Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Haarlemmerbuurt
In recent times, the bustling
streets of this stalwart resident-
ial neighbourhood have seen the
arrival of all manner of shops,
mixing bric-a-brac with
haute
couture
, New Age with funky
furniture and specialist food with
local groceries. On Haarlemmer-
straat is Westindisch Huis, once
the headquarters of the Dutch
West India Company
(see p45)
.
To the west is Haarlemmerpoort,
a gateway - now converted into
flats - built in 1840 for the entry
of William II. Beyond it lies
peaceful Westerpark, and
Westergasfabriek, former
gasworks turned arts centre.
d
Map D1
Exploring the
Western Canal Ring
Morning
Beat the queues and be
first to arrive at the
Anne
Frankhuis
(see pp32-3)
,
which opens at 9am.
Afterwards, you could take
a contemplative walk
along Prinsengracht to the
Western Islands, perhaps
first climbing the tower of
Westerkerk
(see p91)
. On
the way, drop in on two
peaceful
hofjes
,
Zon's
and
De Star
(see facing page)
.
For refreshment, visit
Papeneiland, a tiny brown
café founded in 1642, at the
junction of Prinsengracht
and Brouwersgracht.
On the
Western Islands
,
stroll round Prinseneiland
and along Zandhoek on
Realeneiland, where you
could lunch very well at
De Gouden Reael
(Zandhoek 14). If you are
with children, visit Dieren-
capel, the children's farm
on Bickerseiland.
Western Islands
Despite being very much
part of the city, the man-made
Western Islands have a remote,
bracing quality. Comprising
Bickerseiland, Prinseneiland and
Realeneiland, they were created
in the early 17th century to
accommmodate shipyards and
warehouses. In recent years,
large-scale development has
taken place, and modern housing
now co-exists in harmony with
white wooden drawbridges.
Don't miss Zandhoek on
Realeneiland, with its row of
charming 17th-century houses,
or atmospheric Prinseneiland
with its boatyard and old
shuttered warehouses.
d
Map D1
Afternoon
En route to the Jordaan,
hardened shoppers will
first want to stop in
Haarlemmerbuurt
, with its
mix of shops, both smart
and tatty. Don't miss a
peak at over-the-top Café
Dulac (Haarlemmerstraat
118), and the world's
narrowest restaurant, De
Groene Lanteerne
(Haarlemmerstraat 43).
Spend a couple of hours
exploring the endlessly
picturesque
Jordaan
, then
join today's breed of young
Jordaanese in one of the
trendy cafés around
Noordermarkt - Finch or
Proust, or the wildly kitsch
Café Nol in Westerstraat. If
it's dinner time, head for
De Reiger
(see p51)
, the
locals' favourite
eetcafé
.
Boatyard, Prinseneiland
93
