Neighborhood highlights
It can't get much better and central!
A 5 minute walk from the central station - you'll be in the middle of the center of Amsterdam.
There’s so much to do in the direct neighborhood, no matter what your interests are. Shopping, food, drinks, visiting the Anne Frank house, Dam Square and other major sights or going to the movies. It’s all possible in this neighborhood which we love so much!
If you need any advise, tips or other recommendations, please feel free to contact us.
Amsterdam CENTRUM
In addition to the world-famous historic Canal Ring, Amsterdam's City Centre district ('Centrum') is home to a host of renowned museums, charming and high-end shopping areas, fantastic culture and entertainment.
Amsterdam’s renowned art and culture and top shopping
In Amsterdam’s centre you will, of course, find the magnificent Canal Ring, but there is so much more besides. The inner city, for instance, is bursting with interesting museums, sometimes hidden behind beautiful canal-side façades. The diversity of the city centre’s culture is vast, from the emotional Anne Frank House in the west of the centre, through to the upbeat nature of Science Center NEMO in the east. In between, find an inspiring collection of art and history.
Top shopping
There is a vast array of shopping opportunities, from fashion brands and chains (Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat) through to independent innovators and inspiring market stalls, such as at Noordermarkt. Or get lost in the Jordaan or in the 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets) – lanes that link the canals and where the most exclusive and original shops can be found, just like in the Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk.
Seek out entertainment
These days, major entertainment areas include public squares like Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. On or around Leidseplein you’ll find the city’s main theatre (Stadsschouwburg) the two most popular gigging venues (Paradiso and Melkweg), the grand Art deco American Hotel, intellectual entertainment at De Balie, a major cinema multiplex (Pathé City) and numerous nightclubs, restaurants and bars, bars, bars. Likewise, Rembrandtplein is a hotspot for wining and dining, as well as home to some of the biggest party spots. Plus, you can always stop off for a selfie with Rembrandt’s statue and the protaganists from ‘The Night Watch’.
The Amsterdam Canal Ring
Built during the Golden Age of the 17th century, Amsterdam’s Canal Ring, known locally as the Grachtengordel, is comprised of a network of intersecting waterways. These were developed through the drainage and reclamation of land for new development. Yet what was initially a practical feature, allowing the city to grow beyond its fortified boundaries, subsequently evolved into the area’s characteristic gabled canal-side estates and spectacular monuments thanks to financial enrichment from the booming maritime trade. The most famous trademarks of this new canal belt became the concentric loop of the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel canals. Learn more about the history and development of the Canal Ring.
400 years of Amsterdam's Canal Ring
Since 1999, the city’s distinctive canal landscape has officially been protected, and in 2010 the Amsterdam Canal Ring was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In 2013, the Canal Ring also celebrated its 400th birthday.
Cultural heritage
Amsterdam’s maritime success in the Golden Age not only led to urban expansion, but a boom in trade and architectural development. This was marked by the building of the city’s remarkable canal-side estates in the 17th and 18th centuries – most of which are still standing today. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to call one of these monuments your home, there are plenty of ways to experience life by the water in both museums and special events in and around the canals.
Located inside an actual canal house, Het Grachtenhuis (Museum of the Canals) is a great way to learn more about the Canal Ring and its development over the centuries, with its multimedia exhibits bringing history to life. And for those looking to experience the present as well as learn about the past, events such as Open Garden Days and Amsterdam Heritage Days allow canal houses and city centre monuments to open their doors to the public.
Festivities on the water
Each year, Amsterdam’s canals play host to a variety of major events on or alongside the water. At the end of April, the city turns orange to celebrate King's Day (formerly Queen's Day), a massive event that sees the canals packed with floating party-goers. Likewise, in August, the highlight of the annual Gay Pride celebrations is the world famous Canal Parade, featuring decorated barges, lots of colour and music, dancing participants and fun for all, whether on a boat or watching from a bridge. The Grachtenfestival (Canal Festival) also brings much music to the Canal Ring.
Canal tours and excursions
Canal cruises are one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions. For anyone visiting for the first time, it’s an excellent introduction to the city’s many sights. There are a number of departure points throughout the city and the tours are available in a multitude of languages, provided by a number of different operators. Whether it’s a one-hour tour, a hop on, hop off all-day experience, or a romantic candlelight dinner cruise, there are options for every occasion. And naturally, you can have just as much fun when sightseeing on foot or even following the natives by taking to two wheels.
Jordaan
The Jordaan is possibly the most famous neighbourhood in the Netherlands. Akin to the reputation enjoyed by London’s Cockneys, this once working-class bastion was renowned for tight community bonds, radical politics and a love for drink and over-the-top sing-a-longs. Gentrification of decades past has attracted more galleries, restaurants, specialty shops and upwardly-mobile residents to its scenic streets but there’s undeniably still a distinct atmosphere to be enjoyed here.
Exploring the Jordaan area
The Jordaan begins at Brouwersgracht, just west of the Amsterdam Central Station and arches around the western side of Canal Ring between Prinsengracht and Lijnbaansgracht before ending at Leidsegracht. The area north of Rozengracht is a more ‘touristy’ and commercial section, although the quieter area to the south is no less scenic.
De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets)
The quaint and quirky streets that straddle Amsterdam’s grandest canals form the city’s most photogenic micro-neighbourhood. Known to locals as De Negen Straatjes or ‘The Nine Streets’, this special neighbourhood is full to bursting with vintage and designer shopping, speciality stores and cosy cafés.
Haarlemmerstraat & Haarlemmerdijk
Have you ever had the feeling that all of the world’s shopping streets pretty much have the same stuff on offer? Well then, you need to visit Amsterdam’s Haarlemmerstraat – it’s hip, it’s quirky and it’s the perfect spot for hours of relaxed browsing, dining and bar-hopping!
Independent entertainment
Located in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, the Haarlemmerstraat – and its extension, the Haarlemmerdijk - is a gem. Offering independent boutiques and speciality stores, little salons, trendy but affordable restaurants and bars and the oldest cinema in Amsterdam, this area will appeal to even the most jaded of world travellers. You are guaranteed to find a special little something from Amsterdam in this alternative shopping district. And with a constant passing parade along the Haarlemmerstraat, you can spend a very entertaining time just watching the world go by.
Wide variety
With 235 stores offering fashion and accessories, toys, gifts, jewellery, books, electronics and specialty delicatessens– the biggest problem in the Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk will be deciding what to spend your money on. On Wednesdays this decision gets harder as the area’s assortment grows with the organic farmer’s market on the Haarlemmerplein. For more socially-conscious shopping, head to Nukuhiva boutique, whose stylish urban wear proves it's hip to be Fair Trade. Shops are open until 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings, meaning you can perfectly combine a bit of shopping with a bite to eat.
Wine and dine
The Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk are packed with one little cosy dining and drinking spot after another. Hollandaluz is a Spanish delicatessen and specialty store which brings sunny Andalusia to Amsterdam. Hand-painted tiles, delicious pata negra and glistening hams beckon you inside – and in addition to tasty tapas and sherries, Hollandaluz also sells hand-painted ceramics. Other restaurant favourites include Thai & Co and Scarlett. Also, any restaurant which calls itself Stout! (which means naughty in Dutch) has got to be quite special, and the menu of this mischievous little venue changes every 6 weeks.
