Neighbourhoods of Amsterdam .

Amsterdam Centrum

Amsterdam Centrum is the historic heart of the city and the area most visitors explore first. It includes many of Amsterdam’s best-known sights, including Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Amsterdam Central Station, the canal belt, the Jordaan, De Wallen, and De Negen Straatjes.

De Wallen is the oldest part of Amsterdam. It is best known as the Red Light District, but the area also has a lot of history. You can see the Oude Kerk, old canals, narrow alleys, historic houses, bars, cafés, small museums, and the streets around Nieuwmarkt and Zeedijk. During the day, it is easier to notice the historic side of the area, while in the evening it becomes much busier.


The Grachtengordel is Amsterdam’s famous canal belt. It includes the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht, with elegant canal houses, bridges, houseboats, shops, and quiet side streets. This is one of the best areas for walking or cycling because the classic Amsterdam scenery is everywhere.

The Jordaan sits just west of the canal belt and is one of the most charming parts of the centre. It has narrow streets, small canals, independent shops, cafés, galleries, local markets, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the busiest parts of Centrum. Places like Noordermarkt, Westerstraat, Lindengracht, and Brouwersgracht are worth seeing.

De Negen Straatjes, or the Nine Streets, is a small shopping area inside the canal belt. It is known for boutique shops, vintage stores, cafés, design shops, and local businesses. It is also close to the Jordaan, the Anne Frank House, Dam Square, and the rest of the historic centre.

Amsterdam Centrum is the best area if you want to see the most famous parts of the city in a short time. It is busy, but it gives you the classic Amsterdam experience with canals, bridges, historic streets, museums, shops, and many of the city’s main landmarks close together.

Amsterdam Zuid

Amsterdam Zuid is one of the city’s most elegant and varied areas. It includes Museumplein, Oud-Zuid, De Pijp, Vondelpark, Zuidas, and the quieter residential areas further south.

Museumplein is the cultural centre of Amsterdam Zuid. Here you will find the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, and Concertgebouw. The area is spacious and easy to combine with Vondelpark, Oud-Zuid, or De Pijp.


Oud-Zuid is known for wide streets, beautiful houses, luxury shopping, cafés, and a calm residential atmosphere. P.C. Hooftstraat is one of Amsterdam’s most famous shopping streets, while Cornelis Schuytstraat and the streets around Vondelpark have a more local and elegant feel.

De Pijp is livelier and more energetic. It is known for restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, terraces, and the Albert Cuyp Market. Sarphatipark gives the neighbourhood a green centre, while streets like Ferdinand Bolstraat, Gerard Doustraat, and Van Woustraat are full of local life. More information about de Pijp.

Vondelpark is one of the most important green spaces in Amsterdam. It is popular for walking, cycling, relaxing, and moving between Oud-Zuid, Museumplein, and Oud-West. For many visitors, it is one of the easiest places to take a break from the busy city streets.

Zuidas is Amsterdam’s main business district. It has modern offices, hotels, apartments, restaurants, and strong transport connections. It is less historic than other parts of Amsterdam, but it is useful for business travellers and anyone staying near Amsterdam Zuid station.

Further south, Amsterdam becomes greener and more residential. Areas near Beatrixpark, the RAI, Amsterdamse Bos, and Buitenveldert feel quieter and more spacious than the city centre.

Amsterdam Oost

Amsterdam Oost is a large and varied area east of the city centre. It has parks, museums, local shopping streets, residential neighbourhoods, multicultural food spots, and modern waterside areas.

Plantage is one of the most historic and green parts of Oost. It is close to the centre but feels calmer than many central neighbourhoods. Important sights include Artis Zoo, the Hortus Botanicus, the Dutch Resistance Museum, the National Holocaust Museum, and the Portuguese Synagogue nearby.

Artis is one of the main attractions in Oost and one of the oldest zoos in Europe. The area around it is pleasant to walk or cycle through, with wide streets, trees, museums, and quieter residential corners.

Oosterpark is another important part of Amsterdam Oost. It is a large city park surrounded by cafés, local streets, and cultural sights. Nearby, you will find the Tropenmuseum and the lively streets around Linnaeusstraat.

Further east, neighbourhoods like the Indische Buurt and the area around Javastraat offer a more local and diverse side of Amsterdam. Dappermarkt is a busy local market, while Flevopark and Park Frankendael add more green space to the area.

Amsterdam Oost is a good area to visit if you want to see a less touristy side of the city while still having plenty of cafés, parks, museums, and local street life nearby.

Amsterdam Noord

Amsterdam Noord sits across the IJ river from Central Station. It has a very different feel from the historic centre. The area is more spacious, creative, and modern, with old industrial buildings, waterfront views, cultural spaces, and quiet residential streets.

The free ferry from Central Station makes Noord easy to reach. Close to the ferry, you can visit the A’DAM Tower, the Eye Filmmuseum, and the waterfront area with views back towards the city centre.

NDSM is one of the best-known parts of Noord. It is a former shipyard that has become a creative area with street art, event spaces, cafés, restaurants, studios, and cultural venues. The atmosphere is more industrial and open than in the old centre.

Noord is also a good area for cycling. The streets are wider, the area is less crowded, and you can continue towards quieter residential neighbourhoods, parks, villages, and waterside routes that feel far away from the busy centre.

Amsterdam Noord is a strong choice if you want to see a more creative and spacious side of Amsterdam without going far from Central Station.

Amsterdam West

Amsterdam West is a broad area with many different neighbourhoods, including Oud-West, Westerpark, De Baarsjes, and Bos en Lommer. It is close to the centre, but it generally feels more local and residential.

Westerpark sits on the border between the city centre and Amsterdam West. It is both a park and a cultural area. The park itself is a good place to walk, cycle, or relax, while the Westergas area has cafés, restaurants, markets, exhibitions, festivals, and events.

Oud-West is one of the most popular parts of Amsterdam West. It sits between the canal belt, Vondelpark, and the western neighbourhoods. The area is known for cafés, restaurants, local shops, and De Hallen, a former tram depot with food, cinema, shops, and cultural spaces.

De Baarsjes and Bos en Lommer are further west and feel more residential. These areas are less touristy, but they have local shops, cafés, parks, and easy cycling routes back towards the centre.

Amsterdam West is useful if you want a more local Amsterdam experience while staying close to the historic centre. It is also a good area for cycling because you can move easily between Westerpark, Oud-West, Vondelpark, the Jordaan, and the canal belt.