This is the old medieval heart of the city. It’s bounded to the north by the IJ, to the west and south by the Singel canal and to the east by the Kloveniersburgwal and Geldersekade canals (see main map). It is centred on the main streets of Damrak and Rokin, which mark the original course of the Amstel River and are now a major tram route. At the north end is Centraal Station on an artificial island in the IJ and in the centre of the district is the Dam “square” where the river was first dammed and the Royal (Koninklijke) Palace now stands.

To the east of the Damrak is the Old Side (Oude Zijde) marking the site of the original 13th century settlement and including the oldest street in the city, Warmoesstraat. Also here is the Wallen better known as the Red Light District and on the Zeedijk (once the sea wall) is Chinatown.

West of the Damrak is the New Side (Nieuwe Zijde), which is also very old. The ancient Nieuwendijk, now a bland pedestrianised shopping street, dissects it. Between the north end of Spuistraat and the Singel canal is a small, less touristy, red light area and at the south end of Spuistraat is the interesting Spui area.

See also the large-scale Centrum map.