The insider's guide to Amsterdam

Amsterdam,
Simply Done.

Find where to sleep, what to skip, and how to spend every euro — without the guidebook noise.

Find a Place to Stay Is the City Card Worth It?
900+
Things to Do
8
Neighbourhoods
€65
City Card from
70+
Museums Included

Where to sleep

Find Your Stay

From canalside boutique hotels to budget-friendly hostels — and the Airbnbs the locals actually stay in. Every link below connects you to the best platforms.

Most Popular
Airbnb · Entire apartments
Live Like a Local

Canal-view apartments in the Jordaan, cosy studios in De Pijp — Airbnb's Amsterdam inventory is exceptional. Best for stays of 3+ nights.

From €75/night · Avg. €120–€180 for central apartments
Browse Airbnb Amsterdam →
Booking.com · Hotels & B&Bs
Boutique & Hotels

From design-forward boutiques on the Herengracht to well-priced business hotels near Leidseplein — with free cancellation on most.

From €90/night · Boutiques from €150
Search Hotels on Booking.com →
Hostelworld · Shared & Private
Budget Done Right

Amsterdam's hostels are genuinely good — social bars, clean dorms, prime locations. Flying Solo Hostel and Stayokay Vondelpark are top-rated.

Dorms from €28/night · Private rooms from €70
Browse Budget Stays →

Links above may be affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps Simply Amsterdam free.

Find your fit

Which Neighbourhood?

Every corner of Amsterdam has its own character. Pick one below and we'll tell you exactly who it's right for — and where to book.

🌷
Jordaan
Romantic, artistic, canal houses
🍺
De Pijp
Trendy, multicultural, foodie hub
🏛️
Centrum
All the sights, tourist central
🚲
Oud-West
Leafy, local, Vondelpark walks
🎨
Oost
Creative, diverse, up-and-coming
⛴️
Amsterdam-Noord
Industrial cool, ferry ride away

Smart traveller tool

Is the I Amsterdam City Card Worth It?

The City Card costs up to €145 and covers 70+ museums plus unlimited public transport. Tick what you actually plan to do — we'll do the maths.

Your Amsterdam Calculator
Select your card duration and tick the things you're planning to do

Select what you plan to do:

Your retail cost
City Card cost
You save
Activities selected

What to do

Simply Do

Curated experiences through GetYourGuide — tours, tastings, and things you'd only find if someone told you.

🚣
Private Canal Boat Tour

Skip the tourist cruises. A private skipper, small group, beers included, and you choose the route through the Jordaan locks.

From €29/person · 1.5 hrs
Book via GetYourGuide →
🍞
Jordaan Food Tour

Eight stops through the Jordaan neighbourhood — stroopwafels, bitterballen, jenever tastings and the best Dutch cheese you've ever eaten.

From €59/person · 2.5 hrs
Book via GetYourGuide →
🚲
Bike Tour of the City

The only way to see Amsterdam like a local. Skip the trams and pedal through the Plantage, De Pijp and the Eastern Docklands.

From €35/person · 3 hrs
Book via GetYourGuide →
🌷
Keukenhof Day Trip

The world's largest flower garden, 30 mins from Amsterdam. 7 million bulbs in bloom March–May. Guided bus transfer from Centraal.

From €38/person incl. transfer
Book via GetYourGuide →
🎭
Anne Frank House Priority Entry

Tickets sell out 2–3 months in advance. Book early, go first thing, allow 90 mins. One of the most important sites in Europe.

€16/person · Timed entry
Book Direct (Official Site) →
🍺
Heineken Experience

The Heineken brewery turned museum. Fun, interactive, and 4 beers included. Peak tourist, yes — but peak fun too.

From €23/person · 2 hrs self-guided
Book Tickets →

* GetYourGuide links are affiliate links. Booking through them supports Simply Amsterdam at no cost to you.

Plan smart

Amsterdam Budget Planner

Drag the sliders to match your travel style. Flight not included — this is your on-the-ground Amsterdam budget per trip.

Trip length
3 days
Accommodation/night
€100
Food & Drink/day
€60
Transport/day (trams, bikes)
€10
Activities & Museums/day
€30
Shopping & Misc/day
€20
Estimated Total Trip Cost
€570
Per day average
€190

Note: Accommodation × nights, all other categories × days. Flight not included.

Support Simply Amsterdam

Keep This Guide Free

No ads, no paywalls, no hotel kickbacks inflating recommendations. Simply Amsterdam runs on affiliate commissions and voluntary tips.

Leave a tip — even a small one keeps the lights on and the guides updated.