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The Quick Answer

• Best areas in the city: Jordaan, Canal Ring, De Pijp and Vondelpark
• Best areas outside the city: Amsterdam Noord and Eastern Docklands

Table of Contents

Our guide to Amsterdam’s best neighbourhoods is just what you need to help you plan your visit to Amsterdam. We have great recommendations, whether you’re here to explore this artistic city’s history, its architecture, its markets, its cuisine, its museums, or if you’re just here to kick back and enjoy yourself. We think the best city breaks are those where you match the atmosphere of the neighbourhood you stay in with the kind of trip you’re planning.

Neighbourhood Guide to Amsterdam

Globe-trotter, based on work b

There are a lot of different reasons to visit atmospheric Amsterdam, the famously artistic and liberal city built on and around concentric circles of man-made canals. Its narrow lanes, arching bridges and tall, gabled houses are close packed within the canal rings, and this is where many people find their reasons to visit, in the museums and galleries, the cosy cafes, creative restaurants, the friendly bars, markets and boutiques. Outside the ring are the up-and-coming neighbourhoods, some chicly claimed and de-industrialised, others green and leafy, and here you’ll find the tech start-ups, the craft breweries and gin distilleries, the creative hubs and some of the hottest clubs and venues in Europe.

If you’re planning to stay within the rings then you’ll find Amsterdam snug enough to get around on foot. A lot of people do it on two wheels, and some people do it on the water. There’s a tram network around central Amsterdam and an excellent rail network serving the larger area, and buses and a five-line metro service in some areas too. The main transport hub is Amsterdam Centraal Station.

Amsterdam Centrum

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Amsterdam Centrum is the city’s bustling heart, nestled in the centre of the iconic canal rings. From Amsterdam Centraal Station to Dam Square and the Royal Palace, the floating flower market, Oude Kerk, Westerkerk, Nieuwe Kerk, the Amsterdam Museum, Rembrandt House, Anne Frank’s House, and NEMO, the area is packed with history, culture, and attractions. It’s also where you’ll hop on canal tours, dive into nightlife in the Red Light District, or shop along Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk. Amid the busy streets, you’ll find charming canal-side homes, cosy cafes, and elegant bars, though some corners can be slightly seedy. The best way to explore? On foot, by bike, tram, or even by boat — you can truly experience every side of Centrum your way.

Dam Square

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Dam Square is the vibrant heart of Amsterdam, right in the middle of the city’s busiest tourist hub. On its west side stands the stunning Baroque Koninklijk Paleis, originally a lavish town hall that became a royal palace when Napoleon crowned his brother Louis, King of the Netherlands in 1808; inside, marble halls and an impressive art and sculpture collection await. The square is also steps from the Amsterdam Museum, Madame Tussauds, and the Nationaal Monument, marking the site of the city’s first castle. It’s a central spot for a base, with plenty of affordable (if touristy) hotels and restaurants.

Canal Ring

Image by Fabrice from Pixabay

Known locally as the Grachtengordel, Amsterdam’s Canal Belt is a stunning series of concentric canals that trace the city’s golden age of 16th-century wealth and architecture. Starting with the Singel in the centre, then the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht, these waterways — whose names translate neatly to the patrician’s, the emperor’s, and the prince’s canals — were originally lined with grand homes and warehouses. Today, they’re home to some of the city’s top sights, including the Anne Frank House, the Bloemenmarkt, and just a couple of canals over, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. On the western edge, between Prinsengracht and Singel, the chic Negen Straatjes neighbourhood offers stylish shops, clubs, and music venues. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, though the tram is your friend if you’re in a hurry.

Negen Straatjes

Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay

Negen Straatjes — or “Nine Streets” — lives up to its name: a stylish little neighbourhood of nine streets packed with boutiques, galleries, and charming independent bars and cafes. It’s a shopper’s paradise, whether you’re hunting for design pieces, vintage treasures, or the latest fashion finds. Perfectly located, it also makes a great base for exploring the rest of the Canal Ring — you’re just a few blocks from the Prinsengracht and Jordaan, and within an easy, scenic stroll of the area’s top sights and the Museumkwartier.

Jordaan

Image by djedj from Pixabay

Jordaan is a charming, traditional neighbourhood just outside the Canal Ring, a five-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal. Its narrow streets, canals, small homes, and historic almshouses give it an old-world feel, while its bohemian past lives on in design boutiques, chic galleries, cafes, and wine bars. Jordaan remains more independent than Centrum, boasting cosy brown cafes, a bustling Saturday farmers’ market, and the Antiekcentrum — a sprawling maze of antique shops that’s hard to beat. All this charm comes without sacrificing centrality, making it an ideal base for exploring the city.

MuseumKwartier

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If museums are on your Amsterdam itinerary, the MuseumKwartier is a no-brainer. Centred around Museumplein, it’s home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum, plus the edgy Moco Museum for contemporary street art. The area also hosts Amsterdam’s concert hall and the bustling Albert Cuypstraat, packed with cafes, boutiques, and one of Europe’s largest street markets. With Vondelpark, the Canal Ring, and trams to Centraal Station just minutes away, it’s perfectly placed for culture, shopping, and relaxation.

De Pijp

By Alf van Beem - Own work, CC0

Just behind the Museumkwartier, across Albert Cuypstraat, lies De Pijp — a lively, multicultural residential neighbourhood with a vibe all its own. Foodies will love the international cafes, restaurants, and street-food stalls, many inspired by the Netherlands’ colonial past. Albert Cuypstraat buzzes with activity, especially on Saturdays when the market swells, while nearby Sarphatipark offers a sunny escape. De Pijp’s 1920s architecture, influenced by the Amsterdam School, sets it apart from the city centre, and you’re close enough to explore on foot — or hop on a tram or bus to get around.

Vondelpark

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Long and narrow, Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s only central park — and at 120 acres, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Just a short stroll from the Rijksmuseum, it’s surrounded by elegant townhouses and the upscale suburbs of Vondelbuurt, Overtoomse Sluis, and Willemspark, home to leafy streets, chic cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. The park itself has plenty to enjoy: the modernist Blauwe Theehuis tearoom, an open-air theatre, playgrounds, and sports fields. Its central location makes it a must-visit, even if you’re not staying nearby.

Vondelbuurt

By Ben Bender, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nestled between Vondelpark, Oud West, and the Canal Ring, Vondelbuurt is a leafy, mostly residential neighbourhood that feels peaceful yet never sleepy. Just across the Singelgracht from Leidseplein — with its music venues and Stadsschouwburg theatre — you’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars, as well as easy access to the MuseumKwartier and upscale Willemspark. Venture west, and you’ll discover Amsterdam’s only windmill open to the public and the expansive, tranquil Rembrandt Park, perfect for escaping the city buzz.

Plantage and the Jewish Quarter

By Marcelmulder68 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl

Plantage, a leafy, residential-feeling neighbourhood east of central Amsterdam, blends 19th-century townhouses with historic pockets like the old Jewish Quarter, Jodenbuurt — once Rembrandt’s stomping ground and home to the Museum Het Rembrandthuis and the Jewish Museum. Highlights include the Stadhuis-Opera complex, Amsterdam’s Hermitage outpost, and Artis Park, which houses a zoo, aquarium, planetarium, and the world’s oldest botanical gardens. Photogenic canals and bridges make it a delight to wander, and it’s just a short walk from the city centre, with trams and the Waterlooplein metro making it easy to explore further afield.

Eastern Docklands

By Michael Paraskevas, CC BY-SA 3.0

Step east from Amsterdam Centraal and you’ll find the Eastern Docklands, a striking mix of modernist architecture, creatively converted warehouses, and historic ships. Pass NEMO, the city’s hands-on science museum, and you’ll also spot the Scheepvaartmuseum (Maritime Museum) with the replica ship Amsterdam, the world-class Muziekgebouw concert hall, and the Bimhuis, a top jazz venue. With plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants, this neighbourhood offers a fresh, creative take on Amsterdam’s classic canals and bridges. Easy to explore on foot, it’s also well connected by tram and just minutes from Centraal Station.

De Wallen and Oud Zijde

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Oud Zijde — literally “Old Side” — is Amsterdam’s oldest neighbourhood, dating back to the 13th century, and includes De Wallen, the world-famous Red Light District. Beyond its nightlife, the area is full of culture, from the medieval Montelbaanstoren, a favourite subject of Rembrandt, to the graceful Zuiderkerk and Oude Kerk. Residential streets are dotted with cafes, delis, and shops where locals mingle with visitors. With a broad range of dining options, excellent restaurants, and a truly unique atmosphere, Oud Zijde is perfect for those who enjoy local colour and historic charm — just keep an open mind!

Westerpark

By David van der Mark - originally posted to Flickr as Westerpark, CC BY-SA 2.0

Westerpark isn’t just a huge green space — it’s also a lively neighbourhood south and east of the park, transformed from its post-industrial roots into a hip cultural hub. The former Westergasfabriek gasworks now hosts an art-house cinema, exhibition spaces, cafes, bars, restaurants, markets, nightclubs, and the Het Schip Museum which celebrates Amsterdam’s modernist era. Families and creatives enjoy its playgrounds, while its central location makes the canal ring, Jordaan, and Centraal Station just a short walk — or tram ride — away.

Amsterdam’s Waterfront

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Amsterdam’s Waterfront stretches from the historic Western Islands along Prins Hendrikkade to the wide inner harbour of the Oosterdok. The Western Islands, once home to shipowners and warehouses, are perfect for a scenic stroll, with charming streets and varied bridges. Across from Centraal Station, you’ll find NEMO, the science museum, and the Scheepvaartmuseum (Maritime Museum), while tour boats, cafes, and bars line the waterfront. Staying near Centraal means you’re at the city’s doorstep, with everything just a short walk or tram ride away.

Amsterdam Noord

By Elekes Andor - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Across the IJ from Amsterdam’s canals and major museums, Amsterdam Noord has reinvented itself from an industrial shipyard hub into one of the city’s hippest neighbourhoods. Its skyline is dominated by the 20-storey A’DAM Toren, a “city in the sky” featuring nightlife, restaurants, a trendy hotel, a panoramic rooftop deck, a revolving restaurant, and a hair-raising swing with stunning sunset views. Noord is also packed with galleries, artists’ studios, Europe’s largest flea market, music venues, and attractions like the EYE Film Museum and a dazzling street art museum. With free ferries to Centraal Station or a quick metro ride, it’s an edgy, convenient base from which to explore all of Amsterdam.