| Amsterdam Centrum refers to the main city | | | | monument in Dam Square, you can see the |
| center of the city of Amsterdam. Many of the | | | | imposing Koninklijk Palace, or Royal Palace. |
| main attractions (restaurants, coffeeshops, | | | | Don't hang around for hours on end waiting |
| bars and clubs) are concentrated in a small | | | | for a glimpse of the Queen though as the |
| area of canal belts spreading out from | | | | Dutch Royal family no longer live here!East |
| Central Station, the main train station. Here | | | | of Damrak and Dam Square is the famous Red |
| we embark on a walking tour around Amsterdam | | | | Light District of Amsterdam. Tourists and |
| Centrum, taking us through the most popular | | | | locals alike cut through this area or wander |
| sights.Arriving at Central station after the | | | | around looking at the obvious sights -- |
| 35 minute journey from Schipol airport, you | | | | ladies ply their trade in the windows |
| are greeted by the large covered glass roof | | | | offering a whole range of services at |
| overhanging several platforms serving | | | | different prices. You don't have to buy if |
| journeys to and from other regions of the | | | | you just want to look, indeed most tourists |
| Netherlands as well as further afield in | | | | are simply here for the sights. Although |
| continental Europe. We depart Central Station | | | | often missed, the Red Light District contains |
| and emerge on Damrak.Damrak is the main strip | | | | some beautiful sights, such as picturesque |
| leading from Central station to Dam Square. | | | | canals at night and old architecture. The |
| It is heavily populated by pedestrians, trams | | | | Oude Kerk or Old Church, was built in the |
| and bikes -- cars are restricted to only a | | | | 13th century but various parts of it have |
| single lane. You can find a multitude of | | | | been rebuilt due to damage or fire over the |
| cheap restaurants and snack bars, hotels, | | | | years.Leidseplein, south-west of Dam Square, |
| souvenir shops and bureaux de change. Nearly | | | | is a popular tourist spot. Away from the |
| all the stores on Damrak exist to serve the | | | | hustle and bustle of Dam Square and Damrak, |
| tourist trade and you can find pretty much | | | | Leidseplein is a little more relaxed and |
| anything you need here.Parallel to Damrak is | | | | offers many things to do. To get there, you |
| the main high street, Kalverstraat. This has | | | | cross four of the most famous and picturesque |
| your typical fare - local versions of global | | | | canals in Amsterdam -- Keizersgracht, |
| brands. Whether you are looking for fast | | | | Prinsengracht, Herengracht and Singel. Here, |
| food, women's clothes, sports gear, cell | | | | you can find nearly fifty restaurants -- |
| mobile phones or travel agencies -- the names | | | | whether you like Indonesian, Italian, |
| will look new to you but somehow the street | | | | Japanese or any other cuisine -- you can find |
| will have a familiar feel to it!At the end of | | | | it here. You can also find some coffeeshops, |
| Damrak, maybe 300 or 400 meters walk, you | | | | bars, clubs, comedy venues and tourist shops. |
| will find Dam Square. Dam Square is | | | | Many hotels are situated near here and, |
| considered to be the center of Amsterdam. It | | | | unlike the Red Light District and surrounding |
| is so called because a Dam was constructed | | | | areas, there are very few, if any, beggars in |
| here over five hundred years ago. Over the | | | | this area.Amsterdam Centrum is only a small |
| years, it has played host to regular new | | | | part of what Amsterdam has to offer. Further |
| years celebrations and also political | | | | afield is the museum quarter, Ajax ArenA |
| demonstrations and carnivals. Opposite the | | | | football stadium and the outlying towns. |