By the Where to Stay in Amsterdam editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay in the western half of the Old Center, between Dam Square and the Spui, or by the Amstel at Muntplein. These streets are central but calmer than the Red Light District. Our pick is INK Hotel Amsterdam, a design hotel on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal.
For a splurge, De L'Europe sits right on the Amstel. The Sofitel Legend The Grand is just as grand but on the southern edge of the Red Light District. On a budget, Motel One Waterlooplein is on the quieter Nieuwmarkt side, and Résidence Le Coin has kitchenettes. Book a hotel inside De Wallen, the Red Light District, only if you want to be in the middle of the nightlife.
The Old Center's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | Downsides |
|---|---|---|
| Dam Square and the Nieuwe Zijde | Sights, shopping, trams | Crowds all day; shopping streets |
| Spui and the university quarter | Bookshops, cafés, a calmer feel | Few big hotels |
| De Wallen (Red Light District) | Nightlife, old canals, Oude Kerk | Crowds and noise until late |
| Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein | Markets, Chinatown, budget hotels | Some streets border the Red Light District |
Map of Old Center Hotels
Dam Square is in the middle; the Spui and Muntplein are to the south, and Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein are to the east.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Old Center stays →Best Grand Hotels
Historic buildings, pools and riverside views. De L'Europe is the calmest of the three.
De L'Europe Amsterdam
On the Amstel, by Muntplein, Old Center
The grand hotel on the Amstel, with a spa, a pool and a riverside terrace.
Best for: Old-world luxury
- Restaurants and bar overlooking the Amstel
- Spa with pool and fitness area
- Waterside terrace
More about this hotel
A grand hotel on the Amstel at Muntplein, with restaurants and a bar overlooking the river and a waterside terrace. The Flower Market and Rembrandtplein are a few minutes away on foot.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Choinowski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Old Center
A former convent and city hall with an indoor pool, on the edge of the Red Light District.
Best for: History and a pool
- Indoor pool and spa
- Restaurant Bridges
- Family rooms
More about this hotel
A former convent and later the city hall, on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, with a courtyard, a spa and an indoor pool. It is on the southern edge of the Red Light District, a few minutes from Dam Square.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: A. Bakker, CC BY-SA 3.0
W Amsterdam
Spuistraat, behind Dam Square, Old Center
A big design hotel behind Dam Square with a pool, for nightlife fans.
Best for: Nightlife and design
- Pool and hot tub
- Steps from Dam Square
- Large hotel on a busy shopping street
More about this hotel
A big design hotel on the Spuistraat, just behind Dam Square, with a pool and a hot tub. It suits travelers who want buzz and nightlife more than canal-house calm.
Best Mid-Range Hotels
Design and history in the middle of town.
INK Hotel Amsterdam - MGallery
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Old Center
Our top pick: a design hotel in a former newspaper building, between Dam Square and Centraal Station.
Best for: Central and stylish
- In a former newspaper building
- Pressroom restaurant
- Walk to Dam Square, the Nine Streets and the station
More about this hotel
A design hotel in the former home of the Dutch newspaper De Tijd, on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal between Dam Square and Centraal Station. The Pressroom restaurant is on the ground floor.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Michiel1972, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hotel V Nesplein
Nes, between Dam and the Spui, Old Center
A design hotel on a small theater street between Dam and the Spui.
Best for: Couples who want the center
- The Lobby Nesplein restaurant
- À la carte breakfast
- Terrace and library
More about this hotel
A design hotel on the Nes, a narrow theater street between Dam Square and the Spui. The Lobby Nesplein restaurant serves an à la carte breakfast.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Jvhertum, Public domain
Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel
On the Amstel, by Muntplein, Old Center
A historic hotel on the Amstel that claims to be the city's oldest.
Best for: History on a mid-range budget
- Historic building on the Amstel
- 81 rooms
- Restaurant, bar and lounge
More about this hotel
A 17th-century building on the Amstel that claims to be the city's oldest hotel, with 81 rooms. It was NH Collection Amsterdam Doelen before it joined Tivoli.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Best Budget Options
A self-catering studio, a budget design hotel and a party hostel.
Hotel Résidence Le Coin
University quarter, near Muntplein, Old Center
Studios with kitchenettes in the quiet university quarter.
Best for: Self-catering in the center
- Kitchenette in every room
- 24-hour reception
- Walk to the Spui and the Flower Market
More about this hotel
Studios with kitchenettes in the university quarter, a few minutes' walk from Muntplein and the Spui. Reception is open around the clock.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0
Motel One Amsterdam-Waterlooplein
Waterlooplein, Old Center
Budget design hotel by Waterlooplein, with family rooms.
Best for: Design on a budget
- Family One rooms with a chair bed
- Children up to 12 stay free with parents
- Organic breakfast buffet
More about this hotel
A budget design hotel near Waterlooplein and the Nieuwmarkt, with a lounge bar designed with Piet Hein Eek. Family rooms add a chair bed, and children up to 12 stay free in their parents' room.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Floralinde, CC BY-SA 3.0
St Christopher's Inn at The Winston
Warmoesstraat, Red Light District, Old Center
A party hostel with a nightclub, in the Red Light District.
Best for: Nightlife on a budget
- Dorms with their own shower and toilet
- Private rooms with private bathrooms
- Bar and nightclub on site
More about this hotel
A lively hostel on the Warmoesstraat with dorms, private rooms, a bar and a nightclub downstairs. It is for travelers who want to be in the middle of the nightlife, not for light sleepers.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
Old Center Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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INK Hotel Amsterdam - MGalleryNieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Old Center · Mid-rangeCentral and stylishCheck prices -
De L'Europe AmsterdamOn the Amstel, by Muntplein, Old Center · SplurgeOld-world luxuryCheck prices -
Sofitel Legend The Grand AmsterdamOudezijds Voorburgwal, Old Center · SplurgeHistory and a poolCheck prices -
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Hotel V NespleinNes, between Dam and the Spui, Old Center · Mid-rangeCouples who want the centerCheck prices -
Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam HotelOn the Amstel, by Muntplein, Old Center · Mid-rangeHistory on a mid-range budgetCheck prices -
Hotel Résidence Le CoinUniversity quarter, near Muntplein, Old Center · BudgetSelf-catering in the centerCheck prices -
Motel One Amsterdam-WaterloopleinWaterlooplein, Old Center · BudgetDesign on a budgetCheck prices -
St Christopher's Inn at The WinstonWarmoesstraat, Red Light District, Old Center · BudgetNightlife on a budgetCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
INK Hotel Amsterdam - MGallery
Design hotel
|
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Old Center | Mid-range | Central and stylish | Check prices |
|
|
De L'Europe Amsterdam
Grand riverside hotel
|
On the Amstel, by Muntplein, Old Center | Splurge | Old-world luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
Historic luxury hotel
|
Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Old Center | Splurge | History and a pool | Check prices |
|
|
W Amsterdam
Design hotel
|
Spuistraat, behind Dam Square, Old Center | Splurge | Nightlife and design | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel V Nesplein
Design hotel
|
Nes, between Dam and the Spui, Old Center | Mid-range | Couples who want the center | Check prices |
|
|
Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel
Historic hotel
|
On the Amstel, by Muntplein, Old Center | Mid-range | History on a mid-range budget | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Résidence Le Coin
Aparthotel
|
University quarter, near Muntplein, Old Center | Budget | Self-catering in the center | Check prices |
|
|
Motel One Amsterdam-Waterlooplein
Budget design hotel
|
Waterlooplein, Old Center | Budget | Design on a budget | Check prices |
|
|
St Christopher's Inn at The Winston
Party hostel
|
Warmoesstraat, Red Light District, Old Center | Budget | Nightlife on a budget | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
The Red Light District: What to Expect
De Wallen is one of the oldest parts of the city, with canals, the Oude Kerk and people's homes alongside window brothels, bars and coffeeshops. In the daytime it is mostly calm. On evenings and weekends the narrow streets fill with crowds, and hotel rooms facing them can be loud.
The City of Amsterdam has set rules for visitors in the city center to reduce nuisance:
- Drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis in public spaces in the city center are forbidden and can lead to fines.
- In the Red Light District, bars and restaurants close at 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Pub crawls are prohibited, and guided tours are not allowed in the Red Light District.
If you want calm nights, stay on the Spui side of Dam Square or in the Jordaan and visit De Wallen on foot.
Getting Around the Old Center
- On foot: the Old Center is small. Dam Square to the Spui, Nieuwmarkt or Centraal Station is a short walk.
- By metro: the North-South line stops at Rokin, near Dam Square and the Spui, and runs to Centraal Station, De Pijp and Zuid. Trains run from about 6 am to 12:30 am.
- From Schiphol: trains reach Centraal Station in about 15–17 minutes, and most Old Center hotels are a walk or a short tram ride from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.