Western Islands

A short walk west of Centraal Station are three hidden islands—known in Dutch as De Westelijke Eilanden—that were built on landfill back in the 17th century, as a sort of warehouse district. The waterfront neighborhood, with many boats and houseboats, is a lovely area for strolling. From the smallest island, Prinseneiland, follow the Galgenstraat (Gallows Street), which once had views of the bodies (or bits of bodies—sometimes the heads were placed elsewhere) that had been placed on the town's gallows across the water. Bickerseiland is a jumble of modern housing, boats, and a petting zoo. Across the white wooden drawbridge is the third island, Realeneiland, known for its row of picturesque 17th-century captains' houses on Zandhoek. Just across from the main canal that borders the Western Islands is the lovely Westerpark, as well as cafés, clubs, galleries, and art-house cinema Het Ketelhuis.