Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left De Star Hofje Right Egelantiersgracht
Places for Peace and Quiet
De Star and Zon's Hofjes
These two charming
courtyards, just a few paces
from each other, offer the weary
visitor a calm retreat from the
crowds (see p92) .
and splendid old barges moored
along the harbour front make a
picturesque sight (see p93) .
Binnenkant
Bordering Waalseilands-
gracht, an attractive side-canal
dotted with houseboats,
Binnenkant is lined with fine old
merchants' houses. A couple of
well-placed benches at the
junction with Kalkmarkt allow
you to sit and contemplate a
charming stretch of the
Oudeschans, site of the city's
first shipyards, and the fortified
Montelbaanstoren towering
above it (see p79) . d Map Q3
Museum Van Loon
Behind Adriaan Dortsman's
grand façade, the Van Loon
family residence has a calm,
welcoming feel. Lose yourself in
the intimate, elegantly furnished
rooms, or in the charming rose
garden with its 18th-century
coach house disguised as a Neo-
Classical temple (see pp30-31) .
Café de Sluyswacht
A few steps down from busy
Jodenbreestraat brings you to
the crooked Café de Sluyswacht
(see p80) with its spacious
terrace, where tables and chairs
are set out at the merest hint of
fine weather. A surprisingly
tranquil spot, from here you
enjoy a different perspective of
the Oudeschans.
Grimburgwal
This peaceful corner of the
Oude Zijde at the convergence
of three canals was a popular
spot for medieval convents:
appropriately, one of the side
streets is called Gebed Zonder
End (Prayer Without End). If you
need to rest, there are benches
on Oudezijds Voorburgwal, just
beyond the Huis op de Drie
Grachten. d Map N5
18th-century sledge, Museum Van Loon
Zandhoek
Only a few minutes away
from the bustle of central
Amsterdam, Zandhoek (on
Realeneiland in the Western
Islands) feels remote and slow-
paced. Cobbles, white draw-
bridges, 17th-century buildings
66
 
 
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