Worlds (somehow don’t) collide on Brouwersgracht

Amsterdam Centrum is a collection of the inner-most boroughs of the city, including the historic centre, UNESCO protected Grachtengordel or ‘canal belt’, and areas lying to the west, south and east. More on that later.

The Centrum area took centuries to evolve into what it is today. The origins of the city date back to the 14th Century, but most of what you’ll see here today was built in the 17th and 18th Century.

Dam Square, before the visitors arrive

The centre of Amsterdam is a higgledy-piggledy ‘core’ of streets, canals and squares in which you’ll find iconic landmarks 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.

Outside of the canal belt to the west, you’ll discover the area called the Jordaan; which has its own section on Kompas, so browse that at your leisure using the navigation menu, or via the link. On the south edge, the tourist mecca that is Museumplein services many a cultural requirement thanks to the Stedelijk Museum (for modern art and design), Rijksmuseum (for Dutch 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.