Last updated on November 11th, 2024
Looking for where to stay in Amsterdam? To make your decision easier, we took the long list and narrowed it down to the best pick of the best areas and hotels in Amsterdam.
Visiting Amsterdam is one of the most incredible experiences. The city is the perfect combination of history and modern culture, with its charming brick buildings, open skyline, history museum, and beautiful waterway canals.
Amsterdam is a mega compact city and can be divided into smaller areas and neighborhoods. There is no shortage of accommodation in the city, ranging from luxury hotels, mid-range to budget, and extending to youth hostels. Depending on your budget, finding where to stay in Amsterdam can be stressful.
While most of the attractions are located in and around the city center, travelers can get around the city on foot, or by public transport such as metros, trams, and buses. This means that you’ll never be too far away from the action, even if you decide to stay in one of the city’s quieter areas.
In this article, we’ve handpicked at least five distinctively different neighborhoods in Amsterdam to help you choose which is the best area to stay in Amsterdam based on your interests.
Quick Guide: Where To Stay in Amsterdam
Where to stay in Amsterdam? The top 5 best places to stay in Amsterdam are Centrum, Canal Belt / Nine Streets, Jordaan, Oud Zuid, and De Pijp.
We spent time putting together this comprehensive guide to make it easier for you to find the best area to stay in Amsterdam. Whether you are looking for a budget hotel or luxury hotel, or if you are traveling as a family, we get you covered.
Below are our top 5 picks for places to stay in Amsterdam, organized by areas, and following budget range:
- Centrum – The best area to stay for first-time travelers as it holds all the main attractions, restaurants, and cool cafes.
- Canal Belt / Nine Streets – A UNESCO-protected area with unique boutique hotels. The most scenic places to stay in the city.
- Jordaan – The best place to stay in Amsterdam if you want to be located in a charming, romantic neighborhood.
- Oud Zuid – Best place for the budget traveler to stay in Amsterdam with lower accommodation prices.
- De Pijp – Also known as the Latin Quarter, De Pijp has a very local vibe with a picturesque urban layout.
Pro Tips: Already have a hotel booked? To search for the best accommodations at the best prices, I suggest checking out Booking.com with the best price always.
Centrum
Centrum is the most popular area to stay in Amsterdam for travelers. It is the oldest part of the city and you will find some of Amsterdam’s historical sites, major attractions, and landmarks, as well as a lively nightlife. No trip to Amsterdam is complete without spending time here!
Staying in Centrum means being close to everything you’ll want to see. It will be easy to walk almost anywhere in Amsterdam and a large number of hotels to choose from.
Luxury: Hotel TwentySeven – A member of the chain Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Located on Dam Square, this fantastic hotel with the best location you can get in the city. Extremely comfortable rooms with amazing features such as the hot tub in every bathroom and some rooms offer terraces with unbeatable views over Amsterdam.
High-Range: Monet Garden Hotel – Great location in the heart of the city, within walking distance to most of the city sights and central station. Good size room with coffee and tea facilities. The canal view rooms are definitely worth every penny. Bike rental is available right down the sidewalk.
Mid-Range – Hotel V Nesplein – A perfect boutique hotel in the heart of the city. Centraal Station, Dam Square, Jordaan, and the Anne Frank House are all within walking distance. Modernized and stylish rooms, friendly and helpful staff.
Budget – WestCord City Centre Hotel – It has an excellent location, with about a 7-mins walk to the city center and about 5-mins to Dam Square. Staffs are excellent, polite, and always helpful. Nicely decorated and clean rooms and great value for money.
Canal Belt / Nine Streets
Strolling along the canal ring is the best thing to do in Amsterdam. The canal rings are a posh area lined with picturesque canal houses with cobblestoned streets.
Canal Belt is a UNESCO-protected area and the most scenic place in Amsterdam, spanning the canals at the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht. If you love designing hotels, boutique shops, and cafés, stay in the Canal Belt / Nine Streets area.
Luxury – Ambassade Hotel – One of the popular stays in Amsterdam. Rooms are elegantly decorated and most offer views of the canal. Easy walking distance to the center city area, restaurants, shopping, and local attractions. An excellent hotel for an authentic stay in the city.
Mid-Range – The ‘t Hotel – A charming boutique hotel with all the rooms decorated individually. The location is perfect, right between Jordaan and the old center. It is situated on a quiet canal and within walking distance of the main sites in the city.
Mid-Range – Hotel Sebastians – A historic canal house that offers boutique-style rooms. The location is superb and near the center of Amsterdam but still in a very quiet environment and a lovely neighborhood. You can walk easily to Dam, Central Station, Museumplein and make lovely walks along the canals.
Jordaan
For couples, the best area to stay in Amsterdam is Jordaan. Being on the canal, this is also one of our favorite areas of Amsterdam. It sits just to the west of the canal ring, and the areas are clean and charming with the traditional village-like vibe.
Jordaan is a quaint and authentic part of Amsterdam and has plenty to see and do. Art galleries, the local music scene, unusual restaurants, and vintage stores all add to the area’s appeal.
High-Range – Canal House the Tannery Amsterdam – Convenient location in one of Amsterdam´s cutest neighborhoods. The rooms are spacious and have a nice window with a beautiful canal view.
High-Range – Mr. Jordaan – An exceptional hotel with fantastic decoration, which perfectly mixes of old and classic and also modern accents. Amazing location in Jordaan neighborhood, very close to Anne Frank House museum.
Mid-Range – Hotel Mercier – A Nice stylish Hotel with a two-bedroom loft, making it a great choice for families. A classic and yet modern room. Location right near the canals and the beautiful old streets. A popular pick for where to stay in Amsterdam.
Budget: Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel – Small and cozy family hotel in the heart of Amsterdam. This quaint hotel offers a wide range of room types with antique furniture, from single rooms to family suites. The location is conveniently located in Jordaan right on the Prinsengracht canal. Reasonable price and great value for money.
Oud Zuid
One of the top areas to stay if you are looking for where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget. It can be considered as one of the cheaper places to stay near the city center, with lower accommodation prices than other parts of the city center.
The location is close to major attractions and conveniently located near the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
De Pijp
Located in the South of the city, De Pijp is a cool area to stay in Amsterdam. Also known as the Latin Quarter, De Pijp has a very local vibe with a picturesque urban layout and is home to some of the hippest shops and restaurants in Amsterdam.
The location is slightly far from the city center but travelers can experience a bit of local life in this area.
Luxury – Pestana Amsterdam Riverside – A luxury 5-star hotel situated in a monumental building, the former Town Hall and Archive of the Amstel Community. Spacious, sparkly clean, and comfortable rooms. Located away from the heart of the city, but still well connected to the city 5-minute uber ride into town.
Luxury – Hotel Okura – Another luxurious 5-star superior hotel located in the trendy district De Pijp. It is a high-rise hotel that overlooks the Amsterdam skyline and offers unparalleled views of the city. The rooms are extremely clean and comfortable. The service was good and the staff are attentive. A refreshing experience where your stay feels sincerely valued.
Mid-Range – The Arcade Hotel – Probably one of the coolest Hotels in Amsterdam. The hotel is designed with the concept of Arcade classics making the experience even better. Great location, comfortable rooms, friendly staff, everything you need for a great stay in De Pijp neighborhood.
Budget – easyHotel Amsterdam City Centre South – Located at the heart of the De Pijp neighborhood and near the metro station. A basic hotel with clean and comfortable rooms, allowing for a good rest. Good value for money.
Final Tips for Where to Stay in Amsterdam
On average you will pay between €100 and €250 per night for a room for two for mid-range travelers. Luxury rooms can cost €400 and more. While budget travelers can find €30 per night in a hostel.
The highest demand for hotel rooms is from April through October.
Oud Zuid is the best area to stay in Amsterdam on a tight travel budget. It is a major tourist area yet with lower accommodation prices than other parts of the city center.
Centrum is the most popular area and best place to stay in Amsterdam for first-time travelers. It is close to everything you’ll want to see with a large number of hotels to choose from.
Overview: Best Hotel To Stay in Amsterdam
All in all, we love Amsterdam and think its architecture and water canals make it one of the dreamiest cities in the world. We hope this guide helps you plan your trip much easier. That’s it! Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam.
>Friendly reminder: April and May is the peak season for Amsterdam. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment.
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