Amsterdam/Plantage

By tram

As walking to Plantage can take more than 20 minutes, most visitors would take the tram to get there. From Centraal Station, trams 9 and 14 cross right through the district. The stops Plantage Kerklaan, Plantage Badlaan and Alexanderplein are the most central ones.

By metro

The metro is the fastest way to get into the district, but the locations of its stops are somewhat less convenient than the tram stops. Two stations serve the Plantage. Waterlooplein is the closest to the main sights, including the Artis Zoo, the various museums and the Hollandsche Schouwburg. Exiting the station at Hortusplantsoen, it's only a short walk to the area. Weesperplein is close to the University of Amsterdam and the Carré Theatre. All metro lines from Centraal Station (lines 51, 53 and 54) stop at both stations.

The Plantage Amsterdam is a green area, mostly known for Artis Zoo and the Hortus, the botanical garden. In fact, most of Amsterdam's museums are gathered in this area. Just beyond the Waterlooplein, you will find — amongst many other museums — the historical buildings of The Jewish Cultural Quarter, the renowned Hermitage Museum and the impressive Scheepvaartmuseum.

• Natura Artis Magistra Zoo

  phone: +31 20 523 34 00
  address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40
  An entry ticket for Artis also provides admission to the Planetarium, the Aquarium and the Zoological Museum. Artis is also a botanical garden, with plants and trees gathered from all over the world, just like the animal species. Don't miss the Artis ZOOmeravonden.

• Hortus Botanicus

  phone: +31 20 625 90 21
  address: Plantage Middenlaan 2
  The Amsterdam Botanical Gardens -'Hortus' as they are called by locals - was formerly the Botanic Garden of the University of Amsterdam. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Nowadays it is an independent organisation. The collection of the garden consists of more than 6,000 species. The garden regularly holds extra exhibitions and music performances.

• WertheimparkA small park with a World War II memorial located at one of the nicest canals in Amsterdam.

• Hermitage Amsterdam

  phone: +31 20 5308751
  address: Nieuwe Herengracht 14
  Hermitage Amsterdam is a branch of the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg on the Amstel River in Amsterdam. This museum hosts exhibitions with paintings and other cultural artifacts from the vaults of its Russian parent.

• Scheepvaartmuseum

  phone: +31 20 523-2222
  address: Kattenburgerplein 1
  Het Scheepvaartmuseum reopened in late 2011 following major renovations. Stimulating, interactive exhibitions allow visitors to explore 500 years of maritime history. The building, called the Arsenal, is impressive. The Central Square, the indoor courtyard can be visited for free and takes your breath away. Also the museum shop, the restaurant and the library are open to the public free of charge.

• Verzetsmuseum

  phone: +31 20 620 25 35
  address: Plantage Kerklaan 61D
  Museum showing what Amsterdam and Holland were like during Nazi occupation.

• De GooyerIt's the only windmill (1814, restored) in the centre of Amsterdam, and the closest one that's open to visitors. De Gooyer at Funenkade, Bus 22, Tram 7.

• Carré TheatreWhen the theatre was founded in 1887, it was meant as a permanent circus building. It is mainly used for musicals, cabaret performances and pop concerts.

• De Bamboeseur

  phone: +31 20 625 47 21
  address: Plantage Parklaan 10
  Fabulous little bar in the traditional "brown cafe" style in a fairly residential district near Artis Zoo. All the food is homemade daily; you really can't go wrong with any part of the menu. No reservations necessary, but seating is limited to a small bar and 8 tables of varying sizes upstairs. Great place to spend an evening. Open for lunch and dinner.

• Koffiehuis van den Volksbond

  address: Kadijksplein 4
  Former coffeehouse for harbour labourers. Now a small atmospheric restaurant in the east of the city centre. Mainly visited by locals. Different menu every evening, ranging from €10 to €15 for a main course. Not possible to make reservations and you may have to share a table with other guests.

• Cafe Kadijk

  address: Kadijksplein 5
  Cafe Kadijk is a small Indonesian restaurant that offers good food at a decent price. The restaurant has a coffee shop vibe and is located in a "trendy" area. Just outside Amsterdam's city center, it is a bit of a walk away from the more touristy areas of the city. Patio dining and indoor dining are both available.

• Brouwerij 't IJ

  phone: +31 20 622 83 25
  address: Funenkade 7
  Its label with an ostrich egg is a visual pun, as IJ and 'ei' - the word for egg - sound the same in Dutch. East of the centre, close to Artis Zoo, in a former bath house beside a windmill. A small scale brewery where delicious beer in several varieties and strengths is brewed and sold - at a bar - on the premises. The beer is available at some specialist beer shops, and of high quality and, in some cases, alcohol content. Internationally renowned!

• Eden Lancaster Hotel

  phone: +31 20 535 6888
  address: Plantage Middenlaan 48
  A quaint 3-star hotel with 91 rooms and bags of character. Friendly and helpful English-speaking staff, quiet area and very good value for money.

• InterContinental Amstel Hotel

  phone: +31 20 622 60 60
  address: Professor Tulpplein 1
  Historic 5-star hotel on banks of Amstel River, near financial, shopping and theater districts. Voted the Netherlands' best in 2008 by Condé Nast Traveller. 19th-century palace, 79 guestrooms and suites, indoor swimming pool, spa facilities including a Turkish bath.