Amsterdam: Neighborhoods

Medieval Center The city started here, as evidenced by Dam Square, the royal palace, historic churches, and ancient streets. It’s also Amsterdam’s transport hub, so you’re bound to pass through it at some point.

Red Light District Look past the working girls in the glass-fronted booths to discover a different kind of beauty: in architecture, history, canals, and the lovely bridges that cross them. A few first-rate restaurants round out the experience.

Western Canals Visit the Anne Frank House, shop the specialty boutiques of the Negen Straatjes (Nine Alleys) or the Jordaan district, or cool your jets over Dutch apple pie and coffee or a beer at a canal-side café.

Southern Canals The city’s most stately homes mix with its most spirited nightlife –in the streets and alleys around Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein, the gay scene on the intimate block of Reguliersdwarsstraat, or along the Amstel River.

Old South Go classical at the Concertgebouw, one of the world’s most acoustically perfect music halls, view works by the Dutch Masters (at the Rijksmuseum) and Van Gogh (at the Van Gogh Museum), or kick back amid the casual elegance of the Vondelpark.

De Pijp The city’s grandest and most diverse street market, the Albert Cuyp, is the spine of this bohemian, multi-cultural neighborhood. Around it you’ll find relaxing cafés and some trendy restaurants.

Eastern Docklands The future of European architecture is here, in massive apartment complexes and individually designed homes. Come by bike and see it all in a flash.