Where to Stay in Amsterdam: Local’s Guide to the Best Neighborhoods

While it’s easy to find a hostel, apartment, fancy hotel, or local guesthouse in Amsterdam, picking the best area where to stay in Amsterdam can make or break your trip. Amsterdam is a very diverse city and despite its size, each neighborhood in Amsterdam is different.

I’ve lived in Amsterdam, so this guide isn’t something that I created after a single short visit and is just one of many tips I have for visitors to the city. Here are my recommendations for the best places to stay in Amsterdam to ensure you’ll have a great time on your trip.

---

Best Areas to Stay in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is relatively small with only 850,000 inhabitants sharing 219.3 km² / 84 mi². This is why I highly recommend visiting other parts of the Netherlands as well, as this country is full of charming towns and villages.

Map of Amsterdam Neighborhoods

Amsterdam can be divided into “The Ring” area and areas outside of the ring, basically on the outer side of A10 Highway. Areas within are also divided into smaller areas. Most hotel booking websites classify Amsterdam City Centre as the area within The Ring.

Amsterdam is broken up into 8 districts or boroughs (stadsdelen), which are divided into neighborhoods. These neighborhoods might seem confusing to a first-time visitor to Amsterdam, but they’re very helpful when it comes to getting around.

★ First Time in Amsterdam? Stay anywhere in the Old Centrum
★ Layover in Amsterdam? Anywhere near Zuid, Centraal or Sloterdijk Stations, so you can easily leave your bags.
★ Best Neighbourhood in Amsterdam for Mature Travelers: Oud-Zuid.
★ Best Neighbourhood in Amsterdam for Families: NOT near De Wallen! Oost, de Baarsjes, Plantage.
★ Best Neighborhood in Amsterdam for Nightlife: Near Leidseplein & Rembrandtplein
★ Amsterdam on a Budget? Consider staying in Haarlem.
★ Most Romantic Neighborhood in Amsterdam: Canal Belt & Oud-Zuid
★ Local Neighborhood in Amsterdam: De Pijp
★ Best Place to Stay for Visiting Keukenhof: Keukenhof isn’t located in Amsterdam, it’s actually quite far from Amsterdam and usually visited as a day trip. If seeing the tulips is your priority then you might want to stay in Leiden or Haarlem. Find out more on the best ways to see tulip fields!

---

Public Transportation in Amsterdam

Transportation in Amsterdam (GVB) works well regardless of which neighborhood of Amsterdam you’re staying in, but not always excellent.

To arrange things before arrive you can pre-purchase either a 24-hour pass for €9 or get an OV Chipkaart. You can purchase them online, or at the counter at selected stations upon arrival.

I’ve written an entire guide to public transport in Amsterdam and beyond, so make sure to give that a read before you arrive.

---

1. Old Centrum – Most Popular Area to Stay in Amsterdam

Old Centrum (as the name indicates) is the oldest area of Amsterdam. This is where most tourists stay and usually never make it outside of the area. There are many spots to eat, shop, and hop on a boat for a canal cruise that it doesn’t seem necessary to some but I highly recommend you do as there are so many things to do in Amsterdam inside and outside of Old Centrum.

Old Centrum is divided into smaller neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics and history so I’ve given you a quick rundown of each below.

Family Friendliness: Close to most things, so recommendable, but remember that some areas like De Wallen or Nieuwmarkt might not be appropriate. Might be noisier than elsewhere at night, especially close to Nieuwmarkt.

Personal experience: I enjoy hanging out in the area, but there’s a reason why I never lived here. If you want to be conveniently located close to major attractions stay here, but you’ll see more tourists than locals enjoying themselves.

Jordaan – The Jordaan feels like its own village in the city. Once a neighborhood for the working class and immigrants, now it’s renovated and trendy for young professionals and tourists. The area has many restaurants, small shops, and stunning bridges.

Dam – The Dam was built around the 1270s in order to prevent flooding, but now it’s the central square between Rokin and Damrak. There you can find the National Monument, Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, National Monument, and Madam Tussaud’s. During the spring there is a fair with a giant carousel and in the winter a Christmas market.

De Wallen – De Wallen is known as the Red Light District. Walking around you’ll see prostitutes in red windows, sex shops, and many coffee shops. Personally, not a place I’d recommend staying, but if it’s your first time in Amsterdam you can pass through.

Nieuwmarkt – Nieuwmarkt is a square just a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station, located in Chinatown, next to the Red Light District.

IJ Waterfront – If you’re staying in Amsterdam for a layover or a quick weekend trip, you want to be as close to the Central Station as it gets. There are many beautiful hotels to stay in the area, often with rooftops offering impressive views.

Leidseplein – If you’re looking for an epicenter of a nightlight, look no further than Leidseplein. There are many bars and cafes in the area, plus the most well-known nightclub in Amsterdam – Melkweg. Stay there only if you enjoy loud nights out.

Rembrandtplein – Rembrandtplein is another great area with bars and restaurants. The area feels more local than Leidseplein and it’s always full of friendly locals and expats. I have good memories of Rembrandtplein because I used to have office parties there. I highly recommend going to Tuschinski Theatre, a working cinema that was built in 1921. It’s gorgeous!

Canalbelt – The canalbelt is the picturesque area you’ve seen in iconic photos, as it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Many houses are built on these semi-circular canals (“grachten”), dug around the old city center.

Old Jewish Quarter & Plantage – Plantage used to be the greenest area of Amsterdam. Waterlooplein Market in the area is one of the most local markets in Amsterdam. That’s the place where you’d buy a used bike, get some fresh vegetables and eat kibbeling.

Spui – Spui is a good starting point from which to discover the rest of the city. Close to many shops, restaurants, and the Flower Market. You can easily walk to bars and clubs from here.

---

2. Noord – The Coolest Area Where to Stay in Amsterdam

Noord has undergone considerable regeneration with many industrial buildings being converted into rustic restaurants and boutiques. Thankfully, it is no longer seen as a bad place to be.

In fact, Noord now even boasts the tallest over-the-edge swing in Europe, the A’DAM Toren, with an observation deck and great restaurants inside.

Family Friendliness: Definitely. It’s a safe local area, just a short and convenient free boat ride from Central Station.

Personal experience: Last time I visited the area I enjoyed it a lot. Even if you end up not staying there, pay a visit to A’DAM Toren for the view.

---

3. West – Where to Stay in Amsterdam for Foodies

If you’re looking for photogenic townhouses and typical Dutch architecture, West is the answer. It’s quite a posh area, making it particularly attractive to residents and visitors alike. Some of the best places to eat in Amsterdam are located in the West.

Family Friendliness: Kids might be less interested in restaurants and nice architecture, so there might not be the best choice.

Personal experience: I used to live in Bos en Lomer, so I know the area pretty well and enjoyed it. It’s affordable with plenty of spots to eat to discover every week. Hotels tend to be cheaper in this area, so if you’re on a budget this could be a great choice.

Bos en Lomer – Bos en Lomer is an affordable and diverse neighborhood. It’s a place for a young and multicultural crowd, but also families. There are many ethnic shops in the area with cheap delicious food.

Oud-West – A posh area with small local markets and outdoor cafes.

Westerpark – Named after a large park in its center, Westerpark is located on the western corner of Amsterdam’s canal belt and trails into the city’s docklands.

De Baarsjes – Hip area with many terrace bars, much calmer than in the Old Centrum. Popular shopping streets where trendy concept stores, can be found standing opposite Turkish shops, greengrocer, and bakeries.

---

4. Zuid – Best Residential Neighborhood in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s nicest residential areas with fashionable shopping streets, business centers, and plenty of museums. If you’re looking for some more unusual things to do in Amsterdam, you’ll find them here.

Family Friendliness: There are many young people in the area since there is a nice park around, markets, and cafes so it could be a nice quiet area for families.

Personal experience: I used to work in De Pijp and recently covered Oud-Zuid for the Amsterdam Tourism Board, so I spent a lot of time in the area. I really love it as it’s very local with some expats. The atmosphere of this area was unbeatable.

Museum Quarter – The Museum Quarter is technically in Amsterdam Zuid, but just a bridge walk from the Old Centrum.

Oud-Zuid – With chic boutiques, quaint markets, a lot of great art museums and the famous  Vondelpark, you can imagine that this is another great choice of where to stay in Zuid. You can read my guide to Oud-Zuid here.

De Pijp – My personal favorite area, but I might be biased since I used to work there. De Pijp has a very local vibe with a picturesque urban layout, many cafes, parks, and the local Albert Cuyp market.

Zuidas – This is the business district so unless you work there, there’s not much to do, and many cafes and restaurants close after business hours.

---

5. Oost – Where to Stay in Amsterdam for Peace and Quiet

Oost is probably the least explored part of Amsterdam, despite being closely located to the Old Centrum. It has many museums and is home to many ethnic neighborhoods.

Personal experience: Quite frankly I think I went to Amsterdam Oost twice in my life for a pole dancing class and once to take a bus from Amstel Station, so I can’t say much about the area.

---

6. Other Areas

If you’re visiting Amsterdam for a few days, I’d suggest avoiding places that might seem nearby, but in reality, they are neither pretty nor convenient. That said, do NOT stay in Diemen, Amstelveen, Bijlmar, or Zuid-Oost. Unless you want to bike to the city center for at least 25 minutes every day.

You would be better off staying in Haarlem if you want to save some money, as it’s only 10 minutes by train to Amsterdam Central Station.

---

Areas to Avoid in Amsterdam

I’d personally advise against staying in the Red Light District, known as De Wallen, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Google Maps is actually slightly misleading in terms of the area, as it highlights the whole district – this is NOT true.

In reality, the area full of red windows and coffee shops is much smaller: inside this district hugging Oudezijds Voorburgwal along the canal and in and around the De Oude Kerk church.

The majority of locals aren’t fond of prostitution and weed (which isn’t actually legal), so you’ll mostly meet young tourists. If you don’t want to stumble upon it, trust me, once you’re in Singel Canal area you’ll feel that you’re getting closer to the Red Light District.

Do you have any questions about Amsterdam neighborhoods? Let me know in the comments below!