The Red Light District, the Anne Frank house, and the Van Gogh Museum will be some of the first places that pop into your mind when you hear the word Amsterdam. It is true that these places are usually included in the itineraries of most tourists who have decided to tour Amsterdam. However, if you are a person who loves to explore the Dutch capital to its fullest, then you must check out a few neighborhoods in the city as well before ending your tour.

The pungent coffee shops, mega art museums, and boat-filled canals will tempt you to limit your tour to these spots only. Nevertheless, if you are ready to venture a bit further and visit some of the most popular Amsterdam neighborhoods, you will find hidden cocktail bars, bohemian clubs, and elegant restaurants that will make your vacation a lot more memorable. Below are some of the must-see neighborhoods in Amsterdam.

De Pijp

De Pijp, which was constructed in the 19th Century by city authorities to ease housing issues, has housed the working class communities of the city for a very long time. This Amsterdamian neighborhood is highly popular among tourists and natives for its typical narrow townhouses that were used to accommodate families with low income. The iconic Albert Cuyp Markt and some of the best brunch restaurants in the city such as the Scandinavian Embassy, Bakers & Roasters, and Little Collins are located in this neighborhood.

De Wallen

The De Wallen neighborhood in Amsterdam, which is popularly known as the Red Light District, has been one of the most important cultural centers of the city for more than 600 years. Even though De Wallen has a bad reputation because of its connection with drug tourism and prostitution, it is one of the elegant neighborhoods in the city to explore when you tour Amsterdam. You can find a number of old buildings in the neighborhood including the perfectly preserved clandestine Catholic church, Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder.

Oosterdok

The Dutch government has been trying to develop some of the former industrial areas in Amsterdam for several years. As a result, you can find a number of new cultural buildings in the neighborhood, which was closely associated with shopping for many decades. The skyline of Oosterdok currently features the ship-shaped NEMO science museum, the towering central library, the monumental music venue, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, and many other impressive buildings.