Castles & Gardens map 2018

er

Almere Oostvaaders

Public Transport Map

Muiderpoort

Amsterdam City

Science Park

M51 Amsterdam Zuid

Hoofddorp 300 340 397



Duivendrecht

67

Weesp

300 Ouderkerk a/d Amstel

Ouderkerk a/d Amstel

I amsterdam Visitor Centre

340

Westeinderplassen

Central Station or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol www.iamsterdam.com/area

357

Kudelstaart 357

Naarden



A

Ankeveense

Bussum

plassen

105

Vinkeveense plassen

106

E

120 6

108

Laren

cover booqi castles 2018.indd 1

Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot

Just outside Amsterdam

Ve

Wilnis

28

Loosdrechtse

8 min

plassen



Breukelen

and historical fishing botters.

• Huizen offers a fine hotel and b-and-b

55

accommodations and there are all kinds of activities and events.

• And free parking!

Hilversum Sportpark

Hilversum

30

Nieuw Loosdrecht

Breukelen Day Trips

TRAVEL WITH THE

AMSTERDAM & REGION TRAVEL TICKET

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) Get out of Amsterdam with the ARTT, which grants you unlimited travel on the city's public transportation and beyond.

From flower auctions and windmills to beaches and medieval castles, ARTT is the easiest and most economical way to explore everything the greater Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has to offer! Pick up yours at an I amsterdam Visitor Centre, participating public transport company ticket counter or selected hotel or campsite. (Don't forget to check in and out whenever you get on or off a train or bus!)

Discover the garden of Amsterdam in VR360° www.gooivechtinVR.nl

Find more information and a map of all included routes on: www.iamsterdam.com/area

Amstelland by bike full day

Fortress Stretch 1/2 day or full day

AMSTELVEEN international, green & cultural city

www.amstelveen.nl

photo: Mike MIKEBink BINK©

Castles & Gardens

by bus, tram, metro & train

www.visitgooivecht.com

Take a tram, train or the metro from Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam Amstel. From there, buses 320 and 322 run regularly to the P+R Terrein stop in Muiden (30 mins). At the bus stop you can rent e-bikes (with credit card) or you can take a lovely walk through the historic centre of Muiden to the medieval Muiderslot Castle  (free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card) (www.muiderslot.nl). If you follow the canal towards Muiden, you will see the ferry to Pampus Island (www.pampus.nl) on your right after about 500 metres (25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card). The island and abandoned fort have a mysterious air and make for an interesting day out for visitors of all ages.

Another ferry (25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card) (www.amsterdamboatexcursion.com) runs directly from Pampus Island  to Amsterdam IJburg, from where you can take tram 26 back to Amsterdam Central Station (April–October). www.vvvgooivecht.nl

shopping center and the Huizer museum.

• Visit the Old city harbour, the Botter yard

108

120 8

• Come enjoy the old village, the charming

with its restaurants and cosy terraces.

104

Bicycle route 5 km

HAVEN VAN 'T GOOI

• Experience the charming Nautical Quarter

12

31

cht

D

Hilversum

7

340

13-03-1

• The hiking route Huizer Milk maid takes you 320

104 105 108 320

Wilnis

Railway

4

105 106

9

Hilversum Media Park

104

Bus stop

3



15 min

326 Blaricum Carpoolplaats

www.iamsterdam.com/area

past historic farms and fishing cottages.

’s-Graveland

340

Metro

2

Bussum-Zuid

VISITAALSMEER.NL

Natuurmonumenten

Bus

1

Ziekenhuis Tergooi

Brink

Mijdrecht

0

326

320

110

105 110 C Naarden-Bussum

5

Centrum



Westwalstraat

Rundervreugd

Highlights  Pampus, isle of Amsterdam  Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot  Dutch Fortress Museum  Museum Weesp  Nautical Quarter Huizen  Historical Garden Aalsmeer  Fort Uitermeer  Cobra Museum  Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest)  Castle-Museum Sypesteyn  Singer Museum Laren  Royal Flora Holland

F 108 Bus station

49

Uithoorn Amstelplein 174

s Include p& a m a are s day trip

Huizen 

Nederhorst den Berg

1

142 170 174 Bus station

110

106

106

326

320

B

50

Flora Holland

Zwarteweg

322 323 326

Boattrips, watersports and events, beautiful surroundings for cycling and walking around the Westeinder Lakes, largest flower auction in the world and only 20 minutes from Amsterdam.

Gooimeer

cht Ve

ms



110

120

A

Visitor Centres & Highlights

174 347

110 Brandweerkazerne

322 323 324 Almere Parkwijk

CASTLES AND GARDENS

327 328 Bus station ‘t Oor

324 327 328

322 323

Almere Marina Muiderzand

106 110 Weesp

tel



357

Muiden 10 min

Muiden, P+R Terrein

69

Aalsmeer

A VVV Naarden (www.vvvnaarden.nl) B VVV Weesp (www.welkominweesp.nl) C VVV Bussum (www.vvvbussum.nl) D VVV Hilversum (www.vvvhilversum.nl) E VVV Wijdemeren (www.vvvwijdemeren.nl) F VVV Huizen (www.vvvhuizen.nl)

320 322 323 324 327 328

Holendrecht

326 Almere Centrum 326

Almere Poort

300

340

Almere Muziekwijk



Almere Centrum

Almere Parkwijk

not valid in ARTT

300 323 324 328 120 A’dam Bijlmer ArenA

M51 61 62

r

110

Amstelveen Centrum

Amstelveen

300 397

A

Pampus

IJburg

323 324 328

50 60

ee

Once you’ve seen it, you will love it.

Almere Buiten

Almere

Diemen

Diemen Zuid

347 357 397

174 300 347 357 397 Amstelveen Bus station

Schiphol Airport

M51 320 322 327 Amsterdam Amstel

tel ms

Amsterdamse Bos 

300 397

Jm

e

I

397 Elandsgracht Bus station

Hoofddorp

Ma

M51 347 357 Amsterdam Central Station

rke

rm

Fortified Towns full day This day trip is packed with old castles and picturesque towns.

Start early in the morning and take a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Naarden-Bussum (towards Amersfoort Vathorst or Zwolle via Weesp). From there, take bus 110/151 to Naarden. Walk around this preserved fortified town and visit the Dutch Fortress Museum . From Naarden, take bus 110 or 602 to Muiden. A lovely walk through the picturesque historical centre of Muiden brings you to a small harbour and the medieval Muiderslot Castle. Muiden is the perfect spot for a quick lunch. If you still have a couple of hours left, take bus 110 to P+R Muiden and rent a bike at the bus/train station to follow the River Vecht. The riverbank offers unimpeded views of the imposing castles, country estates and accompanying tearooms.

See www.vvvgooivecht.nl for cycle routes.

Rent a bike from one of Amsterdam’s many bike rental companies and head south towards Amstelveen and the beautiful Amsterdamse Bos  (Amsterdam Forest). You can also rent bikes at the entrance to the Amsterdamse Bos, as well as canoes for a view of the forest from the water.

In Amstelveen, pay a visit to the famous Cobra Museum  (www.cobra-museum.nl) or the smaller Jan van der Togt Museum (www.jvdtogt.nl). Continue on to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, a

picturesque village along the River Amstel. The banks of the Amstel are bustling with fantastic cafés and restaurants with sunny waterside terraces. After you’ve refuelled, visit the Netherlands’ oldest Jewish cemetery, Beth Haim.

The route back to Amsterdam is lovely; in no time at all you’ll be cycling past grazing cows and elegant country houses.

Brochures of the different cycle routes are available in the I amsterdam Visitor Centre at Stationsplein.

See map for cycle route

Home to many old castles, fortified towns and ruins, the picturesque fortress stretch – a UNESCO World Heritage site – offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval times.

Leisure Lakes

Amstel River Countryside

Historical River Estates

Just outside Amsterdam you’ll find a number of lakes perfect for a day of fun on the water. Rent a sailboat, electric boat, canoe or surfboard to explore, enjoy and relax.

Amsterdam’s hinterland is quiet, green and unspoilt – no wonder it was prime real estate for wealthy Golden Age merchants looking to escape the city.

Retrace their footsteps along the River Amstel.

Take a trip south of the city to enjoy the lush greenery and architectural grandeur of the historical river estates that dot the banks of the River Vecht.

Muiden

Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot

Loosdrecht Lakes

Westeinder Lakes & Water Tower

Amstelveen

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

Besides Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot, the fortified town of Muiden offers a cosy harbour with historical flat boats and lovely terraces. Time seems to pass more slowly on the banks near the lock.

Naarden & Dutch Fortress Museum

There’s plenty to see and do in leafy Amstelveen – from museums to shopping, theatre to sports. Amstelveen is home to one of the largest municipal parks in Europe, the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). Amstelveen is also well known for its heemparken, parks dedicated to native flora and recognised as national monuments. The parks are well worth a visit, especially in the spring. The Cobra Museum of Modern Art is home to a collection of key works by artists from the avant-garde CoBrA art movement. It presents interesting exhibitions from this unique collection as well as temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Also situated in Amstelveen's ‘Old Village’ is Museum Jan van der Togt, which holds a superb collection of modern glass sculptures and fine art. Amstelveen is also home to two Michelin star restaurant Aan de Poel at the Amstelveen entrance of the Amsterdam Forest.

See www.vvvgooivecht.nl for rental options.

Huizen

1 April-31 October: open daily, 1 November-31 March: weekends only Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card www.muiderslot.nl

www.visitgooivecht.com

Pampus, Isle of Amsterdam

Naarden is one of the most remarkable examples of a preserved fortified town. From the air, the town’s unique layout resembles a gigantic snowflake, comprised of six bastions, a double rampart and a double ring of canals. The history of Naarden is explained at the fascinating Dutch Fortress Museum, which features canons, weapons, uniforms and an audio-visual presentation. Experience how the soldiers protected Amsterdam and its surroundings from enemies from the Far East, and explore the dark corners of the fortress, where the soldiers once fought, lived and slept.

In Aalsmeer, the Westeinder Lakes offer plenty of watersport options from swimming to sailing lessons and boat rentals.

Everyone is welcome to moor their boat at Starteiland (Start Island). The other small islands still grow strawberries and lilacs – just as they did long ago. This area is famous for its horticultural industry. The 50-metre-high, Art Deco water tower is one of Aalsmeer’s showpieces. At the foot of the tower, restaurant Westeinder Paviljoen offers a breathtaking view of the lake and a perfect spot for a surf break. You can discover this from the water or at the Historical Garden (10 April - late October).

Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card www.vestingmuseum.nl www.vvvnaarden.nl/en

Weesp Weesp is a charming town, only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station. Because of the many canals, Weesp looks like a small version of Amsterdam.

With a lovely museum situated in a 18th century town hall, boutiques and plenty of terraces along the water, Weesp is an ideal destination if you want to enjoy a typical Dutch town. www.museumweesp.nl www.vvvweesp.nl

Defence Line of Amsterdam

www.sypesteyn.nl

Singer Museum Laren

www.amstelgoed.nl

Restaurants & Cafés Why choose between land and water when exploring the lovely country estates of the river Vecht? De Fietsboot (the Bike Boat) lets you hop on and off and continue by bike as you please!

Heemparks & Amsterdam Forest

www.defietsboot.nl TIP: For boat trips and rentals check www.visitgooivecht.com

Castle Nyenrode

Day Trip Get a big dose of nature in the Amsterdam Forest, featuring activity-packed central zones framed by quieter forests and fields of rustic flora and fauna. At the beginning of April, the many cherry trees in the Amsterdamse Bos blossom, marking the return of spring. The botanical gardens (heemparks) of Amstelveen offer would-be botonists a treasure trove of rare indigenous plants. Explore a typical Dutch polder landscape in De Braak, romantic ‘garden rooms’ in the Dr. Jac P. Thijssepark and very rare Molinia meadows in the Dr. Koos Landwehrpark, all within walking distance of each other.

www.vvvhuizen.nl

Featuring some of Amsterdam’s most breathtaking rural views, historical Ouderkerk on the Amstel is now happening. It’s just an idyllic bike ride along the River Amstel from the centre of Amsterdam. A medieval village separated from the surrounding cities of Amsterdam and Amstelveen by the Ronde Hoep nature reserve and photo-ready fields dotted with windmills and stately riverside homes. The ideal destination when you’re looking for a local (bike) trip that offers a little bit of everything.

Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card to the Cobra Museum of Modern Arts. www.cobra-museum.nl

www.historischetuinaalsmeer.nl

Huizen – literally 'Houses' – was originally an agricultural village about two kilometres from the sea. It later expanded to become a coastal town, boasting the IJsselmeer’s most vibrant fishing industry. In recent years Huizen has developed into a modern town bordering the Gooimeer (Gooi Lake), with several marinas and a lively historic centre offering great shopping as well as the medieval Dutch Reformed Church.

Built around the Oude Haven – Old Harbour – where you can still see beautiful flat boats, some of them over 100 years old, Huizen’s Nautical Quarter includes a lovely hotel, restaurants and convivial cafés. To get there take a bus from Amstel Station.

The aristocrat C.H.C.A. (Henri) van Sypesteyn (1857-1937) dreamed of a grand monument to his family, of which he was the last male descendant. That dream became reality: between 1912-1927 he designed and built Castle-Museum Sypesteyn.

The museum features portraits of family members and a varied collection of weapons, porcelain, glass, silver, statues, clocks and other items. The grounds, which feature gardens and a park, are also a pleasant place to take a stroll.

The banks of the Amstel are lined with fantastic restaurants and cafés with waterside terraces to refuel. Both sides of the Amstel river feature some of the region’s top dining spots, such as Jaimie van Heije’s hip eponymous restaurant, steakhouse Loetje, Brasserie Paardenburg and restaurant Lute. Local entrepreneurs are drawing in visitors with new bike routes and attractions. Every summer a hidden beer garden blooms in the fields along the Amstel River just outside Amsterdam. The winter home of the Amstelbocht ice-skating club (of which Grandpa Kek was the chairman for many years) is transformed in its off season, serving craft beer with an idyllic Dutch view and tasty local treats. The perfect bike-tour stop.

To get to Pampus, catch the ferry from Muiden or Amsterdam.

25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card. www.pampus.nl

While you’re there…

kek-bier.nl/en

From new to old, travel back in time by boat: the modern city of Almere is just a short ferry ride from the medieval Muiderslot Castle and historic Pampus Island, featuring a park, restaurant and the sprawling ruins of a former fort. Both are the sites of regular summer events and activities for visitors. See their websites for more information.

Country Houses

TIP: travel by boat from Amsterdam IJburg or Almere to Pampus Island and Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot and get a 25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card. Boats run Tuesday–Sunday 1 April–29 October from IJburg (take tram 26 from Amsterdam Central Station to the Pampuslaan stop). www.amsterdamtouristferry.com

Plan your trip

Leisure Lakes 1/2 day and full day Set the alarm because it's time to discover the wonderful world of flowers at the Royal FloraHolland flower auction (www.floraholland.com). The earlier you get here, the more you’ll see (visit before 9 AM). Experience the hustle and bustle of the auction floor, watch traders bidding against the clock and be amazed at the quantity of beautiful blooms traded daily from more than 10 countries.

Both of these towns are fantastic starting points for exploring De Stelling van Amsterdam (the Defence Line of Amsterdam), a 135-kilometre-long ring of fortifications around Amsterdam that once protected the city from invaders. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996. Special bike routes (in English) take you past the most beautiful highlights, among them Fort Pampus, Fort aan de Ossenmarkt, Fort Uitermeer and Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot (April–October). www.defencelineamsterdam.com

Take bus 357 from Amsterdam Central Station (1 hour, direct connection). After your visit, take bus 357 again to the Hortensiaplein stop. From here you can walk to Westeinder Rondvaart (20 mins total), a company that operates boat tours on the Westeinder Lakes. You’ll float past countless islands teeming with flora and fauna. www.westeinderrondvaart.nl

The town of Laren was one of the centres of Dutch art at the end of the 19th century, after famous painter Jozef Israëls discovered the quiet beauty of this picture-perfect village and its surroundings. Fellow artists followed suit, including Anton Mauve, Albert Neuhuys and Hein Kever. The American businessman and art lover William Henry Singer built a large mansion in the centre of Laren in 1911, which became the famous Singer Museum after the Second World War, proudly displaying the works of many of the artists of the Laren School of Painting. The Singer Museum is hosting a special exhibition on Impressionism and Dutch Cubism until 6 May. After 6 May, you can marvel at modernist gardens by Van Gogh, Monet and many others.

Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11.00-17.00 www.singerlaren.nl

Uithoorn Once built to defend the capital, now a unique fortress island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pampus offers you a 40-minute Xperience trip through the abandoned fortress, a black light scavenger hunt for children, an audio tour in English or German sharing the secrets of 400 years of history, a cozy restaurant and all over the island are interesting historical artefacts to discover. Explore freely and find them all!

Castle-Museum Sypesteyn

River Vecht by boat & bike

The Loosdrechtse Plassen (Loosdrecht Lakes) are perfect for water sports: sailing, rowing, canoeing, waterskiing and speedboating are all possible here. If taking a boat out yourself is not your thing, then join a sailboat or speedboat excursion or just relax on a terrace and admire the view from dry land.

Muiden is home to the grand Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot – built around 1285 – which looms over the mouth of the River Vecht. Take a tour through the impressive knight’s hall, towers, dungeon and armoury or dress up like a real knight and try your hand at jousting. A great day of fun for the whole family.

The River Vecht winds between Amsterdam and Utrecht and is a wonderful setting for a boat trip or bike ride from Muiden or Weesp. Both offer unimpeded views of the imposing castles, country houses and accompanying tearooms. Wealthy Golden Age merchants once spent their summer months here. The holidaymakers ‘only’ needed five to seven hours to reach their rural residences. Thankfully, it’s much quicker today!

Brink, te Laren, Avond, Gustave Franciscus de Smet ©

photo: Mike Bink

Fortress Stretch

Find up-to-date schedules and fares for trams, trains and more at www.9292.nl/en. Note that many schedules will change 22 July 2018 due to the opening of the North-South metro line.

Just to the south of Amsterdam is Uithoorn, with its charming Thamerkerk church from 1834 right on the River Amstel.

The Fort aan de Drecht, completely renovated in 2000 and part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, can also be seen here. The more-than-a-century-old former military installation is located on the edge of Uithoorn. A variety of walking and cycling routes have been marked out in Amstelland (the area around the River Amstel), or discover the area from the River Amstel itself.

It’s easy to imagine you have been transported back to the 17th or 18th century as you pass one grand country estate after the next. The banks of the River Amstel were favoured by wealthy Golden Age merchants looking to escape the bustle of Amsterdam. A few of these magnificent buildings have been preserved – including the privately owned Oostermeer and the fully restored 350-year-old Wester Amstel, which hosts regular exhibitions and concerts and whose gardens are open to the public. www.westeramstel.com

Get there the Dutch way – by bike! – with the help of bike routes based on the fietsknooppuntennetwerk (‘bike connection network’). See map for cycle routes or check en.routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl.

Built in 1290 and located in Breukelen, the namesake of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, Castle Nyenrode was destroyed in 1481 and in 1511 but was rebuilt as a country retreat in the 1630s in the Dutch Renaissance style. The castle currently houses a private university but can be viewed from the river. The adjacent park has a rose garden, old lime trees, a deer park and pheasantry.

At the Muiden P + R you can rent electrical bikes! From there it’s only a 10km ride to the old town Naarden or follow the Vecht river for gazing at marvellous country estates.

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