Where to stay in Amsterdam: neighborhoods and hotels by budget

A night in central Amsterdam costs noticeably more than on the outskirts. A tourist tax is added to the room rate. The right neighborhood saves you both money and travel time.

We looked at five neighborhoods where tourists stay most often and picked six hotels by budget. You'll see where it's noisy and expensive, where it's quieter and cheaper, and how much admission to the city's main museums costs.

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Amsterdam neighborhoods: where to stay

💡 In short:

• Centrum works well for a first trip: you can walk to the main sights.
• Jordaan is quieter and prettier, but there are few large hotels there.
• Museumkwartier is chosen for the museums, Oud-West for quiet evenings.
• Noord is the cheapest, and a free ferry takes you to the center.
• Museum prices and hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Rijksmuseum website

1. Centrum: first trip and everything on foot

© Rob Oo from NL · CC BYPhoto: Rob Oo from NL, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Centrum stretches from Central Station to Dam Square and the canal ring. From the station to Dam Square is about 800 m, a 10-minute walk (per the map). The Royal Palace, Dam Square, and the red-light district are all nearby, and a car in the center only gets in the way.

• Who it's for: for a first trip, if you want to see everything on foot.
• Not for: those who sleep poorly because of street noise.
• Location: the station, Dam Square, and the canals are close by.
• The catch: loud and expensive.

2. Jordaan: quiet canals and workshops

© kevinmcgill from Den Bosch, Netherlands · CC BY-SAPhoto: kevinmcgill from Den Bosch, Netherlands, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Jordaan lies west of the center, between the Prinsengracht and Lijnbaan canals. Narrow streets, galleries, cafes, and boutiques make this the most pleasant neighborhood for strolling. There are few large hotels here, but in the evening you'll hear only the water in the canal and bicycles.

• Who it's for: for couples and those looking for quiet and atmosphere.
• Not for: for large groups: there are almost no spacious hotels in the area.
• Location: a 15-minute walk to Dam Square (per the map).
• The catch: prices are above average.

3. Museumkwartier: next to the museums

© Kati Tuomaala · CC BY-SAPhoto: Kati Tuomaala, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Museumkwartier grew up around Museumplein, between the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. The Rijksmuseum is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00, with timed entry.

• Who it's for: those who came to the city for art.
• Not for: those who want nightlife right outside the door.
• Location: both museums are a 5-10 minute walk away (on the map).
• The catch: there's less of the typical Amsterdam atmosphere here than in Jordaan.

4. Oud-West: quiet and affordable

© FaceMePLS · CC BYPhoto: FaceMePLS, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Oud-West starts beyond Vondelpark, at the Singelgracht canal. The neighborhood is less touristy, so hotels here cost less than central ones, and in the evening you get ordinary city life around you. You can reach the museums by tram (on the map) or walk through the park.

• Who it's for: a multi-day trip on a moderate budget.
• Not for: those who want to step out of the hotel right onto the canals.
• Location: Vondelpark is nearby, the center is 15-20 minutes by tram (on the map).
• The catch: you ride to the main squares rather than walk.

5. Noord: the cheapest option

Noord lies on the other bank of the IJ river. You get to the center by ferry from Central Station, and passenger rides are free (according to the Amsterdam tourist office). Ferries run frequently, without long gaps, but every trip into the center starts with a river crossing. In return, hotels here are new, and a night costs noticeably less.

• Who it's for: those who want to save money and don't mind the ferry.
• Not for: a short one- or two-day trip.
• Location: the city center and station are across the IJ river.
• The catch: you have to cross the river to get to the center.

How to choose a hotel in Amsterdam

Prices depend on the season, day of the week, and booking date. Compare options for your dates and add the tourist tax to the price. Below are six hotels from three price groups.

A convenient way to compare all options for your dates is on Trip.com.

1. MEININGER Hotel Amsterdam City West

© Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BYPhoto: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

MEININGER Hotel Amsterdam City West belongs to the budget hotel group. The hotel is in the western part of the city, so you can reach the center without transfers. The rooms are designed for a short trip.

• Who it's for: a short visit and traveling with a small group.
• Price: the city's lower price level.

Check prices at MEININGER Amsterdam West for your dates.

2. Ibis budget Amsterdam City South

© Ben Bender · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ben Bender, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

ibis budget Amsterdam City South offers a simple but clean room. The hotel is south of the center, which is exactly why a night here costs less. You pay for the savings with time spent getting around.

• Who it's for: for a budget overnight stay with the basics.
• Price: lower than in the center.
• The catch: location outside the center.

Rooms at ibis budget Amsterdam South are available for your dates.

3. Motel One Amsterdam

Motel One Amsterdam falls into the mid-range group. The chain keeps a consistent room standard, so there will be no surprises at this hotel.

© Patrick Nouhailler's… · CC BY-SAPhoto: Patrick Nouhailler's…, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Who it's for: for those who want a predictable room.
• Price: mid-range.

Availability at Motel One Amsterdam can be checked for your dates.

4. The social hub Amsterdam city

The Social Hub Amsterdam City is a favorite with younger travelers. Couples and families also stay here, but the crowd skews younger than usual.

© Paul Berendsen · CC BY-SAPhoto: Paul Berendsen, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Who it's for: for a solo trip or a trip with friends.
• Price: mid-range.

Rates at Social Hub Amsterdam depend on your check-in date.

5. The Hoxton, Amsterdam

© Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BYPhoto: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Hoxton, Amsterdam sits right on a canal. You step out of the hotel to the water and canal houses, not to a parking lot. The hotel is popular, so book your dates in advance.

• Who it's for: for those who want to stay on a canal in the center.
• Price: above average.
• The catch: available dates get snapped up quickly.

Rooms at The Hoxton Amsterdam are best checked a couple of months before your trip.

6. Pulitzer Amsterdam

© Jimg944 · CC BYPhoto: Jimg944, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Pulitzer Amsterdam occupies several historic canal houses. Rooms are spread across these houses, so each one differs from its neighbor. This is the kind of hotel you choose for a special occasion.

• Who it's for: for a trip without budget constraints and for a celebration.
• Price: top price range.

Rates at Pulitzer Amsterdam are noticeably above the city average.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which area should I choose for a first trip to Amsterdam?

Centrum. From Central Station to Dam Square you can walk in 10 minutes (on the map), with canals and the main sights nearby. The catch is also well known: the center is noisy and more expensive than Oud-West or Noord.

Where to stay for some peace and quiet?

Look at Jordaan and Museumkwartier. Jordaan has little car traffic and few large hotels; in the evening you hear only the water in the canal. Museumkwartier is quieter than the center, and in the morning you just cross the square to get to the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum.

Is it cheaper to stay in Noord?

Yes, a night in Noord costs less than in the center. Every trip into the center starts with a crossing over the IJ.

How much should I add to the room price?

The tourist tax in Amsterdam is 12.5% of the nightly rate (as of 09/2026, abc-west.nl). It is calculated on the price excluding VAT and shown as a separate line on the bill. For a week-long booking the amount is noticeable, so factor it in ahead of time.

How much does Rijksmuseum admission cost?

25 € for adults, children under 18 enter free (as of 09/2026, official museum website). The museum is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, with timed entry. Buy tickets online; the ticket office keeps only a limited same-day supply.

In short: what to book

For a first trip, take a hotel in Centrum or Jordaan: everything is within walking distance there. If you are watching your budget, look at Noord and budget hotel chains. Pay for museums separately and book entry in advance.

Compare hotels for your dates on Trip.com, and check out city tours on GetYourGuide.