💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Amsterdam
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓World-class cycling infrastructure and bike culture
- ✓Excellent public transport with trams, metro and ferries
- ✓One of the fastest internet speeds in Europe
- ✓Highly international and English-friendly environment
- ✓Thriving startup ecosystem and coworking scene
- ✓UNESCO World Heritage canal ring architecture
- ✓Progressive and tolerant society
- ✓Easy access to other European cities via Schiphol
- ✓High quality of life and work-life balance
- ✓Vibrant cultural scene with world-class museums
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Extremely high cost of living especially rent
- ✗Severe housing shortage and competitive rental market
- ✗Weather can be cold, rainy and grey for months
- ✗Crowded tourist areas especially in city center
- ✗Many cafes are not laptop-friendly
- ✗High taxes and expensive dining out
- ✗Limited outdoor activities due to flat terrain
- ✗Can feel small after extended stays
- ✗Noise issues in central neighborhoods
- ✗Bike theft is very common
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Amsterdam
WeWork Weteringschans
📍 Weteringschans 165 C, 1017XD Amsterdam • 300 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
StartDock Herengracht
📍 Herengracht 420, 1017 BZ Amsterdam • 250 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Zoku Amsterdam
📍 Weesperstraat 105, 1018 VN Amsterdam • 200 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
B. Amsterdam
📍 Johan Huizingalaan 763a, 1066 VH Amsterdam • 300 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Mindspace Herengracht
📍 Herengracht 124-128, 1015 BT Amsterdam • 250 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Kanarie Club
📍 Oud-West
Coffee & Coconuts
📍 De Pijp
Bocca Coffee
📍 Centrum
Rum Baba
📍 Oost
The Hoxton Lobby
📍 Jordaan
Volkshotel - De Werkplaats
📍 Oost
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Amsterdam
De Pijp
De Pijp is one of Amsterdam's most vibrant and multicultural neighborhoods, known for its bohemian atmosphere and the famous Albert Cuyp Market. The area is packed with trendy cafes, international restaurants, and bustling nightlife. Popular among young professionals and creative types, De Pijp offers a perfect mix of local Dutch culture and international flair with relatively affordable housing compared to the city center.
Jordaan
Jordaan is Amsterdam's most charming and picturesque neighborhood, featuring narrow streets, beautiful canals, and quirky boutiques. Once a working-class area, it has transformed into one of the most sought-after locations in the city. The neighborhood offers a village-like atmosphere within the city center with excellent cafes, art galleries, antique shops, and the famous Nine Streets shopping district.
Amsterdam Noord
Amsterdam Noord, across the IJ River, has transformed from an industrial area into one of the city's most creative and affordable neighborhoods. Connected by free 24-hour ferries, it offers modern housing, converted warehouses, and cultural hotspots like NDSM Wharf. The area attracts artists, startups, and digital nomads seeking lower rents while staying connected to central Amsterdam.
Oud-Zuid
Oud-Zuid (Old South) is Amsterdam's most upscale neighborhood, home to the famous Museumkwartier with the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum. The elegant streets are lined with grand 19th-century architecture, designer shops, and the beautiful Vondelpark. Perfect for professionals and families seeking refined living with excellent international schools and cultural amenities.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands' national museum and one of the world's finest art institutions. Housing over 8,000 objects including Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer's Milkmaid, it showcases 800 years of Dutch art and history. The stunning 19th-century building features ornate gardens and a Michelin-starred restaurant, making it an unmissable cultural experience.
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam's most moving and important historical sites. Located in the building where Anne Frank and her family hid during WWII, the museum preserves the secret annex where Anne wrote her famous diary. The experience offers a powerful and emotional insight into the Holocaust and the courage of those who resisted.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum houses the world's largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh, featuring over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 letters. From Sunflowers to The Bedroom, experience the evolution of this post-impressionist master. The modern Rietveld-designed building and its exhibitions provide unparalleled insight into Van Gogh's genius.
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is Amsterdam's most famous and beloved park, spanning 47 hectares of gardens, ponds, and lawns in the heart of the city. Popular with joggers, cyclists, picnickers, and sunbathers, it features open-air concerts, playgrounds, and several cafes. The park offers a perfect escape from the bustling city and embodies Amsterdam's relaxed outdoor culture.
Albert Cuyp Market
The Albert Cuyp Market is Amsterdam's largest and most popular outdoor market, stretching over 260 stalls across De Pijp neighborhood. Operating since 1905, the market offers everything from fresh produce and Dutch cheeses to clothing and electronics. Experience authentic Amsterdam street food, including stroopwafels, herring, and fries with mayo.
Canal Ring Cruise
A canal cruise through Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage canal ring is the quintessential Amsterdam experience. Glide past Golden Age merchant houses, historic bridges, and iconic houseboats while learning about the city's 400-year-old waterway system. Various operators offer everything from intimate small boats to larger vessels with drinks and dining.
NEMO Science Museum
NEMO is the largest science museum in the Netherlands, housed in a striking ship-shaped building by Renzo Piano. With five floors of interactive exhibits, it makes science accessible and fun for all ages. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of Amsterdam's old town and is free to access, featuring water features children love.
A'DAM Lookout
A'DAM Lookout offers the best panoramic views of Amsterdam from its observation deck atop the A'DAM Tower in Noord. For thrill-seekers, the Over The Edge swing lets you swing 100 meters above the ground over the edge of the building. The tower also houses a revolving restaurant and the vibrant rooftop bar with stunning sunset views.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Amsterdam exceeded all my expectations as a digital nomad base. The internet is blazing fast - I consistently got 200+ Mbps even in cafes. The cycling culture is incredible; within a week I was biking everywhere like a local. The international community is huge, and almost everyone speaks perfect English. Yes, it's expensive - I paid €1,800 for a small studio in De Pijp - but the quality of life is worth it. The work-life balance here is real, and I've never felt more productive. The train connections to other European cities from Schiphol are fantastic for weekend trips."
"Amsterdam is a fantastic city for remote work, but you need to manage expectations around costs. Rent is astronomical - I ended up in Amsterdam Noord to afford a decent place. The coworking scene is excellent with StartDock and Zoku being my favorites. One warning: many regular cafes are NOT laptop-friendly. The Dutch will tell you to put it away! The OBA library became my secret weapon for free, quality workspace. Weather can be brutal from November to March - grey and rainy constantly. But summer here is absolutely magical with long evenings in Vondelpark."
"Amsterdam looks amazing on Instagram but living here as a nomad has real challenges. The housing situation is genuinely dire - I spent two months searching before finding an overpriced room. The tourist crowds in central areas can be exhausting, especially around Dam Square and the Red Light District. Cafes charging €5 for a cappuccino feels criminal. That said, once you find your groove in a neighborhood like Oost or West, it's lovely. The creative community is inspiring and networking opportunities are endless. Just don't come here on a tight budget thinking it'll work out."
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