Districts · Amsterdam
Amsterdam by district
The city centre sits inside the canal ring, a horseshoe open to the IJ waterway on the north side. Centraal Station anchors the north end; the Museum Quarter sits south of the ring; De Pijp is further south again. Everything a first visit needs is inside about 3 km of the station.The city centre sits inside the canal ring, a horseshoe open to the IJ waterway on the north side. Centraal Station anchors the north end; the Museum Quarter sits south of the ring; De Pijp is further south again. Everything a first visit needs is inside about 1.9 mi of the station.
About these names
- JordaanDe JordaansleepeatseeSuits: First visit, quiet canal streets, the Anne Frank HouseNarrow streets, few cars, small boutique hotels with stairs and no lift.1 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Canal Ring / GrachtengordelGrachtengordelsleepseeSuits: Postcard canals, Dam Square, BegijnhofThe tourist core; busy by day, quieter after the shops close.2 sights · 3 eatsDistrict guide →
- De Wallen (Red Light District)De WallenseeSuits: A daytime walk through the oldest part of the cityWindow prostitution and coffeeshops are licensed and legal here: do not photograph workers, and treat it as a place people live, not a show.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Museum Quarter (Museumplein)MuseumkwartierseeSuits: The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark in one half-dayFlat, open lawn between the museums; the best rain-day and heat-day cluster because two of the three main sights are indoors.3 sightsDistrict guide →
- De PijpsleepeatseeSuits: Market mornings, budget-to-mid hotels, a livelier evening sceneAlbert Cuyp Market runs Monday to Saturday; check the day before you plan a morning around it.2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Amsterdam NoordNoordseeSuits: A free ferry ride and a view from A'DAM LookoutAcross the IJ from Centraal Station; a short free ferry, not a metro ride.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): De Wallen (Red Light District), Amsterdam Noord. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Jordaan (De Jordaan): Narrow streets, few cars, small boutique hotels with stairs and no lift. Suits: First visit, quiet canal streets, the Anne Frank House. Price band $$.
- Canal Ring / Grachtengordel (Grachtengordel): The tourist core; busy by day, quieter after the shops close. Suits: Postcard canals, Dam Square, Begijnhof.
- De Wallen (Red Light District) (De Wallen): Window prostitution and coffeeshops are licensed and legal here: do not photograph workers, and treat it as a place people live, not a show. Suits: A daytime walk through the oldest part of the city.
- Museum Quarter (Museumplein) (Museumkwartier): Flat, open lawn between the museums; the best rain-day and heat-day cluster because two of the three main sights are indoors. Suits: The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark in one half-day.
- De Pijp (De Pijp): Albert Cuyp Market runs Monday to Saturday; check the day before you plan a morning around it. Suits: Market mornings, budget-to-mid hotels, a livelier evening scene. Price band $$.
- Amsterdam Noord (Noord): Across the IJ from Centraal Station; a short free ferry, not a metro ride. Suits: A free ferry ride and a view from A'DAM Lookout.
- Sleep area De Pijp: suits Market mornings, budget-to-mid hotels, a livelier evening scene, price band $$.
- Sleep area Jordaan: suits First visit, quiet canal streets, the Anne Frank House, price band $$.
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), about 11 km6.8 mi from the centre, 25–45 min by the usual route.