Wondering where to stay in Amsterdam first time? This is a city of contrasts where historic charm and modernity collide.
Whether you’re drawn to the bustling canals lined with 17th-century mansions, the world-famous museums, or the vibrant neighborhoods full of cafes, your choice of accommodation can shape your entire experience. The city also attracts many foreigners who want to take advantage of Amsterdam’s liberal marijuana and adult entertainment policies, something that not every tourist is fond of.
That’s why in this guide, we explore the best places to stay in Amsterdam, tailored to the tastes and budget of every traveler, to ensure that your visit is nothing short of unforgettable. And since we’ve visited this city countless times, we’re pretty sure we can give you some great advice!
In brief: The best neighborhoods to stay in Amsterdam are Jordaan, Canal Belt, De Pijp, Museum Quarter, Nine Streets, and Amsterdam-North.
You want to stay as close to the old city as possible, as that’s where most of the sights are located.
However, De Wallen – Amsterdam’s Red Light District – is a noisy neighborhood that attracts a certain type of tourist that not everyone likes (heavy alcohol and drug use).
We recommend staying in Jordaan, Canal Belt, or Nine Streets instead.
If you’re willing to stay further away from the old city center, De Pijp, Museum Quarter, and Amsterdam-North are great options.
You can easily navigate to each neighborhood by tapping the link. Or, skip straight to the overview of the best areas to stay in Amsterdam first time.
Once a working-class neighborhood, Jordaan has become one of Amsterdam’s most sought-after neighborhoods. It’s a picturesque district with a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with 17th-century mansions, bridges, and hidden courtyards.
Unlike tourist-oriented areas, Jordaan has retained its distinctly authentic local flair. One of the best things about Jordaan is that it has a wide range of dining options, from cozy cafés serving traditional Dutch food to trendy restaurants serving international dishes.
This neighborhood is also centrally located, although other neighborhoods may have better access to the city’s major attractions. However, in recent years, Amsterdam has been overrun with tourists and the areas around the Red Light District are simply too crowded.
Jordaan is also busy, but because it’s mostly residential, it’s a bit quieter at night.
The combination of authenticity, easy access to Amsterdam’s main sights, surrounded by beautiful architecture and the fact that it is not (yet) overcrowded, makes the Jordaan our personal favorite neighborhood to stay in.
The Canal Belt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful canals and 17th century mansions.
The area is located in the heart of the city, with many of the city’s major attractions, such as the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum, within walking distance. It is without a doubt the most beautiful part of the city and is home to many Dutch celebrities and successful entrepreneurs, as it is one of the most expensive properties in the entire country.
The Canal Belt also offers a romantic setting, making it the perfect place for couples. However, staying here is not cheap. The Canal Belt is home to some of Amsterdam’s most luxurious hotels, many of which are housed in beautifully restored canal houses.
From here, you can easily walk to the Nine Streets, an area full of fun shops and unique restaurants. It is one of the coolest parts of Amsterdam. However, other popular areas are also within walking distance.
As far as location goes, this is one of the best options you have. The only downside is that there aren’t many affordable places to stay in this upscale area. If your budget allows, the Grachtengordel is probably the best option in the entire city.
How to get around Amsterdam? Amsterdam is a walking city. Most of the time, you’ll explore the neighborhoods just by walking. However, public transportation is also excellent in the city. You can use the metro and the tram to travel to somewhat longer distances within the city.
Those arriving by train can easily visit Amsterdam via the Central Station. This is an excellent starting point.
If you’re arriving by car, it’s best to park your car outside the city center at the Amsterdam ArenA and take the metro to the city center. Parking fees are extremely high inside the city center and the local government is trying whatever they can to stop cars from entering the city center.
If you’re arriving by plane, you can take the train directly from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station.
Once you’re in the city, you can always use the tram or even better, rent a bike. There’s an incredibly useful website called 9292ov, a comprehensive trip planner that includes all types of public transportation. It allows you to enter your starting point and destination and it plans your whole trip in detail.
Most tourists tend to stay near Amsterdam Central Station. For this reason, the old town is overrun with tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds, you will have to stay further away from the central station. One of the great options is De Pijp, a trendy and multicultural neighborhood known for its markets and restaurants.
It is a great place to experience a slice of authentic local life and at the same time have easy access to the famous Albert Cuyp Market and the nearby Heineken Experience. Now, we are not saying that De Pijp is a quiet neighborhood, because that is actually impossible in a city like Amsterdam.
But you have more of a feeling that you are surrounded by locals, not just tourists.
One of the advantages of De Pijp is that it is well connected by public transport. Both the metro and the tram are easily accessible. In the evening, you can enjoy the local nightlife, which is much more authentic than in the old town.
The disadvantage of this area is that you are simply further away from the tourist center and the main attractions of the city. It is therefore highly recommended to rent a bicycle in this part of the city and explore the rest of the city.
Naturally, the Museum Quarter offers the best access to Amsterdam’s most famous museums, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. However, if you stay here, you’ll also have excellent access to Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park, an oasis in the spring and summer.
This is one of the best options in the city, especially if you’re traveling with kids, as this area offers a relaxed atmosphere. This neighborhood is located between the Canal Belt and the Pijp, making it easy to get to the city’s other highlights. You won’t find many tourists here who visit Amsterdam for drugs and the Red Light District, and the Museum Quarter offers a chic atmosphere.
There’s not much nightlife here compared to other areas, but the dining options are great. If you want to stay in a relatively quiet area in the cultural epicenter of the city, the Museum Quarter is the neighborhood for you.
The Nine Streets in Amsterdam is a shopping and dining paradise within the Canal Belt. It is home to a huge selection of unique shops and cafes. It is one of the city’s top attractions.
You have excellent access to the canals and the entire area is great for exploring on foot and discovering all sorts of hidden gems. You can find everything from high-end fashion and designer labels to vintage treasures, handmade jewelry and crafts.
It is also one of the most Instagram-friendly areas in the city, as there are so many architectural masterpieces to discover. The location is also excellent, making it incredibly easy to walk to other major attractions from here.
Is there anything not to like about this area?
It gets incredibly busy during the day. Additionally, Nine Streets is considered an upscale neighborhood, so don’t expect to find anything that will suit the budget-conscious traveler.
But if you enjoy walking through the beautiful streets of Amsterdam, visiting unique restaurants and shops, and at the same time having great access to the main sights, you will not be disappointed with the Nine Streets!
The last area we recommend before we discuss two alternative areas for budget travelers is Amsterdam North. While most tourists tend to stay in the Old Town and surrounding areas, Amsterdam North has become increasingly popular in recent years because it offers a different perspective on the city.
Here you’ll find cutting-edge architecture, beautiful waterfront views, and lots of creative spaces.
One of the main reasons people stay here is because it doesn’t feel touristy at all.
Sure, you won’t have canals and 17th-century mansions, but this area isn’t overrun with tourists (yet). Make sure to stop by the NDSM Wharf and the A’DAM Tower.
And if you want to visit the Old Town, you can take advantage of the free ferry services to cross the IJ.
We know there’s a group of tourists who really appreciate this special area, especially travelers who want to get to know the local side of Amsterdam. If this describes you, Amsterdam North is the area you’ve been looking for.
If you are traveling on a budget, you have two options in Amsterdam.
The first is Schiphol Airport. There are several budget hotels near the airport that offer free bus rides to the airport itself. From the airport, you can easily take the train to Amsterdam Central Station. Staying here can save you quite a bit of money, as the hotels are much cheaper compared to the city itself. The downside of course is that you have to take a 20-minute train ride to the city. However, during events such as Amsterdam Dance Events and Canal Pride, when all the hotels are fully booked and prices skyrocket, this can be a good option.
The second option is the Red Light District. There is plenty of affordable accommodation in this area. The quality of these hotels is not always that good, but for a reasonable price, you can stay in the middle of the wild nightlife scene of Amsterdam.
Jordaan: Picturesque, authentic part of Amsterdam that is not overly busy but still centrally located.
Grachtengordel (Canal Belt): Luxurious UNESCO World Heritage district where you will find all the canals and 17th-century mansions. If your budget allows, this is the luxury Amsterdam experience.
De Pijp: Lively, multicultural district known for its markets and authentic atmosphere. A bit further away from the tourist center, but offers fantastic nightlife.
Museumkwartier (Museum Quarter): The cultural epicenter of the city, which is also relatively quiet and has good connections to Vondelpark. The ideal area for anyone who wants to take it a bit easier or is traveling with children.
De Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets): A unique part of Amsterdam full of shops and local restaurants. This area is part of the canal belt. One of the most Instagram-friendly parts of the city and perfect to explore on foot.
Amsterdam-Noord (Amsterdam North): A trendy part of Amsterdam that has not yet been spoiled by mass tourism. If you want to stay in an area where you can experience the life of the locals, this is the area you want to stay in.
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