Where To Stay in Amsterdam? 3 Best Areas + Where to Avoid! ❌

I get it if you're unsure where to stay in Amsterdam because this city is a bit wild & weird. In this video, I travel to the capital of the Netherlands, where I check out 3 of the city's best areas ⬇️

From the charming canals of Jordaan with its boutique shops and cosy cafes to the stunning UNESCO-listed Canal District (Grachtengordel) with its historic merchant houses to the vibrant and trendy De Pijp neighbourhood where locals actually hang out - I'll show you exactly where to base yourself for the perfect Amsterdam experience 🙌

I hope this video helps you determine where to stay in Amsterdam - here are the areas I mention and the hotels I recommend:

*JORDAAN* 0:50
Once a working-class district, Jordaan is now Amsterdam's most charming area. Think narrow streets with boutique shops, cosy cafes, and traditional brown cafes (Dutch pubs). It's where locals live in beautiful canal houses and gather at neighbourhood markets. I love wandering its quiet streets early in the morning before the tourist crowds arrive.

*Best hotels in Jordaan*

*THE CANAL DISTRICT* 2:58
The Canal District is the Amsterdam you've seen in photos – concentric rings of 17th-century canals lined with elegant merchant houses and their distinctive gabled facades. While undeniably touristy, it's touristy for a good reason! This UNESCO World Heritage site is stunning to explore, especially around the "golden bend" of Herengracht. Stay here if you want that classic Amsterdam experience, and don't mind the higher prices.

*Best hotels in The Canal District*

*DE PIJP* 4:35
De Pijp is Amsterdam's hipster haven and my favourite area for food and cool cafés. This former working-class area has transformed into a vibrant multicultural district, home to the famous Albert Cuyp Market and countless trendy restaurants and bars. It's where young locals actually hang out, and you'll find some of the city's best coffee (the actual coffee kind!) and brunch spots here.

*Best hotels in De Pijp*

I hope you enjoyed this Amsterdam travel guide - please "like" the video and subscribe to the channel for more travel content 🙌

[MSportsEngineering]

Great Video! I'd recommend 1-2 nights in Haarlem, which makes a visit to Keukenhof quite easy. Haarlem is a bit small but absolutely lovely and a nice change of pace from busy Amsterdam.

[miagirl_nara]

Hey, thanks for the video from Amsterdam. Actually I like your vlogging style. I visited Copenhagen in February and I have to say that your vlogs helped me a lot to navigate around the city. I also have visited Amsterdam many times but Gosh, I miss this city so much and thanks to you I enjoyed a little bit of my time watching my favorite city. Keep doing what you are doing. It is fun to watch.

[tryingtobefairandobjective]

From Canada. I have many Dutch friends and going there for the first time this summer. Staying away from the USA and the family wanted Amsterdam. Looking forward to meeting new friends.

[Settledinyorks]

I was in Amsterdam a few weeks ago and discovered Jordaan. It’s the best. Locals doing their thing and beautiful streets and canals. Definitely recommended.

[paulm]

Another informative and easy to listen to blog, as an Englishman I find your voice and delivery very easy to listen to .

[dionb]

as a local I'd disagree completely with the 'don't stay' areas (except the Wallen, don't stay there) - mainly for the same reason Kristoffer mentions: you can get around very easily by metro, tram or train. So it doesn't really matter if where you sleep isn't exactly where you want to visit during the day. If you limit your selection to very picturesque parts of town like the Jordaan, Pijp and above all Grachtengordel, you get - even by Amsterdam standards - very high prices for frequently very old buildings. That sounds quaint until you try to lug your suitcases up three flights of the steep, narrow stairs Amsterdam is also famous for. Instead, head further out for more modern and relatively affordable places to stay and just catch the metro into town. There are night buses all through the night, so no worries about not getting back.
Finally, Amsterdam has more to offer than just the canal Disneyland. Amstelveen is pretty sleepy, but has at least one world-class museum (Cobra) some great dining options (eg. De Jonge Dikkert) and even a craft beer brewery in a former church (de Naeckte Brouwers in ANNA Amstelveen). The area on the west side of the railway at the ArenA is a bit of a wasteland, but go under the railway and you're in Bijlmer, a Brixton-like area with a positively Caribbean vibe. It used to be a no-go area, but these days it's where all the artists are ending up (as the rest of town is too expensive) and the best place to sample Surinamese snacks like Roti or Bara, listen to some jazz, or indeed take a sauna or drink craft beer brewed by protestant monks (Kleiburg beer from the Kleikooster) in a little oasis next to the Ikea.

[vanna]

thanks for the great video and amazing tips!

[gregorymorrison]

I lived in Amsterdam (actually lived in Amstelveen and worked on the Museumplein) for three years and totally agree with his do's and his don't's. Amstelveen is a lovely suburb to live in but not where you want to base as a tourist.

[GaryTBuffalo]

I was in Amsterdam for a very short time 20 years ago and never thought of going back. This video will make me reconsider another visit.

[jd]

In 2018, we did a home exchange with a family living in De Pijp. We stayed in their apartment for three weeks and absolutely loved the place. It was very easy to walk to the center or to Museumplein. There were two supermarkets within a five-minute walk, lots of restaurants, and, from the looks of it, no tourists. Everything seemed to be very local.

[schermnaam]

I’ve been to Amsterdam many times over 20+ years but not yet to Copenhagen (though plan to!) but when friends have raved about CPH I share my impression (only from videos and articles) that it resembles Amsterdam 😊 in many ways, albeit far less touristy and a bit cozier being north of the continent. Now that I’ve seen your excellent recent “from a local” videos I’m looking forward to multiple visits!

One area of Amsterdam I’d also recommend you check out if you’ve not been to it is Oud-West, the neighborhood adjacent to the Vondelpark. It’s a very nice place to stay as it has a local vibe, just enough cafes and restaurants, is close to the park, yet still an easy walk (or tram) into the centre. Not as residential as the Jordaan but a comparably less touristed part of the city.

And another area to add to your avoid as a tourist list might be Amsterdam Zuid, where one might be tempted to stay for the lower hotel prices. It’s one of the least walkable areas in the city with very few restaurants or services making it feel quite isolated. Quiet and safe, but not a vacation base.

[dfs-comedy]

When I was in Amsterdam, I stayed right next to Amsterdam Centraal and didn't find it a problem. It was easy to walk to Jordaan, De Pijp and all the other nice places. Plus, we went to other cities in The Netherlands like Utrecht, Den Haag and Haarlem, and for inter-city travel, being next to Amsterdam Centraal was super convenient.

[marciablanco]

Great video, but where is the list of hotels you recommended? Can't find then :(

[belleyboy]

I stay at the IBIS Hotel right next to Centraal and find it an amazing location. You are obviously right next to the station so taking day trips by train is easy, the free ferry terminal across the IJ is 5 minutes walk, it is also easy walking distance to Dam Square, RLD, Haarlemmerstrat & most importantly the massive underground bicycle parking facility in front of the just saying.

[raffish]

Agree with most of what you mentioned here, nice to see a different kind of video! gonna visit there again in a week, super excited! :) cheers!

[johnrussel]

Stayed in amstelveen last year area was fine, cheap hotel and no problems travelling in to the city in the morning and back at night. Enjoyed staying that bit out of town and seeing stuff I wouldn't of seen if I stayed central

[elothmanilavandou]

Thank you 🙏 for a lovely video .I was actually looking where to stay in Amsterdam 👍

[imranhaa]

I've been to Amsterdam many times and the place that I think is perfect, in terms of links to the centre and trams to museums, coffee shops and away from tourists is Oud West. Picturesque, great hotels, calm, if you haven't stayed there I would definitely check it out!

[dpmu]

Yep the Jordaan is ace mate - been to Amsterdam 6 times before and have only been in that area - actually it's in that area I talked to that guy about Danish bikes 🤣. Great places to eat, drink and just sit and watch the people come and go. This March we're in the Museumplein, I wonder if we'll like it as much? And yes again København is just a great city. It would be easy for people to visit both in the same 8-10 days.

[videowatcherbc]

De Pijp is awesome love all the little markets