In the Eastern Docklands and the neighboring Eastern Islands many interesting places related to seafaring, shipbuilding, overseas trading, colonial and military history can be visited.
The neighboring Dapper Market area has a large daily market and a
variety of ethnic shops and restaurants.
There are some
yacht-harbors in the Eastern Docklands where it is
possible to join sailing or canoeing clubs.
South of the Eastern Docklands are some centers for indoor and
outdoor
sports and a campsite at the lake.
The medieval and seventeenth
century center of Amsterdam offers many leisure opportunities.
This is
an attractive area with many canals and historical buildings, shops,
cafes and restaurants in small streets.
Of particular interest are the areas around Waterloo
square, the
quarter Jordaan and the area around the Old Church and the New Market,
the oldest, medieval part of town.
Around the Singel,
at the former seventeenth century city wall, are
the museum quarter (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Concertgebouw), the
large Albert Cuyp market and Dapper market, the City Zoo and the Museum
of the Tropics.
Hardly anything is left of the former city wall.
The city has a
cosmopolitan atmosphere,
which attracts a variety of people.
Although world
famous, Amsterdam is not a big city. It has
approximately 700,000 inhabitants; about 20,000 live in the
Eastern Docklands.
Distances in and around town are
rather short, compared to New York, Shanghai, London or
Paris. Size and population are comparable to San Francisco.
The nearest
recreational areas for outdoor sports and leisure are at
the northeastern and southeastern side of town.
To the east, the
lake Markermeer stretches out as far
as the eye can see.
This lake was part of the sea until 1932, when a dyke was completed, closing off a part of a volatile sea and changing it into a gentler, but still stormy lake.
To the northeast,
the Markermeer and the area Waterland
have wetlands with a varied birdlife, several historical villages and
small towns maintained in tradional style.
Some of these villages are mainly inhabited by city folks, but some are still traditionally and religiously conservative. In some fishing villages the habits of fearing both God and the sea can still be strong.
The Waterland /
IJsselmeer area offers great opportunities for
swimming, sailing, canoeing, hiking and cycling. The long lake-coast
has several small beaches.
Southeast of the
Eastern Docklands is the
Diemen recreational area, an area with forests, a river, wetlands and
some traditional agricultural activities.
This is an attractive area
for hiking, cycling and horseback riding.
See also:
location and connections
social life and nightlife
More information:
www.amsterdam.nl (general site by the municipal
administration, with links)
www.uitlijn.nl (information about nightlife)
www.vvv.nl (tourist information)