People often ask me where to stay in Amsterdam that’s fun, but not full of tourists and drunk people. Here’s what I tell them.
You should stay in De Pijp or the Jordaan. These are the neighborhoods just outside of the touristy part of city center that still have all the things you’re thinking of when you think Amsterdam, plenty of nice bars and cafes, hipstery and traditional eateries, excellent architecture and narrow streets, canals, bikes, etc. And yes, plenty of coffee shops (places to buy weed).
If you want more sleepy, but sill urban with stores and coffee ships and stuff, there’s Watergraafsmeer or the even calmer Eastern Docklands.
But I’d stay in De Pijp.
Here’s is an imprecise map:
- Jordaan.
- Museum district.
- De Pijp.
- Watergraafsmeer and the along the Amstel.
You can find places any in neighborhood, of course, but those all easy to find places that are less full of weekend Euro-partiers.
Here’s a list of things to do in Amsterdam, and my list of “how Amsterdam works and how to get around.". Also, get ready to see lots of garbage chairs.