Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Vondelpark
This is the perfect place to
go with kids on a summer day -
it has a paddling pool, play-
grounds, puppet shows and face-
painting (at the Melkhuis café),
as well as free performances in
the open-air theatre
(see p115)
.
Top 10 Sights and
Sounds for Free
Civic Guards Gallery
Huge portraits of the Civic
Guard at the Amsterdams
Historisch Museum
(see p26)
.
Begijnhof
A haven of peace and
tranquillity right in the centre
of the city
(see p22-3)
. For
more delightful
hofjes
in the
Jordaan,
see p92
.
Hollandsche Manege
Stylish 19th-century royal
riding school
(see p117)
.
Rijksmuseum Garden
Architectural curiosities in
a formal garden
(see p14)
.
Church Towers
The tallest, at 85 m (276 ft),
is the tower of Westerkerk
(see
p91)
, where the reward is not
just a great view, but the city's
heaviest bell and the gaily
painted imperial crown of
Maximilian of Austria, his gift to
the city. The towers of Oude
Kerk
(see p29)
and Zuiderkerk
(see p42)
can also be climbed.
Lunchtime Concerts
At the Concertgebouw
every Wednesday at 12:30pm
(see p119)
and at the
Boekmanzaal in the Stadhuis
(see p78)
every Tuesday at
12:30pm, October to June.
Ferry across the IJ
Join the locals on the
five-minute ferry ride from
Centraal Station
(see p84)
to
North Amsterdam or to the
Java Eiland.
Bloemenmarkt
Locals and tourists alike
love the Singel's colourful
floating market
(see p108)
.
Seven European
Houses
See Europe in a minute at
Roemer Visscherstraat 20-30a
- a row of houses in the style
of seven countries
(see p148)
.
Barrel Organs
A joyful feature of
Amsterdam's streets - there
are eight of them in all.
Church Bells
The carillons of the
Westertoren, Zuidertoren and
Munttoren unleash their
glorious peals from noon-1pm
on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays respectively.
Tropenmusuem
Stroll through a highly
realistic North African street,
Indian village or Arab market - all
at the Tropenmuseum. There is
also a “hands-on” Kindermuseum
(Children's Museum), which is
open to 6- to 12-year-olds by
appointment (guided tours in
Dutch only)
(see p127)
.
Madame Tussaud's
Scenerama
If you want to take a trip back
into the days of the Golden Age,
experience a moon landing, or
meet Michael Jackson and a host
of other stars, then this waxworks
is the place. There's a great view
of Dam Square from the round
window, too
(see p35)
.
Kindermuseum
69
