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Old Centre

Amsterdam

The medieval heart of the city between Centraal station and the Dam, including the Red Light District, Nieuwmarkt and the busy shopping streets.

Best for First visit · Nightlife

Transport
5/5
Sights
5/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
1/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$255/night · 5 min to Dam Square

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Old Centre on the map

Why stay here

  • Direct trains from Schiphol to Centraal
  • Everything within walking distance
  • Bars, cafés and restaurants on every corner

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors on a short trip
  • Nightlife lovers
  • Travellers arriving and leaving by train

Not ideal if…

  • You want quiet nights
  • You're travelling with children
  • You want space for your money

What it's like

The Old Centre runs from Centraal station down Damrak to Dam Square and the Royal Palace, with the oldest canals, the Oude Kerk and the Red Light District to the east and the hidden courtyard of the Begijnhof to the south. Nieuwmarkt, around the old weigh house De Waag, has cafés and some of the city's best Asian food.

It couldn't be more convenient: the train from Schiphol arrives at Centraal and everything is walkable. The streets around Damrak, Warmoesstraat and the Red Light District are crowded and rowdy, especially on weekend nights, and hotel rooms are small for the price.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Damrak & Dam Square

    The busy main axis from Centraal to the Royal Palace.

  • Nieuwmarkt

    Square around De Waag with cafés and Zeedijk's Asian restaurants.

  • Spui

    Bookshops, cafés and the entrance to the Begijnhof.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Amsterdam Centraal (trains, metro, trams and ferries), the North-South metro at Rokin and Nieuwmarkt, and trams along Damrak.
To Dam Square
About 5 minutes
From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
About 20 minutes: train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal, every few minutes.

Nearby attractions

  • Royal Palace

    The 17th-century town hall on Dam Square, open when not in royal use.

  • Begijnhof

    Quiet medieval courtyard of almshouses off Spui.

  • Oude Kerk

    Amsterdam's oldest building, now also a contemporary art space.

  • Canal cruise from Damrak

    Boats leave from the piers opposite Centraal.

Where to eat and drink

  • Zeedijk

    Chinatown's street of Cantonese and Southeast Asian restaurants.

  • Brown cafés

    Old wood-panelled pubs such as In de Wildeman and Café Hoppe.

  • Nieuwmarkt terraces

    Drinks around De Waag on a sunny evening.

Where to stay in Old Centre

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

Why we like it: Former city hall with a courtyard garden on a quiet canal.

Typical luxury rate in Old Centre: ~$525/night

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Luxury pick

Hotel TwentySeven

Why we like it: Small all-suite hotel right on Dam Square.

Typical luxury rate in Old Centre: ~$525/night

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Boutique pick

Hotel V Nesplein

Why we like it: Design hotel on a theatre square between Dam and Rokin.

Typical mid-range rate in Old Centre: ~$255/night

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Hotels in Old CentreMid-range from ~$255/night

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