Where to stay in Amsterdam: best areas & neighborhoods
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Choosing where to stay in Amsterdam can make a big difference depending on what you want to do.
Amsterdam is a very walkable city, so whether you stay right in the center or a bit outside won’t change things that much.
Most of the main spots are close to each other, and public transport works really well.
For this trip, we stayed in a hostel, mainly because we were looking for something budget-friendly. Since we knew we’d be using public transport, we chose a place a bit further from the center, but close to a tram, bus, or train stop that could take us directly there.
That’s something we’d definitely recommend keeping in mind when choosing where to stay.
That said, here are the best areas to stay in Amsterdam, and later we’ll tell you where we stayed.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
🟠 Binnenstad – historic center
🟠 Red Light District – central and lively
🟠 Jordaan – charming and local vibe
🟠 Museum District – quiet and cultural
🟠 Leidseplein – nightlife and central location
🟠 Oud West – food scene and local feel
🟠 De Pijp – relaxed and less touristy
🟠 Where we stayed – Duivendrecht
Where to stay in Amsterdam: best areas
🟠 Binnenstad (historic center)
This is the heart of the city, near Dam Square and Central Station.
You’ll be within walking distance of everything, but be ready for crowds and higher prices.
One of the few places in the historic center with almost perfect ratings. Modern, stylish, and although it’s on the higher end, you can sometimes find good deals if you book early.
🛏️ The Hyve Capsule hostel Amsterdam: A more affordable option. Not a typical hostel: you sleep in futuristic capsules, which gives you way more privacy than usual budget stays.
🟠 Red Light District
A slightly unusual area to stay 😂, but super central and often cheaper than other parts of the old town.
Located on a quiet side street, just a 2-minute walk from the heart of the Red Light District and Dam Square.
A boutique hostel with great vibes and cleanliness, right in the middle of everything. Perfect if you’re traveling with friends or as a couple on a budget.
🟠 Jordaan (bohemian neighborhood)
Our favorite area.
It’s one of those areas where you’ll just enjoy walking around without a plan.
Just keep in mind, it’s also one of the most expensive.
🛏️ Mr. Jordaan.
If you’re looking for that classic Amsterdam aesthetic with great service and a cozy, modern design: this is it!
🛏️ Linden Hotel
A more affordable option in a historic canal-side building. Only a 10-minute walk from the Anne Frank House and surrounded by great local markets.
🟠 Museumkwartier (museum district)
This is where you’ll find the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Moco Museum.
A quieter, more elegant area. Perfect if your plan is more cultural.
A peaceful boutique hotel with a beautiful courtyard, just 5 minutes from the Van Gogh Museum.
🟠 Leidseplein (lively area)
One of the most central and vibrant areas, full of bars, clubs, and concert venues.
A great choice if you want to walk almost everywhere.
A historic and iconic building. Staying here is an experience on its own — classic architecture with more reasonable prices than canal-side luxury hotels.
A solid budget option with a good location and clean facilities.
🟠 Oud West
A more local and residential area.
Its highlight is the food scene, perfect if you want great restaurants and a quieter stay. It’s right next to Vondelpark and full of amazing specialty cafés.
Located in a renovated tram depot, this is one of the most design-focused hotels in the city. Plus, it’s right next to De Foodhallen, one of Amsterdam’s best food markets.
🟠 De Pijp
A less touristy, more relaxed neighborhood.
It has a cool local vibe with cafés, parks, and markets. The center is about a 30-minute walk, and the main museums are around 10 minutes away.
A standout hotel in the area, right by Albert Cuyp Market and surrounded by great bars.
🔸 Duivendrecht 🔸
(where we stayed)
This is where we stayed, at Via Amsterdam.
We booked a 6-person mixed room, and since we were 5, we asked to stay together, and it worked perfectly. We actually ended up having the whole room to ourselves.
It’s a bit far from the center, but we walked 8 minutes to the train station, and from there it was just 20 minutes to the city center, super easy!
There’s not much to do in the area itself, but it’s quiet, residential, and very safe, which made it a great base for exploring the city.
Final thoughts on where to stay in Amsterdam
Choosing the right area can make your trip much easier and more comfortable.
Amsterdam is small and very walkable, so the best option really depends on your travel style and budget.
Once you know where to stay, the next step is planning what to do and how to get around.
Keep planning your trip to Amsterdam
👉 Things to do in Amsterdam — must-see spots, neighborhoods, and experiences
👉 How to get around Amsterdam — public transport, walking, and tips
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