Short practical Amsterdam guide
AIRPORTS |
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (www.schiphol.nl) is the largest airport in the Netherlands and one of the busiest and user-friendly airports in the world. During the day trains leave approximately every 10 minutes (every hour between midnight and 6 am) to Amsterdam Central Station and the journey takes 20 minutes. You will find the platforms underneath the airport’s central hall. Make sure to buy a ticket (€ 3.70 one way) at one of the NS (Nationale Spoorwegen = National Transport Cooperation) desks or from yellow service machines before boarding. For your itinerary visit the following link: ns.nl/cs/Satellite/travellers.
The train is by far the best means of public transport to reach Amsterdam Centre. Ticket vending machines accept POS (prepaid debit cards) payments. TAXI fares are quite high, ranging from € 25 to € 50 to reach the city centre.
Eindhoven Airport (www.eindhovenairport.nl) is a cheap alternative to Schiphol in the South of the Netherlands and caters to several low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, AerLingus and Transavia. A bus service (number 401) leaving every 10 minutes connects the airport with the train station of Eindhoven for the 25 minute ride. From Eindhoven station, the train ride to Amsterdam Central Station takes 1 hour and 20 minutes (€17,50 one way). There is also a bus service Airexpressbus (http://www.airexpressbus.com/) to Amsterdam Central Station. Journey time is 1 hour and 40 minutes for the cost of € 26 one way.
Weeze Airport (http://www.airport-weeze.de/index.php?lang=en) is situated in Germany near the Dutch border and approximately an hour from Düsseldorf centre. It offers another cheap alternative to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, especially for numerous Ryanair destinations.
From Weeze there is a shuttle service to Arnhem, Nijmegen and Venlo in the Netherlands. Nijmegen being the easiest connection to Amsterdam (www.taxi-hottgenroth.de/en/index.htm). From Nijmegen Central Station, direct trains to Amsterdam take approximately 1.5 hours (17€ one-way). There is also a direct bus Airexpressbus (http://www.airexpressbus.com/) to Amsterdam Centre.
Tip: visit the public toilet at Nijmegen Central Station for a taste of Dutch toilet culture - cost €0.50.
AMSTERDAM TRAIN STATIONS |
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Amsterdam Central Station is situated on the north side of the city centre, in walking distance from the main square called Dam and the red light district. Train tickets can be bought from yellow-blue machines scattered throughout the station. Be aware that these machines do not accept cash and tickets have to be paid for either by credit card or a debit card. In case you want to pay cash, the only option is to buy a ticket from a NS service desks that charges a service fee of 0.50 € per ticket. International train tickets are sold at separate ‘NS Highspeed’ counters.
Destination guide national: ns.nl/cs/Satellite/travellers; and international: www.nshispeed.nl/en.
Central Station occupies a beautiful building that was designed by the famous architect Cuypers and engineer van Gendt. It was built between 1881 and 1889 and strongly resembles the Rijksmuseum which was designed by the same architect.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTS |
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Amsterdam’s municipal public transport company (GVB, www.gvb.nl) offers 16 tram lines, 55 bus lines and 4 metro lines. Trams and metros usually are in service from 6am till midnight departing every 5 to 10 minutes. For all information and tickets, visit GVB Tickets & Info desk, on the square called Stationsplein, situated opposite of central station. To plan your journey, check out: journeyplanner.9292.nl/
The OV-chip card (The Smart Card for public transport), can be used to travel by train, bus, tram and metro and can be purchased at the GVB Ticket Vending, Add Value Machines, as well as at many tobacco shops and from tram and bus drivers. Disposable cards cost € 2.60 and are valid for one hour of travel.If you plan to use public transport frequently, consider buying OV-chip cards with an initial credit of € 7.50 and recharge the cards. Remember to check in and out, at the beginning and end of your journey. If you fail to check out, the system keeps on calculating kilometers and will distract more credit from your card.. For unlimited use of all public transport, GVB offers 24- hours as well as 48-, 72- and 96-hours tickets at discounted prices as well as weekly passes.
STOP/GO BUS
This public minibus is departing every 12 minutes (at central station from the taxi stand). The route is Waterlooplein - Prinsengracht - Centraal Station - Ruijterkade Oost - Oosterdok and vice versa. A ticket costs € 1 and is valid for one hour but OV Chip Cards can also be used. The bus is driving a route which is not serviced by public transport. Only on certain intersections like Radhuisstraat or Vijzelstraat it is possible to catch connecting trams. Just haul down the bus by giving a sign to the driver. There are no fixed busstops. Attention: if there is road construction on the route, the stop/ go bus drives an alternative route, check out www.gvb.nl for more information on temporary changes.
TAXI, TUK-TUK AND BICYCLE RIKSHA |
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TAXI
central telephone number: 6777777
Amsterdam taxi drivers are famous for refusing customers travelling short distances only, and charging ridiculous rates. Certain official taxi companies as well as the municipality are aiming to improve the service standards. The taxi stand at Central Station has a good reputation considering the image of the drivers.
There are regulations considering the general (maximum) costs of taxi transport. Taxis are obliged to have meters with a maximum boarding fee of €7.50, which includes the first two kilometers. After the first two kilometers, a driver can charge a maximum of €2.50 per kilometer. Make sure the meter is on at the beginning of the journey and the start tariff is not higher than €7.50.
For legal information and complaints, visit www.ivv.amsterdam.nl/thema's/taxi/english_information.
TUK TUK
Scooter rickshaws - popular in Asian metropolitan cities - are also available in Amsterdam for up to three passengers. Prices start at €3.50 per passenger. The city is divided into four zones and the price is calculated according to how many zones are involved during the journey.
Tuk tuks can be hauled down on the street or reserved by calling 0900 99 333 99, www.tuktukcompany.nl.
BICYCLE RICKSHAW
An eco-friendly, fun way to get around the city and canals while not biking yourself. Rikshaw stands are situated at Dam Square and Leidseplein or can be hauled down on the street. The minimum price is € 2,50, additional charge is € 1 per 3 minutes per person. Pets and children up to 2 years are free, children age 2 -12 half price. Rikshwas are available 7 days a week from 11 am till 3 am, call mobile 06-28247550 and www.wielertaxi.nl.
AMSTERDAM BY BIKE |
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Bicycle rentals average € 10 with some multi-day rates as low as € 4, locks included. Equipment for children and other add-ons are also available. Most companies offer guided tours and recommended routes including maps for trips in and outside of Amsterdam. Distances in Amsterdam are relatively short. Make sure to always lock your bike as theft is very common! Please also carefully watch out for fast bicycle drivers, taxis, passing trams and the tram tracks and use your lightswhen biking at night (police fine).
Rent a bike companies:
Bike City
Small rent a bike in the Jordaan, near Anne Frank House.
Bloemgracht 68-78
1015 TL Amsterdam 1015
Tel: +31 20 6263721
www.bikecity.nl
Frederic Rent a Bike
Brouwersgracht 78
0031206245509
www.frederic.nl
Mike's Bike Tours
Kerkstraat 134
1017 GP Amsterdam
Phone: +31-20.622.7970
www.mikesbikeamsterdam.com
Mac Bike
Mac Bike is one of the largest companies, with several locations in the city.
For more information check :
www.macbike.nl
Phone +31 20 620 09 85
E-mail: info@macbike.nl
AMSTERDAM BY FOOT |
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Because of it’s relatively small size, Amsterdam can be easily explored on foot. The VVV Tourist Office (www.amsterdamtourist.nl) offers route booklets with a number of interesting walking routes. You can also get an expert guide to show you the city in guided walking tours. See
www.guidor.nl or www.fullmoonwalk.nl/introduction.html
Popular walking tours are offered by Neweurope tours. Those are free tours, working on tip basis only, www.neweuropetours.eu/
AMSTERDAM BY BOAT |
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Taking a boat on the canals of Amsterdam is one of the best ways to experience the city.
Canal bike
A fun way to see the canals of Amsterdam by paddle. Embark on Prinsengracht, opposite the Anne Frank museum, or at Leidseplein opposite the Rijksmuseum, www.canal.nl.
Canal Bus offers different routes according to a fixed timetable. There are 14 stops at major attractions. With your day ticket you can hop on and hop off all day long. Boats leave every 20 minutes during the day and a day ticket costs € 22, children pay half the price, phone 6239886 and www.canal.nl.
Museumboat
This company specialises in canal boats connecting the major museums. A day tickets costs € 20, children half price. The ticket includes 50% discount for most of the museums, www.lovers.nl.
Canal Motorboats
Be your own captain and explore the canals with a motor boat - in total 6 people are allowed. Costs are € 50 for the first hour, additional hours cost € 40 (2nd hour), € 30 (3rd hour) and every additional hour costs € 20; www.canalmotorboats.com.
AMSTERDAM BY CAR |
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Everywhere within the city centre and also in many suburbs, paid parking is enforced 7 days a week. Parking between midnight and 9 am is usually free. A ticket is a hefty € 50,90 and fines have to be paid to Cition Parkeermanagement, www.cition.nl.
Park & Ride
P+R parking spaces are situated on the outskirts of the city, where one can conveniently switch to public transport. You will then arrive at the Dam within half an hour. Parking in a P+R costs € 6.00 a day. This includes free public transport ticket. Amsterdam’s P+Rs can be found at the following locations:
- Amsterdam Southeast, beneath the Amsterdam Arena
- Zeeburg (Amsterdam East)
- Amsterdam South,in the car park of the Olympic Stadium
www.amsterdam.nl/parkeergebouwen/vertalingen/engels/engels_spelregels
EATING OUT |
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RESTAURANTS, PUBS, BARS
A lot of restaurants are clustered around the Leidseplein, the Nieuwmarkt, Damstraat and around the Zeedijk. Around the de Pijp area, near the Albert Cuyp market you can find a lot of Surinamese restaurants, reflecting Holland’s multicultural background and colonial past.
For a real dutch experience you can try raw herring with minced onion from the street stands all over the city.
Traditional dutch home cooking & pancakes
The Moeders
Rozengracht 251
www.moeders.nl
The Pancake Bakery
Prinsengracht 191
www.pancake.nl/
The Hemelse Modder
Oude Waal 11
Their motto: we choose fresh, naturally pure ingredients, sustainable and from animal friendly resources.
www.hemelsemodder.nl
Asian
Wagamama
Noodle Restaurant
Max Euweplein 10, just off Leidseplein next to Paradiso Concert Hall
www.wagamama.nl
Indonesian
The Bojo
Lange Leidsedwaarstaat 49-51
Open till late hours, from 4pm till 2am, weekends till 4am
www.bojo.nl
Amsterdam Restaurant Week
Two times a year around 160 top restaurants open their doors and serve a 3 course meal at
€ 25-, lunch or dinner.
To find out more visit:
www.restaurantweek.nl
The following web-sites offer an overview of dinning possibilities:
www.dinnersite.nl
www.specialbite.com (Dutch only)
www.iens.nl (Dutch only)
SHOPPING |
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Shopping districts:
- PC Hooftstraat: the most exclusive shopping street, located in the Museum District; collections from top designers, chique footwear, porcelain and chrystal, everything of high quality and high prices.
- Nieuwendijk & Kalverstraat, Leidsestraat: biggest shopping areas, major brands, casual atmosphere, variety of shops, fast food restaurants.
- Utrechtsestraat: small, more specialised shops, lots of cafes and restaurants
- Negen straatjes (nine streets): between Radhuisstraat/ Rozengracht and Leidsestraat small streets crossing the canals are filled with fashion, gift, interior design boutiques etc. Unique pieces you will not find everywhere
Street markets
- Albert Cuyp market is the most popular and biggest outdoor market in the Netherlands, selling everything ranging from produce, flowers, clothes to furniture, bikes, fabrics etc.
- Westermarkt / Noordermarkt: on Saturday all day as well as Monday morning
- Other markets outside the center: Kinkerstraat, Dappermarkt
- Waterlooplein, a big outdoor flea market, selling clothes, art, crafts as well as miscellaneous junk.
- Flower market: very colourful, selling freshly cut flowers but also bulbs and gifts
- organic produce markets: Saturday morning Noordermarkt, Wednesday all day Haarlemmerplein
CONCERTS & NIGHTLIFE |
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Leidseplein and Rembrandsplein are the main entertainment areas of Amsterdam with a variety of bars, cafes, restaurants, coffeeshops and clubs. The biggest life music venues also functioning as clubs are Melkweg and Paradiso at Leidseplein.
Paradiso
Weteringschaans 6-8
life concerts, club nights
www.paradiso.nl
Melkweg
Lijnbaansgracht 234-A
1017 PH Amsterdam
www.melkweg.nl
Escape
Rembrandplein 11
young trendy crowd, electronic music only
www.escape.nl
Jimmy Woo
Korteleidsedwaarstraat 18
stylish club with different theme nights
www.jimmywoo.nl
Bimhuis
Has international reputation for quality jazz concerts
www.bimhuis.nl
Smaller theatres offer concerts for various cultures. For the world music the best place to go is Tropentheater, the Tropic Museum.
www.tropenmusum.nl
Check out the weekly listings:
www.amsterdamnow.com
agenda-uitgaan.nl/amsterdam (Dutch only)
www.djguide.nl (Dutch only)
Tickets for tshows are sold at AUB ticketshop at Leidseplein or visit:
www.uitburo.nl, which also has a lastminute outlet
www.lastminuteticketshop.nl
www.ticketservice.nl
Free Record Shops or GWK offices also sell tickets
TOURISTIC ATTRACTIONS |
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Information about the numerous tours and attractions can be found at the national VVV Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board offices in the city centre. They provide information on excursions, tours and canal cruises, maps and walking tracks, public transport tickets, theatre and concert tickets, hotels and general tourist information. The ‘I amsterdam Card’ combines a public ticket, a chip card for free admission to the museums and various discounts for restaurants and attractions.
VVV Tourist offices can be found in the following locations:
- Stationsplein, opposite the Central Train Station
- Leidseplein / Leidsestaat
- Schiphol Airport
www.amsterdamtourist.nl
Red LightDistrict
The world famous area around the Oude Kerk (Old Church), the oldest part of he city. Besides scarcely dressed women, coffeeshops and bars, some of Amsterdam’s most beautiful buildings can be seen there as well as interesting and unusual shops and restaurants. If you are not comfortable exploring it alone you can try Red Light District Exposed, 2-hour guided tour, www.neweuropetours.eu
Diamond industry
Amsterdam developed into one of the world’s most important diamond centres in the 16th century, when the diamond trade was introduced. Most diamond shops can be found around the Museumplein area, most of them giving demonstrations in diamond cutting.
The most known are Coster Diamonds, Stoeltie Diamonds, Amsterdam Diamond Centre, Gassan Diamonds, Amstel Diamonds.
You can also visit the Diamond Museum, Paulus Potterstraat 8, www.diamantmuseumamsterdam.nl/
The Heineken Experience
This multimedia venue introduces you to the hands-on experience of the beer production process. Take a take seat on a moving platform and follow the route that each bottle in the brewery follows. The tour ends with a couple of glasses of this famous beer, www.heinekenexperience.com
MONUMENTS AND ARCHITECTURE |
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The centre of Amsterdam boosts approximately a stunning 7000 protected monuments. VVV Tourist Offices organizes Architectural walks through the city.
A pick of beautiful civic buildings:
- Munttoren (Mint tower), near the Rembrandt square: used to be part of the old town wall in the Middle Ages.
- Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) on Dam square: Gothic style church, showing exhibition and staging concerts
- The Royal Palace, located on the Dam square, is nice example of the Golden Age architecture.
- The Oude Kerk (Old Church), located in the middle of the red district, is Amsterdam’s oldest building, dating from around 1300.
- Sint Nicolaaskerk (St Nicolas Church), located opposite central Station, strange mixture of baroque and Neo-renaissance.
QUIET OASES |
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If you know where, it is easy to get away from it all and discover the quiet and inspiring places of Amsterdam.
- Hortus Botanicus
Plantage Middelaan 2a
www.hortus-botanicus.nl
The oldest botanic gardens in the world inivites to enjoy the beauty and diversity of plants from all over the world. - Hortus Conclusus of the Biblical Museum
The small courtyard on the Herengracht features biblical trees, plants, and flowers surrounding a pont, www.bijbelsmuseum.nl/
- He Hwa
Zeedijk 106-118
In the busy China Town area the He Hwa traditional Chinese Buddhist style temple is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. Guided tours on request, www.ibps.nl. - The Himalaya
A New Age bookstore with a small cafe on Warmoestraat 56 is the biggest spiritual bookshop in the Netherlands, offering an extensive collection of esoteric books, jewellery, Cd's, art etc.
www.himalaya.nl
ARTS AND CULTURE |
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MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
The Netherlands has more museums per square metre than any other country in the world. Amsterdam has 50 museums and hundreds of galleries. Around Museumplein you will find the largest, world-renowned museums as well as the world famous Concert Hall.
Art lovers can enjoy visiting numerous galleries and art dealers in the Spiegelkwartier.There you can find every sort and size of art.
For more galleries in Amsterdam check:
www.amsterdamby.com
Besides the big, known museums such as Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, several smaller unusual museums can be found, such as the vodka. tulip, pianola, tattoo, sex museum etc
Rijksmuseum
The largest museum for art and history in the Netherlands is renowned for it´s collection of 15th to 19th century paintings plus speical exhibitions. Works of Vermeer, Frans Hals, Jan van Steen and of course Rembrandt.
His masterpiece The Night Watch is to be seen there.
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Van Gogh Museum
An absolute must-see. Don’t miss van Gogh’s sunflowers.
Paulus Potterstraat 7
www.vangoghmuseum.nl
Tropen Museum
Linnaeusstraat 2
Anthropological museum exhibiting objects, multimedia and installations portraying non-Western cultures. Great for children as well and interesting, changing exhibitions.
www.tropenmuseum.nl
The Anne Frank House
Consider to visit late in the afternoon during high season to avoid a line up.
www.annefrank.nl
The Rembrandt House
Jodenbreestraat 4
Great collection of his etchings and information about his personal life.
www.rembrandthouse.nl
Museum night
Every first saturday of November, 40 Amsterdam museums stay open until 2AM.
http://n8.nl/english
To see complete list of the museums in Amsterdam and to learn more, visit:
www.amsterdammuseums.nl
THEATRES AND MUSIC THEATRES |
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Stadsschouwburg
Performances predominantly in English but also Dance performances.
www.stadsschouwburgamsterdam.nl (only partly in English)
Concert Hall (Concertgebouw)
Concertgebouwplein 2-6
Classical music concerts with great acoustic and home of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Free lunchtime concerts every Wednesday.
Het Muziektheater
One of the most modern concert halls in Europe, home for the Netherlands Opera Company is known for innovative productions.
Royal Theatre Carré
One of the best known and most beautiful theatres in the Netherlands with various musicals, music shows, theatre performances etc.
www.theatercarre.nl
Boom Chicago
Comedy nights plus optional dinner in English only. Very popular with tourists and company visits.
www.boomchicago.nl
TICKETS
Uitburo Ticket Shop on Leidseplein.
open 7 days a week from 10am till 6 pm
Info: 020 - 795 99 50
www.amsterdamsuitburo.nl or for same day discount tickets www.lastminutetickets.nl
CINEMA |
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Pathe Tuschinsky
very beautiful cinema with art-deco elements built in 1921
Blockbuster
To find what is playing and to reserve tickets, go to the sites bellow
www.pathe.nl
www.belbios.nl
Art-house cinemas
Cineville is a cooperation of 13 theatres in Amsterdam showing mainly arthouse productions
http://www.cineville.nl/theaters
Film Festivals
Good overview of year-round festivals can be found on the iAmserdam website: http://www.iamsterdam.com.
RECREATION AND SPORTS |
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Parks
Amsterdam is a green city with 28 parks, the biggest inner-city park being Vondelpark, close to Leidseplein and Museumplein. In the summer months Vondelpark, Westerpark, Sarphatipark and Oosterpark are host to several festivals, cinema screenings, outdoor sports events etc.
Amsterdam’s largest green area outside the city center is the Amsterdamse Bos, or Amsterdam woods featuring an open air theater, a huge spa with several sauna´s, boating lakes, a goat farm and large playgounds.
The I-Amsterdam website has a good overview http://www.iamsterdam.com.
Spectator Sports: football
The number one sport in The Netherlands is football. One of the most modern stadiums in Europe is Amsterdam Arena, seating 51.000 fans and home of Ajax Amsterdam. Guided tours can be booked through www.amsterdamarena.nl.
American Football
Amsterdam Admirals , www.admirals.nl.
Swimming Pools
Mirandabad
Subtropical swimming pool complex with a beach, palm trees, several indoor and outdoor pools, and wave machines
Mirandalaan 9, Amsterdam South
www.mirandabad.nl
Zuiderbad
small swimming pool close to Rijksmuseum located in an art-deco building with a rich history
Hobbemastraat 26
www.oudzuid.amsterdam.nl
Sportfondsenbad Oost
Fronemanstraat 3, Amsterdam East
www.sportfondsenbadamsterdamoost.nl (Dutch only)
Sloterparkbad
Big swimming pool with outdoor area
President Allendelaan 3, Amsterdam West
http://www.optisport.nl/sloterparkbad/
more swimming pools in Amsterdam:
www.zwembad-amsterdam.nl (in Dutch)
Inline Skating
Skate rental at Vondelpark’s Southern entrance - Amstelveense Weg - in the summer months
Skateboarding
NSDM Hangar (indoor)
platforms, pyramids, slidebars, pipes, 1750 square meter
TT Neveritaweg 15a, Amsterdam North
www.skateparkamsterdam.nl
Javaeiland (outdoor), Northeast of Central Station
Climbing
Klimhal Amsterdam
Naritaweg 48, www.klimhalamsterdam.nl
Klimmuur Centraal
Dijksgracht 2, next to OBA library at Central Station
FunForest
Oudoor climbing park for families, companies, events
www.funforest.nl
Golf
Golfcourse de Hoge Dijk - Olympus
Abcouderstraatweg 46, Amsterdam South-East
www.dehogedijk.nl
SPECIAL EVENTS |
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For information about events and festivals please visit:
www.iamsterdam.com
www.amsterdam.info
www.amsterdamfestivals.com
Few picks from the extensive year-round program
AUGUST
Amsterdam Gay Pride
Extravagant canal parade with boats right through the heart of Amsterdam is the largest gay event in the Netherlands.
Sail 2010
This year from 19 till 23 August one of the greatest maritime manifestations of the world takes place in the IJ port of Amsterdam. It is a large free entry public event with variety of cultural and sportive activities.
Uitmarkt
Opening of the new cultural season, with free performances on indoor and outdoor stages plus a large information and book market.
OCTOBER
Amsterdam Marathon
Top runners come in the autumn for the Amsterdam Marathon, but it also includes several shorter distance runs as well as children run.
APRIL
Queen’s day
National holiday celebrating the former Queen’s birthday with street parties, children’s market, outdoor dancing, life music and lots of fun
FOR CHILDREN |
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nice website giving some suggestions what to do with children in and around the city.
www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Netherlands/amsterdam.htm
DISABLED |
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Information for disabled visitors, especially focusing on accesability and transport.
www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/touristinformation/disabilities
Accessible Amsterdam
The purpose of this website is to give you insight into the accessibility and usability of public buildings in Amsterdam.
www.toegankelijkamsterdam.nl