Amsterdam A-Z Part II -

Kerk: It means ´church´ in Dutch. For example, Oude Kerk, the one in the middle of the Red Light District which I will explain later. The second half of the alphabet begins now.

Leidseplein: A square full of restaurants, clubs, pubs and theatres, filled with jugglers, mimes and street artists that entertain the passers-by. Also, it´s a lively place and very popular.

Market (Flower): At the Bloemenmarkt, they have been selling all kinds of flowers and plants for over 140 years. However, if there´s a flower that stands out above the rest that´s the tulip. It´s a curious place because it´s a floating market, which you can find on the quay of the Singel Canal.

Nieuwe Kerk: This Gothic church is located on Dam Square and was built in the 15th century. It took 150 years for the construction to finish and this monument has hosted quite a few royal weddings and coronations since the beginning of the 19th century.

Oude Kerk: Located in the middle of the Red Light District, this church is the oldest in the city (dating from 1306). It´s a Calvinist church and they say that it was the place that all sailors went to to confess when they arrived in Amsterdam after sleeping with a prostitute. That way, they killed two birds with one stone.

Photo via mark.hogan

Prostitution: The famous Red Light District is a district filled with one-room cabins with red lights where there´s a prostitute that will charge you 50 euros for a 15-minute service. Anything else and they will charge you extra. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands and the girls pay taxes and have a stipulated 8-hour working day.

Quay: With all the canals in Amsterdam, there are many quays where you can go and enjoy a nice drink on a terrace. Move away from the city centre towards the Singel and Herengracht canals and find a quiet place to enjoy some peace. Also, you can enjoy many of the boats that are docked there, as some are very colourful and unique.

Rijksmuseum: The Rijksmuseum is perhaps the most famous museum in Amsterdam, a museum where you can enjoy works of art from Dutch artists such as Vermeer, Rembrandt and Hals.

Spui: If this square in Amsterdam is famous for anything that´s for its books and art stalls in the street. Spui is lively and filled with young people, located next to the University and a couple of blocks away from the Begijnhof district. Some time ago, this square was the city´s border, the end of Amsterdam. Today, the city has grown so much that it´s now a central square.

Tolerance: It´s the word that best describes Dutch people, especially in terms of drugs and prostitution. Nobody gives anybody funny looks and everyone gets on with each other. Which is nice.

Underground: The metro is the ideal transport if you want to get to places on time, not by bus, car or bicycle. Also, it´s excellently connected.

Vondelpark: This is the park par excellence in Amsterdam, a great place to go cycling and get lost among the trees, have a picnic or simply relax on one of the terraces. This park, declared a National monument, is 111 acres big, the city´s biggest green lung.

Westerkerk: The most striking thing about it is its tower, which is 279 feet tall. Its bell weighs six tons and from the top you can take some of the best photos in the city. If you want to go up it, though, you will have to book in advance, since it´s one of the most sought-after landmarks in Amsterdam.

XXX: The 3 ´X´s are the symbol of the city. They are on its flag and although there are many theories about it, nobody is really sure where they come from.

Yab-Yum: Yab-Yum was perhaps the most famous brothel in Amsterdam, a calling point for all foreigners who fancied a bit of fun in the city. Just like the Bulldog is one of the most famous coffee shops, Yab-Yum was the brothel. However, if you fancy checking it out, we´re afraid it has been closed down. Nevertheless, there´s plenty more to choose from!

Zeedijk: Zeedijk is one of the most central streets in Amsterdam, a street where you can shop, have a coffee and a spliff, enjoy some excellent microbreweries or peer in some of its unique shops. Oh, and Zeedijk is in the heart of Chinatown so find some of the best Chinese cuisine this side of the Amstel river.

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