Whether you’re visiting for three days or longer, finding where to stay in Amsterdam can feel intimidating.
Due to its compact size, venturing beyond the usual tourist areas is especially interesting in Amsterdam. Compared to other major European cities, Amsterdam has a relatively small geographical footprint. Many of the popular attractions, neighborhoods, and amenities are within close proximity to each other.
This makes it easy to navigate the city on foot, by bike, or by using the efficient public transport system. So there’s no need to clump into Centrum like all the other tourists. Allow our Amsterdam guide to help you pinpoint the perfect buurt (neighborhood) to stay in Amsterdam, tailored to your personality, budget, and the purpose of your trip.
Oost
Discover an eclectic slice of the real Amsterdam, where you can join the locals for a swim in the River Amstel, go shopping at the diverse Dappermarkt or have a drink at a brown cafe or cocktail bar. A friendly neighborhood vibe and affordable lodgings make this area an excellent choice for any stay.
- A revamped former newspaper plant now houses a hip hotel with an urban industrial ambiance and basic (yet clean) rooms with city views.
- Affordable rates and a convenient location next to a metro stop make this hotel a stand-out option with easy access to everything Amsterdam has to offer.
- This boutique-style city park hotel sits pretty in leafy Oosterpark.
- Juxtaposing features from a former 19th-century orphanage with modern glass and greenery, it’s a peaceful place to stay close to the underrated Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, the popular Amsterdam ARTIS Royal Zoo, and near enough everything else – minus the tourist throngs.
De Pijp
The young inhabitants of this bustling buurt are known as the havermelkelite (or “oat milk elite”, a homegrown iteration of hipster) and you’ll spot them out in the wild here at some of the city’s trendiest drinking, dining and shopping spots, surrounding the century-old Albert Cuyp market.
- Adding shine to a former diamond factory is a gem of a boutique hotel with a glitzy in-house eatery, called Izakaya.
- Stay here, and you’re a stone’s throw from the famous day market and the popular Heineken Experience, or simply relax in the fireside library.
- For top-tier amenities, panoramic views, and fabulous food (three in-house Michelin stars), you can’t go wrong at this Japanese-style luxury hotel near Sarphatipark and the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.
Zuid
If you’re planning to visit Amsterdam’s big three museums, Zuid’s where it’s at. This chic district is also home to concert halls, designer stores, stately mansions, and the popular Vondelpark.
- Timeless tradition marries innovative avant-garde flair at this unquestionably stylish hotel.
- Situated opposite the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and an easy 10-minute walk into Centrum, it’s an ideal launchpad for exploring the city.
- Nestled in a trio of 19th-century townhouses on a quiet, leafy straatje between Museum Square and Amsterdam’s poshest shopping street, this is the perfect place to unwind.
- Contemporary furnishings with hints of Art Nouveau amp up the comfort.
Tip: The Van Gogh Closing Time Museum Tour is a good way to explore the epicenter of everyone’s favorite earless genius. Because the museum is not as packed as it is earlier during the day, this is the perfect time to get up close and personal with some sunflowers and potato eaters.
West
With its youthful culture, vibrant dining & drinking scene, and diverse population, this is the place to stay if you want to have your finger on the pulse of what’s hip and happening in Amsterdam.
- Part of the fashionable De Hallen complex, a tram depot turned cultural center, this hotel blends boutique comfort with contemporary design and industrial features, within walking distance from the Jordaan area.
- Designed with digital nomads in mind, this award-winning budget hotel near the De Hallen and the Ten Kate market combines the affordability and sociability of a hostel with the relative privacy of a pod – ideal if you’re comfortable with compact quarters.
Noord
This fast-gentrifying former working-class area on the other side of the IJ River has seen a recent influx of students, artists, and hipsters to the revitalized waterfront where Amsterdam’s shipyards used to be. Today, there are urban beaches, an exciting artsy scene, and sights such as the A’DAM Lookout and EYE Film Institute.
- A few steps from the NDSM ferry stop is a perma-docked cruise ship with basic, budget-friendly shared accommodations and quirky “Loftletter” designer rooms within the large letters of the rooftop sign.
- You’re in the heart of the action here, with plenty to see and do nearby.
- A short ferry ride from Centraal Station, with views of the IJ-river and the next-door EYE Film Institute, this music-themed boutique hotel occupies eight floors of the A’DAM Tower building, making it ideal for nightlife lovers and the young-at-heart.
Centrum
Still have your heart set on staying in Amsterdam’s stunning 17th-century canal ring with the charming 9 Streets shopping area, a plethora of historical sites, and picturesque Jordaan on your doorstep? Can’t say we blame you.
- Staying at this stylish hotel is sheer joy. Imagine 25 interconnected canal houses with labyrinthine hallways, a serene inner garden, and colorful rooms that fuse traditional and modern elements.
- Set in the heart of the 9 Streets shopping area, a short walk from the Anne Frank House and picturesque Jordaan area, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more ideal location.
- Looking for a hotel with a terrific location, trendy design, convivial atmosphere, and affordable price?
- This canal house hotel has it all. You’re in the heart of the grachtengordel, just across from the Jordaan and walking distance from Centraal Station and popular shopping streets.
Only have one day to enjoy the city and want to see the best Amsterdam has to offer? Why not come along with us on our Ultimate Combo: Fully-Guided Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Canal Boat Cruise Tour? Our knowledgeable guides will give you insider knowledge about the city’s most iconic museums, you’ll experience Rembrandt’s famous Night Watch painting away from the crowds, and enjoy views of the historic center of Amsterdam from the canals.