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Walk: Central Station to Java Eiland
A pleasant walk to take on a sunny day is from the back of Amsterdam Central Station along the recently developed waterfront and across to Java Eiland (Island). While Amsterdam can feel quite cramped and crowded this walk gets you out of the city centre to experience some open space and water. Total distance is a shade under 3km or about 5km if you walk back. There is a map at the bottom of the page showing the route. |
Start at Amsterdam Central Station and walk out to the back (north) exit. Cross over the road (De Ruyterkade) and head towards the right (east) along the Ij waterfront. You will see the ferries which operate to Amsterdam Noord. The large building on the north side is the Shell "over-hoeks" office building built in 1971 and designed by Dutch architect Arthur Staal. Note there is some development work going on around the waterfront area near the station, so the first part of the walk is not too pretty.
Walk east onto the Piet Heinkade. To your right you will see Amsterdam's OBA central library at Oosterdokskade. (You may wish to cross over and make a detour to visit the OBA panorama deck or have a coffee).
Continuing along Piet Heinkade you will appreciate the striking modern architecture of the following buildings: BimHuis / Muziekgebouw (a theatre), the Movenpick Hotel, the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal (for cruise ships) and the Philips office.
Further on you will also pass some redeveloped old dockside warehouses such as the Pakhuis, now home to Jamie Oliver's popular "Fifteen" restaurant.
Turn left on Vemenplein and cross the bridge (Javabrug) which will get you over to the residential Java Eiland. This redeveloped area was completed in 2000 and also connects to KNSM-Eiland and by bridge to Borneo-Eiland. A host of architects were involved in designing the area including Jo Coenen and Sjoerd Soeters. |
Continue walking east on the southern waterfront (Javakade). The residential blocks have been divided by small canals (grachts) very much in the style of central Amsterdam. You will notice some very quirky architecture on the houses and bridges. After a few hundred metres you will reach an open park space (Bogortuin) which is a nice place to wind down and take in the view.
At the end of the park you have reached KNSM-eiland (named after the Koninklijke Nederlandse Stoomboot Maatschappij - Royal Dutch Steamboat Company). There is a small square with a few shops - if you want a drink/snack try "Sissy Boy Homeland".
From here tram 10 can get you to Leidseplein. Alternatively walk south across the Verbindingsdam bridge where you will find more shops / supermarkets. Here tram 26 can take you back to central station - or if you're still feeling fit you could walk back via Oostelijke Handelskade (which has some interesting buildings such as the Lloyd Hotel & the Panama cafe/theatre/club) and rejoin the Piet Heinkade back to the station.
The map gives the walk route, click on icons for information.