DK Travel : Amsterdam : Eastern Canal Ring

Begun in the early 17th century, the Grachtengordelwas extended further east to reach the Amstel in the 1660s, making new plots of land available for wealthy merchants to build their luxurious if sober town houses. Among the highlights of the area are two such patrician mansions, the Museum Van Loon and the Museum Willet-Holthuysen. Medieval Amsterdam is recalled at the Munttoren, whose base was once part of the Regulierspoort, a gate in the city wall; by contrast, you can see the modern city in full swing in lively Rembrandtplein, formerly a butter market. There are diverse opportunities for shopping among the antiques of the Spiegelkwartier, at the colourful Bloemenmarkt, and at vibrant Albert Cuypmarkt; or you could catch a movie at Abraham Tuschinski’s extraordinary 1921 cinema, now lovingly restored and offering six screens. And to refresh the parts that other beers may or may not be able to reach, you can visit the original Heineken Brewery for a guided tour and a free beer.

Check out new photography museum Foam at Keizersgracht 609.

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Munttoren

Take a close look at the Mint Tower (it was briefly used as the city mint in 1673). Its bottom half is the remnant of a gate in the medieval city wall. When the gate burned down in 1618, Hendrick de Keyser slapped one of his clock towers (see Noorderkerk) on top of the remains. The carillon of 1699 rings every 15 minutes. Today, there is a gift shop on the ground floor.
Museum Van Loon

A chance to see inside a private canal house, whose grand yet approachable 18thcentury interior recreates a bygone age (see Museum Van Loon).
Museum Willet-Holthuysen

Though it lacks the lived-in feel of the Museum Van Loon, this 17th-century canal house has its own special atmosphere. An air of stiff formality tinged with melancholy pervades its stately rooms: the Ballroom; the Blue Room, reserved for the men of the house, with painted ceiling by Jacob de Wit; the glittering Dining Room; and the delicate Garden Room, with views over the formal garden. The collections of its last owners, Sandrina Holthuysen and her husband, Abraham Willet, are displayed throughout – paintings, glass, ceramics, silver. The top floors are used for temporary exhibitions. It was the widowed Sandrina who left the house and its contents to the city. She died a lonely death in 1885.
NH Schiller

The bar and restaurant are a gorgeous Art Nouveau escape from touristic Rembrandtplein. Owned for the best part of the last century by painter Frits Schiller, it was a regular meeting place for artists, and still has something of that atmosphere. Schiller’s paintings are displayed throughout the premises.
Onder de Ooievaar

More of a wintertime bar, “Under the Stork” is warm, wooden and spacious.
Rembrandtplein

This former butter market has what you might call a split personality. In its centre is a 19th-century statue of Rembrandt set in a tranquil garden, but around its sides are neon-lit, low-brow and – at night – high-octane bars and cafés, packed with Amsterdammers and visitors alike. This is a great place for an early evening drink; you might choose grand cafés Schiller and De Kroon, as popular at the turn of the 20th century as they are now.
Rose’s Cantina

This Mexican cantina has Tex-Mex down to a tee – the food is varied and delicious, and the margaritas are served in pitchers!
Sichuan Food

Excellent small restaurant on a street with lots of good restaurants - medium priced. The platter of starters is a good choice to split between two people.
Soho

The “English pub formula” worked so well that Soho has become the biggest pint-and punterpuller on Amsterdam’s trendy gay street.
Soup en Zo

This one-stop modern soup kitchen is just a short walk from the Rijksmuseum. Great for takeaways, but some seats are available. Over half the soups are vegetarian.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €20
- €20–€30
- €30–€45
- €45–€60
- over €60