Where to stay in Amsterdam
The best areas to stay in Amsterdam
The old canals of the Canal Ring and the Jordaan, the Museum Quarter by Vondelpark, De Pijp, Amsterdam-Noord across the IJ, and Haarlem. Here is where to stay in Amsterdam, with honest advice on what tax adds to the room, how you get in from Schiphol and whether staying outside the center works.
Compare the 6 areas
For a first visit, the best area to stay in Amsterdam is the Canal Ring and Centrum, where hotels sit right on the canals, a short walk from Dam Square. The Jordaan is quieter. The Museum Quarter puts you next to the Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark, and De Pijp is by the Albert Cuyp Market. Amsterdam-Noord is a free ferry ride across the IJ. Haarlem is about 15 minutes away by train, NS’s journey planner shows.
The best neighborhoods to stay in Amsterdam, compared
| Area | Best for | Nearest sights | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canal Ring & Centrum | A first visit, on foot | Dam Square, the Anne Frank House, the Nine Streets, the Flower Market | Walk: Dam Square is a 10-minute walk from Centraal Station |
| Jordaan | A quieter stay near the center | The Anne Frank House, the Westerkerk | Walk: Mr. Jordaan is within a 15-minute walk of Dam Square |
| Museum Quarter & Vondelpark | Museums and Vondelpark | The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark | Bus 397 from Schiphol stops at Museumplein; tram 2 links it with Centraal in about 17 minutes |
| De Pijp | Food and markets | The Albert Cuyp Market, the Heineken Experience, Sarphatipark | Walk: Sir Albert is within a 10-minute walk of Museum Square |
| Amsterdam-Noord & the IJ | Modern hotels, a short ferry ride out | A’DAM Lookout, the Eye Film Museum | The free F3 ferry to Buiksloterweg runs day and night; Noord metro is two stops from Centraal |
| Haarlem | Quiet evenings, and Keukenhof in spring | The Grote Markt, St. Bavo Church, the Corrie ten Boom House | Intercity to Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 minutes, €5.50 one way |
Every hotel in Amsterdam on Trip.com
Want more choice than our 25 picks? Open Trip.com’s full Amsterdam list with live prices, or start from Trip.com’s homepage.
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Area 1 of 6
Canal Ring and Centrum: hotels on canals in Amsterdam
The Canal Ring and Centrum are the best base for a first visit. All five of our hotels here sit on a canal. Ambassade is on the Herengracht, Pulitzer on the Prinsengracht and Estheréa on the Singel. Canal House and Hotel Sebastians are on the Keizersgracht.
Canal House is a 3-minute walk from the Anne Frank House. Estheréa is within a 10-minute walk of Dam Square, and Dam Square is a 10-minute walk from Centraal Station. For a quieter canal, Mr. Jordaan sits on the Bloemgracht, in the Jordaan.
From Schiphol, the NS train to Amsterdam Centraal takes 17 minutes and costs from €5.50 one way. Our guide to Amsterdam public transport covers every other way in.
- Keep in mind
- Several hotels here sell canal-view rooms, so check which room you book.
Our picks in Canal Ring & Centrum
- See prices on Trip.com: Ambassade Hotel
Ambassade Hotel
Hotel on the Herengracht canal with canal-view rooms and a full-service spa, within a 5-minute walk of the Flower Market.
- See prices on Trip.com: Pulitzer Amsterdam
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Luxury hotel on the Prinsengracht canal, steps from the Nine Streets and a 9-minute walk from Dam Square, with a spa and canal-view suites.
- See prices on Trip.com: Hotel Estheréa
Hotel Estheréa
Historic Belle Époque hotel on the Singel canal with canal-view rooms, within a 10-minute walk of Dam Square.
- See prices on Trip.com: Canal House
Canal House
Upscale 23-room hotel on the Keizersgracht canal, a 3-minute walk from the Anne Frank House.
- See prices on Trip.com: Hotel Sebastians
Hotel Sebastians
Small hotel on the Keizersgracht canal, opened in 2023, with canal-view rooms and a 15-minute walk to Dam Square and the Nine Streets.
Area 2 of 6
The Jordaan: quiet streets by the canals
The Jordaan is the best area for a quieter stay near the center. Mr. Jordaan has canal-view rooms on the Bloemgracht, within a 15-minute walk of Dam Square.
Hotel Mercier on Rozenstraat is a 3-minute walk from the Anne Frank House. The small Linden Hotel, with 25 rooms on Lindengracht, is a 9-minute walk from the Westerkerk.
Jordaan View is a one-unit stay on Jacob Catskade.
Staying here for the Anne Frank House? Book it on annefrank.org: tickets go on sale every Tuesday at 10:00 CET, for six weeks ahead.
- Keep in mind
- Jordaan View is in Amsterdam-West, about 2 km (1.2 miles) from Centraal, not in the Jordaan itself.
Our picks in Jordaan
- See prices on Trip.com: Mr. Jordaan
Mr. Jordaan
Hotel on the Bloemgracht canal in the Jordaan with canal-view rooms and a communal living room, within a 15-minute walk of Dam Square.
- See prices on Trip.com: Hotel Mercier
Hotel Mercier
Art-filled boutique hotel on Rozenstraat in the Jordaan, a 3-minute walk from the Anne Frank House, with the plant-based restaurant Bonboon.
- See prices on Trip.com: Linden Hotel
Linden Hotel
Small 25-room hotel on Lindengracht, a 9-minute walk from the Westerkerk.
- See prices on Trip.com: Jordaan View
Jordaan View
One-unit stay on Jacob Catskade in Amsterdam-West, about 2 km (1.2 miles) from Amsterdam Central Station.
Area 3 of 6
Museum Quarter and Vondelpark: hotels near Vondelpark
The Museum Quarter is the best area to stay for museums and Vondelpark. Hotel JL No76 and Hotel Fita are both on Jan Luijkenstraat, steps from the Van Gogh Museum.
Conscious Hotel Vondelpark is on Overtoom, about a 5-minute walk from the park, and it rents out bikes.
From Schiphol, the Airport Express bus 397 stops at Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein. Tram 2 runs between Museumplein and Centraal in about 17 minutes. Plan your visits with our guide to the Amsterdam museums on Museumplein.
A hostel by Vondelpark
Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark is on Zandpad, steps from the park. It is an 8-minute walk from the Van Gogh Museum, with a garden and a bar.
- Keep in mind
- The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum both need a timed ticket, bought online.
Our picks in Museum Quarter & Vondelpark
- See prices on Trip.com: Hotel JL No76
Hotel JL No76
Hotel on Jan Luijkenstraat, steps from the Van Gogh Museum and within a 10-minute walk of the Rijksmuseum, with a terrace and a garden.
- See prices on Trip.com: Hotel Fita
Hotel Fita
Small hotel on Jan Luijkenstraat in the Museum Quarter, steps from the Van Gogh Museum and a 5-minute walk from Vondelpark.
- See prices on Trip.com: Conscious Hotel Vondelpark
Conscious Hotel Vondelpark
Hotel on Overtoom about a 5-minute walk from Vondelpark, with a restaurant, a bar and bikes to rent.
- See prices on Trip.com: Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark
Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark
Hostel on Zandpad, steps from Vondelpark and an 8-minute walk from the Van Gogh Museum, with a garden and a bar.
Area 4 of 6
De Pijp: by the Albert Cuyp Market
De Pijp is the best area for food lovers. It is home to the Albert Cuyp Market, with about 260 stalls, open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sir Albert Hotel is on Albert Cuypstraat, within a 10-minute walk of the Van Gogh Museum and Museum Square. De Pijp Boutique Hotel is on Sarphatipark, an 8-minute walk from the market. Hotel Okura Amsterdam has an indoor pool and the Ciel Bleu restaurant.
The Amsterdam Canal Hotel on Weteringschans is within a 10-minute walk of the Heineken Experience. To taste the city with a guide, see our Amsterdam food tours.
- Keep in mind
- The Albert Cuyp Market is closed on Sundays.
Our picks in De Pijp
- See prices on Trip.com: Sir Albert Hotel
Sir Albert Hotel
Boutique hotel on Albert Cuypstraat, within a 10-minute walk of the Van Gogh Museum and Museum Square, with a Japanese restaurant and a terrace.
- See prices on Trip.com: Hotel Okura Amsterdam
Hotel Okura Amsterdam
Hotel on Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam South with an indoor pool, a spa and the Ciel Bleu restaurant.
- See prices on Trip.com: De Pijp Boutique Hotel
De Pijp Boutique Hotel
Hotel on Sarphatipark in De Pijp, an 8-minute walk from the Albert Cuyp Market, with a terrace and a garden.
- See prices on Trip.com: Amsterdam Canal Hotel
Amsterdam Canal Hotel
Hotel on Weteringschans with canal-view rooms, within a 10-minute walk of the Heineken Experience and Rembrandt Square.
Area 5 of 6
Amsterdam-Noord: across the IJ by free ferry
Amsterdam-Noord is the best pick for a modern hotel a short ride from the center. The free F3 ferry runs day and night from behind Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg. You rarely wait more than a few minutes.
Sir Adam Hotel is a 2-minute walk from A’DAM Lookout and the Eye Film Museum. Tribe Amsterdam City is a 2-minute walk from Noord metro station, two stops (about five minutes) from Centraal.
Bob W Amsterdam Noord has a kitchen in every room. Clinknoord Hostel, in a former 1920s laboratory, is about five minutes from Centraal by the free ferry.
- Keep in mind
- The free ferries carry people on foot and on bikes, not cars.
Our picks in Amsterdam-Noord & the IJ
- See prices on Trip.com: Sir Adam Hotel
Sir Adam Hotel
Luxury hotel on Overhoeksplein in Amsterdam-Noord, a 2-minute walk from the A'DAM Lookout and the Eye Film Museum, with a terrace and The Butcher Social Club restaurant.
- See prices on Trip.com: Tribe Amsterdam City
Tribe Amsterdam City
Modern hotel in Amsterdam-Noord, a 2-minute walk from Noord metro station, two stops (about five minutes) from Amsterdam Centraal.
- See prices on Trip.com: Bob W Amsterdam Noord
Bob W Amsterdam Noord
Aparthotel on Papaverhof in Amsterdam-Noord with a kitchen in every room, a fitness center and bikes to rent.
- See prices on Trip.com: Clinknoord Hostel
Clinknoord Hostel
Hostel in a former 1920s laboratory in Amsterdam-Noord, about five minutes from Amsterdam Centraal by the free ferry, with dorms and private rooms.
Area 6 of 6
Haarlem: a quiet town 15 minutes away
Haarlem is its own town, and a good base for quiet evenings. NS’s journey planner shows the Intercity to Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 minutes. A full single costs €5.50.
Hotel Lion d’Or is right by Haarlem station, within a 10-minute walk of the Corrie ten Boom House and St. Bavo Church. Brasss Hotel Suites is around the corner from the Grote Markt; it has only 40 reviews on Trip.com so far.
In spring, bus 850 runs from Haarlem station to Keukenhof in about 40 minutes. Haarlem is itself one of the easy day trips from Amsterdam.
- Keep in mind
- Haarlem is its own town, so every day in Amsterdam starts with a train ride.
Our picks in Haarlem
- See prices on Trip.com: Hotel Lion d'Or
Hotel Lion d'Or
Hotel on Kruisweg right by Haarlem station, within a 10-minute walk of the Corrie ten Boom House and St. Bavo Church.
- See prices on Trip.com: Brasss Hotel Suites
Brasss Hotel Suites
Suite hotel just around the corner from Haarlem's Grote Markt, with rain showers and breakfast served in your suite.
- See prices on Trip.com: Het Hart van Haarlem
Het Hart van Haarlem
Bed and breakfast in a listed monument on Gedempte Oude Gracht, a 3-minute walk from De Hallen, with a sun terrace.
- See prices on Trip.com: ibis Styles Haarlem City
ibis Styles Haarlem City
Hotel next to Haarlem's ice rink, with a breakfast buffet and a 24-hour self-service shop.
Trip.com’s list of all hotels in Haarlem, with live prices.
Amsterdam neighborhoods on a map: where each area sits
Use Dam Square and Centraal Station as your two pins. Dam Square is a 10-minute walk from Centraal, and the Canal Ring hotels are within a 10- to 15-minute walk of Dam Square.
The Jordaan’s hotels sit by the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk. The Museum Quarter is around Museumplein, about 17 minutes from Centraal on tram 2. De Pijp is next to it, around the Albert Cuyp Market.
Amsterdam-Noord is across the IJ, a few minutes by free ferry from behind Centraal. Haarlem is a separate town, about 15 minutes by train.
Hotel prices in Amsterdam: the budget band, VAT and tourist tax
In the 2026 Amsterdam Travel Cost Study, a budget-band hotel room for two cost a median €130 a night on Google Hotels, for stays from November 2026 to August 2027.
The budget band is the study’s cheapest price tier. It sorts hotels by their own prices, not by any hotel rating.
On top of the room, Amsterdam adds a tourist tax of 12.5% of the price before VAT (value-added tax). Hotel VAT is 21% from January 1, 2026. We don’t know whether Google’s prices already include the tax, so check the total before you pay.
Trip.com shows each hotel’s live price, which changes every day, so we print none here.
Amsterdam tickets and hotel: what to book first
Once the hotel is booked, book the timed tickets first, then an Amsterdam canals boat trip for your first evening.
The Anne Frank House sells tickets only on annefrank.org, every Tuesday at 10:00 CET, for six weeks ahead. The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum need a start time, bought online.
Tips before you book
A few checks save trouble once you arrive.
- Check the total. The tourist tax and VAT may not be in the first price you see.
- Flying in? The NS train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal takes 17 minutes, from €5.50 one way.
- For the Museum Quarter, the Airport Express bus 397 stops at Museumplein.
- For Amsterdam-Noord, the IJ ferries are free and leave from behind Centraal Station.
Questions people ask about where to stay in Amsterdam
Where should I stay in Amsterdam on a first visit?
What are the best neighborhoods to stay in Amsterdam?
Where can I stay close to everything in Amsterdam?
Every hotel link opened in the browser and showed the hotel, rated 8.0 or higher on Trip.com. Scores and review counts are as shown on Trip.com. We list no hotel prices because they change daily; Trip.com shows the live ones.
Sources (22)
- Trip.com: Ambassade Hotel
- Trip.com: Canal House
- Trip.com: Mr. Jordaan
- Trip.com: Hotel JL No76
- Trip.com: Sir Albert Hotel
- Trip.com: Tribe Amsterdam City
- Trip.com: Haarlem hotels
- City of Amsterdam: tourist tax
- Belastingdienst: VAT on accommodation (Dutch)
- Business.gov.nl: VAT rates
- NS: Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
- NS: journey planner
- Connexxion: Amsterdam Airport Express
- GVB: ferry tickets
- GVB: tram 2 timetable
- I amsterdam: ferry
- I amsterdam: Albert Cuypmarkt
- 9292: Keukenhof by public transport
- Royal Palace Amsterdam: contact and directions
- Anne Frank House: tickets
- Van Gogh Museum: tickets and prices
- Rijksmuseum: visitor FAQ
Written by the Best Travel Destinations editorial team.