Are you heading to the Netherlands and wondering where the best place to stay in Amsterdam is? Read through this post for all the best places to stay in Amsterdam for all types of travelers and accommodation requirements. Amsterdam is a small city, but it does have very distinct areas within it that are all very different and offer a different Amsterdam experience.
I want to ensure you pick the best area in Amsterdam for your specific needs while traveling, whether you need somewhere suitable for families, couples, budget, or anything else. In order to provide you with the most accurate suggestion on the best place to stay in Amsterdam, I will run through each area of the city and outline what the areas are known for and who is best suited for it. Following the area run down, we will go through the specific best places to stay for specific traveler types.
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Best Places to Stay in Amsterdam
In This Post
Overview Of All Areas In Amsterdam
There are 5 distinct areas in Amsterdam that are suitable places to stay while visiting the city. Within these areas, there are “sub-areas” and neighborhoods within them all with their own unique offerings and diverse area elements. Below is a brief explanation of the areas and neighborhoods within them.
Amsterdam West
Amsterdam West is a quiet and local area of Amsterdam. This is a great area to stay in for lower accommodation prices and a more authentic Amsterdam experience. In this area, there are trams, buses, and a metro line that are within close proximity, therefore, getting to the city center is quite easy. The main and most popular sub-area of Amsterdam West is:
- Oud-West – This is a hip, up-and-coming area of Amsterdam. The area is full of trendy cafes, unique restaurants, and cute Amsterdam houses.
Read More: Things to do in Amsterdam at Night
Amsterdam Centrum
Amsterdam Centrum is the center of Amsterdam. This is where all the action usually is for tourists and within this area, almost all major attractions are within walking distance. Centrum is the most popular place to stay in the city, which also makes it the most expensive. If you value close proximity over price, then centrum is a good option for you. Within Centrum there are a few different areas, and they are all extremely different. Below is an explanation of each.
- Jordaan – The Jordaan is the nicest and most expensive area within Centrum and all of Amsterdam (in my opinion). The whole area is full of nice restaurants, cozy cafes, trendy shops, and stunning streets. This is usually everyone’s favorite area in Amsterdam and is a dream location to find accommodation.
- Canal belt – The canal belt lies along the bottom edge of Centrum and is a less expensive but still beautiful area to stay in. This area is a nice central spot that can get you to centrum and Zuid very easily.
- Old Centrum – This is in the very middle of Amsterdam. If you are looking to be right in the thick of the excitement this is the best place to stay in Amsterdam.
- Nieuwmarkt – This area is where the Red Light District is located. It is a decent area to stay in if you are visiting the city to party but can get pretty rowdy at night.
Amsterdam Oost
Amsterdam Oost is a relatively quiet area of Amsterdam, which makes it the best place to stay in Amsterdam for those travelers looking for a relaxing visit. From Oost, most attractions require a bike ride or public transport and they are a short distance away. However, due to this, the prices of accommodation here are low. Just be sure to not stay too deep within Oost and choose accommodation as close to the center as possible to avoid long travel times.
The top area in Oost is:
- Plantage – This neighborhood is located near the city center and is quiet and safe.
Amsterdam Noord
Amsterdam Noord is an up-and-coming area of the city. It is constantly getting worked on and new restaurants and shops are always being added. Getting here requires travel across the IJ River, but prices here and cheaper, and it is much quieter than the city center. The city of Amsterdam offers ferry rides across the IJ River which bring you from Noord straight to Amsterdam Central train stain are free of charge.
Read More: AMSTERDAM WEEKEND GUIDE: BEST THINGS TO DO & SEE
Amsterdam Zuid
Amsterdam Zuid is located in the south of Amsterdam and is perfect for a quiet and more authentic stay in Amsterdam. The area has two main neighborhoods to stay in that are near the city center which makes traveling to the main attractions quite easy. The two areas are:
- De Pijp – This is a hip and amazing area of Amsterdam. There are no canals in this area but there are a ton of shops and some of the best restaurants in the city. Accommodation prices here are much lower and perfect for seeing a beautiful area of the city.
- Oud-Zuid – This area is located at the top of Zuid and near the stunning Vondelpark and Museumplein. A great area for a quiet and local stay.
Just beware that Zuid is a very large area in Amsterdam and if you go too South you will be quite far from the city center and the hub of action.
Best Place to Stay in Amsterdam for Couples
Couples visiting Amsterdam have quite a bit of accommodation and area options. Depending on the type of traveler you are, there are a ton of choices. All the areas in Amsterdam are suitable for couples. However, Amsterdam Centrum is best if you want close proximity and don’t mind some noise. While the Jordaan is best if you want a magical and romantic Amsterdam experience and have some extra money to spend.
The top hotels for couples are:
Read More: 20 IDEAS FOR A FUN DATE IN AMSTERDAM
Best Place to Stay in Amsterdam for Families
Amsterdam is a great city to visit as a family, however, staying in the right area is imperative. There are some areas of the city that can get pretty loud during the night (Nieuwmarkt, Rembrandtplein, and Leidseplein) but there are even more areas that remain quiet and peaceful. When looking for the best place to stay in Amsterdam for families you need to consider proximity to attractions and safety. Therefore, the best areas for families are the Jordan, Canal Belt, and De Pijp. These are all very safe and historic areas that are close to the center, meaning you won’t have to do much traveling on public transport.
The best hotels for families are:
Best Place to Stay in Amsterdam for Singles
When visiting Amsterdam alone there are two main aspects you will want to look for in accommodation. The first is safety, and the second is cost-effective. Amsterdam is a relatively safe city, almost all the areas are safe and you will not have any problems. Just be sure to stay out of Nieuwmarkt if you don’t want drunk and rowdy people around at night. As for the cost, the closer you are to the city center the more expensive it gets.
As a solo traveler, it is always a good idea to consider staying in a hostel. This way you meet new people and save some money. Therefore, these are the hotels and hostels I suggest.
- Cocomama – 5-star hostel
- Ecomama – Great hostel for meeting people
- Volkshotel – Mid Range
Read More: AMSTERDAM TULIPS GUIDE | WHERE TO FIND THEM ALL YEAR
Best Place to Stay in Amsterdam for First Time Visitors
The best place to stay in Amsterdam for first-time visitors is anywhere near the city center. You want to explore the core of the city before you start worrying about the other areas of Amsterdam. Here are the best options in the city center.
- The Hoxton, Amsterdam – Upscale
- The Flying Pig Downtown – Budget
Read More: 2 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM: WHAT TO DO DURING YOUR 1ST VISIT
Quiet Places to Stay in Amsterdam
The quietest places to stay in Amsterdam are Zuid, West, Noord, and Oost. They are further from the city center and not around all the touristy spots. The best accommodation choices within these areas are:
- Cafe Modern
- Hotel Okura Amsterdam – The Leading Hotels of the World
- Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City South
Where to stay in Amsterdam on a Budget
It’s true, Amsterdam is a pretty expensive city. Therefore, saving money on accommodation is a good idea. The best way to stay in Amsterdam on a budget is by staying in a hostel and Amsterdam is full of them.
There you have it. No matter what your travel needs are you are sure to find your very own best place to stay in Amsterdam from this list. Just be sure to do your research before booking and ensure everything meets your needs.
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thank you, this is a really good insider guide to where to stay in Amsterdam. I’m pinning it for later – for my future trip to Amsterdam.
On our first visit to Amsterdam, we were cruising so we didn’t have t think about where to stay. It is always great to read about the different areas around a city to see what might work for us. We would definitely want to be close to the city centre. But not necessarily in a party area. Jordan might give us that magical and romantic experience we want. Need to get Amsterdam on the travel planning board.
Did you stay in all these hotels? Which ones were your favorites and why? And good tip to stay out of Nieuwmarkt … I hate dealing with rowdy and drunk idiots when I am simply trying to get to and from a hotel.
Where was this post when I took a very last minute spontaneous trip to Amsterdam a couple of months ago! I tried to research as much as I could, in very little time, about the different neighbourhoods to know where to stay and where to spend my time. My favourite outside of Centrum was toward the west, there were a lot of great restaurants.
Wow, clearly all areas of the city have really beautiful architecture based on your pictures! I’m drawn toward Amsterdam West as a more local part of the city with cheap accommodation prices. It sounds like it’s hard to go wrong though, as all areas clearly offer their own unique charms.
Love how you included a map and explained about each area in detail as that’s super helpful in determining where to stay not just by looking at which hotel is the nicest or most affordable, etc. I usually prefer proximity and don’t mind the noise so Centrum sounds like my jam. Will defs be looking into The Hoxton, thank you!
Ah glad it was helpful :)! The Hoxton is amazing, the best location in the city!
This is such a definitive guide for anyone planning a trip to Amsterdam and trying to figure out the best places to stay. We’ve been to Amsterdam a few times and absolutely loved staying in the Jordaan area – with its picturesque canals and trendy cafes, it really felt like an amazing area to stay in. I would definitely consider staying in Amsterdam Zuid for our next trip to experience the quiet, authentic slice of Amsterdam you mentioned. Thanks for all these details.
Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities. I have been there 3 times and there is so much to discover. Unfortunately, the city has become so crowded. But, if you are a little out of the way … Thanks for your tips, let’s see where I stay next time!
Really useful guide as one always wonders where to stay. I can’t remember where we did stay when we visited Amsterdam many years ago (I actually think we were camping!), but if we were to go back, I can imagine us staying in Amsterdam Zuid, close to the city center and the main attractions. I think it also depends on how long one plans to stay. For a short visit, it’s better to avoid losing too much time in transportation.
Yes exactly! Honeslty tho, Amsterdam is quite small so you can walk quite a bit if you just take one metro into the city center 🙂
Perfect! I loved that you covered all the different areas. My husband and I are planning our next trip for Amsterdam so this was super helpful!
Great post.Think I got things figured out when I visit again.Love the website and regular emails I recieve.