The Open Road Travel

Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands, is a charming city full of culture, history and bicycles, which is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Amsterdam is well known for its many museums, the red-light district and coffee shops but also for its rich history, narrow houses and cafes.

In today’s article, I want to show you some of the best areas to stay in Amsterdam, as well as a few other bits of need-to-know information. So, for an unforgettable trip to the capital of the Netherlands, here’s everything you need to know.

Amsterdam is a spectacular, canal lined city, located in the province of North-Holland, which attracts millions of tourists a year. It has more canals than Venice and many houseboats reside on the water.

There is even a floating flower market, Bloemenmarkt, where you can purchase bulbs, flowers and souvenirs.

The Dutch city is an easy place to get around and most locations you’ll probably wish to visit are within walking distance. That said, the city also has an impressive public transport network which includes buses, trams and a metro for those who aren’t a fan of walking.

Of course, you could also rent a bike, seeing as Amsterdam is one of the world’s most bike friendly cities! There are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam and bicycle rentals are readily available throughout the city.

If your budget is a big factor in where you stay on your trip to Amsterdam, consider staying a little further from the centre. As with most destinations, the further outside the city centre you stay, the cheaper the cost.

Amsterdam has a temperate climate and a considerable amount of rainfall throughout the year. As with many popular European cities, the summer months are the busiest. With that in mind, I would recommend Springtime, around April – May, as an ideal time to visit.

You will still find pleasant temperatures, while also getting to enjoy the city with significantly fewer crowds. This is also the time when the famous Keukenhof Tulip Festival takes place just outside the city, so gives you the chance to experience one of the region’s major cultural events as well.

If you don’t mind the cold weather, planning your trip to Amsterdam in September – November can save you a bit of money. With more hotels offering deals due to less customers, it makes it a great time to visit for anyone on a budget.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have plenty to do in the city whatever the weather.

The best areas to stay in Amsterdam will depend on what your needs and interests are. That’s why I’m going to suggest a few areas below that should cover most of the main criteria.

Leidseplein is a busy square located in central Amsterdam. A great deal of Amsterdam's nightlife centres around this square and the streets nearby, as the area is brimming with bars, clubs and restaurants.

Famous music venues such as Melkweg and Paradiso can also be found here. This makes Leidseplein one of the best areas to stay in Amsterdam for anyone visiting to attend a show at one of these legendary establishments.

In the summer months, the bars spread out onto the terraces that line the square, allowing you to sit back with a drink and watch the street performers. During the winter months, there is an ice-skating rink and hot food stands selling traditional Dutch treats.

Leidseplein isn’t all about the nightlife though, as at the south of Leidseplein is the must-see Museumplein area. If you want to get your fill of culture during your stay in Amsterdam, visiting Museumplein is a necessity.

This is where the three main museums in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art are located.

The Rijksmuseum is a national museum dedicated to arts and history. It is the largest art museum in the country and includes world-renowned works from famous Dutch artists such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. This makes it ideal for lovers of all types of art and history.

The Van Gogh Museum in Museumplein is one of the most visited museums in the world, attracting guests from all around the globe. It is home to the largest collection of works by the Dutch post-impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh.

The Stedelijk Museum was re-opened in 2012 after more than eight years of renovation and now, with its extraordinary bath-shaped extension, it’s hard to miss.

It is a museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, artist's books, photography and film. This makes it a perfect spot for lovers of modern art to visit.

Museumplein is also home to one of the most famous concert halls in the world, The Royal Concertgebouw. Every week - excluding the months of July and August - a free concert takes place here at lunchtime. This makes it the perfect choice to experience Amsterdam’s local music scene.

Vondelpark is located south of Leidseplein and at 120 acres, it is the largest park in Amsterdam. Enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, it is a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

There are food facilities, a playground for kids and during the summer months, there is an open-air theatre.

There are about 30 species of birds in the park, including ducks, herons and parakeets and the waters are home to many fish species. This means it is a great place for nature lovers to explore.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the several statues and sculptures located in the park, including one by Pablo Picasso.

Slightly further away, you also have the famous Keukenhof Tulip Gardens in the neighbouring town of Lisse. As one of the most southwestern parts of the city, Leidseplein gives you the most convenient access to this beautiful attraction you will find anywhere in Amsterdam.

This magnificent park attracts a huge number of visitors every year and is one of the world's largest flower gardens, with over 7 million bulbs planted annually.

In April, there is a parade which starts at the seaside resort of Noordwijk and travels via the flower fields near Lisse to the historic city of Haarlem, just west of Amsterdam.

Note that the tulips bloom only from mid-March to mid-May, meaning that the park is only open during this period.

Stay In Leidseplein If:

• You want to be around the best nightlife
• You are interested in museums
• You want to be where all the action is
• You want plenty of attractions and amenities within walking distance
• You want to visit the largest park in Amsterdam
• You want to explore the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
  

In terms of accommodation, my recommendation has got to be the Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American. This heritage Art Nouveau hotel contains 173 wonderful rooms and suites and, as a Hard Rock Hotel, the hotel is provided with some unique memorabilia pieces.

Each room has a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Guests can relax on the hotel’s terrace which overlooks the square or sit for a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant, Café Americain.

Although some pick Amsterdam for wild parties or stag nights, the city can be a very romantic place.

The Jordaan district is the best area to stay in Amsterdam for couples and one of the most loved neighbourhoods in the city.

Picturesque, cobbled streets, lined with bouquets of beautiful blooms stretch out in every direction. Combined with boat rides down stunning canals, Amsterdam is undoubtedly a great place for a romantic getaway.

Close to the centre of Amsterdam but a lot more peaceful than Leidseplein, Jordaan has a charming and calm air about it. It is filled with many lovely shops and indie boutiques, as well as cosy cafes, hip restaurants and galleries.

It has retained a quaint, village like feel while being in easy reach of top attractions, so there is plenty to keep you entertained.

On Saturdays, you can wander around the Lindenmarkt, a large market where many flowers, vegetables and fish are sold at decent prices.

Alternatively, take a stroll around Noordermarkt located in the square. This market, which originated in the 17th century, offers bric-a-brac, antiques, organic foods, clothes, plus much more.

Jordaan is also where one of the city’s most famous attractions is located. Most people who have either been to Amsterdam, or are planning a trip there, would have heard of Anne Frank’s House.

Anne Frank is one of Amsterdam’s most well-known former residents. For more than two years during World War II, Anne and her family lived in the annex of a building located just on the border of the Jordaan district.

This is where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary, and the building has now been turned in to a museum that attracts millions of visitors from all around the globe each year.

See in person what it was like to live in hiding just like Anne Frank and her family and learn more about the unique content and history of her diaries.

This is a must-visit for writers or history enthusiasts and if you wish to take a trip to Anne Frank’s House, buy your tickets in advance and prepare your visit well as queues can get long.

Stay In Jordaan If:

• You want to take gentle strolls through quaint streets
• You want easy access to main sites like Anne Frank House
• You want a relaxed paced trip
• You want hip eateries and cafes
  

My recommendation for accommodation in this area would be the Hotel Mercier.

Located in the heart of Jordaan, the quaint hotel is just a 3-minute walk from the nearest tram stop and a 4-minute walk from the Anne Frank House.

The 4-star boutique Hotel Mercier has quirky rooms that are the perfect size for couples. Each features a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box for your convenience.

There is also a wonderful bar and restaurant downstairs, for when you want an evening out right on your doorstep.

When thinking about taking a family trip, Amsterdam is probably not the first place that springs to mind. However, Amsterdam does have some great places of interest for kids, no matter what their age.

Perhaps the best area to stay in Amsterdam for families is De Plantage, as it is filled with attractions that will entertain your whole party.

One of these attractions is the Artis Royal Zoo, located in De Plantage, which is situated at the east end of the city. Founded in 1838, it is one of the oldest zoos in not just the Netherlands but in all of mainland Europe.

The Zoo is home to over 700 species of animals, including zebras, giraffes, elephants and monkeys. Artis also contains an aquarium, a planetarium and The Micropia Museum, which reveals the smallest creatures in the world, microbes.

While visiting, take a stroll through the beautiful gardens that house hundreds of species of trees, exotic plants and flowers. Open daily, Artis Zoo is an exciting day out for children and a fantastic learning experience for people of all ages.

A little further out from the city and about a 20-minute walk from Plantage, is Oosterpark. Oosterpark is a popular park in Amsterdam that offers visitors plenty of space to relax, go for a leisurely walk or a bike ride, and take in the views of the pretty lake and surrounding scenery.

It’s also home to quite a few impressive memorials and monuments and has a play area for the kids.

Although not in De Plantage, NEMO science museum is located directly east of Amsterdam Centraal Station in the Oosterdokseiland neighbourhood and is a spectacular place to consider visiting, especially with children.

The museum contains five floors of engaging science and technology exhibitions and is the largest science centre in the Netherlands. Aside from exhibitions, there are theatre shows, workshops, and demonstrations, which are guaranteed to keep everybody entertained.

If either the museum or Artis zoo sound appealing to you, consider purchasing tickets in advance online.

If you find you need a break from the kids for a while, the Brouwerij ‘t IJ is a great place to visit. Brouwerij 't IJ is a small, charming brewery in Amsterdam. It is in a former bathhouse, next to the De Gooyer windmill on the eastern outskirts of the city.

Stay In De Plantage If:

• You want to be near parks and greenery
• You want to visit Brouwerij ‘t IJ brewery
• You want to explore the largest zoo in mainland Europe
• You want to study the exhibits of the NEMO Science Museum
• You are travelling as a family or with children
  

When it comes to accommodation, The Lancaster Hotel, housed in a stately building, is the perfect spot to stay when travelling with a family. This informal hotel is right across the street from Artis Zoo.

All rooms have a luxurious bathroom, large, comfy beds, and family rooms have multiple beds. The rooms offer free Wi-Fi, a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, and a safety deposit box.

Binnenstad is a neighbourhood in the Centrum borough, the historic centre of Amsterdam. You will never run out of things to do in this area. Whether you enjoy shopping, tourist attractions or just like to roam, there is plenty to keep you entertained.

Most visitors arrive in Binnenstad as it is where the main transportation hub, Centraal Station, is located. This makes it a convenient location to stay for your trip.

One of the first things you’ll see on exiting the station is Damrak. This is an avenue, and partially filled canal. It is known for its restaurants, bars and tourist shops, and runs between Amsterdam Centraal and Dam Square.

Dam Square is one of the oldest and well-known parts of the city. Lying just over 700 metres south of Centraal Station, making it often one of the first stops for tourists.

The square boasts some spectacular buildings, but the impressive Royal Palace of Amsterdam is what dominates Dam Square. This is situated on the west side, opposite the War Memorial and next to the Nieuwe Kerk.

The Nieuwe Kerk is a 15th-century church with a beautiful interior, which holds exhibitions about art, photography, inspirational individuals and different cultures.

If you fancy chilling out at one of Amsterdam’s famous coffeeshops, Binnenstad is the ideal area to set up base. There are plenty in this area for you to choose from and each one is unique.

From cosy, laid back establishments, to neon lit, energetic ones, there’s a coffeeshop to suit everyone in Amsterdam.

Despite being a tourist hotspot, you can find some inexpensive accommodation in Binnenstad, which is why I feel this is the best area to stay in Amsterdam on a budget.

Stay In Binnenstad If:

• You want to be near to Centraal Station
• You want to be near popular tourist locations like Dam Square
• You want to call in to Amsterdam’s famous coffeeshops
• You want to go shop for souvenirs in Damrak
• You are travelling on a budget
  

In terms of accommodation, look no further than Hotel CC. Located on one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam, it is just 400 yards from Amsterdam Centraal Station.

Hotel CC is extremely close to Dam Square and some of Amsterdam's other most popular landmarks.

The canalside hotel offers modern rooms with sophisticated décor. Many of the rooms and some hotel areas still feature its historical characteristics, such as wooden beams or old windows.

Tea and coffee making facilities, a flat screen TV, air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, come as standard in all rooms.

Amsterdam is a unique, lively European city. From history and arts to laid back bars and fancy cafes, it is guaranteed to have something for everyone. There's never a lack of things to see and do in this wonderful city.

Hopefully, now you will have a clearer view of the best areas to stay in Amsterdam when you plan your own trip. All that’s left is to go and get everything booked, so you can look forward to experiencing it all yourself.