Selling or buying a home in Centrum. We know these streets.
Historic, busy, and world-famous.
Nowhere in Amsterdam are you as close to the city's history as in Centrum. From the seventeenth-century canal belt to the narrow alleys around the Nieuwmarkt: this is where Amsterdam began, and it is still the busiest part of any city in the Netherlands.
Foto: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0 The character of Centrum
Centrum is the historic core of Amsterdam: the canal belt, the Wallen, the Nieuwmarkt and the Westelijke Eilanden all belong to it. The four main canals, Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, were dug during the Golden Age and have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2010.
On the Nieuwmarkt stands De Waag, a fifteenth-century gatehouse and one of the oldest buildings in the city. Nowhere else in Amsterdam do you walk so easily from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Living in Centrum: homes and price level
The homes are often in listed seventeenth-century canal houses: narrow, deep and with steep stairs, exactly as the merchants had them built. A lift is the exception, a roof terrace with a view over the canals a much-loved bonus.
Because of the listed status and the location in the heart of the city, Centrum is one of the most expensive areas of Amsterdam. Renovating is possible, but often only with permission from the heritage authorities (Monumentenzorg).
Foto: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0 Shopping, eating and relaxing
The Negen Straatjes, nine side streets between the Prinsengracht and the Singel, are full of independent boutiques, vintage shops and coffee places. On the Nieuwmarkt itself you will find one of the oldest markets in the city, with a terrace in front of almost every facade.
For an evening out you never have to go far: from drinks on the water to one of the many restaurants in the city centre, everything is within walking distance.
Getting around from Centrum
Amsterdam Centraal is literally around the corner: all trains and almost every tram and metro line in the city come together here. Rokin metro station (line 52, Noord/Zuidlijn) and Nieuwmarkt metro station (lines 51, 53 and 54) are both in the heart of the area.
Cycling is the fastest way through the narrow streets, and by car you are more at the mercy of one-way traffic and paid parking than of the ring road.
Foto: C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0 Who is Centrum right for
Centrum attracts affluent buyers, expats and investors who want to live right in the heart of the city, often as a pied-à-terre alongside a family home elsewhere. For anyone looking for peace or a garden for the children, Centrum is a less obvious choice: the area is busy and touristy all year round.
But if you love the city as it is, with all the noise and beauty that come with it, you will find more history under one roof here than anywhere else in Amsterdam.
Sold on Centrum?
Choose your route, and we will know exactly where you need to be.
I want to sell
From an honest market valuation to the signature at the civil-law notary.
I want to buy
We search with you, look critically and negotiate sharply.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centrum an expensive area to buy in?
Centrum is one of the more expensive areas of Amsterdam. The listed status of many canal houses and the location in the heart of the city mean a high price per square metre.
Is Centrum suitable for families?
Centrum is especially popular with affluent buyers, expats and investors. For families looking for peace and space, the area is a less obvious choice because of the crowds and tourism.
How do I get to Centrum by public transport?
Amsterdam Centraal is in the middle of the area, with all trains and almost every tram and metro line in the city nearby, including Rokin metro station (line 52) and Nieuwmarkt (lines 51, 53 and 54).
Do you also work in Centrum?
Yes, Centrum is one of the areas where we are regularly active. We know the streets, the types of homes and the market here well.
What does an estate agent cost with you?
When you sell, you pay a fixed fee of 1% of the sale price, including VAT, with no start-up costs. For purchase guidance you pay a fixed price of €3,500 including VAT. Those prices are simply listed on our selling and buying pages.
Do you also help with buying a home in Centrum?
Yes. We search with you, view homes critically, check the structural condition and negotiate sharply. That way you buy with knowledge of Centrum, without rushed decisions.
Can I also rent out my home in Centrum through you?
Yes. Besides selling and buying, we also rent out homes in Centrum, from finding a reliable tenant to the contract.
Another question about Centrum? Call or message us, we respond quickly.
The coffee is ready.
In a few months the deed is signed and the keys are handed over. The first step is a small one: a free introductory meeting, at your home in Centrum or at our office on the Singel.
Book an introductionOr call +31 20 845 5878 · info@makelaarinamsterdam.nl
Singel 374, 1016 AH Amsterdam