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Cobble stones

We were inAmsterdam a few years ago, and if I remember correctly the side walks and walking areas were smooth, not cobble stones. Is that correct? Also is that the situation in the other cities in the Netherlands? I have to wear a prosthesis, and it makes a big difference.

Posted by
1450 posts

Dam Square has cobblestones, most other old streets are laid bricks. There are a lot of bike riders there so there are many smooth bike paths. Maybe a tricycle, if they have them, would be fun to ride.

Posted by
347 posts

I just returned from travel in the Netherlands and the Flanders part of Belgium. Compared to the very bumpy cobblestones in Gent and Bruges Belgium, the Nehterlands cities I was in (Amsterdam, Leiden, Den Haag, Delft) had smoother streets. However, it seemed to me that while most of Amsterdam had fairly flat brick (except for Dam Square, Spui, and maybe a few other areas), Leiden and Delft had more streets with uneven paving whether they are technically cobblestones or brick. They were less smooth than most of Amsterdam but much less bumpy than Gent or Bruges, if that helps.

Posted by
1978 posts

In general in the Netherlands you will find laid brick and tiles made of concrete instead of natural stone, cobblestones in older cities. Dam Square is more an exception to my idea, but are too flat and too small to call them real cobblestones. In Belgium natural stone is much more in use, but the old fashioned cobblestones are replaced nowadays with a similar look, but with a more flat top side for a smoother surface. Nevertheless in many cases still not comfortable enough if you have mobility issues. You have to be more carefull where you walk.