Amsterdam Neighborhood
Oud-Zuid
Polished, museum-rich, and beautiful. Amsterdam at its most elegant.
Oud-Zuid is where Amsterdam gets polished. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Concertgebouw are all here, plus the upscale shopping streets around Cornelis Schuytstraat and PC Hooftstraat. My friend Lisa lives here and her daily walk includes Vondelpark and museum-district architecture that looks like it belongs in a movie. It is more expensive and more quiet than other neighborhoods, but the quality of everything — the restaurants, the parks, the streets — is noticeably higher.
Things to Do
2 spots
Local FavoriteAmsterdamse Bos
Three times bigger than Central Park, and most tourists have no idea it exists. My buddy runs here every weekend. Goat farm, pancake house, rowing lake, and actual forest. Grab a bike and go.
Local FavoriteMuseumplein — The Big Three
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum — all on one square. Yes they are touristy, yes they are worth it. My friend's dad cried at the Night Watch. Book tickets online or you will regret it.
Eat & Drink
2 spots
Local FavoriteWils Restaurant
My coworker took her parents here for their anniversary and her dad is still talking about the fire-cooked dishes. Michelin star, open kitchen, and a bakery next door that is equally insane.
Local FavoriteUTAGE Sake Bar
My friend took her boyfriend here for their anniversary and he proposed the next week. Coincidence? Maybe. But the sake flights and Japanese small plates are genuinely that romantic.
Explore other neighborhoods
Jordaan
Charming canals, cozy cafes, boutique shopping, and the most Amsterdam feeling you can get.
De Pijp
Foodie paradise, vibrant street life, multicultural energy, and the best market in Amsterdam.
Oud-West
Trendy without trying too hard. Great food, Vondelpark nearby, and a proper local vibe.
Noord
Amsterdam's creative frontier. Street art, craft beer, nightlife, and zero tourist crowds.
Centrum
The historic heart. Tourist-heavy on the main streets, but full of secrets one block over.
Oost
Multicultural, unpretentious, and completely off the tourist radar. The real Amsterdam.
Plantage
Green, historic, and peaceful. Wide boulevards, world-class gardens, and room to breathe.
IJburg
Modern, waterfront, and surprisingly fun. Amsterdam's beach neighborhood.
Zuid
Residential, green, and well-connected. Amsterdam for people who like a bit of calm.