Hotel Atlas Vondelpark

The most popular neighborhood outside the city center, the Museumplein is a residential area crowded with museums, parks and 19th-century buildings. The Rijksmuseum possesses an impressive collection of Dutch paintings from the 15th through the 17th centuries (including an enormous Rembrandt collection), the Van Gogh Museum is (surprise) devoted to Van Gogh, and the Stedelijk Museum houses modern and contemporary art. Meanwhile, the nearby Concertgebouw offers world class concerts at reasonable ticket prices.

The vast green space that is Vondelpark was the celebrated playground of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll in the 1970s. Today, however, Museumplein & Vondelpark is an upscale commercial area, full of pricey little boutiques and shops.

Sleeping near the museums and Vondelpark is a great option for travelers who expect to spend a lot of time taking in the city's art, concert, and shopping options. The area is a quick tram ride straight south through the city center from the central train station, while most of the city's main tourist sights can be reached by foot.