The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Amsterdam

Welkom! Look twice before crossing, and try your best to see everything in the magical Amsterdam. A city that truly is as beautiful as the pictures, from charming houseboats to tulips galore and every stroopwafel in between, Amsterdam does not disappoint. There's a lot of information out there, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about Amsterdam's best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust.

Taken in a park in the Museumkwartier of Amsterdam. The grass is a vibrant green, and many people are walking through the park. In the background, buildings line the road along with bare trees.

Museumkwartier (Museum Quarter)

The Museumkwartier is an upscale area home to many of Amsterdam's famed museums.

"There are so many great museums in Amsterdam. Most of them are situated around Museumplein. You definitely need to visit the Rijksmuseum, not only for the building and the art itself but also the garden surrounding the museum is worth a visit. This season there is an exposition of the modern artist Ellsworth Kelly. Eight of his sculptures are placed in the classical garden of the Rijksmuseum, creating an unexpected contrast." -

Vogue

"Amsterdam’s Big Three museums (the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum of modern and contemporary art) are ranged beside each other around a vast lawn-covered square. The Concertgebouw occupies the far end, and beside this high-cultural cluster runs Amsterdam’s chicest fashion-shopping street. The surrounding neighbourhood is quiet and most genteel, and the city’s ‘green lung’, the Vondelpark, offers acres of greenery in which to get away from it all." -

The Telegraph

Oud-West

Oud-West is an upscale and hip area home to city landmarks like Vondelpark and is great for foodies.

"With the vast expanse that is Vondelpark, a smattering of hip bars and boutiques, and some first-rate restaurants, there’s no end of excellent things to see and do here. Overtoom and the bustling De Clercqstraat, in particular, are now home to a vibrant community of chefs, creatives and entrepreneurs" -

Time Out

"An oasis of green in the bustling city centre, Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s largest and most popular public park. Its 47 hectares are awash with lawns, trees, lakes, ponds, and gardens, and crisscrossed with walking and biking paths. In summer, people flock here in droves: to see free performances at its Open Air Theatre or chill with a drink on one of the many waterside terraces." -

Conde Nast Traveler

"Oud-West is relatively laid-back and features several wide streets lined with dozens of trendy bars, restaurants and concert venues…Foodies and cinephiles should definitely stop by De Hallen on Kinkerstraat, which contains a massive indoor food hall where local culinary experts sell their wares, as well as an independent cinema decked out in art deco panelling." -

Culture Trip

Jordaan

Jordaan is an upscale residential area near city landmarks with great shopping.

"De Jordaan is a picturesque and charming neighborhood with a rich history. Once home to the working class and immigrants, the area was known for its poor living conditions, political tensions and close community bonds. Now, De Jordaan has risen through the ranks to become one of the city's most famous and posh areas." -

USA Today

"Jordaan brims with elegant townhouses and spacious apartments, and is dotted with art galleries, expensive boutiques, and classy restaurants. But it’s not all extravagance and luxury; there are plenty of charming little stores, restaurants, and cafés attracting younger crowds who live a little further west. If a sedate pace and upscale lifestyle are what you crave, this is the place to be." -

Time Out

Noord (Amsterdam North)

Noord is a new hipster area, with many new businesses and dining options.

"Its defunct factories, which once cranked out cargo ships and steel, have been overtaken by freethinking chefs, tech start-ups, and edgy artists who have turned Noord's once-gritty industrial parks into the city's most envelope-pushing creative spaces." -

Conde Nast Traveler

"Amsterdam Noord, a quick free ferry ride across the IJ River from central Amsterdam, is a previously neglected area that has been reinvented as the city's hippest neighbourhood…Noord is perfect for exploring by bike, stopping to eat and drink in its alternative venues. It's a great area to escape the crowds of central Amsterdam, too." -

Lonely Planet

Taken along a canal in Amsterdam's Canal Belt neighborhood. Lined with houseboats, the canal is flat and reflects the boats and trees. Brick townhouses are in the background and are illuminated from within.

Amsterdam-Centrum

The hip and vibrant Canal Belt neighborhood is home to most of Amsterdam's landmarks, the central gayborhood, and a fantastic selection of food and shopping.

"Postcards of Amsterdam typically showcase Grachtengordel. Encircled by the city’s main canals — Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht — this winsome zone is known for its colorful townhomes, waterfront eateries, upmarket hotels, and attractions like the Anne Frank House." -

Travel + Leisure

"You can’t come to Amsterdam without strolling along its crescent-shaped Grachtengordel (canal belt). With its spindly, lopsided townhouses, fairy-lit bridges and colourful houseboats moored nose-to-tail at the water’s edge, it’s supremely atmospheric." -

National Geographic

"Amsterdam also has one of the best queer scenes around, so the two go hand in hand, and the LGBTQ+ party scene is second to none. In fact, the whole of the Dutch capital is one big gay scene, with fantastic gay bars and clubs stretching across the city...Of course, many of them reside on Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam’s most famous gay street..." -

Time Out

De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets)

Within the Canal Belt, De Negen Straatjes is a hip shopping area.

"The western part of the Canal Ring is a labyrinthine neighborhood, known as De Negen Straatjes (the Nine Streets), filled with independent shops. The act of shopping becomes a full-on afternoon activity as you wander the brick sidewalks searching for the perfect quirky souvenir or gift." -

Conde Nast Traveler

"While the more casual shopper may breeze through in an hour or two, serious shoppers can spend an entire day (or more) exploring the quaint boutiques and eateries — all with signature Dutch style — down each lane. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, be sure to bring your camera because the views are phenomenal." -

National Geographic

"These beautiful Dutch streets are brimming with quirky boutiques, chic cafes, and trendy restaurants…Even if you aren’t looking to buy anything, the Nine Streets are a great place for a stroll and to soak up the city. The area is bustling and beautiful, overflowing with the sort of iconic Amsterdam buildings and canals you see on postcards the world over." -

Time Out

Taken along a cobblestone road in the De Pijp neighborhood in Amsterdam. Brick townhouses line the street, and the trees are bare in the wintertime. A man walks along the middle of the street between cars and towards more townhouses at the end of the road.

De Pijp (Latin Quarter)

De Pijp is a hip and young area with great shopping and nightlife.

"…long been home to students, creatives and bohemian types of all stripes… It is trendy without being too cool for school and smart without being stuck up. Some of Amsterdam’s best eating, drinking and shopping can be found within its sprawling streets, and a night out here is never dull. If you live for the buzz, De Pijp won’t let you down." -

Time Out

"in-the-know fashionistas are heading to the boutique-lined Gerard Doustraat in hip De Pijp. There’s a smattering of big Amsterdam brands like Scotch & Soda and Love Stories, but most are independent stores stocking emerging local and international labels." -

Conde Nast Traveler

"Just south of Amsterdam's city center lies De Pijp. This former working-class neighborhood turned hipster haven has an urban industrial edge and bohemian flair. Go savor the flavors of Albert Cuyp Markt and stay for the cool brunch spots, retro pubs, and contemporary ateliers..." -

Travel + Leisure