Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [167]
Sports and activities |
In-line skating
If you’re equipped with skates or a skateboard, head for the free public ramp at the northeastern edge of the Museumplein. For the more experienced skater there’s also the free Friday Night Skate (www.fridaynightskate.nl), a twenty-kilometre tour around Amsterdam, which takes place – weather permitting – every week at 8.30pm, departing from the Filmmuseum in the Vondelpark. You can rent skates, gear and boards at De Vondeltuin at the Amstelveen entrance of the Vondelpark (summer only; 020/664 5091; €5 per hour); alternatively, buy your own pair at Rodolfo’s skate shop (Sarphatistraat 59 020/622 5488). If you’re renting to skate around town, take care not to get stuck in the tram tracks.
Skating in the Vondelpark
Sports and activities |
Korfbal
Korfbal is a home-grown sport, cobbled together from netball, basketball and volleyball, and played with mixed teams and a high basket. Blauw Wit (www.akcblauw-wit.nl) play at the Joos Banckersweg (020/616 0894; tram #12 from train station Amsterdam Sloterdijk), with matches usually held on Sundays from September to June.
Sports and activities |
Pool and carambole
A number of bars and cafés across the city have pool tables, although you may have to go to a hall to play snooker. A popular local variation on billiards (biljart) is carambole, played on a table without pockets. You score by caroming (rebounding) off the cue ball and the opponent’s ball; the skill of some of the locals, often spinning the ball through impossible angles, is often unbelievable. You’ll find tables dotted around the city in cafés, and you’ll get plenty of advice on how to play if you so much as look at a ball.
Snooker and Pool Centre Van Ostadestraat 97 (Oud Zuid) 020/676 4059. Tram #25 from CS. The first, third and fourth floors comprise the pool centre, with 26 tables costing a flat rate of €8.50 per hour. The second floor is the snooker centre, which has seven tables and there’s also one carambole table, all charged at €8.50 per hour as well. Daily 2pm–1am, Fri & Sat till 2am.
Sports and activities |
Saunas and flotation
Hammam Zaanstraat 88 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/681 4818, www.hammamamsterdam.nl. Situated north of the Westerpark (walk through the underpass near the northeast entrance, and turn left), this Turkish bath is a wonderful social institution for women only. Comprises hot and cold rooms and top-to-toe cleansing; treatments such as full-body scrub and massage also available. Entry costs €17. Tues–Fri noon–10pm, Sat & Sun noon–8pm.
Koan Float Herengracht 321 (Grachtengordel west) 020/555 0333, www.koan-float.com. The place to come in Amsterdam to float in a large bath of warm water. Magnesium and sodium salt are added to aid muscular relaxation and provide buoyancy, and because the water is the same temperature as your body, the sensation is of floating freely. There are three individual soundproof floating cabins, each with its own shower; once you’re inside, lights, music and clothing are optional. Advance reservations are essential. Prices start from €32.50 for 45min or €38.50 for an hour. The centre also offers massage. Towels and bathrobes are provided. Daily 9.30am–11pm.
Sauna Damrak Damrak 54 (Old Centre) 020/622 6012. Centrally located gay sauna, though women are also welcome at weekends. See "Saunas".
Sauna Deco Herengracht 115 (Grachtengordel west) 020/623 8215, www.saunadeco.nl. Built in 1920, this is possibly Amsterdam’s most stylish sauna and steam bath, with a magnificent Art Deco interior. Massage available. Entry costs €19.50 (€17 Mon, Wed–Fri noon–3pm); towels and bathrobes extra. No credit cards. Mon, Wed–Sat noon–11pm, Tues 3–11pm, Sun 1–7pm.
Sports and activities |
Swimming pools
It’s a good idea to call before setting out for any of the pools (zwembaden) listed below, since certain times are set aside for small children, family groups or classes.
Flevoparkbad Insulindeweg 1002 (Amsterdam Oost)