Stroll Through Amsterdam’s Historic Centre

Oudezijds Achterburgwal spills over with cafés, coffeeshops, stylish gables and facades and tourists. This is exactly what you would expect to see in Amsterdam’s historic centre. But you will also find humpback bridges spanning the leafy canal lined with a hotchpotch of buildings. Sex shops and porn theatres rub shoulder with museums and fashion boutiques. Be sure to come early evening. As the sun sets, strings with thousands of twinkling lights transform the canals and bridges into an enchanting cityscape. Stand on Stoofbrug or Stoof bridge for the best view.

Oudezijds Achterburgwal

Make your next stop at Cannabis College. It is the best place to learn anything about marihuana you’ve always wanted to know but never dared ask. Want to see cannabis grow? Visit their grow room. If this is not exciting enough go to Erotic Museum, five floors chock-a-block with erotic art. The higher you climb the less conventional the museum gets.

After exploring the wonders of Oudezijds Achterburgwal, you may downshift a bit in coffee shop Green Place at Kloveniersburgwal just round the corner from Oudezijds Achterburgwal. It is low-key and popular with the locals. Sit down in front of the window or on the outside terrace in summer for the true Amsterdam feeling. The bustling square in front of you is Nieuwmarkt. Do a bit of people watching with or without mind-enhancing substances.

Green Place Coffee Shop

QUICK FACTS:
WHAT:Cannabis College
WHERE: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 124 (map)
ADMISSION FEE: free, but a (compulsory) donation to see the grow room.
OPENING HOURS: 11 am – 7 pm, dail

WHAT: Erotic Museum
WHERE: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 45 (map)
ADMISSION FEE: €5
OPENING HOURS: Mo – Thu Sun 11 am – 1 am, Fri Sat 11 am 2 am 

WHAT: Coffeeshop Green Place
WHERE: Kloveniersburgwal 4 (map)
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Friday 10 am – 12.45 am Saturday and Sunday 10.am – 2.24 am

photo credits: personal collection