Amsterdam Off The Beaten Path Tips by OlafS

Seven Countries Houses

The Seven Countries in the Roemer Visscherstraat is a row of houses built in what I would call stereotyped versions of national architectural styles of seven European countries. Very nice to see, especially Spain is a real beauty. The architect, Tjeerd Kuipers, mostly designed churches for conservative protestant denominations during his entire career, but for this one project he went totally wild!

Surrounding area Outside Amsterdam Review

Near Amsterdam there are a few nice spots. Villages like Nes aan de Amstel and Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. The latter one is really close to Amsterdam, but that's something that's hard to imagine when you're there. If you like bicycling I'd recommend a tour along those villages. Rent a bike, for instance at the RAI-railwaystation which could be a nice starting point allowing you to stay out of most of the busy traffic.

Architecture in Oud-Zuid

Just south of the centre in the early-20th century new neighbourhoods were built in the Amsterdam School style of expressionistic architecture. This is a big area, and there's a multitude of lovingly crafted buildings with many surprising details to be seen here. Architecture lovers could easily spend an entire day here.

The Vondelkerk

The Vondelkerk (Vondel Church, not the real name of the church but named like this for its location in the Vondelstraat) is one of the most important churches from the 19th century in this country. It combines neo-Gothic shapes with an almost oval ground-plan and was designed by P.J.H. Cuypers, without a doubt the most important Dutch architect of the 19th century and perhaps even of all time. It's just one of many of his works in Amsterdam.