Travel Guide Amsterdam - Canals, cafés and museums
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Travel Guide
Amsterdam
Canals, cafés and museums
02 Quick view 04 Getting around Amsterdam 09 Calendar of events
02 Netherlands 05 Top 10 sights 09 Hotels
03 Travel etiquette 07 Shopping in Amsterdam 10 Crew Tip
03 Health 07 Restaurants 11 Best of ...
04 Phone calls & Internet 08 Nightlife
© Getty Images/iStockphoto
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 01/14
Travel Guide
Amsterdam
02
Quick view
Amsterdam: Canals, cafés and museums
Whatever your pre-imagined image of Amsterdam, you’re sure to find what you
expect. Canals lined with elegant townhouses, smoky coffee shops, laid-back
brown cafés, clanging trams, cyclists in abundance and tulip-filled flower markets.
It’s all here and more. But beyond the tourist clichés you’ll also encounter a friendly
and cosmopolitan capital city,
bristling with trendy bars, high-end restaurants, art galleries and designer
boutiques. Best of all, unlike Berlin, Paris or London, it’s all laid out on a
manageable scale, making it easy to follow in Rembrandt’s footsteps and find your
way around on foot or bike.
Netherlands
General Information
Country overview
A small country with a big profile, the Netherlands offers a beguiling blend of rural,
traditional beauty and vibrant culture. Occupying a delta at the confluence of three
major rivers where they empty into the North Sea, it is truly a water world: canals,
coast and lakes are never far from view. Flat as a pannenkoek, it also makes an
ideal destination for cycling, an integral mode of transport among the Dutch
themselves.
Holland (as the country is alternatively referred to) is also a deeply cosmopolitan
place where museums overflow with paintings from its Golden Age, and a
cavalcade of festivals showcase performing artists from within and beyond its
borders.
Geography
The Netherlands shares borders to the south with Belgium and to the east with
Germany, while the North Sea lies to the north and west. Large areas of The
Netherlands have been reclaimed from the sea and consequently one-fifth of the
country lies below sea level. The country is flat and level and is criss-crossed by
rivers and canals.
Areas reclaimed from the sea, known as polders, are extremely fertile. The
landscape is broken by the forest of Arnhem, the bulb fields in the west, the lakes
of the central and northern areas, and coastal dunes that are among the most
impressive in Europe.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 16805037
Population Density (per sq km): 405
Capital: Amsterdam
Language
Dutch is the official language. Frisian is spoken in the northern province of
Friesland. English, German and French are widely spoken.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100,
50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 02/14
Travel Guide
Amsterdam
03
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are in use.
General business opening hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
2020
Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Paasen (Easter): 12 and 13 April 2020
Koningsdag (King’s Day): 27 April 2020
Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day): 5 May 2020
Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day): 21 May 2020
Pinksteren (Whitsun): 31 May and 1 June 2020
Eerste Kerstdag (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
Tweede Kerstdag (Boxing Day): 26 December 2020
2021
Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2021
Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday): 2 April 2021
Paasen (Easter): 4 and 5 April 2021
Koningsdag (King’s Day): 27 April 2021
Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day): 5 May 2021
Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day): 13 May 2021
Pinksteren (Whitsun): 23 and 24 May 2021
Eerste Kerstdag (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021
Tweede Kerstdag (Boxing Day): 26 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
The Dutch are a tolerant breed and there is little you can do or say to ruffle them
(except perhaps to display your own intolerance of, say, ethnic minorities or
alternative lifestyles). Their straightforwardness can sometimes strike foreigners as
blunt, if not plain rude. Conversely, the Dutch will expect you to be direct as well:
yes means yes, not 'maybe.'
It is customary to shake hands when seeing someone you know or when being
introduced to someone; women and men or women and women may kiss each
other on alternating cheeks three times.
You may be fashionably late for social gatherings but not for business meetings.
Casual wear is generally acceptable, except for business functions or at smart
restaurants, bars and clubs.
Health
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
According to Oxfam, The Netherlands is the best country in the world for having the
most plentiful, nutritious, healthy and affordable diet. Suffice to say, then, travellers
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 03/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
04
couldn't be in a better place as far as food quality and hygiene is concerned. As in
most developed nations, tap water in The Netherlands is safe to drink.
Other Risks
People visiting The Netherlands have a low risk of contracting diseases, but
medical professionals advise travellers to make sure they are up-to-date on routine
vaccinations before every trip.
Hepatitis A and B are present around the world and can be transmitted through
contaminated food, sexual contact and contaminated needles. Speak to your
doctor to see if vaccinations are right for you. Rabies is present in bats in The
Netherlands, but is not found in dogs. If you are planning to go caving in The
Netherlands or work with bats, it may be worth having a rabies vaccination.
Perhaps the biggest health risk in The Netherlands is that of sunburn. It might not
always feel hot during the summer months, but the UV rays are still strong - be sure
to pack plenty of sunscreen and make sure you stay hydrated.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. van Coevorden, Ruben
Medisch Centrum Buitenveldert
A.J. Ernststraat 173
1083 GT Amsterdam
Niederlande
Tel. +31-20-644-1627
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +31
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your
country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the
new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or
security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Getting around Amsterdam
Getting around
Public Transport
Amsterdam’s efficient public transport system, operated by GVB (tel: 0900 8011;
www.gvb.nl), encompasses buses, trams and a metro. There are also night bus
services. They use a chip card ticketing system – remember to check both in and
out – and 24, 48 and 72-hour passes are available. Buy tickets from metro stations,
on board buses and trams, from newsagents, or the GVB office outside Amsterdam
Centraal Station.
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 04/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
05
Taxis
Taxis cannot be hailed in the street. Go to a designated taxi rank, or call a
reputable company such as Taxicentrale (tel: 020 777 7777) or STA (tel: 020 364
2207). Fares are high, but tipping isn’t necessary.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
Housing works by masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer, the Netherlands’
most important art collection has finally re-emerged after a decade of renovation
work.
Museumstraat 1 Opening times:
1071 CJ Amsterdam Daily 0900-1700
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 6621 440 www.rijksmuseum.nl
Anne Frank House
The canalside house where the teenage diarist and her family hid for two years
during the Nazi occupation is a popular draw. Buy tickets online to avoid the long
queues.
Prinsengracht 267 Opening times:
1016 GV Amsterdam Sun-Fri 0900-1900
Netherlands Sat 0900-2100 (Nov-Mar)
Tel: (020) 556 7100 Sun-Fri 0900-2100
Sat 0900-2200 (Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct)
daily 0900-2200 (Jul-Aug)
www.annefrank.org
Van Gogh Museum
This museum houses the world’s largest collection of works by the globally
celebrated artist. Around 200 paintings and 500 drawings trace the development of
his remarkable but tragically short career.
Paulus Potterstraat 7 Opening times:
1071CX Amsterdam Sat-Thu 0900-1800
Netherlands Fri 0900-2200 (Mar-Aug)
Tel: (020) 570 5200 Sat-Thu 0900-1700
Fri 0900-2200 (Sep-Feb)
www.vangoghmuseum.nl
Canal Ring
Built in the 17th century as part of a major city expansion during the Netherlands’
Golden Age, the iconic tree-lined canals and step-gabled mansions are now a
UNESCO World Heritage-listed sight. To see them from water level, a dozen boat
operators offer canal tours from various departure points across the city.
Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht,
Prinsengracht
Amsterdam
Netherlands
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 05/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
06
Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s green lungs are its largest park, built in 1859. It’s a picturesque place
simply to hang out, and is best enjoyed on a summer weekend when it becomes a
popular retreat for picnicking locals.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Rembrandthuis
Amsterdam’s most famous artistic son lived in this house from 1639 to 1656, and
the interior has been lovingly restored and furnished to show how it would have
looked during his time there.
Jodenbreestraat 4 Opening times:
1011 NK Amsterdam Daily 1000-1800
Netherlands
Tel: (020) 520 0400 www.rembrandthuis.nl
Amsterdam Museum
Housed in a maze of 17th-century buildings on the site of an old convent, this
museum will tell you everything you need to know about the city’s rich history.
Kalverstraat 92 and Sint Luciënsteeg Opening times:
27 Daily 1000-1700
1012 PH Amsterdam
Netherlands www.ahm.nl
Tel: (020) 523 1822
Heineken Experience
On the site of a former brewery, this multi-media exhibition recounts the history of
beer in general and of the world’s most famous brewer in particular.
Stadhouderskade 78 Opening times:
1072 AE Amsterdam Mon-Thu 1100-1930
Netherlands Fri-Sun 1030-2100 (Sep-Jun)
Tel: (020) 523 9222 daily 1030-2100 (Jul-Aug)
www.heinekenexperience.com
Dam Square
In the shadow of the Royal Palace and the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), the city’s
main hub is a meeting point for locals and visitors alike, and usually home to half a
dozen or more street entertainers.
Dam Square
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Keukenhof
Half an hour to the south of Amsterdam, Europe’s largest flower gardens burst into
life every spring, with around 7 million tulips and other colourful blooms.
Stationsweg 166A Opening times:
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 06/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
07
2161 AM Lisse Daily 0800-1930 (mid-Mar to mid-May,
Netherlands last inlet at 1800)
Tel: 0252 465 555
www.keukenhof.nl
Shopping in Amsterdam
Shopping in Amsterdam
Key Areas
Amsterdam’s main shopping drag is Kalverstraat, where the high street names are
located. Jordaan and De Pijp are where to look for trendy bargains. The Negen
Straatjes area is home to high fashion outlets and boutiques. Utrechtsestraat is a
happy hunting ground for specialist stores from vinyl records to cheese.
Markets
Open daily, the Singel canal is home to the world’s only floating flower market. For
a real bargain, the city’s largest regular market is held Monday to Saturday on
Albert Cuypstraat. An art market takes place every Sunday from March to
December on central Spui Square.
Shopping Centres
Magna Plaza, just west of Dam Square, is in a renovated neo-Gothic building, and
one of the city’s few central shopping malls. Spread over several floors around a
central atrium, it is home to numerous designer and high street fashion outlets.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has a wealth of restaurants representing almost every cuisine around
the world.From high-end fine French dining to American-style burgers, via the
obligatory Indonesian rijsttafel, you won’t go hungry.
Ciel Bleu
Innovative fusion creations combine with phenomenal views at this two-Michelin-
starred place on the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333 Price: Expensive
1072 LH Amsterdam
Netherlands
Vermeer
Michelin-starred restaurant showcasing the finest Dutch seasonal ingredients.
Prins Hendrikkade 59-72 Price: Expensive
1012 AD Amsterdam
Netherlands
Dwars
Elegant restaurant in the Jordaan district serving fine modern cuisine.
Egelantiersstraat 24 Price: Moderate
1015 PM Amsterdam
Netherlands
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 07/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
08
RED
Popular spot in a canalside townhouse, serving lobster and/or steak.
Keizersgracht 594 Price: Moderate
1017 EN Amsterdam
Netherlands
Omelegg
This must for hungry egg lovers serves omelettes cooked 25 different ways.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 143 Price: Cheap
1072 LH Amsterdam
Netherlands
Nightlife
Nightlife in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s thriving nightlife scene ranges from wooden-floored brown cafés to
the hippest dance clubs.On weekend nights, many regular bars host DJs playing at
full volume.
In De Wildeman
One of Amsterdam’s most characterful old bars stocks almost 300 of the world’s
best craft beers.
Kolksteeg 3
1012 PT Amsterdam
Netherlands
Wynand Fockink
For an aperitif or digestive, this wonderful sandy-floored tasting room stocks the
widest range of jenevers and liqueurs in town.
Pijlsteeg 31
1012 HH Amsterdam
Netherlands
Bitterzoet
Popular dance club and music venue hosting DJ nights and live acts.
Spuistraat 2
1012 TS Amsterdam
Netherlands
Paradiso
Amsterdam’s premier concert venue regularly welcomes big-name live shows and
DJs.
Weteringschans 6-8
1017 SG Amsterdam
Netherlands
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 08/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
09
Melkweg
Running the Paradiso a close second, Melkweg also attracts the star performers.
Lijnbaansgracht 234A
1017 PH Amsterdam
Netherlands
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Imagine Film Festival
Thrillers, science fiction, horror and cult movies are the mainstay of the Amsterdam
Fantastic Film Festival, which has been terrifying audiences since 1984. The
programme includes features, retrospectives, a Fantastic Shorts section, a
children's day and an all-night horror film marathon. There are more than 70
screenings overall. Winners of the Black Tulip, the festival's jury award, and the
Silver Scream Award, for the film most popular with the audience, are announced
on the final evening.
April 10 - 20, 2020
Venue: Various cinemas in Amsterdam
King's Day
Up to a million people take to the streets of Amsterdam for the annual Koningsdag
(King’s Day) celebrations, when the Dutch celebrate the inauguration of King
Willem-Alexander. Carnival floats, parades, street theatre, fireworks and decorated
canal boats are among the treats on offer and everyone dons wacky orange
costumes and wigs in token of the royal house. The night before the big day is
marked by ecstatic parties with top DJs working the crowds.
April 27, 2020
Venue: The streets of central Amsterdam
Amsterdam Roots Festival
This festival seeks out and presents new forms from the world music scene.
Concerts take place at several venues leading up to the finale on Sunday of the
festival week, an outdoor event held at Oosterpark. Five different stages are set up
in the park to deliver a vibrant and varied musical mix, one especially for children.
July 2020
Venue: Various venues in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Gay Pride
One of the largest gay and lesbian events in Europe is held in mid-summer. The
highlight is a Canal Parade on Saturday afternoon, when dozens of fancifully
decorated barges packed with wackily garbed revellers navigate their way through
the Prinsengracht and Amstel River. Street parties catering to different sub-groups
go on all over town, while club nights, sport and films also feature in the festival.
July 25 - August 2, 2020
Venue: Various streets and venues in Amsterdam
Hotels
Hotels in Amsterdam
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 09/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
10
Amsterdam accommodation covers every base from cheap dives to ultra-plush
luxury.
Habitable budget places are a rarity, and hotels in every category fill quickly –
book as far in advance as possible.
Okura
This 23-story luxury hotel quite literally looks down on all the others.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333 Category: Expensive
1072 LH Amsterdam
Niederlande
Grand Hotel Amrâth
Fabulous art nouveau luxury hotel, originally built in 1913.
Prins Hendrikkade 108 Category: Expensive
1011 AK Amsterdam
Netherlands
Room Mate Aitana
Ultra-modern waterside design hotel that opened in 2013.
IJDok 6 Category: Moderate
1013 MM Amsterdam
Netherlands
Larende
Above a Turkish restaurant, this place combines modern facilities with a friendly
welcome.
De Clercqstraat 115 Category: Moderate
1053 AJ Amsterdam
Netherlands
Crew Tip
My Amsterdam
When I’m in Amsterdam, I like to go along to the Wijnand Fockink gin distillery,
Purveyor to the King, where I can sample from a selection of more than 100
different flavors. My favorites are caramel and After Eight. The distillery is located in
a small side street to the left of the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.
© Deutsche Lufthansa AG
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 10/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
11
Best of ...
... 9 Straatjes
© PR
Amsterdam naturally has more to offer than the 9 Straatjes neighborhood at the
heart of the downtown Canal Belt. But even for the Dutch capital, such a rich array
of lifestyle delights within such a small area is a novelty. You won’t find megastores
here, just small boutiques, bars and vintage shops, galleries, restaurants and
museum. All of these and more are huddled very, very closely together between
Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel – not necessarily to the joy
of all of the tourists heading for a sinful stroll on De Wallen, since they often as not
end up getting stuck here and blowing their entire day’s budget …The following
nine streets make up the 9 Straatjes neighborhood: Hartenstraat,
Gasthuismolensteeg, Reestraat, Wolvenstraat, Berenstraat, Oude Spiegelstraat,
Huidenstraat, Runstraat and Wijde Heisteeg. It is not unheard of, however, for
shops, bars and restaurants from the adjoining streets to claim they belong to 9
Straatjes, and no one takes it amiss. After all, the location has long had been
regarded as a seal of quality.
Hotel IX
“The Hotel IX is the only hotel in the 9 Straatjes” – that’s how Merel and Susan
advertise their excellent boutique hotel. The claim is likely directed chiefly at two
nearby establishments – the distinguished Dylan on Keizersgracht and the
nostalgic Ambassade on Herengrach. And yet the old building, newly renovated in
bold urban hipster style, has no need of such barbs because a cooler combination
of bold creativity and the visible traces of the 17th century – which is when the
building on Hartenstraat was built – would be hard to envision.There’s no hot food
to be had here, but a very warm welcome and attentive service from the two hosts
amply make up for that. Our favorite of the hotel’s five suites, each of which has its
own distinctive, but harmonious decor is the Wolvenstraat Suite, where you can
listen to the sounds of Amsterdam canal life, as though you were right inside a
ship’s hull. Oh yes, they don’t serve breakfast here, either. Guests may view this as
a blemish, but only until they have tucked into a fantastic breakfast at the hotel’s
partner café Screaming Beans (Hartenstraat 12). The hotel takes care of guests’
reservations.
Double room from 220 euros
Hartenstraat 8 mailto:info@hotelixamsterdam.com hot
1016 CB Amsterdam elixamsterdam.com
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/845 84 51
Exota
For some years now, Exota, which opened in 1985 purely as a vintage shop with a
predilection for unusual styles and colors, has applied a quirky categorization to its
merchandise that requires a decision from female customers: Articles for “women &
kids” are displayed on the left, those for “Ladies & Gentlemen” on the right. In both
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 11/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
12
departments, joie de vivre blossoms in crazy color combos, giving rise to the notion
that the designers may have called in at the nearby coffee shops on their way into
work.Ultimately, however, the store’s name says it all: Most of the people who call
into the shop are laid-back types with a distinct penchant for the (vintage) world of
fashion. The store’s own label, King Louie, has made a name for itself well beyond
Amsterdam. No one leaves this place with either gray fabrics or gray thoughts.
Hartenstraat 10 & 13 Opening times:
1016 CB & 1016 BZ Amsterdam Mon–Wed 1000–1800
Netherlands Thu 1000–2100
Tel. +31-20/344 93 90 or +31-20/344 93 Fri–Sat 1000–1800
80
exota.com
Wolvenstraat 23
In Lonely Planet, this place was once described as a “design bar” but remained
unnamed. Amsterdam’s insiders were highly amused, and even the owner, Anna
Mol, would not insist that the decor of her tiny bar, eclectically cobbled together,
necessarily lives up to genuine design standards. Even so, there is something
about this smart bar: On the right, there are some low, leather-covered vaulting
boxes to sit on; on the left, bistro tables beside a leather wall for patrons to loll
against.The crowd here is mostly pretty laid back and on bright days can be found
sitting outside beneath a pale-blue awning, watching the world go by. They usually
have cake on the table in front of them – and there is definitely nothing coincidental
about that.
Wolvenstraat 23 Opening times:
1016 EN Amsterdam Mon–Sat 0900–0100
Netherlands Sun 1000–0100
Tel. +31-20/320 08 43
facebook.com/Wolvenstraat-23-145123
9075117871
Muze The Store
Modstrom, Zoe Karssen, Colourful Rebel, SisterS Point, 24Colours, A Question Of,
Vagabond, Circle of Trust, Donchoo, Ydence, Kiss And Tell, Minnetonka, Repeat
Cashmere… Do we have to add to this? Yes, we probably do… Muze The Store
(like its big sister, Noa Lifestyle, also at Herengracht 367) is a new and excellently
stocked boutique that’s way off mainstream and presents precisely those hip
fashion labels that have only just appeared on Instagram or Pinterest. If you want to
be ahead on the fashion front, you’re in the right place at this trendily styled
showroom. But it’s a bit of a shame it only has women’s fashions.
Reestraat 17 Opening times:
1016 DM Amsterdam Mon 1200–1800
Netherlands Tue + Wed 1100–1800
Tel. +31-20/638 90 20 Thu 1100–1900
Fri + Sat 1100–1800
Sun 1200–1800
facebook.com/muzethestore/?fref=ts
Mendo
Black walls, stage lighting, books embellished as though for all eternity – drop by
Amsterdam’s most elegant bookstore (although the expression “bookstore” is
hardly apt because the place has a distinct museum feel to it) and you will
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 12/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
13
immediately be cocooned its aura of exquisite aestheticism and love of the printed
word.The three founders of this palace, which opened on Berenstraat in 2002,
describe their business as “a candy store for book aficionados.” And that’s why
only a fraction of the annual new releases goes on sale here; in fact, only very few
books make it into Mendo’s selection at all.
Berenstraat 11 Opening times:
1016 GG Amsterdam Fri + Sat 1030–1800
Netherlands Sun 1200–1700
Tel. +31-20/612 12 16 Mon–Thu 10.30–1800
mendo.nl
SMAAK
André Grundmann must be a happy man because he understands women – and
they love him for it. Until 2010, he managed a thriving fashion store in Amsterdam;
then he began designing handbags. At his SMAAK store, Berenstraat 39, he now
presents a selection of exquisite bags in all classic shapes and bold colors that are
affordable but nevertheless look luxurious. SMAAK is a treasure trove for IT girls
and sterling businesswomen alike.
Berenstraat 39 Opening times:
1016 GG Amsterdam Mon 1200–1800
Netherlands Tue–Sat 1000–1800
Tel. +31-20/308 03 48 Sun 1200–1800
smaakamsterdam.com
Café De Doffer
A Dutch café just like the ones you recall from your first visit to Amsterdam way
back, when you came for a smoke that would make the world a little funnier. Cozy,
a little down-at-heel, never quite sure what it wants to be – a café, a restaurant or a
bar – and therefore has elements of each but really doesn’t succeed in being any
one of them. It is simply unbeatable, though, as a sociocultural
microcosm.Sometimes the mood is mellow at Café De Doffer, the next night it
could be rough and anarchic, but one thing is certain: In this shabby chic dive with
its beautiful wooden floors, you will always meet people you can spend a great
evening with. Always. Any day.
Runstraat 12–14 Opening times:
1016 GK Amsterdam Sun–Thu 1100–0300
Netherlands Fri + Sat 1100-0400
Tel. +31-20/622 66 86
cafededoffer.nl
De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam
A visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be a visit to Amsterdam if it didn’t involve cheese.
After all, the Dutch – often affectionately referred to by the Germans as
“cheeseheads” – practically invented cheesemaking. The New York Times hailed
De Kaaskamer as the best cheese store in the city. Rich in olfactory experiences,
this shop on pretty Runstraat stocks at least 200 different kinds of cheese, some the
size and shape of a wagon wheel.Sampling on the premises is permitted (in small
doses, of course), and the wares of the house also make an ideal souvenir. The
staff here are naturally well versed in the art of vacuum packing …
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 13/14Travel Guide
Amsterdam
14
Runstraat 7 Opening times:
1016 GJ Amsterdam Mon 1200–1800
Netherlands Tue–Fri 0900–1800
Tel. +31-20/623 34 83 Sat 0900–1700
Sun 1200–1700
kaaskamer.nl
Pontifex Kramer
All manner of things that certainly did not originally belong together come together
in this quaint little shop on Reestraat. On the one hand, there are candles of every
size, color and variation to be had in this invitingly chaotic space, alongside oils
and even incense – all of which smell (we hope, good).And the selection is huge:
Pontifex Kramer reputedly stocks the largest assortment of candles anywhere in
the country, and it includes voodoo candles… The other part of this cozy shop is –
no joke – a doll’s hospital. For decades now, toy doctor Klaus Kramer has
managed to get even the most ancient dolls and teddy bears back into shape.
Reestraat 18–20 Opening times:
1016 DN Amsterdam Mon-Sat 1000–1800
Netherlands
Tel. +31-20/626 52 74 sites.google.com/site/pontifexkramer/ho
me
Pompadour Amsterdam
After spending a few hours fighting your way through the narrow streets of
downtown Amsterdam, burning up lots of calories in the process, you can drop in
here with a good conscience. The Pompadour Amsterdam is not a mere
sweetshop; it’s a chocolaterie of international class, in which every single delicious
treat is made by hand from the finest ingredients.The Flying Fourchette blog posted
by French Canadian Sandra, who lives in Brooklyn, also praised the chocolaterie’s
special atmosphere: “Stepping inside is like entering a centuries-old tearoom with
ornate tapestries and a certain Marie Antoinette feel to it.” Today, it’s probably best
to completely ignore what our fitness coach or dietician would think of this
hallowed hall …
Huidenstraat 12 Opening times:
1016 ES Amsterdam Mon–Fri 1000–1800
Netherlands Sat 0900–1800
Tel. +31-20/623 95 54 Sun 1200–1800
pompadour-amsterdam.nl
LH.com/travelguide Amsterdam 14/14You can also read
