The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) shopping area offers more than just retail. Spanning nine side streets, the pedestrian neighborhood dates back to the 17th century and boasts historical architecture and the capital’s first photography museum. Boutiques, cafés, and fine dining restaurants line the cobbled pavements, creating a boho vibe that draws the city’s fashionable crowd. Other claims to fame include a houseboat museum and the world’s first monument to gay rights.
The Basics
De Negen Straatjes is a stop on most hop-on hop-off bus and canal boat tours, which give you ample time to shop, dine, or drink in the trendy district. The majority of canal cruises—which can be tailored to include everything from pizza and wine to beer and ice cream—offer unobstructed views of De Negen Straatjes from the water, while private, custom tours let you tailor your itinerary to suit your preferences.
Things to Know Before You Go
De Negen Straatjes are popular with fashion lovers and foodies.
Remember your coat in the colder months, as the district is open air and can get chilly.
Some delis offer free samples of cheese and cured meats around lunch time, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for freebies.
As well as ever-changing pop-up stores, De Negen Straatjes is home to the Huis Marseille photography museum and Cromhuithous, the preserved home of Dutch aristocrats.
How to Get There
The nine streets of De Negen Straatjes lie between the centrally-located Singel and Prinsengracht canals, and are easily accessible by foot, bike, or public transport; simply board at Dam Square, Westermarkt, or Spui tram stops, or at Rokin metro station. Hop-on hop-off bus buses and boats also stop nearby.
When to Get There
The streets are especially charming during spring and summer, when the outdoor terraces remain lively well into the evening. If you’d rather explore without crowds, embark on a late morning stroll, though be aware that shops in Amsterdam generally don’t open until 10am or later.
Modern District, Historic Area
De Negen Straatjes was only established as a retail district in 1996, in an effort to promote the area to tourists and encourage cooperation between businesses. However, the wider Grachtengordel, or Canal Ring, harks back to the Dutch Golden Age. Learn more about the area’s heritage at the Het Grachtenhuis (Canal Museum) or during a historical walking tour of the area.
Ways to explore
De Negen Straatjes is a stop on most hop-on hop-off bus and canal boat tours, which let you disembark to shop, dine, or drink in the trendy district at your own pace. Many Amsterdam canal cruises include food and drink—everything from pizza and wine to beer and ice cream—and offer unobstructed views of Nine Streets from the water. Thanks to its chic aesthetic, Nine Streets often features on Instagram tours and private photo shoots, which save you the hassle of asking strangers to take photos of you.
Accessibility
Due to a mix of cobbled lanes, narrow entryways, and raised curbs, navigating this district in a wheelchair can be challenging.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Bring your ID if you plan on visiting the trendy bars here—the drinking age in the Netherlands is 18—and pack a tote bag for shopping.
What to wear
Flat shoes to navigate the uneven surfaces on the banks of the historic canals.
Not allowed
Unruly behavior
Amenities
Stores, cafés, museums, restaurants, bars
Address
The nine streets of De Negen Straatjes lie between the centrally located Singel and Prinsengracht canals. The area is easily accessible by foot, public transportation, and, of course, bike—this is Amsterdam, after all.
Driving
Make the most of the excellent transportation links in central Amsterdam, and opt to arrive by the city's official mode of transport: the bicycle. Parking is hard to come by in this area.
Public transportation
The nearest metro station to Nine Streets is Rokin on the North-South line. Trams 1, 2, 5, 13, and 17 also stop nearby.
Best times to visit
Plan a late morning stroll if you’d rather explore without crowds, but be aware that shops in Amsterdam generally don’t open until 10am or later.
Best days to visit
Tuesday to Thursday offer a relaxed atmosphere without the weekend crowds.
Best months to visit
The streets are especially charming during spring and summer, when the outdoor terraces remain lively well into the evening.
Special events
Nine Streets is awash with orange during King's Day at the end of April, when the city celebrates the monarch with raucous parades and floats.
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