Choosing a Base
The Netherlands is small and well connected by train, so where you stay matters less for sightseeing than it does in larger countries. A base in Utrecht, Haarlem or Leiden can be under 40 minutes from Amsterdam, and The Hague and Rotterdam are around an hour away. Your choice mostly comes down to budget, atmosphere and how much time you want to spend in Amsterdam itself.
Amsterdam: Neighbourhood by Neighbourhood
Amsterdam has the widest choice and the highest prices. The city charges a tourist tax of 12.5 percent of the room price, on top of VAT, and rates rise sharply in spring, summer and around events.
- Centrum and the canal ring (Grachtengordel). The most central location, within walking distance of most sights. Expect canal-house hotels with character, high prices and some noise, especially near the Red Light District and Leidseplein.
- Jordaan. West of the canal ring, quieter streets, small hotels and B&Bs, many cafés. Still central and popular, so not cheap.
- De Pijp. South of the centre, around the Albert Cuyp Market. Lively, with lots of restaurants, and a short walk or tram ride to the Rijksmuseum.
- Museum Quarter and Oud-Zuid. Near the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark. Calmer and more residential, with some upmarket hotels.
- Oud-West and Oost. Residential areas with good tram links. Oost, around Oosterpark and the Artis zoo, often offers better value.
- Noord. Across the IJ by free ferry from Centraal Station. Newer hotels, creative venues such as the NDSM wharf, and generally lower prices, at the cost of a ferry ride each way.
Private holiday rentals in Amsterdam are restricted: hosts must register and can rent out their home to tourists for only a limited number of nights per year. Use established platforms and check that listings show a registration number.
Cheaper Bases Near Amsterdam
- Haarlem. About 15 minutes by train, with a handsome historic centre around the Grote Markt and the Frans Hals Museum. The beach at Zandvoort is close.
- Utrecht. Around 30 minutes away and the hub of the Dutch rail network, which makes it an efficient base for day trips in every direction. Its centre around the Oudegracht and Dom Tower is lively thanks to the university.
- Leiden. About 35 minutes away and close to Schiphol, with many museums and canals.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam offers modern architecture, a strong food scene and generally lower hotel prices than Amsterdam. The Centrum near Rotterdam Centraal and the Markthal is convenient for trains. Kop van Zuid, across the Erasmus Bridge, has waterfront hotels, including Hotel New York in the former head office of the Holland America Line. Delfshaven, west of the centre, is one of the few parts of the old city that survived the 1940 bombing and has a more historic feel.
The Hague and Delft
The Hague splits into two quite different options. The city centre, near the Binnenhof, Mauritshuis and Lange Voorhout, suits museum visits and is close to the station. Scheveningen, the seaside district, has beachfront hotels that are busiest in summer and quieter, often cheaper, outside it. Trams link the two.
Delft, ten minutes from The Hague and 15 from Rotterdam by train, has smaller hotels in its canal centre and makes an attractive, compact base for both cities.
Further Afield
- Maastricht. In the far south, with a different, more Burgundian atmosphere. Stay near the Vrijthof or in the Wyck district across the river near the station.
- Groningen. The main city of the north and a lively student town. Hotels in the centre are close to the Grote Markt and the Groninger Museum.
- The Wadden Islands and the coast have holiday parks, campsites and small hotels, which book up early for summer.
Practical Points Before You Book
- Steep stairs. Many older Dutch buildings, especially canal houses, have very steep, narrow staircases and no lift. If mobility is an issue, ask before booking.
- Room sizes. Rooms in historic city-centre buildings can be small.
- Tourist taxes apply in most cities, either as a percentage of the room price or a fixed amount per person per night, and are often added at checkout.
- Parking. City-centre parking is expensive and scarce. Use park-and-ride (P+R) sites or choose accommodation near a station.
- Book early for King's Day (27 April), the tulip season from late March to early May, and summer weekends.
