Best Amsterdam Neighborhoods — Where to Actually Stay and Explore

Everyone asks me "where should I stay in Amsterdam?" and the answer is always the same: not Centrum. Beyond that, it depends on who you are and what kind of trip you want. Every neighborhood in this city has a personality. Some of them you'll fall in love with. Others you'll walk through and wonder what the fuss is about.

Here's the honest version of each one.

Jordaan — The Romantic One

Jordaan is the neighborhood on every postcard. Narrow streets, canal-side houses, tiny boutiques, and more cute cafes per square meter than anywhere in Europe. It's genuinely beautiful. Walk the Bloemgracht or the nine little streets (De 9 Straatjes) and you'll see why people lose their minds over this city.

The honest part: it's expensive. Hotels here run €150-300/night. Restaurants are pricier than other neighborhoods. Weekend mornings are packed with tourists who all read the same travel blog. But during the week, especially early morning or late evening, Jordaan is still magic.

Best for: couples, first-timers who want the "classic Amsterdam" experience, people who value atmosphere over budget.

Don't miss: Noordermarkt on Monday mornings, the houseboats on Brouwersgracht, getting lost in the side streets south of Westerstraat.

De Pijp — Where the City Actually Lives

De Pijp is my go-to recommendation for most visitors. It has the Albert Cuyp Market (the biggest street market in the country), incredible Indonesian and Surinamese food, diverse bars, and a neighborhood feel that Jordaan has mostly lost to tourism.

The honest part: some parts of De Pijp can feel a bit rough around the edges, especially east of Ferdinand Bolstraat. It's also getting gentrified fast — what was a working-class neighborhood five years ago now has €14 avocado toast. But it still has way more character than Centrum.

Best for: foodies, solo travelers, people who want to feel like they live here, anyone on a moderate budget.

Don't miss: Albert Cuyp Market on a weekday, Sarphatipark (the quiet local park), the Indonesian restaurants along Eerste van der Helststraat.

Oud-West — The Quiet Local Favorite

Oud-West is where I tell people to stay when they want something real. It doesn't look like a postcard. There are no famous landmarks. But the food scene is arguably the best in the city, Vondelpark is right there, and you're a 10-minute walk from both the Jordaan and the museum district.

The honest part: it's not as photogenic as Jordaan. The architecture is more utilitarian. If you want canal views from your breakfast table, this isn't it. But if you want excellent restaurants, a genuinely local atmosphere, and lower hotel prices, Oud-West wins.

Best for: repeat visitors, food-obsessed travelers, people who prioritize neighborhood feel over tourist sights.

Don't miss: Foodhallen (okay fine, it's touristy but the market hall itself is cool), Ten Kate Market, the cafe culture around Kinkerstraat.

Noord — The Wild Card

Noord is across the IJ river, a 5-minute free ferry ride from Centraal Station. It used to be industrial wasteland. Now it's the creative hub of the city — warehouses turned into restaurants, old shipyards turned into festivals, and the NDSM wharf is basically an outdoor art installation.

The honest part: it can feel isolated, especially at night. There are fewer restaurants and bars than south of the river. Getting back to your hotel means catching the ferry, and while they run late, it's not as convenient as walking home from a bar in De Pijp. It also rains harder near the open water. Don't ask me why. It just does.

Best for: people who've already done the classic Amsterdam trip, creative types, nightlife-focused travelers (clubs here are serious), anyone wanting a totally different vibe.

Don't miss: NDSM wharf, A'DAM Lookout tower, the IJ waterfront bars at sunset.

Centrum — The One You Probably Don't Need

Here's where I get controversial: Centrum is fine to visit but terrible to stay in. Dam Square, the Red Light District, Centraal Station — all here. It's where everyone goes and where nobody who lives here hangs out (except to catch a train).

The honest part: hotels are overpriced, restaurants are tourist traps (menu in six languages = keep walking), and the streets are packed from 10 AM to midnight. You'll walk through it anyway — everything connects through Centrum. But sleeping and eating here is throwing money at the worst version of Amsterdam.

Best for: literally nobody, unless your only criteria is "walking distance to Centraal Station."

Don't miss: The edges. Where Centrum meets Jordaan (Haarlemmerstraat) or the area east toward Nieuwmarkt — these border zones have real life in them.

The Others Worth Knowing

Oost (East): Up-and-coming. Oosterpark is beautiful. Dappermarkt is like Albert Cuyp without the tourists. Good for budget stays. Tropics Museum is here.

Westerpark: The area around Westerpark itself is great — festivals, Westergasfabriek (old gas factory turned cultural complex), good restaurants. Quieter than everything above.

Plantage: Near the zoo and botanical gardens. Tree-lined streets. Feels like a village inside the city. Very peaceful, very Dutch.

How to Choose

First time + want the classic experience: Jordaan First time + want something more real: De Pijp Return visit or food-focused trip: Oud-West Something completely different: Noord On a tight budget: Oost or the outer edges of De Pijp

Check our Sleep guide for specific accommodation recommendations in each neighborhood, and our map to see what's near your potential hotel.

One Last Thing

The neighborhood you stay in shapes your entire trip. Two people can visit Amsterdam the same week and have completely different experiences because one stayed in Jordaan and the other in De Pijp. Pick the vibe that matches you, not the one with the most Google results. The best neighborhood in Amsterdam is the one that feels like yours.

Places mentioned in this guide

Every spot here is personally vetted — no sponsored placements.

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The Hoxton Amsterdam

Local Favorite

jordaan·boutique hotel

If you want a hotel that feels like a stylish apartment with a great lobby bar, The Hoxton is it. Book early—especially in summer.

€€

O'Donnell's Irish Pub

Local Favorite

de pijp

My buddy watches every Premier League game here with a Guinness in hand. Proper Irish pub, proper pints, and the pub grub hits different when you are homesick for comfort food.

€€

Gollem's Proeflokaal

Local Favorite

oud west

My neighbor calls this beer heaven and he is not exaggerating. Over 200 beers, staff who actually know what they are talking about, and the coziest little bar you will find.