Last Updated: 9/13/2023 | September 13th, 2023
Amsterdam will always have a special place in my heart. I spent a month there on my first trip around the world in 2006. I made friends, wandered far and wide, and really got to know the city, its neighborhoods, and its people.
In fact, I fell in love on Amsterdam that trip, and I’ve been back to visit Amsterdam every year since.
It’s one of the most visited and backpacked cities in Europe, with so much to see and do.
The city’s popularity means it’s filled with hundreds of hostels, hotels, and guesthouses.
With so many places showing up in your search results, how do you know which are the best hostels in Amsterdam? I mean, dozens are “top rated” on Hostelworld, right?
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Amsterdam that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Amsterdam:
Price Legend (per night)
- $ = Under 30 EUR
- $$ = 30-40 EUR
- $$$ = Over 40 EUR
1. Meininger Amsterdam Hostels
This European hostel chain has two Amsterdam locations. These hostels are fairly big and are not for the partying type. They are chill hostels meant for families, couples, groups, or anyone looking to escape the party scene. The beds are soft, and you’ll find lots of outlets to charge your electronics. Both hostels are clean, spacious, and comfortable, and offer a fairly decent breakfast. When I’m looking for a quiet time, I stay here.
Meininger Amsterdam Hostels at a glance:
- $$
- Laid-back and quiet atmosphere
- Bar on-site makes it easy to meet people
- Lots of outlets so you can keep your gear charged
Beds from 40 EUR, private rooms from 94 EUR.
2. ClinkNoord
Located in North Amsterdam, this former laboratory from the 1920s has been converted into a stylish, clean space for backpackers. It’s a super awesome, fun, and social environment. It has a fantastic library, workspace, and atrium. There’s a café and on-site bar too. The beds are new, and the pillows are quite soft. Each bunk bed has an individual light and USB socket to charge your phone.
It’s perfect for travelers who want to get off the beaten track in Amsterdam and it’s truly one of the best hostels here. Fun fact: If you’re a musician, you can perform in the ZincBAR for a free one-night stay.
ClinkNoord at a glance:
- $$$
- Cafe and bar on-site makes it easy to meet people
- Lots of common areas (including workspaces for digital nomads)
- Organizes lots of activities and hosts live events
Beds from 46 EUR, private rooms from 90 EUR. HostelPass members get 10% off.
3. Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark
This hostel is part of the YHA association and is pretty standard for them. It’s sort of sterile. Everything is fairly clean and modern, and the beds are kinda comfy (there are no privacy curtains, however). Like Meininger, this hostel is best for couples, groups, families, and non-partying travelers. There’s a good continental breakfast and bike rentals, and the dorm rooms have lockers to store your stuff. There are lights for each bed as well.
If you’re a YHA member, you get 10% off when you check in.
Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark at a glance:
- $$$
- Quiet and laid-back atmosphere
- 10% discount for YHA members
- Great choice for families
Beds from 49 EUR, private rooms from 150 EUR.
4. The Flying Pig Downtown
This is one of my favorite hostels in the world, and I almost always stay here when I’m in town. It’s popular with travelers looking to chill and smoke, and the bar area gets very busy at night. It may not be the cheapest hostel in the city, but the showers are good, and the pillows and beds are super comfy. There are charging points by each of the beds too. Because of its famous reputation, it’s almost always full, so it’s easy to make friends. Stay at the downtown location if you want more space and a bigger bar.
The Flying Pig Downtown at a glance:
- $$
- Great place to meet people
- Super fun and social atmosphere
- Bar on-site
Beds from 38 EUR.
There’s also an uptown location near Vondelpark that is a bit quieter and more relaxed, but it’s a lot smaller.
5. Durty Nellys Inn
Located in the center of Amsterdam by the Red Light District, this is your classic fun backpacker hostel. The beds are decent for a stay, and each comes with its own reading light and power outlet. The hostel creates a great community, and it’s really easy to meet other travelers here. The staff is super knowledgeable, and there’s a hearty breakfast too. Hostel guests also get a discount in the pub located downstairs. Given its location, it’s a party hostel, so don’t come here expecting to get a decent sleep!
Durty Nellys Inn at a glance:
- $$$
- Great place to meet other travelers
- Bar on-site for hanging out and having fun
- Organizes lots of activities
Beds from 55 EUR.
6. Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam
Hans Brinker has been around nearly 50 years, and it hasn’t changed much since I started visiting. It’s near all of Amsterdam’s best nightlife and only five minutes from the Museumplein. There’s a hip underground bar and a cheap restaurant on-site. The rooms are pretty basic, but there’s free breakfast. It’s one of the most old-school, popular hostels in the city. It’s a bit of an institution.
Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam at a glance:
- $
- Convenient location near lots of bars and clubs
- Bar and restaurant on-site
- Free breakfast
Beds from 30 EUR, private rooms for 113 EUR.
7. The Bulldog Hotel
While I thought the lack of a common area detracted from the overall social atmosphere of this hostel, it does have a pub that offers cheap and filling food and drinks. The dorm rooms are spacious and modern, and each has its own shower/bathroom. The beds are basic though (metal bunks) and there are no privacy curtains, but the mattresses are decent. It’s located right in the heart of the Red Light District, so it’s a bit wild on the weekends! It’s one of the best hostels in the city!
The Bulldog Hotel at a glance:
- $
- Pub with cheap food and drinks
- Party atmosphere
- Easy to meet people and have fun
Beds from 25 EUR, private rooms from 103 EUR.
8. St. Christopher’s
This old converted hotel near the Red Light District is one of the all-around best hostels in Amsterdam. It has a beer garden and smoking area, and offers discounts on food and drink in the bar downstairs, which is also popular with locals because of its cheap happy hour. The hallways have cool art, and the beds are comfy with thick mattresses and have privacy curtains so you can get a good sleep. There are lockers to store your things as well.
This is a great, great place to meet other travelers. Be sure to get a room on the inner courtyard to avoid the late-night street noise.
St. Christopher’s at a glance:
- $$$
- Cheap food and drinks
- Great place to meet people
- Fun and lively vibe
Beds from 58 EUR, private rooms from 163 EUR.
9. Ecomama
Ecomama is an eco-friendly hostel located right at the end of the Red Light District and around the corner from Waterlooplein. Everything here is environmentally sustainable, from the use of fair-trade materials to natural stone heating and waste recycling. The rooms are beautiful, with art on the walls, lots of light, and uber comfy mattresses. The common room has a lot of space to hang out in, there’s a spacious kitchen, and the whole building is filled with a lot of natural light. It’s very much the poshest hostel on the list and has a very boho-chic vibe.
Ecomama at a glance:
- $$$
- Boutique, eco-friendly atmosphere
- Convenient location near the Red Light District
- Lots of common space so it’s easy to meet people
Beds from 50 EUR per night, private rooms from 115 EUR. HostelPass members get 10% off.
This list of the tried-and-true best hostels in Amsterdam should make planning your trip to Amsterdam a breeze. If you want a great place to stay during your visit, you won’t go wrong with any of these hostels!
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Book Your Trip to Amsterdam: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on the Netherlands
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Amsterdam for even more planning tips!
