10th EMDR European Conference
Information Amsterdam
INFORMATION ABOUT AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam - a compact metropolis!
How best to introduce a unique city that has so much to offer? Amsterdam is bursting with atmosphere and culture and affords a perfect mixture of history and the energy of a trendy metropolis. At the same time, Amsterdam is compact and all the city's tourist attractions and places of interest lie within walking distance from one another.
Moving around Amsterdam
You don't fancy walking? No problem! Amsterdam's many trams, buses and metro lines will take you exactly where you want to go. One of the nicest ways of exploring Amsterdam is by water. So don't miss going on a tour of the city's canals on one of the many canal boats. You can also do as the occupants of Amsterdam themselves and explore the city by bicycle. Amsterdam is made for biking with special bicycle paths and traffic lights. There are lots of bicycle rental services in the city's centre.
Cultural treasure-chest
In the 17th century - the Dutch ‘Golden Age' - Amsterdam already attracted numerous well-to-do travellers, who were curious to see ‘the miracle of Europe', when Amsterdam within a short time evolved into one of the wealthiest and most prosperous cities in the world. Today, the art treasures from this Golden Age in the many museums testify to the glory of that era. Even so, it was only after 1950 that the international travel sector began to properly discover the unique character of Amsterdam's city centre and its museums.
Historical atmosphere
What makes Amsterdam so very attractive is the way it combines the historical atmosphere of its 17th -century city centre with all the attractions of a modern metropolis. The small-scale houses and buildings and the intimate narrow streets and ancient squares create a unique atmosphere. Part of the friendly atmosphere the city owes to its own occupants, many of whom speak a remarkable range of foreign languages.
Amsterdam, a unique shopping town
If you like shopping, Amsterdam's the place for you. Amsterdam is the largest shopping city in the Netherlands, with 10,334 shops, 141 galleries, 165 antique dealers and 26 open-air markets. No other city in the Netherlands has such a wide variety of shops. Department stores and boutiques in busy shopping streets like Damrak, Rokin, Kalverstraat, Leidsestraat and P.C. Hooftstraat attract thousands of visitors, as do the trendy colourful little shops in the streets between the canals and in the Jordaan district. The shops and department stores in the centre of Amsterdam are also open on Sundays.
Fine arts and antiques
Amsterdam is also an important art-trading centre, with two international auctioneering firms and hundreds of galleries and antique dealers, most of which can be found in the 17th-century city centre, especially in Spiegelstraat, Rokin and their environs. Amsterdam offers art lovers high quality art at very reasonable prices.
Top quality diamond-cutting ever since the 16th century
The same holds for the many diamond-cutting establishments in Amsterdam. Since 1586, the year in which the first diamond cutter started business here, Amsterdam has grown into an important diamond centre. The city's diamond dealers receive an estimated 1,000,000 visitors a year, who come here to find out how the term ‘Amsterdam cutting' came to imply top-quality cutting to experts.
Schiphol, gateway to Europe
Thanks to its favourable position in northwestern Europe, Amsterdam has evolved into an important gateway to Europe. A key factor in this respect is Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, which, receiving 31.6 million passengers a year, is now the fourth most important airport in Europe, after those of London, Paris and Frankfurt. Schiphol is greatly appreciated by travellers for its efficiency and comfort, and, above all, its excellent range of cheap, well-stocked tax-free shops. Schiphol connects Amsterdam to 240 different cities worldwide.
Rail, road and cruise-port
Amsterdam can also be easily reached from all European cities by road and by rail - with 40 international trains arriving a day. Moreover, Amsterdam ranks among the most important cruise ports in Europe, with approximately 90 cruise ships mooring at the city's terminals every year.
Tourist information
VVV Amsterdam Tourist Office is the official information source for everything you want to know to make your stay in Amsterdam truly memorable. Offices are open daily. Visit them for last minute accommodation reservations and many other entertainment options, including city walks, theatre and concert tickets, museum entrance tickets, excursions, canal trips, maps of Amsterdam and Holland, guide books on Amsterdam and surroundings, public transport tickets and souvenirs. The Amsterdam Pass gives you 24 hrs, 48 hrs or 72 hrs of public transportation, free entry or substantial discounts to many of Amsterdam's museums and other attractions.
Information offices
- Stationsplein, opposite Central Station
- Central station, platform 2
- Leidseplein, corner of Leidsestraat
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, arrivals 2
- http://www.visitamsterdam.nl/
