City Centre & Canal District

The historic heart of Amsterdam is formed by the 17th-century canal belt. Along the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht, classic merchant houses adorn the streetscape. Immediately adjacent lies the atmospheric Jordaan with its narrow streets. Major landmarks include the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the Westerkerk, and bustling squares such as Leidseplein. Finally, the iconic Skinny Bridge over the Amstel connects the city center with the leafy Plantage district. Here you will find the Hortus Botanicus and Artis, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands.