How to choose a place to stay in and around Amsterdam
The listings above run from city hotels and hostels to farm stays, houseboat charters and holiday parks in Zandvoort, Zaanse Schans and Uitgeest, not just central Amsterdam. For a stay of more than a few weeks, an Amsterdam real estate agent is usually a better fit than booking a room by the night.
A few listings function more like retreats than plain rooms, offering coaching, workshops or a sweat lodge alongside the accommodation itself. If wellness rather than lodging is the actual goal, Amsterdam's spas are a more direct option.
Compare the total price rather than the headline rate, since Amsterdam's toeristenbelasting and Dutch VAT on accommodation are both added on top of many listed rates. For a hotel closer to the main sights rather than a stay further out, the guide to hotels in Amsterdam narrows the choice down by neighborhood.
Questions people ask
How much is the Amsterdam tourist tax?
Amsterdam charges toeristenbelasting at 12.5% of the overnight price, excluding VAT. The national VAT rate on accommodation rose from 9% to 21%, which combined with the tourist tax pushes the total tax on a room rate to roughly a third of the price. The rate applies to hotels, hostels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, short-stay rentals, holiday bungalows and campsites.
Do Dutch citizens or business travelers have to pay it too?
Yes, unless the guest is officially registered at an address in Amsterdam. Business travel is not an exemption from the tax either.
Is the tourist tax included in the price shown when booking?
Not always. Some booking sites list a room rate that excludes toeristenbelasting and add it as a separate line at checkout, while others build it into the total shown. The booking confirmation states whether the tax is paid online in advance or directly to the accommodation.
Does the tax rate change for stays outside central Amsterdam?
Yes, because tourist tax is set by each municipality rather than nationally. Amsterdam charges 12.5% of the room rate, while towns such as Zaandam, Haarlem, Zandvoort and Texel charge a fixed amount per person per night instead. Several listings in this category are based in those towns rather than in Amsterdam itself, so the tax due depends on where the stay actually is.
Do cruise ship passengers pay a different tax?
Yes. Cruise passengers on a day visit pay a separate day tourist tax of €15 per person rather than the overnight rate, and this applies to river and sea cruise stopovers within the municipality.
When and how is the tourist tax paid?
In most cases the tax is not part of the online room price; the accommodation collects it from guests at check-in or check-out. The property then pays the amount on to the municipality. Payment is usually accepted in cash or by card, though this varies by property.