Amsterdam Architecture

What makes architecture in Amsterdam so fascinating is the contrast of old and new. The charming renaissance & UNESCO protected canal houses or grachtenpanden as the Dutch call them, stand in stark contrast with the newly developed parts of the city. The whole city is built around water & it's not hard to see how this has had an impact on the architecture. Some of the newest areas of Amsterdam are even built on artificial islands. 

Discovering the different styles of construction in the city is best done by travelling from north to south. Taking a free ferry from the waters that divide north & south is a great way to see some of Amsterdam's newest buildings, such as the Dutch Film Museum, The Eye, or the Science Centre 'Nemo', as well as cool new apartment complexes. Along the grachten, in the southern part of the city, you'll be able to find the traditional canal houses, usually four stories tall & famous for their gables. Walking around any of the streets is wonderful just to take in all the houses, which are so similar & yet not the same.