Best hostels in Amsterdam: the ultimate budget accommodation bucket list

by admin October 28, 2022

How to find the best hostels in Amsterdam for your trip

Where to stay in Amsterdam? Whether you’re in the Dutch capital to explore the city like a cycling god, or to sample some of Amsterdam’s best clubs, you’ll need the right kind of hostel for your trip. Would you prefer an eco-friendly den with indoor swings and a teepee? Or a hostel with its own smoke room complete with a piano, chess board and a friendly hippo? Here’s a rundown of the best hostels in Amsterdam to help you decide.

Jump straight to:

Overall best hostels in Amsterdam

1. 1. Flying Pig Downtown – best hostel for solo travellers
  2. ClinkNOORD – best hostel for partying
  3. Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark – best city centre hostel

Best party hostels in Amsterdam

There are not many better places to party than Amsterdam. And luckily it has some top-quality party hostels to boot!

St Christopher’s at the Winston

If you’re looking for the best hostels in Amsterdam to party and meet people, then say hello to your partner in crime! The 97% location means a 5 minute walk from the train station and the Red Light District is the hostel’s back garden….literally. There is no curfew (obvs) a busy bar and a free “breakfast buffet that would put other hostels to shame” – a customer’s words. That solves the impending hangover then!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Terrace
  - Bar, cafe and restaurant
  - Nightclub
  - Free towels

🏠Address: 129 Warmoesstraat, Amsterdam, 1012 JA

🏘 Neighbourhood: Amsterdam Central

🚍 Nearest Station: Amsterdam Centraal Station

Book your stay at St Christopher's at The Winston now

ClinkNOORD

Located in an old, 1920s laboratory sat on the banks of the River IJ, Clink Noord is one of our favourite hostels in Amsterdam. Perhaps our most favourite thing about it is ZincBar, the hostel’s very own onsite bar and kitchen. Dishing up everything from burgers and pizzas to traditional dutch delights such as Flammenkuchen and Bitterballen, KantineKITCHEN has something for everyone including an ever-so-trendy vegan menu, plant power!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Cafe and bar
  - Games room
  - Common room
  - Book exchange

🏠Address: Badhuiskade 11, 1031 KV Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Amsterdam Noord

🚍 Nearest Station: Veer Buiksloterweg

Book your stay at ClinkNOORD now

Hans Brinker Hostel

For all you wild souls out there – this one’s for you. Hans Brinker Hostel offer a basic experience: a cheap bed and a killer atmosphere. It’s only a short walk from Leidseplein (AKA the nightlife zone), but you might not even leave your hostel! There’s an ultra-cool onsite bar and underground club with happy hour. Throw in pub crawls and boat tours and you’ll know you’ve only done one thing during your stay – party!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Free breakfast
  - Free towels
  - Common room
  - Cafe, bar and restaurant
  - Nightclub

🏠Address: Kerkstraat 136-138, 1017 GR Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Amsterdam Central

🚍 Nearest Station: Vijzelgracht

Book your stay at Hans Brinker Hostel now

Best cheap hostels in Amsterdam

With Amsterdam being such a popular backpacking city, it’s no surprise that it can get pricey. Don’t fear – we found some cheap hostels that don’t waver on quality.

Via Amsterdam

Just 10 minutes from Amsterdam’s centre, Via is the perfect place to stay on the cheap. A purpose-built communal hostel, it’s ideal for the digital nomads and freelancer backpackers. The hostel proudly balances work and pleasure with hammocks, working zones, a steam room and a bar/restaurant when you need a break. When you’re ready to explore, grab a bike and venture on!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Common room
  - Restaurant and bar
  - ATM
  - Bicycle hire
  - Steam room

🏠Address: 20 Diemerhof, Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: D Buurt

🚍 Nearest Station: Venserpolder

Book your stay at Via Amsterdam now

Meininger Amsterdam City West

Located right near Amsterdam Sloterdijk train station, Meininger Amsterdam City West is in the perfect spot to explore Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Chill in the large common areas and get to know your other roommates at the onsite bar or the games room! Then take on the town’s surrounding bars and nightclubs. Jack-pot!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Common room
  - Terrace
  - Bar
  - Bicycle hire
  - Games room

🏠Address: Orlyplein 1 – 67, 1043 DR Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Sloterdijk

🚍 Nearest Station: Sloterdijk

Book your stay at MEININGER Amsterdam City West now

Best hostels in Amsterdam for couples

Don’t visit Amsterdam for the romantic bike rides around the city. Visit for the stylish hostels! We’ve got some that really take the cake:

Cocomama

From the adorable resident cat (shoutout to Joop!) to the sprawling back garden, everything about this boutique hostel perfectly encapsulates Amsterdam’s chilled out charm. Combining the style and grandeur of a boutique hotel with the social vibe and affordability of a hostel, Cocomama is a cosy retreat in the heart of Amsterdam. What about staying in a 1930s former brothel called “Yab Yum”?! Cocomama is just that, and hints of its racy past wink at you from walls. Offering everything private double rooms to modern AF 6 bed dorms Cocoamama caters to every kind of traveler! Think luxury. Think flair. Think hostel!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Common room
  - Terrace
  - Bicycle hire
  - Games room
  - Book exchange

🏠Address: Westeinde 18, 1017 ZP Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Amsterdam Central

🚍 Nearest Station: Stadhouderskade

Book your stay at Cocomama now

Ecomama

What’s more romantic than saving the planet? An advocate of responsible travelling, one’s carbon footprint, and conscious living – (serious stuff you know!) – Ecomama is a Green friendly hostel that invites it’s guests to connect, share and dream in the heart of the city. If you didn’t already know, The communal spaces at Ecomama are truly delightful featuring a fairylight studded teepee tent that transforms into a cosy, alternative movie theatre for a few nights every week. The private rooms mix both modern and rustic chic for a sophisticated stay.

This hostel’s philosophy means that everything is made of recycled materials: there’s a water saving system, green roof and a natural stone heating system. The front desk also donates €1 for every night that you stay to charity. Feeling the love guys, feeling the love ☮

Hostel highlights:

1. - Common room
  - Games room
  - Book exchange
  - Bicycle hire

🏠 Address: Valkenburgerstraat 124, 1011 NA Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Amsterdam Central

🚍Nearest Station: Waterlooplein

Book your stay at Ecomama now

Best hostels in the city centre

Want to be right in all the action? Check out some awesome hostels in the city centre…

Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark

The best hostels in Amsterdam definitely know how to make a statement! This monumental chalet building overlooks the largest city park in Amsterdam. Who could resist?! This is one is one of the largest hostels in Europe and comes with a damn fine free breakfast. Aside from the rather ravishing location, it’s also crawling distance from Leidseplein, Amsterdam’s hipster neighbourhood bursting with places to eat, drink and watch acrobatic break dancing. All this for a bargain price – saving you money to spend on greener things…

Hostel highlights:

1. - - Cafe, bar and restaurant
  - Games room
  - Bicycle hire
  - Common room

🏠Address: Zandpad 5, 1054 GA Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Leidseplein

🚍 Nearest Station: Leidseplein

Book your stay at Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark now

The Bulldog

The Bulldog No.90 was the first EVER coffee shop in Amsterdam in 1970, named after the owner’s four-legged friend Joris, so expect the stuff of legends. That and the hostel’s bar and terrace overlooking the cathedral makes it an absolute doss to meet other travellers. Top notch security will ease the minds of first-timers or solo explorers (you need a Bulldog “passport” to get in) and rooms are spacious and clean as can be. Bulldog, we’re coming to get ya!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Free breakfast
  - Free towels
  - Common room
  - Terrace
  - Cafe, bar and restaurant

🏠Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 220, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Amsterdam Central

🚍 Nearest Station: Amsterdam Central Station

Book your stay at The Bulldog now

Best hostels in Amsterdam for solo travellers

We really can’t think of a better city for solo travellers than Amsterdam. Its incredibly hospitable people, bicycle friendly streets and dedication to art and culture make it the perfect city to explore alone.

Generator Amsterdam

Generator Amsterdam is housed in a former zoological university building overlooking the iconic Oosterpark – meow! Not only is this one of the best hostels in Amsterdam, it’s one of the biggest! No seriously, this hostel is absolutely massive and can comfortably accommodate over 500 guests. Generator’s huge outdoor terrace and spacious, cool AF cafe are the best places to unwind after a day of sight-seeing and hang out with fellow travellers. With fancy private rooms with floor to ceiling windows and plush double beds as well as stylish dorm rooms, Generator Amsterdam caters to all needs!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Common room
  - Bicycle hire
  - ATM
  - Cafe, bar and restaurant

🏠Address: Mauritskade 57, 1092 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Oosterpark

🚍 Nearest Station: Alexanderplein

Book your stay at Generator Amsterdam now

Flying Pig Downtown

This 18th century building-turned-hostel has an INSANELY central location next to the train station, Red Light District and the city’s main shopping street – perfect for coffee shop, pub & club hopping! It’s one of the best hostels in Amsterdam if you want easy access to, well, everything. In true Dutch spirit, Flying Pig has its own bar with DJ nights, cheap beer and a separate indoor smoking area, plus a pillow stage where you can chill out – what more could you need in Dam?!

Hostel highlights:

1. - Common room
  - Terrace
  - Cafe and bar
  - Luggage storage

🏠Address: Nieuwendijk 100, 1012 MR Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏘 Neighbourhood: Amsterdam Central

🚍 Nearest Station: Amsterdam Centraal Station

Book your stay at Flying Pig Downtown now

Best of the rest hostels in Amsterdam

We told you Amsterdam’s hostels were cool AF. Here are some more we simply couldn’t forget:

Hostelle – Female Only Hostel

The only dedicated female only hostel in Amsterdam, this is perfect for solo female travellers who are keen to make likeminded friends. This pretty in pink hostel is well connected to both the airport and the city. With adorably themed dorms and chill movie nights, it’s the perfect home away from home for every young female traveller! Previous guests have praised the hostel for its friendly staff and range of activities available! Did we mention free breakfast too?

Hostel highlights: