Best Areas to Stay in Amsterdam (+ Hotels)

Are you looking for the best areas to stay in Amsterdam? In this article, we will discuss them, provide options for budget accommodation, and at the end, we'll leave you a map of the city with the recommended areas marked.

But first, let's be clear: Amsterdam is not a cheap city, especially when it comes to accommodation. However, fortunately, there are options for all budgets (or almost :-p). The good thing is that if you have a more relaxed budget, you'll be able to stay in beautiful accommodations: we love the vibe of the city. Next, we'll give you some ideas for budget accommodation in Amsterdam, and we'll also tell you which areas are the best for staying.

Promise us you won't faint. To give you an idea of the average prices for accommodations in Amsterdam, calculate that a bed in a shared dorm costs around €20-40 per night, and a double room ranges from €90-130 in areas a bit further from the center, although it's not uncommon to find central hotels with double rooms for €140-160.

If you prefer to stay in Airbnb apartments, the situation doesn't improve: private rooms in apartments are no less than €80-120 per night. The good thing about Airbnb is that with a kitchen, you can save some money by cooking. That said... you might miss out on some of the city's delights.

Here's a little discount if you register for Airbnb with this link.

If you want to sleep cheaply in Amsterdam, you only have one option: stay in hostels. The rule is that the further from the center, the cheaper it gets. But be careful... transportation in the city is not particularly cheap, so it might be worth spending a bit more and staying in the central area. If you find a very attractive offer but far from the center, to save on transportation, it might be a good idea to get daily passes from GVB (1 day = €8, 2 days = €13.50, 3 days = €19).

Some highly recommended budget hostels are these:

The Flying Pig Downtown

Hostel The Globe

Central Station Hostel

Princess Hostel

Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark

Generator Amsterdam

It is clear that the most convenient area to stay is the historic center (Oude Centrum), or at most, in other areas within the canal belt, since the majority of things to see and do in Amsterdam are located here.

Keep these two things in mind:

Unless you find an unbeatable deal on the outskirts of the city, we don't think it's advisable to stay far away: you'll lose a lot of time and money on transfers.

We also do not recommend staying in the Red Light District, not for any specific reason, but because it is a noisy neighborhood where people party until the early hours of the morning. Now, if your idea is to party and enjoy the night (with a coffee shop here and there), this is the place for you!

Some of the best areas in Amsterdam are:

One of the most picturesque central areas of Amsterdam, filled with restaurants and interesting corners. It's a paradise for bohemians and hipsters. If you find accommodation here, you've succeeded.

-> Hotels in Jordaan:

Melrose Hotel

Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel

Linden Hotel

Other options

A bit further from the historic center, but it's an area with local character, authentic, with good cafes and restaurants, and undoubtedly an excellent option for staying. After all, in 20-30 minutes of walking, you can reach the city center.

-> Hotels in De Pijp:

Savoy Hotel Amsterdam

Nine(T)Teen

Hotel Blossoms (Vivaldi Budget Hotel)

Other options

As the name suggests, it's the area where the city's best museums are located, such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. It's about a 15-25 minute walk from the center. A plus is that it's very close to Vondelpark, the green lung of the city.

-> Hotels in the Museum District and Vondelpark area:

Hotel Mosaic City Centre

CityHub Amsterdam

Conscious Hotel The Tire Station

Other options

Stay at the Albus Hotel. We spent 3 nights here last year, and it was crazy: I'll just say they greeted us with champagne, we had a beer barrel in the room (I swear we're not alcoholics even though we might seem like it), and we dined at the hotel restaurant, Senses by Lars Bertelsen, which was one of the best dinners in Amsterdam. The only downside is that it's not a cheap hotel... prices start from €200 (it's a 4-star hotel), but if you don't have budget issues, don't think twice!

Here's a map with the location of all the recommended accommodations in Amsterdam and the best areas:

Do you know of any more budget accommodations in Amsterdam? What do you think is the best area in Amsterdam to stay?