The best area in Amsterdam depends on what matters most to you: value, driving and parking, families, events or being near the museums. Amsterdam is compact and well connected, so staying just outside the busy centre often gets you a larger, cleaner room for less, with a fast metro or tram into town.
Quieter and more local than the centre, close to Westerpark, with good tram links. Good for couples, families and drivers who want space and parking without centre prices.
Stay at XO Hotels Park West – spacious rooms (28-32 m2), on-site covered parking with EV charging, family rooms and a breakfast buffet. Tram 19 and Sloterdijk station take you into the centre. Rated 8.8/10.
More residential, near Rembrandtpark and Sloterplas, with metro, tram and train at Lelylaan. Good value and easy for drivers.
Stay at Hotel Couture – modern, good value, spacious rooms, close to Lelylaan station for metro, train and tram. Or XO Hotels Blue Square / Infinity near the Sloterplas for a quieter, budget-friendly base.
Home to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live, with excellent metro and train links and the AMC hospital nearby. Great value, larger modern hotels, and easy by car.
Stay at Hotel Levell – modern rooms for 2-4 people, parking with EV charging, Bullewijk metro a 4-minute walk, and walking distance to the event venues. Rated 8.6/10.
Near Museumplein, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark, with trams into the centre. Good for a first visit focused on culture.
Stay at XO Hotels Inner or XO Hotels Van Gogh – close to the museums and Vondelpark, a short tram ride from the centre.
Right among the canals and sights; best if you want to step out of the door into the city and don’t mind smaller, pricier rooms.
Stay at XO Hotels City Centre – in the centre near the Beurs and Dam, walking distance from Amsterdam Central.
| You are… | Best area | XO hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Driving with a car / EV | West / Nieuw-West | Park West, Couture |
| A family wanting space + value | West | Park West |
| Going to a concert or soccer match | Zuidoost | Levell |
| Here for the museums | Zuid | Inner, Van Gogh |
| On a budget, quiet base | Nieuw-West | Blue Square, Infinity |
| Wanting to walk everywhere | Centre | City Centre |
Often yes – you usually get a larger, newer room for less, with easier parking, as long as you’re near a metro or tram. Areas like West, Nieuw-West and Zuidoost reach the centre in roughly 15-20 minutes.
For sightseeing, Zuid (near the museums) or West (quiet, good value, quick tram) work well; the centre is best if you want to walk everywhere.
West or Nieuw-West – easier and cheaper parking than the centre, with metro or tram into town.
XO Hotels: 4.1/5 across 9,500+ Trustpilot reviews, 10 hotels across Amsterdam. Book direct at xohotels.com for 10% off with city tax included.
