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Athenaeum

Medieval Centre & Red Light District


Amsterdam's savviest bookshop is a bit of an intellectual and style hub. Its adjoining newsagent has a selection of cutting-edge international magazines, newspapers and guidebooks.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Medieval Centre & Red Light District attractions

1. Spui

0.01 MILES

Inviting cafés (pubs) and high-brow bookshops ring the Spui, a favoured haunt of academics, students and journalists. On Friday (weather permitting) a…

2. Houten Huis

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Located in the Begijnhof, the Houten Huis dates from around 1465, making it the oldest preserved wooden house in the Netherlands.

3. Begijnhof Kapel

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Contained within the Begijnhof and dating from 1671, this is a 'clandestine' chapel where the Beguines were forced to worship after the Calvinists took…

4. Engelse Kerk

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One of two churches located in the Begijnhof, the Engelse Kerk was built around 1392. It was eventually rented out to the local community of English and…

5. Begijnhof

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Dating from the early 14th century, this enclosed former convent is a peaceful haven, with tiny houses and postage-stamp gardens around a well-kept…

6. University Library

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Today's library is a concrete hulk, not nearly the beautiful building you'd expect at such a historical site, but its background is fascinating. Citizen…

7. Krijtberg

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The spiky spires of this neo-Gothic church are an unmissable landmark amid rows of handsome Singel homes. Officially known as the St Franciscus…

8. Amsterdam Museum

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Entrepreneurship, free thinking, citizenship and creativity are the four cornerstones of the multimedia DNA exhibit at this riveting museum, which splits…