20 Beautiful Streets in Amsterdam That You Must See

It’s been a year since we moved from Amsterdam. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Amsterdam and during my bike rides and walks around Amsterdam. I’ve discovered some beautiful streets in Amsterdam that remind me why I love this city. Not all of these scenic streets are full of tourists, but they at least show a little of what makes Amsterdam so special.

I recommend discovering these streets on bike as it’s so much easier to zip around Amsterdam by bike rather than on foot. That said, some will require that you park your bike as they’re so short/narrow that it’s hard to bike near them. Similarly, some of the streets are quite short.

Oudemanspoort

When you enter from Oudezijds Achterburgwal (mentioned below), you’ll walk through a beautiful gate that dates back to 1601 where an old age home for elderly men and women once stood. Beyond this, you’ll find a small shop along with a charming book market operated daily. These cabinets were once where traders selling gold and silver would sell goods, however this passage became a book market in the late 1800s after a book market in the Botermarkt shut down.

During the war, many of these book traders were persecuted due to being Jews and a few of the stalls are still owned by the original owners who survived the Holocaust. The street feels like a throwback to a different time and I love wandering down here on a quiet day.

‘Gravelandseveer

This short street is one of my favorite quiet spaces in Amsterdam to take in from the benches along the water. This canal looks out onto the Amstel although you also can enjoy the views of Kloveniersburgwal and Groenburgwal. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a sunset.

Browersgracht

Brouwersgracht is one of those canals that somehow gets oft ignored by the crowds who flock to Prinsengracht. Certainly, you still have the crowds, but I recommend following this canal from Centre out towards the Jordaan. Its scenic views along with its docks and places to sit along the water make it one of my favorite streets to walk along. The houses are pretty lovely and there’s a reason why it was named the most beautiful street in Amsterdam by readers of the Parool.

Nieuwe Keizersgracht

I only recently discovered Nieuwe Keizersgracht, which is very close to the botanical gardens. This slightly out of the way Amsterdam street is absolutely beautiful and full of grand canal houses. Unlike other canals, it’s very quiet walking around this picturesque neighborhood oft ignored by tourists.

I’m very partial to number 63 due to its blooming vines that bloom in summer. (Be sure to stop for a coffee along this street at Dignita, which sits within a former hofje open to the public. There are other hofjes in this neighborhood, but most are not open to the public.)

Prinseneiland

As someone who used to lived on the Western Islands, I absolutely love Prinseneiland. This circular street circles around Prinseneiland, a picturesque artificial island built to expand the Amsterdam harbor. It used to be where people would look upon the gallows although luckily, you’ll only see beautiful Rijksmonument warehouses and a picturesque bridge dating back to 1676.

Keizersgracht

It’s hard to choose which canal to pick as a favorite. Keizersgracht has countless Rijksmonument buildings, making walking or biking along this beautiful street that borders the canal by the same name a joy always. Be sure to admire #123, which has elaborate decorations.

Lindenstraat

Lindenstraat is one of my favorite streets in the Jordaan. This beautiful street is full of beautiful houses without the hustle and bustle of other parts of the Jordaan. I love to start close to the Noorderkerk prior to slowly admiring the stately homes along this street. Just be aware of bikes. Click for my guide to the Jordaan!

Vondelstraat

Although most people flock to Vondelpark, I’ve often stopped off along this picturesque street to take in the elaborate buildings, which includes a riding school with a cafe overlooking its indoor space. It’s always so quiet along this street, perfect for a moment to take in the stately buildings, which include embassies and beautifully kept homes.

Herengracht

Like Keizersgracht, Herengracht is always a delight to stroll down. This street along the canal of the same name is home to numerous museums, including the stunning Cromhouthuis (which has a lovely garden). Along this street, you’ll also find one of my favorite cafes for local beer, Proeflokaal Arendsnest. There’s a lot of gems from Radhuisstraat up until Browersgracht, so enjoy strolling down this beautiful Amsterdam street…

Oude Waal

Despite its central location, it’s strange how this picturesque street along the former city walls seems invisible to tourists. I first came here about a year ago for a goodbye dinner and I was struck by the beauty of this street. Be sure to admire the decorative Montelbaan Tower at the end of the street, which dates back to 1516.

Amstel

… Can you really write about beautiful streets in Amsterdam without mentioning the Amstel, the street that runs along the river? I prefer the eastern bank of the Amstel. One of my favorite places to lounge on a lazy day is at the pier in front of the Hermitage, which has panoramic views of Amsterdam from across the water. You’ll also pass by the petite Magere Brug.

Krom Boomssloot

This short street in Amsterdam center is home to Amsterdam’s oldest existing warehouse (#18-20), which dates back to 1595. Despite how close it is to the Red Light District, I always find biking down this short street to be beautiful and peaceful compared to the rest of the Red Light District.

Spaarndammerplantsoen

I wanted to include a street that had some of the distinct Amsterdam School architecture. (I considered also including Heinzestraat and Burgemeester Tellegenstraat for the same reason!) It’s hard to miss Museum the Ship, one of the most iconic architectural pieces in Amsterdam.

Reguliersgracht

On this picturesque street, you can see seven bridges from the intersection of Prinsengracht and Reguliersgracht. Beyond the gorgeous photos, I always stop to admire the red house with the stork statue, which belonged to a midwife. I also love admiring the ornate woodwork on #57, a gorgeous canal house with a unique 19th century exterior.

Palmdwarsstraat

Palmdwarsstraat runs through the heart of the Jordaan. This picturesque street runs past charming shops and beautiful houses. I consider this street to embody much of the charm of the Jordaan, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Amsterdam.

Dorpsweg Ransdorp

Randsdorp was not always part of Amsterdam. This village was annexed onto Amsterdam and it’s retained that cute village feel. As you bike around this picturesque Dutch village (about 20 minutes from the ferry to Noord), you’ll get a small taste of the Dutch countryside. I find the houses so cute! Click for your guide to Randsdorp!

Harlemmerstraat/dijk

Haarlemmerstraat/Haarlemmerdijk is one of my favorite streets in Amsterdam for boutique shopping and admiring the beautiful houses that sit upon this street. Once at the edge of Amsterdam, Haarlemmerstraat stopped at the Haarlemmerpoort. Now, this busy shopping street is home to numerous cute boutiques and lovely cafes. Be sure to stop into the Movies, a movie theatre dating back to the 1920s in the beautiful Art Deco style.

Nieuwendammerdijk

Nieuwendam was once a village outside of Amsterdam, however this former village is now part of Amsterdam. As you walk down Nieuwendammerdijk, you can imagine the past of this picturesque village.

Oudezijds Achterburgwal

Oudezijds Achterburgwal was part of the city wall in medieval Amsterdam. This canal dug in 1367 was where ramparts once stood to protect the city from invaders. Today, it marks the heart of the Red Light District. Although I’m not the biggest fan of the roaming bachelorette parties, you’ll find countless beautiful buildings along this street in Amsterdam.

My favorite close is part to the original University of Amsterdam whose campus now sits primarily after Sint Agnietenstraat. This setion of Oudezijds Achterburgwal is quiet, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful to explore. Be sure to admire the 15th-century Gothic chapel (Agnietenkapel) now used for doctoral defences!

Langestraat

I discovered Langestraat by accident while biking around Amsterdam and trying to avoid the crowds. This street has multiple Rijksmonument buildings with hidden courtyards behind the buildings. (The double doors indicate that there was a coach house!) It’s just a lovely peaceful street provides a bit of respite and I love admiring the plaques to imagine what once happened inside.

Walenpleintje

It’s very easy to miss the entrance to Walenplein, however I’ve found myself drawn to this picturesque square quite a few times without knowing its full history. This hidden square is the location of the Wallonian Catholic church. This beautiful Amsterdam street/square is particularly special as all the buildings inside are protected historical monuments dating back to 1640s. I love stepping into here while escaping the crowds in the Red Light District.

Zandhoek

Hidden in the Western Islands, this short street on Realeneiland holds thirteen captain houses that sit along this picturesque artificial island. Despite its proximity to Amsterdam Centraal, this area is so quiet and peaceful. I love stopping for a drink at the cafe on the corner as to sit along the cafe to enjoy the picturesque views around sunset.

Do you have any other favorite streets in Amsterdam that I should add?

• A picturesque walk through the Jordaan
• Secret Amsterdam places
• The Western Islands of Amsterdam
• Your perfect Amsterdam itinerary
• Day trips from Amsterdam