Plantage
Plantage (Plantation in Dutch) is a leafy neighbourhood in the centre of Amsterdam. This article also covers the Eastern Islands.
Understand
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Map of Amsterdam/Plantage
Get in
[edit]By tram
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As walking to Plantage can take more than 20 minutes, most visitors would take the tram to get there:
- Tram 7 (Slotermeer to Azartplein). From Leidseplein heads northeast through the district via Alexanderplein. Tram stops Hoogte Kadijk and 1e Coehoornstraat are near the windmill De Gooyer. It also connects with the metro at Weesperplein metro station.
- Tram 14 (Amsterdam Centraal to Flevopark). From Amsterdam Centraal passes through the district with stops at Artis, Plantage Lepellaan and Alexanderplein. It also connects with the metro at Waterlooplein metro station.
By metro
[edit]The metro is the fastest way to get into the district, but the locations of its stops are somewhat less convenient than the tram stops. Two stations serve the Plantage. Waterlooplein is the closest to the main sights, including the Artis Zoo, the various museums and the Hollandsche Schouwburg. Exiting the station at Hortusplantsoen, it's only a short walk to the area. Weesperplein is close to the University of Amsterdam and the Carré Theatre. All metro lines from Centraal Station (lines 51, 53 and 54) stop at both stations.
See
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The Plantage Amsterdam is a green area, mostly known for Artis Zoo and the Hortus, the botanical garden. In fact, most of Amsterdam's museums are gathered in this area. Just beyond the Waterlooplein, you will find — amongst many other museums — the historical buildings of The Jewish Cultural Quarter, the renowned Hermitage Museum and the impressive Scheepvaartmuseum.
- 1 Natura Artis Magistra Zoo (Artis), Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, ☏ +31 20 523 34 00, info@artis.nl. An entry ticket for Artis also provides admission to the Planetarium, the Aquarium and the Zoological Museum. Artis is also a botanical garden, with plants and trees gathered from all over the world, just like the animal species. Don't miss the Artis ZOOmeravonden. Youth (3 to 9 years) €18, adult (10 to 64 years) €21.50, seniors (65 +) €17.50.
- 2 Hortus Botanicus, Plantage Middenlaan 2 (Tram Mr. Visserplein), ☏ +31 20 625 90 21. 10:00-17:00. The Amsterdam Botanical Gardens — 'Hortus' as they are called by locals — used to be the Botanic Garden of the University of Amsterdam. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Nowadays it is an independent organisation. The collection of the garden consists of more than 6,000 species. The garden regularly holds extra exhibitions and music performances. Adult €9.75; seniors and children €5.50.
- 3 Wertheimpark (opposite the Hortus Botanicus). A small park with a World War II memorial located at one of the nicest canals in Amsterdam.
- 4 Hermitage Amsterdam, Nieuwe Herengracht 14 (Metro Waterlooplein), ☏ +31 20 5308751. Daily 10:00-17:00. Founded as an outpost of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, ties were severed with the parent institution following Russia's war in Ukraine. After a hasty rebrand, the Hermitage reopened in April 2022 with a focus on Dutch heritage in Amsterdam. Standard (adults and children aged 12 or over) €15, children up to 11 years old free.
- 5 Scheepvaartmuseum, Kattenburgerplein 1, ☏ +31 20 523-2222. 09:00-17:00 daily. Het Scheepvaartmuseum reopened in late 2011 following major renovations. Stimulating, interactive exhibitions allow visitors to explore 500 years of maritime history. The building, called the Arsenal, is impressive. The Central Square, the indoor courtyard can be visited for free and takes your breath away. Also the museum shop, the restaurant and the library are open to the public free of charge. €15 adults; €7.50 children, students and seniors (prices 2014).
- 6 Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum), Plantage Kerklaan 61D (Tram 14 to Artis), ☏ +31 20 620 25 35, info@verzetsmuseum.org. M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00. Museum showing what Amsterdam and Holland were like during Nazi occupation. Has a very nice children's section. If you are visiting with kids and want to go to a museum about the Second World War in the Netherlands this is definitely recommended. Adult €12.00, ages 7-17 €6.50.
- 7 De Gooyer, Funenkade 7 (Tram 7 to Hoogte Kadijk, bus 22 to Oostenburgergracht). W-Su 15:00-19:00. It's the only windmill (1814, restored) in the centre of Amsterdam, and the closest one that's open to visitors.
- 8 Micropia, Plantage Kerklaan 38-40. 11:00-17:00. Museum about microbes. Age 10 and up €16, ages 3-9 €14.
Do
[edit]- 1 Carré Theatre. When the theatre was founded in 1887, it was meant as a permanent circus building. It is mainly used for musicals, cabaret performances and pop concerts.
- 2 Kriterion (Filmtheater Kriterion), ☏ +31 20 623 17 08, info@kriterion.nl. Nice small movie theatre. Also has a bar.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Cafe Kadijk, Kadijksplein 5 (Bus 22 and 48 to Kadijksplein), ☏ +31 61 774 4411, info@cafekadijk.nl. Cafe Kadijk is a small Indonesian restaurant that offers good food at a decent price. The restaurant has a coffee shop vibe and is located in a "trendy" area. Just outside Amsterdam's city centre, it is a bit of a walk away from the more touristy areas of the city. Patio dining and indoor dining are both available. Main dishes range between €17 and €22.
- 2 De plantage (Café-Restaurant de Plantage), Plantage Kerklaan 36 (Tram 14 to Artis), ☏ +31 20 760 6800, info@caferestaurantdeplantage.nl. M-F 09:00-01:00, Sa-Su 10:00-01:00. Big restaurant with a nice terrace in the summer, open all day with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- 3 Restaurant Plancius, Plantage Kerklaan 61 (Tram 14 to Artis), ☏ +31 20 223 6946, info@planciusgroot.nl. Has a nice high tea.
- 4 Tempura, Plantage Kerklaan 26 (Tram 14 to Artis), ☏ +31 20 4287132, tempura1018@gmail.com. Nice Japanese restaurant, with a very lovely guest woman.
- 5 De Pizzabakkers, Plantage Kerklaan 2 (Tram 14 to Artis), ☏ +31 20 625 0740, plantage@depizzabakkers.nl. Su-Th 12:00-21:00, F 12:00-22:00. Hip pizza restaurant, with good stone-baked pizzas. Suitable for children. Almost always busy, so reservation is recommended.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Brouwerij 't IJ, Funenkade 7 (Tram 14 to Pontanusstraat, or tram 7 to Hoogte Kadijk), ☏ +31 20 261 9801, info@brouwerijhetij.nl. W-Su 15:00-20:00. Its label with an ostrich egg is a visual pun, as IJ and 'ei' - the word for egg - sound the same in Dutch. East of the centre, close to Artis Zoo, in a former bath house beside a windmill. A small-scale brewery where delicious beer in several varieties and strengths is brewed and sold - at a bar - on the premises. The beer is available at some specialist beer shops, and is of high quality and, in some cases, alcohol content. Internationally renowned!
Sleep
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- 1 Eden Lancaster Hotel, Plantage Middenlaan 48 (Opposite Artis Zoo), ☏ +31 20 535 6888. A quaint 3-star hotel with 91 rooms and bags of character. Friendly and helpful English-speaking staff, quiet area and very good value for money. €69.
- 2 InterContinental Amstel Hotel, Professor Tulpplein 1, ☏ +31 20 622 60 60. Historic 5-star hotel on the banks of Amstel River, near financial, shopping and theater districts. Voted the Netherlands' best in 2008 by Condé Nast Traveller. 19th-century palace, 79 guestrooms and suites, indoor swimming pool, spa facilities including a Turkish bath. €400.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Plantage |
| Binnenstad ← Rembrandtplein ← Waterlooplein ← | N  S |
→ Oost → Diemen |
| Binnenstad ← | N  S |
→ Oost → Amstelveen |
| Binnenstad ← | N  S |
→ Oost → Zuidoost |
| Binnenstad ← | N  S |
→ Oost → Zuidoost |