Best areas to stay in Amsterdam for a month: a neighbourhood guide

The best areas to stay in Amsterdam for a month: how to choose

Wikivoyage describes the historic centre as 90 islands linked by 400 bridges, with the medieval Binnenstad as the most visited area, filled with narrow streets, shops, tourists and coffeeshops. For a month, many visitors choosing the best areas to stay in Amsterdam for a month prefer a base just outside it: close enough to walk or cycle in, and quieter at night.

Think about three things: the tram or metro stop, since the network is designed around them; the street, since canals and bars can mean noise; and the bike, since cycling is how many residents move. The table below compares the main bases using Wikivoyage, Wikipedia and the I amsterdam site.

Is the Jordaan a good area to stay in for a month?

Among the best areas to stay in Amsterdam for a month, the Jordaan is the classic choice. Wikivoyage says it was once a working-class neighbourhood and is now known for galleries, specialty shops and boutique restaurants, and calls it one of the most upscale areas of the Netherlands. Brouwersgracht is sometimes called the most beautiful street of Amsterdam, and the backstreets are worth exploring.

The tram network helps. Wikivoyage says trams 13 and 17 run from Centraal to Westermarkt, with 17 continuing to Elandsgracht, and tram 5 serves the west side. It also lists Saturday and Monday markets at Noordermarkt and a general market on Lindengracht.

The trade-off is the tourist footfall near the canals, so look at the street before booking. If you are working from the room, read working remotely from an aparthotel for desk and connectivity checks.

De Pijp and the Museum Quarter: markets, parks and museums

Wikivoyage says De Pijp was built as cheap housing and has since gentrified, with the Albert Cuyp Market and the area around Heinekenplein as key attractions. The market, which it calls the largest street market in Amsterdam, runs Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00. Heinekenplein is a going-out area for students and beer lovers, and Sarphatipark is a popular spot for summer picnics.

The Museum Quarter is more formal. Wikivoyage says it was built in the 1860s for Amsterdam's wealthy and holds the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum, next to Vondelpark and the upscale P.C. Hooftstraat shopping street. Tram 2 from Centraal serves Museumplein, tram 4 serves De Pijp, and trams 12 and 24 serve both areas.

For everyday errands over a month, De Pijp is the better choice, since Wikivoyage calls it a non-touristy neighbourhood with a market and cafés. Expect crowds around the market and Heinekenplein.

Oud-West, Oost and Noord: calmer bases beyond the centre

I amsterdam groups Oud-West, Oost and Noord under trendy and up-and-coming neighbourhoods, with Foodhallen in Oud-West and the Eye Filmmuseum in Noord. Wikivoyage describes West as built in the Amsterdam School style, with Westerpark, the city's largest park, and the De Hallen food market in Kinkerbuurt.

Oost, according to Wikivoyage, should not be regarded as a homogeneous area, with many neighbourhoods around Oosterpark, plus the Eastern Docklands and IJburg. Metro lines 51, 53 and 54 run along the west side of Oost, with Weesperplein the first useful stop, and tram 26 goes to IJburg. Watergraafsmeer is described as a green neighbourhood with many trees and sports facilities.

Noord is under development, with NDSM-werf and the EYE Film Institute, and its rural area east of the A10 is best explored by bicycle. The best areas to stay in Amsterdam for a month beyond the centre suit stays that prize space, parks and quieter nights over canal views.

Getting around Amsterdam: trams, metro, ferries, bikes and the airport

Wikivoyage says the GVB runs 15 tram lines, five metro lines and many bus routes, mostly from about 06:00 until around midnight. Wikipedia lists the metro as lines 50 to 54 with 39 stations, and says Line 52 opened in July 2018 and runs from Noord to Zuid via Centraal. Free ferries cross the IJ from Centraal Station, the most frequent every 7 minutes.

Wikivoyage says that since 2023 you can pay with a contactless bank card through OVpay or with an OV-chipkaart, and that you must check in and check out. NS's site also lists checking in and out with a payment card. For a month, ask the operator which option suits a longer stay.

Schiphol is 15 km south-west of the city, and Wikivoyage says the train is quicker than the GVB bus. Cycling is part of life: Wikivoyage reports about 800,000 bicycles for about 750,000 residents, warns that cyclists do not have the right of way in the way one might expect, and says Amsterdam has one of the highest bicycle theft rates in the world, so use a good lock.

When is the best time for a month in Amsterdam?

Wikipedia describes an oceanic climate. January averages about 6.2 °C by day and 1.2 °C at night, July about 22.5 °C by day and 13.5 °C at night, with around 133 days a year of at least 1 mm of precipitation. Wikivoyage says it rains one day in two on average, so be prepared for rain in any season.

Daylight changes more than temperature. Around Christmas there are about 8 hours of daylight, and summer sunsets can be as late as 22:00, according to Wikivoyage. King's Day on 27 April, or the Saturday before if that date falls on a Sunday, is a major event, so ask about noise and crowds if your month includes it.

Practical advice: choose a base with a washing machine and a tumble dryer, because wet weather affects laundry. See laundry in aparthotels for what to ask.

Practical tips for a long stay in Amsterdam

A month rewards routine, and the best areas to stay in Amsterdam for a month are the ones that fit yours. The monthly serviced apartments guide explains how longer bookings work, and the relocation guide helps if the stay is part of a move.

• Choose by tram or metro stop and the ride to Centraal, not only the neighbourhood name.
• Check stairs and lifts: canal-side buildings can be steep and narrow, so ask about access if you have luggage or limited mobility.
• City taxes and charges vary; the extra charges and city taxes guide explains what to ask.
• Look for a kitchen, because markets and food halls make cooking at home easy.
• For other Dutch options, see aparthotels and serviced apartments in Rotterdam and aparthotels and serviced apartments in The Hague.