Amsterdam is a low-rise city of steep rooftops and church spires, so a view from above feels special. At sunset, a hotel rooftop bar reveals the canals, the IJ waterfront and a patchwork of rooftops below.
Rooftop bars are few and far between here, and these are the best. Our picks range from sky-high cocktail bars with panoramic views to relaxed terraces in Oost and the Plantage. Some overlook leafy parks; others overlook the water. Each pairs well-made drinks with a view worth the trip.
On a clear evening, arrive early for the best seats. Order a cocktail, find a spot by the edge and watch Amsterdam light up below.
Enjoy drinks on a planted rooftop with views across the east of the city, and rooms that cost far less than in the centre.
Affordable
Trendy
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 22 m²Read the full story
Amsterdam East, near Amstel Station
Amsterdam East is where locals live, and Hotel Casa offers a taste of everyday city life at a price that leaves more for exploring. Amstel Station, about five minutes on foot, offers trains, trams, and the metro to the centre, while the Amstel's riverside paths and Oosterpark are nearby. An underground car park makes life easy if you're arriving by car.
A Hotel with a Student History
Casa was founded in 1957 to provide affordable student accommodation. It still hosts students for part of the year, and every booking helps support student housing. The atmosphere is relaxed and sociable, with bright, contemporary interiors and plenty of space to work or meet.
Roomy, Practical Rooms
Rooms are modern, practical and roomier than the price suggests. The hotel offers doubles, twins, and triple rooms, making it a good option for friends travelling together. Bigger travel groups and families can book interconnecting rooms in the Double and Deluxe Double room categories.
Restaurant EAST & GAPP Rooftop Bar
Restaurant EAST is open all day, serving speciality coffee and breakfast, plus dinner and cocktails. On the eighth floor, GAPP is a green rooftop bar, open on dry days, serving food and drinks with views right across Amsterdam.
Sleep inside a twisting Rem Koolhaas tower, with the whole city below and dinner served on the 24th floor.
Affordable
Trendy
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 22 m²Read the full story
Next to the RAI in Amsterdam Zuid
Business-like by day and buzzing on event nights, the area around the RAI convention centre offers easy connections. Europaplein metro station is a few minutes' walk away, and De Pijp, with its busy market, cafés and restaurants, is just one stop north. The canals and museums are a 15- to 20-minute metro ride away, while Beatrixpark and Amstelpark offer nearby green space.
A Landmark by Rem Koolhaas
OMA, the practice of architect Rem Koolhaas, designed the hotel. Its three stacked, twisting blocks make it one of Amsterdam's most recognisable modern buildings. Inside, bright colours and playful details continue the bold design.
Modern Rooms with City Views
Rooms are modern and comfortable, with large beds. On the higher floors, the views stretch across the city to the flat countryside beyond.
Rooftop Restaurant & Bars
Selva, the rooftop restaurant on the 24th floor, serves Latin American cuisine with skyline views. The Moana and Sonora bars are popular spots for a sunset drink.
Swim above the IJ river, eat Indonesian flavours under a subtropical garden and drink cocktails with a panoramic view.
Trendy
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 30 m²Read the full story
Java Island, Eastern Docklands
At the tip of Java Island, Hotel Jakarta sits surrounded by water, bold modern architecture, and the waterfront walks of the Eastern Docklands, once the city's busy harbour. It feels like a world apart, yet Centraal Station is just two tram stops away, and the nearest stop is a five-minute walk away. Dam Square is about 20 minutes by public transport, and the Museum Quarter about 25.
A Tribute to Amsterdam's Link with Indonesia
Ships once sailed from this spot to Jakarta, and the hotel celebrates that history. Bamboo interiors and Indonesian-inspired design run throughout. The showpiece is a soaring atrium filled with a subtropical garden.
Spacious Rooms with Water Views
Rooms start at a generous 30 square metres, with warm wood and bamboo interiors. Most have a balcony and views over the IJ river. Some rooms sleep three, and the suites at the building's glass end offer 180-degree views.
Indonesian Flavours & Cocktails with a View
Café Jakarta blends Indonesian and Western flavours, and Westers Bakery serves pastries and coffee. At the top of the building, Malabar skybar pairs Asian-inspired bites and cocktails with panoramic views over Amsterdam and the IJ river.
WellCome Wellness & Pool
Swimming lengths while boats pass outside is something most city hotels can't offer. Alongside the pool are a sauna, a fitness centre, and treatment rooms for massages and beauty treatments.
Cook your own breakfast, work from the rooftop and live like a local, minutes from the Skinny Bridge.
Affordable
Trendy
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 16 m²Read the full story
Weesperstraat, near the Skinny Bridge
Calm, green and still central, this is one of the city's most underrated corners. Zoku sits on Weesperstraat at the edge of the Plantage, a peaceful neighbourhood of wide streets home to the Hortus Botanicus and ARTIS, the city zoo. The Skinny Bridge is a few minutes' walk away, the canal belt lies just across the Amstel, and the Weesperplein metro is around the corner.
A Hotel Designed for Longer Stays
Zoku combines hotel comfort with apartment practicality. It was designed for longer stays. Guests staying two weeks or more meet a community manager and are invited to regular community dinners. The hotel is also B Corp certified.
Loft-Style Rooms with Kitchens
The standard Loft has a full kitchen, a sofa and a four-seat table for dining or working. The bed folds away to create more space during the day. The Loft XXL adds a separate bedroom and sleeps three, while the smaller Zoku Room suits shorter stays.
Rooftop Restaurant & Terrace
The hotel's social heart is on the top floor. The Living Kitchen serves mostly plant-based Mediterranean dishes for sharing, with a daily fika coffee break. Co-working spaces open onto greenhouses and a large rooftop terrace.
Park views, elegant rooms and one of the city's best cocktail bars, in a calm corner of Amsterdam Oost.
Luxury
Boutique
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 19 m²Read the full story
Beside the Oosterpark, Amsterdam Oost
Pillows overlooks the Oosterpark, one of Amsterdam's oldest public parks, in the relaxed neighbourhood of Oost. The Wereldmuseum, with collections from around the world, sits along the park, and ARTIS is close by. The Dappermarkt, a lively street market, is a short walk away. A tram stop is two minutes away, with the Rijksmuseum and Museumplein about 15 minutes by tram.
Elegant, Grown-Up Design
The historic building has been turned into an intimate hotel with calm, contemporary interiors. High ceilings, soft neutral tones and carefully chosen artwork sit alongside restored architectural details. Guests also have their own living room, open around the clock.
Serene Rooms & Suites
Rooms and suites favour understated luxury, with high-quality linens, plush carpets, curated artwork and Diptyque bathroom amenities. Connecting rooms are available for families or friends travelling together.
VanOost, Spring & Fitz's
VanOost, led by chef Floris van Straalen, pairs French cooking with Japanese techniques. Spring Café Brasserie is more relaxed, with a terrace facing the park. Fitz's is the hotel's acclaimed cocktail bar, and a seasonal rooftop opens when the weather allows.
Urban Spa & Gym
The Urban Spa is small but thoughtfully done. Treatments include massages and beauty rituals, and guests can book the private sauna and a hydromassage bed. There is also a modern gym.
Three Michelin-starred restaurants, a Japanese spa, and city views from the 23rd floor, on De Pijp's edge.
Luxury
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 27 m²Read the full story
The Southern Edge of De Pijp
Beside the Noorder Amstelkanaal, on De Pijp's quieter southern edge, the Okura enjoys a calmer pace than the busy streets to the north. The Albert Cuyp Market and the neighbourhood's lively cafés and restaurants are about ten minutes' walk away, and Brouwerij Troost, a popular local brewery, is just five. Trams stop nearby, De Pijp metro station is around ten minutes on foot, and Museumplein is a taxi ride of around ten minutes
Japanese Hospitality in Amsterdam
Okura brings Japanese hospitality to Amsterdam with precision. The public spaces are calm and minimalist, and the service is polished and attentive. A Japanese garden adds to the sense of calm, and despite the hotel's size, it never feels impersonal.
Spacious Rooms with City Views
Room sizes are generous for Amsterdam, starting at 28 square metres. Every room has an Eastborn bed, a separate bathtub and rain shower, a large desk and a Nespresso machine. The upper floors overlook the city skyline. Executive rooms and suites include access to the Executive Lounge, with drinks and light snacks before dinner.
Some of Amsterdam's Best Hotel Dining
Ciel Bleu, on the 23rd floor, holds two Michelin stars and offers panoramic city views. Yamazato serves kaiseki cuisine and was the first traditional Japanese restaurant in Europe to earn a Michelin star. Sazanka offers teppanyaki cooked at your table, and Serre is a more relaxed option. The Twenty Third Bar is the place for a sunset cocktail high above Amsterdam.
Nagomi Spa, Pool & Fitness
Nagomi draws on Japanese wellness traditions. The indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room are included in every stay. Treatments range from massages and facials to manicures and pedicures, and the gym offers personal trainers and fitness classes.
