LEIDSEPLEIN, REMBRANDTPLEIN AND SPUI
Leidseplein
Leidseplein is a square in the Grachtengordel district in the south part of Amsterdam's city center. It is known for its many pubs and nightclubs. In the evening you can watch live music on the square. It is also an important traffic hub. The art deco building American Hotel lies there, as well as the Stadsschouwburgl Theater. The streets Weteringschans, the Marnixstraat, and the Leidsestraat are connected to Leidseplein. The name comes from the city of Leiden, that is close to Amsterdam.
Leidseplein has many terrace cafés, pubs and free outdoor concerts.
Stadsschouwburg, a neo-renaissance theater from 1894.
The American Hotel. Famous hotel on Leidseplein, finished in 1900.
The jugend facade of American Hotel.
The fountain outside American Hotel at Leidseplein (Marriott in the background).
Apple Store.
Inside the Apple store.
Leidseplein has many pubs and nightclubs. It feels a bit touristy.
New York Steakhouse.
Leidsedwarsstraat, a side street to Leidseplein with many nightclubs (mostly disco) and restaurants.
A cinema in unusual Bauhaus architecture.
Canals and streets close to Leidseplein.
Max Euweplein between Leidseplein and Singelgracht. Here you can find Holland Casino, Hard Rock Café and this giant chess.
Hard Rock Café Amsterdam.
Singelgracht canal (Hard Rock Café and Holland Casino to the left). It divides city center from the museum district and is heavily trafficated by tourist boats.
Rembrandtplein
Rembrandtplein, named after the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn is in my opinion the nicest square in Amsterdam. Just like Leidseplein there are many pubs, nightlifeand outdoor restaurants, but the atmosphere is more relaxed and less commercial. There are also some hotels and a famous statue of Rembrandt. There are also cafés and coffeeshops (for drugs). Many people sit down and relax at Rembrandtplein and you can often find talented street musicians. The largest LCD screen in Europe is also located on Rembrandtplein.
The golden Rembrandt statue. It used to be accompanied by smaller stattues from Rembrandt's painting "the Nightwatch", but they have been removed to
New York first, and now Russia, a shame for Amsterdam visitors!
Street musician in front of the Rembrandt statue.
People like to sit and relax at the Rembrandt square, especially warm days like this.
De Schiller hotel and a fire van.
There are both wellknown hotels and coffeeshops at Rembrantplein.
Rembrandtplein outdoor restaurants.
A horse carriage near Rembrandtplein.
Spui
Spui is a square in typical Dutch style in the heart of Amsterdam. It has many outdoor restaurnants and statues and is known for its many bookstores and book markets. At Spui you can also find Begijnhof, one of Amsterdam's oldest inner courtyards. |
Diamond Factory at Spui with a miniature windmill.
A nice jugend building at Spui.
Amsterdam University.
Kalverstraat, a pedestrain street that is parallel to the dull main street Rokin. It is crowded summertime and has many chain stores.
Amsterdam Museum.
The only street organ I saw in Amsterdam, here on Kalverstraat. There used to be many of them but most of them have been removed!