Amsterdam Walking Distance
Nov 9th, 2005, 08:34 PM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The AF house is at 267 Prinsengracht. Stay on Prinsengracht going south until it curves around, cross Leidsegracht and hang a right at Leidsestraat. A fast walker will do it in 15 minutes. The Haagendasz at Leidseplein will be your reward...
WK
WK
Nov 10th, 2005, 02:55 AM
#4
Original Poster
The reason I'm asking is that we have the Hotel Toren booked for mid-June (a/c was a major consideration for choosing it over Estherea).
It's located around the corner from Anne Frank's house on the Keizersgracht canal.
I'm assuming the Leidesplein might be an area we'd be walking to/from in the evening.
Which brings up another question.
We'll be there 2/3 evenings. We just like to wander around and see the sights. Not really museum goes.
Which areas are we most likely to wander in the evening?
Thanks.
It's located around the corner from Anne Frank's house on the Keizersgracht canal.
I'm assuming the Leidesplein might be an area we'd be walking to/from in the evening.
Which brings up another question.
We'll be there 2/3 evenings. We just like to wander around and see the sights. Not really museum goes.
Which areas are we most likely to wander in the evening?
Thanks.
Nov 10th, 2005, 04:51 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which areas are you most likely to be wandering in the evenings? Depends on your interests, but pretty well anywhere you're likely to want to walk will be within fairly easy walking distance of your hotel, or of a tram.
In June the evenings will be light until gone 10pm, so that won't be any sort of restriction.
You could wander anywhere in the main canal district, but you might prefer to avoid the Walletjes (scruffy red-light district slightly east of the station) in the evening. Not dangerous, just depressingly full of people out for a 'good time' without much idea of one beyond getting drunk and shouting a lot.
On the other hand, there are some attractive and interesting bits further east of there.
You're most likely, though, to be in and around Jordaan (west of where you're staying, or the antique shop areas nearer the Rijksmuseum, around Spiegelgracht. You might not be in Leidseplein too much, though it's all a matter of taste.
I'd suggest taking a canal cruise to get some idea of what places look interesting to you. You can do a sort of tram tour by taking a tram from the station and changing at the Concertgebouw to one that'll take you back to the station another way (number 5 one way, 16 or 24 the other).
Try www.channels.nl for some online phototours.
In June the evenings will be light until gone 10pm, so that won't be any sort of restriction.
You could wander anywhere in the main canal district, but you might prefer to avoid the Walletjes (scruffy red-light district slightly east of the station) in the evening. Not dangerous, just depressingly full of people out for a 'good time' without much idea of one beyond getting drunk and shouting a lot.
On the other hand, there are some attractive and interesting bits further east of there.
You're most likely, though, to be in and around Jordaan (west of where you're staying, or the antique shop areas nearer the Rijksmuseum, around Spiegelgracht. You might not be in Leidseplein too much, though it's all a matter of taste.
I'd suggest taking a canal cruise to get some idea of what places look interesting to you. You can do a sort of tram tour by taking a tram from the station and changing at the Concertgebouw to one that'll take you back to the station another way (number 5 one way, 16 or 24 the other).
Try www.channels.nl for some online phototours.
Nov 10th, 2005, 05:02 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed at a B&B about 6 blocks the other side of Leidseplein in Sept. and while Leidseplein was a bit crowded and touristy for us, there were some good restaurants just past it from your direction. Lange Leidsedwarsstraat and Korte Leidsedwarstraat were the streets, I believe. All kinds of ethnic foods at reasonable prices. Two favorites were Mykanos (Greek, obviously) and a Tibetan/Nepalese restaurant, Sherpa. Far far better than the so-called Tibetan restaurant off the Dam. Also a pancake place we liked just at the corner of Weteringschans just past the little park with all the bronze lizards off Leidseplein - Pancake Corner, I believe. Much greater selection of savory Dutch pancakes than most places.
We were there 10 days, walked miles and miles, and found that walking seemed very fast - interesting things to look at, I guess. About the only time we took trams was when we were heading to the station to take a train elsewhere.
We were there 10 days, walked miles and miles, and found that walking seemed very fast - interesting things to look at, I guess. About the only time we took trams was when we were heading to the station to take a train elsewhere.
Nov 14th, 2005, 07:53 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
We were in Amsterdam last June and walked everywhere, until all hours of the night. It's a charming city, and we felt very safe there. We did skip the Red Light District, as it's not our style. The museumplein (sp?) is a nice area for restaurants and shops.
You will probably love Amsterdam. Its canals are beautiful. And it's a good idea to take a canal cruise to get oriented. It's especially pretty in the evening.
If you search for my trip report of London-Paris-Amsterdam, you will find my recommendations for great restaurants and cafes we found there. We didn't stay at the Hotel Toren, but I'd considered it, too. I believe it's in a fine neighborhood.
Have fun
You will probably love Amsterdam. Its canals are beautiful. And it's a good idea to take a canal cruise to get oriented. It's especially pretty in the evening.
If you search for my trip report of London-Paris-Amsterdam, you will find my recommendations for great restaurants and cafes we found there. We didn't stay at the Hotel Toren, but I'd considered it, too. I believe it's in a fine neighborhood.
Have fun
