Amsterdam is much more than the canals and the centre: every neighbourhood has its own character, and most are within walking or cycling distance of each other.
Historic centre: centuries-old streets in the Old Centre, stately canal houses in the Canal Ring and cosy almshouse courtyards in the Jordaan.
The Canal Ring is the city's calling card and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2010.
History: the crescent-shaped ring of the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, with the Singel on the inside, was laid out in the 17th century for wealthy merchants. Along the canals stand some fifteen hundred listed buildings with step, neck and bell gables.
Golden Bend: the most beautiful stretch of the Herengracht, where the richest Amsterdammers lived.
Anne Frank House: in the Secret Annex on the Prinsengracht, Anne Frank went into hiding with her family. One of the most visited museums in the Netherlands; tickets are only available online in advance.
Westerkerk: at around 85 metres, its tower is the tallest church tower in the city and offers a superb view. Rembrandt was buried here.
The Jordaan, just west of the Canal Ring, is perhaps the most beloved neighbourhood in Amsterdam.
Atmosphere: once a densely populated working-class district, known for the folk songs of singers such as Johnny Jordaan and Tante Leen. Today you will find galleries, studios, small restaurants and cosy brown cafés.
Little canals: the Bloemgracht and the Egelantiersgracht are lovely for a stroll.
Almshouse courtyards: behind inconspicuous doors lie historic courtyards (hofjes) such as the Karthuizerhof and the Sint Andrieshof. They are inhabited, so please be quiet and respect the residents.
Noordermarkt: on Mondays a market with fabrics and second-hand clothing, on Saturdays a cosy farmers' market with organic produce. On Saturdays you can also visit the Lindengrachtmarkt.
Brouwersgracht: according to many Amsterdammers the most beautiful canal in the city, with warehouses and houseboats on the border of the Jordaan and the Haarlemmerstraat, a lively shopping street with speciality shops and eateries.
Brown cafés: enjoy a beer in a centuries-old café such as 't Smalle on the Egelantiersgracht, with a terrace by the water.
The Old Centre and De Wallen: Where Amsterdam Began
Around the Dam, the settlement on the Amstel from which Amsterdam grew was founded in the 13th century, and this is still the busiest part of the city.
Oude Kerk: the oldest building in Amsterdam, in the heart of De Wallen, with a wooden vault and changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
Our Lord in the Attic: a complete 17th-century hidden church tucked away in the attic of a canal house, one of the most surprising museums in the city.
Begijnhof: a quiet inner courtyard near the Spui, with the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam and the Begijnhof Chapel.
Shopping: the Kalverstraat and the Nieuwendijk are the busiest shopping streets in the country, with the De Bijenkorf department store on the Dam.
De Wallen: the famous Red Light District is also one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city. Preferably visit during the day or early in the evening; taking photos of the windows is not allowed. Learn more about its history at the Red Light Secrets museum.
Chinatown and Nieuwmarkt: A World of Flavours
On the east side of De Wallen lies Amsterdam's small Chinatown, around the Zeedijk and the Nieuwmarkt.
Atmosphere: Chinese Amsterdammers have lived and worked here since the early 20th century. The streets are full of Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants, Asian grocery shops and supermarkets.
Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple: this Buddhist temple on the Zeedijk was built in traditional Chinese palace style and is free to visit. A peaceful refuge in the busy city.
De Waag: a 15th-century city gate on the Nieuwmarkt, later used as a weigh house and now home to a restaurant.
Nieuwmarkt: on Saturdays a farmers' market with organic produce, the rest of the week a cosy square with cafés and terraces.
Food and drink: try dim sum, Peking duck or an Indonesian rijsttafel. Many restaurants are open seven days a week until late. For more addresses, see restaurants in Amsterdam.
Zeedijk: one of the oldest streets in the city, with historic buildings, brown cafés and a rich LGBTQ+ history.
The Jewish Cultural Quarter: Centuries of Jewish Life in Amsterdam
Around the Waterlooplein lies the Jewish Cultural Quarter, less than one square kilometre in size, but with a story of more than four centuries of Jewish life in the city.
History: from the 17th century onwards, Jews from Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe settled here, and the area grew into the heart of the Jewish community. After the Second World War, in which most of Amsterdam's Jews were murdered, the neighbourhood changed profoundly.
Jewish Historical Museum: discover the history, religion and culture of the Jewish community in the Netherlands, housed in four former synagogues. Young visitors get to know Jewish traditions in a playful way at the Children's Museum.
Portuguese Synagogue: this impressive synagogue from 1675 still has an authentic interior, with a sand floor and hundreds of candles as its only lighting.
National Holocaust Museum: the museum tells the story of the persecution of Jews in the Netherlands. Opposite stands the Hollandsche Schouwburg, the place where Jewish Amsterdammers were gathered for deportation during the war.
National Holocaust Names Monument: on the Weesperstraat, bricks bear the names of the more than 102,000 Jews, Roma and Sinti from the Netherlands who were killed in the Holocaust.
Rembrandt House: the home and studio of Rembrandt on the Jodenbreestraat, where he lived and worked for almost twenty years.
Waterlooplein market: the oldest daily market in Amsterdam (except on Sundays), with vintage clothing, antiques and curiosities. Across the Amstel you can see the H'ART Museum.
The Plantage: Green Avenues, Zoo and History
On the east side of the centre lies the Plantage, one of the quietest and greenest neighbourhoods in Amsterdam.
History: in the 17th century there were gardens and country estates here where wealthy Amsterdammers came to relax; this is where the neighbourhood gets its name. In the 19th century, stately mansions rose along the wide avenues.
Location: the neighbourhood borders directly on the Jewish Cultural Quarter and is ideal for a day of culture and nature away from the bustle of the centre.
Artis: the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, with historic buildings, an aquarium and a planetarium. Next to the entrance is Micropia, the only museum in the world about micro-organisms.
Hortus Botanicus: one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, with tropical greenhouses, a butterfly house and centuries-old plants.
Dutch Resistance Museum: discover how the Dutch adapted, collaborated or resisted during the Second World War. The museum also has a special section for children.
Wertheimpark and Entrepotdok: relax in the small Wertheimpark on the Nieuwe Herengracht and stroll along the Entrepotdok, where old warehouses have been converted into homes by the water.
The Eastern Docklands: Water, Museums and Modern Architecture
East of Central Station lay the port of Amsterdam for centuries; today the Eastern Docklands are a district full of water, museums and modern architecture.
Architecture: from the 1990s onwards, striking residential areas rose on the former harbour quays, such as KNSM Island, Java Island and Borneo-Sporenburg with the red Python Bridge.
NEMO Science Museum: the green, ship-shaped building is an interactive science museum for young and old. Its stepped roof is a free public square with views over the city.
National Maritime Museum: in the former naval storehouse from 1656 you discover four centuries of maritime history. A replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam is moored at the quay.
Amsterdam Public Library: the central library on the Oosterdok has a restaurant on the top floor with one of the finest free views of the city.
Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ: a modern concert hall on the water, known for contemporary music, jazz and world music. See more concerts in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam-Noord: Industrial and Creative
Across the IJ lies Amsterdam-Noord, which has grown in a short time from an industrial area into a creative hotspot.
Getting there: take the free ferry from the back of Central Station; the crossing only takes a few minutes.
A'DAM Lookout: the viewing deck on top of the A'DAM Tower offers a 360° view over the city. Dare to try it? Then swing over the edge of the building on Over The Edge.
Eye Film Museum: the striking white building on the water is dedicated to film, with exhibitions, cinemas and a restaurant with a terrace on the IJ.
NDSM wharf: a former shipyard full of street art, studios and festivals. Here you will also find the STRAAT Museum, with one of the largest street art collections in the world.
More to experience: take a virtual flight over the Netherlands at This is Holland or enjoy digital art at the Nxt Museum.
Dyke villages: in the green polders lie characteristic villages such as Durgerdam and Ransdorp, best explored by bike.
Westerpark: Culture and Nature Hand in Hand
Westerpark lies just beyond the Jordaan and combines greenery with culture, with the Westergasfabriek at its heart.
Westerpark: the park after which the district is named, ideal for walking, picnicking or a coffee on one of the terraces.
Westergasfabriek: the former gasworks is now a cultural park with restaurants, bars, galleries, festivals and markets.
Ketelhuis: a film theatre in the Westergasfabriek that focuses on Dutch films and arthouse cinema.
Museum Het Schip: the famous housing block in the Spaarndammerbuurt is a highlight of the Amsterdam School and can be visited on a guided tour.
De Pijp: The Buzzing Heart of Amsterdam
De Pijp, south of the Singelgracht, is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in the city, with a multicultural population and hundreds of restaurants and cafés.
History: the district was built in the late 19th century as a working-class neighbourhood; its long, narrow streets gave it its nickname ("the pipe").
André Hazes: on the Marie Heinekenplein stands the statue of the popular singer, who grew up in De Pijp.
Food and drink: from Surinamese and Moroccan to trendy coffee bars and brunch spots around the Gerard Douplein. On the Utrechtsestraat, just across the canal, you will also find many speciality shops and restaurants.
Oud-Zuid: Museums, Luxury and Greenery
Oud-Zuid is the elegant side of Amsterdam, with wide avenues, stately mansions and the largest cultural offering in the city.
Concertgebouw: world-famous for its acoustics and one of the best concert halls in the world. Check the programme for classical concerts, jazz and family performances.
Olympic Stadium: the stadium of the 1928 Olympic Games, a little further south, which you can visit on a guided tour.
Amsterdam-Oost: A Melting Pot of Cultures
Amsterdam-Oost is a diverse and lively district with a different atmosphere from the tourist bustle of the centre.
Atmosphere: a mix of cultures, trendy cafés, markets, historic buildings and some of the most beautiful parks in the city.
Dappermarkt: one of the best-known markets in the city, with a wide range of international products. Here you can taste the multicultural atmosphere of Oost.
Javaplein: a lively square with cafés, restaurants and bars, ideal for a bite and a drink.
Brewery 't IJ: enjoy a craft beer from the brewery's own production at the foot of the De Gooyer windmill, one of the few windmills still standing in the city.
Tips for Exploring the Neighbourhoods
With a few practical tips you will get the most out of your visit to the different neighbourhoods of Amsterdam.
On foot or by bike: the central neighbourhoods are best explored on foot or with a rental bike.
