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Begijnhof
This enclosed former convent dates from the early 14th century. It's a surreal oasis of peace, with tiny houses and postage-stamp gardens around a well-kept courtyard.
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Blauwbrug
Built in 1884, one of the city's most striking bridges replaced an old wooden version that connected these shores of the Amstel since the 17th century. Inspired by the Alexander III bridge in Paris, it features tall, ornate street lamps topped by the imperial crown of Amsterdam, fish sculptures and foundations shaped like the prows of a medieval ship.
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Centraal Station
Built on an artificial island in 1889, the Centraal Station (Amsterdam CS, to train travellers) was designed as a neo-Renaissance 'curtain', a controversial plan that effectively cut off Amsterdam from the IJ river. One of the architects, PJ Cuypers, also designed the Rijksmuseum, and you can see the similarities - in the square faux-Gothic towers, the fine red brick and the abundant reliefs, for sailing, trade and industry.
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Concertgebouw
The literal name 'Concert Building' scarcely does justice to this amazing facility, which attracts some 850,000 visitors a year to 800 shows. This makes it the busiest concert hall in the world but, refreshingly, it hasn't lost its common touch.
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De Duif
In 1796, shortly after the French-installed government proclaimed freedom of religion, De Duif was the first Catholic church to be built with a public entrance for over two centuries. These days De Duif is no longer Catholic but Ecumenical, and also a venue for concerts, opera and private events. If you're able to peek inside, check out the clay friezes of the Stations of the Cross on the right-hand wall.
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De Gooyer Windmill
This 18th-century grain mill is the sole survivor of five windmills that once stood in this part of town. It moved to its current spot in 1814, when the nearby Oranje-Nassau barracks were built and blocked the wind. The mill was fully renovated in 1925 and is now a private home. Alongside, the public baths were converted into the Brouwerij 't IJ in 1985.
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De Rode Hoed
The Rode Hoed is a cultural centre that occupies three glorious 17th-century canal houses. Its line-up includes lectures by world-renowned authors and debates on the topics of the day, sometimes in English. It's worth a visit, even when nothing's on, to view the three-storey main auditorium, which was once the largest clandestine church in the Netherlands. De Rood Hoed - 'the Red Hat' - was named for the hat shop once located here.
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Felix Meritis Building
This centre for the performing arts was built in 1787 by Jacob Otten Husly for an organisation called Felix Meritis (Latin for 'Happy through Merit'), a society of wealthy residents who promoted the ideals of the Enlightenment through the study of science, arts and commerce.
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Frankendael
As early as the 18th century, wealthy Amsterdammers would spend their summers in plush country retreats south of Plantage on a tract of drained land called Watergraafsmeer. The last survivor of this era is Frankendael, an elegant Louis XIV-style mansion; at the time of writing it was due to reopen in mid-2008 after a sweeping restoration.
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Golden Bend
The Golden Bend is about the most prestigious stretch of real estate in Amsterdam, a monument to the Golden Age, when precious goods swelled in cellars of homes already stuffed valuables. The earliest mansions date from the 1660s, when the Canal Belt was expanded south. Thanks to some lobbying at city hall, the gables here were twice as wide as the standard Amsterdam model, and the rear gardens were deeper.
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Haarlemmerpoort
Once a defensive gate to the city, the Haarlemmerpoort marked the start of the busy route to Haarlem, a major trading route. The structure was finished just in time for King William II's staged entry on his 1840 coronation, hence its little-known official name of Willemspoort. Traffic no longer runs through the gate since a bypass was built over the Westerkanaal.
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Het Schip Housing Estate
This remarkable housing estate (1920) is a flagship of the Amsterdam School of architecture, located west of Amsterdam harbour. The triangular block, loosely resembling a ship, was designed by Michel de Klerk for railway employees. The museum shows workers' apartments and the ex-post office with the original interior. It is now home to the Documentation Centre for Social Housing, with a permanent display of architecture called Poste Restante.
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Huis Met De Hoofden
A shining example of Dutch Renaissance style, this whimsical structure has a beautiful step gable with six heads at door level representing the classical muses. Folklore has it that the heads depict burglars, decapitated in quick succession by a fearless maid as they tried to break in.
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Koninklijk Theater Carré
This esteemed theatre was built in 1887 by the Carré family, who had started their career years earlier with a horse-act at the annual fair. The first structure was of wood, an eventually rebuilt in concrete because of the fire hazard, as early performances were lit by gas lamps for 2000 spectators.
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Krijtberg
The soaring turrets of this neo-Gothic church are an odd sight in this row of sedate Singel homes. Officially known as the St Franciscus Xaveriuskerk, it replaced a clandestine Jesuit chapel on the same site; these days it's still Jesuit. The lavish paintings and statuary make this one of the most beautiful church interiors in the city.
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Magere Brug
This undeniably picturesque bridge is the site of many a Dutch wedding photo. Dating from the 1670s, the nine-arched structure has been rebuilt several times, both in concrete and timber. It's still operated by hand and remains photogenic even at night, when 1200 tiny lights make the bridge look like a Christmas confection. Stand in the middle and feel it sway under the passing traffic.
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Metz Department Store
This building opened in 1891 to house the New York Life Insurance Company (hence the eagles inside and out), but soon passed to Metz, a purveyor of luxury furnishings who still owns it today. The functionalist designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld added the gallery on the top floor where you can have lunch or (literally) high tea.
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Montelbaanstoren
The lower part of this striking tower was built to strengthen Amsterdam's eastern defences in 1512. Positioned on the old city wall, it gave sentries a good view of suspicious characters on the wharves along Oude Schans. The octagonal base and open wooden steeple were added in 1606, to dampen the bells on the clock after the neighbours complained.
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Mozes En Aäronkerk
This neoclassical Catholic church, built in 1841 on the northeastern corner of Waterlooplein, shows that this wasn't exclusively a Jewish area. It replaced the 'clandestine' Catholic church that occupied two houses named Mozes and Aäron in what is now the rear of the church along Jodenbreestraat (note the wall tablet of Moses above the street corner).
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Muiderpoort
This grand classical arch was built in 1770 as a gateway to the city. On the south side you'll see the Amsterdam emblem of three St Andreas' crosses, while on the other side there's the previous emblem, of a cog ship. In 1811 Napoleon rode triumphantly through the gate with his royal entourage, and promptly demanded food for his ragged troops. The 1st floor, just under the grey dome, is now occupied by a financial advisors' body.
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Muziekgebouw Aan 'T Ij
The bold and beautiful 'Music Building on the IJ' brings the long-standing theatre IJsbreker (which changed its name to the new building) and the jazz house Bimhuis under one roof. This performance complex was some 20 years in the making, and designed by the Danish firm 3xNielsen.
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Noorderkerk
Near the northern end of the Prinsengracht, this imposing Calvinist church was completed in 1623 for the 'common' people in the Jordaan. (The upper classes attended the Westerkerk further south). It was built in the shape of a broad Greek cross (four arms of equal length) around a central pulpit, giving the entire congregation unimpeded access to the word of God in suitably sober surroundings.
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Oostindisch Huis
This is the former office of the mighty VOC, the Dutch East India Company (which was the very first multinational). You could easily walk past it, as there's no sign or plaque to identify it. This sweeping complex, built between 1551 and 1643, was attributed to Hendrick de Keyser, the busy city architect. On the Kloveniersburgwal side you can see that the gables defy convention by tilting backward, making them seem much larger.
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Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam
Unveiled with great fanfare in 2007, this pleasingly symmetrical, nine-storey 'tower of knowledge' (its self-appointed nickname) is the country's largest library and has claimed a commanding spot on Amsterdam's increasingly modern landscape. Much of the excitement is visual: as you enter, marvel at the airy lobby with 30m-high gallery.
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Orgelpark
Not a park as we know it, but a new stage for organ music located in a lovely restored church on the edge of the Vondelpark. The Orgelpark has four big organs, and every year puts on over 100 events including concerts of classical, jazz and improvised music. Concerts are typically on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at , and every Wednesday at there are free performances by organ students; check the website for a schedule.
