💬 Amsterdam is full of life, history, and colorful neighbourhoods. Each area has its own mood — some peaceful, some full of nightlife.
This guide helps you find where to stay, what to do, and what makes each area special ❤️

🌆 Noord – Across the River Cool

📍 Where: North side of IJ River
🕒 Best Time: Spring to Autumn
ℹ️ Info: A creative, modern neighbourhood just a short free ferry ride from Centraal Station ⛴️

💡 Noord feels new, fresh, and full of ideas 💭.
Here, you’ll find rooftop swings, art spaces, and amazing city views.
It’s peaceful but exciting — perfect for artists, photographers, or travelers who love something different 🎨

Do: Highlights include A’dam Toren (or Amsterdam Tower) which boasts the highest swing in Europe and epic views over Amsterdam, the Eye Film Museum, and This is Holland, a really cool 5D experience that ‘flies’ you all over the country!

Stay: Sir Adam which is actually located within A’dam Toren, Clink Noord, a fun hostel in a former laboratory or Bunk Amsterdam, a hotel/hostel in a former church!

🌉 Free ferry from Centraal Station
☕ Trendy cafes & rooftop bars
🎶 Local art & music vibe
📸 Best city views across the water

🎨 NDSM-Werf – Street Art & Creativity

📍 Where: Northern Docklands (reachable by ferry)
🕒 Best Time: Summer & Festival Season
ℹ️ Info: An artistic and affordable spot filled with murals, markets, and music 🎧

🎭 NDSM-Werf is Amsterdam’s most creative district — covered in graffiti, art studios, and food spots 🍕.
It’s young, cool, and always changing.
You can enjoy a street art museum, relax by the water, or party at night 🎨

Do: Highlights include the STRAAT Graffiti and Street Art Museum , NDSM-Loods, the Pancake Boat,

Stay: Botel, a literal boat hotel or DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam – NDSM Wharf for all the luxury of Hilton with a lower price tag.

🖌️ Amazing street art everywhere
🍹 Cool hangouts & cafes
🎶 Weekend events & parties
📍 Free ferry to city centre

🌉 Grachtengordel – The Canal Belt

📍 Where: Around the 9 Streets area
🕒 Best Time: Spring & Autumn
ℹ️ Info: The prettiest and most classic Amsterdam area with canals and boutique hotels 🏡

💞 Grachtengordel is pure Amsterdam magic 💫 — full of bridges, flower boxes, and canal views.
It’s calm, romantic, and close to the main attractions.
Perfect for couples or anyone who loves peaceful mornings ☀️

Do: Explore De 9 Straatjes or nine streets which are filled with boutique stores and eateries, the Anne Frank House, the Westerkerk, the Museum of the Canals and De Poezenboot – a floating cat shelter!

Stay: Pulitzer Amsterdam, a beautiful hotel in converted canal houses, the gorgeously floral Hotel Estheréa or the Max Brown Hotel Canal District which looks really cosy and is still quite close to Centraal Station.

🌷 Beautiful canal houses
🛍️ Boutique shops & cafes
📸 Perfect for photos
🌙 Quiet and romantic vibes

☕ Jordaan – Local & Laid-Back

📍 Where: West of the Canal Belt
🕒 Best Time: All year round
ℹ️ Info: A cozy, artsy, and very local neighbourhood loved by Amsterdammers 💛

🌼 Jordaan is full of small cafes, art galleries, and canal corners.
It’s quieter than the center but full of charm.
You’ll feel more like a local here, not just a visitor 🌿

Do: Highlights include the Houseboat Museum, Boom Chicago (an English-speaking comedy club where the likes of Jason Sudeikis and Seth Meyers started their careers), Electric Ladyland Museum of Fluorescent Art, the Amsterdam Tulip Museum, Amsterdam Cheese Museum, Geelvink Pianola Museum, the Noorderkerk and Cafe Winkel 43, widely agreed to be the home of the best apple pie in Amsterdam!

Stay: At the gorgeous Hotel Mercier or the funky (and aptly-named) Mr. Jordaan.

☕ Famous apple pie cafe
🎨 Art galleries & studios
🏡 Peaceful local streets
🌷 Perfect for morning walks

🥐 De Pijp – Food & Culture Hub

📍 Where: South of the Canal Belt
🕒 Best Time: All year round
ℹ️ Info: A lively mix of food, markets, and cultures — home to Albert Cuyp Market 🍉

🍜 De Pijp is where Amsterdam’s flavors come alive 😋.
It’s colorful, busy, and full of smells from world cuisines.
A paradise for foodies, locals, and students who love city life 🍽️

Do: Highlights include the Heineken Experience, Albert Cuyp Market, Armoury Bar (a medieval-style board game café), and Woof & Me – a dog café!

Stay: The Arcade Hotel which is video-game themed, Sir Albert which is named for Albert Cuyp himself and features very elegant decor or splurge a little on Hotel Okura which has some incredible Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants! West

🍕 Street food & markets
☕ Trendy coffee spots
🎭 Creative local vibe
🌙 Lively evenings & music

🌳 West – Museums & Parks

📍 Where: Around Museumplein & Vondelpark
🕒 Best Time: Spring & Autumn
ℹ️ Info: Amsterdam’s cultural heart — green parks and world-class museums 🎨

🌿 West is calm, artistic, and full of fresh air 🌤️.
You can walk through Vondelpark, then visit Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum nearby.
A great place for families, art lovers, or anyone who enjoys peaceful mornings ☀️

Do: Highlights include some of the most famous Amsterdam museums including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Moco Museum, and Stedelijk Museum, as well as the Vondelpark and Rembrandtpark if you want to spend some time outside, the Foodhallen and Amsterdam’s cat café Kopjes .

Stay: Conscious Hotel Amsterdam City (The Tire Station) especially if you are environmentally conscious or Park Plaza Vondelpark right next to the Vondelpark.

🎨 Famous art museums
🌳 Green parks & cycling lanes
☕ Local cafes & brunch spots
📷 Peaceful and elegant vibe

🌈 Oost – Trendy & Diverse

📍 Where: Eastern Amsterdam near Oosterpark
🕒 Best Time: Spring & Summer
ℹ️ Info: A colorful, creative area with food, art, and easy transport 🚊

🍲 Oost mixes cultures, flavors, and art beautifully 🎭.
You’ll find local markets, street murals, and open parks.
It’s perfect for travelers who love authenticity and a slower pace 💛

Do: Highlights of the area include Hortus Botanicus (Amsterdam’s botanic gardens), ARTIS (the zoo), Oosterpark, and the Wereldmuseum.

Stay: The Volkshotel with its rooftop hot tubs and sauna , Hotel Casa which also has an incredible rooftop (no hot tubs though, sadly) or Hotel Arena, a really cool-looking hotel in a former orphanage right next door to the Oosterpark.

🍜 International food scene
🎨 Local street art
🌳 Relaxing green spaces
🚋 Easy public transport

🏙️ Zuid – Modern & Sophisticated

📍 Where: South Amsterdam near RAI & Zuidas
🕒 Best Time: All year round
ℹ️ Info: Sleek, modern, and close to the airport — calm and clean ✈️

🏢 Zuid feels more modern — full of tall buildings, quiet parks, and nice restaurants.
It’s perfect for business trips or anyone who likes calm surroundings.
You’re close to the airport and still connected to the city 🌇

Do: Highlights include the RAI convention centre (where events like Amsterdam Winter Paradise are held), Beatrixpark, and Amsterdamse Bos, the Amsterdam forest which is packed with outdoorsy activities to enjoy.

Stay: At Qbic Amsterdam WTC a very quirky and affordable hotel in the World Trade Centre building next to the station or INNSiDE by Meliá Amsterdam, also right by the station and very beautiful.

🍸 Modern hotels & cafes
🌳 Big green parks
🚆 Close to Schiphol Airport
🌇 Quiet and relaxing vibe

🚲 Explore with Bike Taxi – The Fun Way to See Amsterdam!

After exploring these amazing neighbourhoods, take a relaxed ride through the city with Bike Taxi — Amsterdam’s most colorful and eco-friendly tour 🌷

📸 Enjoy a slow, scenic ride through canals, bridges, and hidden local streets — perfect for photos, short trips, or evening rides.
Each tour is led by friendly local guides who know the real Amsterdam charm 💛

💐 Private rides for 1–2 people
📸 Perfect for photos near canals & museums
🏛️ Local guides share fun facts & hidden gems
🌿 100% electric & eco-friendly rides

📅 Best Time: Day & Evening (Daily rides available)
📍 Pick-up Points: Near Dam Square, Rijksmuseum & Central Station

🪶 Disclaimer: Bike Taxi is an independent service and not affiliated with any museums or exhibitions mentioned above.

👉 BOOK NOW: https://amsterdam-bike-taxi.com/booking/

💬 Disclaimer

All details are true at the time of writing. Some prices or events may change — always check the official website before you plan 🌷

All Image Credit – thingstodoinamsterdam.com