Even today we're not going to the viewing platform of the A'DAM Lookout. It rarely rains and it doesn't rain too much, but the visibility is just too bad.
From the Amstel to the Nieuw Markt
We start right after breakfast. We take the tram to Oosteinde and follow the Amstel into town. There is a lot to see here. You can find a lot of information in our article Amsterdam attractions.
We pass the Royal Theater, the Magere Brug and the Hermitage Amsterdam. Then we cross the Blauwbrug, walk past the opera house, across the flea market on Waterlooplein and are already in front of the Rembrandt House, the artist's home and work place. It's picturesque here: across the street a lock, next to it a tiny old house with the Café Slyswacht and behind it the Oudeschans Canal with the Keizersbrug.
By the way, Amsterdam has more canals than Venice and around 1280 bridges. Next we look at the Zuiderkerk and then the Waag at the Nieuw Markt.
Amsterdam's red light district
Then it is the turn of the red light district. In Amsterdam this is a completely normal neighborhood. Women in shop windows, the erotic museum and in the middle of it the beautiful Oude Kerk with the oldest church bell in town. Many Amsterdam citizens are buried here, including Rembrandt's wife. Church services are still held in the Oude Kerk, but it is mainly used for changing exhibitions.
Art installation in the Oude Kerk
On the Oudekerkplein not far from the entrance to the church stands the sculpture “Belle”, a tribute to sex workers all over the world. And a plate in the floor "de gestreelde borst" shows a breast that is touched by a hand. Amsterdam is very special.
At noon we drive back to the Azamara Journey. The cruise terminal is close to the center of Amsterdam, and with a busy daytime program, a break is not bad.
Around the Dam
In the afternoon we take the tram from the cruise terminal to the Dam, the central square of Amsterdam. There are many representative buildings on Dam Square. First there is the Royal Palace. It is only used for representation and can be visited. In the magnificent Nieuwe Kerk, the former coronation church, exhibitions, concerts and the like take place today. The national monument, a 22 meter high obelisk, commemorates the victims of the German occupation.
De Bijenkorf department store is also one of the buildings worth seeing. Since it's raining again, we take a closer look at the department store. We like the many different restaurants on the top floor best. A very idyllic outdoor area with a view of Amsterdam's roofs is also part of it. We go back to the Oude Kerk and pass the Beurs van Berlage, the oldest stock exchange in the world. We are interested in the exhibition that is being shown in the Oude Kerk. At the same time we visit this impressive church.
Between Damrak and Singel
Finally, we stroll through the area behind Damrak and the Magna Plaza shopping center.
We stroll through the alleys to the Singel, the former moat. The Singel, together with the Kloveniersburgwal, encloses the old Amsterdam, today's center. Amsterdam is an interesting city. How many times have we been to Amsterdam? And every time there is something new to discover or something that has already been seen needs to be refreshed.
Oudezijds Kolk
In keeping with the destination of Amsterdam, there is the Dutch Dinner Buffet in the Windows Café in the evening: a wide variety of Dutch specialties, e.g. fish in delicious variations and an opulent selection of cheese. We couldn't stop eating.
Continue reading: Day 8 - Ostend, Belgium
