iStock International

Amsterdam TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

One of Europe’s most diverse and creative capitals, Amsterdam is packed with world-class museums, stunning canals, architecture both old and new, fine dining, colorful street markets, and spacious parks. Your perfect Amsterdam vacation starts just around the canal bend.

Why Go

Notoriously liberal Amsterdam is a haven of tree-lined canals, storybook architecture, and artistic genius – not to mention its infamous cafe culture.

Amsterdam Travel Guide: Deals to Amsterdam | Amsterdam Neighborhoods | Things to do in Amsterdam | Amsterdam Hotels | Amsterdam Restaurants | Amsterdam Nightlife | Amsterdam Shopping | Amsterdam Day Trips | When to go to Amsterdam | Getting to Amsterdam | Amsterdam Tips | Amsterdam Additional Resources | Amsterdam Smart Splurges

See Also: Europe | Netherlands

$479+: Winter fares to European cities (round-trip) Air France

$2576+: Biz-class (round-trip) Europe sale fares Swiss International Air Lines

$206/nt+: 4-star Amsterdam Park Plaza on canal Priceline.com

$179/nt+: 4-star Golden Tulip Amsterdam - Centre Expedia

$181/nt+: 4-star Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam Expedia

$153/nt+: 4-star Eden Rembrandt Square Hotel Expedia

$962+: Flight & 4-night vacations to Europe Travelocity

$882+: 3-star HEM Hotel Amsterdam Expedia

Amsterdam Hotels

Concentrated in the city center, Amsterdam hotels range from posh palaces to cheap-as-chips student hostels. If you're only staying for a few days, the convenient downtown location may pay off, but if time is on your side and you want a more authentic experience, head for the Western Canal Ring or Museum Quarter – because of the city's small size, you won't be far from the action. Most hotels have taken over 17th-century buildings, and renovations aside, this means most hotels rooms are on the small side. Many buildings are historical, meaning most can't install elevators even if they wanted to, so be ready to climb tight, winding staircases. Only the top hotels have air conditioning, but unless you hit one of the rare summer heat waves, that shouldn't be a problem.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

ALL
LUXURY
BUDGET
HIP & TRENDY
MODERATE

Ambassade Hotel
Few hotels capture the spirit of Amsterdam like the historic Ambassade, which manages to vaunt an "Old Europe"... smart splurge | art | expensive | spa | jim's pick

Amstel Intercontinental
Old-world elegance attracts stars and royalty to this legendary 67-room hotel on the Amstel River featuring a spa, indoor pool... smart splurge | historic | landmark | expensive

Banks Mansion
An excellent value, Banks Mansion makes up for its smallish rooms with décor that nods to the Amsterdam School (an... historic | expensive | great value

Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam
In June 2007 the city’s newest (and most beautiful) hotel opened. The five-star property is a heritage art nouveau... architecture | new | expensive

Hotel 717
Classic romance defines these eight large, elegant suites along the canal. Extras elsewhere (ironing, shoe shines, house... smart splurge | boutique | historic | expensive

Hotel Pulitzer
More than a mere hotel, the Pulitzer is part architectural study, part old school restaurant (go for high tea), part art... historic | expensive

Amistad Hotel
The Amistad is a favorite of gay male visitors for its location – on a street with gay clubs and cafés, just... budget | gay

Hotel Brouwer
This tiny, eight-room hotel is in a building dating from 1652, steps from the center of town and facing one of its most... historic

NL Hotel
Amsterdam’s best kept secret is this small, yet trendy hotel outside the famous canal ring. Rooms start at just €... budget

College Hotel
Plusses: hip setting in a converted 19th-century school building, equally hip restaurant, unique rooms with contemporary-chic... trendy

Lloyd Hotel
The contemporary design hotel of choice. The quirky rooms – no two are alike – range in luxury from one to five stars... architecture | trendy

Hotel Fita
The Fita is worth the trip for its location near Museumplein (Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the Concertgebouw concert... great value

NH Amsterdam Centre
Take the perfect location – between the attractions of the Museum District and the nightlife of the Leidsplein, add a... family

Ambassade Hotel
Few hotels capture the spirit of Amsterdam like the historic Ambassade, which manages to vaunt an "Old Europe"... smart splurge | art | expensive | spa | jim's pick

Banks Mansion
An excellent value, Banks Mansion makes up for its smallish rooms with décor that nods to the Amsterdam School (an... historic | expensive | great value

Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam
In June 2007 the city’s newest (and most beautiful) hotel opened. The five-star property is a heritage art nouveau... architecture | new | expensive

Hotel 717
Classic romance defines these eight large, elegant suites along the canal. Extras elsewhere (ironing, shoe shines, house... smart splurge | boutique | historic | expensive

Hotel Pulitzer
More than a mere hotel, the Pulitzer is part architectural study, part old school restaurant (go for high tea), part art... historic | expensive

Amistad Hotel
The Amistad is a favorite of gay male visitors for its location – on a street with gay clubs and cafés, just... trendy | gay

Hotel Brouwer
This tiny, eight-room hotel is in a building dating from 1652, steps from the center of town and facing one of its most... historic

NL Hotel
Amsterdam’s best kept secret is this small, yet trendy hotel outside the famous canal ring. Rooms start at just €... trendy

Amistad Hotel
The Amistad is a favorite of gay male visitors for its location – on a street with gay clubs and cafés, just... budget | gay

College Hotel
Plusses: hip setting in a converted 19th-century school building, equally hip restaurant, unique rooms with contemporary-chic... moderate

Lloyd Hotel
The contemporary design hotel of choice. The quirky rooms – no two are alike – range in luxury from one to five stars... architecture | moderate

NL Hotel
Amsterdam’s best kept secret is this small, yet trendy hotel outside the famous canal ring. Rooms start at just €... budget

College Hotel
Plusses: hip setting in a converted 19th-century school building, equally hip restaurant, unique rooms with contemporary-chic... trendy

Hotel Fita
The Fita is worth the trip for its location near Museumplein (Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the Concertgebouw concert... great value

Lloyd Hotel
The contemporary design hotel of choice. The quirky rooms – no two are alike – range in luxury from one to five stars... architecture | trendy

NH Amsterdam Centre
Take the perfect location – between the attractions of the Museum District and the nightlife of the Leidsplein, add a... family

Amsterdam Restaurants

Ask a local about Dutch cuisine and you'll probably get a laugh, unless you're looking for a stamppot (Dutch stew) or pannekoeken (crepe-like pancakes). International fare dominates Amsterdam restaurant menus, especially Indonesian cuisine due to the large number of immigrants who came after the Dutch colonization. Although the bar for quality food has certainly been raised in the past few years, you're paying for the imported or organic greenhouse-fresh ingredients – so you may want to make sure the restaurant you select takes credit cards. And don't forget to eat like the locals – early. Most kitchens are closed by 9pm.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

ALL
EXPENSIVE
MODERATE
BUDGET

As
Situated in Amsterdam’s coolest arts and design space, this hotspot serves delicious, Tuscan inspired slow-food dinners.... trendy | organic

Blauw aan de Wal
This hidden gem in the Red Light District (at the end of a long, graffiti-covered corridor) shows off contemporary,... romantic | contemporary dutch

De Kas
When a restaurant is located in a functioning greenhouse – albeit a designer one – you know you can expect the... smart splurge | organic

Tempo Doeloe
Aromatic Indonesian food isn’t hard to find in Holland but it is difficult to find it this skillfully and authentically... smart splurge | indonesian

Bazar Amsterdam
If you don’t go for the excellent Middle Eastern and North African fare – think stuffed grape leaves, grilled... trendy | middle eastern

Bordewijk
Chef Wil Demandt creates culinary experiences that are perfect from start to finish, rightfully making Bordewijk one of the... international | notable chef

De Jaren
One of Amsterdam’s grandest cafés is a soaring post-industrial space with picture windows overlooking one of the... open late | cafe | view

Tujuh Maret
One of Amsterdam’s true pleasures is rijsttafel, up to 20 or so small plates of exotic Indonesian fare. Though... indonesian

Hap Hmm
Dutch home cooking is never going to get top ratings on the Food Network, but where else are you going try it? This humble... family | dutch

The Pancake Bakery
You can’t leave Holland without sampling the very traditional, and very delicious pannenkoeken (Dutch pancake). This... family | dutch

van Dobben
An institution since 1945, this antiseptic little shop makes the city’s best kroketten (beef croquettes), along with... family | open late