Flashbooking free pocket guide of...
AMSTERDAM
booking has never been so quick
Amsterdam has a reputation as Europe’s naughtiest city
with its tolerant approach to liberalization of prostitution
and recreational drugs use. Appreciated for the ‘easy going’
attitude of its citizens and their open mentality, Amsterdam
is also known as the ‘Venice of the North’. Someone says
Amsterdam is built on more than the 118 islands that form
Venice...true or not…you can visit this city by bike!
AMSTERDAM AT A GLANCE - TRANSPORTS - DON’T MISS THE CLASSICS! - TO WALK - SHOPPING AND MARKETS
- EAT AND DRINK - RESTAURANTS - GOING OUT - USEFUL EMERGENCY NUMBERS - HOTELS AND HOSTELS

Flashbooking - Your free Amsterdam city guide
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» AMSTERDAM AT A The nucleus of the port area, housing The ancient city contains two a medieval refuge for the poor and
16th century buildings and factory centres, the Oude Zijde and the homeless. The basilica’s Chapel of
GLANCE warehouses, has three concentric Nieuwe Zijde. The circle of canals in the Virgin possesses magnificent
Amsterdam, situated in Ijsselmeer, canals (Grachten) running through the centre of this zone are lined with stained-glass windows. The south
at the point where the rivers Amstel it, with the Singelgracht indicating numerous buildings dating back to western area of the Oude Zijde
and Ij converge, is the capital of the zone’s outer limits. This Amsterdam’s ‘Golden Era’, while is the site of the University of
Holland. The city, built on 90 small historic area is home to the city’s the ‘Plantage’ parkland area of this Amsterdam, founded in 1877. The
islands ( here’s the answer!) , linked administration centre, various large zone houses the Hortus Botanicus, red light district, known as Walletjes
business organizations, the stock built in 1682 and which now contains (the small walls), is situated beyond
exchange and the Dam and Rokin over 6000 species of plants. the Damstraat.
banks. The Singel is the oldest circular
The 18th century part of the city, canal in Amsterdam and indicates
housing the residential area of the the confines, which separate the
port and factory workers, lies beyond old medieval city from the circle of
the Singelgracht. Those companies canals to the west and centre.
linked to the port industry (Buiksloot The historic buildings and
and Tuindorp) are situated to the monuments, located within the Oude
north of the river Ij. Zijde, include: the Trippenhuis; the
Montelbaanstoren, a 16th century
tower; the Waag , Amsterdam’s
oldest port and the Pinterhuis Nieuwe Zijde (new part) is located
public library. The city’s museums in the western zone of medieval
comprise: the Cannabis Museum; Amsterdam and is easily reached by
by over 500 bridges, spans out the Museum Het Rembrandthuis, public transport. Dam square forms
from its old historic district, located which contains hundreds of the main centre of this zone and
at the water’s edge. Amsterdam is Rembrandt’s watercolours and the starting point for two bustling
a double-sided city, of water and the Joods Historisch Museum, a streets. These two streets house
land, of orderliness and beauty and complex housing four synagogues, two of the city’s finest monuments,
a network of canals, islands and displaying artistic and religious the classic Royal Palace (1648-
waterways that blend harmoniously artefacts, narrating the history 55), which today is the site of
with the surrounding houses. and culture of Judaism in the the Town Hall and the late gothic
The two eras, sea trading and Netherlands. The Oude Kerk, a Nieuwe Kerk (new church), built in
industrial, are easily recognised 13th century gothic church, which the 15th century. The city also has
within the fabric of the city. today has become a basilica, was numerous examples of baroque
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Flashbooking - Your free Amsterdam city guide
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architecture both in its religious and monument; the Houten Huys, the the bicycle (fiets), with the city’s 70; ph: 020 626 3721) or ask at
civil buildings: Koninklijk Paleis, oldest house in Amsterdam, the traffic system having been studied the reception of your hostel/hotel.
National Monument, Centraal Catholic chapel and the English specifically to cater for the cyclists. We had very good discounts! Just
Station, Postkantor, Lutherse Kerk, church. Jordaan, situated to the a hint: if you are not used, better
Madame Tussauds Scenerama and west of Grachtengordel, at only five ask for handle-breaks bikes! Much
the Amstelkring Museum. Some minutes walk from the Dam and easier to get on and off!
of the streets around the lively Centraal Station, is home to the The well developed public transport
Kalverstraat shopping area, follow most important canal-side houses. network, comprising bus, train, tram
the route of ancient paths and The zone is a labyrinth of narrow and barge, has its nucleus based
alleys. streets and canals with lively bars around the Central Station. Don’t
and ‘dark’ cafes, which spread onto buy your tickets on the tram and
the pavement during the summer pay the full price of 1,60€. A strip-
months. It is also home to the Anne ticket (strippen-kaart) at 6,40€ for
Frank Foundation, which purchased 15 strips is much cheaper. It can be
the house, where, during the Nazi purchased directly from the driver,
occupation, the Jewish families or the automatic ticket dispensers
Frank and Van Daan hid for over or the local tourist office (VVV:
two years, until the moment of their Track 2 in Central Station: Mon-Sat
arrest. 8-8, Sun 9-6.45; Leidseplein: daily
9-5; Airport: 7am-10pm). These
» TRANSPORTS The system includes cycle routes tickets are valid for travel anywhere
(fietspaden), maps, traffic lights and within Holland. Amsterdam is
You can always experience link roads. Countryside is also easily divided into 11 zones and the cost
Amsterdam on foot. The city lay- reachable with 30 minutes by bike. of a ticket depends on the distance
out is simple with circular canals So, rent a bike and explore your travelled between one and the
and intersecting streets. Using own! Recommendation: don’t rent other. A simpler solution could be
The Rokin and Nes streets are Singel as the departure point, the those goofy red or yellow bikes that to purchase a one day travel card
renown for being the home of the canals are arranged in alphabetical scream ‘ I am a tourist’! There are (dagkaart). There are 17 tram routes
city’s financial institutions and the order: Herengracht, Keisergracht, some reliable companies that rent in Amsterdam which operate from
location of alternative theatres. Prinsengracht and Singelgracht. most incognito bikes (about 7€ a 6am to midnight. Those routes of
Visitors should spend time to visit: The houses, starting from Central day): you can try ‘Mike’s Bike Tours’ major interest to the tourist are the
the Begijnhof district, with its meeting Station, are numbered, increasing (Kerkstraat 134, ph: 020 622 79 lines which travel south from Central
square and beautiful houses, in value as they approach Amstel. 70;www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam. Station along the Damrak and the
now considered to be a historical But, without a doubt the best method com), Bike City (Bloemgracht 68- NZ Vooburgwal. Lines 13,14 and
of transport within Amsterdam is
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Flashbooking - Your free Amsterdam city guide
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17 run to the Jordaan. The we suggest you take a ride with a collection of Dutch masterpieces, €10.
metropolitan is rarely used by small non profit organization: the St from the earliest religious works
visitors to Amsterdam, it has only 3 Nicolaas Boat Club ( www.boatclub. to masterpieces from the golden
lines and serves only 4 stations, all nl; ph: 020 65 080 5348) which is era. The tour starts with 17th
of which are located to the east of dedicated to preserving historic Century paintings by artists such as
the city: Amsterdam CS, Nieumarkt, Dutch boats. It will be fun and you Vermeer and Haks and finishes with
Waterlooplein and Weespeplein. can visit places other boats cannot Rembrandt’s Ronda.
The most beautiful view it is certainly go. You are encouraged to bring
from the canals! The Canalbus things to eat and drink with your
friends. Donations keep the boat
club floating!
Taxi: in general are expensive but
you can get a 5 or 6 person van
for the same price of a car. Try for
a TCA cab (look on the roof lights):
they have one fixed fare: 3,40 euros
to start and 1,90€ per km (ph. 777 The Cobra Museum (www.cobra-
77 77). museum.nl/en/home.html ) A cobra
Bike Taxi: Cheapest and best way is indeed a dangerous snake, but
to get around. 3 min for 1€ per adult. here the word Cobra is derived
Interesting conversation included! from the French names of the
(020 0628 247 550) cities of Copenhagen, Brussels
and Amsterdam. The artists who
» DON’T MISS THE founded the CoBrA group during
The Van Gogh Museum a major international conference
offers a round trip from Singelgracht CLASSICS! (Paulus Potterstraat 7; www3. held in Paris in 1948 came from
via Rijkmuseum to Central Station, The Museumplein is lined with the
vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp; these three European capitals. A
calling at Leidesplein, Leidsestraat/ city’s main museums and cultural
open daily from 10-6pm Closed 1 curled snake became the symbol
Keizergracht and Westerkerk for centres.
January. On Friday evenings, open of the movement. The CoBrA artists
Anne Frankhuis. Canal trips leave The RijksMuseum (www.
until 10pm) houses 200 paintings painted directly and spontaneously.
from Central Station and run along rijksmuseum.nl/index.jsp, open
and 500 designs by the famous Just like children, they wanted
the Prins, Hendrikkade, the Damrak every day 9-6pm, on Fridays
artist, together with the 800 letters to work expressively without a
and the Rokin. Visitors are free to also from 6pm-10pm.Closed 1
which passed between Van Gogh preconceived plan, using their
get on and off as they please. But January; Jan Luijkenstraat, 1 -1071
and his brother Theo. Admission fantasy and much colour.
ZD ) houses the world’s largest
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Flashbooking - Your free Amsterdam city guide
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The Stedelijk Museum (www. 488-490 (ph.:+3120-6225938; www. the artist Mark Raven (Museum-
stedelijk.nl; expects to re-open in » SHOPPING AND maranon.com) in the Flower Market plein, near the pond). Concerto is
Autumn 2008 ) has works of art by (corner with Konings Plein); Old Toys the best independent record store
Matisse, Mondriaan, Monet and MARKETS Shop in Westerstraat (Jordaan). (Utrechtse-straat, 52). For an easy
Picasso together with displays of The city is one large market, where Notable shopping areas include: way to get some discounts look for
sculpture and artistic and industrial it is impossible not to find what you Nieuwendijk, a pedestrian zone, those minicards that usually hotels
design. are looking for. For a funny though parallel to Damrak; Dam Square; and hostels have for their guests
useful gift, try Condomerie (Mon- Rokin, which is a continuation of in the main hall: handy and useful!
» TO WALK Sat.11am-6pm; Warmoesstraat, 141; Damrak, and the large bustling Internet Café: EasyInternetcafè
ph. 020 6274174; www.condomerie. pedestrian Kalverstraat. The Jordan (Reguliersbreestraat, 22 open 9am-
Amsterdam, situated at the heart
com); at Bloemen Markt (Flower district, between Prinsengracht and 10pm; also in Damrak, 33 and in
of Holland’s transport system has
fast and efficient links to the towns market) you can buy up to 50 bulbs Lijnbaansgraacht, is the area which Leidsestraat, 24) or the most wanted
and villages in the Netherlands. of different flowers for as cheap as offers incredible surprises with its by backpackers: InternetCity (ph:
The bicycle, however, still remains 5€. Marañon is a shop specialized array of extraordinary shops. 020 6201292 in Nieuwendijk,76
the best way to travel and is ideal
in order to see the wonderful fields
of flowers around the city. There
are many interesting sights within
easy reach of the city. Haarlem
and Ledia are located just 15
minutes away, the historic town of
Utrecht lies to the south of the city
and the town of Edam is just 22km
north of Amsterdam. Departing
from Haarlem, it is possible to tour
the wonderful fields of flowers.
This 30km strip of land between Don’t miss the Noordermarkt flea 9am-midnight). About 1,50/2 € per
Haarlem and Ledia is referred to market, in Noorderstraat (Mon 8am- hour.
as the Bloembollenstreek, and is 1pm; Sat. 10am-3pm: market of Coffee shops: Although the rest
best viewed from the middle of April birds and small animals). of the world wastes billions on an
to the end of May, when the tulips Other cool markets: Albert Cuyp unending War on Drugs, Holland
and lilacs are in their full splendour. and Waterloo-Plein: Mon-Sat 9am- decided that drug use is more a
The VVV supplies all the necessary 5pm. Can’t resist buying souvenirs? health problem than a criminal
information to visit the area together Best T-shirts without wooden issue! A part form this comment that
with details of hiring bicycles from in every kind of hamacas at Singel shoes, sex or drugs are created by reflects Dutch mentality and way
Haarlem station.
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Flashbooking - Your free Amsterdam city guide
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of life, here there is a selection of equipments and things that would day and romantic in the evenings, 8am-10pm; Sun 12noon-10pm;
best Coffee shops in town. In any pissed off your boss! For more it was an old distillery founded in average baguette €2.50) and find
case: avoid those Jamaican, Bob depth than these suggestions, pick 1786; The Hoppe, to feel you are your spot in the green field right
Marley’s fancy, neon lights traps… up the Smokers Guide, full of useful part of the history (ph:020 420 4420 in between the 3 museums…very
for tourists! info at 4€. Centre-Spui); the Oosterling (ph: nice view! Many people have their
The Bulldog (Mon-Thurs/ sun 020 623 4140 Utrechtstraat, 140) brunch there on Sundays or lunch
9.30am-1am, Fri&Sat till 3am), » EAT AND DRINK has been run by the same family breaks during the week! Other
the most renown in town either since 1877. It’s always full of local
as coffee shop, Sport Cafè with Amsterdam provides something people: a guarantee! Another one
Internet Point access and as a for all tastes. The city’s continuous decorated with blue Delft porcelain
Luxurios Hostel! Find it in the Red restaurant activity allows the visitor and 400 years old is the Het
Light District! Cannabis Cafè just to sample a wide variety of food in Papeneiland (ph: 020 624 19 89;
off the Leidseplein (Korte Leidse- any of its numerous bars and cafes. Prinsengracht, 2).
dwars-straat 145 open 10 am-1am) Eetcafes are small, reasonably What alternatives if you wish to feel
is an attractive and friendly place priced restaurants. The more typical like an indigenous and unwind in a
that sells good weed. fresh regenerating green area with
La Tertulia, owned by friendly other locals, still be offered shows
mother and daughter, is a laid back of skaters and rollerbladers? Go to
oasis…looks like a neighbourhood Vondelpark and have a mint tea with
café than a coffee shop (Prinsen- an apple pie (with cinnamon and
gracht 312; open Tue-Sat 11am- cream!) at the ‘t Blauwe Theehuis
7pm). (Vondelpark,5 ). Very nice sundeck,
The Grey area is a psychedelically weather permitting! Open daily from
painted place focused on pot and 9am-1am. If you are there during
run by 2 Americans that moved the summer, consider spending
here. Won numerous Cannabis the evening entertained by artists, (sorry!) green delicious alternative
Cup awards! (Oude Lelie-straat, 2; musicians, open air performances is the cafeteria at the Botanical
between Anna Franks’ House and as the park is a gathering point for Garden (De Hortus, Metro stop:
Dam Sq. Tue-Sun 12-8pm). of these restaurants are the ‘bruine many cultural events! Other cheap Waterlooplein; Tram 9,14; ph: 020
A great store for alternative kroegen’ (dark cafes), so called easy suggestion: find a bar/ deli 625 90 21; www.hortus-botanicus.
shopping: the Old Man and the because of their ceilings and walls, (avoid Febo’s if you can) where nl; open 7 days a week): absolutely
Hemp Works that stock a huge stained by smoke and nicotine. you can get a baguette or a fresh the best place we have been for
spectrum of great looking clothes, Many of the best are in Jordan: Cafè sandwich, (for example: Ah to Go, environment, company and food!
tobacco accessories, camping ‘T Smalle (Egelantiersgracht, 12; Damrak 89-90; open Mon-Sat: By the way it worth a visit!
ph: 020 623 96 17) lively during the
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Flashbooking - Your free Amsterdam city guide
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» RESTAURANTS Thai places (Top Thai, next to Anna Amsterdam offers a wide range of offerings.
Frank’s House: main dishes 13- entertainment at international level. Amsterdam has many street
The city offers now above-average 20 euros: vegetarian dishes even American Jazz is played in various artists, cafes open until late and
global cuisine, and modish cheaper)and the Pijp has some of locations around Amsterdam and in the summer months, offers
restaurants spring up with increasing everything. For good Asian food at 7 the city annually hosts the Blues its visitors various open air
regularity. It is smart to reserve! euros we suggest to try Wok to Walk: Festival and the Drum Rhythm
Gossips say the eastern harbour is they have 4 places in the city and Festival. The main jazz club in the
cool! There remember 2 numbers: you can eat there or take away your city is the Bimhuis, with the Cafè
the ‘11’ (Ooster-dokskade, 3; ph: mixed of everything! (Leidsestraat, du Lac (Haarlemmerstraat, 118;
020 6255 999;totally unique space 96; Kolksteeg, 8;Warmoesstraat, open 4pm-1am; till 3am weekends;
with great views of the 11th floor of 85). Kitchen 5-11pm. Ph:020 6244265
an old building next to the Central Grand cafe done up in a kitsch
station) and the Fifteen (www. Art Deco-ish style, catering to a
fifteen.nl Jollemanhof 9, ph:020 trendy public. It has a balcony and
0900 3438336). In Jordaan area, a glassed-in conservatory with lots
locals consider the Bordewijk one of private rooms and little corners
of the best restaurant of the city: to sit in. Occasional live music theatres: Vondelpark, Nederlands
French-italian dishes, fine service on Sunday afternoons) and the Filmmuseum, Amsterdamse Bs and
(Tue- Sun; average prices 25-50 Grand Zilver Cafè ( 020-6238101; Amstelpark. A calendar of events is
€). Rembrandtplein, 19) offering jazz detailed in the monthly Amsterdam
For a modern Dutch menu try an music Saturday evening and Sunday Times; the weekly What’s On in
institution: D’Vijff Vlieghen (www. afternoon. Amsterdam; or the free Uitkrankt,
thefiveflies.com; Spuistraat 294-302; Alto (Korte Leidse-dwars-str 115) is available in cafes and bookshops or
average prices: 20-40 €): it occupies Ever tried Ethiopian? No need to all about jazz. The Bourbon Street see our best recommended events
5 ancient buildings, fine decorated order: just count the number of (Leidse-kruis-straat 6) is louder in www.flashbooking.com.
with Delft porcelain: you can sit on people in your group and you will all with more blues. The Waterhole
old chairs still reporting the names of eat meat and vegetables from the (KorteLeidse-dwars-str 49) is a Now you just need to find your
famous people that ate there. Don’t same big spongy sort of pancake… mixed bag of rock, funk, pop, blues, accommodation in town with
miss it! Amsterdam is also rich Trust us: it’s better than it sounds! jazz and pool tables. Never to pay a www.flashbooking.com
in ethnic restaurants. On Zeedijk, From 11-14 euros per person at the cover and bands start at 10pm.
in the Red light District there’s a Semhar (Marnix Straat, 259; ph: The Escape (Rembrandt-plein, 11): Flashbooking staff
cluster of fine Chinese, Japanese 020 638 1634; daily 4pm-10pm). giant club hosts different nights wishes you a pleasant stay!
(try the familiar atmosphere at the and one offs. Thursday nights for
A-FUSI-N: Zeedijk, 130; ph: 020
33 040 68: honest and tasty) and » GOING OUT students, Sat and Sun regular
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Flashbooking - Your free Amsterdam city guide
8
» USEFUL EMERGENCY NUMBERS » Embassies
Area Code: +31 (Netherlands) USA:+31 (0)70 310 9209
020 (Amsterdam) UK:+31 (0)70 427 0427
Ambulance/Fire/Police: 112 Canada:+31 (0)70 311 1600
Info Public transports: 0900 8011 Australia: +31 (0)70 310 8200
Medical service: 0900 50320442 South Africa: +31 (0)70 392 4501
Hospital (centre): 59 991 11 Ireland:+31 (0)70 363 0993
Women Health: 6166222;9-5pm Germany: +31 (0)70 342 0600
Central Post Office: Singel 250-256 at Raadhuisstr Spain:+31 (0)70 364 3814
Main Tourist Office(VVV): Stationsplein, 10 (in front of Italy: +31 (0)70 302 1030
Centraal Station) New Zealand:+31 (0)70 346 9324
Yellow Pages: 118 France: +31 (0)70 312 5800
Language: Dutch Switzerland: +31 3508700
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 220 Volts, AC/50Hz
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