Rokin - Kalverstraat - Spui, Amsterdam

The Amsterdam Dungeon opened in october 2005.

If you are up to a nightmare at daytime visit this place and experience the Council of blood, the Labyrinth of the Lost, the VOC or the reaper.

Visiting hours:
Daily:

Admission: Euro 21.00

Tickets can be bought at least 24 hours in advance via the internet with discount, avoiding waiting in a long queue.

The oldest shopping street of Amsterdam is Kalverstraat. It is the longest street in the center I think. Besides you can find all trade marks of the world here, in my opinion. The first mention of street dates back to 1393 (!) and you can enjoy views of the middle ages architecture.

you can see more of Amsterdam riding a streetcar or bus. take streetcar #17 at the train station (Centraal station) it will take you thru a part of old Amsterdam to the newer part ending in Osdorp. you can shop on Osdorper plein . visit 2 of Amsterdam 's oldest stores named " de Hema" and "C&A. most streetcars leave from central station, they go east,west and south. you can get off when you want to walk around , get back on when you want. you can buy a ticket at stores that sell magazines or reisbureau's (travel stores) if you are over 55 you get a good discount. street car #4 takes you to the albertcuip markt. a bus can take you to Haarlem, about a 30 min. drive.there is a lot to see in Haarlem and if you want to go to the beach you go 30 min. further and you will be in zandvoort. you want to buy a ticket with approx. 10 rides on it. you can't see Amsterdam better or cheaper than with a streetcar or bus. (i wouldn't try a bike) have fun.

That's the new attraction of the city of Amsterdam : The Amsterdam Dungeon is open since october on Rokin, and welcomes people to discover the bloody history of the city in an interactive trip of 1h30...

We waited in the cold for 30min, but it was great... after taking a horrible picture (that you can buy at the end) you enter a trip you won't forget, with real actors! that tells you the story of torture, inquisition, public hangings, torture machines etc...

You are part of the story, each room belong to an actor that do his show to explain the history of his domain, and the choose people among the audience to participate (I was choosen twice!!), some parts in the dark are really scary, there's a ride at the end in a rollercoaster... it was really really fun, I enjoy it!

Go if you're not afraid of blood & dark, and also if you are ready to pay the price!!! 17,50 Euors / adult that is expensive, but you can find vouchers with 25% off (or with the iamsterdam card also)...

I will remember this experience!!!

Once home of the Provos who used to dance madly round the statue to show their rebellion but it is now thought by some to be the cultural heart of the city. Various street markets turn up, including books (Fridays) and art (Sundays).

A great place for peace and quiet. A bustling square that is still very peaceful. You will find the Amsterdam Historic Museum and Begijnhof nearby...great coffeeshops in the area as well. Nice benches to take a break from the window shopping.

So we chose Rokin to walk. Here I pointed out to Cuckoo the starting point of my favourite boat tour by Rederij Kooij across from Muntplein on the other side of tbe bridge.

Rokin has some very nice shoe shops! Jan Jansen, famous Dutch shoe designer (although he seems more acclaimed in Germany than in The Netherlands). Some very nice fashion shops too.

I popped into the shoe shops quickly to have a look at the latest designs.

And then there is Hajenius (see Shopping tips), the mecca of cigars and tobacco. Ther is a special atmosphere here. Almost reverend. But nobody bothers you while you go to the back of the store to see the cigar cabinets, lockers, smoking rooms and library.

For me as a shopping addict Kalverstraat is heaven on earth!
Loads of nice shops, including Waterstones (english bookshop) and my favourite shop for bath bombs and soaps, called Lush. Try their fantastic bathbombs -- extremely lovely!