Category: Neighborhoods
Though Amsterdam is a relatively small city, it has many distinctive neighborhoods, each with their own look, character, and pace.
Most tourists remain in the center of town, though many also visit a section of the Old South neighborhood, where the Vondelpark and the Museum Quarter are located.
Savvy tourists also explore the other parts of Amsterdam.
Located in a former church, Paradiso is known as Amsterdam’s Pop Temple — one of Holland’s foremost live music venues.
It offers an eclectic mix of music: jazz, fusion, garage, ska, latin, funk, soul… The hall has been filled with Maroccan dance music, an Elvis Presley Church Service, and even some contemporary classical music.
The Nieuwmarkt is one of Amsterdam’s most popular squares, dominated by a castle-like former city gate.
The square is lined by two dozen cafés, restaurants and coffeeshops, and has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Damrak is the main street that leads from Amsterdam Central Station, where most tourists arrive, to Dam square in the center of the medieval town.
This lively street, lined with centuries-old monuments, so-so bars, and gaudy souvenir shops, Damrak — which is in the middle of a makeover — offer a preview of what Amsterdam has to offer.
A row of ’17th century,’ gabled buildings along a square in the center of Amsterdam is not what it seems.
Here’s the story behind the façade — and why what happened here is important for the rest of Amsterdam.
Just minutes from Amsterdam’s busy center is a tranquil waterside promenade that provides fantastic views of the river IJ.
Most guide books won’t tell you about it, but it pays to visit this ‘hidden’ spot.
One of Amsterdam’s most unique museums is the EYE Film Instituut Nederland — EYE Film Institute Netherlands.
EYE houses an internationally renowned film collection that covers the entire history of cinema.
Devoted to modern art from the mid-19th century to the present day, the Stedelijk Museum is one of the world’s leading modern art museums.
After an extensive renovation, that took much longer than planned, the museum will re-open in September, 2012.
Located at what many consider to be one of the most beautiful spots in Amsterdam — the corner of Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht — Café Tabac is a popular pub known for its friendly staff and customers.
The city of Amsterdam has promised to review its promotional material in order to cull overly rosy commendations of its Red Light District.
The city is tackling abuses in the area, and actively marketing the ‘red light’ character of the district does fit that picture.
It is impossible to determine whether Amsterdam’s efforts to reduce the number of window brothels, coffeeshops and call shops in the city’s Red Light District lead to less crime.
This is one of the conclusions of a report made public today by the Netherlands Court of Audit.
