Page 107 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Amsterdam

Central Canal Ring ❮❮ 105

science and arts centre (the name EXPLORING THE CENTRAL
Felix Meritis means “happiness CANAL RING
through merit”), it flourished until the
late 19th century. Later, it became Van Puffelen
headquarters of the Dutch Houseboat De Negen
Museum
Communist Party (CPN), and in the Straatjes
1970s was home to the avant-garde Looier Bijbels
Shaffy Theatre Company. The building Museum
is undergoing major renovation in Het Molenpad Golden
2017 and will reopen for cultural Walem Bend
programmes and events in 2018. Leidsegracht
Leidseplein
Het Grachtenhuis
9 Café Americain From Amsterdam
Canal Cruises (1 km)
MAP L6 • Herengracht 386
• 020 421 1656 • Open 10am– MORNING
5pm Tue–Sun • Closed 27 Apr, This compact area is focused
25 Dec • Admission charge on Amsterdam’s most famous
• www.hetgrachten huis.nl canals, so why not start the day
with a canal tour. Amsterdam
This ornate canal house, designed Canal Cruises start and end on
by Philips Vingboons in 1663–1665, Stadhouderskade, opposite the
was home to several generations of Heineken Brewery. From here,
merchants and bankers. The rooms it’s a short walk to Leidseplein
tell the story of the creation of and welcome refreshment at
Amsterdam’s canal ring. Its ground the Café Americain.
floor has been restored to its Leaving the hubbub of Leidseplein,
former 18th-century splendour. walk along Prinsengracht (passing
the Paleis van Justitie, once the
city orphan age) to elegant
Leidsegracht. If there’s time,
investigate the antiques market,
Antiekcentrum Amsterdam, on
Elandsgracht. For lunch, try
brown cafés Van Puffelen or Het
Molenpad, or healthy fare at
Goodies (see pp106–7).
AFTERNOON
Plunge into De Negen Straatjes
Historical town planning displays, (see p103) for some serious
Het Grachtenhuis shopping in its frivolous shops.
You may not be able to resist the
Leidseplein
0 cakes and chocolate on offer at
Chocolaterie Pompadour (see
MAP C5
One of the city’s main tourist hubs. p108). Pop into the Houseboat
Museum, on Prinsengracht
Sophisticated it is not, tacky and fun opposite Elandsgracht, to
it is, especially in summer, when marvel at how a bargeman and
buskers, street performers, family his family could have lived in
pop groups and lone fire-eaters such a tiny space. Then cross to
keep the throngs amused. A natural Herengracht, which you will have
gathering place, it is packed with seen earlier from the water,
fast-food stalls, cafés and smoking and stroll along, admiring its
coffee shops. Nightspots Melkweg, architectural gems around the
Bijbels Museum and Golden
Paradiso and Holland Casino are Bend (see p103). Rest your weary
close at hand, while for a more feet at Walem’s canal-side
reflective diversion you can play terrace (see p106), while enjoying
chess on a giant outdoor chessboard some nibbles and cocktails.
in adjacent Max Euweplein (see p121).
See map on p102

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