Known for its beautiful canals, fine culture, and rich history, Amsterdam is a popular city with much to offer! If you’re looking for a city that has beauty, fine art, and entertainment, Amsterdam is the place to be. Here’s a list of places that will help you during your stay!
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Here’s What You Need To Know
Home to 165 canals, Amsterdam is a fascinating city with much to offer. You will notice how each neighborhood in Amsterdam is different and offers a unique experience on its own. Whether you came to the city to explore or relax, here’s a list of places we recommend to help you decide on where to stay!
Where to Stay & Best Hotels in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a beautiful and clean city with so much more to offer than brownies and the red light district which is why we recommend staying outside those areas. There is an amazing international feel to the city which draws millions of visitors each year.
That said, where do you stay on your next visit to Amsterdam? You can easily pick a nice hotel, but will it be in the right area? Our local expert in Amsterdam details the best areas to stay for a local feel!
Jordaan
Built in the early 17th century, Jordaan is a neighborhood that is right next to Amsterdam city center filled with quaint boutiques and shops, restaurants, galleries, museums, and flowery streets.
It is without a doubt that this area is the most loved and popular in Amsterdam. It is a charming neighborhood that offers a lot to explore! Whether you want to feel as though you have traveled back in time and visited the Anne Frank Huis or have a peaceful day in a cafe, Jordaan is certainly the place to be.
Why I love Jordaan
- Close to Amsterdam city center
- Filled with galleries, restaurants, concept stores and vintage boutiques
Attractions near Jordaan
- Anne Frank House
- Nine-streets of Amsterdam
- Noordermarkt
- Boom Chicago
Best Restaurants in Jordaan
- Balthazar’s kitchen
- Moeders
- Toscanini
- Salmuera
Best Hotels in Jordaan
The accommodations listed below are our picks for the best hotels in Oud-West.
Hotel Mercier
€€€ – €€€€ | 4-Star | Cozy | Boutique Hotel
This timeless boutique hotel offers the ideal location, a hidden gem that is considered the ultimate all-in-one destination. Here you will find glamour, a timeless style, and walking distance from Amsterdams’ iconic sightseeing.
Mr. Jordaan
€€-€€€ | 3-Star | Great Location | Cozy
Right in the heart of the Jordaan neighborhood, Mr. Jordaan is the perfect stay for travelers. All around you, you can find authentic Amsterdam cafes & bars, exciting art studios, and local boutiques.
Grachtengordel
While you may not be able to pronounce it, Grachtengordel is an incredible choice for your first or fifth visit to Amsterdam. it is literally in the center of everything but much cleaner and upscale than Binnenstad (Red Light District). You’re within walking distance to the entire city including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Rembrandthuis, and more. For me, it’s a no-brainer because it has everything you need!
Why I love Grachtengordel
- Close to everything
- Clean and upscale
- Great restaurant scene
Attractions Near Grachtengordel
- Rijksmuseum
- Van Gogh Museum
- Leidseplein
Best Restaurants in Grachtengordel
Check out my blog on the best restaurants in Amsterdam!
Best Hotels in Grachtengordel
Hotel Seven one Seven
€€€€ | 5 Star | Leidseplein | Classic Look & Feel
Hotel Seven one Seven is a five-star hotel with refined northern European design and large living spaces. You’ll have everything you need here and more!
Hotel The Nobleman
€€ | 4 Star | Sexy & Regal
Looking for a romantic stay with your significant other in the center of town? Book a higher-class room at The Nobleman and enjoy the luxuries of Northern Europe.
Banks Mansion
€€€ | 4 Star | Grachtengordel | Refined Boutique Hotel
A fantastic hotel in an even better position which makes this a great choice for the area. It might as well be the center of Amsterdam in this historic building overlooking a canal. You can easily get into all the areas of Amsterdam by foot, bike, trolly, or ride-sharing apps.
Check all we did in two days in Amsterdam!
De Pijp
De Pijip is located in the South of Amsterdam and has become a very trendy part of the city in the past years. This neighborhood is the perfect getaway from the city center if you’re tired of all the tourist crowds. De Pijp has a great food scene, night scene, youthful and trendy area to explore.
De Pijp has recently become the new place to be and has a very competitive nightlife the one compared to the city center. This area is perfect for a young couple or individual who loves to explore and try new things!
Why I love De Pijp
- A cool area with a more youthful and trendy scene
- Has a fun nightlife
Attractions Near De Pijp
- Heineken Experience
- Albert Cuypmarkt
- Sarphatipark
Best Restaurants in De Pijp
- Little Collins
- De Wasserette
- De Tulp
- Mana Mana
Best Hotels in De Pijp
Here is a recommendation list for the best hotels in De Pijp for when you want to escape the city madness.
ibis Styles Amsterdam
€-€€ | Affordable Stay | Modern | Comfortable
An amazing option close proximity to De Pijp, is a 3-star hotel within the vicinity of bars, restaurants, and tram stops. In terms of convenience, this stay is perfect!
Hotel Okura Amsterdam
€€€ – €€€€ | 5 Star | Luxurious Stay | Spa, Fitness center & Pool
Hotel Okura is 5-star hotel located right in De Pijp district and is surrounded by many restaurants and shops. This hotel offers everything you would need, including a Michelin star restaurant!
The Arcade Hotel
€€-€€€ | 3 Star | Unique Experience | Arcade Hotel
Only in the trendy neighborhood of De Pijp would you find the first arcade hotel in Amsterdam! Every room at the Arcade Hotel provides guests with a modern and as well retro game console.
Check Out Our Best Amsterdam Tours
Top Rated Tour
Amsterdam “Locals” Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market
Join your engaging local foodie guide on a journey through the over century-old “Cuyp”. With over 250 stalls, the market hosts the best of Amsterdam’s street food scene. Sample dishes that represent the history and culture of the city. From Pickled Herring prepared as it has been for centuries to Indonesian fusion dishes that represent the modern face of the city, eat the best of Amsterdam on this wonderful food tour.
(5)
Starting at €49
Likely to Sell Out
Royal Rijksmuseum Tour with Skip the Line Access
Known for its impressive collection of over 8,000 works by the greatest Dutch artists, the Rijksmuseum is the National Museum of the Netherlands. With your expert art historian guide, see the best of the museum including Rembrandt’s famous The Night Watch. Learn the stories and discover the hidden gems of these artists and their works on this fun and informative Rijksmuseum tour in Amsterdam.
(8)
Starting at €59
Oud-West
Right on the border from the center city, Oud-West is a popular and emerging neighborhood with trendy cafes, excellent restaurants, design stores, and local boutiques. There are some must-see locations in the Oud-West.
This area is full of cool developments such as De Hallen, boutique hotels, and Ten Katemarkt. Since it is right on the border from the city center it is perfect in terms of location if you rather escape the busy city.
Why I love Oud-West
- Trendy cafes and top-notch restaurant options
- De Hallen is my favorite thing about this area!
Attractions near Oud-West
- De Hallen
- Vondelpark
Best Restaurants in Oud-Wedt
- Staring at Jacob
- KanarieClub
- Midtown Grill
- Remise47
Best Hotels in Oud-West
The accommodations listed below are our picks for the best hotels in Oud-West.
Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
€€-€€€ | 5 Star | Great Location
With stunning canal views, and an excellent location right across from Leidse Square, some of Amsterdams’ famous attractions are just within walking distance! Locations such as the Van Gogh Museum & Rijksmuseum or the Vondelpark can all be reached within minutes.
Hotel Espresso
€-€€ | 3 Star | Cozy
Find everything you are looking for within minutes at an affordable price! hotel Espresso is a modern hotel with cozy and comfortable rooms located just 5 minutes away from all the main attractions.
Check Out Our Best Amsterdam Tours
Top Rated Tour
Amsterdam “Locals” Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market
Join your engaging local foodie guide on a journey through the over century-old “Cuyp”. With over 250 stalls, the market hosts the best of Amsterdam’s street food scene. Sample dishes that represent the history and culture of the city. From Pickled Herring prepared as it has been for centuries to Indonesian fusion dishes that represent the modern face of the city, eat the best of Amsterdam on this wonderful food tour.
(5)
Starting at €49
Likely to Sell Out
Royal Rijksmuseum Tour with Skip the Line Access
Known for its impressive collection of over 8,000 works by the greatest Dutch artists, the Rijksmuseum is the National Museum of the Netherlands. With your expert art historian guide, see the best of the museum including Rembrandt’s famous The Night Watch. Learn the stories and discover the hidden gems of these artists and their works on this fun and informative Rijksmuseum tour in Amsterdam.
(8)
Starting at €59
Binnenstad
To be clear, we do NOT recommend staying in the Red Light District. The area comes with a lot of seediness and craziness that we simply don’t recommend to people looking for a culturally immersive trip. There are tons of cool bars and even one of the world’s oldest distillery’s Wynand Fockink so we recommend popping in for a drink, but there are better areas.
That said, if you are going to Amsterdam to party and eat brownies, you probably do want to stay here. Again, we don’t recommend it since you can easily walk in from nice areas, but if you do choose it here are some options.
Why You Might Like Amsterdam Binnenstad
- There is nothing compared to the nightlife in the city center
- Everything you need is within walking distance
- The options to shop are infinite!
Attractions near Amsterdam Binnenstad
- Dam Square
- Rijksmuseum
- Madame Tussauds
Restaurants in Amsterdam Binnenstad
- For the best restaurant recommendations in Amsterdam here is one of or previous article for the 10 best restaurants in Amsterdam! Don’t forget to bookmark it to complete your traveling experience in Amsterdam!
Best Hotels in Amsterdam Binnenstad
In this list below are our top picks for the best hotels in Amsterdam Binnenstad 2021
Andaz Amsterdam
€€€-€€€€ | 5 Star | Unique Dutch Design | Garden | Spa, Fitness Centre, In-house Restaurant & Bar
What was formerly Amsterdam’s Public Library is now a unique and creative five-star hotel located right in the heart of the city. Overlooking the famous Amsterdam canals, Andaz Amsterdam offers the ultimate local experience with Dutch-inspired interior design by the famous Marcel Wonders. The hotel offers a beautiful secret Alice in Wonderland-themed garden and is situated right next to the charming Nine Streets of Amsterdam.
The W Hotel
€€€-€€€€ | 5 Star | Rooftop Pool | In-house Restaurant & Bar
Located right next to Dam Square, W hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel with a rooftop pool! Split into two unique buildings, the hotel offers 238 luxurious guest rooms with unique designs. The location of this hotel will allow you to access the vibrant city life, shopping, and dining experience. The rooftop lounge and pool provide a breathtaking view over the city lights and the Royal Palace.
NH Collection Amsterdam
€€-€€€ | 4 Star | Modern | In-house Restaurant & Bar
The NH Collection Amsterdam is a beautiful hotel located right in the middle of the city center and right next to the famous Flower Market! This hotel has the ideal location as it is right next to the Rokin tram stop and Dam Square. Located right in the middle od all the restaurants, attractions and shopping area!
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam
€€-€€€ | Modern | Ideal location | Skybar
Located right next to Amsterdam central station, DoubleTree Hilton offers the ideal stay for a city trip. DoubleTree by Hilton is a modern and ideal place if it’s your first time in Amsterdam. However, if you want to explore other cities in the Netherlands, this hotel is right next to the train station which makes it the perfect stay!
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam
€-€€ | 3 Star | Great Location
Stay in the heart of Amsterdam for a more affordable price! Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam has a prime location in city center and is just minutes away from Dam Square.
This Ho(s)tel
€-€€ | Canal Views | Couples | Affordable Stay
Enjoy the wonderful views of the Amsterdam canals at an affordable price! With a simple and minimalist design, This Ho(s)tel is located right in the city center. Each room is perfectly designed with a double bed, ideally for 2 guests to provide the ultimate comfortable stay.
Check Out Our Best Amsterdam Tours
Top Rated Tour
Amsterdam “Locals” Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market
Join your engaging local foodie guide on a journey through the over century-old “Cuyp”. With over 250 stalls, the market hosts the best of Amsterdam’s street food scene. Sample dishes that represent the history and culture of the city. From Pickled Herring prepared as it has been for centuries to Indonesian fusion dishes that represent the modern face of the city, eat the best of Amsterdam on this wonderful food tour.
(5)
Starting at €49
Likely to Sell Out
Royal Rijksmuseum Tour with Skip the Line Access
Known for its impressive collection of over 8,000 works by the greatest Dutch artists, the Rijksmuseum is the National Museum of the Netherlands. With your expert art historian guide, see the best of the museum including Rembrandt’s famous The Night Watch. Learn the stories and discover the hidden gems of these artists and their works on this fun and informative Rijksmuseum tour in Amsterdam.
(8)
Starting at €59
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