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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Aalderink

Aalderink is the oldest and most reputable dealer of Asian Art and Ethnographics in the Netherlands, specializing in fine Japanesenetsuke andokimono .
Albert Cuypmarkt

Shabby but vibrant, De Pijp is a district where a wide mix of immigrants, artists, students and young couples create a heady atmosphere. Albert Cuypmarkt, which has been trading since 1904, is its bustling hub. The street it occupies, once a canal, was named after Dutch landscape painter Albert Cuyp. With around 350 stalls, backed by all manner of shops and ethnic restaurants, it’s an unmissable experience. Typically Dutch food stalls – cheese, fish, waffles – jostle merrily with clothes, fabrics, shoes and bags, all selling at rock-bottom prices.
Amstel River

No visit to Amsterdam is complete without a walk along the banks of the Amstel, the river whose mouth spawned a fishing settlement in the 12th century (see c. 1125: First Settlers). In 1222 the river was dammed, and Amsterdam turned from fishing to trade – the beginning of its expansion. Commercial barges still ply the river, passing Blauwbrug (Blue Bridge), inspired by thebelle époque Pont Alexandre III in Paris, the much-loved Magere Brug, and the Amstelsluizen (sluice gates), which help to pump millions of gallons of fresh water into the canals to keep them from stagnating.
April

A large, modern, comfortable gay bar that’s great for reading a newspaper in the day or meeting up for drinks pre-clubbing. Unusual feature: the circular back bar revolves when it gets busy.
Aronson Antiquairs

David Aronson opened this prestigious gallery around 1900; now it is run by his great-and great-great-grandsons. Early Delftware, continental 17th-and 18th-century furniture, plus Chinesefamille verte andfamille rose porcelain – much of it rare.
Backstage

A bizarre café-cum-crochet store run by Gary, one half of the legendary “Christmas Twins”, a US cabaret duo. Pop in here for some “foam in rome” (cappucino), a spontaneous horoscope reading by Gary, or simply for cake and gossip.
Beddington’s

The menu at Jean Beddington’s new restaurant is truly international, offering exciting dishes with hints of Japan, the Mediterranean and England.
Bloemenmarkt

Undoubtedly one of Amsterdam’s most picturesque sights, the flower market is a magnet for tourists. There are local shoppers too, buying armfuls for their houses, while visitors arrange for bulbs to be mailed home. Vendors once sailed up the Amstel from their nurseries to this spot on the Singel, selling their wares directly from their boats. Nowadays the stalls are still floating, though you wouldn’t know it as they feel firmly fixed.
Bloemenmarkt

The legendary floating flower market.
Chocolate Bar

This trendy lounge barrestaurant is a relatively new adddition to the Pijp area.

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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