| Amsterdam | ||
| Today | 12°C |  |
| Tomorrow | 9°C |  |
Why not spend an enjoyable weekend in Amsterdam? Who wouldn't want to stroll along the canals or pause on one of the 1281 bridges? Amsterdam has lots of sights of interest, excellent shopping opportunities and many different exhibitions in over fifty museums.
Like many other big European cities, Amsterdam is known for a number of authentic districts. The three most appealing of these are the Jordaan, the Pijp and the centre.
The Jordaan:
The Jordaan is probably one of Amsterdam's best known districts. Originally a genuine working-class district, it has produced many well-known Dutch popular artists. Over the last twenty years, the Jordaan has become increasingly popular among yuppies and double income couples, and the original population has moved to other parts of the city. The Jordaan is characterized by lots of great restaurants, shops and courtyards. The biweekly markets on Mondays and Saturdays are definitely worth a visit.
The Pijp:
Another well-known working-class district is the Pijp. To this very day this district is a mix of different groups of people and cultures. People ask themselves where the name the Pijp (the Pipe) came from, but no one really knows. The most logical explanation is probably that the name originated from the many factory pipes that the district used to have. This district is full of wonderful and interesting shops, but the biggest and most sociable market in the Netherlands, the Albert Cuypmarkt, should certainly not be missed.
The centre:
Amsterdam's centre is the site of many important buildings. There's the Royal Palace on Dam Square (built originally as the city hall) and, of course, the 165 canals which, with their combined total length of over 100 kilometres, give Amsterdam its unique ambience. The centre's most unusual area is the wallen (walls). There, prostitutes sit openly behind their windows, waiting for customers. Although the municipality of Amsterdam is in the process of restricting window prostitution, it's still a unique and relatively safe place to visit.
