Where to stay in Amsterdam: your essential guide to the top areas

Originally built in the 17th century to house immigrants and the working class, this area has since been transformed into the city’s most expensive neighbourhood. Jordaan brims with elegant townhouses and spacious apartments and is dotted with art galleries, expensive boutiques and classy restaurants. But it’s not all extravagance and luxury; there are plenty of charming little stores and restaurants attracting younger crowds who live a little further west. If a sedate pace and upscale lifestyle are what you crave, this is the place to be.

EAT

Stamppot is the closest thing the Dutch have to a national dish, and Moeders, a quirky restaurant adorned with photos of customers’ actual mothers, is the place to try it. The combination of mashed potato, cabbage, bacon and sausage makes for quite a plateful, and while there’s plenty of other hearty, traditional grub on offer here, all portions are huge so make sure you bring an appetite.

DRINK

A multi-storey car park might not seem the best spot for a bar, but Waterkant proves otherwise. Best enjoyed in warmer weather, they have a glorious, spacious terrace lit up with fairy lights. By day, it’s the perfect place to watch canal traffic sail serenely by, but it gets boisterous at night as a hip young crowd comes to the party. 

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The Anne Frank Museum is a moving yet sombre testament to the horrors of the Second World War and the indomitable human instinct for survival. The 17th-century canal house where her family lived and worked – and later hid – has been beautifully preserved, and alongside the ‘secret annexe’ that Anne called home for two years, there’s now an informative museum and educational centre. Tickets can only be bought online and in advance. 

STAY

Few hotels in Amsterdam can match the glitz and prestige of the Pulitzer. Spread across an intricate maze of 25 canal houses, the luxurious rooms and suites are both ultra-modern and comfy. The on-site restaurant, Jansz, is one of the city’s best, but if you want to get out and about, make use of their concierge or book a tour in the hotel’s own classic wooden boat from 1909. 

If you only do one thing…

Winkel 43, a lively café at the top of Jordaan, is famous for its divine apple pie. The chefs have perfected the contrast between the rich, crumbly crust and chunks of succulent apple, and with hefty slices served with a dollop of cream, there’s nowhere better to sample this decadent Dutch delight.

The eastern side of Amsterdam has a rich industrial and working-class heritage. The docks around Zeeburg once attracted tradesmen, warehouses, and everything needed to support them, bringing in large numbers of immigrants and ethnic diversity. Such ethnic diversity continues to this day; despite extensive regeneration over the past 10 years, the area remains a heady mix of old and new, with achingly hips bars and boutiques brushing shoulders with Turkish greengrocers and spit ’n’ sawdust shawarma joints. New developments and businesses spring up almost weekly, adding vibrancy to Amsterdam’s new epicentre of cool.

EAT

The industrial, shabby-chic interior and ever-changing daily menu of modern Dutch cuisine have made the ‘Wild Boar’ a trendy (and increasingly popular) haunt in Oost. The idea is simple – choose three or four courses, order some wine, and let the kitchen work its magic with fresh, seasonal produce (do try the boar). And if something a little lighter is required, head next door to their Eetbar, where they offer smaller, individual plates at delightful prices.

DRINK

Charles Bukowski loved his booze. ‘There is always a reason to drink!’ was his ethos, and Bar Bukowski, a hip corner hangout, celebrates his love of alcohol, literature and partying. It’s not the biggest space, but at night it draws a stylish crowd intent on having a good time, with DJs ramping up the atmosphere most evenings. Definitely a place to be seen.

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It seems fitting that the Tropenmuseum, a huge ethnographic museum, should be located in multicultural Oost. The Tropen – housed in one of the city’s most beautiful and impressive buildings – has eight permanent exhibitions and hosts a multitude of smaller, temporary displays of visual and contemporary art. 

STAY

Billed as an ‘unconventional hotel’, the Lloyd is out of the ordinary. This historic building has served as a shelter for Jewish refugees, a prison and a juvenile detention centre – and is now a 117-room boutique hotel where no two rooms are alike. From budget twins to suites with beds that sleep seven, this is a unique place that’s the perfect base for the well-travelled and style-conscious. The Lloyd is currently undergoing a big renovation with a view to reopening in 2023, so watch this space. 

If you only do one thing…

Have a wander along Javastraat – no street sums up the character and personality of Oost quite like it. Cocktail bars and cool boutiques jostle for space with greengrocers, Turkish bakeries and bargain stores selling all manner of household goods and bric-à-brac. It’s where modern meets traditional, and a fascinating sight to behold.

Known as the Latin Quarter, this bustling area stretching south of the centre has long been home to students, creatives and bohemian types of all stripes. ‘Beatnik flair’ comes up in many guides, and they aren't wrong; there is an air of going against the grain here, as De Pijp likes to make its own rules. It is trendy without being too cool for school and smart without being stuck up. Some of Amsterdam’s best eating, drinking and shopping can be found within its sprawling streets, and a night out here is never dull. If you live for the buzz, De Pijp won’t let you down.

EAT

Meat lovers rejoice, for Cannibale Royale, tucked away at the bottom of De Pijp, is a mecca for all things chargrilled. Impeccable burgers – try the house speciality, with added pulled pork – jerk-style roast chicken and the best ribs in town are just some of the delights on offer. Steak-lover and hungry? Their 1kg Absurde, which must be ordered 24 hours in advance, has you covered.

DRINK

Bar Mokum ticks so many of our cocktail bar boxes that we are not entirely sure where to start. It is probably best to lead off with, you know, the cocktails, expertly mixed but retaining enough rough-around-the-edges excitement to avoid the sterility of perfection. Throw in some elite vintage decor and a defiantly local-centric drinks list, and you're onto a real winner. 

DO

Nothing is more ‘De Pijp’ than just chilling out, and the small but perfectly formed Sarphatipark is the perfect place to do it. Grab some food and coffee to go – try Scandinavian Embassy, CT Coffee & Coconuts or Little Collins – and bag a spot in this tranquil inner-city haven; on a nice day, there is nothing finer. And while you’re here, wander around some of the cute little boutiques on the surrounding streets.

STAY

Housed in a former diamond factory, the 90-room Sir Albert oozes understated cool. ‘Modern aristocratic’ is the vibe, with light, airy rooms filled with quirky art and a handy goodie box stuffed with travel essentials. Try to get Deluxe Room 19 – it has huge windows overlooking the street – and pop into the ground-floor restaurant Izakaya for some of the city’s best sushi.

If you only do one thing...

The Dutch love their markets, and Albert Cuyp is the city’s best. There’s nothing you can’t find here, but most come for the top-drawer fish, meat, and fruit and veg. It is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere, wander among genuine locals, and pick up some one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

Looking for somewhere that combines genteel Amsterdammer sophistication with a touch of urban chaos? Lush, leafy – yet fast-changing – Oud-West is the area for you. With the vast expanse that is Vondelpark, a smattering of hip bars and boutiques, and some first-rate restaurants, there’s no end of excellent things to see and do here. Overtoom and the bustling De Clercqstraat, in particular, are now home to a vibrant community of chefs, creatives and entrepreneurs; Oud-West as a whole has become second only to Oost for those looking to explore the city’s food and drink scene. So take a day or two, hire a bike, and soak up all this wonderful neighbourhood has to offer.

EAT

There are many brilliant restaurants in Oud-West serving all types of cuisine, but Café Panache is one of the best. This cavernous space in an old warehouse serves chargrilled seafood and meat alongside classics such as jerk chicken, the dark wood and leather banquets the very definition of modern industrial chic. Killer cocktails and a young, stylish crowd make this a great place to spend a few hours watching modern Amsterdam wine and dine.

DRINK

Craft beer and classy cocktails are not hard to find around here, but the cosy vibe and easy-going style of The Golden Brown Bar, a popular hangout for locals and expats alike that’s named after a Stranglers’ song, set it apart. Ignore the Thai food (though it’s decent), and work your way through their impressive range of beers, wines and inventive mixed drinks. For the best people-watching, head upstairs to the small balcony and grab a pew against the wall. 

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Culturally, Oud-West is as rich as any other neighbourhood, and not simply in terms of high-flown art galleries and museums. Some of the city’s coolest institutions can be found here: there’s LAB111, a cinema and exhibition space that’s home to various collectives and showcases quirky independent films and documentaries; OT301, a legal squat that’s now a live music venue, cultural centre and pay-what-you-can vegan restaurant (staffed by volunteers); and De Nieuwe Anita, a retro living-room-cum-bar-cum-basement-venue that hosts everything from live music to taco tasting.

STAY

Many places in Amsterdam claim to be big on sustainability, but The Tire Station (a 112-room eco-designer hotel) really does practise what it preaches. Energy from renewable sources, an eco-garden on the roof with beehives, and tables made from recycled yoghurt pots: their credentials are impeccable. And none of this impinges on style or comfort (the rooms are hip and funky) – making this a great base to explore West and beyond.

If you only do one thing…

Vondelpark is almost as synonymous with Amsterdam as tulips and weed. This is a sprawling city-centre destresser where Amsterdammers head to run, cycle, rollerblade, barbecue, picnic... or just kick back and relax. Kids can explore various play parks, and there’s even an open-air theatre if you want to indulge in some culture. Put simply, a few hours here is an unmissable treat.

Don’t be put off by the hordes of stag and hen dos and those seeking to lose themselves in debauchery – there’s plenty else to see and do in the heart of Amsterdam. Of course, a wander through the Red Light District may well appeal, but there’s also the historic Canal Ring, the Nine Streets, Spiegelkwartier (for art and antique lovers), and Nieuwmarkt, home to the oldest buildings in the city. Stay away from the tourist traps and tacky attractions, and there’s a wealth of quaint back alleys and under-the-radar sights to explore.

EAT

Some of the city’s best and grandest restaurants call the Canal Ring home, but for sheer opulence combined with cutting-edge cool, nothing beats The Duchess. Opened to much fanfare, the sumptuous décor is more than matched by the food; gorge on the classic (Dover sole) and the wacky (foie gras doughnuts) under the stained-glass dome. Dinner isn’t cheap, but they also do breakfast, lunch, and bar snacks, all of which are lighter on the wallet but every bit as mouth-watering. 

DRINK

Step back in time at De Engelse Reet (officially called De Pilsener Club), a bar run by the same family – and all first-born sons with the same name – for four generations. A traditional voorkamer, or parlour, drinks are dispensed in a small back room and served in a comfy, old-school wood-panelled room (the only bar like this left in Amsterdam). And in keeping with tradition, it’s all about the jenever (Dutch gin) here – try the tipple from local brewery De Ooievaar, which has been cranking out the spirit since 1782.

DO

Ignore the glitz of the trashy attractions around Dam Square and head instead to Oude Kerk, not just Amsterdam’s oldest church but the oldest building. Founded around 1213, it stands in De Wallen, in the heart of the Red Light District. Marvel at the wooden roof (the largest in Europe) and the beautiful stained-glass windows.

STAY

It might be part of a global chain, but the W Hotel is well worth checking out. The rooms are as you’d expect – spacious, muted tones, an easy-going, comfy kind of chic – but the real treat is six floors up, on the roof. Their cocktail bar, lounge and restaurant offer striking views across the city, but best of all is the outdoor heated pool that runs the length of the building. It is guests only, meaning it’s never overrun by the selfie stick-wielding hoi polloi.

If you only do one thing...

Visit the A’dam Toren. OK, technically it’s not in the centre, but it’s close. Head to the back of Centraal, take the free ferry across the River IJ and head to the observation deck of the tower that dominates the skyline for the best views of the entire city. And, if you’re brave enough, have a go on Over the Edge, Europe’s highest swing, that’ll have your feet dangling 100 metres up.