In a nutshell
- The most convenient place to stay is the central neighborhood of Oude Centrum. From here, you can reach almost all the sights on foot. Our top hotel pick in the center: Boutique Hotel View, which offers excellent value for money.
- More affordable accommodation can be found in Amsterdam Oost. Our recommendation: the Volkshotel, with a perfect metro connection to the city center.
- Even more budget-friendly options are in our article Cheap Hotels in Amsterdam.
- Not sure yet? Keep reading. We walk you through the best neighborhoods for where to stay in Amsterdam and give you genuinely great hotel recommendations at every price point for each area.
How much does a hotel in Amsterdam cost?
Hotel prices in Amsterdam are seriously high. You can get a double room in a nice, centrally located hotel for around 200 euros. Budget hotels in Amsterdam are mainly found outside the city center.
Note: The tourist tax for overnight stays is extremely high in Amsterdam. The tax per night is 7.0%, plus an additional 3 euros per person on top of that. On Booking, these are already included.
Another tip: consider staying in the neighboring city of Utrecht. It’s only 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam, absolutely beautiful, and significantly cheaper. Check out our articles with tips for Utrecht and the most beautiful boutique hotels in Utrecht.
The best neighborhoods to stay in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s central neighborhoods are all quite different from one another. Depending on what type of traveler you are, one area will suit you better than another.
These are the 4 neighborhoods we recommend for where to stay in Amsterdam:
- Oude Centrum & Canal Ring: Perfect if it’s your first time in Amsterdam.
- Jordaan: Great if you want a hip, alternative neighborhood with real character.
- Amsterdam Oost: Ideal if you’re watching your budget.
- Amsterdam Oud-Zuid: Perfect if you prefer something quieter and greener — and great for families.
The neighborhoods on a map
We’ve clearly marked all our neighborhood recommendations on this map so you can see exactly where everything is.
Staying in the Oude Centrum & Canal Ring
If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, we recommend the Oude Centrum and the Canal Ring.
The Oude Centrum and the Canal Ring form the historic center of Amsterdam. The entire area is packed with restaurants, coffeeshops, and the most important attractions in Amsterdam.
Here you’ll find the Royal Palace, the infamous Amsterdam Red Light District, the city’s most beautiful canals, the 9 Straatjes, and the Anne Frank House.
For your first visit, the Oude Centrum and Canal Ring really are hard to beat — it simply doesn’t get more central than this. Keep in mind, though, that many corners of the Oude Centrum get loud at night, and hotels directly on the Canal Ring tend to be a bit pricier.
Advantages of staying in the Oude Centrum & Canal Ring:
- You’re right in the middle of everything
- Most highlights are just a few minutes’ walk away
- You’re surrounded by great restaurants and cafés
- Easy to head out spontaneously in the evening
Disadvantages of staying in the Oude Centrum & Canal Ring:
- Hotels in the center are more expensive than those further out
- It gets noisy in many spots at night
Our hotel recommendations for Oude Centrum & Canal Ring
Good & affordable
Better
Luxurious
Staying in Jordaan
Jordaan is the right choice if you want to stay in a pretty, alternative neighborhood full of charming cafés and independent boutiques.
Jordaan sits just west of the Canal Ring and is one of Amsterdam’s best-known districts — honestly, it’s a highlight in its own right. With colorful streets, canal-side greenery, and vintage shops, it’s our personal pick for the most beautiful neighborhood in Amsterdam.
The vibe here is more relaxed and idyllic than in the city center, yet there’s still a great mix of culture, music, and entertainment, plus plenty of cafés and restaurants to explore.
You’re in a central location in Jordaan, with the main sights reachable on foot — and the neighborhood itself feels calm and unhurried at the same time.
There aren’t that many hotels in Jordaan — vacation rentals are far more common here. Prices are pretty high regardless of the type of accommodation you go for.
Advantages of staying in Jordaan:
- Close to the center, yet still quiet
- The neighborhood has a seriously cool, hip atmosphere
- Lots of lovely cafés and boutiques
Disadvantages of staying in Jordaan:
- An expensive area to stay in
- Some Amsterdam museums are quite a distance away
Our hotel recommendations for Jordaan
Better
Staying in Amsterdam Oost
Amsterdam Oost is ideal if you want to stay in Amsterdam without blowing your budget.
Amsterdam Oost is one of our under-the-radar picks in Amsterdam. It’s not very touristy, which makes it a genuinely authentic district. And since it’s a bit further from the center, hotels here are significantly cheaper.
Amsterdam Oost is a hip student neighborhood that’s wonderfully multicultural. You’ll find loads of delicious international cafés and restaurants here.
Most of the main attractions require a slightly longer journey, but you can reach the center in ten minutes by public transit. On foot, it’s about a 30-minute walk.
Advantages of staying in Amsterdam Oost:
- Some genuinely affordable hotels
- Authentic, less touristy neighborhood
- Hip area with great restaurants
- Well connected to the center by public transit
Disadvantages of staying in Amsterdam Oost:
- Located a bit outside the center
- Longer journey to most of the main sights
Our hotel recommendations for Amsterdam Oost
Good & affordable
Better
We’ll show you even more budget hotels in Amsterdam here:
Staying in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid
We recommend Amsterdam Oud-Zuid if you want somewhere less touristy and pleasantly quiet — and don’t mind a 20-minute walk into the center.
Amsterdam Oud-Zuid is located south of the city core, starting just behind the Rijksmuseum. Here you stay among locals, surrounded by pretty, quiet streets and the occasional small bakery or café.
The whole neighborhood has a wonderfully calm, picture-perfect atmosphere. In the morning, instead of city-center noise, you’ll hear Amsterdam locals starting their day at a leisurely pace. Super authentic — and a really great area for families visiting Amsterdam.
There are public transit connections into the city center, of course. But our honest recommendation? Take the morning stroll across Museumplein, through the Rijksmuseum passage, and into the center. It’s really lovely.
Advantages of staying in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid:
- Quiet, green residential area
- Super authentic
- Charming cafés and small restaurants
- Museumplein with famous art museums is right nearby
- Vondelpark is also very close
- A great neighborhood for families
Disadvantages of staying in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid:
- The center is 20 minutes away on foot (though the walk itself is genuinely lovely)
Our hotel recommendations for Amsterdam Oud-Zuid
Good & affordable
Better
Luxurious
Frequently asked questions about staying in Amsterdam
Which hotel in Amsterdam is best if you have mobility issues?
Amsterdam is very much a walking city — most attractions in the center are close together, so you won’t have far to go if you pick the right location.
For the shortest distances to the main highlights, we recommend staying in the Oude Centrum or along the Canal Belt.
A great centrally located option is Hotel CC.
It even makes the list of budget hotels in Amsterdam.
Which hotel in Amsterdam is stylish but affordable?
Looking for a stylish yet affordable place to stay in Amsterdam? We’d point you toward the Room Mate Aitana and the Ruby Emma.
Both offer great value for money and a stylish, modern design without the eye-watering price tag.
Which hotel outside Amsterdam's city center has the best transport connections?
The best-connected option outside the center is definitely the Volkshotel.
The metro station is practically right at the door — you’re at central Waterlooplein in under five minutes.
