Old Center
This most visited area can be divided in the New Side, with it's traditional architecture, canal tours, Dam Square and shopping, as well as the Old Side with Nieuwmarkt, Chinatown and Red Light District. Also includes the Old Jewish Quarter with Waterloo Square.

Canal Belt (Grachtengordel)
Probably the wealthiest neighborhood with plenty of Dutch celebrities living here. Also includes Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein, the city's main nightlife areas.

Jordaan

In the 16th and 17th century non-Dutch immigrants to Amsterdam were mostly Huguenots, Flemings, Sephardi Jews and Westphalians. Huguenots came after the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685, while the Flemish Protestants came during the Eighty Years' War. The Westphalians came to Amsterdam mostly for economic reasons – their influx continued through the 18th and 19th centuries. Before the Second World War, 10% of the city population was Jewish.

In 2008, there were 140 festivals and events in Amsterdam. Famous festivals and events in Amsterdam include: Koninginnedag (Queen's Day); the Holland Festival for the performing arts; the yearly Prinsengrachtconcert (classical concerto on the Prinsen canal) in August; the 'Stille Omgang' (a silent Roman Catholic evening procession held every March); Amsterdam Gay Pride; The Cannabis Cup; and the Uitmarkt. On Koninginnedag—held each year on April 30—hundreds of thousands of people travel to Amsterdam to celebrate with the city's residents.

City Government

Singel 122
1015 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
020 4820008

Amstel 144
1017 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
020 5307878
edenhotelamsterdam.com

Professor Tulpplein 1
1018 GX Amsterdam, Netherlands
020 6226060
intercontinental.com

Damrak 96
1012 LP Amsterdam, Netherlands
020 5223000
swissotel.com/amsterdam

Amsterdam, one of Europe's smaller but densely populated capitals, has many attractions for visitors. The town's most famous sight is the system of canals, which spreads over the whole city centre.

Museums

The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the national museum of the Netherlands.
The Van Gogh Museum specialises in works by Vincent van Gogh.
The Stedelijk Museum specialises in modern art.
The Rembrandt House Museum specialises in works by Rembrandt van Rijn.
The Anne Frank House, Prinsengracht 263.

Amsterdam was granted city rights in either 1300 or 1306. From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely because of trade with the Hanseatic League. In 1345, an alleged Eucharistic miracle in the Kalverstraat rendered the city an important place of pilgrimage until the adoption of the Protestant faith. The Stille Omgang—a silent procession in civil attire—is today a remnant of the rich pilgrimage history.