posted by Traveller on Aug 17

When you have one free day in Amsterdam, you can consider to spend you time exploring the Amsterdam Old Center. To explore the Old Center, a good starting point will the The Dam. You can then finish off the tour at the Centraal Station.

Explore the Amsterdam Old Center by foot will probably take you about 4 hours to complete.  However, if you spend more time in museums, cafes etc, it could be longer. Any way, you are on the tour, why is there a need to hurry?  This Old Center walking tour will start from the Nieuwe Zijde (New Side) and goes into the Oude Zijde (Old side). 

At The Dam vicinity, are attractions are, of course The Dam itself (this is the city’s main monumental square), the Royal Place (Koninklijk Paleis), New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), De Drie Fleschjes, The Beehive (De Bijenkorf), Madame Tussaud’s.

At the Dam, you will find the Nationaal Monument which is a 22m (72-ft) obelisk that is dedicated in 1956 to honor the World War II dead.  The Royal Place was constructed between 1648 and 1655 as the Town Hall (Stadhuis). Later on, this was chosen to be the royal family’s official residence. Pop into The Beehive as it is the Amsterdam city’s best-known department stores.  It is also one that has the best variety of goods. If you need a break, there are also eateries in The Beehive such as La Ruche and Literair Café to give you some energy.

Two museums to drop by are, Amsterdams Historisch Museum and Museum Amstelkring. 

At the Amsterdams Historisch Museum, you will be able to see a collection of artifacts, archaeological finds, cloths, jewellery, maps, paintings and sculptures. This museum is Amsterdam city’s most fascinating one charting the history of Amsterdam. This museum was once a convent and it became the city orphanage in 1580.  In 1960, the orphans moved out and the museum moved in 1975.

Amsterdam Madame Tussau’s is another version of the famous London attraction. Its waxen Dutch are Rembrandt, Queen Beatrix, Mata Hari and many others. From this building, you can see the view of the Dam via the enormous “round window”.

Among others, drop by Begijnhof, Spui, Gebed Zonder End, House on Three Canals, Agnietenkapel, Oudemanhuispoort, Poppenhuis, Trippenhuis, East India House, Amsterdams Brouwuhuis Maximiliaanm De Wagg, Oude Kerk, St. Nicholas’ Church and finally end at the Centraal Station.

The Centraal Station (a red-brick neo-Renaissance building) designed by Petrus Josephus Hubertus Cuypers was build upon 26,000 wooden piles. In front of the Cantraal Station is the Stationsplein.  Over here, you will experience organ-grinders, street musicians, jugglers, backpackers, tram stops, taxis, bicycles and daily commuters. At the Stationsplien, you should visit the VVV Amsterdam tourist office to find out more about Amsterdam places of attractions.  Wonder around this area to have an experience.

The Amsterdam Old Center tour is something you should not missed when you are in Amsterdam.  Plan your Amsterdam Travel today. Visit VVV Amsterdam for more tourist information.

Picture Reference:
The Public Domain picture Thalys Amsterdam Centraal is taken from Wikipedia.
http://www.fibcool.com/images/ne/amsterdam2.jpg