Where To Stay In Amsterdam First Time 2025 - Most Useful Guide Available
Are you wondering where to stay in Amsterdam first time?
It’s good to know you have plenty of great options depending on your budget and the reason for your visit to Amsterdam.
The city itself attracts all kinds of tourists.
Some groups only stay on weekends to go out, while others visit Amsterdam mainly for the culture, architecture, food, and friendly atmosphere.
For the first group, the local government tries to limit the possibilities for hedonistic excursions, but the red light district, underground clubs, and local nightlife are hard to ban.
For the latter group the possibilities are endless, which we will mainly talk about in this article.
Amsterdam is the ideal area to spend several days, and if you do have an extra day or two to spend, taking an excursion to Volendam, Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans, or Keukenhof is highly recommended.
To make it as easy as possible for you, we will make this article as short as possible and mainly tell you why each recommended area is so special.
So let’s quickly get to the recommendations!
The best areas to stay in Amsterdam first time are Oud Centrum (old center), Grachtengordel (canal belt), Jordaan, Plantage & the Jewish Quarter.
These neighborhoods are located in the city center and close to the city’s highlights.
However, there are alternative and certainly interesting places you can consider: De Pijp, Vondelpark, Westerpark, and Oosterdokseiland (Oosterdok Island).
These areas are often quieter, have a more authentic and thus less touristy feel, and offer more affordable accommodation options.
If you are traveling on a strict budget, have an early flight to catch the next day, or the hotels in the city center are fully booked due to an event, then consider staying near Schiphol Airport.
Below, you can find a brief explanation of each recommended area and what sets them apart from others. You can navigate straight to that part of the article by tapping on one of the links.
1. Oud Centrum: Amsterdam’s tourist epicenter with great access to all the main attractions, though it also attracts the hedonistic traveler who loves to enjoy Amsterdam’s liberal policies.
2. Grachtengordel: Prime location surrounded by beautiful canals with great hotels nearby, though this also comes at a premium price.
3. Jordaan: Quaint and somewhat romantic area close to the tourist epicenter, unique neighborhood but hotel rooms are relatively small.
4. Plantage and Jewish Quarter: A quieter option while still close to Wallen (Red Light District), but there aren’t many attractions in this area.
5. De Pijp: Authentic area of Amsterdam where many citizens of different cultures live, just keep in mind that you are located further away from the tourist epicenter and renting a bike is highly recommended.
6. Vondelpark: A great area away from the tourist epicenter, but still a bustling part of Amsterdam, access to the Vondelpark, but located further from the old town.
7. Westerpark: This area is located west of the Old Town Center and offers very spacious hotels, although it is not as bustling as the Old Town Center.
8. Oosterdok Island: This alternative area is close to Amsterdam Central Station with a variety of unique hotels, including sleeping in a large crane or on one of the boats that dock here.
9. Schiphol Airport: Hotel prices are much lower compared to city prices, great for those on a budget or needing to catch a flight the next day.
The best areas to stay in Amsterdam first time are:
1. Oud Centrum (Old Centre)
Oud Centrum, or the Old Town, is for many tourists the best place to stay in Amsterdam.
The central train station is just a few minutes away and many of the city’s highlights are within easy reach.
There are a lot of great restaurants, shops and cafes.
But there are a few things that are worth mentioning.
You can also find many coffee shops in this area, so people don’t just come here for a cup of coffee.
In the Netherlands, “coffee shops” are places where they sell soft drugs.
As mentioned in the introduction, Amsterdam attracts many weekend tourists who visit the city for its liberal soft drug policy and its red-light district.
Amsterdam’s red-light district, Wallen, is located near the Old Town.
If you don’t mind staying right in the tourist epicenter that also attracts the party-minded crowds, then Oud Centrum won’t dissapoint.
There are other parts that are more tourist-friendly, such as Rembrandtplein, named after the famous painter, and Leidseplein, for local nightlife.
The architecture, the canals, the food, the businesses, everything is typically Amsterdam in this area.
The old city center can be expensive, though, so connecting neighborhoods that are a little further away from Amsterdam’s highlights can be a better option for those looking for more affordable accommodation.
In my opinion, if you want to balance the convenience of Oud Centrum but want to stay a bit away from the party crowds, choose a hotel closer to Spuistraat, where the atmosphere is much nicer than near the Red Light District.
This area includes iconic buildings such as Damrak, Dam, Rokin, Kalverstraat, Heiligweg, and Nieuwendijk.
The latter is commonly known as Paleiskwartier and is suitable for most tourists as well as those visiting Amsterdam for shopping.
In and around the so-called Kalverstraat, there are a plethora of shops from all the big brands you can imagine.
Overall, it’s hard to beat Amsterdam’s Old Town, but it’s extremely touristy, and crowded, and the area towards the Red Light District (Wallen) attracts a certain crowd that isn’t always pleasant for those who visit Amsterdam for sightseeing purposes.
There are plenty of other recommended areas to choose from Oud Centrum doesn’t sounds appealing to you.
2. Grachtengordel (Canal Belt)
The Grachtengordel, which translates as Canal Belt, is the area around the Old Centrum with the iconic, slightly tilted houses that are built close to the canals.
These historic buildings, which have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2010, are tilted because wealthy merchants in the past used these houses to store trade goods that arrived by boat.
It’s by far a much classier area compared to the previously recommended area.
On top of the roof of these houses, a pulley was attached so that the merchandise could be lifted from the boats.
If the houses were perfectly straight, it would be impossible to lift boxes from the boat into their houses.
The boxes would hit the wall and chances were high that the boxes and goods were destroyed.
So, these houses were tilted on purpose.
The somewhat tilted houses close to the canals give the Grachtengordel a one-of-kind atmosphere and it’s exactly the reason why so many tourists want to visit Amsterdam for its architecture.
As you can imagine, these historic houses are in high demand, and many of the rich and famous (want) to live here.
Unlike cities like Rotterdam, Amsterdam was barely affected by the bombings of World War II and the old buildings are in perfect condition.
Many of these old buildings are restored and some of the best craftsmen from around the country are hired so that the authenticity remains intact.
Walking through these streets with canals alongside you is what you want to do as a tourist.
You can find unique restaurants and shops that make every food lover’s heart beat faster.
Keep in mind that staying in this neighborhood is expensive, but you will be staying exactly in the area where many photographs of Amsterdam are taken.
Most importantly, almost all of Amsterdam’s highlights are nearby.
If your budget allows it, then stay in Amsterdam’s Canal Belt.
3. Jordaan
The Jordaan, which is located northwest of the Old Center, was built during the Golden Age in the 17th century to function as a working-class neighborhood.
Over the years, this iconic neighborhood was transformed into a bit of an upmarket neighborhood, but it is still home to the typical local bars where they play typical Dutch songs that originated in this area.
Walking through these iconic streets is a tourist attraction in itself.
You can best compare the Jordaan as a combination of the previously two recommended areas but with a more authentic feel.
There are still working-class people living in the Jordaan.
According to the Dutch, the people of the Jordaan are the ones who tell you exactly what they think without even considering it rude or inappropriate in a good way.
They are also always having fun, making fun, and laughing throughout the day.
As this area is well-maintained and you can find typical Amsterdam architecture, it’s quite a romantic part of the city.
Although hotels here aren’t that large, it’s still quite a unique experience for couples to stay here.
There are plenty of good eateries to find in this area and you still can enjoy a central location: both the Old Center and the Canal Belt are easily reachable on foot.
If you seek an authentic experience in combination with a good location, then the Jordaan definitely won’t dissapoint.
4. Plantage & Barrio Judío
The Jewish Quarter (Joodse Buurt) is located behind the Old Center on the east side of Amsterdam.
This area is much quieter compared to all the areas recommended above.
The Plantage is connected to this neighborhood with good access to some of the highlights of the city.
As the name already suggests, the Jewish Quarter has access to the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Resistance Museum.
During World War II, this dark period was perfectly documented by Anne Frank in her famous diary.
Keep in mind that the Anne Frank House is located in the Westermarkt, not the Jewish Quarter.
The Plantage is a neighborhood full of exciting architecture, greenery, and of course, Amsterdam’s zoo called Artis.
It’s also home to the Waterlooppleinmarkt, which is the most famous flea market in the Netherlands.
This makes it a good area for families who seek a quieter experience while having a relatively central base to visit Amsterdam’s highlights.
It’s also a good neighborhood for those with a historical interest in what took place in the Dutch capital during the Second World War.
5. De Pijp
De Pijp is the area where many students and people from all kinds of cultures and backgrounds live.
It’s a relatively cheap area for Amsterdam’s standards.
We have to stress out the word relatively because square meter prices in Amsterdam are exorbitant.
But a neighborhood full of students and people from all over the world means one thing: there are plenty of local things to do and eat and it’s definitely not spoiled by mass tourism like the Old Center.
Like other areas recommended in this article, De Pijp used to be a working-class neighborhood. For De Pijp, that was mostly by workers from the Heineken factory, which you can still visit.
Another major highlight in this area is the Albert Cuyp market, which offers a huge variety of food.
If you want to eat typical Dutch snacks like a Broodje Bal (meatball bun), raw herring with raw onion, or the delicious Stroopwafel (a thin waffle with caramel in the middle), this is the place to go.
Now, De Pijp is not per se famous for these attractions, because most of them are located in the Old Center.
But it’s far from a boring area with great value for money.
De Pijp is particularly great for tourists who want to witness the everyday life of Amsterdam people, where cultures have blended into something unique, but unfortunately, it is located a bit off the beaten track.
But again, public transport gets you there without any problems.
6. Vondelpark
The Vondelpark is the largest and most famous park in Amsterdam and is surrounded by some of the best brands in the hotel industry.
Walking through this large park is a no-brainer if you stay near it, but this park is incredibly important to the people of Amsterdam.
As soon as the sun shines and the temperatures are comfortable, citizens flock to this park, bring food and drinks, and enjoy some premium quality time with friends and family.
Near the Vondelpark is perhaps the most important museum in the Netherlands, namely the Rijksmuseum with paintings by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and many other famous Dutch painters.
Foodies should be excited as The Hallen, which is a huge food hall with a lot of delicious snacks and comfort food, is located nearby.
Just like the De Pijp recommended above, staying near the Vondelpark requires you to travel a bit to see the highlights of Amsterdam that are located near the Old Center.
But if you seek a quieter experience, especially when traveling with kids, and are willing to pay the price for a hotel room at the top 4 and 5-star hotels, then the Vondelpark won’t disappoint.
Especially during the summer when temperatures have risen to comfortable levels, staying near this bustling park is an incredible experience aside from all the sightseeing.
7. Westerpark
Westerpark is one of the somewhat alternative areas which obviously is often overlooked. But there are some advantages of staying here other areas can’t compete against.
This area still retains the charm of the typical old working-class neighborhood but with a modern twist. It feels more modern, but also more spacious.
Westerpark is located on the west side of the Old Center and is much quieter than other neighborhoods while still being close to the epicenter.
It’s home to some cultural venues including the Westergasfabriek where many concerts and events even take place.
Staying close to this park gives you also the chance to walk through the greenery.
Like most parts of Amsterdam, you can discover iconic architecture from the Golden Age as well as nice little bars where you can catch up with relaxed and open-minded Amsterdammers.
Overall, this area feels far more laid-back and is particularly interesting for families.
You can find spacious accommodation here without paying a premium price.
Just keep in mind that you’re located further away from the main sights and thus often need public transport to reach the tourist areas.
Now, you can easily solve this by doing what Dutch people love to do: cycling!
Exploring Amsterdam on a bike is highly recommended.
But always make sure to follow the rules. And the Dutch are exceptionally strict when it comes to (bike) rules!
8. Oosterdok Island
Oosterdok Island (Oosterdokeiland) is, like Westerpark, an area that’s often overlooked. But it does come with a few perks making it worth considering.
In Amsterdam, most hotels are not particularly spacious.
If you are looking for a spacious hotel close to the city center, you often pay a high price for your room.
But right next to the Central Station, there is a pier where you find some hotels that are spacious and not excessively expensive.
If you want to see the highlights of the city, you have to walk a bit to get there. That’s the price you have to pay. But it’s definitely walkable.
In return, you stay in a relatively quiet area with the Central Station right next to you.
As said in the introduction, you have to make some compromises, but it is definitely a recommended area to stay.
But one of the most unique features of staying in this area is that you can find some one-of-a-kind accommodations here.
For example, it is possible to sleep inside a crane. That’s right. A hotel that offers a room at the top that gives you breathtaking panoramic views.
It’s also possible to sleep on boats, although that option is relatively more common throughout the city.
Both options are selected by us and listed below.
If you’re looking for something special, consider staying on Oosterdok Island!
9. Schiphol Airport
The last area that I recommend is the area around Schiphol Airport. Now, let me be clear, the airport is located outside of Amsterdam.
But on a few occasions, it does make sense to stay here.
First of all, hotel prices are substantially lower than staying in the city center.
Secondly, public transport in the Netherlands is of excellent quality, and getting from the airport to Amsterdam is a piece of cake.
Lastly, if you have an early flight to catch, you don’t have to rush compared to when you stay in the city center.
So, it only makes sense to stay here if you have to catch an early flight after visiting Amsterdam or when you’re on a super tight budget.
However, there is another rare reason that might want you to consider staying here. During events like the Amsterdam Dance Event and Canal Pride, the city is completely packed and hotels fully booked.
The few rooms that are available are extremely expensive, often triple the regular price.
Then stay at one of the hotels near Schiphol Airport.
All these hotels are of excellent quality and they also offer free rides from and to the entrance hall of the airport.
From there, all you need to do is take the train to Amsterdam Central Station and you’re ready to go.
Keep in mind that you depend on the availability of the free bus rides and the train schedules.
Again, on rare occasions, it can make sense to stay around the airport. It’s not the most practical option, but it does the trick.
About the author
My name is Joost, a travel enthusiast and a true foodie with a deep passion for exploring new places and cultures. Since 2017, I’ve been living abroad, immersing myself in diverse communities and cuisines. I spent four unforgettable years in Southeast Asia, where I fell in love with its vibrant street food, unique history, and beautiful landscapes. Since 2021, I’ve been calling South America home, continuing my journey of discovery and sharing tips to help fellow travelers make the most of their adventures.