Going West
One or the finest trips in Amsterdam runs through the western islands, the Westerdokseiland and district Westerpark with among others the Westergasfabriek and the Spaarndammerbuurt. An area west of the central station. No massive tourist flow there, but in beauty and variation hardly to exceed. A mix also of modern and historical. We can do it via a walking or bicycle trip.
There is for example the Spaarndammerbuurt with unequalled beautiful Amsterdam School-architecture of architect Michel de Klerk. But then we have been walking already quite a lot. Through a part of historical Amsterdam. The Haarlemmerbuurt with rather much town renewal. After that the western islands with their history of fights against the town destruction on Bickerseiland. The warehouses on Prinseneiland, a lost bit of town beauty. The metropolitan development of the Westerdokseiland. And meanwhile the world famous Silodam, a recent apartment complex of MVRDV. If there is time left, we walk along the Westergasfabriek, transformed to a massive culture park.
We go on with a tour through the Staatsliedenbuurt. It was in the eighties more or less a no-go area – ‘the street governs here’. But you can see what town renewal, large scale renovation and reuse of industrial heritage a district can change. Architect Rob Krier gave a neighborhood a total other look with monumental renewal in post-modern style. On the location of the former municipal water company (GWL-terrein) an environment-friendly neighborhood was being built under the supervision of KCAP architects. Striking 19th century buildings remained saved. An old harbor location was changed in a student neighborhood with container dwellings and very little student cabins on the former cruise ship Rochdale One. For one or other reason worth to visit, already because of its originality.
If we explore the district by bike, we go back via the old district with great atmosphere the “Jordaan’. Otherwise we take a bus back to the centre.
Highlights / characteristics
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17th Century Western Islands
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20th Century Silodam
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Attractive Courtyards of the twenties
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'Het Schip', top architecture of the Amsterdam School
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Western Gas Factory transformed into a culture area
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Water works area transformed into a housing district
PRIVATE GUIDED WALKING OR BICYCLE TRIP
BICYCLE TRIP
Duration: 4 hours, starting from the city centre.
Price: € 30 a person for groups, bicycles not included. Bicycles could be rented at your hotel or at a rental company - we give addresses.
WALKING TOUR
Duration: 2 hours
Price: € 20 a person. Small groups pay more per person.
Reservations or info:
Or phone: +31 (0)20 419 00 22
+31 (0)6 419 676 25
+31 (0)6 419 676 55.