Public Transport Map Visitor Centres & Highlights
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Public Transport Map Visitor Centres & Highlights I amsterdam Visitor Centre Central Station or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol iamsterdam.com/area A VVV Naarden (vvvnaarden.nl) B VVV Weesp (welkominweesp.nl) C VVV Gooi & Vecht (vvvgooivecht.nl/en) D VVV Hilversum (vvvhilversum.nl) E VVV Wijdemeren (vvvwijdemeren.nl) F VVV Huizen (vvvhuizen.nl) Highlights Fort Island Pampus Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot Dutch Fortress Museum Museum Weesp Nautical Quarter, Huizen Aalsmeer Historical Gardens Fort Uitermeer Cobra Museum of Modern Art B Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) F Castle-Museum Sypesteyn Singer Laren Museum Amstelveen Ouderkerk aan de Amstel Ronde Hoep cycle route A C D E Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) Get out of Amsterdam with the ARTT, which grants you unlimited travel on the city’s public transportation and beyond. From flower auctions and windmills to beaches and medieval castles, ARTT is the easiest and most economical way to explore everything the greater Amsterdam Area has to offer! Pick yours up at an I amsterdam Visitor Centre, participating public transport company ticket counter, or selected hotel or campsite. (Don’t forget to check in and out whenever you get on or off a train, tram, metro or bus!) ARTT tickets are valid on any bus, tram, metro and train services offered by GVB, Connexxion, EBS and NS (including night buses) from 00:00 until 04:00 the following day. 1-day tickets are €19.50, 2-day tickets €28 and 3-day tickets €36.50. Find more information and a map of all included routes on: iamsterdam.com/area Fortress Stretch River Escape Half day or full day Half day or full day Home to old castles, fortified towns and ruins, Amsterdam’s Did you know that Amsterdam was once built on a series of picturesque fortress stretch offers a glimpse into medieval dams and dykes on the Amstel River? Follow this historic times. and majestic river as it winds its way south past lush green countryside, majestic manors and quaint villages. START your trip at Amsterdam Amstel Station. From there, buses 320 run regularly to the town of Muiden (P+R Terrein stop, RENT A BIKE from one of Amsterdam’s many bike rental 30© minutes). Rent an e-bike (credit card required) at the bus stop companies. or walk through the historic old centre of Muiden to the medieval Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot (muiderslot.nl; free FIND the Amstel River (you can pick it up at Waterlooplein) and entranceMIKE BINK with your I amsterdam City Card). cycle south on the bike paths along the river. You will pass the stately Hermitage Amsterdam museum, the iconic Magere Brug VISITphoto: Mike Bink the spectacular 13th-century castle, which towers over the (Skinny Bridge) and the beautiful Royal Theatre Carré as you mouth of the picturesque River Vecht. Take a tour through the leave the city. knight’s hall, towers, dungeon and armoury, enjoy the fantastic views over the countryside from the ramparts, and stroll BREAK FOR LUNCH in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, a picturesque outdoors through the beautiful herb and vegetable gardens. 12th-century village full of bustling cafés with sunny terraces, and exceptional restaurants. After lunch, stroll around the village HOP ON the ferry to Fort Island Pampus (follow the canal back and admire its churches, windmills and ancient monuments. towards Muiden to find the terminal; 25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card). Fort Pampus was part of the Defence CYCLE south until you reach the beautiful Ronde Hoep polder, Line of Amsterdam in the 19th century and is currently a where Golden Age artists painted nature scenes. Today it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site (pampus.nl). important bird sanctuary and a popular bicycle route. KICK BACK and enjoy lunch, coffee and cake at the Pampus If you’re not tired yet, continue along the river to Fort aan de Pavilion. The terrace offers marvellous views of the passing Drecht, part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. From Friday- parade of boats. Sunday, hungry bikers can enjoy pancakes in the fort. RETURN via another ferry that runs directly from Pampus Island RETURN to Amsterdam via the cycle paths, with the city on your to Amsterdam IJburg (amsterdamboatexcursion.com; horizon at the river’s every twist and turn. April-October; 25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card). From IJburg, take tram 26 back to Amsterdam Central Station. iamsterdam.com/routes Fortress Leisure Amstel Historical Stretch photo: Mike Bink Lakes River River Countryside Estates Home to many old Just outside Amsterdam’s hinterland castles, fortified Amsterdam you’ll find is quiet, green and Take a trip south of towns and ruins, the a number of lakes unspoilt – no wonder it the city to enjoy the picturesque fortress perfect for a day of was prime real estate lush greenery and stretch – a UNESCO fun on – and in – the for wealthy Golden architectural grandeur World Heritage Site water. Rent a sailboat, Age merchants looking of the historical river – offers a fascinating electric boat, canoe or to escape the city. estates that dot the glimpse into medieval surfboard to explore, Retrace their footsteps banks of the River times. enjoy and relax. along the Amstel River. Vecht. The River Vecht winds between Amsterdam and Utrecht Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot Naarden & Dutch Fortress Museum Loosdrecht Lakes Westeinder Lakes & Water Tower Amstelveen Ouderkerk aan de Amstel and is a wonderful setting for a boat trip or bike ride from Castle-Museum Sypesteyn Muiden or Weesp. Both offer unimpeded views of the imposing castles, country houses and accompanying tearooms. Wealthy Golden Age merchants once spent their summer months here. The holidaymakers ‘only’ needed five to seven hours to reach their rural residences. Thankfully, it’s much quicker today! River Vecht by boat & bike The aristocrat C.H.C.A. (Henri) van Sypesteyn dreamed of a grand monument to his family, of which he was the last male photo: Matthijs Immink descendant. That dream became reality: between 1912-1927 he designed and built Castle-Museum Sypesteyn. The There’s plenty to see and do in leafy Amstelveen – from museum features portraits of family members and a varied museums to shopping, theatre to sports. Amstelveen is home to Featuring some of Amsterdam’s most breathtaking rural views, collection of weapons, porcelain, glass, silver, statues, clocks The Loosdrechtse Plassen (Loosdrecht Lakes) are perfect for one of the largest municipal parks in Europe, the Amsterdamse historical Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is now hip and happening. and other items. The grounds, which feature gardens and a water sports: sailing, rowing, canoeing, waterskiing and Bos (Amsterdam Forest). Amstelveen is also well known for its It’s just an idyllic bike ride along the Amstel River from the park, are also a pleasant place to take a stroll. speedboating are all possible here. If taking a boat out yourself heemparken, wildlife gardens dedicated to native flora and centre of Amsterdam. This medieval village is separated from sypesteyn.nl Naarden is one of the most remarkable examples of a is not your thing, then join a sailboat or speedboat excursion recognised as national monuments. The parks are well worth a the surrounding cities of Amsterdam and Amstelveen by the preserved fortified town. From the air, the town’s unique layout or just relax on a terrace and admire the view from dry land. visit, especially in the spring. The Cobra Museum of Modern Art Ronde Hoep nature reserve and photo-ready fields dotted with resembles a gigantic snowflake, comprised of six bastions, a See vvvgooivecht.nl for rental options. is home to a collection of key works by artists from the windmills and stately riverside homes. It's the ideal destination double rampart and a double ring of canals. The history of avant-garde CoBrA art movement. It presents interesting when you’re looking for a local (bike) trip that offers a little bit Singer Laren Museum Naarden is explained at the fascinating Dutch Fortress exhibitions from this unique collection as well as temporary of everything. Museum, which features canons, weapons, uniforms and an Town exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Also situated in amstelgoed.nl Why choose between land and water when exploring the audio-visual presentation. Experience how the soldiers Huizen Amstelveen‘s ‘Old Village’ is Museum Jan van der Togt, which lovely country estates of the River Vecht? De Fietsboot (the protected Amsterdam and its surroundings from enemies from holds a superb collection of modern glass sculptures and fine Bike Boat) lets you hop on and off and continue by bike as you Muiden is home to the grand Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot the Far East, and explore the dark corners of the fortress, art. Amstelveen is also home to two-Michelin-star restaurant Aan Restaurants & Cafés please! – built around 1285 – which looms over the mouth of the where the soldiers once fought, lived and slept. de Poel at the Amstelveen entrance of the Amsterdam Forest. defietsboot.nl River Vecht. Take a tour through the impressive knight’s hall, towers, dungeon and armoury or dress up like a real knight Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card In Aalsmeer, the Westeinderplassen (Westeinder Lakes) offer Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card to the Cobra Museum TIP: For boat trips and rentals, check vvvgooivecht.nl/en and try your hand at jousting. A great day of fun for the whole vestingmuseum.nl plenty of water sports, from swimming to sailing lessons and of Modern Art. family. vvvnaarden.nl boat rentals. Everyone is welcome to moor their boat at cobra-museum.nl Starteiland (Start Island). The area is famous for its horticultural 1 April-31 October: open daily; 1 November-31 March: weekends only industry, and the small islands still grow strawberries and lilacs Nyenrode Castle Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card Town – just as they did long ago.