Amsterdam City Break
A compact canal-ring capital of Golden Age masterpieces, gabled townhouses and world-class museums, best explored by bike or boat.
- Common scams — fake street drugs, tram pickpockets, fake 'police' wallet check: Dealers who approach tourists on the street — above all in and around the Red Light District (De Wallen) — sell fake or dangerously adulterated 'cocaine' and pills; buying illegal drugs from a street seller is both a crime and a real health risk, so never do it. Pickpockets work the crowded trams, Centraal Station, Damrak and Dam Square, so keep your phone and wallet zipped away and out of back pockets. Anyone who flashes a 'police' badge and asks to check your wallet for counterfeit notes is a thief — real Dutch police don't do street wallet searches, so decline and step into a shop. Mind your footing crossing the red bike lanes too: cyclists have priority and won't stop.
- Binnenstad: The medieval centre is the most visited area of Amsterdam and is home to tourist hotspots like Dam Square and the Red Light District. The area is filled with narrow streets, shops, tourists and coffeeshops. It also contains other interesting areas like the bookstores near Spui and the cafes of Nieuwmarkt.
- Canal District: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canal District was dug in the 17th century to attract wealthy home owners. And is still a posh neighbourhood and home to the Dutch cultural elite. The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the city's prime nightlife spots.
- Jordaan: A traditionally working class area gone upmarket with plenty of art galleries, hip boutiques and happening restaurants. Also includes the shopping streets of Haarlemmerbuurt and the quiet islands of Westelijke Eilanden.
- Zuid: One of Amsterdam's prime areas, a trip to the city is not complete without a visit to the Museum Quarter. Snooty Oud-Zuid and Apollobuurt are filled with upscale boutiques, cafes and brasseries. You can chill in the Vondelpark with a bottle of wine or go hunt for bargains at the Albert Cuyp Market in multicultural De Pijp.
- Plantage: Intended to be an extension of the Canal District, lack of demand made this into a leafy area with lots of greenery, botanical gardens and Artis Zoo and a large university presence. Also includes the Weesperbuurt and the Oostelijke Eilanden.
- Oost: Oost is a large and diverse residential area. The Eastern Docklands and IJburg stand out as lively upper middle class neighbourhoods known for their modern architecture. Include the parks of Oosterpark and Park Frankendael.
- Source: Wikivoyage, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Amsterdam?oldid=5327366 (CC BY-SA 4.0)