Former workingclass neighbourhood now gentrified and well worth a visit. So don't head back to the citycentre after doing the Heineken brewery tour but dive a bit deeper in the Pijp area. Lots of small independent little (vintage) shops, (hipster) brunch places and cool bars and terraces.
Another highlight of the Pijp is the famous Albert Cuypmarkt. Lots stalls with foods, clothing and much more. Areas to cover are the Ferdinand Bolstraat, Albert Cuypstraat and Jacob van Campen straat and its side streets. From here it is also an easy walk towards the Museumplein to continue your journey.
The southern part of Amsterdam starts south of the Leidseplein and Rijksmuseum. As a visitor of one of the three main museums (Rijksmuseum, van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum) it makes a good starting point for exploring the rest of the district, which has lots to offer. Go for some upscale shopping in the P.C. Hoofstraat or head to the slighty more mainstream van Baerlestraat. Another good idea is to go for a leasurely stroll through nearby Vondelpark or head a bit deeper south for other nice walks in this more stately part of town.
The norther part of Amsterdam starts on the other side of the lake (IJ). A former industrial area where artists, hippies, squaters and craftsmen had their homes. Nowadays it's transformed into a new hotspot for hipsters, architects, new homeowners, hotels and restaurants. However the old industrial vibe is still there. Amidst the new &cool bars, vintage shops, gruffy studios it is worth a visit. Take the pont (or metro North/South line) from the back of the Centraal (train station) and you could do the walk along the IJ along the Tolhuistuin and Eye or (rent a bike) and head more towards the funky NDSM area, or go a bit further up to the northern fringes and visit nature and villages like Landsmeer, Twiske, Ransdorp.
The West side of the city can be divided by the old part (within the ringroad) and the new part (beyond the ringroad). The old part is defintely where you want to go. It's the part that combines sophistication with a touch of urban chaos. Lush, leafy – yet fast-changing – Old West is a very popular and exciting area. Starting on the western side of the Vondelpark you find a vast expanse of hip bars and boutiques, and some first-rate restaurants. Overtoom and the bustling Kinkerstraat and De Clercqstraat, in particular, are now home to a vibrant community of chefs, creatives and entrepreneurs. Old west as a whole has become second only to Oost for those looking to explore the city’s food and drink scene. So take a day or two, hire a bike, and soak up all this wonderful neighbourhood has to offer.
The eastern side of Amsterdam has rich industrial and working-class heritage. The docks around Zeeburg once attracted tradesmen, warehouses, and everything needed to support them – in turn drawing a large number of immigrants. Such ethnic diversity continues to this day; despite extensive regeneration over the past 10 years, the area remains a heady mix of old and new, with achingly hips bars and boutiques brushing shoulders with Turkish greengrocers and spit ’n’ sawdust shawarma joints. New developments and businesses spring up almost weekly, adding vibrancy to Amsterdam’s new epicentre of cool.
The medieval city centre of Amsterdam has plenty of must-see attractions and can't miss destinations. The famous Unesco canal belt of course, the grand museums, the buzzing area of the Jordaan, Red-light district or the cosy shopping area of the 'nine streets'. You can easily fill a few days just exploring old town.
The Jordaan is definitely a 'must do' if you have only a few days in the city. It was built in the 17th century and housed mostly the working class. Today, is has been transformed into the city's most expensive neighbourhood. The working class people have slowly but steady been replaced by expats and the rich and famous. The inhabitants have changed but the area ofcourse has still elegant townhouses, hte beautiful canals, small side streets full of bars, restaurants, art galleries and little indepent stores.