Where to stay in Amsterdam. Where to stay in Amsterdam? Personal experience and review of inexpensive hostels and hotels Where to stay in Amsterdam

Where to book a cheap hotel in Amsterdam? The best budget hotels in the city center and other areas of Amsterdam - ranking 2019.

Amsterdam is a popular city at any time of the year. But it becomes especially desirable in the spring, when the tulips bloom in the park and at the end of April the Netherlands is noisily celebrated. Travelers also love Christmas holidays in the capital of Holland. And the only thing that can become an obstacle to your vacation is the prices for hotels in Amsterdam, which often exceed the threshold of 100 euros per night.

For budget-conscious but curious tourists, we have compiled a rating of budget hotels in Amsterdam 2019. They are either in the center or within comfortable transport accessibility from most.

Cheap hotels in the center of Amsterdam

For everyone who plans to visit Amsterdam in the near future, here are the best budget hotels in the city center. We guarantee good guest reviews, proximity to the most interesting places and beautiful views!

1. Mozart Hotel

2. The Bridge Hotel

Cheap hotels in Amsterdam: The Bridge Hotel

• Location: Amstel 107 - 111, 1018 EM Amsterdam
• Hotel reviews: Booking.com, Hotellook.ru

Another cool hotel in Amsterdam in the area of ​​Rembrandt and Waterloo squares. Named after the bridge over the Amstel River, which is in close proximity. As soon as you leave the hotel, you can immediately start taking photographs, it’s such a beautiful place! The hotel itself is clean and cozy, with good breakfasts and hospitable staff.

3. Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel

• Location: Prinsengracht 328 – 332, 1016 HX Amsterdam
• Hotel reviews: Booking.com, Hotellook.ru

An incredibly beautiful and, importantly, budget hotel in Amsterdam near the Anne Frank House. Occupies three whole old buildings, guests are delighted with the designer renovations and antique furniture. The panorama from the windows is standard for the city center: canals, houseboats, bridges and bicycles. If you want to feel Amsterdam “from the inside,” this is what you are looking for. One of our favorite hotels, which is often cheaper than the first two options.

More budget hotels in the center

Amsterdam doesn't have many quality budget hotels in the central district. But we managed to find something - both guest reviews and low prices are encouraging:

• Acostar Hotel 2*- from 5,100 rub.
• Hotel Nes 3*- from 4,400 rub.
• Tulip Inn Amsterdam Center 3*- from 5,400 rub.

Amsterdam - cheap hotels in other areas

Cheap hotels in Amsterdam are usually located either in industrial or residential areas. But the organization of transport in the city is excellent: in addition to the metro, there are trams and buses. There is always the opportunity to rent bicycles. Therefore, by choosing a budget hotel NOT in the center of Amsterdam, you lose almost nothing, but save significantly.

1. Amsterdam Teleport Hotel

• Location: Heathrowstraat 5, Westpoort, 1043 CE Amsterdam
• Hotel reviews: Booking.com, Hotellook.ru

A relatively inexpensive hotel in Amsterdam 450 m from Sloterdijk station - you can go to Keukenhof and travel all over Holland! In addition to wi-fi throughout the entire territory, there is free parking and bicycle rental (there is nowhere in Amsterdam without this). But the main thing is the delightfully decorated rooms, delicious breakfasts and friendly staff.

2. Hotel Mosaic City Center

• Location: Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 16a, Oud-West, 1054 BR Amsterdam
• Hotel reviews: Booking.com, Hotellook.ru

New building, fresh renovation. If you like walking, then you can get to the center without even using public transport. Better yet, rent a bike! To get to the train station, you need to take a tram (the Eerste Constantijn Hygensstraat stop is just 150 meters from the hotel) and spend about 15 minutes.

3. Best Western Blue Tower Hotel

• Location: Leeuwendalersweg 21, Bos en Lommer, 1055 JE Amsterdam
• Reviews about the hotel:

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Amsterdam districts - Where is the best place for a tourist to stay and how much does housing cost?

Amsterdam, beloved by tourists, is a city of contrasts that combines a variety of manifestations of urban culture. Despite the fact that it is a relatively small capital (only 850 thousand people), the districts of Amsterdam are incredibly different from each other in their atmosphere. Let's try to describe the main areas of Amsterdam so that tourists can decide for themselves where it is better to live during their trip.

The official Amsterdam website has a simple 11-question test that will help you determine which areas of Amsterdam you're likely to enjoy the most. The questions are intuitive, so you can pass it without knowing English.

For the most transparent comparison, we will look at prices everywhere for February – the traditional low-season.

The old center in Amsterdam is the most beautiful part of the city with well-kept cobblestone streets, old houses, straight and tall, tightly lined up like pieces of cake. It is here that a canal will be visible around every corner of the street, in some places you can find quiet courtyards hidden from prying eyes, and here most of the noisy attractions are concentrated, around which there are always a lot of tourists.

As you can see from the map, the center includes such areas of Amsterdam as the Old Town with Dam Square, the Red Light District, Grachtengordel (Canal Belt) with the Anne Frank Museum and many small museums, Nieuwmarkt en Lastage with a flea market and the Gassan Diamonds factory, etc. .

You can dwell on each of them separately, but we won’t: the city center just seems immense - you can walk around it in a day, and you won’t notice any differences in the cost of housing. It will be expensive everywhere.

How much does housing cost?

The most inexpensive, unpretentious accommodation in the center of the Old Town will cost at least 50 € for two. This seems inexpensive, but it is worth remembering that in the center housing is incredibly “compact”, and for this money you will get a room of 14-15 m2 at best. Beds in hostels cost either the same or more. Larger rooms will cost 70-80€.

If we talk about comfortable accommodation in spacious apartments, where at least there is somewhere to put large suitcases, prices range from 115 € per night in a full-fledged apartment of 50-70 m2 with a kitchen and a separate bedroom to 500 € for a deluxe apartment.

Prices in luxury 5-star hotels - in Krasnopolsky or in Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam on Dam Square - start from 320 € per night for two.

What to see

The first thing that comes to mind is the most photogenic area of ​​Amsterdam called “9 shopping streets” (De 9 Straatjes).

This shopping area is a paradise for those who are tired of chain stores that are the same in every country. It's full of small, unique shops that sell the most unexpected things - from hundreds of types of toothbrushes and toothpastes to Mexican jewelry and Spanish ceramics.

There is even a store that specializes exclusively in Italian men's socks.

From this shopper's paradise, you can walk to the Bloemenmarkt flower market, then take a free tour of the Gassan Diamonds B.V. diamond factory. (and at the same time shop for jewelry). You can end the day at the Artiz Zoo, the Shipping Museum or the NEMO Science Museum.

If you walk from the area of ​​9 streets not against, but clockwise along the canals, then you can enjoy songs of the bells of the Westerkerk church, visit the House-Museum of the world-famous Jewish girl Anne Frank (if you have the patience to stand in a kilometer-long line), and then, passing by the Royal Palace, go to, and then visit the exhibition The Body World s.

And in the heart of the old city, of course, you can stroll through the Red Light District and take home a couple of naughty souvenirs from adult stores.

It’s not bad to have all these attractions within walking distance, right?

Oud-Zuid (Southwest)

The southwest of Amsterdam is perhaps the most tourist area after the center, but life here is calmer and more measured.

This includes:

• De Pijp - a former working-class quarter, now a melting pot of different cultures, a vibrant Bohemian quarter, one of the most vibrant and colorful in Amsterdam

• The Museum Quarter (Museumkwartier) is a must go for any self-respecting tourist. Here, one after another, all the main museums of the city are located - the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk. Well, where would we be without a selfie with Amsterdam in the background?;

• Willemspark. Both the MuseumsQuartier and Willemspark each include half of the city's largest and most famous park, Vondelpark. If the part that is included in the MuseumsQuarter is always full of tourists, then a little to the west, already in Willemspark, there are much fewer of them, the streets are much quieter, and housing - just imagine - is cheaper. But all the attractions are still within walking or transport accessibility.

How much does housing cost?

A little bit cheaper. 2 beds in a hostel (Flying Pig Uptown, for example, it is the most famous here) will cost 37 € per night, a 2-bed private room in a budget hotel - 50-60 €.

You can find an apartment on Booking for €100, but on CityMundo or AirBnb you can rent an apartment or room from locals for much less.

A room in a 5-star Conservatorium Hotel or Hilton Amsterdam will cost from 280-300 €.

What to see

There are almost more interesting places here than in the center.

Let's start with De Peep. If you live here, you are guaranteed a great mood every day from the very morning - there is a market nearby! Albert Cuypmarkt is the largest market in Amsterdam, where you can buy the freshest fruits, vegetables and fish; and for divine waffles in the Wally’s Waffles tent there is a line already in the morning.

If after a walk through the bustling market you want a little peace, you can go to Sarfatipark, which is literally around the corner from the market, and then continue your tourist journey to the Heineken Experience Museum - the old brewery of the national Dutch beer.

Any tourist's cultural program should include at least one of the museums in the Museum Quarter - believe me, the Dutch know how to organize a monotonous art exhibition so that everyone is interested.

From the museums it is a stone's throw to PC Hooftstraat, where the concentration of high-end fashion in Amsterdam is maximum - Tiffany, Chanel, Hermes, etc.

And from here we can see Vondelpark. As already mentioned, the eastern part is always full of tourists, while in the western part it is almost exclusively locals who ride bicycles, run and do yoga, so the atmosphere here is calmer. It is in the park that we recommend spending the evening after an eventful day.

Are you tired yet? Then you should either go to the Paradiso concert hall or to the Concertgebouw - it depends on what kind of music you are passionate about, modern or classical. Buy concert tickets well in advance!

Amsterdam West

The western, most peaceful part of the city includes Oud-West, which is closer to the canal belt, Westerpark, De Baarsjes and Bos en Lommer - these areas of Amsterdam are exclusively residential or student. There are quite a few attractions here that are interesting to most tourists, but this at the same time makes housing prices as attractive as possible.

Overall, this is one of the safest and quietest areas, and its proximity to the center and abundance of transport make it an ideal option.

How much does housing cost?

Since this includes residential and not tourist areas of Amsterdam, there are very few decent offers for Oud-West on Booking. But on AirBnb or CityMundo (reservation for at least 3 days) there are simply tons of offers from local residents - a studio for two can be rented for 95 €, a room for 60 €. The further from the center to the exclusively residential Nieuw West, the cheaper.

What to see

This is where you should look for home comfort and nice little cafes with inexpensive traditional food. Entertainment cannot be called touristic, but it will also leave warm memories of this city.

You can take some riding lessons at Hollandse Manege right next to Vondelpark. In the northern part of Westerpark there is a ship museum, Museum Het Schip. In the summer, the park of the same name hosts a huge number of music festivals. There are also plenty of inexpensive fitness centers and yoga studios here - keep this in mind if you are coming here for a long time.

Entertainment, yes, is sparse, but the old center is just a stone's throw away.

Noordelijke IJ-oever (Amsterdam North)

This northern area is one of the least explored parts of the city by tourists, but in vain.

All areas of Amsterdam are more or less “homogeneous”, but there is a contrast between modern architecture and slow farm life. Unexpected, right?

In one day you can admire the views of the IJ Bay on the panoramic terraces of expensive restaurants, and then ride a bicycle into the seemingly untouched nature just beyond the Ringweg Nord highway. From here it’s a stone’s throw to the Zaandam Mills (40 minutes by bus, an hour by bike)

How much does housing cost?

Accommodation from locals is as inexpensive as possible. A wonderful apartment can be rented on AirBnb from €78 for two. But local curiosities will still take a considerable amount out of your pocket - a room at the Crane Hotel Faralda, located in a former port crane (yes, you heard correctly) will cost 560 € for two.

What to see

The main “city” attractions are the EYE Cinema Museum and the A’DAM Tower with panoramic views of the city. But the main reason why tourists stay here is the quiet life close to nature. We advise you to take a closer look at the housing here if you have already lived in the center of Amsterdam - this way you will better feel the contrast between the noisy city with its cramped tiny apartments and the northern open spaces.

You can shop at the Landmarkt indoor market, and spend the rest of your time cycling around the tiny North Dutch villages. You can also swim in the huge Noorderparkbad swimming pool. And if you want to go to the city, you can cross Hey Bay by ferry in 5 minutes and find yourself in the very center of the old city.

Is it safe in Amsterdam?

In the 2016 Living Rankings, which evaluates the quality of life in large cities, paying attention to life safety, the above-mentioned cities are not even included in the Top 20, while Amsterdam proudly flaunts 11th place among all cities in the world or 8th among European cities.

As for our personal tourist observations, it seems that Amsterdam is coping much better with all the difficulties that Europe has had to overcome in the last few years.

In 2016 alone, 5 large prisons in the Netherlands were closed due to a constant lack of prisoners. Interestingly, a similar “shortage” is observed in almost all prisons across the country. The government even regularly “rents” places to prisoners from Norway and other countries.

Unsafe areas of Amsterdam

It is most unsafe in those areas where the general level of well-being is lower than in others. This is also true of Amsterdam. But it’s impossible to say for sure that the city has a ghetto, like in Paris - most of the crimes here are associated either with night robberies, or with the theft of bicycles, or with robberies of onlookers in very crowded tourist places.

And yet, the area considered the most unfavorable for living in Amsterdam is Zuidoost, which is quite distant from the center and which you can’t just wander into on foot. Initially, in the 1960s, the area was built to accommodate young families, but now immigrants flock here (of whom, fortunately, there are noticeably fewer of them in the Netherlands than in neighboring Belgium).

But just because an area is considered unsafe doesn't mean there's an intruder lurking around every corner, intent on stealing something from you or killing someone.

The standard of living here is indeed somewhat lower than in the main part of the city, but you can also have a wonderful time here - at the AjaxArena, where the famous Dutch football team Ajax is based, in the Ziggo Dome concert hall or the Heineken Music Hall. Just don't walk around here at night - either find some evening entertainment on the Museumplein, or only get around Zuidoost by taxi.

Unsafe areas of Amsterdam include the unfortunate Red Light District in the heart of the old center. Those who have been to this area will confirm that during the daytime it is the safest area, which differs from others only in the larger number of tourists and a special “thematic focus”. At night, a rather unassuming audience flocks around the moths, interested in pickpocketing and the sale of illegal substances - you understand what we’re talking about. If you still want to stay here, just don't walk the streets late at night.

Otherwise, life in Amsterdam, both for tourists and expats, is as safe as possible, and the features of each area - transport accessibility, the number of tourists - only affect the overall level of comfort.

I wish that a few years ago, by the time of our first trip to the Netherlands, someone had already written such a review article about which area of ​​Amsterdam is best for a tourist to stay in... I hope this material will help travelers not only choose the ideal areas of Amsterdam for living , but also take a deeper look into the unique culture of each district of the city.

Old Amsterdam travel guides, from the heyday of the city, they compare this to an outwardly inconspicuous warehouse - simple, functional, with a dark interior, but filled to capacity with unprecedented, forbidden, outlandish, frightening and attractive things. In its golden days, the largest financial and commercial center, the port of Amsterdam, received full ships loaded with exotic goods from India, China, Ceylon, and Japan. Chests, bags and trunks of real treasures for those centuries were kept here, and a feeling of mysteries and overseas wonders hung in the air.

Everyone who came here several centuries ago noted that there was a certain secret in the city. Which is difficult to solve, no matter how much you research it . And that all these canals, bridges and neat houses are just scenery, behind which a completely different life is hidden from prying eyes. "Real" life in Amsterdam. Full of luxury, vice, freedom and crazy passions. More than 400 years have passed since then, those mysterious overseas warehouses are no longer there, instead there are apartments and offices, the feeling of a “double bottom” does not leave tourists to this day.

Compared to other European cities, Amsterdam is inexpensive. In neighboring Brussels, for example, prices are much higher. People like to come here for shopping, everything is high quality, solid and very affordable. Everything is the same as in other European countries, but cheaper. Although Amsterdam is considered expensive by locals. In neighboring cities, they give an example, coffee costs 20 cents less. Only hotels can be called expensive for a traveler. A decent room for two will cost at least 80 euros. Although, again, compared to other popular tourist cities, this is acceptable. Traditionally, the most expensive hotels are located in the center - on Dam Square and in the Valen area. The disadvantages of the local center are not much different from the rest - crowds of tourists scurrying here and there, pickpockets, noise. The epicenter of noise and dirt is Station Square; a huge number of tourists and migrants come here every day, so this is hardly surprising. It is better to choose a hotel in places further away from here. In addition, Amsterdam is rich in beautiful and interesting areas, so there is plenty to choose from.

Amsterdam canal area

The very center of Amsterdam is an area called the Old Side (Oude zijde). In addition to the main attractions, the area is home to the famous red light district. In an amazing way, everyday life coexists here with relaxed night life. How ordinary citizens who live on the upper floors of houses, where below there are display cases with prostitutes of all stripes, manage to get along is completely unclear. But the fact remains a fact. At night, the lights come on, music plays, and girls invite men to come to them, and in the morning, along these same streets, Amsterdam residents rush to work and take their children to school. Moreover, in the very center of the quarter there is the oldest church, the Oude Kerk, which, of course, looks unexpected. There are generally many historical monuments here, this is one of the first areas where the life of the city began, and the routes in many guidebooks to Amsterdam begin.

On Zeedijk Street there is a small Chinatown. Chinatown has its own temple, porcelain shops, souvenir shops, and oriental eateries. Other attractions here: the Amstelkring Museum, a Gothic chapel from 1470, the Museum of Hashish and Marijuana, the arched gate of Oudemanheuspoort, the “House on Three Canals”, Amsterdam Broadway - Nes Street, where there are four fashionable avant-garde theaters.

Interestingly, another district of Amsterdam - the New Side (Nieuwe zijde) is older than the Old Side. It got its name not based on age - the New Cathedral was built here in the 15th century. The area is notable for its many historical monuments, medieval narrow streets, and small shops constantly crowded with tourists. You can see here: Speu Square and the Old Lutheran Church, the Nieuwe Kerk church, the building of the newspaper De Telegraaf, the historical museum, the most asymmetrical house of Maeckelaars-Comptoire, the oldest almost black house in the city of Houten Heus, the shelter for the Begeynhof sisters, the pedestrian Kalverstraat street.

Another district of Amsterdam is the Necklace of Canals (Grechen gorde) - the same Holland that is depicted on postcards - palaces, romantic bridges and canals. The area continues beyond the Amstel River, but has the prefix “Nieuw”. There are completely different types here, but the prices are completely different.

The Plantage area is quiet, calm, built up with villas. It got its name from the Botanical Garden with exotic plants established in the 17th century. The rich people liked the place so much that they began to build up the area around the park with their country houses. It’s interesting to see how the owners of diamond factories live – come and take a walk. In addition, children will find it interesting here; the Amsterdam Zoo is located here. Between the Kloveniersburgwal and Nieuwe Herengracht canals and the Amstel River is the Jewish Quarter (Jodenbuurt). During World War II, the Jewish diaspora living here was practically destroyed. And Jodenburt for a long time remained only a grim reminder of the Holocaust. Mostly homeless people lived here. The government's improvement strategy affected these places in the 90s, old houses were demolished, a metro was built, but the area still cannot be called a cozy place to stay. Among the attractions: Gassan Diamonds - the luxurious home of the diamond company, Jodenbrestraat - the main street of the Jewish Quarter with the Rembrandt House Museum and the building of the International Theater School, the Waterlouplein market square, where a flea market and an incomprehensible hybrid of the city hall and the opera house coexist, the Meister-Wisserplein square, the Museum Jewish history and much more. Overall, it's a good place to live, but you need to be careful about specific neighborhoods.

The famous Magere Brug bridge

An interesting place to live is the Jordaan area. It has become very prestigious recently, although initially it was a middle-class development. Today, businessmen, yuppies, creative youth, and retirees live here. It’s even nice to get lost in the narrow, intricate streets of these neighborhoods and just look at everyday city life. Adjacent to the Jordaan district is the Old West district. It also used to be a place with cheap housing, where students, emigrants, dissidents and petty criminals settled. However, recently, due to its location, the area has attracted the attention of the authorities. On the site of former factories there are expensive restaurants and nightclubs, and residential slums are being rebuilt into low-rise luxury housing. The most prestigious places are considered to be the quarters of the Old South (Oud zuid). Here are the main museums of Amsterdam, the street of the most expensive boutiques Hooftstraat, a park with a wonderful system of lakes - Vondelpark. There are mostly expensive villas here. Everything is orderly and noble. You can see here: Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum art museum, the Concerthebouw Conservatory,
Van Gogh Museum, Steidelic Museum, go to the iconic bar “Cobra Cafe”.

A large group of young people will love the Pijp district. Simple, cheerful, relaxed, with a touch of the former bohemian life. Initially, it was given over to the construction of houses for peasants who came to the city to earn money, so no one thought of any special frills. The houses are densely packed, the apartments are tiny, the streets are narrow. To save money, workers rented out corners to artists, designers, students, and prostitutes. So the area began to acquire a touch of bohemian and easy life. There are many noisy bars, cheap eateries, and small restaurants. The whole life of the area revolves around the gigantic Albert-Kaupmarkt market, it’s definitely worth a visit. You can also see the Beer Museum, the House with Dwarves, and the small park Sarfatipark.

The New South (Nieuwe zuid) district is considered to be far from the center, but quite calm and nice. There are interesting houses here, with stained glass instead of windows, and mostly pensioners live.

You should be careful when choosing hotels in Amsterdam's Oosterpark. Workers and migrant workers live here. You can only look at the Arc de Triomphe, through which Napoleon entered the city in 1811, and the Museum of the Peoples of the World.

Trip to Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a reputation as a city of free morals - the red light district, coffee shops and smart shops attract many exotic lovers. However, this is not why you should come here. In the picturesque city, where there are almost more canals than in Venice, you can wander for a long time on foot, admiring the views and taking in the sights.

The Rijksmuseum with paintings by Rembrandt, the Van Gogh Museum, the Nemo Science Museum, the Anne Frank Museum - this is an incomplete list of really interesting places to visit. Amsterdam is by no means a piquant tourist attraction, but a distinctive city with glorious traditions and a rich history. It is no coincidence that its flag features three St. Andrew's crosses - symbols of valor, firmness and mercy. A trip to Amsterdam surprises and leaves the most pleasant memories for almost everyone who has been here.

How to get to Amsterdam?

The fastest way to get to Amsterdam from Russia, Ukraine and the CIS countries is by plane. Aeroflot and KLM airlines operate direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Travel time is 3-3.5 hours. You can fly from Kyiv on KLM and Ukraine International Airlines flights; you will be at Amsterdam airport in 3.5 hours. A flight with a transfer takes longer, but costs much less. To save money, you can buy plane tickets with AirBaltic, Estonian Air, LOT, SAS or FinnAir.

The most convenient way to find the lowest prices for air tickets to Amsterdam is on Aviasales. This site shows prices in real time, comparing offers from dozens of airlines and agencies. The service interface is extremely simple, and tickets can be purchased in just a few clicks. Read about how to find the most attractive flight options in Ever.Travel's tips.

Where to stay in Amsterdam?

Choosing a place to live in Amsterdam is not a difficult task. This city, when compared with other European capitals, is small and inexpensive. Quite high prices for hotel rooms will be only in the vicinity of the central Dam Square. Otherwise, the cost of living in different areas of the city is approximately the same, so we recommend staying where the attractions that you would like to see first are located. Getting to other places is not a problem: use well-developed public transport, or better yet, follow the example of local residents - ride a bicycle!

Map of Amsterdam districts

Old Town (Oudezijde)

Perhaps there is no need to explain the pros and cons of living in the city center. And it’s clear that from here it’s a stone’s throw to the main attractions of Amsterdam: the Royal Palace, Dam Square, the NEMO Museum, the Red Light District... The latter is definitely worth considering if you’re traveling to Amsterdam with children. No, representatives of the second oldest profession do not openly walk the streets of the center, but there are plenty of tourists here who want to stare at them, as a rule, having previously visited several bars and coffee shops. Prices per night at a hotel in the Old Town start from 50 euros and average 100-120 euros per room.

If you don’t want to deal with the nuances of applying for a visa to the Netherlands yourself, use the VisaToHome service. On this website you can arrange for your visa to be delivered to your home - it's almost as easy as ordering pizza to your home! You only need to answer a couple of questions and give the documents to the courier. Specialists will fill out all the forms for you, they will go to the Visa Application Center, and then bring your passport with the coveted stamp to your home. On the eve of your trip, you still have a lot to think through, so delegate at least some of the issues to those who do it quickly, clearly and efficiently!

How to get from Amsterdam Airport to the city

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (Luchthaven Schiphol) is connected to the city center:

• Connexxion buses, which depart 6-8 times per hour. Leidseplein can be reached in 30 minutes. The fare there and back is 10 euros.
• Trains of the Netherlands Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen - NS) go to Amsterdam Central, Amsterdam Zuid and Amsterdam RAI stations. Travel time is about half an hour, ticket cost is about 4 euros.
• Traveling to the center by taxi will cost about 40 euros and take about half an hour. The taxi rank is located at the exit from the airport. Drivers offering their services inside the airport are usually not licensed, so it is not recommended to use them.

The KiwiTaxi service will help you get from Amsterdam airport to the city with ease and comfort. With it, you can arrange an individual transfer to the hotel on the eve of your trip, so that upon arrival you don’t have to wander around the terminal looking for a bus or taxi. You will be met and taken straight to your desired location for a predetermined amount. Travel with b O greater comfort!

Car rental in Amsterdam

As a rule, a visit to Amsterdam is never limited to seeing the sights of just one city. Amsterdam is part of the Randstad agglomeration, which also includes Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague - the largest cities in the country, the four of them forming a kind of circle with a diameter of about 60 kilometers. By our standards, this is quite a bit, but if you rent a car and drive around all these regions on your own, you will get much more impressions than from the capital alone.

The most convenient way to rent a car in Amsterdam is using the RentalCars.com service. On this site you can compare rental prices from several suppliers and choose the most suitable option in terms of price and characteristics. Read about how profitable it is to use the services of RentalCars.com in the Ever.Travel review.

Amsterdam city transport

Trams are ideal for getting around the city center. The best way to reach remote areas is the Amsterdam metro, whose lines radiate out from the central station. A wide network of bus routes allows you to get from anywhere to anywhere, including at night.

There is a single ticket for all types of transport - OV-chipkaart. A ticket for one trip is valid for 90 minutes and costs 2.8 euros. You can also buy a pass for 24 hours (7.5 euros), 48 hours (12 euros) and so on up to 168 hours (7 days, 32 euros). It is important to remember that you need to validate your ticket every time at the entrance in transport and upon exit out of him.

Bicycle rental in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city of cyclists, with excellent infrastructure for the use of two-wheeled transport. However, there is no centralized rental system here. You can rent a bicycle in many offices, for example, in MacBike Amsterdam, StarBikes Rentals, Bike City. Their prices are approximately the same.

Tourist card I amsterdam City Card

Well, to make it even easier for you to navigate, we have created several options for walking around Amsterdam. You can go through them either on foot or by bicycle:

Amsterdam, like an old pirate chest that no one has looked into for a long time, is full of secrets and surprises. You can truly appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the capital of the Netherlands if you order a custom excursion, and Excursiopedia will help with this. This site contains offers from local professional Russian-speaking guides who will tell you in a fascinating way about various aspects of the history of Amsterdam, guide you through the streets and squares, and show you all the sights and establishments that interest you. The list of excursions is very extensive, you can easily find an adventure to suit your taste. Here, for example, is what we could recommend for both beginners and experienced travelers:

Mobile communications and Internet in the Netherlands

There are quite a few free Internet access points in the city - in cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, etc. Those who want to be constantly in touch can purchase a SIM card from one of the popular local operators for 10-15 euros - KPN, Vodafone and T-mobile.

Shopping in Amsterdam

Like any other capital of the world, Amsterdam has stores of popular European brands from mass market to luxury - they are concentrated around Nieuwedijk, Kalverstraat and P.C. Hooftstraat.

The largest in the city is located on Dam Square department store De Bijenkorf, which features more than 600 brands.

At the same time, “alternative” trade is thriving in Amsterdam - numerous shops of avant-garde designers, themed stores, vintage and antique shops are located in the Nine Streets area (De Negen Straatjes) in Jordaan. Here you can buy very unusual clothes, incredible shoes, bold accessories and unique souvenirs.

Shops are usually open from 9:00 to 18:00, on Thursday - until 21:00, on Saturday - until 17:00. Large supermarkets are open until 20:00 or 21:00 on weekdays. On Sunday you can shop from 12:00 to 17:00.

Dutch cuisine

Everyday dishes - sandwiches with a variety of fillings and French fries, which can be bought at any time of the day or night on literally every corner. For dinner, they often eat vegetable puree from potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage (stamppot) with sausage or cutlets, boiled or stewed beef (hutspot), and meat stew with vegetables (gutspot).

Fish and seafood are held in high esteem among the Dutch- flounder, eel, halibut, oysters, mussels, but the true queen of Dutch cuisine is herring, which is fried, baked, smoked, canned. Pickled herring is often eaten right on the street, taken by the tail and eaten with chopped onions or placed in a fresh bun.

You can bring real Dutch cheese as a souvenir(Edam, Gouda, Maasdam, Leiden) and stroopwafel (made from thin dough with caramel filling).

History of Amsterdam

The city on the Amstel River was first mentioned in chronicles in 1275. In 1317, Amsterdam joined the County of Holland and received privileges - the right to duty-free trade. In less than two centuries, a small fishing village turned into a major port and an important economic center. By the end of the 15th century, the city received the right to free trade in the Baltic from the Hanseatic League and carried out up to 70% of all transport in the Baltic Sea.

After Amsterdam's main rival Antwerp was captured and ravaged by the Spanish in 1585, the city's wealth and power doubled. Antwerp merchants and artisans, especially Jews, fled here en masse to escape the rampant Inquisition. It was they who brought diamond cutting techniques to the capital of the Netherlands, which led to the growth of jewelry and trade in precious stones.

By 1658, the territory of Amsterdam had quadrupled. A well-thought-out development option - the “three canal plan” - ensured the construction of infrastructure adequate to the time and brought the city the glory of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

The colonial era, along with new lands, huge markets and the import of exotic goods, gave Amsterdam even greater power. The creation of the East India and West India Companies, and then the opening of the world's first stock exchange, significantly strengthened the economic and political position of the city.

However, from the second half of the 18th century, the welfare of Amsterdam began to deteriorate due to the French occupation and the continental blockade. In 1810-1814, the Netherlands became part of the French Empire and the city temporarily lost its capital status. Despite this, Napoleon considered it the third city in Europe, second only to Paris and Rome.

In 1900, the number of inhabitants of Amsterdam exceeded half a million people. Rapid industrialization and the revival of the trading port led to overpopulation. The housing problem was solved with great difficulty.

The First World War, in which the Netherlands remained neutral, did not have a significant impact on the life of the city. During the Second World War, the population of the capital, and especially its large Jewish part, suffered seriously.

In the post-war years, the economy of Amsterdam reoriented itself from unprofitable industries to trade, tourism and the service sector. Today, the headquarters of large international corporations are located here, as well as the main office of Greenpeace.

Nowadays, Amsterdam is a thriving city, famous for its relaxed legislation on sensitive issues, abundance of representatives of subcultures and excellent conditions for cyclists.

It is important to know:

Annual events, holidays and non-working days:

March-April - Good (Good) Friday and Easter

40 days after Easter - Ascension of the Lord

7 weeks after Easter - Trinity Day

Photos used in the review Shutterstock,

Amsterdam suffers from a chronic shortage of affordable, inexpensive 3* hotels. If money is not an issue, finding a place to stay comfortably is quite easy. Famous luxury hotels such as the Dylan in Amsterdam, the Georges V in Paris or the Arts in Barcelona need little introduction. But such luxury is beyond the means of most tourists.

Where to stay in Amsterdam for under £120 per night? Journalists from the British newspaper "Telegraph" conducted their research and offer the ten best hotels in this "democratic" price category.

The presented ten are a wonderful compromise between savings and the opportunity to plunge into the specific atmosphere of the capital of the Netherlands, for a while feeling your involvement in history. All of the dozen hotels, except one, are located in prestigious areas of the city: either by the canal, or near the Van Gogh Museum, other famous museums and parks of the city. Prices are for the cheapest double room in May (peak tourist season), breakfast included.

1. "Brouwer" - £62

If your budget is very tight, but you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of historical Amsterdam, you can stay at the Brouwer Hotel, which is located on one of the city's canals.

The hotel building itself is the house of a sea captain; the date of construction is indicated on its facade - 1652. The reception hall, where breakfast is served, is decorated with antique tiles and frescoes. Brouwer's bedrooms overlook the canal. The rooms have simple wooden floors, but on the walls there are paintings by Dutch artists, including a painting by Bosch. There are 9 rooms in the hotel.

2. "Orlando" - £69

The rooms of this hotel occupy three floors of an old canal building built in 1680, and unknowing people consider it a rather expensive private house.

Owner Paul Lodder, a former lawyer, has furnished the bedrooms tastefully: oak floors, silk curtains, Philippe Starck lighting. Prices here range from £69 for rooms on the ground floor, to £80 - £100 for rooms with canal views. The most expensive is room 117, all three windows of which look out onto the canal.

Paul Lodder serves breakfast to guests himself. But if someone doesn’t like the host’s treat, there are good restaurants a stone’s throw away. There are 5 rooms in total.

3. "Seven Bridges" - £76

The three-hundred-year-old building looks out onto one of the most picturesque canals in Amsterdam. The name of the hotel itself describes the view from the windows.

The building's owners, who lived there for more than 30 years, left behind bedrooms with Persian rugs, Tiffany-style lamps, Biedermeer tables, Louis XV chairs and much more.

True, only one room, located on the ground floor, costs £76. The next most expensive rooms are numbers 9 and 10, costing £100 and are located in the attic. The most expensive - number 5, which has its own terrace, costs almost twice as much - £180.

Disadvantages of this building: lack of an elevator and steep stairs, as well as the lack of a common room. True, this is compensated by breakfast, which is delivered to the room, and for those who prefer to have breakfast outside the bedroom, there is a cafe a few meters from the house. There are 11 rooms in the hotel. By the way, the hotel website also exists in Russian.

4. Owl £89

Since the early 1970s, the Owl Hotel has been welcoming guests. The 19th century mansion is located near the city center, near the Van Gogh Museum. Creamy green living room, bar, breakfast room and terrace where breakfasts are served when the weather permits.

The hotel's bedrooms are rather boring: modern furniture, old reproductions and impressionist drawings, perfectly preserved. The largest rooms in the hotel are rooms 26, 36, 46 and 56. In total, there are 34 rooms in Sova.

5. Lloyd - £95

Almost everything that is known about Lloyd is unconfirmed facts. It is alleged that in the 20s of the last century it served as a boarding house for emigrants who were waiting for flights to sail to America.

Now here is a civilized hotel, in the hall of which concerts, exhibitions and meetings with celebrities are often held. The bedrooms here are all extraordinary, of different levels - from 1*, where several rooms have one shower room, to 5*, located almost in the attic, with a private bathroom. The latter are priced at £250.

Breakfast is organized in a huge hall, and here the morning menu is at the level of much more expensive hotels: you can choose not the breakfast program, but specific dishes, and you will be served at a separate table.

Lloyd's is located a ten minute walk from Central station, close to the Eastern Docks. Motorcycles have become a special service of the hotel - they are the most convenient way to explore a big city. Lloyd's has 117 rooms.

6. "t Hotel" - £100

The 17th-century building is located near one of the most picturesque canals in Amsterdam. The bedrooms have a separate entrance. The rooms are tastefully furnished: lamps with art decor, gray and brown furniture, snow-white bathrooms. The cost of one night here is £114. True, there is still the same drawback of ancient buildings: steep stairs and no elevator, and to get to breakfast, you have to leave the house and enter from the other side. The "t Hotel" has 8 rooms.

7. "Piet Hein" - £104

"Piet Hein" is a luxury hotel built in the 19th century, overlooking the park, near the Van Gogh Museum. There is a luxurious hall with a bar, traditionally decorated with tulips; in the hall there are leather sofas, coffee tables and always the latest newspapers, as well as Internet terminals with free access for guests.

A nautical theme permeates the place, from the black-and-white photographs of racing yachts in the lobby to the modern bedrooms that look like ocean liner cabins.

In a mansion, the rooms are cheaper because they are smaller. In the newer, 20th-century extension, the rooms are larger and have air conditioning, which means they are more expensive by £14.

When choosing this hotel in the near future, you should be careful and check in advance: the hotel owners are planning another expansion, so renovations may interfere with your vacation plans. The hotel has 60 rooms.

8. "Canal House" - £107

This hotel is the most typical of Amsterdam and the most old-fashioned. It consists of two interconnected buildings built in the 17th century. In numerous and illogical corridors and bedrooms, a wide variety of things and pieces of furniture coexist: statues, paintings, engravings, house plants and fresh flowers.

£107 - the cost of the cheapest rooms, they are very small and you cannot see any of the beauties of the ancient city from the windows.

More decent rooms, furnished with antiques, cost £130. By the way, if you pay in cash, you will receive a five percent discount. There are 26 rooms in Canal House.

9. "Misc" - £107

The name of this small hotel, built in the 17th century, comes from the fact that all its six bedrooms are not alike. The “Africa” room is hung with photographs of East Africa, the “Design” room is furnished with Ikea furniture, and the “Miracles” room is decorated in the style of “A Thousand and One Nights.”

You can have breakfast at the hotel, it is included in the price of your overnight stay, and a full refrigerator of soft drinks and light snacks is also included. £107 - the cost of those rooms whose windows do not overlook the canal, rooms with a view of it will be £14 more expensive. However, you must also take into account the fact that along with the view of the canal you also get canal noise.

The hotel has an excellent location: next to the Red Light District and next to the Nieuwmarkt, an area of ​​many cafes and restaurants.

10. "De Filosoof" - £113

The hotel's creator, Ida Dongsma, a philosopher, recently sold the hotel to a small Danish company, which decided to preserve the specifics of the house, creating a hotel for those seeking peace and privacy.

Single bedrooms are themed, each dedicated to a philosopher or philosophical movement. Philosophical seminars are held here every two weeks. However, even if philosophy as such is not your cup of tea, this is not a reason to miss the opportunity to visit the Philosopher.

The hotel building was built in the 19th century with a then fashionable terrace. Breakfast can be served here in the garden.

The hotel's location is also convenient - in a residential area next to one of the largest parks in Amsterdam, and you can get to the center here by tram in just five minutes. The hotel has 45 rooms.