Amsterdam

City Description

Amsterdam is an intruiging city, often wrongly described as a wet version of Babylon awash with sex and drugs. There are however, many different visions of this wonderful city.

Being much smaller in size and population than Dublin, and with minimal traffic in the city centre, you could be forgiven for forgetting that you were in a city with such a large global reputation.

What makes it unique is the attitude with which Amsterdammers go about their daily business: relaxed.

Just an hour and a half away, this mecca of entertainment and culture is within easy access.

Built on 90 islands, the intricate network of canals adds a beautiful trait to the city. It is surprisingly easy to get around and also surprisingly small – to get from Dam Square to the Leidesplein should take less than a fifteen minute walk.

Famous for its museums and art galleries, there is also an unrivalled range of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and nightlife, not to mention shopping.

And while you should have no problem chilling out in this global village, be wary of going with the flow too much, as you might find yourself endlessly looping round and around Amsterdam’s magnetic centre, the Red Light District.

Amsterdam – just an hour and a half away, but a world of difference!

Amsterdam

Food and Drink

Go to the Pijp if you crave econo-ethnic.

Cruise Haarlemmerstraat, Utrechtsestraat, Nieuwmarkt, the ‘Nine Streets’ area and Reguliersdwarsstraat if you want something posher; and only surrender to Leidseplein – there are a few exceptions – if you don’t mind being overcharged for a cardboard steak and day-old sushi.

Indonesian food became the order of the day after World War II as many Indonesian immigrants came to the Netherlands, so Surinamese / Chinese / Indonesian cuisine is quite authentic for a European city.

• The Floating Chinese Restaurant opposite Centraal Station has a great menu and is well worth a visit.
• If you like Italian cuisine the Casa di David Restaurant, Singel 426, Amsterdam should satisfy your palette. Reservations are recommended - to call from Ireland simply dial 00 31 20 624 50903.

Drink

Unlike Dublin and its Temple Bar, Amsterdam manages to spread its nightlife hotspots around a few different areas,

• Without doubt the best Irish pub in Amsterdam is Mulligans, located at 100 Amstel, just one block away from the Rembrandtplein. Over the years its easy location, casual friendly atmosphere, and the blend of quirky characters who call it home, have somehow made Mulligan's into a legendary meeting place for musicians, writers, artists and other unsavoury types — as well as a destination for thousands of curious visitors from abroad. So, if it's a slice of home you need then go no further than Mulligans on Amstel. This was the Irish Pub in Amsterdam before there were Irish Pubs. Beware, you might forget you're abroad!!

• For a few quiet pints with the locals then go for a wander around the Jordaan area, starting at The Hoppe on Spui. It's the oldest bar in town, which in this place is really saying something. The crowd is a mix of young, old and older, all mixing it up with lively conversation.

• From there it is only a few minutes walk to Leidseplein where the choice of bars and cafes is bewildering. Although a tourist trap it is well worth the visit and if you can grab a seat on the terrace, you can people watch to your hearts content.

• If you’re looking for further after hours entertainment then take a stroll up Leidsestraat to Rembrantsplein where the locals like to go when they’re not having a quiet pint. Somewhat more upmarket than Leidseplein and again the choice of bars is endless.

• Live Music: Top tip, with a population much smaller than Dublin and a reputation that every musician want to experience its always good to check out whos playing in town the weekend you visit. The main venues being The Heineken Music Hall, The Milkweg and The Paradiso. You might just get a ticket to that band you missed in the Point.

Amsterdam

Shopping

Running parallel to Rokin is Kalverstraat and it’s here that you could spend all your time and your money. Clothes, shoes, books, sportswear, gadgets, more clothes and more shoes.

Serious shoppers should go west; the backstreets around the Jordaan are good for boutiques and galleries, while the Nine Streets – the lanes connecting Prinsengracht and Herengracht between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsegracht – are lined with clothes, antiques and interiors shops.

In the city centre, Leidsestraat is peppered with clothes shops; PC Hooftstraat, in the Museum Quarter, is full of designer stores; Utrechtsestraat contains the best record stores in the shape of Concerto (Nos.52-60) and Get Records (No.105), as well as some great homeware shops.

The Spiegelkwartier (near the Rijksmuseum, around Spiegelgracht) contains wallet-busting antiques shops.

Open-air retail experiences include the flea market at Waterlooplein and the general Albert Cuypmarkt in the Pijp.

On Monday mornings, the Noordermarkt in the Jordaan is packed with second-hand goods; on Saturdays it’s an organic farmers’market.

Note that many shops close on Mondays.

If You Do One Thing in

Amsterdam

• Landmark.....Anne Frank House
• Museum.....the Rijksmuseum and The Van Gogh Museum
• Market.....the Albert Cuypmarkt, Amsterdam’s largest and busiest market. The speciality: general goods, food produce, exotic herbs and spices and it is located on Albert Cuypstraat/Ferdinand Bolstraat, 1072 LL

Tram: Albert Cuypstraat: tram 16, 20, 24 & 25

Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm

Waterlooplein Flea Market, a unique 300-stall outdoor bazaar is full of curiosa, general bric-a-brac, second-hand clothing, CDs, DVDs, appliances and other brand new and used goods. Speciality: second-hand clothes, curiosa.

Located: Waterlooplein, 1011 PG

Tram: 1, 2, 5, 13 from Magna Plaza or 14 from Central Station

Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.30 pm; Saturday: 8.30 am –5.30 pm.

• Church.....De Papegaai Hidden Catholic Church. Try finding this gem of a hidden Catholic Church as you negotiate the crowds on Kalverstraat. It is there!!

Airport to City Information

for Amsterdam

Schiphol station is situated directly below the airport. Via Schiphol Plaza, you can walk straight to and from the departure or arrival halls.

The quickest and easiest way to travel to the heart of the Netherlands and Amsterdam itself is by train. You arrive at Central Station in about 15 or 20 minutes.

Taxis are also available at the airport and they will drop you to the door of your hotel.