The Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals in Amsterdam

The location is first-rate – within walking distance of some of Amsterdam’s top sights, including the Rijksmuseum and the historic De Wallen quarter, but on a handsome brick building-lined street that feels undiscovered. The perfect pick for families or groups of friends who want to self-cater, apartments come in two- and three-bedroom formats (sleeping four or six), with the latter also boasting a roof terrace from which to take in the city’s picturesque skyline.

Dutch painter Vermeer’s famous ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ inspires the décor at this clutch of apartments: blow-up copies hang prominently, and coordinating aquamarine and yellow splash the walls, sofas and throw cushions. Apartments sleep between two and four people, across one bedroom and a pullout sofa, so they’re ideal for families with younger children. As for the culture vultures, Amsterdam’s hit museums, including the famous Rijksmuseum, are just an eight-minute walk away.

Rich, moody hues – reminiscent of a Dutch Golden Age painting – set the scene at this contemporary collection of flats in the city centre’s east. Whether you choose to book into a room painted in deep blue-green or one in mahogany, you’ll be treated to kitchenettes with sleek hobs, and stylish Marshall radios so you can play tunes with your morning coffee. Three categories of room – suite, studio and deluxe suite – sleep between two and five people, and the verdant botanical gardens are only moments away.

Underrated Amsterdam Noord is just a quick (and free) ferry ride from Amsterdam Centraal station, but for the most part it’s devoid of tourists. Book into this lakefront property where the immediate surrounds are so tranquil and leafy you might think you’re waking up in a country village, not the Dutch capital. Graphic wood panelling and plenty of white keep the fridge-equipped one-bedroom apartment (sleeping two) feeling light and cheery, even on cloudy days.

Not far from Amsterdam’s sprawling green lung, Westerpark, these concierge-serviced apartments, sleeping between 4 and 6 people across two bedrooms, show the modern face of this eclectic city. Set right on a waterway, the frontage is lined almost entirely in glass, letting the daylight spill through to monochrome open-plan living-dining areas. Handy for families, they’re larger than many city apartments and you’ll even get a free airport transfer thrown in..

Amsterdam rentals don’t get much quirkier. This two-person apartment is located within a converted crane on KNSM island, just off Amsterdam’s eastern docklands. And, as you might imagine, the sprawling views are a focus: windows open up to sweeping vistas of the IJ river and bobbing boats. Just because you’re in a crane, don’t think you’re roughing it: marble-topped kitchen counters and deep soaking tubs come as part of the deal.

All the main sights are at your fingertips from these studio and one-bedroom pads, sleeping two or three people. You can spend mornings touring Rembrandt House Museum (15 minutes’ walk away), afternoons sipping beers at the Heineken Experience (also 15 minutes away), then return to cook up a storm in the handy kitchenette and dining area. Artsy prints on the walls, books on shelves and a chalkboard wall for scribbling give the otherwise minimalist vibe homely personality.

Moments from Centraal station, these apartments are so well-connected you can be zipping across the city by tram or hopping on a train for a countryside day trip in no time. But there’s plenty to entice you to stay put: big windows overlooking the IJ river and contemporary local buildings; in some cases, balconies with lounger furniture and plants. Sleeping between one and eight people (in one to three bedrooms), the neutral décor is stylish and contemporary so as not to steal attention from those views.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to spend a night on an authentic Dutch houseboat, Nova gives you a delightful canal-side experience. This unique property is just a five-minute bike ride from Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s most famous spot for picnics and barbecues. Not only does the place feature a modern kitchen, spacious living room and two bedrooms, it also has a lovely terrace where guests can relax on the peaceful canal.

This boutique apartment is located next to Vondelpark in the charming, upscale neighbourhood of Oud Zuid. Within five minutes’ walk you’ll find all the biggest museums on your to-do list, and within 10 minutes’ walk, all the great shopping, cafés and restaurants you could possibly want. High ceilings, small artistic touches and intricate accents create a thoroughly pleasant space and, built in 1882, the building sits on a quiet street. Kick back with a book from the bookshelf or soak your tired muscles in the French bathtub.