Understand
This district can be split in Old West, a modern neighborhood built in the first half of the twentieth century, and New West, a multicultural area built after World War II and generally off-the-beaten path to tourists. The heart of Old West is confusingly enough the neighborhood of Old West proper, the area closest to the city center, bordered to the south by Overtoom and the Vondelpark and in the west by the Rembrandt Park. Other areas in Old West are Westerpark, a large park bordering the center with some interesting nightlife; De Baarsjes, a neighborhood built in Amsterdam School and New Objectivity architectural styles; and Bos en Lommer, most similar to New West with some remarkable buildings.
New West has often dominated the headlines for social and ethnic tensions, crime, urban decay. Most infamous is Slotervaart, bordering Old West to the east; other districts are Geuzenveld/Slotermeer and Osdorp. A special district is the vast area of Westpoort, a harbor occupying a large area to the north of Amsterdam West, but not of much interest to most visitors.
