Amsterdam - Neighborhood Guide

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The real core of the city is Dam square with its beautiful Royal Palace. Most visitors arrive by train and the route they follow from Centraal Station takes them along the Damrak and Dam Square. This area is really focused on tourists. All kinds of souvenir shops, street performers and restaurants can be found here. The square is used for events and concerts and is famous because of the many pigeons. The two main shopping streets in Amsterdam, Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk, come both out on Dam Square.

Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein

The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are very crowded both by day and by night. When the sun is shining the terraces are quickly filled. Street performers entertain the public, mainly consisting of tourists, with acrobatic acts and music. At night the public changes: Amsterdammers go out here to celebrate their weekend, to visit the theatres, cinemas and clubs. The bars and clubs, such as Paradiso and Escape, close here after 5am. And next morning, only a few hours later, it starts all over again: the first tourists settle down on the terraces.

Jordaan

Built in 1612 during the expansion of the city, the Jordaan neighbourhood is well known all over the country for its specific street life, corny songs, sarcastic humour and working-class mentality. But this is mere nostalgia. Most of the Jordanezen (the native inhabitants) left some years ago for improved housing in neighbouring cities like Almere and Purmerend. Nowadays, it is a district with a lot of students and young urban professionals. The Jordaan accommodates many bars and cozy restaurants and is like a village in the big city. It is located between Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht, Raamstraat and Marnixstraat.

The Red-Light District (De Wallen)

The Red-Light district is the area left of the Damrak, the streets and canals in between Warmoesstraat and a square called Nieuwmarkt. The end of the two canals, Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal, marks the area's borders. Medieval Amsterdam was built here. De Wallen is best known for its window prostitution, sex shops and live shows, concentrated around the Oude Kerk, in alleys and around the canals. The atmosphere is somewhat chaotic most of the time, but also cozy; consider the fact that loads of tourists, pimps, drug dealers, addicts and locals come together in this district to do their own thing. You'll find numerous places to eat and drink and have a good time, day and night.

Canals

On February 1st 1999, the Dutch government decided to qualify the inner city of Amsterdam as a monument, a protected inner city view. The girdle of canals (ranging from Singel Canal up to Prinsengracht Canal) is an historically important part of this region, and it is one of the city's most attractive sights. The girdle of canals starts at River Amstel and ends at Brouwersgracht. One third of the houses along the canals (grachtenhuizen) were built before 1850. In the seventeenth century the city extended its boundaries and canals were formed in a girdle around the oldest part of Amsterdam to accommodate wealthy tradesmen and burghers. First Singel Canal was dug out, then Herengracht, Keizersgracht and, last of all, Prinsengracht. The architecture is mostly in the form of classicism.

Pijp

Pijp was the first modern city development in Amsterdam at the end of the 19th century. Many houses were built here very quickly for the growing amount of labourers. Nowadays Pijp is known as the perfect example of multicultural society. People from all over the world live here: young and old, students and artists. The main streets in Pijp are Albert Cuypstraat, famous for its market, and Ferdinand Bolstraat. Around these roads you'll find many exotic restaurants and a typical Amsterdam pub is located on almost every corner.

Museum Quarter

The Museum Quarter is the area around Museumplein, just a ten minutes' walk from Leidseplein. The main museums are situated here: The Museum of the State, Van Gogh Museum and The Municipal Museum. The Concert Building can be found in this neighbourhood too. The Museum Quarter is also known for its exclusive shops. Many international clothing brands have their shops in P.C. Hooftstraat and Van Baerlestraat. And of course Museumplein is a great place to sit in the sun, enjoy your lunch or just relax. This cultural area is very crowded during the day, but deserted at night.

Banks of the River Ij The newest city developments have taken place on the southern banks of the River Ij, on both the west and east sides of Central Station. This used to be a desolate area, with dilapidated warehouses. Now this part of town, with its great view of the river, is being completely redeveloped. Oostelijke Handelskade is the place where new theatres are appearing; a new district for Amsterdam nightlife. A new cruise terminal has also been built here: Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. The buildings have aroused much interest because of their innovative architecture. Over the next years, this area's skyline will be constantly changing.

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Central Amsterdam