De Pijp District in Amsterdam
Just a short tram ride south of Centraal Station takes you into one of the most cosmopolitan districts of Amsterdam. Welcome to De Pijp.
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of De Pijp to the fullestpick from this list of hotels in De Pijp.
What does De Pijp mean
Many will tried to guess what De Pijp stands for. But no one really knows. Perhaps it owes its name to the long narrow streets that resemble pipes. Or to the infamous gas companythe Pipewhich used to supply energy to the area.
Who lives in De Pijp
Formerly a working class quarter built to ease the overpopulated Jordaan in the 19th century. To house labourers. De Pijp as Amsterdammers know it today is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. The youngoldstudentsimmigrantsartistsand families have all moved to De Pijp and made it their home.
Atmosphere of De Pijp
Thanks to previous settlers such as "Heijermans""De Haan""Bordewijk""Mondriaan"and nowadays thanks to many immigrants and students who search for cheap room to rentDe Pijp continues to live as a lively exotic and sometimes bohemian district. Removed from the busy central Amsterdamthis alternative is appealing to many. TodayDe Pijp is so popular that house prices have gone up to very high prices.
What can be found in De Pijp
Like the neighboring district "Jordaan""De Pijp" is brimming with fantastic cafésrestaurantscoffeeshops and bars. Of coursea visit to Amsterdam wouldn't be the same without a trip to the Albert Cuypmarketand over 100 shops surrounding it.
If you wander down Albert Cuypstraat and Ferdinand Bolstraatthe main streets in De Pijp you'll find many exotic and authentic SyrianMoroccanSurinamese restaurantsto name but a fewand a typical Amsterdam pub is located on almost every corner. Also in abundance are the Islamic butchersSurinameseSpanishIndian and Turkish delicatessens and grocery stores.
The Heineken Experience
Even if you triedyou couldn't miss this enormous red-brick building on Stadhouderskade street. Although Heineken building is no longer a breweryit has been fully renovated and now operates as a museum. You can trace the 244-year history of the Heineken Empirepick up a few tips on brewingsee Dr. Elion (Inventor of Heineken's magic ingredient)and look inside a beer boiler. You can also go on a Bottle Ride. Seated on a moving platformyou follow the production route of a bottle of beer. Of courseif you are thirsty after seeing many of those activitiesreward yourself with a beer or two. Cheers!
Sarphatipark
While it may feel empty in some of its partsbecause of the loss of big trees through the severe winters and diseasesit is still one of nicest parks in town. Many people come here with their dogsbut the public is friendlyatmosphere relaxed and the park very clean.
Albert Cuyp Market
Over 300 stalls are lining both sides of the Albert Cuyp street in the neighbourhood of De Pijp. Stalls sell everything from fruitvegetablescheesefish and spices to clothescosmetics and bedding. The prices are among the cheapest in Amsterdam. The market gets very crowded especially on a sunny day and Saturdays.
De Pijp District in Amsterdam on the map
photos attributions:
metro station - wikimedia commons - Steven Lek - creative commons licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)
market - wikimedia commons - Alf van Beem
night street - unsplash - Riccardo Bernucci