Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the clouds blow past stately old gables—and see the Golden Age
reflected in a quiet canal.
Amsterdam: A Verbal Map
Amsterdam's Central Train Station (Amsterdam Centraal), on
the north edge of the city, is your starting point, with the TI, bike
rental, and trams branching out to all points. Damrak is the main
north-south axis, connecting Central Station with Dam Square
(people-watching and hangout center) and its Royal Palace. From
this main street, the city spreads out like a fan, with 90 islands,
hundreds of bridges, and a series of concentric canals—named
Herengracht (Gentleman's Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor's
Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal)—that were laid out
in the 17th century, Holland's Golden Age. Amsterdam's major
sights are within walking distance of Dam Square.
To the east of Damrak is the oldest part of the city (today's
Red Light District), and to the west is the newer part, where
you'll find the Anne Frank House and the Jordaan neighborhood.
Museums and Leidseplein nightlife cluster at the southern edge of
the city center.
Amsterdam by Neighborhood
Amsterdam can feel like a big, sprawling city, but its major sights
cluster in convenient zones. Grouping your sightseeing, walks,
dining, and shopping thoughtfully can save you time.
Central Amsterdam
—the historic core—runs north-south
from Central Station along Damrak, passing through two major
city squares (Dam and Spui) and ending at the Mint Tower. The
central spine of streets (Damrak, Kalverstraat, Rokin) has some
of the city's main department, chain, and tourist stores. Flanking
Damrak on the east is the city's oldest area (today's Red Light
District) and the revitalized waterfront around the train station.
West Amsterdam
lies west of Damrak—from Dam Square
to the Anne Frank House. This pleasant area is famous for its
four grand canals (Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and
Prinsengracht) that circle the historic core. West Amsterdam has
tree-lined canals fronted by old, gabled mansions, as well as many of
my recommended accommodations and restaurants. Within West
Amsterdam is the boutique shopping district known as the Nine
Little Streets. Farther west is the quieter, cozier Jordaan neighbor-
hood, which is good for a stroll, though it's mostly residential.
Southwest Amsterdam
is def ined by t wo main features:
museums and a city park. The city's major art museums
(Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh) and other sights cluster together on
an expansive square, Museumplein. The museums are just a short
