Nine Little Streets, Amsterdam

4 more images

The Nine Little Streets is one of Amsterdam's trendiest and most hyped shopping neighborhoods is comprised of three parallel narrow brickwork lanes open for traffic but largely used by bicycles. Extending across the Inner Canal ring and three blocks long each, the centuries old houses are a most attractive setting, very photogenic. Cute cafes and restaurants are interspersed with designer and vintage stores, florists, chocolate shops, jewellers, art and gift shops, along with everyday businesses.

The Nine Little Streets are a delightful and scenic neighborhod to visit but most of the stores seemed to offer nothing unique in the way of style or design. Not overpriced, just not unique enough to warrant purchase.

Across the Prinsengracht the Jordaan neighborhood, once a lower class living area, has gentrified and seeks the same target audience as the Nine Little Streets. The narrow canals are lined by picturesque townhouses and houseboats but the streets are less attractive. The stores here are fewer and less upscale. This is restaurant country - lots of more upscale places aiming for the dinner crowd. This area has recently been written up by the New York Times travel section and restaurant reservations are needed. Two of our restaurant tips feature places in this neighborhood.

2 more images

These 9 little alleys are set up like tic tac toe over 3 canals & have the most unusual and delightful one off shops. Reestraat, Hartenstraat & Gasthuismolensteeg to the north, Prinsengracht to the west, Singel to the east and Runstraat, Huidenstraat & Wijde Heistreeg to the south, Berenstraat, Wolvenstraat & Oude Spiegelstraat.
The bazaar arty Boekie Woekie, Kaas Kaamer for cheese lovers, Pompadour for those that love a bit of cake (just looking puts on the pounds!!), Stout (means naughty in dutch) for sexy lingere or Laura Dolls for vintage clothing. Think unusual & you should find it here.

Between the SINGEL & PRINSENGRACHT, RAADHUISSTRAAT & LEIDSESTRAAT is an area known as THE NINE LITTLE STREETS. .

It is a fascinating neighbourhood for SHOPPING and....ARCHITECTURE.
You can enjoy the heritage of the GOLDEN AGE here.....: a canal-belt of architectural styles.

Behind the beautiful façades you can find speciality shops which you won't find anywhere else....

I can really recommend these 9 little streets to any visitor of AMSTERDAM.....