There are quite literally hundreds of hostels and hotels in Amsterdam. Below is a list of some of the city’s most popular and best loved places to lay your head at night.

New Amsterdam Magazine recommends booking your hostel ahead of time in high season periods to make sure you get a bed when you arrive. Either search through the hostels below or simply go to Hostelbookers.com to safely book online.

AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s best kept secrets, despite the fact that millions of backpackers and weekenders visit it every year. How? Most people never get out of the famous red light district, so besides the Heineken Brewery, Anne Frank’s House, and the van Gogh Museum, people don’t remember much of their “trip” here. So visit the outer canals, explore the Jordan area, and meet at least one person who didn’t learn English as a first language.

Amigo Hostel
Located opposite the Artis Zoo in a recently renovated monumental building, Amigo Hostal is only a few minutes away from various tourist attractions such as the Museum of Tropics, the Botanical Gardens, the Van Gogh Museum, Maritime Museum, Anne Frank house, Heineken Brewery and the Waterloo Square flea market. The combination hostel and budget hotel is known for its friendly multi -lingual staff who are willing to make sure your stay is as comfortable as possible. Plantage Kerklaan 19. +31 (0)20 623 3716. www.amigohotel.nl

Amsterdam Cribs
The Amsterdam Cribs is a smokers' friendly place, geared towards people looking to explore the city at a laid back pace, and it's a great alternative to a typical budget hotel or hostel dorm. All rooms are private and equipped with cable TV and a toilet/shower. There is a common lounge with a kitchen area for all guests to use. 
Groups of 3 to 4 people stay in fully furnished apartments with private kitchen.  Oude Hoogstraat 7. +31 (0)20 620 6508. www.damcity.com/cribs

Bob’s Youth Hostel
One block away from the debauchery of the red light district, the basement chill-out area is always buzzing with people. Bob’s is located on a main street, nevertheless the dorm rooms are quiet. Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 92. +31 (0)20 623 0063. http://www.bobsyouthhostel.nl/

The Bulldog Hotel
Treat yourself to a stay at the Bulldog. A couple extra euros unlock some of the nicest rooms in Europe. A four-star hostel where you can still party like a rock star and meet great people. Oudezijds Voorburgwal 220. +31 (0)20 620 3822. http://www.bulldog.nl/

Cosmos Hostel
Located in the heart of the city centre in a completely renovated 17 th century building, Hostel Cosmos is just minutes away from many of Amsterdam's most famous attractions, including the Red Light District, Dam Square, Anne Frank's House, and Rembrandsplein.  The friendly staff, clean rooms, and great atmosphere have kept guests praising Hostel Cosmos as one of the 10 best in the world.  No stay at Hostel Cosmos is complete without greeting Simba, the resident house cat. http://www.hostelcosmos.com/

The Flying Pig Downtown/Palace Hostel
Whether you’re looking for a full-on party at the Downtown Pig (in the heart of the red light district) or a more peaceful Pig experience at the Palace, you’re sure to find a good time. Internet is free. Beds fill up early so check-in first thing in the morning. Nieuwendijk 100 (Downtown), Vossiusstraat 46.(Palace) +31 (0)20 420 68 22. http://www.flyingpig.nl/

The Greenhouse Effect
A great hotel and one of Amsterdam's best coffee shops. Each room has its own theme and style. Mostly double rooms, but there are several three- and four-bed rooms. This place is a well known secret and
therefore full most nights, so book ahead. No matter where you sleep, the coffee shop is a must (discounts for hotel guests). Warmoesstraat 53-55. +31 (0)20 6244974. http://www.greenhouse-effect.nl/

Hans Brinker Budget Hotel
Away from the seedy red light district, this hostel makes good use of its large upstairs bar and downstairs club space to create its own party atmosphere. You’ll actually meet real Amsterdamers in this neighborhood. Kerkstraat 136. +31 (0)20 622 0687. http://www.hans-brinker.com/

Hostel the Globe Center
Directly on an inner red light district canal, a great location combined with a large sports bar makes for a good stay. Quiet rooms and great breakfast for a few euros. Oudezijds Voorburgwal 3. +31(0)20 4217424. http://www.hostel-theglobe.nl/

Hotelrunners
Can’t find a room? Show up in town and find they’d given away your bed? Need a safe booking before heading to Amsterdam? Working with dozens of hotels and hostels, this agency can often get you a better price than you could by booking yourself. Warmoesstraat 88.+31 (0) 20 3300233. http://www.hotelrunners.com/

Hotel the Crown
If you are full of energy and active, and you are looking for some adventure in one of the craziest capitals in all of Europe, you have found the right place and the right Amsterdam budget hotel. Hotel the Crown is located in the centre of Amsterdam! One step outside and you enter the world of coffee shops, sex shops and the Red Light District. Oude Sijds Voorburgwal 21. +31 (0)20 626 9664. http://www.hotelthecrown.com

Orange Tulip Hotel
The Orange Tulip downtown hotel Amsterdam is a small 16 room's hotel located on Amsterdam's main street, the DAMRAK. The hotel has single, twin, triple four and five person rooms. The location is ideal and is only a three minutes walk from Amsterdam central station, between the station and the Dam square. Damrak 32. +31 (0)20 4281618. http://www.oranjetulp.nl

Season Star Hotel
This is a calm place to return and sleep in atmosphere of home comfort and coziness after discovering Amsterdam. The hotel is situated in old building, but inside it is well refined and has everything needed in a modern three star hotel. Amsterdam hotel Season Star is a perfect place to stay in the heart of Amsterdam. Martelaarsgracht 18. +31 (0)20 6239208. http://www.seasonstar.com

Shelter Jordan/Shelter City
Every city needs a safe haven. The Shelters are just that. Non-smoking, alcohol and drug free, these two Christian hostels are perfect for anyone coming to Amsterdam and planning to actually remember their visit to this beautiful city. The Jordan hostel is in a trendy area with great restaurants. The City hostel is in the middle of it all. Barndesteeg 21. +31 (0) 20 625 32 30. http://www.shelter.nl/

Stayok Amsterdam Vondelpark & Stadtsdoelen
These two members of the Youth Hostelling International uphold the great standard of the international group of hostels. Vondelpark is actually in the park of the same name, a great location. The building, a former girls school, is bright and clean, with all the perks, even W-LAN! Stadtsdoelen is in an old canal house, centrally located, with some of the best views from any dorm bed anywhere. +31 (0)20 589 89 96, Zandpad 5. Kloveniersburgwal 97. +31 (0)20 624 68 32. http://www.stayokay.com/

St Christopher's Inn at the Winston
This hostel has the most unique rooms of any hostel in Europe. Choose to stay in the exotic and fetish room, button room, or body fat room, among others. Most of the rooms are designed by artists from around the world. Like its other inns, this one has a great bar and club downstairs. A private outdoor patio overlooks the red light district. Breakfast is included. Warmoesstraat 129. +31 (0)20 623 1380 www.winston.nl

The White Tulip
Directly in the RLD, a no visitors allowed up to the rooms policy helps keep guests and their possessions safe from theft. Instead, take your friends to the downstairs Irish pub that offers discounts for guests. Warmoesstraat 87. +31 (0)20 625 5974. www.wittetulp.nl

Youth Hostel Meetingpoint
In the Amsterdam tradition of gezelligheid (coziness), Meetingpoint is just that: a central place to meet and cozy up to fellow travelers. And with a hostel bar open 24 hours a day and dorm rooms with 12-18 beds you’ll find it hard not to make new friends. Two minute walk from main Central Station, close to the red light district. Sheets included. Warmoesstraat 14, +31 (0)20 627 74 99. http://www.hostelmeetingpoint.nl/