Exploring Amsterdam by tram Trams are a convenient and simple way to get around Amsterdam. But even more than just a way to get from A to B, a tram ride can be a sightseeing tour in itself, taking in some of the city’s best sights and attractions along the way. There are three tram routes (1, 2 and 5) that travel up and down a central ‘spine’ of Amsterdam, from Centraal Station to Museumplein and back again. Tram #1, #2 and #5 Stop: Centraal Station As Amsterdam’s main transport hub, Centraal Station is a familiar starting point for most visitors to the city. The spectacular building opened its doors in 1889, and was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers, who also designed the Rijksmuseum. What to see and do: • Check out the vintage shops, hip cafes and arty design stores of vibrant Haarlemmerstraat to the west • Take the free ferry from behind Centraal Station to trendy Amsterdam Noord • Explore Oosterdok to the east of the station, making sure to take in the view of the city from NEMO’s rooftop terrace and stop for a drink at Hannekes Boom. From Centraal Station, the tram heads south down Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, once the city’s defence line (‘burgwal’ means ‘bastion wall’). Stop: Nieuwezijds Kolk Continue south, passing behind the impressive Nieuwe Kerk on your left. Despite being called ‘New Church’, this imposing monument actually dates from the 15th century and is only ‘new’ in relation to the nearby Oude Kerk (old church) which was deemed too small to be the parish church of Amsterdam’s expanding population in 1408. No longer used for worship, the Nieuwe Kerk now hosts regular exhibitions and events. Stop: Dam You’re now in the heart of Amsterdam, on the edge of the city’s most important public square. You’ll need to hop off the tram to visit Dam Square itself, which is concealed from view by the Royal Palace and Nieuwe Kerk. What to see and do: • Visit Dam Square, home to the Royal Palace and Nieuwe Kerk. • A four minute walk east along narrow Molsteeg and Torensteeg alleys will bring you to the inner canal ring, and the historic Torensluis bridge. This excessively wide bridge once formed the foundations of a tower, the dungeons of which are still visible underneath the bridge. • Take an eight minute walk to Anne Frank House, Homomonument and Westerkerk to the west, or the Red Light District to the east. The tram now continues south, passing the Amsterdam Museum on the left and the famous Haesje Claes restaurant on the right (an ornate Dutch restaurant spread over six historic houses) before stopping at Spui. Stop: Spui Spui is a great place to get off and explore. From the historic cobbled square itself, known for its literary connections thanks to a selection of book stores and a weekly book market, a short walk in any direction will take you to a range of interesting spots. What to see and do: • Just behind Spui square is the hidden courtyard of the Begijnhof. This cluster of medieval houses arranged around a pretty courtyard has provided refuge and sanctuary to Beguine women since the 14th century and makes for a tranquil experience in the heart of the city. • Just across the Singel canal from Spui is the edge of the 9 Streets shopping district – a quaint maze of lanes and canals lined with beautiful clothing boutiques, artisan traders and vintage stores. • Discover ancient treasures and artefacts at the Allard Pierson museum, a three minute walk to the east. From Spui, the tram now leaves the central part of Amsterdam and heads south-east into the canal ring. The first canal you’ll cross is Singel, the inner most waterway of the canal ring which served as a moat around the city until its expansion in 1585. Stop: Koningsplein This busy square connecting the Singel and Herengracht canals isn’t the prettiest thanks to its hectic maze of criss-crossing tram tracks, bikes lanes and roads, but it’s a well-connected focal point for exploring a range of museums and attractions – not to mention Amsterdam’s main shopping high streets. What to see and do: • Discover the story of Amsterdam’s canals at the Grachtenhuis (canal house) museum • Pick up some fresh blooms at Amsterdam’s world famous floating flower market which lines the Singel from Koningsplein • Shop til you drop on Amsterdam’s main shopping thorughfares, Kalverstraat, Heiligeweg (to the north) and Leidsestraat (to the south). • For some culture with a feline twist, walk two minutes along the Herengracht canal to the Kattencabinet (cat cabinet) – a museum dedicated entirely to cats From Koningsplein, the tram continues south, crossing over three canals and stopping at two, both of which make great points to disembark and explore the many delights of the canal ring. Stops: Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht, Leidseplein You’re now out of the canal ring and heading through infamous nightlife hub Leidseplein. Here you’ll find some of Amsterdam’s leading music venues and theatres, not to mention an overwhelming selection of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. What to see and do: • Get out here for music venues like Melkweg and Paradiso, theatres DeLaMar and Stadsschouwburg, and the Pathe City multiplex cinema • From here it’s a short walk across the bridge to the northern end of Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park. Here, tram route 1 veers off along the Overtoom (a buzzing street lined with bars, cafes and trendy design stores) while numbers 2 and 5 continue along to the Rijksmuseum and Museumplein. Stop: Rijksmuseum (#2 & #5 only) What to see and do: - Visit the world-famous Rijksmuseum, with its vast collection of Golden Age masterpieces and priceless works - Soak up the cultural atmosphere of Museumplein, (don’t forget to have your picture taken at the I amsterdam sign!) - Wander through Museumplein to visit the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Royal Concertgebouw concert hall. Travel information Tickets & Zones 2 and 3 zones The system is based on a number of zones. For the trip from the airport to the centre you will need a three zone ticket. When travelling around in the inner city, you usually only need two zones. Valid for an hour The Metro, bus and train Two and three-zone tickets are valid for one hour’s travel from the moment it is issued and validated. So you can hop services have a fully on and off as much as you like as long as you begin your integrated ticket system last journey within the valid time. Sales points in greater Copenhagen You can purchase single tickets and City Passes from the Metro ticket machines located in all Metro stations. The machines accept Danish coins and all major credit cards. – when you buy a ticket Alternatively you can purchase tickets from the train ticket outlets or go to 1415.dk where you can buy tickets for the Metro you can use online. it on the buses and trains Timetable as well. The Metro runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the daytime every 2– 6 minutes, at night every 15 – 20 minutes. Don’t travel without a ticket You cannot buy tickets on the Metro train (or train for that matter), so please buy a ticket before you get on, otherwise you may face a fine of DKK 750. Travel information City Pass Prices Buy a City Pass and travel as much as you like on the Metro, bus and train within zones 1 - 4 (this includes all January 2013 of central Copenhagen and journeys to and from the airport). There are two versions, 24 hours and 72 hours. Order at 1415.dk/citypass 2 zones 3 zones Single tickets (most of the (to and from City centre) the airport) Copenhagen Card DKK DKK With a Copenhagen Card in hand, you can travel for free in all of the Copenhagen area. You also have free entry Adult single ticket to about 75 museums and attractions, and discounts on 16 years and up 24 36 restaurants, car hire, shops and sights. Child, aged under 12 travelling with a paying adult Free * Free * Read more at woco.dk Child, aged under 16, single ticket 12 24 Children Up to two children under the age of 12 travel for free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. 24 hours 72 hours City Pass zones 1-4 zones 1-4 Adult 75 190 Child, aged under 12 travelling with a paying adult Free * Free * Child, aged under 16 40 95 24 hours 72 hours Copenhagen Card Adult, 16 years and up 249 ** 479 ** Child 0-9 years, travelling with a paying adult Free * Free * Child, 10-15 years 119 ** 239 ** * Maximum two children per paying adult ** Prices January 2013 Sightseeing with the Metro Useful words museum, known for its exhibition of Denmark’s crown jewels. Every day at noon, guards march from the barracks outside Rosenborg through the city to the other royal palace, Amalienborg, for the changing of the guard. The surrounding park, King´s Garden, is very popular with locals. Metro station: Nørreport Turn left down Nørre Voldgade, then right down Gothersgade. Hello (informal) – hej Goodbye (informal) – hej hej The Round Tower Built as an observatory in the 17th century by King Thank you – tak Christian IV The Round Tower is now mainly worth a visit because of its great views of the city and its spectacular Excuse me – undskyld (mig) 209 metre long spiral ramp which winds its way upwards Sorry – undskyld (with some stairs right at the top).