16 X the best sushi restaurants in Amsterdam you might not know yet

Welcome to Amsterdam City Center, borough of tourists and big chain stores ;-). No we’re kidding! This part of town is soooo underrated by locals. It’s home to some really cool hotspots we love to share with you in this Amsterdam City Center Guide.

So skip the busy shopping streets like the Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat you can find in every city. Discover the cool shopping streets like the Utrechtsestraat, Haarlemmerdijk, Haarlemmerstraat and The Nine Streets and explore Amsterdam like a local.

Discover Amsterdam City Center by bike and enjoy cycling along the canals overlooking the water. We’re living in Amsterdam for nearly 20 years and it still gives us this ‘amazing little feeling’ every day! Check out the Canal District or the authentic Jordaan area for the historic feel in Amsterdam and enjoy the scenic view while having a drink in a cafe.

Are you visiting Amsterdam during the weekend? Make sure to check the one and only Amsterdam Weekend Guide that is updated with new weekendtips every week! And did you know there’s a complete complete neighbourhood guide and an amsterdam bucketlist to experience Amsterdam like a local.

If you are looking for the best hotels in Amsterdam City Center, just check out our complete list below. And to save you time I also listed the nicest things to do in the central area of Amsterdam. Enjoy!

Our favourite hotels in Amsterdam CITY CENTER:

TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: recently renovated, this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Kimpton De Witt: super central with great food and drinks venues
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ W Amsterdam: with lively restaurants and a posh rooftop bar with swimming pool.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with great all day bar.
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale and around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city by MGallery.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with several locations in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam city CENTER Guide – our shortlist with the best things to do

MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS IN AMSTERDAM CITY CENTER:
⋙ Historical Highlights Walking Tour plus Tasting
⋙ Private Canal Boat Tour
⋙ Royal Palace on Dam Square
⋙ Museum of the Canals (visit a Canal House)
⋙ Maritime Museum Amsterdam
⋙ Make a Canal Cruise in the evening
⋙ Anne Frank Walking Tour
⋙ Our House (Electronic Dance Music Museum)
⋙ Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience
⋙ Visit the Museum Square: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum
and Stedelijk Museum
FOOD EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM CITY CENTER:
⋙ Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
⋙ Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
⋙ Amsterdam Ice Bar
⋙ Pancake Cruise
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM CITY CENTER:
⋙ Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
⋙ Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
⋙ Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
⋙ 3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
⋙ Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM CITY CENTER WITH KIDS:
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
⋙ Ripley’s Believe it or Not
⋙ Go an a bike tour with the kids 
⋙ NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM CITY CENTER:
⋙ Paddle board tour on the canals
⋙ Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM CITY CENTER:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour 

| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Follow Your Little Black Book on Instagram

I really hope you enjoy your time in town with this Amsterdam City Guide! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.