Along the eastern bank of the Amstel resides the famous Royal Carre theatre which is often referred to as ‘the most prestigious theatre in the Netherlands’. Here you can enjoy an evening of world-class singing, dancing, cabaret and comedy. Further north lies the mammoth Hermitage Museum which presents a collection of art works and exhibits illustrating the historic relationship between Russia and the Netherlands.
The Amstel is crossed by several distinctly different bridges of varying ages including the Toronto Bridge, Blue Bridge and Hoge Sluis. The most famous bridge however has to be the pretty Skinny Bridge or Magere Brug which famously appears in the classic 1971 James Bond film, Diamonds are Forever. It lights up nightly with over 1200 light bulbs to romantic effect.
At the mouth of the river where it enters the canal system of the city you will find the Stopera, the city’s opera house, the wonderful Waterlooplein Flea Market and the world famous Amsterdam Floating Flower Market.
Many visitors to the city choose to hire bicycles and cycle south along the river’s edge, enjoy a beer and an ice cream at Ouderkerk aan de Amstel,. The little town is also home to Beth Haim, the oldest Jewish cemetery in the Netherlands. Located alongside the Amstel itself, it was purchased for use as a burial ground by the Jewish community of Amsterdam in 1614. The ancient weathered tombstones have inscriptions in three languages, Portuguese, Dutch and Hebrew and are carved with elaborate scenes. Head back home again to Amsterdam city centre along the cycle path on the opposite side of the river.
