Rembrandtplein and Amstelveld

Stretching south from Rembrandtplein and to the Amstel River in the east, this area is known as the Amstelveld, which was completed in the 1660s. Rembrandtplein, marked by a statue of Rembrandt, is probably the 2nd liveliest area after Leidseplein and is home to restaurants, coffeeshops and nightlife of all tastes.
 
Right next to Rembrandtplein is Thorbeckeplein, which is basically an extension of the same busy square. There is a statue here of the former Dutch Premier Rudolf Thorbecke. At the end of this square you can see the 6 arched bridges of the Reguliersgracht, one of Amsterdam’s favorite photo opportunities. Also don’t miss the beautiful art deco cinema; the Theatre Tuschinski just around the corner from Rembrandtplein.
 
A short walk away from Rembrandtplein is the Museum of Bags and Purses and then heading south parallel to the River Amstel is Utrechtstraat a fantastic shopping street with book shops and lunch rooms and just right next to Utrecht Straat at the beginning of Kerk Straat is the Amstel Kerk, a wooden church from 1668, there is also a plant market here every Monday. To the East of here it’s only a short walk to the River Amstel, a great place to walk and watch the boats heading into the city. A perfect spot for this is the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) the most famous of Amsterdam’s thousands of bridges. Other sites along the Amstel worth checking out are the Hermitage Amsterdam to the North, Amstel Sluizen (Locks), the Koninklijk Theater Carre, and the Amstel Hotel, now probably Amsterdam’s most distinguished hotel.  
 
A good idea is to hire bicycles and follow the river Amstel out into the scenic countryside of Ouder Amstel, the Amstel Park and all the way to pretty village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. If you dont fancy doing this by yourself you can always book a fun group bike tour out along the Amstel.