The area of Amsterdam Centrum is a collection of the inner-most boroughs of Amsterdam which include the historic centre, the semi-circular Grachtengordel or ‘canal belt’, and areas lying to the west, south and east of those.

The Centrum area took centuries to grow into what it is today with the origins of the city dating back to the 16th Century. But most of what you’ll see today was built between the 17th and end of the 18th century.

The historic centre of Amsterdam is a higgledy-piggledy medieval ‘core’ of streets, canals and squares in which you’ll find well-known sights such as Centraal Station, the Red Light District, Nieuwemarkt and Dam Square. Encompassing that is the canal belt, a network of four grand canals running parallel to one another – the innermost; the Singel, originally being a defensive moat.

World’s (somehow don’t) collide at Brouwersgracht

On the outside of the canal belt to the west, you’ll discover the area called the Jordaan; which will have its own section on Kompas, so browse that at your leisure using the navigation menu. On the south edge, the tourist mecca that is Museumplein services many a cultural requirement thanks to the recently renovated Stedelijk Museum (modern art and design), Rijksmuseum (old masters), Van Gogh Museum and Concertgebouw (Concert Hall).

If that wasn’t enough, east of the River Amstel you’ll find other highlights like Artis zoo, Hortus Botanicus (botanical gardens) and the Rembrandt House Museum.