Weekend Amsterdam

10 Tips for a weekend Amsterdam!

1 - A visit to Noordermarkt (Saturday). Farmers and market gardeners from over the entire country visit Amsterdam during the weekend to offer their wares for sale: on the square at the foot of the Noorderkerk you have the so-called biological and bird markets.

2 - Shopping in the 9 streets. The streets in question are three small streets that run parallel to each other and connect the major canals, Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. They are located between Dam square and the Jordaan. On Sunday too many shops are open. In the centre by the way almost all of the shops are open on Sunday as well as Saturday.

3 - Take a canal tour or rent a boat. Ordinary boat trips take about an hour and cost about EURO 7.50 per person. The leading boat operators are: Plas on Damrak, Kooij on Rokin and Lovers on PrinsHendrikkade. Water bicycles may be rented at, among other outlets, the foot of Westertoren (Jordaan). Costs about 7 EURO p.p. per hour. When you have booked an accommodation with CityMundo, it is also possible to rent a private boat with experienced captain who knows the city very well (see video). Please contact City Mundo. Price on request.

4 - A stroll during a weekend Amsterdam becomes something very special with an audio city tour (CityMundo clients can download this free of charge from the digital reservation form on their personal page); or saunter through the red light area, well worthwhile, also during the day, or from the station via Vondel Park to the Amsterdam woods. Many people from Amsterdam walk in Vondel Park when the weather is fine.

5 - On Sundays there is an art market on Spui. The picturesque Thorbeckeplein (next to Rembrandtplein), 10 minutes walk from Spui, also provides a location for an art market. At Nieuwmarkt, fifteen minutes walk from Spui, there is on Sundays an Antiques and Curiosa market.

6 - The eastern port area for new architecture. The KNSM Island was established originally in the 19th century. It remained in use for almost 100 years as port area and then fell into disuse as a result of the loss of the colonies and the transition from piece good to container transport. In the 1990s its redevelopment to residential neighbourhood began. Many with an interest in its new architecture now visit the redeveloped environment of the eastern port area. The names of architects who have built here include Jo Coenen, Kollhoff and Rapp, Bruno Albert and Wiel Arets. Tram 26 from Central Station.

7 - A night out to a theatre, dance hall, nightclub or bar may never be left out from a weekend Amsterdam. The bars stay one hour longer open during the weekend. Until 02:00 hour instead of 01:00 hour. Nightclubs and night bars until 04:00 hour. Theatre performances are sold out by the time they start, but you can buy tickets for the same day at a steep discount from the 'last minute ticket shop' at Leidseplein.

8 - A visit to zoological gardens Artis is extremely worthwhile, even when the weather is bad. Artis is the oldest zoo of the Netherlands (since 1883) and has been maintained largely in 19th style, with an Aquarium, Reptile House and Insectarium.

9 - Tuktuk tours. Tuktuks ride through the city, small, open but canopied tricycles. They are imported from Asia and fitted with clean 4-stroke engines. While the tuktuk operates as taxi it is also possible to take special tuktuk tours through the city, such as the Amsterdam Highlights tour.

10 - Set back the clock by visiting an old Amsterdam canal mansion. The following 17th century canal houses are open to the public: The charming 'Museum van Loon' on Keizersgracht, the 'Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen House' with coach house between Keizersgracht (entrance to museum at No. 633) and Herengracht and the Willet-Holthuysen Museum at Herengracht beside Rembrandtplein.