Amsterdam, Netherlands — Activities
Amsterdam Culture
Amsterdam has always had a vibrant and varied cultural scene but over the last few decades it has blossomed, thanks to a renewed interest in Dutch culture. Amsterdam is a musical city, offering a range of musical styles from street performers and carillons (bell towers) to the more highbrow midday and evening performances in the Concertgebouw, which is noted for its superb acoustics.
On most summer evenings, it is possible for punters to attend an organ concert or a recital of baroque chamber music in one of Amsterdam's magnificent old churches, such as Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk.
Tickets to cultural events can be booked through Amsterdams Uitburo, Leidseplein 26 (tel: (020) 621 1311; www.amsterdamsuitburo.nl).
Music and Dance
Concertgebouw (Concert Hall)
The Concertgebouw is not only home to the world-famous Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Mariss Jansons, but also plays host to visiting companies and international soloists. Free concerts take place in either the Grote Zaal (Great Hall) or Kleine Zaal (Recital Hall) of the Concertgebouw, on Wednesdays 1230-1300.
Concertgebouwplein 10
Tel: 0900 671 8345.
Website: www.concertgebouw.nl
Muziektheater (Opera House)
The Muziektheater is home to the Dutch National Ballet, considered one of the best and most versatile companies in Western Europe, and the Netherlands Opera. The world-famous theater also plays host to the Netherlands Dance Theater, Holland's other world-class ballet company, as well as foreign companies. Situated on a curve of the Amstel, in the heart of the city, this cultural landmark is, despite its size (it can seat 1,600), amazingly intimate.
Amstel 3
Tel: (020) 551 8117.
Website: www.muziektheater.nl
Theater
Koninklijk Theater Carré (Royal Theater Carré)
Koninklijk Theater Carré is Amsterdam's most famous theater, formerly home to a circus. Musicals and cabaret find a home in the Theater Carré, situated on the River Amstel, and in the nearby Kleine Komedie (www.dekleinekomedie.nl), a charming little theater dating back to 1786.
Amstel 115-125
Tel: (020) 252 5255.
Website: www.theatercarre.nl
Stadsschouwburg (Municipal Theater)
Located on the popular Leidseplein, the Stadsschouwburg is an impressive 19th-century building that often stages English-language theater productions, as well as dance performances. Numerous lively restaurants and bars in the neighborhood are perfect for before or after performance refreshments.
Leidseplein 26
Tel: (020) 624 2311.
Website: www.stadsschouwburgamsterdam.nl
Film
Tuschinski
Amsterdam is also known for its arty cinemas. The art deco Tuschinski shows films from all over the world. Films are rarely dubbed into Dutch but are shown in the original language with subtitles.
Reguliersbreestraat 26-34
Tel: 0900 1458.
Website: www.pathe.nl/tuschinski
Amsterdam Tours
Walking tours
The Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board offers a number of interesting walking tours. Lasting from 2 to 3-and-a-half hours, these tours are designed to allow visitors to get to know the Center, the Jordaan, Jewish Amsterdam and the Pijp. Find out more and by tickets from the VVV Amsterdam Tourist Office.
VVV Amsterdam Tourist Office
Tel: 0900 400 4040.
Website: www.iamsterdam.com
Bus tours
The Stop/Go minibus is run by GVB. The hop-on, hop-off bus circles away from the Centraal Station and curves around the Prinsengracht canal towards Waterlooplein and then back. It leaves every 12 minutes and, as there are no dedicated stops, passengers just tell the driver where they want to get off. Standard public transport strippenkaarten for one zone are valid, as are day cards, otherwise, tickets are available for purchase from the driver.
Tel: 0900 899 8585.
Website: www.gvb.nl
Boat tours
Probably the best way to see Amsterdam is from one of the many canal tour boats available. Boat tour companies include Lindbergh, Damrak 26, and Lovers, opposite Prins Hendrikkade 25-27. Passengers can choose either to go once in a loop or use the boats as a hop-on, hop-off way of getting around the main attractions. Other boat tours that combine the cruises with visits to various museums or take in the canals by night are also available.
Lindbergh
Tel: (020) 622 2766.
Website: www.lindbergh.nl
Lovers
Tel: (020) 530 5412.
Website: www.lovers.nl
Bicycle tours
Yellow Bike operates tours between April and November, including tours of the Vondelpark and the Jordaan district. Tours are conducted in Dutch or English but German, French, Spanish or Italian speaking guides can also be arranged on request. All tours depart from Nieuwezijds Kolk 29, which is a five-minute walk from the Centraal Station.
Tel: (020) 620 6940.
Website: www.yellowbike.nl
Sports Activities
Sport
Football is the favorite sport in Amsterdam and the city is home to Ajax (website: www.ajax.nl), one of the top Dutch football teams, along with PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord Rotterdam. Ajax is ranked among the top European clubs, thanks to their success over the years in major European competitions. The team plays at the spectacularly high-tech Amsterdam Arena, Arena Boulevard 29 (tel: (020) 311 1444; fax: (020) 311 1480; website: www.amsterdamarena.nl). If there are no matches being played, visitors can still look around the Arena’s World of Ajax museum (tel: (020) 311 1333), which charts the history of the club, as well as take a tour of the stadium. Admission to the museum is €3.50. A valid passport is required to buy match tickets. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) organizes the Dutch Football League, which is divided into the Eredivisie (major league) and Eerste Divisie (premier league).
A truly spectacular sight in Amsterdam in winter is a frozen canal – all the more so when the local people don their skates and claim the smart Keizergracht as their own ice rink.
Formula One racing fans might want to visit Zandvoort, 5km (3 miles) west of Haarlem, where the Dutch Grand Prix used to be held, before it was cancelled due to safety reasons.
Tickets to sporting events are available for purchase direct from the football clubs and individual venues.
Fitness Centers: Club Sportif, Valkenburgerstraat 28 (tel: (020) 620 6631; fax: (020) 638 3531), offers aerobics, tennis and fitness facilities. It is open Monday to Friday 1000-2400 and Saturday and Sunday 1000-1800. Fitness Aerobic Center Jansen, Rokin 109-111 (tel: (020) 626 9366), is open Monday to Friday 1000-2230 and Saturday and Sunday 1200-2000. The two new Splash Healthclubs (website: www.healthclubsplash.nl) are located at Lijnbaansgracht 243 (tel: (020) 422 0280) and Looiersgracht 26-30 (tel: (020) 624 8404).
Golf: Amstelborgh, Borchlandweg 6-12 (tel: (020) 563 3333; fax: (020) 697 1306; e-mail: info@golfclubamstelborgh.nl; website: www.golfclubamstelborgh.nl) is a nine-hole public course, where the green fees start at €10. It is located a 10-minute walk from Duivendrecht metro station. Amsterdamse Golfclub, Bauduinlaan 35 (tel: (020) 497 7866; website: www.amsterdamsegolfclub.nl) is an 18-hole course built in a reclaimed polder. Green fees are between €30 and €35 and membership is not required.
Tennis: Frans Otten Stadium, Stadionstraat 10 (tel: (020) 662 8767; fax: (020) 577 1145; website: www.fransottenstadion.nl) has tennis courts. It is open Monday to Friday 0700-0100, Saturday and Sunday 1000-1800. Hire of a court costs from €15.
