Discovering Amsterdam: An Area Guide

Anyone looking to broaden their horizons could do a lot worse than spending time in the cultural heavyweight that is Amsterdam. This charming and historic city is teeming with attractions that will keep you entertained for the duration of your break in the Dutch capital.

One of the best things about Amsterdam is that it’s a terrifically compact city so you should have no problem getting everywhere you want to go on foot. For those not too keen on walking, there are numerous other options available for getting around, including tram, public bicycle and boat.

Amsterdam has several distinct areas, all of which boast their own unique attractions. Some of the unmissable areas for the first time visitor to Amsterdam include the world-famous Old Centre, the serene Grachtengordel (girdle of canals), the history-steeped Museumplein, the multicultural Pijp and the breath-taking Waterfront.

Amsterdam, Netherlands by The Richardson Fosters

Old Centre

The beating heart of Amsterdam’s tourism industry, Old Centre has something for everybody. Split into New Side and Old Side, Old Centre offers a dazzling array of attractions for culture hunters. Waterlooplein is a huge open-air market where it’s possible to haggle with enthusiastic traders over everything from sunglasses to sandals. With its origins as a Jewish market stretching back over two centuries, Waterlooplein is worth a visit to anyone interested in the history of commerce.

Grachtengordel

The maze of canals that provide the foundation of Amsterdam add a glorious tranquillity that is hard to find in most capital cities. Grachtengordel can be easily explored by jumping on one of the many boat tours that are offered on a daily basis.

The most popular cruises include the standard one hour cruise, which takes you to all the main highlights of the city’s canal network; the hop on-hop off tour, which allows you to jump off at any of the attractions you want to explore over a 24 or 48 hour period; and the dinner cruise, where you can enjoy the sights of the city while you enjoy a sumptuous meal and expensive bottle of wine!

Museumplein

If you’re coming to Amsterdam for a cultural experience, a large proportion of your time will be spent in Museumplein. It’s home to some of the biggest names in the art industry including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art.

The area is also home to a wide range of top-end hotels and fashion emporia that will keep lovers of the finer things in life enthralled for the duration of their stay in the city.

Pijp

One of the best known quarters in the city, Pijp, or the Pipe as it’s known in English, is an intoxicating mix of the different cultures that Amsterdam has sucked in over the years. The narrow streets are alive with the smell of the Turkish, Pakistani, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Syrian and Moroccan cuisines. One of the biggest attractions in Pijp is the bazaar where fresh produce from across the world is available on a daily basis.

Waterfront

If new, exciting architecture is your thing, the Waterfront in Amsterdam is going to be high up on your list of things to see. The stunning new structures that are cropping up here are accompanied by an array of hip and trendy nightclubs that don’t close until after the sun comes up.

All in all, Amsterdam is a dream destination for culture lovers. The list of awe-inspiring sights is endless and they’re all within a stone’s throw from each other. So do yourself a favour, take a look at some flights to Amsterdam and book a break to this sensational destination today; one thing you won’t be is disappointed.

Paul Parker is a freelance travel writer. He has travelled extensivley across Europe and believes Amsterdam is one of the best destinations for a short city break.

Tags: Grachtengordel, museumplein, Old Centre, Pijp, Waterfront

Category: Cities, Netherlands