10Best: Neighborhoods for exploring

AMSTERDAM

1. JORDAAN Previously an impoverished area, this district just beyond the Western Canal Ring is now one of Amsterdam’s hippest neighborhoods. Stroll through the openair markets, pop into boutiques and art galleries, and stop for coffee at a cozy cafe. Be sure to peek into the little hidden gardens, known as hofjes. The Anne Frank House, now a museum, is also in Jordaan, next to the Westerkerk, the famed 17th- century church.

Anne Frank House Prinsengracht 263- 267 + 31 020 556 7105

2. MUSEUM QUARTER The Museum Quarter covers all the bases, from the peaceful Vondelpark to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum — not to mention the Concertgebouw, a concert hall with incredible acoustics. Fashionistas make a beeline for the PC Hooftstraat, the most expensive shopping street in the Netherlands.

Van Gogh Museum Paulus Potterstraat 7 + 31 020 570 5200 Rijksmuseum Museumstraat 1 + 31 020 6747 000 Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 10 + 31 020 671 8345 By Jessica Lipowski

BERLIN

3. BERGMANNKIEZ Cafes, bookstores and boutiques line the Bergmannstrasse, the main thoroughfare of this boho- chic enclave. The street is anchored by Marheineke Markthalle, a century- old market teeming with epicurean treats. For a java jolt, stop by Barcomi’s.

Marheineke Markthalle Marheinekeplatz + 49 030 6128 6146 Barcomi’s Bergmannstrasse 21 + 49 030 694 8138

4. SAVIGNYPLATZ A leafy oasis in the western city center, Savignyplatz is flanked by cafes and restaurants whose tables spill onto the sidewalks in summer. Bisecting Savignyplatz is Kantstrasse, which leads into Berlin’s Design District, where you’ll find style emporium Stilwerk. West of the square, Kantstrasse enters Little Asia, home to one of Berlin’s best Chinese restaurants, Good Friends. Stilwerk, Kantstrasse 17 + 49 30 315 150 Good Friends, Kantstrasse 30 + 49 30 313 2659 By Andrea Schulte- Peevers

FRANKFURT

5. SACHSENHAUSEN Head to Sachsenhausen to see the tree- lined Museumsufer, or “Museum Embankment,” and the floating restaurants of the Main River. Walk the lively Schweizer Strasse to find fashionable shops, gourmet food and fresh flowers. Continuing south past Schweizer Platz, try some traditional Apfel

wein ( apple wine) at Apfelwein Wagner. For international fare, stop at Textor on Textorstrasse. Apfelwein Wagner, Schweizer Strasse 71 + 49 69 612 565 Textor, Textorstrasse 38 + 49 69 622 299

6. BORNHEIM “Young, fashionable and affordable” neatly describes this popular neighborhood northeast of the city center. Bornheim boasts cafes, bars, restaurants and shops on Berger Strasse, Frankfurt’s longest shopping street. Don’t miss Cafe Wacker, owned by third- generation coffee roasters. For regional Apfelwein served

in a stout ceramic jug called a bembel, head to Apfelwein Solzer.

Cafe Wacker Berger Strasse 185 + 49 69 4600 7752

Apfelwein Solzer Berger Strasse 260 + 49 69 452 171 By Robyn Polzin

MUNICH

7. GLOCKENBACHVIERTEL A corner of Munich known to locals but not to tourists, Glockenbachviertel bustles by day with shoppers searching for trendy togs, records and antiques. At night, a chic club scene holds sway. Old Town forms Glockenbachviertel’s northern border, making it convenient to the city’s main sights. Be sure to walk as far as Optimal, Munich’s best independent record store.

Echt Optimal! Kolosseumstrasse 6 + 49 089 268 185

8. SCHWABING Schwabing is the city’s university district, teeming with trendy bars, restaurants and shops that appeal to students. To get here, walk north from Odeonsplat; the heart of this quarter centers on the Universität subway station. Historians would head straight to the Schelling Salon restaurant, founded in 1872, and most everyone enjoys the sights along Leopoldstrasse, the main boulevard.

Schelling Salon Schellingstrasse 54 + 49 89 272 0788 By Mike Richarsdson

PARIS

9. RUE MONTORGEUIL A foodie’s footpath, Rue Montorgueil tucks into the center of Paris, behind Les Halles. Starting at the southern end, pamper yourself at Spa Nuxe. Cross rue Etienne Marcel to explore pastry, tea, chocolate and cheese shops. Just past Métro Sentier, relax and sip at Frenchie’s Bar à Vins.

Spa Nuxe 32 rue Montorgueil + 33 01 4236 6565

Frenchie Bar à Vins 6 rue du Nil + 33 01 4039 9619

10. PALAIS DE TOKYO/ PLACE ETATS- UNIS Palais de Tokyo is Paris’s edgiest museum, dedicated to contemporary European art. Nearby is chef Cyril Lignac’s Ô La Patisserie. Cross over avenue Iéna to reach the landscaped Place ÉtatsUnis. A couple of streets up is Cave Brut, Akrame Benallal’s wine and cheese bar. Ô La Patisserie 2 rue Chaillot + 33 01 4996 0050 Cave Brut, 22 rue Lauriston + 33 01 4553 6582

Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter lives up to its name, with the national Rijksmuseum, above, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk contemporary and modern art museum, and other sights. IAMSTERDAM