Leidseplein

Leidseplein is one of the liveliest squares in Amsterdam, at the southern edge of the canal ring, where the Singel, the Herengracht and the other main canals give way to the neighbourhoods around the museums. The name means Leiden Square, and it marks the point from which the old road to the city of Leiden left Amsterdam. For centuries, travellers and carriages arrived and departed here, and inns and stables served them. As the city grew and the horses were replaced by trams and cars, the square became a hub of public transport, theatre and entertainment, a role it still plays today.

During the day, the square is a busy but cheerful space, with the tram lines crossing it and terraces filling the pavements. Cafes, restaurants and fast food places crowd the surrounding streets, offering everything from simple snacks to full dinners, and souvenir shops sell the usual wooden shoes, postcards and tulips. Street performers often work the crowds in summer, and the square is a natural meeting point. Several of the best-known buildings are on its edges. The most prominent is the Stadsschouwburg, the municipal theatre, a neo-Renaissance building from the end of the nineteenth century with a rich facade and a large interior, which houses the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam and stages drama, dance and opera. The American Hotel, with its Art Nouveau cafe, stands on the opposite side and has long been a gathering place for artists and writers.

After dark, the square changes character. Lights bring out the facades, and crowds gather at the bars and clubs, many of which are open late. Music venues such as the Melkweg and Paradiso are a short walk away, and they have played a major part in the city's popular music scene for decades, with concerts and club nights in converted buildings. At weekends the square is noisy and crowded, which suits those in search of nightlife and less those who want quiet. Visitors should watch for bicycles and trams and keep an eye on valuables, as pickpockets work in crowded places.

The square is free and open at all times. It is close to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Vondelpark, so it works as a hub between sightseeing and an evening out. Several tram lines meet here, making it easy to reach.

Leidseplein suits visitors who want to see Amsterdam at play, students, theatre-goers and groups of friends. A walk across takes a few minutes, and a drink or a meal can fill an hour or two. Weekday evenings are calmer than weekends.