How to Choose a Tattoo Studio in Amsterdam

Essentially Amsterdam Life · July 21, 2026

Amsterdam takes ink seriously.

The city has a long, proud tattoo culture and a deep bench of talented artists, from fine-line specialists to bold traditional work, and finding the right studio here is less about luck than about knowing what to look for.

Whether it is your first piece or your fifteenth, the city rewards a little homework.

Tattoo studios to try first

The rating will not separate these, because almost every studio at the top of this category sits at or within a fraction of five stars.

What separates them is walk-ins against appointments, custom against flash, whether they pierce as well, and how far you are willing to travel: two of the six are central and the rest are neighbourhood shops, one across the IJ.

Puerto Ink

Puerto Ink on the Rokin carries more reviews than any studio in the city, 2,405 of them at a flat five stars, and it pierces as well as tattoos.

Doors are open eleven to seven every day, which makes it the obvious first call for anyone who has not booked.

The Blue Blood Studios

Realism, black and grey, old school, Japanese, blackwork and ornamental are all listed at Blue Blood on the Kinkerstraat, a wider spread than most studios attempt under one roof.

Walk-ins are taken alongside booked custom projects, noon to seven daily with Thursday running to nine, on 369 reviews at five stars.

Trenchart

Over the IJ on the Van der Pekstraat, Trenchart runs an art gallery and a photography studio alongside the tattooing, so the shop is a gallery you can also be inked in.

It works Tuesday to Saturday, noon until eight, and 96 per cent of its 848 reviews are five-star.

House of Tattoos

Custom only, and small: Sarah and Sjap take a client from first idea to finished piece at House of Tattoos on the Haarlemmerdijk, with sterility and hygiene put forward ahead of style.

Tuesday to Saturday, eleven to six, and 289 reviews at 4.9.

Tattoo Studio Friendship

A large team rather than one or two artists is what Friendship offers from the Gerard Doustraat in De Pijp, which is the practical reason a single studio can cover many styles at once.

It closes on Sundays and Mondays and works eleven to six the rest of the week, with 98 per cent of its 888 reviews five-star.

Up Ink Tattoo Art

Vegan inks are the distinguishing point at Up Ink on the Bilderdijkstraat, which works mostly in minimal line work, colour and blackwork.

Sunday afternoons from noon and a late Thursday to eight widen the week out, and its 136 reviews sit at a flat five stars.

A city with real tattoo heritage

Tattooing in Amsterdam goes back generations, shaped by its port history and its openness to visitors from everywhere.

That legacy shows in the variety on offer today: studios cover everything from Japanese and blackwork to delicate botanical designs and clean lettering, and many artists have international followings.

For newcomers, that range is a gift.

You can find someone who specializes in exactly the style you want rather than settling for a generalist, and the city’s international mix means artists here draw on influences from all over the world.

Getting inked can even become part of a broader focus on looking after yourself, sitting naturally alongside time at the city’s gyms and fitness studios.

A meaningful tattoo often marks a chapter, and for many expats a first piece here quietly commemorates the move itself.

Choosing the right artist

The single most important rule: choose the artist, not just the studio.

Tattooing is a personal craft, and every artist has a distinct style.

Look closely at portfolios, focus on healed work rather than fresh photos, and pick someone whose existing pieces already resemble what you have in mind.

A good studio will offer a consultation before any needle touches skin, talking through placement, size, and design.

Do not rush this stage; the best artists are booked out precisely because they take their time, and a design worth wearing for life is worth waiting for.

The care you take here is the same kind of care you would bring to choosing among the city’s personal trainers or any professional you trust with your body.

Hygiene and standards

Dutch studios are generally held to high hygiene standards, but you should still check for yourself.

A reputable studio uses single-use needles, sterilizes equipment, keeps a visibly clean workspace, and is happy to answer questions about its practices.

Do not hesitate to ask; professionals expect it and respect it.

A good studio will also talk you through the healing process before you commit, not just afterward.

If anything feels rushed, unclean, or evasive, walk away.

Your skin is worth the extra care, the same way you would not compromise on a relaxing, well-run spa when it comes to your wellbeing.

Piercings and beyond

Many studios offer piercing alongside tattooing, often with dedicated specialists.

Places like Piercings Works Amsterdam show how the two crafts frequently share a roof, which is handy if you want both done somewhere you already trust.

Established names such as Puerto Ink reflect the depth of talent working in the city.

As with any body art, aftercare is where the result is won or lost, so follow the studio’s guidance closely, and consider pairing your appointment with a visit to one of the city’s beauty salons if you want to look your best afterward.

Booking and aftercare

Popular artists book weeks or even months ahead, so plan around that rather than expecting a same-day slot.

A deposit is standard and secures your appointment.

Come rested, hydrated, and having eaten, and give yourself a calm day afterward rather than heading straight to the gym.

Healing takes a couple of weeks of diligent care, and gentle movement, like a relaxed session at one of the city’s yoga studios once the skin has settled, can be a nice way back into routine.

Keep the fresh tattoo out of the sun, away from swimming pools and canals, and moisturized as instructed, and resist the urge to pick as it heals.

Follow the aftercare properly and the piece will settle into exactly the work you chose.

Ready to find your artist?

Explore the full range of Amsterdam tattoo studios to find one near you.