often associated with crime and robberies. It has improved remarkably the last years though, and adventurous travelers might be interested to know more about the history of this bizarre district. Since there was little large-scale demolition in the historic centre, most 20th-century and recent architecture is outside it. Amsterdam is a huge city , so all individual listings should be moved to the appropriate district articles , and this section should contain a brief overview.
Please help to move listings if you are familiar with this city. Several companies offer private tours by car, van, or mini bus for groups of up to 8 people. Bike tours are also available at a more affordable price, and offer a more authentic Dutch experience. Runs three fixed routes, stopping near major attractions Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank's House, etc. The first boats start between 9. The cruise is about 1 hr 30 min. Canal cruises, dinner cruises etc. It is the only classic boat offering a private table for a romantic dinner cruise. A la carte dining, but not cheap! The cruise starts at 7.
Boaty offers rental boats max. These rental boats are electrically driven which means they are silent and free of exhaust fumes. They are charged with renewable energy every night so you can enjoy your time on the water as long as you like. The boats are very stable, unsinkable and of course the rental is accompanied by free life vests in different sizes. You can also rent a gondola , hand made by an Amsterdam girl who traveled to Venice to learn the craft and build her own Gondola which she brought back to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a cultural haven with year-round festivals for every pocket.
Individual listings can be found in Amsterdam's district articles. The main central shopping streets run in a line from near Central Station to the Leidseplein: Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat, Heiligeweg, Leidsestraat. They are not upmarket shopping streets, and the north end of Nieuwendijk is seedy. Hooftstraat near the Rijksmuseum. The partly gentrified neighbourhood of De Pijp - around Ferdinand Bolstraat and Sarphatipark - is often seen as a 'second Jordaan'.
In the older areas surrounding the centre, the main shopping streets are the Kinkerstraat, the Ferdinand Bolstraat, the Van Woustraat, and the Javastraat. The most ethnic shopping street in Amsterdam is the Javastraat. There are toy stores and clothing shops for kids in the centre, but most are in the shopping streets further out, because that's where families with children live.
You can find plus size clothing in the centre of Amsterdam. English-language books can mostly be found in the Old Centre. Large Dutch bookstores also carry a selection of foreign language books. Street markets originally sold mainly food, and most still sell food and clothing, but they have become more specialised. A complete list of Amsterdam markets with opening times and the number of stalls can be found at online at Hollandse Markten [90] and Amsterdam.
Smoking is banned in all Dutch bars and restaurants, although many bars and cafes have sealed smoking rooms rookkamer in which smoking is permitted. There is a large diversity of restaurants in Amsterdam, especially if you are looking for Asian cuisine, although much of it is tailored to the fairly bland local tastes and might not have the fire you would expect. The influence of the Dutch colonial past is apparent, as can be seen in the wide array of Indonesian restaurants. Nieuwmarkt Most Asian restaurants are clustered at the Zeedijk in Nieuwmarkt, for this reason often dubbed as Amsterdam's Chinatown.
It's also home to many tokos , small Asian grocery stores that sell Eastern food and spices. Indonesian restaurants are usually of excellent quality, but Indian ones can be expensive. Chinatown also offers plenty of Chinese, Thai and Japanese restaurants. Damstraat Is a fairly busy road filled with small and cheap Chinese and Middle Eastern restaurants - expect sticky tables, but it's definitely a good place for budget travelers.
The numerous falafel bars have a good value, often sporting a "all you can pile" salad bar. Nieuwezijdse kolk This street goes from the dam square to the central station. It has multiple narrow streets crossing it and in the Nieuwendijk street you can find the best ice-cream of Amsterdam. There are two shops: One is called 'Zomer ijs en winter kost' summer ice and winterfood and is located on number 6.
They have all the flavors you can think of and even make a flavor on demand, but you have to tell the owner 1 or 2 days in advance. All the ice is homemade with natural ingredients and he asks a very reasonable price. In the winter he serves typical dutch winterfood, like mashed potatoes with cabbage and sausage. The other is called Bakkerij van der Linde. Like my friend always says, this ice is sinfull.
The tecture is really creamy and soft, it melts easy and they put it in a cone with a soup spoon. A small icecream costs 1 euro, a big one 2. Surinamese food is widely available and worth a try. The highest concentration of Surinamese restaurants can be found in the South, especially in the Albert Cuypstraat. If you arrive around dinnertime you probably have to wait for a table. The surroundings are depressing but the food is so good you will come back anyway.
Locals recommend the roti with bone, the moksi meti, petjil and Bojo as dessert. Try the Dawet as well; this typical drink is made from milk, coconut milk and rose sirup and has sago balls in it. Most kids like it. Eetcafe' s are pubs serve evening and night time meals. Many restaurants of all kinds can be found in the Haarlemmer Neighborhood north of Jordaan , and in the narrow streets crossing the two. Also worth trying is the Van Woustraat in the Pijp, or continue to the Rijnstraat in the Rivierenbuurt. Exquisite but expensive restaurants can be found in the Utrechtse Straat.
Local cheese Buy some at the Albert Cuyp market, or at specialist cheese shops found around central Amsterdam. Dutch cheese is traditionally firm, and is made in large wax-covered wheels, and falls into two main categories - Young and Old. Within those categories, there exists a rich variety. Among the more unusual young cheeses is cumin Komijn cheese, which is particular to the Netherlands.
Sheep Schapen and goat Geiten cheeses are also common. Old Oud cheese can be made of any sort of milk, and is often reminiscent of Italian parmesan in consistency and sharpness of flavour. Don't forget to taste the main culinary contribution of the Amsterdammers to the world: Heineken it tastes no better here.
Try some of the other excellent beers you can get from this part of the world such as "witbeer" white beer. Also check out bitterballen , a kind of fried meatball, and the kroketten the same, but shaped like a cylinder. Last but not least, don't forget to try a traditional herring or a broodje haring herring sandwich , available from fish stalls around the city.
Herring in Amsterdam is usually with served onions and pickles. A good try is the fish stand on the Koningsplein near the Flower Market. If you're visiting in late November or December, you can enjoy oliebollen , which are round blobs of sweet fried dough embedded with raisins sultanas and dusted with powdered sugar.
Avoid at all costs any steak house or fast food shop in the centre - they are well known tourist traps. For food during the day, the Albert Heijn supermarkets largest national chain usually have cheap ready-to-go meals on hand, from prepackaged sandwiches and salads to microwavable single-serving meals. For budget meal, check out also the various Falafel and Shoarma restaurants around the Damstraat and Muntplein. They usually include in the dish a large amount of salad.
Amsterdam's famously wild nightlife caters to all tastes and budgets. These do not sell cannabis, see coffeeshops below for that. Popular entertainment areas with lots of bars are the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. The nightclubs in Amsterdam are not as rough as one might think.
As these two squares are also the typical tourist traps of Amsterdam, prices are relatively high and there are lots of scams. You can't go wrong at Melkweg , Sugarfactory and Paradiso , three live music venues that usually have a large queue in weekends. Paradiso has the best interior, as it used to be a church, while Melkweg feels more like a nightclub.
Sugarfactory is a little more intimate and is a multidisciplinary platform for young talent. Jimmy Woo is an impressive VIP-room, but their dress code is very strict. There are also some nightclubs in Eastern Amsterdam notably Panama and near Westerpark. Would you like to tell us about a lower price? Read more Read less.
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