Hotels in Amsterdam

Staying in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is explored on foot and by bike: the city is compact, flat and organised around its canals, so the district you sleep in matters less than in a large metropolis. The historic centre, between Centraal Station, the Dam and the canal ring, gathers the museums, the shops and the buzz, but also hotels in high demand and streets that are noisy at night. A little further out, residential neighbourhoods such as the Jordaan, De Pijp or Oud-Zuid offer a calmer setting, with the tram to reach the centre.

For a Moroccan traveller, Amsterdam is also a city where halal food, oriental grocery shops and a well-established Moroccan community are easy to find, notably in districts such as Amsterdam-West or Oost. Schiphol Airport is linked to Centraal Station by direct and frequent trains, which makes a hotel close to the station very convenient. Rooms are often small, especially in canal houses with steep stairs; check for a lift if you are travelling with heavy luggage or older people. Spring and summer are very busy, so book early.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

• Historic centre and canal ring

  Charming hotels in canal houses and large addresses near the Dam, all on foot. Lively day and night: ask for a room on the courtyard side and, with family, avoid the immediate surroundings of the red-light district.

• Jordaan

  A former working-class quarter that has become highly sought after, with its narrow streets, cafés and small hotels. Quiet, central and within walking distance of the canals.

• Museum Quarter and Oud-Zuid

  Around the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Vondelpark: upscale hotels and guesthouses in a calm residential setting, with a direct tram to the centre.

• De Pijp and Oost

  Lively, multicultural neighbourhoods, the Albert Cuyp market, world cuisine and easy-to-find halal food. Hotels, hostels and apartments, a few tram stops from the centre.

Good to know before you book

• Many hotels in the centre have no car park and parking in the city is limited and expensive: if you come by car, look for a hotel with parking outside the centre or use the park-and-ride (P+R) car parks and the tram.
• Check for a lift and the size of the rooms: in historic canal houses the stairs are steep and narrow, which matters with a pushchair, suitcases or older people.
• For meals, the western districts and De Pijp have many halal restaurants and Moroccan and Turkish grocery shops; an apartment or a hotel with a kitchenette can be practical for families.

Questions about Amsterdam

Frequently asked questions