and more with our ultimate Rivierenbuurt guide.
An upscale, green neighborhood that's a destination for families.
Rivierenbuurt has a low violent crime rate and an above average property crime rate for Amsterdam.
WHAT’S LIVING IN Rivierenbuurt LIKE?
Rivierenbuurt literally translates to ‘River neighborhood’. It's name stems from the fact that most of the streets here are named after rivers in the Netherlands. This residential neighborhood was developed in the 1920s for Amsterdam’s middle class. It was part of architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage's ‘Plan Zuid’, and was considered quite an architectural wonder in those days. Even today, architecture buffs find their way around the many examples of Amsterdam School architecture.
The homes here are larger than in other inner-city neighborhoods, with spacious apartments, often on one floor, big enough for families. Just before WWII, many Jewish refugees lived here and it’s here where Anne Frank spent her years before she and her family went into hiding.
Today Rivierenbuurt is mostly favored by families. It’s safe, green, and easy to reach by both public transport and car. The ground floor apartments with gardens are snapped up, often even before hitting the market, for a premium. But apartments one, two, or sometimes even three flights up from the ground are still popular. Prices are a little lower here than in neighboring Oud Zuid or Apollobuurt, but are still quite steep.
The housing options vary from street to street: large villas in the southern part of Rivierenbuurt are among Amsterdam’s most expensive properties, whereas some of the buildings in the streets between Amstel River and van Woustraat are still mostly rent controlled social units.
In between one can find apartments and homes for sale and rent that meet a variety of budgets. This makes for a good mix that is reflected in the shops, cafés, and restaurants on Maasstraat, Scheldestraat, and van Woustraat.
Riverienbuurt is bordered on the north by De Pijp, on the east and south by the Amstel River, and on the west by Zuidas.
People that don’t live in this area usually have no idea this place exists, but when they first visit they are often pleasantly surprised. This beer lovers' café offers a wonderful selection of beers on tap or bottled. The large terrace is a favorite with moms, dads, and groups of friends enjoying a cold brewsky alike.
This pleasant restaurant offers a delicious menu of ‘seafood&seasons’. This means that their fare depends on the time of year. No matter what the season, you can be sure of having a lovely meal. Vegetarians love it here, too. The restaurant is close to the RAI convention center making this a popular hangout for exhibitors or single travelers. But families and couples love it too.
When people talk about "bowling" in Amsterdam, they mean Knijn. This is a staple destination for bowling buffs. It’s been in the same spot for over 40 years and is not going anywhere soon. Expect groups of friends, families, colleagues, or any other group of people. They all have one thing in common: they are having fun.
Vegetarian restaurants often lack the charm and finesse of a "real" restaurant. But this isn't true of Betty’s, which is a favorite with vegetarian and non-vegetarian foodies. The owner, Gido, started this gem of a place in 1988. His mom used to bake the savory pies and Gido himself prepared the rest. Gido is still the host, but has since hired a professional chef. The menu is a three course surprise, allowing for any kind of allergy or diet. Make sure to include the cheese plate and ask Gido to recommend a wine.
As the name suggests, this massage salon will make you feel good. Their qualified masseurs offer top quality treatments, so when you're feeling in need of some relaxation just come on in.
Photo Credits: Thanks to @lmariesneijder, @olga_kolganova, @deechtebakker, @suse_333, @olivia_nl, @herp, @eftimoff, @hestereialin, @olaf_eats, @ninouramsterdam, @mieuxvautardquejamais, @maarten.official, @aceciliadantas, @demidingerdis, @tittafee, @ranafarag, @marealacris, @ohshaw for your great photos of this neighborhood!