Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Albert Cuypmarkt
The half-mile-long
Albert Cuypmarkt
(
www.albertcuypmarkt.nl
; Albert Cuypstraat, btwn Ferdin-
and Bolstraat & Van Woustraat; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat; 16/24 Albert Cuypstraat)
is Amsterdam's
largest, busiest market. Here immigrants mix with locals, hawking rice cookers,
spices and Dutch snacks like herring sandwiches and
stroopwafels
(two cookie-like
waffles with caramel syrup filling). Graze as you gaze at the goods on offer.
Katsu
Flamboyant
Katsu
(
www.katsu.nl
; 1e Jan van der Helststraat 70; from 11am Mon-Sat, from noon Sun;
16/24 Albert Cuypstraat)
, De Pijp's favourite coffeeshop, brims with colourful charac-
ters. The front table with newspapers lends a bookish vibe, although the smoke inside
probably won't make you feel any smarter. Even if the coffeshop ban for tourists is in
effect, it's worth strolling by for a nostalgic sniff.
Sarphatipark
While the Vondelpark is bigger and more famous,
Sarphatipark
(Centuurbaan; 24hr;
16/24 Albert Cuypstraat)
delivers an equally potent shot of summertime relaxation, with
far fewer crowds. In the centre you'll see a bombastic temple with a fountain, gar-
goyles and a bust of Samuel Sarphati, a resident who helped define the neighbour-
hood.
Red Light Area
What the...? You're walking along Ruysdaelkade and suddenly there's a strip of
Red
Light windows
between 1e Jan Steenstraat and Albert Cuypstraat. It's a good place
to glimpse the world's oldest profession, minus the stag parties and drunken crowds
that prowl the main Red Light District.
