User:Renek78/Sandbox/Amsterdam

Districts

Binnenstad The medieval center and most visited area of Amsterdam. It is known for its traditional architecture, canals, shopping, and many coffeeshops. Dam Square is considered its ultimate center, but just as interesting are the areas around Nieuwmarkt and Spui. The Red Light District is also a part of this district.

Canal District A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canal District was dug in the 17th century to attract wealthy home owners. It is still a posh neighborhood with many Dutch celebrities owning property. The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the city's prime nightlife spots.

Jordaan A traditional working class area gone upmarket with plenty of art galleries, hip boutiques and happening restaurants. Also includes the shopping streets of Haarlemmerbuurt and the residential Westelijke Eilanden neighborhood.

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. Also includes the Weesperbuurt and the Oostelijke Eilanden.

Zuid One of Amsterdam's prime areas, a trip to the city is not complete without a visit to the Museum Quarter. 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. It is the most popular area for accommodation as rates are considerably cheaper than in the city center.

West West is a vast inner city area built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in the Amsterdam School architectural style. The Vondelbuurt has beautiful stately mansions, while the Westerpark is known for its cultural events. Kinkerbuurt is an up and coming neighborhood with the De Hallen food market and many good restaurants and independent shops.

Noord An area that is undergoing significant development with new cultural venues like the NDSM-werf and the EYE Film Institute. The area east of the motorway A10 is a protected rural landscape culturally similar to Waterland. It is best explored by bicycle.

Oost Oost is a large and diverse residential area. The Eastern Docklands and IJburg stand out as lively upper middle class neighborhoods known for their modern architecture.

Zuidoost An exclave of Amsterdam, the Bijlmer is a melting pot of cultures. Built as a neighborhood of the future in the 1970s, it quickly made headlines with crime and robberies. Its safety record has improved remarkably the last years due to redevelopment and the ArenA Boulevard is turning into a hotspot for concertgoers and football fans.