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Amsterdam Grachten
Amsterdam is especially famous for its many grachten, no matter if big or small they there are hundreds of them. Many people are surprised by the amount of water in Amsterdam. Because of that the city is also often called Venice of the North. The canals were used for the transport of goods between the harbour and the houses of the merchants. But they were also used for sewage disposal, so the city must have been reeking very badly. The main grachten that were built circular around the core of the city are Singel, Herengracht, Keizergracht and Prinsengracht. Along the Herengracht the richest people of the city have their elegant houses. They can be easily recognized as they are bigger than the usual houses in Amsterdam. The grachten are very nice during the night because of all the lights in the houses. A lot of tours on the canals are offered especially by providers around the central station and the Damrak.
Amsterdam
Jordaan
A charming part of Amsterdam is the neighbourhood called Jordan where you find small cafès and shops and can relax from the hectic of the touristy city centre. Nice old buildings in quiet streets and fantastic backyards give a possibility for a nice stroll. On the Noordermart you can make the best bargain buys in the city. On the Boerenmarkt which is only taking place at the weekend you can buy fresh food and second hand things. Close by lies the Haarlemerstraat with small but advisable shops like special chocolate or bread shops, confectioneries and clothing.
Amsterdam
Artis Zoo
The Amsterdam Artis Zoo attracts hundreds of visitors every year. The huge area hosts not only a lot of known animals but also a kind of rain forest for night animals and a simulation of the canals of Amsterdam. Here you can find eels and other water animals that are usually not visible in the dreary water of the actual canals. Apart from that the geological museum, the aquarium and the children’s playground are worth a visit. The Zoo also offers a tour into the world of gay animals. Discover that there are also gay elephants, apes or dolphins on this planet!
Opening times:
Daily 9 am – 5 pm
Entrance prices: 14 € Adults, 12 €, 65+, 10 € children between 4 and 11, children below the age of 4 are free of charge
Koninklijk Paleis – Royal Palace
The Koninklijk Paleis is located in the heart of Amsterdam on the Dam Square. The palace was formerly used as city hall and was only called a palace when Napoleon put his brother Louis as king of the Netherlands. From that moment on different kings used the building as a residence. During the summer months the palace can be visited by the public. Especially the pompous bourgeois hall is impressive but also the court room and the empire furniture left behind by Louis Bonaparte are worth a visit.
Opening times:
July – August daily 1 pm – 5 pm
Entrance prices: € 4,50 Adults, € 3,60 Children 5 – 15 years, children below 4 years are free of charge
The Dam
This is the most famous place of Amsterdam and the traditional place to start your trip through the city. It is a meeting place for tourists and locals likewise who sit on the steps of the National Monument. The name Amsterdam derives from this place where people built an embankment which separated the IJ and the Amstel. In the middle of the Dam there is a white obelisk which is the Dutch National Monument, which was built for the victims of WWII. Here you can see the old ambition for strength and royal self-importance. Behind the obelisk you find the Grand Hotel Kransnapolski and one if the oldest taverns “De Gekroonde Wildmann”.
Begijnhof
A place of absolute peace and silence, an idyllic oasis, a sudden asylum from the hectic of the Kalverstraat! A roomy courtyard inherits a cultivated Greenland around which a couple of small, neat houses are located. Here you can find old ladies drinking tea or having a walk in the garden. Everywhere seems to be an atmosphere of unbelievable friendliness. The Begijnhof was founded in 1346 by a religious group which did not keep up to strict religious rules. They lived in their own small houses keeping their own freedom and dedicated their lives to the poor and sick.
Leidseplein
…seems to be the home of the world. Cafés, theatres, pubs, clubs, taverns, artists make this place to one of the most attractive meeting points of Europe. Here you can find everything from Shakespeare to Striptease. The Paradiso, a former church and the Melkweg, a former cheese factory are well known across the borders of the Netherlands.
Red Light District
Visiting Amsterdam also means visiting the famous Red Light District which is located between the New Market, the Central Station and the Dam Square. The area is not only at night an attraction. Also during the day there is a special atmosphere created by the many red curtains and lights in the windows. Women of every age and every nationality can be viewed in the many windows along the streets. But be aware of pickpockets who are over there in masses especially at the weekend when the streets are packed with tourists.
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Attractions
Amsterdam Grachten
Artis Zoo
Koninklijk Paleis – Royal Palace
Red Light District
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