Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the world's best hangouts, a canny blend of old and new: radical squatter art installations hang off 17th-century eaves; BMWs give way to bicycles; and triple-strength monk-made beer is drunk in gleaming, minimalist cafes.

On this page you'll find information to enjoy the ciry at its most. Hire a bike, looking for a restaurant or hotel? We've made you a selection to get you on the way.

Tourist info

The city seems to thrive on its mix and, despite hordes of tourists, still manages to feel quintessentially Dutch. The old crooked houses, the cobbled streets, the tree-lined canals and the generous parks all contribute to the atmosphere.

Amsterdam's centre is enjoyably small-scale, though finding your way around the canal belt can be confusing. The old city is contained within the ring of concentric canals dating from the 17th century that form the crescent-shaped canal belt bordered by the Singelgracht. Think of it as half a bicycle wheel: the medieval city around Centraal Station is the hub, and several main roads, minor canals and the Amstel River function as spokes.

Dam Square, five minutes' walk south of the station, is the centre of town, but there are several other happening 'centres', all within walking distance: Leidseplein, with much of the city's cultural life and nightlife, Rembrandtplein (nightlife), Spui ('intellectual' life) and Museumplein (culture) are just some of the focal points that make the city a joy to explore on foot or by bicycle.

Centraal Station, the central train and bus station, lies on the south bank of the IJ. The airport at Schiphol is 18km (11mi) southwest of the city centre.

-- from the Lonely Planet

Here are a few links about Amsterdam from a tourist's perspective

lonely planet website (Amsterdam)
hotspots.nl
holland tourism information

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Bikes!

If you are going to be in Amsterdam for more days that the tourney we recommend that you rent one for your stay here. Here are the reasons why: The metro and the tram are a 10-15 minute walk from the fields. They cost 1.80 EUR per trip. They stop running at midnight, after that an infrequent night bus. Bikes on the other hand give you complete freedom of mobility and timing...a definite if you plan on staying out past midnight for the party! Biking is convenient, safe, and a lot of fun. Bicycle paths are everywhere, it is a major part of Amsterdam lifestyle.

Bikes generally cost around 18 EUR to rent for three days. You could even be like the Dutch and use one bike for two people. Almost convinced you say? Worried about getting lost? Have no fear, we have secured very detailed maps of Amsterdam for you. So, bikes it is! It’s the number one method of transport in Amsterdam.

Where to rent a bike

Amstel Fietspoint (close to fields) Where: It's in the 'basement' (the entrance to the trams) of the Amstel station. Most of you will get out at this station to get to the fields, if you are coming by public transport.
Costs for the cheapest bike: €6,50 per day (+ €100,- deposit)
You have to show passport or ID-card.
It's opened every day. During the week till 7.30pm and in the weekends till 6.30pm.

MacBike
Phone +31 20 620 09 85
info@macbike.nl
www.macbike.nl

3 Rental Locations :

MacBike Leidseplein
Weteringsschans 2
How to get there: reached by tram nr. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 10; (stop Leidseplein)

MacBike Mr. Visserplein
Mr. Visserplein 2, 1011 RD Amsterdam
How to get there: reached by tram 9, 14, 20 or metro (stop Waterlooplein)

MacBike Central Station Eastpoint
Stationsplein 12, 1012 AB Amsterdam
How to get there: located next to the Central Station and can be reached by train, metro & most trams.

Bike City
Tel. +31 (0)20 626 37 21
info@bikecity.nl
www.bikecity.nl
Address: 68 - 70 Bloemgracht, 1015 TL Amsterdam

Mike's Bikes
Phone +31 20 622 79 70
bike@euronet.nl
www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com
Address: kerkstraat 134, near Leidseplein

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Restaurants

On Friday night there is only limited food at the fields for sale, so better if you fend for yourself in the big bad jungle of Amsterdam, to help we are including this list of some good places to eat mostly in the Centre and Amstedam West, the closest to the fields. You will find the restaurant name, street address and cuisine. Use the metro map from the directions page to find your way.

Close to the fields:

Het Rijk van de Keizer
Formerly a squat house and kitchen that served 12 people, this restaurant has come a long way. Bio ingredients used whenever possible.
Joris van den Berghweg 101-111
1067 HP Amsterdam
020-497 75 06
www.hetrijkvandekeizer.nl

Review websites:

Special bite
Iens

Price Range: up to 15€ per person

Fook Sang
Chinees Indisch Restaurant.
Lambertus Zijlplein 29
1067 Amsterdam
020 6130847
Area: By the fields

Dellamore
Snackbar with pizza and doner kebab
Aalbersestraat 290
1067 GR Amsterdam, Netherlands
020 6148732
Area: By the fields

Burgermeester
It feels as you’re at an Aussie surfer’s beach and eating the best homemade burger around.
Albert Cuypstraat 48
020-6709339
Area: De Pijp
www.burgermeester.eu

Wok to Walk
Cheap and easy and on the Leidseplein
Leidsestraat 96
1017 PE Amsterdam
Telefoon : (020) 624 29 41
Area: Leidesplein

BIRD
Snackbar and restaurant on separate sides of the street. This great Thai food is in the middle of the red light district, thus immediately also entertaining.
Zeedijk 72- 74
1012 BA Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 6201442
Area: Red Light District
www.thai-bird.nl/index_uk.html

YamYam
Hip pizzeria half way to fields from center of amsterdam
Frederik Hendrikstraat 90
1052 HZ Amsterdam
Telefoon : (020) 681 50 97
Area: West
www.yamyam.nl

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Price Range: up to 25€ per person

Le Kade
Cute brown café in oud-west neighbourhood of amsterdam
Jacob van Lennepkade 334 D
020-6124346
Area: West
www.lekade.nl

Simpel
Trendy in the middle of the hip and cool Pijp
Ferdinand Bolstraat 11
020-6720672
Area: De Pijp
www.simpelonline.nl

Rakang
GREAT Thai in the center of the Jordaan a typical Dutch village inside the city.
Elandsgracht 29/31
1016 TM Amsterdam
Telefoon : (020) 620 95 51
Area: Center/Jordaan
www.rakang.nl

The Garlic Queen
No romantic encounters after eating here but its delicious and well worth it.
Reguliersdwarsstraat 27
1017 BJ Amsterdam
(020) 422 64 26
Area: Center/ Leidseplein
www.garlicqueen.nl/

Roses Cantina
Mexican food and margaritas in the heart of Amsterdam
Reguliersdwarsstraat 40
1017 BM Amsterdam
020-6259797
Area: Center/ Leidseplein
www.dobson-uzcudun.com/mexican/roses_cantina.htm

Festina Lente
A cafe /bar in the middle of one of the most charming parts of Amsterdam. Festina serves a wide range of tapas and tasty beers. This place is always crowded with cool locals.
Looiersgracht 40-B
1016 VS Amsterdam
+31 20 6381412
Area: Jordaan
www.cafefestinalente.nl

Café De Jaren
Restaurant and bar often frequented by students.
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20/22
1012 CP Amsterdam
Telefoon : (020) 625 57 71
Area: Center
www.diningcity.nl//cafedejaren/nl/index.html

NO NAME BAR
Cool chill place in the center of Amsterdam that is very popular with locals.
Wolvenstraat 23
020/320-0843
Area: Center
www.spottedbylocals.com/amsterdam/area/canals/bars-canals/wolvenstraat

STOUT
The name means naughty in Dutch. Great place for lunch in the center of Amsterdam and if the weather is good, sit and watch the day go by on one of the outdoor cushions.
Haarlemmerstraat 73
+31206163664
Area: Center

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Price Range: up to 40€ per person

Caffe Oslo
Hip and cool restaurant/bar in oud-west. Italian food: Clientele gets very interesting as the night goes on.
Sloterkade 1A
1058 HD
020-6699663
Area: West
www.caffeoslo.nl

Lieve
For the Belgian in all of us.
Herengracht 88, 1015 BS
Area:Center
www.restaurantlieve.nl/index.php

Pacific Parc
Great space that was earlier a factory. This restaurant turns into a bar with ecletic music for all styles of dancing. Also great for chilling outside with a coffee.
Polonceaukade 23
Amsterdam
020-4887778
Area: West
www.pacificparc.nl

The Colour Kitchen
An old school building that hides a huge and funky restaurant on the inside.
Jan Evertsenstraat 747
Amsterdam
020-4486611
Area: West
www.thecolourkitchen.com

Eet Smakelijk! Bon Appetit!

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Hotels and Hostels

Hotels

Hotels close to the fields:
Distance to the fileds included in the list below

2,9 km. : Hotel Nieuw Slotania
Slotermeerlaan 133
1063 JN Amsterdam
020 6134568
www.nieuwslotania.nl

3,0 km. : Blue Square Hotel
Slotermeerlaan 80
1064 HD Amsterdam
020 5063717
www.bluesquarehotel.nl

3,5 km. : Amsterdam City West Hotel
Reimerswaalstraat 5
1069 AE Amsterdam
020 4108000
tulipinnamsterdamwest.nl

3,6 km. : Hotel Zwanenburg
Olmenlaan 52
1161 JX Zwanenburg
020 4978020
www.hotelzwanenburg.nl

4,5 km. : Washington Hotel
Tretjakovlaan 27
1064 WG Amsterdam
020 6797453
www.hotelwashington.nl

5,5 km. : Blue Tower
Leeuwendalersweg 21
1055 JE Amsterdam
020 5800360
www.hotelbluetower.com

5,5 km. : Holiday Inn Amsterdam Schiphol
Melbournestraat 1
1175 RM Lijnden
020 6580580
www.holidayinn-amsterdamschiphol.nl

Check for accomadation yourself:
www.amsterdam-hotels.org
www.amsterdamhotelnet.com
www.amsterdam-hotel-services.com
www.amsterdam-hotels.org
www.amsterdam-hotels-online.net
www.all-hotels-in-amsterdam.com
www.hotels-amsterdam.com
www.hotels-in-amsterdam.com
amsterdam.guide-to-hotels.com

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Hostels

Another good possibility is to sleep in a hostel in the centre of Amsterdam and take the bus / tram to the fields. Below some links to hostels.

The Flying Pig Downtown Hostel
Nieuwendijk 100, 1012MR
+31-(0)20-4206822

The Flying Pig Uptown Backpacker Hostel
Vossiusstraat 46, 1071AJ
+31-(0)20-4004187

Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark
Zandpad 5, 1054
+31-(0)20-5898996

Stayokay "Amsterdam Stadsdoelen"
Kloveniersburgwal 97, 1011KB
+31-(0)20-6246832

Hostel The Veteran
Herengracht 561, 1017BW
+31-(0)20-6202673

International Budget Youth Hostel
Leidsegracht 76, 1016CR
+31-(0)20-6242784

Aivengo Youth Hostel
Spuistraat 6, 1012TS
+31-(0)20-4213670

Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg
Timorplein 21, 1094CC
+31-(0)20-5513133

Bob's Youth Hostel
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 92, 1012SG
+31-(0)20-6230063

Shelter City Christian Hostel
Barndestesteeg 21, 1012BV
+31-(0)20-6253230

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