Amsterdam Center

Amsterdam center: canals, museums and the heart of the city

Amsterdam Now is the amsterdam city guide to all there is to do, eat and experience in Amsterdam Centrum - the city's oldest and most densely populated district. Centrum includes the ring of canals, the Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the Nieuwmarkt, the Haarlemmerbuurt and the area around Central Station. It is the district where history, restaurants, stores, museums and nightlife are closest together. For an up-to-date list of addresses and agenda, see the amsterdam city guide on Amsterdam Now.

Canals

The ring of canals is the backbone of Amsterdam city center. The four main canals - Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht - were constructed in the seventeenth century and are on the Unesco World Heritage List. The rows of facades, bridges and canals form a recognizable urban ensemble that is virtually unparalleled. Within the ring of canals are the 9 Streets, a compact shopping area with independent boutiques, galleries and restaurants. See also our overview of amsterdam stores and amsterdam restaurants on Amsterdam Now.

Jordan

The Jordaan borders the ring of canals to the west and has its own compact character. Narrow streets, brown pubs, weekly markets on the Noordermarkt and Lindengracht, and a high concentration of independent entrepreneurs make the Jordaan one of the city's most recognizable neighborhoods. The Anne Frank House stands on Prinsengracht, on the border of the Jordaan and the ring of canals. See also our neighborhood page about the Jordan on Amsterdam Now for a complete overview.

Museums and culture

Amsterdam Centrum has an exceptionally dense array of museums and cultural institutions. Although the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum are located in Amsterdam-Zuid, Centrum has its own tangle of cultural addresses: the Amsterdam Museum, the Amsterdam Historical Museum, Foam, the Westerkerk, and dozens of smaller galleries and institutions. For a complete overview, see amsterdam museums and amsterdam exhibits on Amsterdam Now.

Hospitality and entertainment

The hospitality landscape in Amsterdam Center is the most varied in the city. Utrechtsestraat is one of the best restaurant streets in Amsterdam. Evening and nightlife is concentrated around Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, with cafes, cocktail bars and venues such as Paradiso and Melkweg within walking distance. The Zeedijk and Nieuwmarkt are the heart of Chinatown and have their own range of Asian restaurants and cafes. Check out our overviews of restaurants Amsterdam, cafes bars Amsterdam and amsterdam bars for specific addresses.

Shopping

The shopping offer in Amsterdam center runs from the Kalverstraat with big-box stores to the Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk with independent stores, vintage and design. The 9 Straatjes are the center's most famous independent shopping area. The Spiegelkwartier around Spiegelgracht is the address for art and antiques. For a complete overview of amsterdam stores and amsterdam shopping guide, see Amsterdam Now.