Amsterdam/Canal District

By tram

The most convenient way to get into the Canal District is by tram. From Central Station, the most important tram lines are 1, 2 and 5 which go right through the middle of the Canal District, cutting the western and the southern side of it in half. Notable stops include Koningsplein, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and Leidseplein). The Rembrandtplein can be reached with tram lines 4, 9 and 14.
The other lines only cross either the western side or the southern side of the district. Tram lines 13 and 17 head for the western side, with the stop Westerkerk as the most notable one as the Anne Frank House is nearby. Trams 16, 24 and 25 go through the southern side of the Canal District with the stops Keizersgracht and Weteringscircuit. East of it is tram line 4 that continues to Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and Frederikplein after having served the Rembrandtplein.

Architecture

As the name implies, the main attraction of the Canal District are the canals and the rich architectural heritage of this area. Built in the 17th century, the merchant-based oligarchy that ruled the trading city of Amsterdam built canal houses and mansions in the most prestigious locations, especially along the main canals. The city office for architectural heritage BMA has a chronological list of the most important ones:

• Singel 140-142, De Dolphijn (circa 1600).
• Oudezijds Voorburgwal 14, Wapen van Riga (1605).
• Oudezijds Voorburgwal 57, De Gecroonde Raep (1615), in Baroque Amsterdam Renaissance style.
• Herengracht 170-172, Bartolotti House (circa 1617).
• Keizersgracht 123, House with the Heads (1622).
• Herengracht 168 (1638).
• Rokin 145 (1643).
• Kloveniersburgwal 29, Trip House (1662).
• Oudezijds Voorburgwal 187 (1663).
• Singel 104-106 (1743).
• Singel 36, Zeevrugt (1763).

• Magere BrugThe Magere Brug, literally "Skinny Bridge", is a bridge that spans the Amstel River and connects the Kerkstraat with the Nieuwe Kerkstraat. It an iconic bridge that consists of nine arches and a drawbridge that is still operated by hand. The current bridge is made of white-painted wood, but it has been rebuilt several times and historically it has also been in concrete. The first bridge here was built in 1691, but the current one dates from 1934. It is one of the most photographed bridges of Amsterdam, especially at night because of the 1200 tiny lights that make it look like a picture-perfect postcard.

Museums

• Anne Frank House

  phone: +31 20 556 71 00
  address: Prinsengracht 267
  The house where the Jewish girl Anne Frank wrote her diary while hiding with her family from the Nazis. One must buy tickets online, only 20% are issued on the same day so buy them in advance. The Anne Frank House is open later during the summer. Museumkaart is valid, I Amsterdam Card is not valid.

• Museum Het Grachtenhuis

  address: Herengracht 386
  Het Grachtenhuis is the gateway to the world famous Canal District. Het Grachtenhuis tells the fascinating story about how Amsterdam's Canal District was created by a multi-media exhibition.

• Cat Cabinet

  phone: +31 20 626 53 78
  address: Herengracht 497
  A cat museum. Housed in a beautiful restored palatial home in an upscale area street - very Masterpiece Theater. It was opened by the homeowner after his favourite cat died... and he still lives in the home. Lots of cat-related art, and two real felines. The exhibition is spread across the first floor of the house.

• Museum Willet-Holthuysen

  phone: +31 20 523 18 22
  address: Herengracht 605
  It is the only fully furnished canalside patrician house in Amsterdam that is open to the public. The museum has a large collection of silverware, plates, and books from the Dutch Golden Age. It also has a substantial collection of art.

• Amsterdam Pipe Museum

  phone: +31 20 4211779
  address: Prinsengracht 488
  Unique collection of smoking pipes in an authentic canal house from 1670. In the historic ambiance of the collector's house his collection of pipes covering 2,500 years is displayed. Visitors get a personal tour by enthusiast volunteers of the foundation that also runs the speciality shop in the basement: a huge selection of nearly 3,000 modern briar pipes are for sale, next to collectibles and books on pipes and tobacco.

• Museum Van Loon

  address: Keizersgracht 672
  17th century house with interior restored with furnishings to how it looked in the 18th century. Also interesting to see a garden you would not normally see form the streets.

Churches

• Westerkerk

  phone: +31 20 624 77 66
  Built in 1620-1631, located on Westermarkt near the Anne Frank House. You can climb the tower (with guide only) every half hour, M-Sa €6. The tower is also open in the winter by group appointment (maximum 10 people) for €70/hr. In good weather you can see all of Amsterdam, and as far as the coast. Free organ concert held every Friday at 13:00.

Monuments

• Homomonument

  phone: +31 20 551 2512
  address: Westermarkt
  The Homomonument is a memorial to gays and lesbians murdered in World War II, a call for vigilance against homophobia, and an inspiration for gays and lesbians the world over. It consists of three equilateral triangles made of pink granite that are connected by an inlaid band of pink bricks. These three triangles represent the past, present and future.

• RembrandtpleinThis public square features a larger-than-life statue of Rembrandt on a pedestal overlooking life-size statues of the people like those featured in the Night Watch. The monument makes an interesting photo opportunity.

• De Poezenboot

  address: Singel 38 G
  You really like cats? The poezenboot (cat boat) is a refuge for cats awaiting adoption.

• Ignatiushuis

  address: Beulingstraat 11
  A Jesuit society that organizes classes and activities. Membership required, but every Tuesday (Sep-Jul) a free concert is given at 12:30-13:00. Everyone can attend.

• Pathé Tuschinski

  phone: +31 0900-1458
  address: Reguliersbreestraat 26-34
  Since its opening in 1921, Tuschinski has been the country's most breathtaking film theatre. It's worth a visit if only for its interior, a spectacular mix of Art Nouveau, Amsterdam School and Art Deco styles. If possible, get a tour of the building, taking in the sumptuous private rooms upstairs. If you're going to watch a film, pick the one that's in the big auditorium. With the exception of some animated films, all English films are subtitled and not dubbed, so you should be able to enjoy the standard Hollywood fare the way it's meant to be seen.

• Stadsarchief Amsterdam

  phone: +31 20 251-1511
  address: Vijzelstraat 32
  This institute maintains the archives of the municipality and other organizations that are closely related to Amsterdam. The archives are open for everyone. Most interesting for travelers are the exhibitions and events, see the website.

• BloemenmarktThe world's only floating flower market, open daily on the Singel between Koningsplein and Muntplein. It is very touristy, but you could do worse than buying your tulips here. Make sure you buy pre-approved bulbs if taking them to the U.S. or Canada. They will have the holographic licence and export tag on the bag.

• The Nine StreetsNine narrow streets enclosed between the main canals from the Prinsengracht to the Singel, south-west of Dam Square. The northernmost street is Reestraat and to the south is the Runstraat. The streetnames are marked with a sign of the Nine Streets, and some shops have a flyer of this area. You can find a lot of boutiques, specialist shops, galleries and restaurants here.

• De Beeldenwinkel Sculpture Gallery

  address: Berenstraat 29
  This is a gallery for sculpture lovers, with bronze statues, pottery, abstract sculpture, raku-fired statues and marble figures sculpture to suit every budget and taste.

Most foreigners grab a restaurant in the area around the Leidsestraat. While there are some good restaurants in that area, be wary as there are a lot of overpriced tourist traps as well.

Budget

• Pancakes! Amsterdam

  phone: +31 20 528 9797
  address: Berenstraat 38
  Amazing variety of both sweet and savory pancakes. Quaint atmosphere and the street side tables are great to watch people. The only downfall is that street side tables attract too many tourists asking for directions.

• The Pancake Bakery

  phone: +31 20 625-1333
  address: Prinsengracht 191
  Large selection of sweet or savory pancakes.

Mid-range

• De Blauwe Hollander

  phone: +31-20-6270251
  address: Leidsekruisstraat 28
  Dutch restaurant with an extensive menu of hearty home cooked dishes like herrings, pea soup and hutspot. Unlike most restaurants in this area, this one gets local diners too, and if it gets crowded enough you may have to share tables. Pancakes served only until 5 PM.

• Damsteeg

  address: Reestraat 28-32
  They specialise in fish dishes, but they also have a wide variety of meat and vegetarian meals to choose from. With bar.

• Letting

  address: Prinsenstraat 3
  Indian-owned breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. Letting offers a range of soups, sandwiches and scones, and it's on a street which is packed with an ever-changing line-up of fun boutiques.

• Holtkamp

  address: Vijzelgracht 15
  Best pastry cafe in Amsterdam. Much better than the Zeitan, which as many recommend. Do try the "holdkampf" with fillings! The Sachertorte is famous as a favorite of the former Queen Beatrix.

• Alberto's Steakhouse

  phone: +31 20 624 00 95
  address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 26, 1017 RC Amsterdam
  Uruguayan Steakhouse with well-grilled steaks

Splurge

• Akbar

  address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 15
  Indian restaurant, Muslim (halal) / Hindu (no beef). Good quality dishes from different regions of India.

• La Margarita

  phone: +31 20 623 07 07
  address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 49
  This Caribbean restaurant offers a huge range of plates, including three different vegetarian options. Every dish comes with ample sides of white rice, black beans, plantains, and vegetables. In addition to having great food, the restaurant is decked out with a range of fantastic and magic-realist art. If you like your food hot, be sure to ask for the special home-made hot sauce. Reservations accepted.

Nightclubs in Amsterdam are centered around two squares, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Close to the latter is the Reguliersdwarsstraat, the gay street of Amsterdam. In between these squares are plenty of smaller bars and pubs that are also fun at daytime.

Bars and pubs

• 't Arendsnest

  phone: +31 20 421 20 57
  address: Herengracht 90
  Excellent biercafe serving only Dutch beers and liqueurs, including jenever. Around 30 beers on tap, 17 or so which change regularly, and over 100 bottled. Very friendly bartenders who know beer well and give great recommendations. Try the €8 sampler, which gives you 12cl samples of 3 beers with a glass of water and some crackers.

• Dan Murphy's

  phone: +31 20 422 32 85
  address: Leidseplein 24
  One of the many Irish pubs in the city. People from all over the world meet here and watch football, rugby and typical Irish sports like hurling and Gaelic football while drinking a pint of Guinness.

• Feijoa

  phone: +31 6 53 726 137
  address: Vijzelstraat 39
  Cocktail bar with a lovely atmosphere, pleasant music and friendly staff, including one of the Netherlands leading cocktail barmen. Will make any cocktail you ask for.

• Hard Rock Cafe

  phone: +31 20 523 76 25
  address: Max Euweplein 61
  This is close to, or right next to the Holland Casino also close to the Leidseplein. Great service, great food, and plenty of drinks.

• Mulligans Irish Music Bar

  address: Amstel 100
  The oldest Irish bar in Amsterdam, Mulligans has live music most nights. This is where the traditional music crowd gathers.

• l'Opera

  phone: +31 20 620 47 54
  address: Rembrandtplein 27-29
  A friendly spot for coffee, a beer, or something stronger. You may at first only notice the outside seating and the enclosed terrace, but there is also an elegant, (usually) quieter indoor area. Food, too, but you don't see many eaters.

• Whisky Cafe L&B

  phone: +31 6 245 541 62
  address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 82-84
  If you like whisky, this small, laid-back and friendly cafe is the ideal place to visit. Many unusual whiskies from independent bottlers and closed distilleries are available. The menu stretches along one wall and is about 2 meters in height, the cafe having had 1001 whiskies available since they opened. Just be warned the stairs to the toilets are pretty steep!

• Czech and Slovak Bar

  phone: +31 6 4076 2392
  address: Amstel 14, 1017 AA Amsterdam

Nightclubs

• AIR

  address: Amstelstraat 16

• Chicago Social Club

  address: Leidseplein 12
  Amsterdam's nightlife king Casper Reinders joined with the founders of Bitterzoet and the owners of Boom Chicago to bring quality clubbing to the Leidspelein.

• Club HOME

  address: Wagenstraat 7

• Escape

  address: Rembrandtplein 11
  A large, fairly uninspiring nightclub that mostly plays mainstream house music. The first hall is large and attracts the more or less wannabe hip people of the city, although the crowd is diverse. The second hall upstairs has a completely different audience, mostly hip-hop and R&B enthusiasts. At some events Escape is split in two, which means you can use the backside entry at Amstel for a different party.

• Jimmy Woo

  address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18
  The most glamorous club in Amsterdam offers a selection of house and r&b, with a spectacularly lit dance floor downstairs. It is relatively small and there is table service, so it feels a bit like a VIP-room. Entry policy is strict so dress sharp to get in. And boys, don't come alone.

• Melkweg

  address: Lijnbaansgracht 234
  A former milk factory, now it's one of the best live venues of Amsterdam. Its interior is not as good as Paradiso, but it feels more like a nightclub as the music is dance/trance oriented. Popular among university students and younger tourists, it's a great place to go out till the sun gets up. Rates can vary widely, and go very steep during special events.

• Paradiso

  address: Weteringschans 6
  Sometimes referred to as a nightclub, it feels more like a nightly music venue and is the safest bet in town. Its interior is phenomenal as it is housed in a former church, but the main room has relatively bad acoustics. It gets a mixed crowd as there are plenty of rooms with different bands performing and it isn't too crazy expensive. Its music straddles the line between pop and alternative. Much of the performances are rock, but it can really be anything: don't be surprised to be dancing the Russian troika with thousands of people on a Wednesday night. It gets fairly packed, as is obvious by the huge line on the weekends, especially after 01:00.

• Studio 80

  address: Rembrandtplein 17
  This is a somewhat more underground, intimate club that's easy to miss because of its flashy neighbours. It prides itself by trying to stay on the forefront of electronic music in the city.

• Sugar Factory

  phone: +31 20 626 50 06
  address: Lijnbaansgracht 238
  Bit of a remarkable place that integrates art, music, culture, theatre and nightclub into one. It has a relaxed atmosphere with an eccentric artistry audience.

• The Cave Rockclub

  phone: +31 20 626 89 39
  address: Prinsengracht 472
  Cozy metal bar with friendly barstaff and interesting regulars, with live performances by touring metal bands on weekends.

• Waterhole

  phone: +31 20 620 89 04
  address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49
  Light rock/funk jam sessions in a dingy but atmospheric bar with pooltables. Live bands play every night of the week.

Coffeeshops

• Betty Too

  address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 29
  Absolute gem, cozy and friendly place with moderate prizes and interesting, international crowd.

• Bulldog

  address: Leidseplein 13-17
  This is the original shop that used to be a police department. Now it turned into a chain of touristy coffeeshops, bars, hotels and even an energy drink.

• Global Chillage

  address: Kerkstraat 51
  Good produce and nice tunes but uncomfortable seating.

• Grey Area

  address: Oude Leliestraat 2
  Tiny, but famous for their outstanding weed, especially "American" strains.

• The Otherside

  address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 6
  Gay coffeeshop.

Budget

• Hans Brinker Hostel

  phone: +31 20 622-0687
  address: Kerkstraat 136-138
  Very light atmosphere and doesn't take itself seriously. Bar and downstairs club.

• Mozart Hotel

  phone: +31 20 620 95 46
  address: Prinsengracht 518-520
  47 en-suite rooms.

• Hotel Nicolaas Witsen

  phone: +31 20 620 51 13
  address: Nicolaas Witsenstraat 4-8

• Hotel Asterisk

  phone: +31 20 626 2396
  address: Den Texstraat 16
  Smallish, but clean and quiet rooms in two buildings across a residential street. Generous check-in/checkout, good breakfast (included). Close to tram stop, walk to Rijks/van Gogh museums.

Mid-range

• Blue Moon Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +31 20 428 88 00
  address: Weteringschans 123A
  Bed & Breakfast opposite the Rijksmuseum.

• Cocomama

  phone: +31 6272 454
  address: Westeinde 18
  Amsterdam's first boutique hostel. Free wifi, garden, fully equipped kitchen for guest use, livingroom. Very social atmosphere. All rooms en suite.

• Hotel La Boheme

  address: Marnixstraat 415
  Two star hotel with very friendly staff. Clean rooms and free wi fi.

• Hotel Nicolaas Witsen

  phone: +31 20 626 65 46
  address: Nicolaas Witsenstraat 4
  3-star hotel in the city center of Amsterdam nearby Heineken factory.

Splurge

• Eden Amsterdam American Hotel

  phone: +31 20 5563000
  address: Leidsekade 97
  Listed as an Art Nouveau monument, the hotel is right in the heart of Leidseplein Square. Both Café Americain and Bar Americain are in the hotel, famous for celebrity and VIP spotting.

• Hotel Ambassade

  phone: +31 20 555 02 22
  address: Herengracht 341
  Four star hotel on one of the main canals. Writers that stayed here left signed copies of their books in the hotel's library.

• Hotel Pulitzer

  phone: +31 20 523 52 35
  address: Prinsengracht 315-331
  25 restored 17th and 18th century canal houses overlooking two of the city's most picturesque canals, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht, and made famous in Ocean's 12.

CoffeeCompany offers free Wi-Fi at Leidsegracht, the walking street from the Binnenstad to Leidseplein.