De 9 Straatjes: Reviews & Ratings

Name: De 9 Straatjes
Address: Wolvenstraat 9, 1016 EM Amsterdam

De 9 Straatjes is a compact shopping district in Amsterdam’s western Canal Belt, not one street or a single attraction. Nine short streets cross the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsegracht. The area combines independent boutiques, vintage fashion, specialty shops, cafés, canal houses and small cultural venues.

Allow about 45 to 60 minutes to walk the grid without stops, or two to three hours if you want to browse, eat and visit a museum. A weekday late morning is the most practical time for shopping. Early morning is better for canal photos, but many businesses will still be closed.

De 9 Straatjes at a glance

Type of place	Open shopping district in Amsterdam’s Canal Belt
Location	Between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsegracht, from Singel to Prinsengracht
Cost	Free to walk; shopping, food and museum admission cost extra
Time needed	About 45–60 minutes for the streets alone; 2–3 hours with stops
Best time	Weekday late morning for open shops and lighter foot traffic
Typical shop hours	Most open around 10:00 or 11:00 until 18:00 or 19:00; many open Sunday from 12:00
Central navigation point	Wolvenstraat; it is a useful map pin, not a district entrance
Best for	Boutique shopping, vintage fashion, canal architecture, cafés and photography

Last verified: 14 August 2026. The official district association published its latest general opening-hour guidance on 12 August 2026. Individual businesses set their own hours, so check the specific shop, restaurant or museum before making a special trip.

Is De 9 Straatjes worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a central Amsterdam walk that combines shopping with canal architecture. The district is compact enough to fit between larger plans, yet varied enough for a half-day when you stop at boutiques, cafés or cultural venues.

Keep the visit shorter if you are mainly looking for bargain shopping, quiet residential streets or one major museum. Vintage does not always mean inexpensive here, the retail mix includes both small businesses and established brands, and the narrow streets feel slower at busy times.

What are the nine streets?

The district forms a three-by-three grid. Each east–west street changes name after crossing a canal, which is why three continuous routes produce nine street names.

Row	Prinsengracht to Keizersgracht	Keizersgracht to Herengracht	Herengracht to Singel
Northern row	Reestraat	Hartenstraat	Gasthuismolensteeg
Middle row	Berenstraat	Wolvenstraat	Oude Spiegelstraat
Southern row	Runstraat	Huidenstraat	Wijde Heisteeg

The nine street sections between Prinsengracht and Singel, arranged from north to south.

A simple walking route through all nine streets

This serpentine route covers every street with little backtracking. Start on the Singel side if you are coming from Dam Square or Spui. Reverse it if you are arriving from the Jordaan or Prinsengracht.

Begin where Gasthuismolensteeg meets Singel.
Walk west through Gasthuismolensteeg, Hartenstraat and Reestraat until you reach Prinsengracht.
Turn south along Prinsengracht for one block, then enter Berenstraat.
Walk east through Berenstraat, Wolvenstraat and Oude Spiegelstraat to Singel.
Turn south along Singel, then enter Wijde Heisteeg.
Finish by walking west through Wijde Heisteeg, Huidenstraat and Runstraat to Prinsengracht.

Check the official De 9 Straatjes route page before leaving if you need the latest access or transport information.

What to do in De 9 Straatjes

Browse boutiques and specialty shops

The official association lists more than 250 shops, hospitality businesses, hotels, museums and other venues across the district. The strongest categories include fashion, shoes and bags, jewelry, beauty, homeware, books, art and specialty food. The tenant mix changes, so use the official shop and venue directory rather than relying on an old list of “best” stores.

Shop vintage with realistic expectations

Vintage fashion is one of the district’s main draws, but selection and prices vary sharply by store. For a broader comparison with open-air shopping, use our guide to Westerstraat Market versus Albert Cuyp Market.

Look beyond the storefronts

The canals and historic buildings are part of Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed Canal Ring. Pause at the bridges for the long canal views, but move out of the pedestrian flow before taking photos. The city’s visitor guide also highlights cultural stops in and around the district, including Huis Marseille and the Museum of the Canals; verify current exhibitions, prices and opening hours on the venue’s own website.

Plan a food or coffee stop

Cafés, bakeries, restaurants and specialty food shops are spread across the grid. There is no shared booking system or district-wide schedule. Check the current menu and hours for the specific venue, especially for dinner or a weekend visit.

Opening hours and the best time to visit

The public streets are accessible at any time, but the businesses are not open 24 hours. According to the district association’s 12 August 2026 opening-hours update, most shops open around 10:00 or 11:00 and close around 18:00 or 19:00. Many shops open from 12:00 on Sunday. Restaurants, museums, hotels and service businesses may follow different schedules.

Best for shopping: a weekday from about 10:30 to 12:30.
Best for architecture and photos: early morning, before most shops open.
Best for the fullest shopping atmosphere: Friday afternoon or the weekend, with more foot traffic.
Sunday: arrive after noon if shopping is the priority.

How to get to De 9 Straatjes

De 9 Straatjes has several natural entry points rather than one front door. Use Wolvenstraat as a central map pin. Common approaches include Dam Square or Spui from the east, Westermarkt or Elandsgracht from the west and north, and Leidseplein or Leidsestraat from the south.

Public transport

Routes and stop accessibility can change during construction or diversions. Use the official GVB journey planner on the day of travel. Our OVpay guide for Amsterdam public transport explains how to check in and out with a contactless bank card, phone or ticket.

Walking and cycling

Walking is usually the simplest option once you are in the center. If you cycle, use a marked bicycle rack or parking area. Amsterdam’s bike-parking rules prohibit securing a bicycle to bridge railings, traffic signs or lampposts, and improperly parked bicycles may be removed.

Accessibility and visiting with children

De 9 Straatjes has no single entrance, so a district-wide label such as “wheelchair-accessible entrance” is not precise. Expect historic brick paving, narrow sidewalks, sloped bridge approaches and different thresholds at individual shops. Step-free access, aisle width and accessible toilets vary by business.

GVB’s journey planner includes an accessible-journey option for routes using suitable vehicles and stops. Travelers who need step-free access should also contact any priority shop, restaurant or museum before visiting.

Families can cover the area without a long walk, but the streets remain active traffic routes. Keep children close at canal crossings, watch for bicycles and delivery vehicles, and expect some small shops to be difficult with a wide stroller.

A short history of De 9 Straatjes

The present street pattern developed during Amsterdam’s major canal expansion in the first half of the 17th century. The grand canal houses were associated with merchants and civic elites, while the cross streets supported workshops, suppliers, tradespeople and smaller businesses. Several street names still refer to animals, hides or the area’s leatherworking history.

The modern name De 9 Straatjes was promoted by local entrepreneurs in the 1990s to give the nine connected streets a shared identity. The district now sits within the Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring of Amsterdam, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2010. See the association’s history of De 9 Straatjes and the UNESCO Urban Heritage Atlas for deeper context.

What to combine with De 9 Straatjes

Jordaan: continue west across Prinsengracht and use our route for finding historic hofjes in the Jordaan.
Outdoor art: add a low-cost cultural walk with our guide to free outdoor art around Amsterdam.
Dam Square and the old center: start at the northern end of the grid and continue east after shopping.
Leidseplein and the museum district: leave from the southern end near Leidsegracht.

How to visit respectfully

Keep residential doorways, shop entrances and private stoops clear.
Step to the side before stopping on a narrow bridge or sidewalk.
Ask before photographing shop interiors, staff or identifiable customers.
Use bicycle racks and public bins rather than bridge railings or doorways.

Frequently asked questions

What are the nine streets in De 9 Straatjes?

The nine streets are Reestraat, Hartenstraat, Gasthuismolensteeg, Berenstraat, Wolvenstraat, Oude Spiegelstraat, Runstraat, Huidenstraat and Wijde Heisteeg.

Is De 9 Straatjes free to visit?

Yes. De 9 Straatjes is a group of public streets with no district admission fee. You only pay for shopping, food, tours or ticketed museums and attractions.

What time do shops in De 9 Straatjes open?

Most shops open around 10:00 or 11:00 and close around 18:00 or 19:00. Many open from 12:00 on Sunday, but each business sets its own hours.

How long do you need for De 9 Straatjes?

Allow about 45 to 60 minutes to walk all nine streets without long stops. Plan two to three hours if you want to shop, eat or visit a museum.

Is De 9 Straatjes in the Jordaan?

De 9 Straatjes sits in Amsterdam’s western Canal Belt, directly beside the Jordaan. Some visitor guides group the areas together, but Prinsengracht is a useful boundary between them.

When is the best time to visit De 9 Straatjes?

A weekday late morning is the best balance for shopping and lighter foot traffic. Go early for canal photos, or after noon on Sunday when more shops are open.

Plan your visit

Use Wolvenstraat as the central pin, choose the eastern or western end according to your next stop, and follow the three-row route rather than zigzagging randomly. Check individual opening hours on the day, especially on Sunday or when a particular shop or museum is the reason for your visit.

Check the current De 9 Straatjes directory