Amsterdam is at once everything you’d expect it to be as well as everything but; explore these streets and neighbourhoods to experience the full palette. All these places to visit in Amsterdam are picked from our Amsterdam city guide app, momondo places – download for free to your iPhone.
De Westelijke Eilanden
When travelling to Amsterdam, don’t miss the ‘village’
These now connected ‘islands’ at the Western tip of the canals certainly have an archipelago air. Prinseneiland, Realeneiland and Bickerseiland form a tranquil haven that will win the heart of any first-timer. Only separated from the busy Haarlemmerdijk by a railway, this feels like a far-out village.
While you are here, drop by the cosy café ‘t Blaauwhooft, the neighbourhood’s popular local bar. Most of the area is divided by water, which makes it perfect for ice-skating in winter. A lot of the ‘islanders’ live on houseboats, while others occupy the stellar 16th century warehouses, formerly used for tobacco and wine. Go ahead and pretend you’ve discovered all this magic by yourself. We won’t tell.
Where: De Westelijke Eilanden
Nearest station: Haarlemmerplein
De Wallen
De Wallen is also galleries and charming traditional pubs
You may have heard of this place. Better-known as the Red Light District, this 14th century maze of alleys and canals is always busy and has been providing adult amusement since sailors roamed its streets. Everything is illuminated by countless red-lit ‘peeskamers’ – rooms with prostitutes posing behind the windows.
If that sounds sleazy and strange – it is. But it isn’t dangerous, and the traditional pubs alone are worth a visit. Since Project 2012 – the city and central district’s attempt at cleaning up the area – the Wallen proudly includes a fair share of trendy initiatives as well. Keep an eye out for galleries, music studios and exhibitions in the exquisite Oude Kerk, and for hip cafés like Quartier Putain and Mata Hari.
Where: De Wallen
Nearest station: Dam
De Dam
Park your bike on De Dam and explore the area on foot
The Dam will probably be the first thing you see when you arrive. This central square was an actual dam in the river Amstel. Its main arteries – the rather unattractive streets of Rokin and Damrak – were originally a part of the river flowing towards the lake IJ. Its dubiously shaped National Monument was erected in honour of all victims of World War II, and subsequently occupied by hippies and their sleeping bags in the turbulent 1970s.
Today, the Dam is home to the annual May 4th commemoration, the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk, Madame Tussauds and an insane amount of hungry pigeons and living statues. Enjoy a walk up to the narrow ‘theatre alley’, called the Nes, to explore the vibrant neighbourhood.
Where: De Dam
Nearest station: Dam
De Nieuwmarkt
Nieuwmarkt after dark
When it comes to charisma, the centrally located square known as the Nieuwmarkt easily outshines the Dam. The city’s historical heart beats underneath its midpoint, the Waag, one of the oldest nonreligious buildings in town. Criminals used to be executed here, by the way.
Today it’s where market vendors feed you samples of organic cheese on Saturdays. Where pubs can be trusted to feel familiar. Where Thai curry houses rub shoulders with fishmongers. And where Chinese fireworks light up the sky on New Year’s Eve. This is also where the annual ‘April Fests’ are held – filling the square with music and transforming the area into a week-long gypsy funfair. This is the real Amsterdam!
Where: De Nieuwmarkt
Nearest station: Nieuwmarkt
De Nieuwe Hoogstraat
Window shopping in De Nieuwe Hoogstraat
De Nieuwe Hoogstraat sums up the historical centre in one single street. Leading out from the tacky Damstraat and the romantic Zuiderkerkhof at the back of Nieuwmarkt, this small shopping street instantly exposes Amsterdam’s cliches as well as its elegance.
Hard to miss when walking around the city’s ancient core, this particular stretch – one of the most travelled parts of town, a frenzy of constant two-legged and two-wheeled chaos – is worth enjoying on its own. You will find incense-fuelled headshops, shoe stores with clogs in the windows, wooden toys and art books, urban sneakers and even a specialized kite store. An immediate taste of Amsterdam’s versatility.
Where: De Nieuwe Hoogstraat
Nearest station: Nieuwmarkt
NDSM Werf
The hip ‘n’ raw NDSM Werf. Definitely one of the places to see in Amsterdam
Across the water you will find an alternative Amsterdam likely to surprise and excite you. The former NDSM docklands in Amsterdam-Noord are easily accessible by free ferry, but feel like a world apart.
Huge industrial barracks and cranes are being repurposed as we speak, creating workspaces for artists, restaurants, hotels and interesting cultural initiatives. No wonder all the cool companies – MTV, Red Bull, National Geographic – have swiftly made NDSM their home. Despite these developments, NDSM won’t become too overcrowded any time soon. It’s too rugged for that. Check out the NDSM cultural agenda – it may seem a bit desolate with few things going on, but a full afternoon is refreshing nonetheless.
Where: NDSM Werf
Nearest station: Ferry NDSM Werf
De Jordaan
Postcard pretty De Jordaan
The Jordaan area is a perpendicular cluster of attractive narrow streets, small canals – eleven to be precise – and 17th century buildings bordering the Western canal ring.
Once a densely populated and infamous working class neighbourhood, it has now become one of the most sought-after districts in town. You will be happily led astray in this charming pocket-sized jungle for the majority of the day. Start at the chirpy food-and-flea market Noordermarkt and make your way past ancient craft buildings, romantic quays, copious secret courtyards and traditional brown pubs. Remember to visit the statue of local hero folk singer Johnny Jordaan on Elandsgracht. It’s easy to imagine the ambience around these streets inspired many a musician.
Where: De Jordaan
Nearest station: Marnixplein
Tweede Tuindwarsstraat
Cute and pizza-friendly
Like Amsterdam’s unofficial Chinatown, de Zeedijk, the Tweede Tuindwarsstraat is Amsterdam’s unofficial Little Italy. It’s tiny, using up only one single small street in the romantic Jordaan area, but mamma mia, it manages to pack a lot of (also non-Italian) greatness into its few car-free yards.
Try the city’s best pizza at La Perla and go for ice cream dessert at Monte Pelmo. Another timeless favourite is Café de Tuin. From miniature art galleries to cute vintage shops, the whole area transforms in summer, when little checkered tables spill out onto the street, and everyone yells at each other. In a nice way.
Where: Tweede Tuindwarsstraat
Nearest station: Marnixplein
De Negen Straatjes
Where to shop? Look no further than De Negen Straatjes
Amsterdam’s legendary ‘nine streets’ make up all the little canalside streets between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsegracht.
This area is a miniature mecca for style fanatics and foodies. From Belgian chocolate to funny toothbrushes, from vintage bridal gowns at Laura Dols to Marlies Dekkers’ luxury underwear. And from Vans to Karl Lagerfeld, it is astonishing how many excellent specialist stores, hairdressers, bars, lunch cafés and galleries can be found on such a small area of land. A zigzag tour requires little effort but definitely brings home the goods. Providing a list of highlights is almost impossible, but the Negen Straatjes website – in English too! – offers great categorized guidance.
Where: In between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsegracht
Nearest station: Spui
De Haarlemmerdijk
Cycling in De Haarlemmerdijk
De Haarlemmerdijk is that perfect girl all the boys want – and one all the girls would love to hate but secretly want to be. At once timeless and hip, this street is the perfect antidote to drab, chain-filled shopping strips.
Every shop on ‘the Dijk’ – its joyous big sister Haarlemmerstraat lacks just a little of its sparkle – is quality. From men’s-only gift store Concrete Matter to the buttery croissants at Mediterranee. From 2ForJoy’s home-roasted coffee to Jutka & Riska’s vintage gems. From the Kookboekenwinkel selling nothing but cookbooks to restaurants like the Pizzakamer, Jordino’s ice cream and Indian family eatery Balray. It’s hard to believe this short stretch could easily cost you a day – and your savings.
Where: Haarlemmerdijk
Nearest station: Haarlemmerplein
Blijburg aan Zee
Time for urban beaching
Even city dwellers have the urge to feel sand between their toes on sweltering summer days. This is when locals appreciate the Blijburg – a city beach, not actually by the ocean, but overlooking the former sea-arm, the IJ.
Run by free-spirited folks, Blijburg is a temporary beach bar that has moved from place to place several times already. This last location, at the edge of new residential area IJburg, feels just perfect and brings in a cool crowd of hippies, hipsters, kids and dogs. Check out their program or drop by on Sunday to watch the sun go down.
Where: Pampuslaan 501
Nearest station: IJburg
