Romance in Amsterdam - Red Light District and Beyond

Our Local Expert Says:

The gap between rich and poor is not visible in Amsterdam, as neighborhoods are integrated. However, the houses around the park are some of the most expensive in the city.

Description:

On one of the rare, sunny days in Amsterdam, the Vondelpark is so full of people it's difficult to find a quiet spot to yourself, but despite the bustle, the park is quite the bird sanctuary; you can watch storks flying around, as their nests are perched on high posts through out the park. If a sunny day at the park doesn't do it for you, you can also visit the park at night; after 11pm it is legal to have sex out in the open at Vondelpark. In the centre of the park you can also find the Filmmuseum, which shows interesting art films and has a nice indoor and outdoor café.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most Picturesque Canal

Description:

Amsterdam is known for its many canals - 165 of them! Brouwersgracht, or Brewer's Canal, was lined by beer breweries when the city's water was unsafe to drink, and everyone drank beer instead! The red-shuttered houses are typical warehouses from this period. The canal is one of the most charming, with many bridges, houseboats, and Amsterdam's famous leaning houses. Shop at the numerous stores or have a break at one of the many cafes.

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Though past its "see-and-be-seen" early days, this attractive restaurant still serves up the most authentic Italian in the city--listen, they are actually speaking Italian in the kitchen! While you are always guaranteed to have your pasta served al dente, locals still talk the most about the restaurant's most popular drink/dessert, Sgroppino. This restaurant doesn't take reservations so, unless you get there early, you'll have time to grab one or two of these drinks at the bar while you wait for your table.

Description:

Designed by Pierre Cuypers and completed in 1889, Amsterdam's central train station rests on 8,687 wooden stakes driven into 3 manmade islands and took seven years to build. The project was very controversial in its time because it involved filling in the city's old, historic harbor. And with a history as a shipping and sailing city, residents felt the new station was burying the city's heart-and its spectacular waterfront views. But, the move of the modern harbor to the west of the city has saved the City Centre from the industrial character of modern shipping. Also, the modern entrance to the city is now located in the same place as the historic entrance to the city, in the very center of the City Centre's map of concentric half circles, and so the city operates in much the same way it did hundreds of years ago. Indeed, this is the first sight most of Amsterdam's 4.5 million annual visitors see as they arrive in the city. The waterfront view from the rear of the building, and the trendy Western and Eastern dock areas to either side of the station, still give an idea of what this harbor might have looked like hundreds of years ago. Visitors may notice some similarities in design to... read more

Description:

Lovers Canal Cruises offers a variety of themed tours through Amsterdam's canals as well as dinner (and other meal) cruises.

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This store on the edge of the Red Light District claims to be the world's first specialized condom store -- the start of a whole new protection racket. It stocks a vast range of these singular items, in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, from common brands to flashy designer fittings, all but guaranteeing your apparel of choice. Open Monday to Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from noon to 6pm, and Thursday from noon to 8pm. Note: At press time, the store was based at adjacent Sint-Jansstraat 33 while the Warmoesstraat store was being renovated. It was slated to move back to its original digs in November 2006, but this date might easily have slipped.

Our Local Expert Says:

You may notice that not all the windows are red. The blue windows on Barndesteeg are windows for women who are women only from the waist up.

Description:

Quite possibly Amsterdam's most defining feature, the Red Light District is the place to see some truly unique things. If prostitutes in windows aren't enough, you can also find an Erotic Museum, which takes you through the history of prostitution, the Hash Marijuana and Hemp Museum, which tells you all you need to know about weed, and the Banana Bar, a bar where waitresses are highly skilled in the various ways of eating a banana. If you want to learn more about prostitution in the Netherlands, visit the Prostitute Information Centre, located next to the Oude Kerk. If this doesn't excite you, the Warmoestraat, which runs along the Red Light District, is full of coffeeshops, bars, hostels and gay S&M clubs. Walking through the Red Light District today you may notice that some windows contain out of place fashion exhibitions. This is a result of the city's efforts to "clean up" the streets.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most Picturesque Square

Description:

Nieuwmarkt is a square that borders on many of Amsterdam's famous attractions, including the Red Light District and the Zeedijk (Amsterdam's Chinatown). The square is lined with café's, coffeeshops and bars and is a great place to grab a drink in the evening or a bite during the day. Many of the buildings around the square have interesting histories; the small café' "De Fontayn" on the Eastern side of the square was the city's most luxurious brothel in the 1800s.

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Although currently a restaurant, this monumental building has served many purposes throughout its life. It started its life as a gate into the Medival city. Its best-known role is as a former weighing house ("Waag" means scale), the taxing point for those wishing to trade goods in the city. Among other roles, it has also played host to the city's many professional guilds, including the doctor's guild. As a result, Rembrandt's famous painting, the Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp, was painted here.

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Prounced "Spouw," this square was created in 1882 when an old body of water was filled in. Lying on the edge of the city's businest shopping area, this is a square of cafes and bookstores--including two English-language bookstores. The square hosts and book market on Fridays and an art market on Sundays. In this square you will also find the entrance to the Begijnhof and the statue known as Het Lieverdje, which became famous during the 60's when the radical Provo movement made it the center of their "happenings".

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The Bloemenmarkt, or Flower Market, is one of Amsterdam's most famous attractions. In the summer, the market is full of bouquets of the country's tulips, but beautiful flower arrangements of other varieties can be found year-long. It is here that you can also buy bulbs for all sorts of varieties of unique tulips, including certified bulbs that can be exported. But aside from flowers, the flower market is lined with souvenir shops containing every typical souvenir from Holland you can imagine.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best Photography Museum

Description:

FOAM is a modern arthouse, showcasing works by young talent and world-renowned artists. Visitors can marvel at the architectural design and tones of the museum, an excellent backdrop for photographic and multimedia displays. A library on the upper level contains books and material on photography, while the downstairs cafe greets museum-goers with hot coffee. Displays are rotated regularly; visit the website for information on exhibitions.

Our Local Expert Says:

Prettiest Bridge

Description:

In 1671 a small footbridge was built across the river Amstel. The bridge was made of wood and it could be raised. In the beginning the bridge was called the "chicken's bridge" because of its small construction. Later on, again due to the construction, it adopted the name "Skinny Bridge", being compared to a slender woman. It was rebuilt in 1871 and 1929, but it was once again made of wood and the construction was "skinny". Nowadays, at night the Magere Brug is lit up at night, beautifying the river Amstel in the dark.

Description:

In the 1200s the Amstel River flowed through the swampy lands, but was dammed at present day Dam Square and a city was born! Amstel-dam became Amsterdam and the city flourished on the taxes it collected at the Dam. It still flows through the heart of the city. From the south the river runs past city hall, Waterlooplein and Muntplein, and the city's main canals branch off from the Amstel. In the north it meets with the Ij River.

Description:

Ctaste allows you to experience your food in a whole new way with the latest dining trend sweeping Europe. At Ctaste you will be dining in pitch-black, which will give you an opportunity to experience dining in a whole new way. You will be surprised with a 3 course meal that will have your taste buds guessing. Don't let the idea scare you; you are guided and served by a visually impaired individual on this unique adventure.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most Spectacular Movie Theater

Description:

The Tuschinski Theatre, located just a few steps from Rembrandtplein, is the most lavish movie theater of the entire Pathe chain of cinemas. Showing a mixture of mainstream releases and more obscure art films, the theater is worth a visit solely for its design.

Built in 1921 by Abraham Tuschinski, a Polish Jew who made his way to Amsterdam with a vision to create a spectacular movie house. The result is an Art Deco masterpiece, with decorative elements from all over the world (including an Egyptian themed main theater and Japanese themed sitting rooms). The building is especially grand, considering it was built in a part of town that was undesirable in the 1920s.

In 2002 the Tuschinski re-opened its doors after a four year restoration project. Today the theater extends to the surrounding buildings and contains multiple modern screening rooms. If you want to see a movie in the original Egyptian screening room, make sure to purchase tickets for screenings in Hall 1 (Zaal 1).

Aside from the spectacular architecture, other novelties include VIP love-seats, and a bar at the concessions stand where you can buy alcoholic drinks and take them to your seat.
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