Leidseplein, Leidsegracht and Spiegelgracht Walk

1.3 miles – 2.2 kilometres

The bustling Leidseplein can be a pleasant oasis on a nice spring morning. This ‘Leidse Loop’ walk is a mixture of leafy canals and semi-pedestrian streets full of art for the interested passer-by. There's lots to see and enjoy on this walk that loops the Leidseplein.

a Leidse Loop Walk in Amsterdam (follow link to see in Google maps)

Best to do this short walk early unless you like joining the droves. After admiring the various buildings on the Leidseplein, take the steps down to the pedestrian boardwalk beside the water; the steps are opposite the front of the American Hotel. Here you are just to the right of the Apple Centre which is housed in the magnificent ‘Hirsch Building’, check it out.

From the boardwalk, you'll see weeping willow, huge plane trees, conifers, birch, plus rhododendron. Later, after re-crossing the Leidseplein on the S.E. side, this route continues along under the plane trees of the Lijnbaansgracht and from the first bridge on the Spiegelgracht, you'll have a fine view of the Rijks. To add a pinch of art & culture, we continue northwards through the Spiegelstraat whose many galleries have wonderful paintings and sculptures on view in their shop-windows. Finally you will return to the Leidseplein via the Herengracht and then the Leidsegracht (canal) after crossing the Leidsestraat (which is one of the famous Dutch streets). As you amble along the Leidsegracht, you will pass the celebrated TFIOS canal-bench (the one made famous in the film The Fault in our Stars), but you'll have to find it yourself - a difficult assignment ha ha.

You could continue on to the Leidsekade and Leidsebosje (bosje = small wooded area) if you're feeling energetic and if so, be sure to give the massive plane trees your full attention. Or just return to the Leidseplein via the Lijnbaansgracht passing the famous Milky Way (Melkweg) music centre which has enjoyed a big reputation back since the hippy days.
This is quite a restful and leafy walk yet still in ‘the thick of things’.

Refreshments

• Café Stanislavski

  Leidseplein 26
  Open 09.00 – 01.00
  Lovely spot on the ground floor of the beautiful Stadsschouwburg Theatre and a great people-watching perch whether you sit indoors or outside.

• Café de Balie

  Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10 (this is actually part of the Leidseplein)
  Open 09.00 – 01.00
  Hip and happening café where young and old will feel relaxed and where you can have coffee, lunch, drinks, evening meal or just read the papers while you have a cuppa. This is also a good place to head to after the Rijksmuseum.

• Café het Molenpad

  Prinsengracht 653
  Open 12.00 – 01.00
  Nice easy-going café where you can sit and ‘chill’ in the midst of your Leidse Loop. Great waterside outdoor area where you can watch the boats floating by; inside it is comfy and cosy. Great for lunch or drinks in the afternoon and you can have an evening meal here too.