A local’s guide
Amsterdam Neighborhoods
We live here, so these are the areas we actually spend our days in. Pick a neighborhood, then use our one-day guide to plan an afternoon there: where to eat, what to see and what to skip.
Explore the areas
Best for: Food and a lively afternoon
De Pijp
Albert Cuyp Market, Sarphatipark and the city’s best run of brunch spots and terraces. Busy at weekends, and worth it.
Best for: First-time visitors
City Center
The canals, the narrow streets and the postcard views. Go early or late: midday in summer is crowded.
Best for: Eating and vintage shopping
Oud-West
Wide canals, stylish restaurants and vintage stores, a short walk from Vondelpark. It’s also where we live.
Best for: A slower day of parks and markets
Oost
Probably the city’s most underrated area: Oosterpark, Dappermarkt and a growing waterfront along the IJ, with far fewer tourists.
Best for: Street art, festivals and waterfront bars
Noord
A free 5-minute ferry from Central Station takes you to big open spaces, creative venues and a much more relaxed pace.
Best for: Seeing how locals really live
Bos en Lommer
Multicultural, green and changing fast. Few big sights, but a great food scene and some of the west’s nicest parks.
Which neighborhood suits you?
The honest version, including when each one is the wrong choice.
| Neighborhood | Pick it if you want | Skip it if |
|---|---|---|
| De Pijp | Food markets, brunch and buzzy terraces | You want quiet evenings |
| City Center | The classic canal views on a first visit | You hate crowds or tourist prices |
| Oud-West | Good restaurants and a local, lived-in feel | You only have one day and want the big sights |
| Oost | Parks, markets and fewer tourists | You want nightlife on your doorstep |
| Noord | Street art, festivals and space to breathe | You want old canal-house Amsterdam |
| Bos en Lommer | Everyday local life and cheap, good food | You’re looking for famous landmarks |
Only have a few days?
Our 3-day Amsterdam itinerary strings the best of these neighborhoods together, day by day, so you see the classic sights and the local side of the city.