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Attractions
Amsterdam is a city that has something to offer everyone. The narrow streets and over 160 tree lined canals remain a strong feature originating from the 17th century, when this was the richest city in Europe.
There are still the traditional and picturesque attractions in Amsterdam, such as tulips, windmills, cheeses and well-stocked art galleries. Yet modern Amsterdam is as famous today for its relaxed atmosphere and liberal attitudes to almost everything, including drug laws and the red light district, making it less quaint, but scandalously different.
Red Light District
Beer and party atmosphere, sex for sale, and limitless people-watching. These erotic theaters, barely dressed women -old, young, black, white, Asian, fat, skinny, ugly, beautiful pose in windows, lick their lips, and try to lure visitors inside. The stores are full of hardcore videos, magazines, and sex toys complete the attractions in this sexual amusement park.
Canals
The canals provide a leisurely pace from which to observe Amsterdam's unique architecture and street life. By day-time already very charming, by night they become even more enchanting because a lot of canal houses and bridges are illuminated. The four main city center canals are Prinsengracht, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Singel, but there are numerous smaller canals, of which the Brouwersgracht, the Bloemgracht and the Leliegracht are especially pleasant.
Jordaan
Once a working class area, Amsterdam’s Jordaan has become very sought after. Especially the converted warehouses are popular, and the Jordaan is now inhabited by a colorful mixture of students, well-doing businessmen and creative professionals.
There are no major sights to see, but it's the Jordaan area itself that is remarkable: with its own traditions and its own informal and relaxed atmosphere with narrow streets, picturesque canals, brown cafes, art galleries and unique shops.
Especially in the streets which connect the three main canals - Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht - you will find a lot of interesting, sometimes amusing shops and cafes.
Leidseplein
The square of Leidseplein is one of Amsterdam's popular centers for nightlife. With hundreds of restaurants, clubs and cinemas in the area, the Leidseplein is live especially on warm summer evenings. Street musicians, jugglers and other performers make the square a lively place until the early hours.
Dam
Dam Square is the very center of Amsterdam. In contrast to its turbulent history, the square is now a peaceful place and is home to gaggles of pigeons. The Royal Palace is sitauted to the west of the sqaure.
Rembrandtplein
Rembrandtplein square developed into
a centre for nightlife with the opening of various hotels and cafes. The popularity of Rembrandtplein has perversed, and the cafe terraces are packed during summer with people
enjoying a pleasant drink and watching the world go by.
Royal Palace
Built as the town hall, the building's Classical facade and fine sculptures were intended
to glorify the city and its government.
Vondelpark
The Vondelpark is located in the south of Amsterdam, just five minutes walk from the Leidseplein and in walking distance from the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum and Van Gogh Museum. With 10 million visitors a year, the Vondelpark is the most famous park of the Netherlands.
Albert Cuyp
The Albert Cuyp market is the largest and busiest outdoor market in Europe.
Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is an enclosed courtyard dating from the early 14th century. Houses in Begijnhof are still occupied by single women.
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