Scene: a cafe terrace near the Spui. Our friend Wim, the graphic designer, has just signed up for a fancy new fiat in Amsterdam-Noord, and despite the snickers around the table ('Noord's sooo downmarket!') he's in the mood to celebrate. The Dutch economy is purring, and Wim has taken an interest-free mortgage with plans to resell in a few years. As do most people here tonight, but no-one says so - talking personal finances is in bad taste. But everyone agrees that long before it's finished, the new Metro line is already boosting real estate across the city.

"The guidebook gurus" as quoted by Travel Weekly.

42 days of in-city research, five walking tours, three cycling tours,18 detailed maps.

Colour Architecture chapter shows the contrast between Amsterdam's classic and modern styles.  Local insights from a film director, a boat-tour operator and an author.

Content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveller insights.

INTRODUCING

AMSTERDAM

HIGHLIGHTS

THE AUTHOR

GETTING STARTED

When to Go

Costs & Money

Internet Resources

Sustainable Amsterdam

BACKGROUND

History

Culture

Arts

Environment & Planning

Government & Politics

Architecture

Media

Language

NEIGHBOURHOODS

Itinerary Builder

City Centre

Jordaan

Western Canal Belt

Southern Canal Belt

01d South

Vondelpark & Around

De Pijp

Plantage, Eastern Islands

& Eastern Docklands

0osterpark & Around

Outer Districts

Further Afield

SHOPPING

City Centre

Jordaan

Western Canal Belt

Southern Canal Belt

01d South

Vondelpark & Around

De Pijp

Plantage, Eastern islands

& Eastern Docklands

Outer Districts

EATING

City Centre

Jordaan

Western Canal Belt

Southern Canal Belt

01d South

Vondelpark & Around

De Pijp

Plantage, Eastern Islands

& Eastern Docklands

0osterpark & Around

Outer Districts

DRINKING &

SMOKING

City Centre

Jordaan

Western Canal Belt

Southern Canal Belt

01d South

Vundelpark & Around

De Pijp

Plantage, Eastern Islands

& Eastern Docklands

0osterpark & Around

NIGHTLIFE & THE

ARTS

Clubbing

Rock, Jazz & Blues

World Music

Classical Music

Cinema

Comedy

Theatre, Dance & Spoken

Word

GAY & LESBIAN

AMSTERDAM

Shopping

Drinking & Nightlife

Sleeping

Further Resources

SLEEPING

City Centre

Jordaan

Western Canal Belt

Southern Canal Belt

01d South

Vondelpark & Around

De PUP

Plantage, Eastern Islands

& Eastern Docklands

0osterpark & Around

Outer Districts

DAY TRIPS

Haarlem

Leiden

Utrecht

Alkmaar

Zaanse Schans

Aalsmeer

TRANSPORT

DIRECTORY

LANGUAGE

BEHIND THE

SCENES

INDEX

WORLD TIME

ZONES

MAP LEGEND