2_2_DiscoverBenelux_23_Nov_2015_Scan Magazine 1 30/10/2015 13:02 Page 48
Discover Benelux | De Pijp Amsterdam | Introduction
ABOVE: Cafe Flamingo. Photo: Marie-Charlotte Peze. BELOW RIGHT: Flower stall at the Albert Cuyp Market. Photo: Albert Cuyp Market
summer, this green city park is a picknicker’s paradise, and in winter it’s perfect for taking a stroll along the water with a coffee to go, or with delicious local food bought at the Albert Cuyp Market.
Albert Cuyp market The famous and over 100-year-old street market Albert Cuyp is one of the oldest and biggest in Europe. Immerse yourself in the crowd, take in colourful sights and fragrances and satisfy your appetite with a typical Dutch herring or a freshly baked stroopwafel, while browsing through the extensive collections of fresh vegetables, sweet smelling flowers, colourful fabrics and more. Both residents and local restaurants and cafes go here to buy produce such as cheeses, fresh fish and meats and other groceries.
Going out The liveliness of the most cosmopolitan district of Amsterdam continues at night.
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The Gerard Douplein hosts a multitude of coffee places on cosy lively street corners. Only a short walk away is the Frans Halsstraat, which is sprinkled with restaurants, bars and cafes. So is the Marie Heinekenplein but, despite the name, a great deal more drinks than just Heineken beers are served here. The Marie Heinekenplein adjoins the Heineken Experience, where you can take an interactive self-guided tour through the former brewery and learn about the world famous beer brand.
How to get there De Pijp is just a short tram ride away from central station, or a three-kilometre walk through the centre, but if you enjoy strolling the beautiful canal streets, a detour might be more to your taste. Take a left from central station and take the Oudezijds Voorburgwal south. You will have a beautiful view over the city houses on both sides of the canal and at the same time, you will
get a sneak peak into the red light district. After crossing Muntplein, Vijzelgracht can take you straight to De Pijp, but the paralleling Reguliersgracht offers a more tranquil route with gorgeous sights. But what is a more fun way to get to De Pijp than by boat? The red line of the hopon-hop-off canal ‘buses’ takes you to the foot of the Heineken Experience, a great place to start your exploration of De Pijp.