Like any big city, Amsterdam is made liveable, more human, by breaking it down to its neighborhoods. With people fiercely loyal to the area they live in, choosing the best neighborhoods in Amsterdam is a matter of taste.
From the major museums of Oud-Zuid to the zany repurposed buildings of NDSM Wharf, there is endless variety. You can find great shopping in Oud-West or spend hours sightseeing in De Wallen.
In Plantage, you’ll find greenery and a zoo, and in Jordaan a warm, close-knit community. Wherever you go in Amsterdam, its neighborhoods all have at least one thing in common: picturesque canals lined with historic buildings.
Oud-Zuid
Oud-Zuid
Better known as the Museum District, Amsterdam “Old South” is famous for the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk, and Van Gogh Museum. This trio of art museums in Amsterdam is a must-see for any first-time visitor.
Rembrandt’s The Night Watch takes center stage in Rijksmuseum, while The Potato Eaters is the star of Van Gogh’s earliest works. The Stedelijk focuses on modern and contemporary art from artists such as Picasso to Marc Chagall.
Shopping in this upmarket area is centered on the leafy boulevard of P.C. Hooftstraat, with its rich choice of designer brands. You might also find an unusual boutique or a lovely café terrace to watch the passing show.
Vondelpark
Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park, is filled with dog walkers, runners, and cyclists. Check out the flying saucer-shaped Blauwe Theehuis—“Blue Tea House”, an atmospheric café on an island.
Jordaan
Jordaan
The residents of Jordaan, once a strongly working-class neighborhood, still speak a dialect of their own. Its old houses, picturesque canal bridges, and atmospheric bars make it a photographer’s dream and one of the best Amsterdam neighborhoods to visit.
Among the many bruine kroeg—“brown cafés”, pubs named for their tobacco-stained walls—is Café Papeneiland. Leaning out over a canal, it is one of the most scenic sights in the city.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton came to Papeneiland in 2011 to eat some of their famous apple pie. “Adele”—with whipped cream and a strong coffee—is a local institution, but Noordermarkt’s Winkel 43 may be better.
Centrum
Centrum
The Amsterdam Centrum area radiating out from Central Station includes the Grachtengordel or Canal District. This is broken up by the large plazas of Rembrandtplein, Nieuwmarkt, and Dam Square.
Packed full of shops, bars, restaurants, and other attractions, this is the heart of Amsterdam. The best way to orientate yourself is with a canal boat tour.
Amsterdam was built on its canals and understanding why is to understand the city. Many of its historic buildings are also best seen from the water and a good guide will bring it all to life.
Amsterdam Canal
Don’t miss the De 9 Straatjes shopping district, for everything from antiques to the latest fashion. These “Nine Streets” are split into three sets of three by bridges over four picturesque canals.
A poignant landmark here is the Anne Frank Huis, where her Jewish family hid for two years. It’s now a museum, where the tragic story told in her diary comes to life.
Let’s not forget to mention the countless bikes. Check out the multi-story cycle park at the station and note the quietness of a city center where cars are a rarity.
De Pijp
De Pijp
“The Pipe” might take its name from its narrow streets, lined with four-story houses. The affordable housing in this former working-class neighborhood drew in artists, students, refugees, and young professionals.
They helped make it one of Amsterdam’s most fashionable areas. It’s now a place of great restaurants, noisy bars, and cool shops.
Albert Cuyp Market
The busy Albert Cuyp street market here is a place to find anything from shoes to fresh herring. It’s the largest and oldest outdoor market in the country.
Dominating the surrounding streets is the Heineken Brewery, built in 1867. Take a tour to enjoy some free samples and take away a bottle with your name on it.
Oud-West
Oud-West
The vibrant neighborhood of Amsterdam “Old West” is, well, west of the city center. It’s a diverse mix of residential streets and lively commercial areas, bordered by the Vondelpark to its south.
The bustling outdoor market on Ten Katestraat is where locals shop for fresh produce, flowers, and international foods. De Hallen, a converted former tram depot, is another popular food and shopping hall.
Once working-class, this is now popular with young professionals and families. The area around De Clercqstraat shopping street is known for its specialty coffee shops, artisan bakeries, and international restaurants.
The Netherlands are known for scenic canals, and here you’ll see some of Amsterdam’s prettiest, perfect for exploring by kayak, rental boat, or paddleboard. The side streets showcase typical Amsterdam architecture, with beautiful 19th-century buildings.
Oost
Oost
Amsterdam Oost—“East”—stretches from Plantage to the modern IJburg islands. It includes small neighborhoods such as Oosterparkbuurt and the former harbor areas around Entrepothaven.
Here, you’ll find one of Amsterdam’s most famous street markets, the Dappermarkt. Shop for everything from fresh produce and textiles to delicious street food in Amsterdam.
Oosterpark
The magnificent Oosterpark is a green heart for the district. The former harbor areas have been dramatically redeveloped, with some striking contemporary architecture..
A wonderful throwback is the historic Brouwerij ‘t IJ, a former bath house next to Amsterdam’s tallest wooden windmill. This is a unique combination of Dutch brewing tradition and local heritage.
De Wallen
De Wallen
De Wallen is Amsterdam’s famous “red-light” district, dating back to the 14th century when it first catered to sailors. Behind its red-lit windows, the workers now legally operate under strict controls.
In contrast, the Oude Kerk—“Old Church—is the oldest building that Amsterdam is known for, dating to 1213. It’s an architectural masterpiece standing among numerous historic buildings and coffee shops.
The area’s canals are lined with traditional Dutch houses, many tilting on sagging wooden foundations. No wonder when a majority date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The district is Amsterdam’s busiest for foreign visitors but quiet spots remain. A notable, exquisite one is Onze Lieve heer op Zolder—“Our Lord in the Attic”—a hidden Catholic church from the 17th century.
Nieuwmarkt
Nieuwmarkt
Nieuwmarkt takes its name from a historic square in the heart of Amsterdam’s old city center. It’s dominated by De Waag, a 15th-century former city gate and weighing house, now a busy restaurant.
The area was Amsterdam’s Jewish quarter before World War II, later the city’s first Chinatown. It still thrives today with numerous Asian restaurants and specialty shops.
Narrow streets off the square are worth exploring for their well-preserved medieval architecture. You might stumble on a traditional Dutch café, a Chinese restaurant, or an atmospheric shop.
Rembrandt House Museum
Jodenbreestraat is where Rembrandt lived and painted many of his masterpieces. It’s fascinating to visit his home—now the Rembrandt House Museum—to stand in the great artist’s actual workshop.
Westerpark
Westerpark
Westerpark is a sprawling public park in Amsterdam’s western area. It gives its name to a vibrant cultural district, anchored by the Westergasfabriek, a former gas works.
This 19th-century factory has become a cultural complex housing restaurants, bars, a cinema, and event spaces. The park itself has a classical landscape design, updated with modern recreational areas and walking and jogging paths.
The formerly polluted factory grounds have been turned into an eco-friendly park. This transformation echoes the urban renewal and cultural enrichment of the whole neighborhood.
Charming streets such as Van Hallstraat hold a mix of cafés, boutiques, and unusual shops. A long cycling and walking path connects Westerpark to a green corridor out of the city.
Plantage
Plantage
The Plantage was originally laid out in the 17th century as a recreational garden area for the wealthy. It’s home to Artis Zoo, the Netherlands‘ oldest, and Hortus Botanicus, one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens.
Hortus Botanicus has a tropical greenhouse that is a wonderful, steamy refuge on chilly winter days. The Tropenmuseum showcases world cultures and Amsterdam’s global history.
Plantage Middenlaan
Plantage Middenlaan, the grand main boulevard, is lined with stately trees and impressive buildings. These include the magnificent Dutch National Opera & Ballet and Wertheimpark, Amsterdam’s first public park.
The area has deep connections to Jewish history, explored in the Dutch Resistance Museum. Hollandsche Schouwburg, a former theater that was a deportation center in WWII, is now a moving memorial.
Nieuw-West
Nieuw-West
Amsterdam “New West” is one of the city’s largest and most diverse districts. It grew rapidly in the post-World War II period, following the innovative urban planning principles of the time.
The result is a distinctive mix of architectural styles. These range from 1950s garden city-inspired developments to more recent modern blocks.
Sloterplas is a large artificial lake created when sand was extracted to build the district. It’s become a recreational hub with beaches, water sports facilities, and parkland.
Nieuw-West is culturally diverse, with large communities of Turkish, Moroccan, and Surinamese residents. This multicultural atmosphere is reflected in the area’s shops, restaurants, and street food.
Amstelveen
Amstelveen
Amstelveen, south of Amsterdam, has evolved from a rural peat-harvesting village into a seriously upmarket community. It has one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe, who have a marked influence on its shops and restaurants.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is a major annual event held in Amsterdamse Bos. This sprawling recreational area has rowing courses, hiking trails, and even a goat farm.
Stadshart Amstelveen is a large shopping center, with cultural facilities including the Schouwburg Amstelveen theater. The district has several lovely green spaces and excellent cycling infrastructure.
Oude Dorp—the “Old Village”—around the Urbanuskerk preserves some of Amstelveen’s historical character. Its traditional buildings might lead you to visit the Museum Jan van der Togt, which showcases the area’s heritage.
Oostelijke Eilanden
Oostelijke Eilanden
The Eastern Docklands are worth a visit for the Scheepvaartmuseum alone. This informative maritime museum, with its beautiful ship models and art, is central to understanding Dutch and Amsterdam history.
The Burghers of Amsterdam started trading with Asia in 1600. The wealth of the subsequent so-called “Golden Age”—built on spices, slaves, and whale oil—financed the building of Amsterdam’s canal network, historic buildings, and grand museums.
NEMO Science Museum
The NEMO Science Museum is a striking modern waterfront building by architect Renzo Piano. It holds five floors of hands-on exhibits and a wonderful rooftop piazza with a restaurant.
This is another area of fascinating modern architecture along the IJ —the bay that is Amsterdm’s waterfront. Walk, cycle, or take a tram to explore its historic maritime heritage and modern developments.
Read: Three Days in Amsterdam
NDSM Wharf
NDSM Wharf
NDSM Wharf, north of the IJ, is a former shipyard reshaped as a dynamic cultural and creative hub. Massive industrial buildings and old shipping containers covered in street art have become artists’ studios and creative workspaces; this is one of the best neighborhoods in Amsterdam to visit if you’re looking for something different.
Former shipbuilding sheds and towering cranes make dramatic backdrops for cultural events, festivals, and art installations.
A’DAM Tower
A’DAM Tower, formerly an office block, includes adrenaline-rich attractions such as a giant rooftop swing. There are spectacular 360-degree views from the 20th-story enclosed panorama deck and the open-air Sky Deck above that.
The jaw-dropping EYE Film Institute building holds four movie theaters and a popular restaurant whose terrace has wonderful views. Its changing exhibits and vast library are a must for movie fans.
Regular free ferries connect NDSM to Amsterdam Central Station, with a quick, scenic journey across the IJ. On weekends, it’s the place to be for its many restaurants, festivals, and other cultural events.
Haarlemmerbuurt
Haarlemmerbuurt
Haarlemmerbuurt is part of the Centrum district that stands out for its historic character. Its heart is the old road to Haarlem, now the streets of Haarlemmerdijk and Haarlemmerstraat.
That pairing makes up one of Amsterdam’s oldest shopping streets. You’ll find an enchanting mix of specialty stores, from traditional Dutch bakeries to vintage clothing boutiques.
The rich history here is seen in its well-preserved 17th-century architecture. Wander down side streets to find an “authentic” Amsterdam of quirky cafés and hidden courtyards.
There are several art galleries and the Pianola Museum, with a unique collection of self-playing pianos. Beer drinkers will enjoy Brouwerij Troost, a local craft brewery housed in a former windmill.
Centrum
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