Best Areas of Amsterdam to Stay 2024
Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, has a tremendous visual impact due to the magnificent lighting of its canals and buildings. There are numerous reasons why it is dubbed “the city of freedoms.” The fact that the entertainment life is beautiful, as well as the cultural, historical, and architectural beauties, demonstrates how you made the right decision on your trip to Amsterdam.
Before we get into the specifics, let us make some suggestions for those who need hotel recommendations right away.
Best Hotels: I will give hotel recommendations for every budget throughout this article about where to stay in Amsterdam, but for those looking for quick advice, I can recommend the 3-star Hotel ibis Amsterdam Center, where I stayed and had a great time on my last trip. Aside from that, I can recommend:
- Close to the center, clean, high quality but cheap hotel: 3 ★ Motel One Amsterdam
- A quality facility close to the canal side by the canal: 4 ★ Ambassade Hotel
- A very high quality hotel in the very center of the city: 5 ★ Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Amsterdam
There are 6 accommodation areas that I recommend in Amsterdam.
- The Historic Center (Centrum), where the heart of the city beats;
- Grachtengordel with a calm and romantic atmosphere;
- Considered culturally the most special region of the city, Jordaan;
- Oud West with affordable hotels;
- Museums Region, which is the choice of those who enjoy cultural tours;
- De Pijp, ideal for those who are planning a holiday away from the crowd and with local people.
Let’s look at the areas in detail.
Centrum (The Historic Center of Amsterdam)
The Historic Center is the best area to stay in Amsterdam because it is easy to get to all of the main Amsterdam attractions (Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, Madame Tussauds Museum, Begijnhof, Red Light District) from the square, which can be considered the city’s historical heart. Also within walking distance are the central train station and the Red Light District.
Around Dam Square, there are hotels for every budget. However, for those who have high quality, it is necessary to slightly increase the budget. At night, parts of this area, particularly near Red Light, can be quite noisy. The mobility passes through touristic areas during the day.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for near Dam Square, you can broaden your search to include the train station and its surroundings. It takes about ten minutes to walk from here. It takes only 5 minutes to get to the Red Light District. Many visitors are drawn to the area around the station because the hotels are less expensive than those in the center.
Popular hotels I recommend in Centrum
3 ★ ibis Styles Amsterdam Central Station
3-star economic hotel with a Booking.com score of 8.0, is located very close to Chinatown and Dam Square.
3 ★ Rho Hotel
With a Booking.com score of 8.1, the hotel remains one of the favorites for travelers thanks to its central location.
4 ★ Swissôtel Amsterdam
The 4-star Swissôtel Amsterdam, another option on Dam Square, has a Booking.com score of 8.6. It takes only 5 minutes to reach Magna Plaza and the Royal Palace from the property, which offers guests soundproofed and high-comfort rooms.
4 ★ Radisson Blu Hotel
The 4-star hotel with a Booking.com score of 8.6 operates in a very quiet location close to the city center. You can reach the Waterlooplein and Kalverstaat in 10 minutes from the hotel, which has colorful themes and is appreciated for its spacious rooms.
5 ★ NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
The 5-star resort, directly opposite the Royal Palace, received an average of 8.7 points from Booking.com users. You can choose the hotel that welcomes its guests in the 19th century building due to the modern facilities it offers.
Grachtengordel (Canals of Amsterdam)
The city center may not be suitable for everyone due to its lively atmosphere. Travelers seeking peace and quiet as a result of this situation focus on hotels in Grachtengordel.
The area, which has remained unchanged for nearly 400 years and has thus been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, offers numerous opportunities for those interested in local life.
Hotel prices in the Channels area are comparable to those in the historic city center. However, with a little research, you can find affordable options in a neighborhood full of clean and boutique-style businesses. While staying in one of these hotels, you can easily get to the places you want to go on foot or by boat in the canals.
You could spend the entire day by the water in restaurants, cafes, and local boutiques. You can use the remaining time to visit the nearby Jordaan or Flower Market
If you want to experience the nightlife, I’d like to remind you that you can go with a hotel from those near Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.
Popular hotels I recommend in Grachtengordel
3 ★ ‘t Hotel
If you want to stay close to the canals of Amsterdam, I would recommend you to check the 3 star Hotel ‘t Hotel first. The hotel, with a Booking.com score of 9.1 points and serving in a 17th century building, is 350 meters from Anne Frank House.
3 ★ Hotel Sebastians
The hotel’s Booking.com score in the Grachtengordel-West region, which fascinates travelers with its atmosphere, is 9.4. From the location of the facility, you can reach the Train Station in 10 minutes and Dam Square in 15 minutes.
4 ★ Eden hotel Amsterdam
The 4-star Eden hotel Amsterdam, which is very close to the socially lively Rembrandt Square, stands out with its unusual architectural features. With a Booking.com score of 8.1, the property is a 20-minute walk from the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
4 ★ Ambassade Hotel
The 4-star Ambassade Hotel, which has a very high Booking.com score of 9.4, welcomes its guests in 10 historical buildings lined up next to the coast of Herengracht and Singel. The facility is only 600 meters from Dam Square.
5 ★ Pulitzer Amsterdam
5-star Pulitzer Amsterdam, with an average of 9.1 points from Booking.com users, is a perfect place for travelers who want to reach Dam Square and Jordaan in a short time. This hotel offers its guests a high level accommodation experience in a series of mansions located on the canal bank and some of them dating back to the 17th century.
Jordaan
If peace and quiet are your top priorities, consider Jordaan in addition to the Channels Area.
In the 17th century, the region was established for immigrants and the working class. It is now regarded as one of the city’s most affluent and expensive neighborhoods. Jordaan’s reputation has grown due to the colorful houses, vintage boutiques, and restaurants that surround the canals.
Jordaan is primarily appealing to travelers with higher-than-average accommodation budgets, and it is home to two important tourist attractions, Westerkerk and Anne Frank House.
After seeing these two buildings that shed light on different eras of the city, you can take advantage of the proximity and walk to the city center whenever you want. Don’t forget to spend time on the region’s most popular streets, such as Westerstraat, Haarlemmerstraat, Prinsengracht, and 9th Street.
Popular hotels I recommend in Jordaan
Mr. Jordaan
If you intend to stay close to the landmarks and canals, Mr. Jordaan may be exactly what you are looking for. The boutique style facility with a Booking.com score of 9.2 stands out with its service quality.
2 ★ Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel
The main factor in including this 2-star hotel with a Booking.com score of 8.4 is its exceptional view of the canal. Moreover, thanks to its central location, it takes a short time to reach tourist attractions such as Dam Square, Anne Frank House and Leideseplein.
3 ★ Linden Hotel
If you prefer to stay in the 3-star Linden Hotel, which serves in an elegant building from the 18th century, you can reach the popular places of the city within minutes by public transport. Boutique-style resort, Booking.com score 8.9.
4 ★ Hotel Mercier
In addition to its location in the city center, the 4-star hotel has become one of the city’s favorites in terms of service quality and comfort. Thanks to these features, the property received an average of 8.8 points from Booking.com users.
Family-Friendly: Oud West
If you want to focus on a less touristy area that is still close to the city center, the recently opened Oud West may be the best option in town.
The effect of the family-friendly and multicultural structure is undeniable in increasing the area’s popularity, allowing you to interact with locals.
You can walk or take the tram to the city center from any of the Oud West hotels. The region, which has low accommodation prices, is also close to tourist attractions such as Jordaan, 9th Street, and the Anne Frank House.
You can spend your time in the area by going to De Hallen. The former train station is now home to restaurants, bicycle shops, and a boutique hotel. If you’re tired of moving around and want to listen to some music, go to Vondelpark.
Popular hotels I recommend in Oud West:
3 ★ Prinsenhotel
Just a 5-minute walk from Leidseplein and Vondelpark, the 3-star Prinsenhotel has a Booking.com rating of 8.0. You can choose the hotel because it is close to the stop where trams go to the heart of the city.
3 ★ Conscious Hotel The Tire Station
3 star hotel that stands out with its eco-friendly design; It serves 1.6 km from Museums Square. The facility, which has a Booking.com score of 8.7, provides bicycle rental services that can be an economical solution to your transportation needs.
4 ★ Catalonia Vondel Amsterdam
The 4-star facility serving in a boutique style continues its activities within 500 meters of the Rijksmuseum. The hotel is decorated with artworks signed by Peter Keizer, and the hotel’s Booking.com score is 8.2.
4 ★ Hotel De Hallen
I recommend you to check out the 4-star Hotel De Hallen with a Booking.com rating of 8.9. The property is located just 2 kilometers from Dam Square.
5 ★ Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
The 5-star hotel with a Booking.com score of 8.4 offers travelers elegantly decorated rooms with luxurious amenities. Due to its central location, there is a serious comfort in accessing cultural facilities such as the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum.
Museumplain
Stay in the Museumplain if you have a high cultural travel plan. This is a popular destination for visitors interested in local art and culture.
Here you will find the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Concertgebouw, and Melkweg. Along with art centers and museums, the Cornelis Schuytstraat and Jacob Obrechtstraat are well-known shopping streets. Those who focus on cultural facilities during the day will be taken aback by the evening entertainment in Leidsplein, just a few minutes away.
If you want to get to the city center from the area between De Pijp and Vondelpark in the Channels Region’s south, you can either walk or take the tram. The walk between the two points takes more than 20 minutes and the tram ride takes 10-15 minutes.
Popular hotels I recommend in Museumplain
3 ★ The Muse Amsterdam
A 3-star boutique hotel that manages to score an average of 8.4 points from Booking.com users. Nearby attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum, Heineken Experience and Albert Cuyp Market. Moreover, you can reach the airport directly by the bus that leaves from the nearby station.
4 ★ Hotel JL No76
If museum visits and shopping are important in your travel plan, this hotel is for you. Luxury facilities are waiting for you in the design rooms of the hotel. Booking.com score is 8.7.
5 ★ Conservatorium Hotel
The 5-star hotel with a Booking.com score of 9.1 attracts attention with its architecture and modern facilities.
De Pjip
The last neighborhood I’d like to recommend is De Pijp, also known as the Latin Quarter.
In terms of providing a comfortable opportunity to communicate with the locals, I recommend this area, which draws attention to its proximity to the Museum District. Furthermore, while staying here, you can avoid the busy crowds of tourists and find time to rest without being disturbed.
Many restaurants are located on De Pijp’s long and winding streets, which are known as the center of street art. There are also numerous bars and pubs in the neighborhood. As a result, the nightlife in the area is always active.
You can spend the day exploring Albert Cuyp Market and Heineken Experience before focusing on these opportunities in the evening. Take the tram to the center for more information.
Popular hotels I recommend in De Pjip
3 ★ ibis Styles Amsterdam Amstel
3-star hotel with a Booking.com score of 8.1 welcomes its guests in a monumental building. The boutique hotel, which has a very high level of comfort, is a few minutes from the Museum Quarter and Albert Cuyp Market.
4 ★ Sir Albert Hotel
Another ideal option is the 4-star Sir Albert Hotel’s Booking.com score of 8.8. The facility, which has elegantly designed rooms, serves in a building used to make diamonds.
5 ★ Hotel Okura Amsterdam
The 5-star resort, which attracts great attention from travelers who want to experience first-class accommodation, is among the best hotels in the city. The luxury hotel received an average of 8.9 points from travelers who made their reservations through Booking.com.
Amsterdam Hotel Prices
In Amsterdam, there are hundreds of hotels of various categories. Despite the large number of hotels available, reservations for weekends and holiday seasons must be made in advance. Because hotel prices in Amsterdam skyrocket during these times.
Prices: For example, a single bed in a hostel in winter costs around 15 Euros on weekdays. In the summer, you may have to pay 90 Euros to stay in the same place for the weekend.
During the same time period, 3-4 star hotel prices range between 100 and 200 Euros. Overnight accommodations in 5-star luxury facilities can cost up to 400 Euros.
Reservations: As the prices show, it is critical to take advantage of early reservation opportunities for affordable Amsterdam accommodation.
Thus, by evaluating the best price advantage, you can easily reach an option in the city with exactly the features you seek.
Final Word on Amsterdam Hotels
Known for its cultural structure, happy daily life and wonderful architecture, 6 regions stand out when it comes to accommodation in Amsterdam.
If you are going to travel to the city for the first time, you can choose the Oude Centruum (Historical Center) among these areas. When you stay at the hotels here, you can take advantage of all the opportunities that make the city unique.
Canals District and Jordaan, offer calm holiday opportunities away from the bustling structure of the center. Of course, I have to underline once again that both regions are at least as perfect as the center in terms of social and shopping opportunities.
Affordable accommodation options are more common in Oud West. The Museum District offers travelers the possibilities they are looking for, who prepare a travel program with a nice cultural places.
De Pijp, which is the last region I will recommend to you for accommodation, attracts the attention of those who are not good with the crowd and want to get closer to the local people.