Introduction

Dam Square

The real core of the city is Dam Square with its beautiful Royal Palace. Most visitors arrive by train and the route they follow from Centraal Station takes them along the Damrak and Dam square. This area focuses much on tourism. All kinds of souvenir shops, street performers and restaurants can be found here. The square is used for events and concerts and is famous because of the many pigeons. The two main shopping streets in Amsterdam, Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk, are located in this area.

Leidseplein & Rembrandtplein

The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are very crowded both throughout the day and night. When the sun is shining, the terraces quickly become filled. Street performers entertain the public mainly consisting of tourists, with acrobatic acts and music. At night the crowd changes: Amsterdammers go out here to celebrate, and to visit the theatres, cinemas and clubs. The bars and clubs, such as Escape, close after 5am here.

Jordaan

Built in 1612 during the expansion of the city, the Jordaan neighborhood is well known all over the country for its specific street life, corny songs, sarcastic humor and working-class mentality. But this is mere nostalgia. Most of the Jordanezen (the native inhabitants) left some years ago for improved housing in neighboring cities like Almere and Purmerend. Nowadays, it is a district with many students and young urban professionals. The Jordaan accommodates several bars and cozy restaurants; it's like a small village in a big city. The area is located between Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht, Raamstraat and Marnixstraat.

The Red-Light District (De Wallen)

The red-light district is the area left of the Damrak, the streets and canals in between Warmoesstraat and a square called Nieuwmarkt. The end of the two canals, Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal, mark the area's borders. Medieval Amsterdam was built here. De Wallen is best known for its window prostitution, sex shops and live shows, concentrated around the Oude Kerk, in alleys and around the canals. The atmosphere is somewhat chaotic most of the time, but also cozy. You'll find numerous places to eat, drink and have a good time, day and night.

Canals

On February 1, 1999, the Dutch government decided to qualify the inner city of Amsterdam as a monument, a protected inner city view. The girdle of canals (ranging from the Singel Canal up to the Prinsengracht Canal) is a historically important part of this region, and it is one of the city's most attractive sights. The girdle of canals starts at River Amstel and ends at Brouwersgracht. One third of the houses along the canals (grachtenhuizen) were built before 1850. During the 17th Century the city extended its boundaries, and canals were shaped in a girdle around the oldest part of Amsterdam to accommodate wealthy tradesmen and burghers. First the Singel Canal was dug out, then the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and, last of all, Prinsengracht.

De Pijp

De Pijp was the first modern city development in Amsterdam at the end of the 19th Century. Many houses were built here very quickly for the growing amount of laborers. Nowadays De Pijp is known as the perfect example of a multicultural society. People from all over the world live here: young and old, students and artists. The main streets in De Pijp are Albert Cuypstraat, famous for its market, and Ferdinand Bolstraat. Around these roads you'll find many exotic restaurants and a typical Amsterdam Bruin Huis (Pub) is located at just about every corner.

Museum Quarter

The Museum Quarter is the area around the Museumplein, just a ten minute-walk from Leidseplein. The main museums are situated here: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and The Stedelijk Museum. The Concert Building can be found in this neighborhood as well. The Museum Quarter is also known for its exclusive shops. Many international clothing brands have their shops in P.C. Hooftstraat and Van Baerlestraat. And of course the Museumplein is a great place to sit in the sun, enjoy your lunch or just relax. This cultural area is very crowded during the day, but usually deserted at night.

Banks of the River Ij

The most modern city developments have taken place on the southern banks of the River Ij, on both the west and east sides of Centraal Station. This used to be a desolate area, with dilapidated warehouses, but today, this part of town with its great view of the river, is completely redeveloped. Oostelijke Handelskade is the place to find many theaters and a thriving nightlife. A cruise terminal has also been built here: Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. The buildings have aroused much interest because of their innovative architecture.