Tourist Map of Amsterdam: The Areas You Need to Know

Amsterdam is a compact city: almost everything visitors look for fits into a few areas laid out in half-circles around Centraal Station. This guide replaces a printable map with a simple reading of the city: how it is organised, what you find in each area, what walking distances to expect and where to catch a tram. Distances are orders of magnitude taken from our place guides; an online map on your phone will give the exact route.

How the city is organised

A canal in central Amsterdam lined with narrow houses

Amsterdam's plan reads like half a spider's web. The Centraal Station is in the north, facing the IJ, the wide stretch of water that separates the centre from Amsterdam-Noord. From there the medieval centre spreads south around the Damrak and the Dam, then the canal ring (Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht) wraps around it in successive half-circles. Beyond the last canal, the 19th- and 20th-century districts (Jordaan to the west, museums and Vondelpark to the south-west, De Pijp to the south, Oost to the east) complete the map.

Useful landmarks:

Water to the north: the IJ; you cross it on the free ferries to Noord.
The Dam: the historic heart, a 10-minute walk from Centraal Station.
The Leidseplein and the Rembrandtplein: the two going-out squares, at either end of the southern canal ring.
The Museumplein: the great museum square, south of the canal ring, about 10 minutes' walk from the Leidseplein.

The areas to know

Medieval centre and red-light district

This is the oldest and busiest part, between Centraal Station, the Dam and the Nieuwmarkt. It holds the Oude Kerk, the Nieuwe Kerk and the Royal Palace on the Dam square, as well as the red-light district. Very dense, noisy and crowded: to understand it, read our guide to the historic centre.

Canal ring

The three great 17th-century canals, a UNESCO World Heritage site, form an arc from the Brouwersgracht in the north to the Amstel in the south-east. This is the area of canal houses, intimate museums such as the Willet-Holthuysen house, boutiques and cafés. See our guide to Amsterdam's canals. Trams 2 and 24 cross it along the Leidsestraat.

Jordaan and the west

West of the Prinsengracht, the Jordaan is a former working-class district that has become one of the most pleasant for walking: lanes, small cafés, galleries, markets (see the Noordermarkt). The Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk are on its eastern edge. Further west, De Hallen and the Westerpark have a more local feel.

Museum Quarter and Vondelpark

South of the canal ring, the Museumplein brings together the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Concertgebouw. The Vondelpark is right next door. Everything is within walking distance. See the museum quarter guide.

De Pijp

South-east of the Museumplein, De Pijp is the lively district of terraces, restaurants from around the world, the Albert Cuyp market and the Sarphatipark. Take metro line 52 (De Pijp station) or tram 4 from the centre.

Plantage, Oost and the east

East of the Nieuwmarkt, the Plantage brings together Artis, the Hortus Botanicus and the Jewish cultural quarter. Further out, Oost is residential and mixed, around the Oosterpark and the Dappermarkt.

Amsterdam-Noord

Across the IJ, Noord is reached by free ferries from behind Centraal Station (a trip of a few minutes). Here you find the EYE Filmmuseum, the A'DAM Lookout and the NDSM site.

Walking distances: landmarks

Route	Rough time
Centraal Station → Dam	about 10 minutes
Dam → Leidseplein	about 25 minutes
Leidseplein → Rijksmuseum	about 10 minutes
Rijksmuseum → Sarphatipark	about 15 minutes
Dam → Rembrandtplein	about 15 minutes
Centraal Station → Rijksmuseum	about 35 minutes (the tram is more practical)

Getting from one area to another

Walk in the centre, take the tram to link distant areas, and metro line 52 (North-South line) to get quickly from the centre to De Pijp. The IJ ferries are free. All the details (tickets, OVpay, lines) are in our guide to transport in Amsterdam. Watch out for bikes: cycle traffic is dense, so always look before crossing the cycle paths.

Where to stay by area

The centre is convenient but expensive and noisy; the Jordaan and the canals are elegant; De Pijp and Oost offer better value. Our guide where to stay in Amsterdam compares the districts. If you plan to visit many museums, also see passes and tourist cards in Amsterdam.

Maps and apps

An online map on your phone is enough: download the Amsterdam area to use offline if you have little mobile data (see internet and SIM cards). Tram maps are displayed at stops and in GVB vehicles.