5 Of The Coolest Neighborhoods In Amsterdam

Published 08/31/2026
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Article Highlights

1
Jordaan, De Pijp, Oud-West, Amsterdam-Noord, and Plantage offer five different ways to spend time beyond Amsterdam's central sightseeing circuit.
2
Compare canal-side streets, food stops, independent shops, and the northern waterfront before choosing your route.

Article Sections

1Jordaan
2De Pijp
3Oud-West
4Amsterdam-Noord
5Plantage
AuthorVoyajeBoard Editors
Published08/31/2026
Read2 min
#where-to-stay
#amsterdam
#neighborhoods
Amsterdam changes as you leave one canal-side street for the next. Use this neighborhood guide to choose where to walk, what to look for, and which area fits the day you have in mind.

Jordaan

Jordaan is a good starting point for a day of canal walks, galleries, small shops, and cafes on the northwest side of the center. Use the Prinsengracht and Noordermarkt as anchors, then leave time for the streets between them.
Attractions:
Visit the Anne Frank House.
Take a canal tour along the Prinsengracht.
Take a stroll through Noordermarkt.

De Pijp

In De Pijp, build a visit around the Albert Cuyp Market, then take a break in Sarphatipark or choose a nearby cafe. Food, shopping, and a park fit into the same outing here, rather than requiring a separate sightseeing itinerary.
Attractions
Grab some things to take home from the Albert Cuyp Market
Relax in the beautiful Sarphatipark
Partake in the Heineken Experience

Oud-West

Choose Oud-West for an afternoon of shops and cafes, with De Hallen as a useful focal point. Foodhallen and the Maker Market give you specific stops to plan around; check the market’s dates rather than assuming it runs every day.
Attractions:
Browse the food stalls at Foodhallen.
Browse the shops on the surrounding streets between your planned stops.
Shop for some local artisanal goods at the Maker Market.
Bring the family to De Hallen Amsterdam for music, food, and more.
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Amsterdam-Noord

Across the IJ from the center, Amsterdam-Noord shifts the focus to the waterfront. A film visit at EYE, the view from A’DAM Lookout, or a meal at Pllek can give the crossing a purpose. Choose the stop that interests you instead of treating the whole area as one attraction.
Attractions:
Plan a waterfront meal at Pllek.
Look out across Amsterdam from A’DAM Lookout.
Learn about the Dutch film industry at the EYE Film Institute.

Plantage

Plantage lies east of the city center, with green spaces and cultural institutions close together. Artis, Hortus Botanicus, and the Resistance Museum offer quite different visits, so pick an anchor before filling the rest of the day.
Attractions:
Visit the animals at the Artis Royal Zoo, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands.
Explore the garden and greenhouses at Hortus Botanicus.
Learn about the Dutch resistance during World War II at Verzetsmuseum.
For a canal walk, start with Jordaan. For a market-led day, try De Pijp; for shops and food stops, consider Oud-West. Amsterdam-Noord and Plantage give you different reasons to leave the central sightseeing circuit. You do not need to cover all five in one visit.
Check the opening times and route for your chosen stops, then give one neighborhood enough time to explore without rushing to the next.
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Takeaways
1.
Pick an area that matches your interests and give its smaller streets time, instead of rushing through all five.
2.
Check the route between your chosen stops, especially when your plans cross the water to Amsterdam-Noord.

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