Which Amsterdam neighbourhood are you?
Amsterdam is a city of many faces, with each part of the city having its own charm and character. From the post-industrial hipster hangouts of NDSM to the 19th century elegance of the Plantage, there's so much to be discovered when you step outside of Amsterdam's famous centre.
So which Amsterdam neighbourhood are you most suited to? Answer these 11 questions to find out!
De Pijp
Bustling mix of culture, cuisine and cafés
You are De Pijp! With its colourful mix of cuisines, terraces and convivial cafés, you can lose yourself for hours in Amsterdam’s lively Latin Quarter. From the beautiful landscaped gardens of Sarphatipark to the famous Albert Cuypmarkt street market, De Pijp oozes beatnik flair from every angle, and is has been popular haunt for creatives, students and bohemian spirits since the 60s.
Oud-Zuid
From age-old art to high-end chic
You are Oud Zuid! Home to some of the world’s best art museums, Oud-Zuid (Old-South) is one of Amsterdam’s most elegant and well-heeled neighbourhoods, where impressive manors line leafy streets, and chic boutiques abound. From the splendour of Museumplein to the vibrant Vondelpark and the serene boulevards of Willemspark, the beautiful neighbourhood of Oud-Zuid rewards the visitor at every turn.
NDSM
Old shipyard turned creative haven
You are NDSM! A former shipyard located on the banks of the River IJ in Amsterdam Noord, the NDSM Wharf has blossomed into an enormous cultural hotspot in recent years with a vibrant artist community and an ever-expanding variety of bars and restaurants. With grounds exceeding the size of ten football pitches, the area hosts multi-disciplinary festivals, performances, exhibitions, dance parties and a wide range of other events in unique, post-industrial surroundings.
Noordelijke IJ-Oever
Urban renewal meets nature’s beauty
You are Noordelijke IJ-Oever! Directly across the water (known as ‘the IJ’) behind Central Station, Amsterdam Noord boasts the best of contrasting worlds: vast green expanses and charming little villages plus some of the city's most cutting-edge architecture, exciting festivals, artist studios and stylish waterside hangouts with beautiful terraces. A free ferry from behind Central Station will take you there in minutes; so don’t miss the chance to explore this unique area of Amsterdam.
Oosterpark
Hip places, green spaces and diverse faces
You are Oosterpark! Ethnically diverse and strikingly spacious, Amsterdam East is known for its wide streets lined by monumental 19th-century buildings, as well as its vibrant cultural mix. With plenty of opportunities for shopping, eating and drinking, the area boasts an exciting selection of trendy clubs, traditional Turkish bakeries, Surinamese supermarkets and Middle Eastern lunchrooms as well, of course, as the beautiful Oosterpark and the majestic Tropenmuseum.
De Plantage
Cultural garden with an elegant touch
You are De Plantage! Located to the east of the city centre, this elegant neighbourhood is a refreshingly green and spacious contrast to the traditional cobbles and canals image of Amsterdam, marked by leafy boulevards, elegant squares and 19th century pleasure gardens. Home to Artis Zoo and the city’s botanical gardens, the Plantage is an extraordinary place to explore and enjoy.
Oostelijke Eilanden
Where water and modern architecture meet
You are Oostelijke Eilanden! Surrounded by glistening water on all sides, the Oostelijke Eilanden (Eastern Docklands) are a delight to behold. As the Scheepvaartmuseum recalls the sea pioneers of the past, their adventurous spirits seem to live on in its original modern architecture and historic warehouses repurposed into contemporary hotspots.
Zuidoost
Cultural melting pot and large-scale entertainment
You are Zuidoost! This area to the South East of Amsterdam includes the residential area De Bijlmer as well as the big-entertainment world of the Amsterdam ArenA, the Heineken Music Hall and the Ziggo Dome, plus numerous gleaming office buildings. It’s about as far away as you can get from your typical canals-and-clogs image of Amsterdam, but with around 100,000 residents from more than 150 ethnic backgrounds, it is a side of Amsterdam that shouldn't be overlooked.
Westerpark
Vibrant atmosphere against a green backdrop
You are Westerpark! Home to the eponymous park, which combines expansive greenery with the Westergasfabriek's wealth of cultural goings on, this lively neighbourhood is home to a varied mix of independent shops, old-school street markets, shiny new restaurants and traditional brown cafés.
Bos en Lommer & De Baarsjes
Celebrating diversity around every corner
You are Bos en Lommer & De Baarsjes! These two districts to the West of the city centre are becoming hipper and more happening faster than you can say “BoLo”. Boasting cool cultural establishments, green open spaces and a young, and multicultural crowd, this increasingly popular slice of Amsterdam is rapidly expanding into one of the city’s most dynamic creative outposts.
Oud-West
Local hotspots and hidden gems
You are Oud-West! Bordering the centre of the city, Oud-West is a special corner of Amsterdam; a popular, dynamic neighbourhood dotted by trendy design stores, cool cafe bars and some of the best restaurants in the city. With a lot to offer and a great deal to experience, you’ll want to come back to this vibrant Amsterdam neighbourhood time and time again.
After Amsterdam, what's your favourite European city?
Barcelona
Paris
Berlin
Copenhagen
London
Istanbul
What's your favourite kind of place to eat?
A converted warehouse by the water - industrial and chic
A local Vietnamese or Thai restaurant
I like my food seasonable and sustainable
Somewhere elegant, airy and refined
A food truck festival or food hall - I like the variety
A local cafe bar - cosy and traditional!
Time to hit the bar! What's your drink of choice?
Locally brewed craft beer
An infused gin and tonic
Matcha latte
A Bloody Mary... extra spicy!
Wine or Champagne
Vodka Club-Mate
It's Friday night. What are you doing?
Dancing until dawn at a warehouse party
Attending a classical concert or the ballet
Drinking and snacking your way around some trendy bars
At a live music concert - the bigger the better!
Watching an arty film and discussing it afterwards in the bar
Enjoying an intimate gig at a local venue
What's for breakfast?
Forget breakfast, I'm still partying!
It's all about the avocado smash
Pass me that breakfast burrito
Eggs Benedict
Yoghurt, granola and a smoothie
Pancakes with all the trimmings
Where do you like to get your retail fix?
A street full of independent shops, food stores and cafes
A huge flea market where I might pick up a unique bargain
An artisan farmer's market with lots of food and drink tasting
An arts and crafts market with food and drink stalls
A modern shopping centre where I'll find all I need in one place
Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Tiffany & Co will do nicely
What accessory can't you leave home without?
A designer handbag
Sunglasses to hide your tired eyes
Your comfiest sneakers
Your bakfiets
A trendy rucksack
Cosy fisherman sweater
What sort of music do you like to listen to?
Anything current and charty
Reggae
R&B and hip hop
Something folky
Rock and indie
Dance and electronic
If you were a condiment, what would you be?
Hot sauce. Spicier the better
Peanut sate sauce
Fresh, zingy salsa
A good dollop of tomato ketchup
A light vinaigrette
Garlic mayo all the way
Which of these architectural styles do you prefer?
Neo-classical grandeur
1920s expressionist
Quaintly traditional
Repurposed industrial
Clean and modern
Windmills!
Oh it's such a perfect day, I'm glad I...
...managed to tick off three different museums and galleries
...danced it away at an outdoor festival
...woke up in time to see some daylight
...got out for a nice long bike ride by the water
...went for a long picnic in the park
...met animals at the zoo and explored space at the planetarium!
