Amsterdam Guide - A complete guide to the city of Amsterdam including maps, links and general information

Amsterdam is such a small city so getting about is quite as as all areas are covered by public transport or even better hop on a bike.

To experience Amsterdam properly biking is the way to go. walking is also an option for thoes who do not like bikes and getting about on foot although more tiring is also quite ok as distances are not so great. It's  less than a ten minute walk (depending on speed) from Central Station to the Dam square, most people can do in in half that. Except real fatties that is.

The map below shows some of the main locations and as you can see the distances are not great. You can cycle from one side of Amsterdam to the other about half an hour and as nearly all the tourist attractions are in the centre it's even easier.

Nieuwe Zijde

The original Amsterdam was created in two halfs and containd two centres, the Oude Zijde (The old part) and the Nieuwe Zijde (The new part).

Dam square is classed as the centre of the city and is one of the main areas for tourists to visit. Originally a marketplace,  Today, it's a lively square with lots of tourists and things happening,.mine and street artists, fun fairs, ice scating and lots more all year round.

But of course the main attraction is the palace itself, the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis which is open to tourists but you will not spot the Queen inside asas the royal family now live in the Haag  but is still used on regular occasions.

On the other side of the square is the national war memorial erected in memory of the Dutch You can hear a pin  on that day. Dam Square totally silent, amazing.

Our apartments located in this area.
Fun 1
Fun 2
De Munt
Central

 Oude zijde

During the golden age of during, the 17th Century, the Oude Zijde part of Amsterdam was a main trading area, boats sailed up the Geldersekade canal and docked and unloaded there wares on the Geldersekade to be sold on the Nieuwmarkt (New Market).  Originally there were city gates accross the Nieuwmarkt square (now gone) and the huge weighting house (Still standing today)  here the goods  once unloaded from the boats were weighted and then sold at the De Waag (now a top restaurant serving lovely food). it is lit not by electric but by several hundred candles. Large terrace during the summer months.

Nieuwmarkt Square is one of the best squares in Amsterdam, the square it self serves as a farmers market on Saturdays, Sundays a flea market, as Waterlooplein is closed many of stalls move to Nieuwmarkt. Other daily stalls include a hamburger and hot dog stand run by an American guy, 2 flower stalls, and fish and a fruit and veg stalls.  

Nieuwmarkt is surrounded by cafes, bars, restaurants, coffeeshops as well as a supermarket and many other sorts of businesses.

This area is full of things to see and visit, two of the three tiny houses in Amsthe  are located in this arrea other things wortth a look are the Oude kerk which is the oldest church in Amsterdam. Or if you like flea markets head to he Waterloo plein flea market where you can find all sorts of second-hand and new items and I mean all sorts but regular items you will find is spray paint cans (so kids can write there fool name in fool places)  clothes old and new, books mostly Dutch but some english ones also, lots of records, cd's and DVD's, bike stalls, anitiques, collectables and some items you will not come accross elsewhere.

Also located in this area is the world famous Red light district. The "Wallen" or "Walletjes" as the Amsterdammer's call it and is well worth a walk through both by day and by night as you get two totally different  experiences or China Town where you get some great food with over seventy five Chinese and Thai restaurants and snack bars as well as several Chinese supermarkets and shops selling all sorts of Chineses items..

Our apartments located in the Oude Zijde area of the city.
Ouderzids
Ouderzide Room
Nieuwmarkt Court Apartments
Amsterdam Bright One.Two and Three
Rembrandt
Hideaway
Red
Veranda
Sky

Museum Area

The Museum quarter is the cultural area of the city, offering a wide range of activities and attractions. If you like shopping or even window shopping head for the poshiest shopping street in  Amsterdam .the exclusive P.C. Hooftstraat as well as Pieter Cornelisz Van Baerlestraat  where you will find a who's who of the fashion world, Hugo Boss and the like, from diamonds to leather shoes to designer handbags and watches and everything in between.  Only the rich need apply, but no harm in doing a spot of window shopping.

==========================================De Jordaan

The Amsterdam Jordaan is undoubtedly a special area and one of the most famous of all Amsterdam.

Orginally a workers area but now one of the most fashionable and most polular areas to live and stay.

The Jordaan is a special little area with a little personality of it's own. lovely little narrow streets, beautiful picturesque canals,  plenty of Amsterdam's brown cafes, an art gallery on every corner and unique shops selling items you will not find anywhere else like the Tooth brush shop, the candle shop, the button shop andloads of others  A great area for a walk around or a cycle is even better.

Our apartments located in the Jordaan area of the city.
Anne Frank Apartment
Roze Studio Apartments
Amsterdam Choice
Amsterdam Choice Luxury
Amsterdam Bestevaer

Museum Area

Located just after Leidseplein and you are in the posh part of Amsterdam, the 19th century Museum quarter (Museumplein).

Museum quarter as the names suggests is home to most of the cities major museums. Most of the biggies are here the Rijksmuseum (Re-opened 2008 after four years of renovations), the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art andof course the Van Gogh Museum makes this an art lover’s dream.

Museum quarter also caters for the kids, during summer there is a  skateboard - park and paddling pool which turns into an ice rink during winter

Another attraction is of course the Vondelpark, on a summers day this place is packed with locals and tourists alike. A huge park right in the just minutes from the city centre.

Our apartments located in this area.
P.C Hooftstraat Apartment
Leidseplein Apartments
Old Masters
Amsterdam Chic
Oasis Intermezzo

Plantage Area

The Plantage area of the city is located in the east.  It is the location of the cities Zoo Artis Zoo and the Bontanic gardens Hortus Botanicus as well as an large park, this area after years of nelglect was cleaned up by the city council and now is one of the nicest parts of the city.

Our apartments located in this area.
Amsterdam Artis

Docklands

This area  has been totallay transformed in recent years, major developments and improvements have taken place and now adays the docklands is prime real estate with thousands of new properties built  ad the area is now buzzing with people and tourists.

Several new islands have also been built opposite central station to ease the crazy housing shortage in Amsterdam and the architects were let loose over here and built some wonderful buildings, a real testing ground in the fields of urban re-development and architecture.

The KNSM Island retained most if not all it's original buildings which have been turned into apartments and offices.  THis is a lovely area to cycle around with it's many houseboats and other boats all moored along the quayside. This is a great example how the old and new can be live together and still look great.

Our apartments located in this area.
Amsterdam Bright Entrepotdok 
Rose Blossom Houseboat
Love Boat
Sunrise Houseboat
Jazz and Blues Houseboat

Grachten (canals)

The main cansls in Amsterdam The Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht as well as the Amstel are a great way to pass a way several hours per canal, just walking along or cycling or by boat you can actually do this twice by day and again at night and see two totally different views.  BY day you can admire the facades and doors of the buildings while at night you can walk along and look in the windows of most of the great houses (No curtains) and admire the decor.  Some are breathtaking.

Each is lined with trees, large gabled houses and all over look the water.

The canals serve as the main ways to get around the city by car, up one side and down the other and are really the main  arteries in and out of the city centre.

Our apartments located in this area.
Oasis Caesar  Apartments  One , Two and Three 
Le Grand Prince
Oasis Intermezzo
Cosy

Amstel Area

The Amstel area is in and around the river Amstel, from which Amsterdam took its name. This nice upper class neighbourhood is an oasis of peace and quite, you can nearly hear a pin drop day or night. A lovely area to stay during your vacation, away for the madness yet just 5 minutes walk to Waterlooplein market.

THis area is famous for several bridges and when you strool about you are sure to bang into them The  ‘Blue bridge’, the ‘Magere Brug' ( wooden drawbridge, the oldest in Amsterdam),also around the is area is the Carré Theatre as well the Amstel Hotel where the rich and famous come to stay

Our apartments located in this area.
Amsterdam Sunny Apartment

Amsterdam Oost

Amsterdam Oost (east)  is very mixed area and a melting pot of nationalalities but still quite a cosy neighbourhood with a range of architectural styles.

This area also has The Oosterpark a qite large  city park  where a lot of multicultural events are held all year round.

The street market the "Dappermarkt" is more of a locals market selling clothes and other household items, not much here for tourists. is recently renewed and goods from all over the world can be bought here.

Our apartments located in this area.
Park View

Oud West

Old west started  as farmland and forrest back in late 16th century but with Amsterdam growing  fast more land was needed for the increasing population, the first building to pop was the Wilhelmina Gasthuis which was built in 1631-32 as guest house / hospital catering for infectious deseases , this was originally outside the city wallls

During the 19th century thsi area was brought within the mail city walls and became part of Amsterdam and was a large working class area but overthe centuries has become a real mixed area full of all sorts of people from students to married couples and plenty of dogs.

For guest looking for a stay in Amsterdam in a more peaceful area this is perfect as it's away from the crazyness of the centre yest not far from Vondelpark and the Leidseplein.

Our apartments located in this area.
Vondel Park

Below are a selection of Amsterdam links which we hope you find useful.

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Under Water Amsteram

an online guide to Amsterdam with daily updates of whats happening in Amsterdam

International Bicycle Fund 

http://www.ibike.org 



B&B Accommodation UK - Fast and secure online bookings of hotels, b& b and guest house accommodation in the UK.

 Amsterdam Advisor your Amsterdam travel guide

Other Resources:

San Vito Lo Capo Appartamenti : Offer holiday apartments and other accommodations in San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily.

San Vito Lo Capo Residence: Baglio del Sole offers accommodation in  San Vito Lo Capo , Sicily.