Natural Springs

There are 16 natural springs in this area. Since they contain large amounts of sulphur, which has healing powers, the air you breathe may smell a bit strange.

The Casino

Close to the town hall, there's a casino-museum built in the 1860s. 

Believe it or not, there's a 200-year-old giant sequoia tree in front of it.

Directions: central park

A landmark

According to a legend, Hercules, tired after his many battles, stopped here to bathe and rest. That's why the Romans, who ruled over the area and later helped it prosper, decided to name the spa after him.

Six statues of Hercules have been discovered so far, but the 1 in the town centre is a bronze replica from 1874. 

The former stock exchange

the entrance

This long red-bricked building to the left of the Damrak used to be the Stock Exchange. It was built between 1898 and 1903, and named after its architect, a pupil of Cuypers.

This imposing building is considered a milestone in modern Dutch architecture.

Address: Beursplein 1

Phone: +31-20-5304141

Website: http://www.beursvanberlage.nl

The leading Catholic church

Sint Nicolaaskerk

The church was built in 1887. Its two towers and large dome can be easily seen from every part of Amsterdam.

Directions: The Prins Hendrikkade canal

Website: http://www.ns.nl

The authentic monument

When you step out the train, this is the first tourist attraction you’ll see in Amsterdam - the Central Station.

This monumental building is in fact a masterpiece by Pieter Cuypers, the architect who also designed the Rijksmuseum. It was built at the end of the 19th century and was erected on three artificial islands.

Website: http://www.ns.nl

The Concert Hall

a view from the park

This elegant building was built in the 19th century, thanks to the six Dutch businessmen, who wanted to prove to everyone that the inhabitants of Amsterdam have the knowledge of art, and that the Dutch musicians can play.

The first concert was held in 1888 by the new National Orchestra, directed by Willem Kes. Great artists such as Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra or Frank Zappa held their concerts here.

Conferences, exhibitions, business meetings and political conventions are also held here.

Address: Concertgebouwplein 2 - 6

Phone: +31-20-6718345

Website: http://www.concertgebouw.nl/

The Tower

This large tower was built in 1620, by the architect Hendrick de Keyser, on the place where one of the oldest gates of Amsterdam used to stand.

Munttoren

Mint Tower

Today it houses a Delft ceramic shop, ‘De Porceleyne Fles.’

Address: Muntplein

Directions: From the Dam square follow Kalverstraat

The statue of Rembrandt

The statue, sculptured by Royer, was erected here in 1876. This was the reason why the square changed its name.

The square itself, full of cafés, restaurants, night-clubs and discos, is usually crowded by day and noisy at night. 

Address: Rembrandtplein

The waxworks museum

This museum offers a different way of finding out more about the history of Holland. Here, you can see how people lived during the 17th century, aka the Golden Century, meet Rembrandt himself, or some other famous artists.

There is a beautiful view of the Dam from the window on the fourth floor.

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday 10.00 am – 6.30 pm (entrance closes - 5.30 pm)

Prices:

Adult €23,00

60+ €20,00

Children 5 - 15 €17,50

Children up to 5 Free

Groups or family bookings

Pack A (2 adults, 2 kids and a Madame Tussauds Guidebook) €70,00

Pack B (2 adults, 3 kids and a Madame Tussauds Guidebook) €82,50

Address: Dam 20

Phone: +31-20-5230623

Website: http://www.madametussauds.nl

The Coronation Church

This is where the Kings and Queens of The Netherlands are crowned, and where numerous famous Dutchmen are buried.

The basilica was built in the 15th century, and has been badly damaged in several fires since then.

The real jewel of the church is the pulpit that took its creator 13 years to complete. It shows the four evangelists surrounded by the images of Hope, Charity, Faith, Justice, Prudence and Strength.

Conferences, exhibitions and debates are held here.

Address: Dam 34-38

Directions: corner of the Dam

Phone: +31-20-6386909

Website: http://www.nieuwekerk.nl

The Royal Palace

This imposing building dominates the famous square. It was built in the 17th century, according to Van Campen’s designs, and served as the city’s seat of government for over a century. It is now used for official ceremonies.

Koninklijk Paleis

On the façade, you can see numerous allegorical sculptures by Artus Quellijn, and inside, there are several Halls, the magnificent Citizen’s Hall, where the present Queen Beatrix celebrated her wedding in 1966, the Minor Affairs of State Hall and the Judgement Hall, where judges used to meet to pronounce death sentences.

The palace is open from mid-June to mid-September.

Address: Dam 1

Directions: about 10 minutes from the Central Station

Phone: +31-20- 6204060

Website: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl

The home of Van Gogh's work

This is the main reason I decided to visit Amsterdam. I’m simply fascinated by the work of this genius... and being so close to the paintings like Irises, Wheatfield with Crows, The Potato-eaters, The Harvest, Sunflowers, The bedroom or Self-portrait with Felt Hat is an extraordinary experience.

In this world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh there are more than 200 paintings, including many very famous masterpieces, about 500 drawings and over 700 personal letters (occasionally put on view). All paintings are arranged in chronological order, so one can witness the painter’s development during the last ten years of his life.

There are also the works of art by other 19th-century painters and sculptors, who have something in common with Van Gogh’s work.

The original building, designed by Gerrit Rietveld and opened in 1973, holds permanent exhibitions, while the new, elliptic shaped wing, designed by the Japanese architect, Kisho Kurokawa, and opened in 1999, was built for temporary exhibitions.

the entrance

a view from the park

Opening hours:

Daily 10-18, Fridays 10-22

Admission fee for adults! (it's possible to order the tickets online to avoid standing in queues)

It is not allowed to take photographs or film; large bags and umbrellas must be left at the cloakroom.

Address: Paulus Potterstraat 7

Directions: tram lines 2, 3, 5 and 12, or bus numbers 145, 170 and 172

Other Contact: info@vangoghmuseum.nl

Phone: +31 (0) 20 570 52 00

Website: http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl

At the horse's tail

At the top of Wenceslas Square is the statue of St. Wenceslas with four patrons of Bohemia (St. Prokop, St. Adalbert, St. Ludmila and St. Agnes) by Josef Václav Myslbek.

St Wenceslas was a Czech King propagating Christianity. He ruled over Prague in the 10th century, until his brother had him killed.

Directions: top of Wenceslas Square

Website: http://www.prague.net/wenceslas-square

At The Three Fiddles

This used to be the home of the violin-makers, the Edlingers. They were so successful that they exported their products abroad.

It’s said that during the full moon you can still hear mysterious tones of violins.

Address: Nerudova 12, Mala Strana

The heart of Prague

This square looks more like a boulevard, because it’s 60m wide and 750m long. It’s packed with hotels, boutiques, fashion stores, cinemas, theatres and night clubs.

The square has witnessed a lot of most important political events, such as the demonstrations in the 1960s. This is where you can find the monuments to the victims of communism, including Jan Parlah who set himself on fire in 1969 when the country was occupied.

Address: Vaclavske namesti (Wenceslas Square)

Directions: Metro line C station Narodni muzeum or line A station Mustek.

Website: http://www.vaclavak.cz/

At The Red Lion

This house has got a red lion holding a golden cup in his fore paw, thus the name.

It used to be the home of Petr Brandl, famous Czech painter, whose work can be seen at the Church of St Margaret in Prague-Brevnov or the Church of St James.

Address: Nerudova 41, Mala Strana

At The Two Suns

This was the home of Jan Neruda, a famous Czech poet and journalist who wrote many short stories about this Prague district.

The house sign is among the most beautiful ones.

Address: Nerudova 47, Mala Strana

Directions: upper part of the street

Charming corner

This was once the main road leading to the Castle.

It was named after the Czech poet Jan Neruda, who lived in the house At The Two Suns.

Other houses have similar names: At The Three Fiddles, At The Golden Cup, At The Golden Key, At The White Swan etc.

Address: Nerudova

Directions: From metro station Malostranska (green line A) continue by tram (no. 12, 20, 22, 23) to the next Malostranska. Nerudova street is just up the hill.

Other Contact: http://www.prague.net/nerudova-s

Website: http://www.prague-spot.com/nerudova-street

Lesser Town Square

This is the upper one of two small squares in Lesser Town. It’s surrounded by architecturally important buildings.

Plague Column

There used to be a fountain here, but in the 17th century it was replaced by Plague Column, with sculptures reproducing the Holy Trinity and the Patron Saints of Bohemia by Geiger and Mayer.

Website: http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=663