The following pages contain tourist information about public transport in Amsterdam, the history of Amsterdam, museums, food & drinks and shopping in Amsterdam.
Bed and Breakfast Amsterdam West, a perfect location for Amsterdam City visit . Very close to public transport hub Jan van Galenstraat, with good connections by metro and train to and from Schiphol airport. With tram 13, the historic city center of Amsterdam is 15 minutes away. The nearby tram/metro stop is also a stop on the night service bus line 282 from the center for those who enjoy the Amsterdam nightlife or miss the last tram. If you are traveling by bicycle, don't worry. You can park your bike in our special bike storage. The Amsterdam city center is 15 minutes by bicycle. Bicycle rental is available at Bed and Breakfast Amsterdam West.
Amsterdam has a long and eventful history. The origins of the city lie in the 12th century, when fishermen living along the banks of the River Amstel built a bridge across the waterway near the IJ, then a large saltwater inlet. Wooden locks under the bridge served as a dam, protecting the village from the rising IJ-waters, which often flooded the early settlement. The mouth of the river Amstel, where the Damrak is now, formed a natural harbor, which became important for trading-exchange from the larger koggeships into the smaller ships that sailed the merchandise deeper into the hinterland.
The 17th century was Amsterdam's Golden Age. Ships from the city sailed to North America, Indonesia, Brazil and Africa and formed the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's merchants financed expeditions to the four corners of the world and they acquired the overseas possessions that formed the seeds of the later Dutch colonies. Rembrandt painted in this century, and the city expanded greatly around its canals during this time. Amsterdam was the most important point for the transshipment of goods in Europe and it was the leading financial centre of the world.
The 18th and early 19th centuries saw a decline in Amsterdam's prosperity. The Dutch Republic's wars with the United Kingdom and France took their toll on Amsterdam. During the Napoleonic wars, Amsterdam's fortunes reached their lowest point; with the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, however, things slowly began to improve.
At the end of the 19th century the Industrial Revolution reached Amsterdam. The Amsterdam-Rijn canal was dug to give Amsterdam a direct connection to the Rhine and the Noordzee canal was dug to
give the port a connection with the North Sea. Both projects improved communication with the rest of Europe and the world dramatically. They gave the economy a big boost and Amsterdam's
population grew significantly during this period. From 1875, Amsterdam expanded quickly; the first neighborhoods outside the 17th century canal ring were built.
The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age. New museums, the Centraal Station and the Concertgebouw were built.
Bed and Breakfast Amsterdam West
Johan Broedeletstraat 35 1064AA Amsterdam NL
+31(0)20 421 4864
+31(0)6 42143877
The best B&B in Amsterdam!
“The couple who run this B&B are by a long stretch the two most hospitable, friendly and just all round lovely people we have had the pleasure of staying with on our 10 week trip through Europe.
If you really want to do something to return their lovely hospitality I suggest you book through their website rather than booking.com or TripAdvisor. They will appreciate that.”
Stuart, Australia
Très bon séjour dans une superbe maison
" + Tout. Et plus que tout, l'accueil de Kitty et Ralph. Ce sont des personnes adorables qui prennent le temps de donner toutes les informations utiles pour votre séjour. Kitty prépare tous les matins des petits déjeuners délicieux, abondants et variés. Et on part, reposés et réconfortés pour une visite de la superbe ville d'Amsterdam et ses quartiers et ses maisons pittoresques où il doit faire bon vivre. La décoration des chambres est géniale et le coin est très calme, loin du centre ville bruyant la nuit. Métro et tram à 200 m vous permettent de rejoindre le centre ville en 15 mn chrono. Merci Kitty et Rhalf, nous reviendrons !"
Dolores, France