The best areas to stay in Amsterdam: the ultimate neighbourhood guide

Best for: cool bars and restaurants

Why stay here? Vibrant but chilled, diverse and increasingly popular, Amsterdam Oost is ideal for mixing sightseeing in the centre with evenings in a neighbourhood that feels lived in. Its excellent transport links with trams, metro and bike routes means you’ll never feel far from the centre without actually being in the centre

Nearest attractions: Oosterpark, Dappermarkt, the beer brewery Brouwerij 't IJ. Both the Red Light District and the Rijksmuseum are a 15-minute cycle away

Achingly hip bars and boutiques sit side by side with ethnic food stores and all sorts of weird and wonderful shops throughout Oost, particularly on Javastraat, the area’s heartbeat. Gorge on the homemade cakes at Majesteit Taart, quench your thirst at Bar Basquiat or Rum Barrel, and wander through the Dappermarkt market. For great food, cocktails, and wine stop in at Louie Louie or Wilde Zwijnen, or try the city’s best Thai at Boi Boi. Coffee lovers should head to Wakuli, while brunch is covered by Drovers Dog. 

There’s plenty of green space here too – wander around the charming Oosterpark or explore Flevopark, where you’ll find Proeflokaal ‘t Nieuwe Diep, one the best places to try authentic genever. The Wereldmuseum (formerly the Tropen), a huge, ethnographic museum, has several fascinating permanent exhibitions; experimental and contemporary art can be found at Bradwolff Projects. Night owls should head to the Volks Hotel – dance the night away at Canvas, the rooftop bar and restaurant, and their basement club, Doka – catch a concert at Q-Factory, or join the stylish crowd packing out Bar Bukowski, a homage to the famous reveller himself. 

Nearest stations: Amsterdam Amstel, Spaklerweg

📍Stay here: we love The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam for its sprawling terrace, accidentally-on-purpose-Wes-Anderson details and all-round cool vibe. 

Best for: first timers

Why stay here? You’re right in the heart of the city here. Centrum is a tightly woven network of historic canals, cobbled streets, landmark squares (such as Dam Square) and mixed-use neighbourhoods, and of course, the Red Light District.

Nearest attractions: Red Light District, Dam Square, Canal Ring

Despite the city actively discouraging visits from those who wish to lose themselves in debauchery, if late-night revellery is your thing, the central canal ring is where you’ll find it – for now, the Red Light District remains, and there’s no end of cheap dive bars and seedy alleys to explore. But there’s also the also the historic Canal Ring, the not-to-be-missed Nine Streets, Spiegelkwartier (for art and antique lovers), and Nieuwmarkt, home to the oldest buildings in the city – don’t miss the stunning Oude Kerk, the peaceful Begijnhof, or the educational Amsterdam Museum. 

And, as befitting a city centre, there’s no end to the types of food, drink, and entertainment options available. Shoppers should head to de Bijenkorf, the Dutch Harvey Nicks, big kids should check out TonTon Club, and there’s the unique floating flower market, Bloemenmarkt. Food options range from the high end (The Duchess, ARCA, Flore), to some of the best ethnic eateries (China Sichuan, Bird, Nam Kee), and even great fondue (Café Bern), and the thirsty have no end of options, keep it classy at Café de Doktor, De Drie Fleschjes, the wonderful terrace at Hannekes Boom, or the immaculate concoctions at Hiding In Plain Sight and Door 74. 

Nearest stations: Centraal Station, Nieuwmarkt

📍Stay here: it might be part of a global chain, but the W Hotel is well worth checking out.

Best for: restaurants

Why stay here? Choose De Pijp if you want to live like a local and value good, diverse food and independent shops but still want to be fairly central

Nearest attractions: Albert Cuyp Market and the Heineken Experience. You’re a short tram/metro/bike ride (six minutes) from the major museum district, where you’ll find the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, and the canal belt

If you live for the buzz, De Pijp won’t let you down. Home to some of Amsterdam’s best eating and drinking – and shopping – its beatnik flair is powered by students, creatives and bohemian types of all stripes. Coffee and brunch lovers should try Scandinavian Embassy, Ceintuur Theatre, or Little Collins, all located near the quaint but beautiful Sarphatipark. This area is also full of cute little boutiques and independent shops – homeware at Anna + Nina, fashion at Things I Like Things I Love – and also home to Albert Cuypmarkt, one of the must-see attractions. 

Meat lovers shouldn’t miss Cannibale Royale, a mecca for all things chargrilled; for burgers head to The Butcher; for brunch, it has to be Little Collins. For a more upmarket dinner, VOLT, Brasserie Lolita, and Café Caron have you covered – for seafood, it’s Brut de Mer. For soaking up the vibe, have a wander along Ceintuurbaan, up Ferdinand Bolstraat and the warren of streets that run off them – you’ll find no ends of cosy little bars, cafés, and shops to while away a few hours. 

Nearest stations: De Pijp, Vijzelgracht

📍Stay here: housed in a former diamond factory, the 90-room Sir Albert oozes understated cool.

Best for: young people

Why stay here? This cool, design-led neighbourhood is quite distinct to the rest of Amsterdam – in a great way. Not only will you be spoilt for choice with buzzy bars and restaurants in industrial buildings, because it’s a bit further out you’ll usually find cheaper accommodation here, which is hard to come by in this city

Nearest attractions: A’dam Lookout,  Eye Filmmuseum. It’s a 30-minute metro or 19-minute cycle to the Anne Frank House

Located just 5 minutes across the IJ from the city’s main tourist centre (there are free ferries every 10 minutes), this district is one of Amsterdam’s coolest and most creative. Transformed by freethinking chefs, tech start-ups, and edgy artists, Noord has retained its gritty, bohemian charm; brick warehouses, metal prefabs, and old shipping containers now house hip vegan restaurants, pop up breweries, and cutting-edge art. You can find most of that at NSDM-Wherf – eat and drink at Pllek or Nooderlicht Cafe, party at Sexyland World (it’s not what you think!), and sleep in a crane.

A walk along the waterfront will take you past the stunning EYE Filmmuseum, the A’DAM tower (home to Europe’s highest swing), and the Tolhuistuin cultural centre, a great venue for concerts. Many restaurants take advantage of the watery views (Hanger, Hotel de Goudfazant, Lowlander), and beer lovers are spoilt for choice with the tap rooms at Oedipus Brewing and Walhalla Brewery. Those looking for fun and adventure can indulge their inner child at WONDR or explore art and tech at Nxt Museum, while a stroll along Nieuwendammerdijk, one the of city’s oldest and most picturesque streets, is a more genteel pursuit.

Nearest stations: Noord, Noorderpark

📍Stay here: unlike other neighbourhoods, you can actually stay somewhere affordable here: try our faves Yotel City Hotel and Bunk Hotel. 

Best for: couples

Why stay here? This is one of Amsterdam’s most charming, Instagrammable and desirable neighbourhoods, so expect a big price tag to go along with it. But if romantic canal walks and central location are what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Jordaan

Nearest attractions: Anne Frank House, Westerkerk Church, the Amsterdam Tulip Museum and the canal belt

Amsterdam’s most expensive neighbourhood, Jordaan brims with elegant townhouses and spacious apartments – not to mention the myriad art galleries, expensive boutiques, and classy restaurants. But there’s quirky here too. Explore around Bloemengracht, Egelantiersgracht, and the streets above – it’s here you’ll find Noorderkerk, Electric Ladyland, the Tulip Museum and, just outside Jordaan proper, the Anne Frank Huis. At the very north end you’ll find Haarlemmerdijk, full of interesting stores, boutiques, and cafes.

There are over 40 galleries here, many located on Hazenstraat – try Wouter van Leeuwen for contemporary photography, or Annet Gelink Gallery for hot, international up and comers. For food head to Pesca, the ‘Theatre of Fish’, Ethiopian at Semhar, top notch Italian at Toscanini, or sample the best stamppot – the Dutch national dish – at Moeders. If the sun’s out, a drink on the terrace of ‘t Smalle is a delighful way to spend an hour or so; in bad weather head to the cosy confines of Papeneiland, a Jordaan institution. Late night revellers should check out the vibe at De Nieuwe Anita or cocktails at Vesper Bar, while a hefty slice of apple pie from Winkel 43 will sort out the morning after. 

Nearest stations: There are no metro stops in Jordaan but major tram routes like lines 2, 3, 13, 14, 17 and 20 pass through

📍Stay here: We recently re-reviewed the iconic Pulitzer Amsterdam on the canal, which is about as Amsterdam as it gets.

Best for: walking to major attractions

Why stay here? If culture, art and history is what you’re after, cut straight to the chase by staying in the Museum Quarter and you’ll have exceptional access to the best galleries and museums in the city

Nearest attractions: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum

No trip to Amsterdam is complete with a visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum, home to the Old Masters and a lot more besides. But there’s plenty more around the grren spaces of the aptly named Museumplein – the Van Gogh Museum, contemporary art at Moco Museum, and the modern, diverse collections at Stedelijk Museum. Take in classical concerts and opera at Het Concertgebouw, or window shop down PC Hooftstraat, home to the likes of Gucci, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton.

A stone’s throw from all that is the welcoming Café Welling and the elegant Café Wildschut, one of Amsterdam’s first Grand Cafés; across the road from the latter is Cajun/Creole fine dining at Elysianne. Elegance and style are in abundance at Brasserie van Baerle, MOMO, and The Seafood Bar, while for drinks, try Café Loetje, Bar Claes, or posh cocktails at Taiko Bar. Wander southwest along any number of streets to explore the little squares and delights around Cornelius Schuytstraat. And while you might not normally dine at a museum restaurant, make an exception for Rijks® - it has a well-deserved Michelin star. 

Nearest stations: Vijzelgracht is the nearest metro station, or get trams 2, 5 and 12 which stop right by the Rijksmuseum

📍Stay here: for all-out luxury, check out the Conservatorium. For a cheap hostel with a lot of character, go for Hotel Van Gogh. 

Best for: families

Why stay here? A vibrant, stylish and local base in Amsterdam that’s a little away from the most tourist-heavy zones but still very central and connected

Nearest attractions: Vondelpark, De Foodhallen. Anne Frank House is a 23-minute tram ride away or an eight-minute cycle away

Bordered by the iconic expanse that is Vondelpark, Oud-West is also great starting point to explore Rembrandtpark to the west, and Amstelveen and the beautiful Amsterdamse Bos forest to the south. This goes some way to explain the vibrant community of chefs, creatives, and entrepreneurs that gives this area it’s unique buzz, particularly along Overtoom, Kinkerstraat, and the bustling De Clercqstraat. Get your caffeine fix at Lot Sixty One and Koffie Academie, tuck into cheap eats at Hap-Hmm and De Pepar, or amazing Surinamese at Riaz. 

There’s plenty of culture here too. LAB111 is a cinema and exhibition space, while OT301 is a legal squat that’s now a live music venue and cultural centre. De Hallen houses a cinema too, alongside a cavernous multicultural food hall and library, and there are numerous markets, such as Ten Katemarkt. If Foodhallen doesn’t tickle your taste buds, try dinner at Pastis, Staring At Jacob, and Café Panache; vegetarians should try Meatless District. Tuck into the city’s best pizza at nNea, and wash it all down at Café Ebeling, Belgian beer bar Gollem’s Proeflokal, Waterkant, or Parck.

Nearest stations: Marnixplein, Rozengracht

📍Stay here: Hotel de Hallen was previously a tram depot, and is now a food hall, cinema and cultural space.