3. Eastern Docklands

WATERFRONT.   For centuries, there has been little change plotted on Amsterdam maps. However, a desperate shortage of housing in the city led to an ambitious urban regeneration plan of the docklands to the east of Centraal Station – and at the dawn of the 21st century, the stunning results rose up on the skyline. With more than a nod to the nautical, the series of small islands and peninsulas contain buildings resembling whales and waves, and eccentric bridges criss-crossing canals. Gentrified warehouses – which once stored goods brought by ships from all corners of the world – have been turned into restaurants, cultural centers and artists' studios, and one street has a row of houses each individually designed by different architects. A mecca for architecture aficionados (it includes contributions by Renzo Piano and Larry Malcic), it's well worth exploring. But first stop should be architecture center, ARCAM (Prins Hendrikkade 600, 620 4878, www.arcam.nl, Tue-Sat 1pm-5pm) where you can pick up an invaluable map detailing the architecture of the area.   (© 10Best)

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