Where to stay in Amsterdam is a much-discussed topic on travel blogs. But I'm going to give you a different point of view, showing you what to expect from the best neighbourhoods to stay in the city.
After all, what's good for a couple can be terrible for backpackers or families with children. What is cheap for one person may be expensive for another, considering transport, tourist attractions and other accommodation variables.
In our tips on where to stay in Amsterdam, as well as showing you the best neighbourhoods, there are some tips on cheap hotels (which is relative in Amsterdam), design hotels and hostels.
And if you find everything too expensive, check out our list of the Best Hostels in Amsterdam, all located in central neighbourhoods within easy reach of the sights.
The 6 best neighbourhoods in Amsterdam to stay in
Understand Amsterdam's neighbourhoods and choose the one that suits you best. I'll specify the main appeal of each neighbourhood and describe each place according to my experiences in the city, nearby sights, facilities, safety, noise and other aspects.
So where is the best place to stay? Follow these tips, get to know the best neighbourhoods and understand where to stay in Amsterdam according to your type of trip.
1. Jordaan neighbourhood: charm and tranquillity for couples
Almost all websites recommend the Joordan as one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Amsterdam. I've walked around the neighbourhood a lot and I agree.
The Jordaan is home to some of the most important art galleries in the Netherlands, as well as many restaurants (Italian, Thai and even Dutch), thrift shops, stylish bars by the canals and a multitude of small, beautiful streets that look like works of art.
In fact, one of history's greatest painters, the Dutchman Rembrandt, lived in the neighbourhood and is buried nearby in the Westerkerk church.
Easy transport: as well as being able to do many things on foot, those staying in the Jordaan have easy access to the Tram lines, the modern trams that run throughout Amsterdam and take you to many other points of interest. A tram from the Jordaan to Centraal Station takes just 10 minutes. On foot, the 1.7 kilometre journey can be done in just 20 minutes, passing through landscapes worthy of the master Rembrandt.
Nearby tourist attractions: the neighbourhood is on the Prinsengracht Canal, one of the most important in the city and home to the museum Anne Frank House. The southern end of the neighbourhood is close to the Vondelpark, the Heineken Experience and the Museumplein (Museum Square), where the museums are located. StedelijkVan Gogh and Rijkmuseum museums.
Moreover, if you're considering exploring more of the Netherlands, you can find an extensive list of accommodation options on https://www.hotels-in-netherlands.com/en/. This can be a perfect starting point for your journey.
→ Hotel tips in the Jordaan, one of Amsterdam's best neighbourhoods
Top hotels in Netherlands at tophotels.com includes numerous options for every budget, ranging from luxurious suites to affordable guesthouses.
There's no shortage of charming guesthouses and luxurious hotels in the Jordaan. The stylish Hotel Mercier is one of the most reserved in the neighbourhood.
A little cheaper and also full of charm, the B&B WestViolet is highly rated and has more spacious rooms.
In the event you are looking to save some expense, Hotel De Gerstekorrel is an excellent option. Located in Amsterdam, this budget-friendly hotel offers comfort and great service for its guests.
Want to spend even less? The Linden Hotel is one of the cheapest in the Jordaan and also has excellent accommodation.
2. Centre, Red Light and Zeedijk: cannabis, transport and clubs
I think I've summed up Amsterdam's city centre well in the title. Essential for sightseeing, beautiful for photos and full of tourist attractions, it's a tricky place to stay. It's only worth staying in the area if you want to go clubbing and to the coffee shops.
This more intense area runs from Centraal Station to the vicinity of Bloemenmarkt.
I've seen many reports of muggings near Centraal Station. I myself was bumped into by a thug, who then followed me shouting in some strange language. It's noise 24 hours a day.
De Wallen or Red Light
This is the Red Light Zone, where Amsterdam's famous prostitute windows are located. You see: it's not a street, it's not a block. It's a whole area with shop windows dotted around.
The girls themselves aren't a problem, it's the package that comes with them: pimps, junkies, drug dealers and a whole range of suitcases circulating around.
The Red Light has become an important tourist attraction in Amsterdam.
During the day, you can stroll around it with a little more attention than in the rest of the city. But at night, avoid walking through the neighbourhood's creepy alleys. And, under no circumstances, never photograph the girls: THEY GET BITTER!
Zeedijk
The Zeedijk, a beautiful street full of Argentinian restaurants, gay bars, shops, pubs, cofee shops and other cool things, is also in the centre. But it's also heavy by European standards: it's a haunt for drug addicts and scammers.
It's the Chinatown of Amsterdam, due to the strong presence of oriental people. As with RedLight, the street should preferably be explored during the day and with attention to personal belongings.
Advantages: close to Centraal Station, which links Amsterdam to the main cities in Holland and Europe. It's also close to the Nieuwmarkt metro station and a multitude of coffee shops and Chinese restaurants, which are the cheapest in Amsterdam.
Disadvantages: pretty much the same, as being close to Centraal Station, the Coffee Shops and a lot of nightclubs also means noise, the smell of cannabis and the possibility of confusion 24 hours a day.
→ Tips for hotels in the centre of Amsterdam
In this, the most touristic part of the city, there is no shortage of hotels, hostels, holiday flats and, above all, hostels.
Good and cheap. Some of the best hostels in Amsterdam (in terms of entertainment) are here, such as The Flying Pig Downtown, which is opposite the canal, on a street full of cheap eateries and made-in-China tourist trinket shops.
Best value for money. Although the name is funny, a good option for non-luxury accommodation is the Hotel CC, in the heart of the Red Light District.
Luxury. Near erotic shop windows and tourist attractions there are also 5-star hotels, such as the luxurious Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.
3. Grachtengordel: central and better behaved
Translated literally, Grachtengordel means "string of canals". It's the area that lies, for the most part, between the Centre of Amsterdam and the Jordaan.
It's a much quieter area than the centre, with beautiful canals, heavy bicycle traffic and a few tourist attractions.
If you're looking for a strategic location, the Grachtengordel is better than the Jordaan in terms of transport and nearby attractions. It also has all the classic beauty of the city's canals. For all these reasons, it is the most expensive area to stay in Amsterdam.
Sights in the neighbourhood: the Grachtengordel is home to attractions such as Anna Frank's House, Bijbels Museum, Museum Geelvinck-Hinlopen, Pipe Museum and some of Amsterdam's most scenic canals.
Hotel tips on the Canal Strand
In the good and cheap category, I'd like to highlight the Wiechmann Hotel, a well-kept 2-star hotel overlooking the canals. If you search in advance, you can find special rates.
The Hoxton 's value for money is noteworthy in this region, as it's a highly rated 4-star hotel.
Prefer a luxury hotel? The Andaz Prinsengracht is the best 5-star hotel on the banks of Amsterdam's most famous canal.
Amsterdam canal boat hotel
Amsterdam canal bar
4. De Pijp: small, less touristy neighbourhood
A residential neighbourhood around the Sarphatipark (try to pronounce it). It's a less touristy part of town, where you might even hear someone speaking in Dutch. It has good supermarkets, lively bars and a youthful atmosphere in the air. It's a good alternative to the centre.
Sights in the neighbourhood: Heineken Experience and the Albert Cuyp street market.
→ Hotel tips in the De Pijp neighbourhood, one of Amsterdam's best neighbourhoods
Although small, the neighbourhood has a good number of hotels.
Good and cheap. The best value hotel in the area is the Ibis Styles City.
Best value for money . A few steps from the park, the GuestHouseAmsterdam is small, charming and offers good value for money.
Comfortable. The Sir Albert Hotel is the best structured accommodation in the neighbourhood, from where you can walk to the Museum Square.
5. Westerpark: close to the centre with the best value for money
This is where I stayed on my first trip to Amsterdam.
It's just past the Jordaan and has far fewer restaurants and cool things to do than its famous neighbour. Streets of residential buildings and not many shops. But it's close to the centre, you can walk to many tourist attractions and there's a direct tram to Centraal Station.
→ Hotel tips in Westerpark, one of Amsterdam's best neighbourhoods
The neighbourhood doesn't have many hotels, but there are good options for hostels and holiday flats. With a beautiful view of the canal is the Jordaan View guesthouse.
One of the best B&Bs in Amsterdam is in the neighbourhood, Luxury Styled. Another tip for a bed and breakfast of a good standard, with excellent guest reviews, is the Nieuwe Staatsman.
View from Airbnb
Bicycle parking in Westerpark, one of Amsterdam's best neighbourhoods
6. Museumplein and Vondelpark: museums and a large park
After the centre, this is the place with the most sights in Amsterdam.
In a small space are some of the most important museums in Holland and the world, such as the Stedelijk, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. That's why the area is known as Museumplein, or Museum Square.
The area is also home to Vondelpark, Amsterdam's main park and one of the epicentres of the city's King's Festival. Despite so much culture, it became even more popular after the installation of the IAMSTERDAM sign.
Or you can stay on a boat in Amsterdam
If all these tips on where to stay in Amsterdam still haven't found the best neighbourhood for you, or a hotel worth staying in, you might want to stay somewhere different. Like a boat, such as the Houseboat Prince Avalon and the Pantheos Top Houseboat, which is located right on the Prinsegracht canal, one of the most beautiful and well-located in the city.
Both are highly rated by guests. For curiosity and experience, you can spend at least one night on a boat.
