Amsterdam Apartment Types
Amsterdam Apartment Types
Amsterdam - the city of canals and the capital city of the Netherlands- is a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis famed for its bicycles, nightlife and nonchalant approach to life. The cultural and financial centre of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is a popular destination home to impressive architecture, great shopping and key business institutions.
History
According to local legend Amsterdam was founded by two fishermen who landed on the shores of the Amstel in a small boat with their sea-sick dog. Amsterdam is more likely to have originated with the construction of the dam across the Amstel – Amestelledamme - in 1275 and the consequent settlement that formed. In the 14th century Amsterdam was granted city rights and flourished. In the 16th century following Dutch rebellion and the Eighty Years’ War the Dutch gained independence. The 17th century was Amsterdam’s Golden Age where the city became the wealthiest and most financially important in the world and ships sailed to Brazil, Africa, India, North America amongst other destinations creating a worldwide trading network and the world’s first stock exchange. In the 18th and 19th centuries Amsterdam’s prosperity declined but in 1815 the establishment of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was a turning point. The end of the 19th century was Amsterdam’s second Golden Age where new museums, a train station and Concertgebouw were built and the Industrial Revolution reached the city. Various important canals were built including the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal and the North Sea Canal and shortly before WWI the city expanded greatly and new suburbs were built. After WWII more suburbs with vast open spaces and sprawling parks were built and the city underwent a mass regeneration project. Amsterdam today is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands and a major tourist and business hub of Europe.
Getting In & Getting Around
Schipol International Airport is the largest in the country and the fourth largest in Europe serving over 100 airlines and 200 destinations. Schipol Airport is 15km (9 miles) southwest of the city with trains and shuttle buses connecting the airport with the city centre. Amsterdam Centraal Station is a major transport hub with services going to and from a range of European destinations including Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Prague and many more. Ferry services operate from the UK to the Netherlands with numerous passenger ferries and cruise ships docking near Amsterdam. Amsterdam city centre is relatively compact and unusually flat making it easy to navigate on foot. Bicycle is a great way to get around, the city centre is very bike friendly and there are bike rental shops all over. Trams are the main mode of public transport in the city with over 18 lines operating in and around the centre. Dozens of bus routes serve the city along with four metro lines.
Culture, Sights and Attractions
With one of the largest historic centres in Europe, with around 7,000 registered historic buildings, there is much to see in Amsterdam. With 165 canals, 90 islands connected with 400 bridges the city is like no other and a canal boat tour is a great way to see the city and its beautiful scenery and charming architecture. The city boasts a large selection of museums with some of the finest, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank Museum the NEMO Museum and most unusual, VodkaMuseum Amsterdam, in Europe. Amsterdam is a great shopping destination with a wide selection of shops and boutiques on offer particularly on Leidsestraat and Kalverstraat. There are a number of fantastic open air markets held all around the city including the colourful bloemenmarkt (flower market), boerenmarkt (organic food market) and the cosmopolitan food and clothes market in Albert Cuypstraat. Vondelpark, the 120 acres of green space in the centre of the city, is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and is the venue for regular open air concerts during the summer months.
Eating Out
As an extremely cosmopolitan metropolis, Amsterdam has a diverse range of cuisine on offer for you to enjoy from Asian to Dutch, from all-you-can-eat buffets to top-notch fine dining. Local cheese is renowned for being excellent and can be found at the Albert Cyupstraat market or at speciality cheese shops all around the city centre. Dutch beer, Heineken and Amstel, is a must when visiting Amsterdam. Enjoy a frosty glass with local specialities such as bitterballen (a type of fried meatball) and Vlaamse Frites (large fries served with mayonnaise).
Outside The City
Almost everywhere in the Netherlands can be reached within three hours of Amsterdam by public transport. Haarlem is a beautiful historic city in the heart of the main flower growing region and is just 15 minutes away by train. A great day trip is to cycle from Amsterdam to Haarlem and Leiden, through the fields of flowers and see traditional windmills along the way. Zaanse Schans, less than twenty minutes away by train, is an open air conservation area on the banks of the river Zaan where you can see traditional architecture of green wooden houses and clog and cheese making workshops. Rotterdam and The Hague are also easily reached, just an hour train ride away.
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