Amsterdam neighborhoods

Around the Dam
Circa 1270, a breakwater was built between two dykes (nowadays known as the streets Nieuwendijk and Warmoesstraat) and that is where Dam Square (the Dam) was later built. This became the centre of the city. At first a market place, today it is more of casual meeting place. Close by you can find big and famous buildings like Centraal Station, Beurs van Berlage, Nieuwe Kerk, Magna Plaza (a shopping centre, formerly the headquarters of the Dutch postal services) and the Royal Palace.
But close to the Dam you will also find the narrowest house in the world. Although the front gable of this house has normal measurements, the backside gable is no wider than 101 cm. Otherwise you can go to Oude Hoogstraat 22, between the Dam and Kloveniersburgwal, where you can find a little house which is no larger than 202 cm wide and 6 meters deep.

The Dykes
Probably no one has not heard of the Dykes – or the Amsterdam Red Light District. And surely, the red lights are burning like crazy here. But the neighbourhood has so much more to offer than just sin! On Jodenbreestraat you can find the famous Rembrandt House, and at the end of the street the Jewish Historical Museum. Another attraction is Waterlooplein with its flea markets and the famous Stopera (the city hall and opera house in one). The Zeedijk also offers distraction with its picturesque houses, tiny shops and the typical Dutch brown cafés. And a touch of the East is unmistakable with all the East Asian restaurants and shops. The Zeedijk is often referred to as the Chinatown of Amsterdam.

Jordaan
Jordaan is one of the oldest neighbourhoods and was built in the 17th century, when the city needed to grow. The streets were built along already existing paths and small canals. That’s why the houses and the alleys at the other side of the Prinsengracht form such a maze. All bigger roads passed outside of this neighbourhood, and it was kind of isolated in those days. Back then, this neighbourhood west of the Dam was a working class area. The workers were not allowed to live in the central parts, since the bourgeoisie was afraid they might bring problems.
Here you find an abundance of canals and old houses, more bikes than cars, more restaurants than shops and definitely no big chains. The atmosphere is very relaxed and you can almost speak of a village feeling. Do visit the Jordaan when you are in Amsterdam. You will probably feel at home.

Canal girdle
The canals surround the Dam and the central shopping streets like a girdle. First you have Singel, then the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and at the end of the girdle you’ll find the Prinsengracht.
The part of Herengracht situated between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat is also known as the ”Gouden Bocht” – the golden bay. Here you will find the fanciest houses. During their time, the houses were built according to the latest fashion in architecture, which was not always such a great success. In the 17th century, there was a rumour that the inhabitants on the uneven side of the Herengracht built their houses only in order to destroy the view of those living on the other side! 

De Pijp
This neighbourhood was built during the late 19th century. Around 1900, the neighbourhood was known as a densely populated but expensive neighbourhood. An apartment cost some 3 to 4 guilders per week, whereas a skilled worker earned approximately 10 guilders per week. Many house owners therefore rented rooms out to students and artists for free. In this way, De Pijp developed into something like the “Quartier Latin” of Amsterdam.
Today, the neighborhood is known for its international atmosphere, not the least because of the market street Albert Cuyp, which has 20,000 visitors daily.

The Museum area
The Museum area is definitely considered one of the more elegant neighbourhoods, partly due to the chic houses and their rich inhabitants, but also due to the presence of the museums and other sights. Here you’ll find the Concert House (Concertgebouw) and the National Gallery of Art (Rijksmuseum), designed by the architect A.L. van Gendt. And if something is associated with glitter and glamour, think diamonds. The oldest, still active diamond cutting company is only a short walk away from the Rijksmuseum: Coster Diamonds.
Vondelpark is also very hip among the rich. Or, well … Vondelpark is very hip among everyone! Here you’ll find young professionals, students, jugglers, in-line skaters, elderly couples and young parents. A typical Dutch mix! 

Plantage
East of the centre of Amsterdam, you’ll find the Plantage. Even though it is close to the city centre, the number of cars is relatively low and you can really feel the silence. This neighborhood was built when the population wasn’t growing so fast anymore. In 1680, a plantation was built, and two years later the Hortus Botanicus moved here. The zoo Artis was also built here in the Plantage. But the cultural tourist can still find much pleasure in this neighbourhood. How about a visit to the Maritime Museum? And at Plantage Middenlaan 24 you’ll find the theater house “De Hollandsche Schouwburg” – definitely worth a visit!

KNSM Island
The KNSM island (which is actually an artificial peninsula) is a part of the eastern harbour area in Amsterdam. From 1902, the area was used as a packing zone by the “Koninklijke Nederlandse Stoomboot Maatschappij” (the Royal Dutch Steamboat Company). Way into the 1980s, the area was used as a harbor, but that time is over. Nowadays it’s the most modern residential area in Amsterdam. If you love architecture, don’t miss this neighbourhood!