TRAVEL TIPS
AMSTERDAM
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO EATONDE FICAR ONDE SHOPPING COMER WHERE TO STAY
OVERVIEW Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and
Surrounding the old centre, there are four
it famous for its impressive architecture and its
more concentric half-circles of canals with
famous canals rings. Amsterdam is known, also,
their ends emerging at the IJ Bay. These canals
for the quality shopping and because practically
were built during the Dutch Golden Age, in
everyone in town speaks English.
the 17th Century. Three of them were mostly for residential development: the Herengracht
If you like history and culture, festivities or
(Gentleman’s Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor’s
simply the charm of an historical european city,
Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince’s Canal). The
Amsterdam is the right place for you. Although
fourth and outermost canal, the Singelgracht,
the seat of Netherlands Government is in The
served as a defense and was the location of
Hague, Amsterdam is the nominal capital. It is
the city’s moat and fortifications at the time.
also the country’s largest city, with a population
Nearly everything outside this line was built
of more than 750,000, and the most visited,
after 1870, and almost all major tourist sights,
with over 3,5 million foreign visitors a year.
and most hotels, are located inside it.
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July and August are the warmest months of
THE CANAL BUS
the year in Amsterdam with temperatures
Canal buses run every 40 minutes and make
averaging around 72°F, or 22°C. In the depths
14 stops along three different routes. Most of
of winter, temperatures can fall to as low as
Amsterdam’s important tourist attractions are
freezing point, though there is usually little snow. Spring and autumn can be pleasant, though they can be wet. Locals will often carry an umbrella even on the hottest of summer days, as summer rain in the morning sometimes precedes the arrival of bright sunshine later on. Most of the rain that falls in Amsterdam is light or in the form of protracted drizzle.
on the routes, and passengers can get on and off the buses as often as they like.
CANAL BIKES AND RENTED BOATS If you want to choose your own route to tour the canals, you can hire a canal bike or an electric boat from one of the several points located throughout the city. Canal bikes seat two or four people and come with a detailed map, route suggestions, and information about
Most tourists visit Amsterdam between April
the places you’ll pass pedalling. Electric boats
and September, when the days are longer and
also give visitors the option of discovering the
temperatures are milder than during the rest of
city from the waterways at their own pace.
the year. However, any time is a good time to visit the city. The weather is never really extreme in Amsterdam, but it’s good to remember that some attractions are seasonal, as, for example, the fields of Tulips near Amsterdam are bursting with color from mid-April to mid-May, and, in the winter, the days are short and the weather often becomes too cold to cycle.
BIKES A great way to travel around Amsterdam is by bike. Bikes can be hired, and there are good facilities for who opt to use them, such as special bike lanes which can be distinguished by their reddish color and traffic lights for cyclists.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Amsterdam also has superb public transport facilities, the best of which is the tram system.
TRANSPORT CANAL BOAT TOURS Canal cruises last about 90 minutes and take visitors on a leisurely trip along the city’s
Trams are frequent, fast and dependable.
ATTRACTIONS
canals, under the bridges, and through the
QUEEN’S DAY
harbour. Tour operators can be located near
Queen’s Day is a national holiday in the
Central Station and along the Damark and
Netherlands and is celebrated on April 30th
Rokin in the city centre.
(or on April 29th, if the 30th falls on a Sunday). Queen’s Day, which nominally celebrates the
Queen’s birthday, is a day of national unity
PROSTITUTION AND DRUG LAWS
or “togetherness”. Hundreds of people travel
Amsterdam is infamous for its liberal policy
to Amsterdam to celebrate the day and, for
for sex and soft drugs. The De Wallen area in
24 hours, the city turns into one giant mass
the old city centre, also known as Walletjes
of orange-clad people out on the streets
or Rosse Buurt (“Red Light Disctrict), is a
partying. Queen’s Day is also known for its
designated area for legalized prostitution. The
“free market”, when people are allowed to sell
neighborhood is made up of a network of
goods on the streets.
roads and alleys containing several hundred
CANAL PRIDE
small, one-room apartments. From behind the glass doors and windows of these apartments
The gay pride parade in Amsterdam is held
“window prostitutes” offer their services. This
each year on the first weekend in August. It is
area is now somewhat of a tourist attraction
one of the biggest festivals in Amsterdam with
and is well policed and safe.
parties, performances, workshops. The unique floating Canal Parade through the canals on the
Amsterdam has a policy of tolerating the sale
Saturday afternoon is always well worth seeing.
and use of soft drugs. This activity is centered on the so-called smoking cafes or “Coffee shops”, as the Dutch call them.
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DINING OUT
Local cheese is first class, and can be purchased at the Albert Cuypmarkt or at specialist cheese shops found around the city centre. They are is traditionally firm and
There are more than a thousand restaurants
large wax-covered wheel-shaped. Among the
to choose in Amsterdam, most of them being
most valued Dutch cheeses is cumin (Komijn)
in the city centre. They range from large
cheese, which is exclusive to the Netherlands.
and modern to small and cozy, from rather luxurious and expensive to ordinary and
Deserts in the Netherlands are gastronomically
affordable. In the summer, almost all have
very pleasing. With over twenty-five different
outdoor seating. This is most enjoyable since
varieties of pancake (or pannekoeken) as well
diners get a chance to people watch, and
as waffles, pastries and cakes, there is plenty
musicians often come around to serenade.
to choose from.
Typical Dutch cuisine isn’t regarded as being
Since Amsterdam is a multicultural city, there
very exciting or original. However, the one
are a lot of different ethnic restaurants in
thing that everyone will commend is the size
the city. Indonesian food is usually excellent
of the portions which are usually very plentiful.
in Amsterdam. Indian and Surinamese foods are also widely available. The highest
Visitors who want to try some typical Dutch
concentration of Surinamese restaurants can
dishes should try pea erwtensoep - a thick pea
be found on Albert Cuypstraat. For Chinese
soup served with smoked sausage and cubes
food, which is usually tasty and cheap, visit the
of bacon with brown or white bread as an
Zeedijk in the Nieuwmarkt area. Amsterdam’s
accompaniment; hutspot - a potato, carrot and
falafel bars offer very good value and there
onion stew; groentensoep – clear consommé
are many of them scattered around town, most
with vegetables, pasta and meatballs;
of having “help yourself” salad bars.
boerenkool met rookworst – kale and potatoes served with smoked sausage; or vlaamse frites-
The Dutch are more famous for their drinks
large french fries served with mayonnaise.
than their food thanks to the importance given to the brewing of beer over the centuries. In
Seafood is popular in the Netherlands,
the past there were hundreds of breweries
particularly herring, mussels, sole, shrimps
scattered throughout the Netherlands, but
and oysters. Herring is the most popular and
today there are only handful of working
is eaten fresh when it’s in season in May. At
breweries in the country. The original home of
that time of the year, green herrings are sold
the most famous Dutch beer can be visited in
along city streets and eaten in the special way
Amsterdam (Heineken Experience).
by holding them by the tail and slipping them down the throat. Freshwater eel, which is usually smoked, filleted and served on toast, is also a big favorite in Amsterdam.
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WHERE TO STAY
Small hostels and hotels in the centre of Amsterdam often have unusually steep staircases and no elevators, so if you have trouble climbing stairs make sure you book a
The city has over 400 registered hostels and
first or second floor room.
hotels and most of them are in the centre of the canal ring, especially south of Central Station or near Museumplein. A bed in a hostel starts at around €15 on a weekday in the winter and could cost up to €30 on a summer weekend. A
SHOPPING
twin room in a one or two star budget hotels can cost around €40 on winter weekdays and
Since many streets in the centre of the city
up to €100 on summer weekends. In a three
are closed to cars, Amsterdam makes for
and four star hotel, the prices can range from
pleasant shopping. There are several “shopping
€100 to €200, depending on the season, and a
corridors” in the city and each one has its own
bed at five stars hotels can cost between €150
special characteristics.
and €400 a night.
The main central shopping streets run in a line
Golden Age when Holland’s traders travelled
from near Central Station to the Leidseplein.
the globe and returned laden with goods.
Nieuwedijk, a street close to Central Station,
Spiegelstraat is lined with mysterious shops,
is basically dedicated to clothing, sportswear,
each with its own selection of curiosities.
music and gift shops with that special Amsterdam flavor. On the other side of the
Zeedijk, the street that connects Amsterdam’s
square along the Kalverstraat the shopping
Central Station with Nieuwmarkt, is a lively mix
continues. There you can find shoes, clothing,
of Chinese shops and restaurants and traditional
bags, gift shops, cards, perfume, and the
brown cafes serving Dutch beers and gin.
occasional coffee shop, fast food restaurant and ice cream parlor. The shops on these
The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) are in the
streets are not particularly up-market.
heart of Amsterdam’s canal district and is one of the city’s most delightful shopping areas. These
P.C. Hooftstraat (near the Rijksmuseum) is
picturesque streets straddle the canals from
Amsterdam’s most up-market shopping street.
the Singel to the Prinsengracht and are lined
It is a street full of luxury designer shops which
with designer boutiques, art galleries, jewellers,
are very popular amongst the rich. If you
gift shops, fashion shops, specialist businesses
want to buy Italian or French design clothes,
as well as plenty of great bars, cafes and
matching bags and accessories, tailor-made
restaurants to refresh you along the way.
suits or exclusive gifts, this is the place to go. Jordaan, one of the most beautiful ‘village’ areas Haarlemmerstraat is a busy, bustling street
of Amsterdam has always been a centre for
which is ideal for strolling along and has a
artisans, artists and creative minds. Nowadays
great diversity of shops.
the neighbourhood is an oasis of peace with a labyrinth of narrow streets and little canals,
Haarlemmerdijk, just outside the old centre,
where you will find a mixture of art studios,
is an excellent shopping street where the
monumental buildings, old-fashioned ‘brown’
locals go to shop. There you can find big
pubs, boutiques and galleries.
supermarkets, and lots of small shops with exotic food you won’t find elsewhere.
In general, shop-opening hours are from 1p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and from 9 or 10
Utrechtsestraat is one of Amsterdam’s best
a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday. Most
shopping streets. You’ll be overwhelmed
shops have late night shopping until 9 p.m.
with choices of high-end boutiques, specialty
on Thursday and close at 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
furnishings shops and plenty of local-
Some supermarkets stay open until 8 or 10
favourite cafés.
p.m. On Sundays, you can shop in the city center, Kalverstraat, Damrak, Leidsestraat, and
Spiegelstraat is one of the last great antiques hubs in Europe. A long street that runs straight to the Rijksmuseum is a legacy of the Dutch
near the Noorderkerk.
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STREET MARKETS
Dappermarkt in the east, behind the zoo, was
Today, there are 12 daily outdoor markets in
voted best market in the Netherlands. This
Amsterdam and 15 markets which open one
market also opens from Monday to Saturday
or two days a week. Most are open during
from about 8 a.m. to around 5 p.m.
normal shopping hours. These markets originally sold mainly food and clothing
Lindengracht in the Jordaan area sells a wide
and most still do, but many have become
range of goods, including fruit and vegetables,
specialized in everything from biological food
fish and various household items. This market
and antiques, to post stamps and art. All
only opens on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4p.m.
Amsterdam’s street markets are located within walking distance of the centre of the city.
Bloemenmarkt flower market opens daily on Singel, near Muntplein. You will find all sorts
Albert Cuyp is Amsterdam’s largest and
of tulips, narcissus and other bulbs and flowers
best-known street market and opens from
there. The bulbs are ready for export, so you
Monday to Saturday from about 9 a.m. to
can enjoy them at home if you wish.
around 5 p.m. Stalls sell everything from fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and spices to
The Farmer’s Market located in the historical
clothes, cosmetics and bedding. The prices
Jordaan area of the city, is so popular, that
are among the cheapest in Amsterdam. The
it draws large crowds from all over the city.
market gets very crowded especially on
This is a biological food market, selling a wide
sunny days and Saturdays.
range of ecological products like organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, cheese, mushrooms etc.
TenCate Market, the 3rd largest in Amsterdam, opens from Monday to Saturday from about
CURRENCY
8 a.m. until around 5 p.m. and sells food,
As in most other countries in the Europen
household goods, flowers and clothing.
Union, the currency used in the Netherlands is the Euro (EUR or €). Euros are divided into 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. There are also 1 and 2 euro coins. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. The Dutch Guilder is no longer usable. There are many places to change money in Amsterdam. GWK is a national organization with currency exchange offices throughout Amsterdam. Offices are indicated by the letters GWK are open seven days a week. Post offices also exchange money and offer a good rate. Hotels usually charge high commissions for exchanaging money and banks can be slow.
When consulting exchange rates, it’s good to know that the Dutch word “verkoopt” means
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
“sell”, while “koopt” means “buy”.
20 31 112 112
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