Where to stay in Amsterdam? That’s the question that always plagues people when they plan they first visit. I get it. Amsterdam is a huge city and it feels as if it expands outwards for eternity. It took me a couple of trips to get used to the layout of the city and understand which were the best areas to stay in Amsterdam.
Since I get asked the question a lot, I decided that it was simpler to just put all my recommendations down in a post. If you do have any questions after reading this, make sure to pop them in the comments below and I will try and help you.
Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Where to stay in Amsterdam? The answer is pretty simple. It depends on what you want to get from the city, how you are traveling (solo, family travel etc) and how much you want to explore. Reasonably speaking you can speak anywhere in the city and use the public transport which is excellent. Practically speaking, there are some places that are better than others.
I’ve divided my recommendations based on the way I’ve explored the city over time. So basically for first time visitors, for the party scene and to explore the museums.
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Table of Contents
Best Areas To Stay In Amsterdam
When you first look at the map of the city, it is pretty difficult to decide where to stay in Amsterdam. This is because the city sprawls out in all different directions. Trying to find a place that is close to everything is near impossible. Luckily the city has an amazing public transport system so you can get around with ease. You can even walk from one end of the city to the next.
The city of Amsterdam is divided into 8 districts or boroughs. These boroughs are often referred to as stadsdelen but you will generally just hear people referring to the district by its name. The different districts are:
- Centrum
- West
- Noord (North)
- Zuid (South)
- Oost (East)
- Zuidoost (South-East)
- Nieuw-West (New West)
- Westpoort
Where To Stay In Amsterdam In The Centrum & A Glimpse At Budgets
Generally most tourists stick to the centrum because that is where all the main attractions are. When it comes to where to stay in Amsterdam in the Centrum, it can still be confusing because the center of Amsterdam is pretty big.
Dividing the city center in different zones will help you narrow down on what section of Amsterdam has the best hotels for you.
De Wallen And Binnenstad – The core center and the heart of the city. These hotels in Amsterdam are the closest to most attractions but they can also be very expensive. The trick to getting them at a reasonable price is to book them in advance or choose one of the hostels in the area.
Nine Streets And The Canal Belt – This is by far the most scenic part of Amsterdam. There are four canals that run parallel to each other and are called Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht . These canals are part of a UNESCO heritage site and are what most tourists head to Amsterdam to see.
Jordaan – This part of Amsterdam is on the outskirts of the city center. It’s a lively neighborhood with brown bars and plenty of shopping. Here is where the locals head to at the end of the day to have a drink and unwind. The hotels here are much cheaper when compared to the center of the city. You do have to walk a bit to many of the attractions but the tradeoff is often worth it.
Leidseplein – Leidseplein is the most active part of the city when night comes around. There are loads of bars, cafes, performances venues, hotels, restaurants etc in the area. There are some pretty unique venues here too.
While we were staying at one of the hotels in Leidseplein we found a robot bar where the drinks are made by an actual robot. It is actually one of the best areas when it comes to where to stay in Amsterdam.
Museumplein – Wondering where to stay in Amsterdam and are thinking of visiting all the popular museums? You’ll find that the Museumplein or the museum quarter is one of the best areas to stay in Amsterdam. It is close to all the museums, next to Leidseplein for the party life, has some of the best hotels in Amsterdam and there are plenty of other activities in the Museumplein too!
Tips To Keep In Mind When Booking A Hotel In Amsterdam
Location Is Key: Despite the fact that Amsterdam is a well connected city, you will find that the location that you book in will save you a lot of time in getting from place to place. That is one of the reasons why I have the hotels sorted according to their connectivity.
Book In Advance: Leaving booking your accommodation for the last minute is probably the worst decision ever especially during the tourist season because almost all the best places will be booked off. What remain are the really expensive places and if you okay with that then cool.
Where To Stay In Amsterdam On A Budget
Generally speaking the further from the center that you stay, the cheaper the hotel is. That however does not mean that there are no good cheap hotels and hostels in the center. While hostels are generally available if you are looking for a hotel on a budget in Amsterdam, make sure you book your room in advance.
Now instead of a separate section on where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget, I’ve decided to include all the cheap hostels and hotels in the city in the different sections below. That way you know which one fits your budget and your itinerary.
For those of you who don’t want to keep scrolling, you will find that the best hostels and hotels on a budget in Amsterdam are listed below.
- The Flying Pig Downtown Amsterdam
- Stayokay Hostel Vondelpark
- The Bee Hostel Amsterdam
- ClinkNOORD Hostel
- People’s Hotel
- Via Amsterdam (A bit far away but cheap and has access to the metro!)
Where To Stay In Amsterdam For First Time Visitors: De Wallen And Binnenstad
I often get asked where to stay in Amsterdam for first time visitors. I generally believe that the best part of town is as central as it gets. This is basically what we did when we visited the city years ago. De Wallen and Binnenstad are bang in the center and they cover most of the important places that you will want to see during your visit.
The Dam square which is one of the main squares in the city is located here. It is also the spot where the main palace of the Netherlands is located. If you stay in this area, you will not have to walk far for anything whether its culture, food or just fun things to do.
Map Of De Wallen And Binnenstad
As you can see in the map above, De Wallen And Binnenstad is the most central part of the cit. It is perfect if you want to stay close to the station and have everything walking distance away.
I’ve even mapped some of my favorite hotels in Amsterdam here. Don’t worry if you can’t see them clearly, I’ve talked about them a bit more in detail a little later in the article.
Pros of Staying In De Wallen And Binnenstad
- It is close to all the top things to do in Amsterdam like the Dam square.
- You are extremely close to the Centraal station so getting to other places is super easy.
- You can walk everywhere and not depend on public transport.
- It has some of the most iconic scenes that you will catch in Amsterdam
Cons Of Staying In De Wallen And Binnenstad
- This is the most touristy part of Amsterdam so expect it to be crowded.
- Everything is expensive in the area.
- It can get pretty noisy.
Top Hotels In De Wallen And Binnenstad
The Flying Pig Downtown Amsterdam (Budget)
⭐️ Rating: 8/10 (3,671 Reviews) Price: $130 per night 📍Location: Nieuwendijk 100, Amsterdam Centrum, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
If you want to stay in one of the best areas in Amsterdam aka centrally and still want a budget option, I would recommend taking a look at the Flying Pig Downtown Amsterdam. (Note that there is another Flying Pig Hostel in the Museum Quarter so don’t confuse your bookings).
The hostel is located centrally and has dormitories. The toilets and shower are also shared just do you know. BUT there are private rooms that you can check out.Theres a single room, a budget room and a quadruple room. These can be great if you are not traveling solo but they are a bit more expensive than the dorm options. The private rooms have a TV, a refrigerator and a private bathroom with a shower.
“Perfect location, super close to the train terminal and the center of the city, there’s a great vibe in the hostel, the room was perfect, and the facilities were always clean and stocked. Also, there’s an elevator to get to the upper floors which is great if you have a suitcase.”
Laurie (read more reviews now!)
Should you wish, you can also enjoy a continental breakfast every day. This will obviously cost you but it will give you an early start to the day and it’s not expensive. The best part is the hotel bar which is a great place to catch drinks in the evening and meet fellow travelers who are staying in the hostel.
Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam (Mid-Range)
⭐️ Rating: 8.7/10 (2,812 Reviews) Price: $437 per night 📍Location: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, Amsterdam City Center, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
If you are new in town and want to explore everything that the city has to offer, staying centrally makes sense. There are loads of hotels in the center and finding the right one is super tricky because they all are costly but not all of them offer the luxury quotient.
We tried the Renaissance once and while it was nice, it was nowhere close to the level of luxury that I would expect for the cost. One of the hotels that meets all the above points is the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam.
This hotel is very central. In fact, it is just 300 meters away from Amsterdam Centraal Station. It also has free access to bicycles.
“Location—perfect for exploring all areas of the city. Good breakfast provided and very friendly and helpful staff! Excellent shower in the room and comfortable beds. Also the Nespresso machine in the room was perfect (for me). The fitness room was quite nice as well!”
Sharon (read more reviews now!)
Obviously this is subject to availability so make sure you book yours in advance as it makes getting about the city a breeze. But if cycling is not your cuppa tea, you can always take the bus or tram which has numerous stops very close to the hotel.
Oh and if you are driving in, you will find that Kimptom De Witt Amsterdam has its own parking area which is convenient because finding safe parking in Amsterdam is such a challenge. Plus once you park your car, you can basically leave it there and not worry while exploring the city on foot.
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam (Luxury)
⭐️ Rating: 9/10 (852 Reviews) Price: $735 per night 📍Location: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, Amsterdam City Center, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
One of the best hotels to stay in the center of Amsterdam is the Sofitel Legend. It is one of the luxury hotels in the city and its location is prime. If you choose to stay here, you will be able to walk all over the center. It is a less than 5 minutes walk away from the Dam square. So that should give you an idea.
The Sofitel has a lot of Dutch history. This is largely due to the brick building that houses it. The interiors are decorated with a lovely French flair and an elegance that makes it one of the most sought after hotels in the city.
Despite the fact that it is housed in the center, the hotel is huge and houses 178 rooms and suites. Obviously each one comes with their own private bathroom with an amazing rain shower.
If you truly want to pamper your senses then opt in for one of the luxury suites. Here you will include butler service among the other perks.
There’s also an indoor pool, a sauna and a hammam in addition to the fitness room that you find in many of the other luxury hotels in the area. Did I mention that there is an inhouse spa too?
“This proved to be an excellent choice for a short holiday treat. The large room overlooking the canal was perfect and the bed super comfortable. Some days it was difficult to get out of bed ! The central location was ideal, being within walking distance of many attractions and not too noisy. The staff were always attentive and helpful and couldn’t do enough to assist. The attention to detail in everything was very noticeable. One specially appreciated gesture was arriving back after a celebratory birthday meal to find some chocolate truffles on a plate with ‘Happy Birthday’ written on the plate in icing.”
David (read more reviews now!)
One of the other attractions is the gorgeous garden and the terrace. Obviously these are best experienced on summer days when the colors of the flowers are in full display.
There is also an in-house restaurant (Bridges), a garden bistro (Oriole) and a Dutch brown café (The Flying Dutchman). Now if that isn’t already enough, you can also catch your afternoon tea at the Or Library. As you can see this is total indulgence. You may not want to step out of the hotel at all!
Where To Stay In Amsterdam For Museums – Museumplein
Amsterdam is a huge city and you will find that there are loads of museums in the city. In fact, there are around 75 museums in the whole city.
So you could spend days on end just exploring them. If you are looking for the best areas to stay in Amsterdam for the museums then I highly recommend looking for accommodation in the Museum Quarter.
Map Of Museumplein / Museum Quarter
As you can see in the map above, the Museumplein is a bit far from the central region of the city. You can still walk to the center of the city or just take the tram that stops here.
Its proximity to Vondelpark makes it one of the best options when it comes to where to stay in Amsterdam with children. I know because I usually book a hotel in this area. The fact that Leidseplein is close by just makes the location even better.
A big bonus is that the accommodation can be quieter and cheaper in this area. Just book in advance because in recent years, the cost of hotels in the city has been skyrocketing.
Pros Of Staying In The Museum Quarter
- Luckily, the most popular museums are located in the Museum Quarter. This includes the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum and the Stedelijk museum. There are also a lot of other things to do in the Museum Quarter which makes the hotels here a very good option.
- The area is well connected via public transport so it is easy to access other parts of the city.
- It is a quieter part of town so it is more peaceful than staying in De Wallen or the Leidseplein.
- It is walking distance away from Leisdeplein so you can still get to all the hip areas of town easily.
- It’s close to Vondelpark which is great if you love outdoor activities.
Cons Of Staying In The Museum Quarter
- It’s a bit far from the Centraal station so it makes day trips a little more cumbersome.
- You would have to head to Leidseplein or elsewhere if you want a more lively neighbourhood.
Top Hotels In The Museum Quarter
Stayokay Hostel Vondelpark (Budget)
⭐️ Rating: 8.4/10 (5,082 Reviews) Price: $96 per night 📍Location: Zandpad 5, Oud-West, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Amsterdam is super expensive at the best of times and if you don’t mind staying in hostels, you will find that it cuts down your budget significantly. One of the best hostels in the city is the Stayokay Hostel Vondelpark. This may not be centrally located but its location is good nonetheless.
It is very close to all the museums and is just a 5 minutes walk away from Leidseplein where all the fun stuff is at. There are even canal tours that leave from close by.
One of the best parts that I like about this hostel is that it has both dorms and private rooms.
It has lockers available for a fee so you can park your valuables in it and wander around the city with peace of mind. You can even have breakfast on site for an additional cost.
“It was very clean and spacious! The hangout area downstairs was a good vibe too. I felt like the beds were comfortable and while in the sleeping area everyone was extremely respectful. Showers/bathrooms are in your pod area so you don’t have to leave the room. In a great location! If you can’t walk the tram is a 5 min walk away. I personally didn’t mind the lockers being under the bed and they offered more than enough space for me.”
Katie (read more reviews now!)
Hotel Van Gogh (Mid-Range)
⭐️ Rating: 8/10 (3,665 Reviews) Price: $81 per night 📍Location: Van de Veldestraat 5, Oud Zuid, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Hotel Van Gogh is one of the cool mid-range hotels that is located just meters away from the Rijksmuseum. The hotel offers accommodation that is a mix of the old and the new. The building for example looks tiny from the outside and has been built in the classic brick building design that the city is famous for.
It even has the iconic hook that is used to hoist things up into the upper floors. If you’ve not noticed this before, I’d urge you to stop and see the ingenuity with which the Dutch move things into their narrow homes. It’s something that has always fascinated me.
Each room has a large window which means that there is a lot of sunlight even on gloomy days. The rooms are also equipped with a private bathroom, a nespresso machine, a small refrigerator and a seating area. It’s perfect for a quiet stop in between especially if you want a break midday.
“Perfect location close to all the museums. This was my Preference rather than being close to the centre. It was quiet at night enabling a good nights sleep. There is a school near by so some noise in the mornings but as we were up early and out, it didn’t impact us. It is close to the tram and bus stop so easy to get around. Room was spacious and bathroom modern and nice.”
Daniel (read more reviews now!)
Many people like to explore Amsterdam on a cycle which is such a quintessential Dutch experience. Hotel Van Gogh has bike rentals in the house which is super convenient. That way you don’t need to even worry about transport. Just make sure to lock your bike well because cycle thefts are a real problem in the city.
Conservatorium Hotel (Luxury)
⭐️ Rating: 8.9/10 (330 Reviews) Price: $889 per night 📍Location: Paulus Potterstraat 50, City Centre , Oud Zuid, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
The Conservatorium is the holy grail when it comes to hotels in the city. Not only is it located in one of the best areas to stay in Amsterdam, it is also housed within one of the iconic buildings. It is really hard to miss this hotel. The outer facade is grandiose and yet it blends in with the local architecture.
If you think that the outside is magnificent, just wait till you step in. Unlike many of the buildings in the city, the Conservatorium has large open spaces, huge windows with plenty of light flowing in and a lot of tastefully done decor
The individual rooms are also spacious and they have some of the finest views in the city. At the back of the hotel is a large parking lot that is reserved for guests so if you are driving like we did, you do not have to worry about where to keep your car.
“The room was lovely, the location was fantastic for us, and the staff was amazing. The staffer checking us in immediately noticed it was my birthday, and they went out of their way to make the day special with champagne, cake, and other treats. We really enjoyed the fresh fruit in the room as well. Just a really great experience.”
Laura (read more reviews now!)
You’ve probably also heard of Amsterdam’s living room aka the lounge which is located in this building. It is a great place to chill and enjoy with some cool company.
Where To Stay In Amsterdam For The Night Life: Leidseplein
We recently spent a lot of time wandering around Leidseplein and found that the neighborhood is extremely lively. It is filled with cafes, restaurants, themed bars and fun things to do. In fact, even though we stayed in the Museum Quarter for our time in the city, we spent a lot of time in this section of town.
During the winter season this place is decorated with loads of lights and has lots of cozy places to chill at. You may even find some Christmasy stalls that serve up hot food. If you are wondering where to stay in Amsterdam for Christmas I would recommend considering this area.
Map of Leidseplein
As you can see, Leidseplein is a relatively small spot but it is a very active one. I found that the best hotels in Leidseplein were along the canals. The Amsterdam Marriott was our personal favorite. Park Central is another great hotel in Amsterdam in the same in area.
Pros Of Staying In Leidseplein
- It is well connected to the other parts of the city via multiple tram stations
- You can catch some of the Amsterdam canal tours from here.
- There is a lot of nightlife
Cons Of Staying In Leidseplein
- It can get loud here.
- There isn’t a lot of good budget accommodation.
Top Hotels In Leidseplein
Park Centraal Amsterdam (Mid-Range)
⭐️ Rating: 8.3/10 (2,302 Reviews) Price: $160 per night 📍Location: Stadhouderskade 25, Oud Zuid, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
The Park Centraal Amsterdam is a nice mid range hotel in the area. It is one of the best hotels to stay in Amsterdam for the party scene because it is located in Leidseplein. This hotel is a part of the Sircle collection and is one of the four star hotels in the city.
“Beautiful room with an excellent view. The bathroom was spacious and luxurious. Friendly helpful staff. Great location near the museums and great bars and restaurants.”
Sarah (read more reviews now!)
Not only does the hotel blend into the surroundings effortlessly because it is housed inside one of the iconic buildings in Amsterdam, it also has been furnished to provide a great deal of luxury.
The rooms are spacious and you have access to a private gym, parking and more. The parking itself is God sent if you are traveling by car!
Oh and when it comes to restaurants you will find that the well known MOMO bar and restaurant is located in this very hotel. We had this restaurant on our radar (unfortunately haven’t had a chance to try it out yet!) because it is well known for its Asian food. After a year in the Netherlands, good Asian food is really something that we crave and staying in this hotel means that it is easy access to some of the best food in the city.
Amsterdam Marriott Hotel (Luxury)
⭐️ Rating: 8/10 (1,579 Reviews) Price: $228 per night 📍Location: Stadhouderskade 12, Oud West, Amsterdam Details: Read more on booking.com now!
The Amsterdam Marriott hotel is so far my favorite hotel in Amsterdam. It is located on the edge of the Museum Quarter and Leidseplein so it offers the best of both worlds. The accessibility to the museums and the fun of the party center. It is also super close to all the trams which means accessibility is not an issue.
We stayed here for five days and honestly had nothing to complain about. The rooms were super comfortable. They even gave us a crib for the kids. Our view was that of Leidseplein and I loved heading back to the hotel every time the kids were exhausted after exploring all the museums in Amsterdam.
The highlight of the trip was getting up and enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the lounge. They have a nice selection of different kinds of breakfast items and the much needed coffee.
“This is a really great hotel to stay in Amsterdam. The rooms are functional and clean – and reasonably spacious for the city. The location is just at the edge of the canal belt and close to museums and shopping.
Breakfast is great and has long hours. For me, 24 hour, good gyms are important when jet lagged. This one was pretty good. The staff was very friendly and helpful.”
Heiko (read more reviews now!)
Plus Charles always made sure that everyone’s dietary needs were met. So if you have any special requirements, he is the man to approach!
So as you can see, staying in the city and figuring out the best areas to stay in Amsterdam can be overwhelming. There are just so many options to choose from. I’ve whittled it down to three picks per category and hope that it helps feel a little less intimidating.
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