jueves, 29 de noviembre de 2018

Changing My Tune: How I Learned to Love L.A.

Los Angeles crosswalk
Posted: 11/29/18 | November 29th, 2018

Maybe it was the traffic. Maybe the smog. Maybe it was the apparent vanity of everyone I met. Or the hippie-dippie way of life (I’ve seen people pick meals by using a crystals). I know it was definitely in part the lack of public transportation.

While I could never really put my finger on it, there was just something about Los Angeles that just always rubbed me the wrong way.

I’d go to see friends or attend conferences and, while I enjoyed that fun, I hated the city itself.

Whenever I had to go visit, I’d just think to myself “Ugh, another trip to L.A.!”

I just never got the city.

After each visit, I always felt that if I never returned, I wouldn’t be missing anything.

Heck, I even wrote a blog post about my disdain for LA!

And then one day while I was ivisitng, I woke up and I really liked — nay, LOVED — Los Angeles.

I don’t know when it happened.

I can’t pinpoint one precise moment or event.

After all, my routine in LA has always been the same: see a few attractions, eat and drink lots, catch up with friends, maybe head to the beach, some work at WeWork, and host a meet-up.

But, one day, I just woke up, looked around, and said, “Ya know, I really like it here. I think I’ll extend my stay a bit longer.”

The more I visited, the more interesting places I discovered or was taken to, the more offbeat sights I saw, and the more I got to know the city. I learned its history. I learned how to get around, when to brave the traffic and when not to. I found markets and hole-in-the-wall taquerias and noodle shops. I had too many martinis at the historic Musso & Frank’s.

And then, when I was there last week, it hit me.

I realized I hated LA for the same reason I originally hated Bangkok.

And now love LA for the same reasons I fell in love with Bangkok.

Los Angeles isn’t built for tourists.

Yes, tourists go there. Yes, there are a lot of touristy things to do there.

people playing basketball in Los Angeles

But it’s not like Hong Kong, Paris, Buenos Aires, London, Sydney, or other places where you can go down a long list of attractions, drink in the culture, get around easily, and get a feel for the city in a short period of time.

No, the sprawling nature of Los Angeles, the traffic and cost of getting around, the lack of a city center, and the transient nature of its inhabitants makes it a bad “tourist” city.

To get to know Los Angeles, you have to live there. Just like Bangkok.

Like Bangkok, L.A. is requires you to stay awhile. It’s an onion with layers you need to peel back over time.

L.A. is found in the restaurants, markets, ethnic enclaves, offbeat bars, and coffee shops. It is found on hiking trails and beaches. In art and music shows.

It’s found in the vibe and the people, not in the sights.

I began to love Bangkok when I got know it beyond the temples and the tourist trail. When I found hidden markets and amazing street stalls frequented only by locals, became friends with residents, and understood how it operated, I knew why people loved Bangkok so much.

Bangkok is not a city for tourists.

It’s for residents.

Just like Los Angeles.

When I realized that, I stopped looking at Los Angeles through the lens of a tourist. When I began to look at through the eyes of the people who lived there, suddenly the city becomes alive with things to do, coffeeshops to sit in, and places to explore.

It turns out L.A. is an awesome city if you know where to look.

I just never knew where to look before.

Book Your Trip to Los Angeles: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Here are suggested places to stay in Los Angeles:

  • USA Hostels – Located right between Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Strip, this spot is awesome with privacy pods and ensuite dorms.
  • HI Los Angeles Santa Monica – A comfortable hostel where all the beach action is in Santa Monica.
  • Banana Bungalow – A social hostel in Hollywood with a great outdoor courtyard area (and regular BBQs!).

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Los Angeles?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to LA with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

The post Changing My Tune: How I Learned to Love L.A. appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.



November 29, 2018 at 05:31PM

fom https://ift.tt/2SpJh99
by IHholiday Travel trip

viernes, 23 de noviembre de 2018

Black Friday: Get Our Stuff for 66% off!

Nomadic Matt Black Friday Sale
Posted: 11/23/2018 | November 23rd, 2018

It’s that time of the year again when we all go crazy for online sales.

Yes, it’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

As we do every year, we’re going to participate in this mass consumer event by putting all our guidebooks and courses on sale all weekend!

From right now (Friday, November 23rd at 8 am EST) until Monday, November 26th at 11:59 pm EST, all our courses and books are up to 66% off!

Check out our sales below!

Guidebooks

This year, rather than discounting individual books, we’re bundling all our books together in “mega-packages”! We’ve created three packages for you to choose from:

The Asia Package (50% off)
Get all our guides to Asia PLUS our guides to teaching overseas AND travel hacking, so you can better plan your trip to the region. Save money, fly in style, and even learn to work on the road if you want! With this package, you’ll get the following five guides:

  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Hong Kong
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Bangkok
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Thailand
  • The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking
  • How to Teach English Overseas

This bundle is only $50 $24.99!! That’s 50% off the original price!

Just click here to get this package today!

The Europe Package (60% off)
Get all our guides to traveling around Europe PLUS our guide to travel hacking, so you can fly there and stay in style for free! With this package, you’ll get the following six books:

  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Backpacking Europe
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Iceland
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Paris
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Amsterdam
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Stockholm
  • The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking

This bundle is also only $60 $24.99 during our sale. You’ll save nearly 60% off the price of these books!

Just click here to get this package!

The Complete Package (66% off)
Want every guide we’ve ever written? Awesome. You can get our entire guidebook collection for 66% off and plan the best trips to your next destinations! Here’s the 12 books you’ll get:

  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Backpacking Europe
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Iceland
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Paris
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Amsterdam
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Stockholm
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Hong Kong
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Thailand
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Bangkok
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to NYC
  • Nomadic Matt’s Guide to the Virgin Islands
  • The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking
  • How to Teach English Overseas

Our complete guide collection is only $120 $39.99 during our sale!

That’s 66% off the price or only $3.33 per book! We’ve never sold our books that low!

Just click here to get our entire collection!

Once you purchase these books, you’ll recieve an email with a download link and you’ll be able to download and use them on your computer, Kindle, iPad, or other e-reader!

Each destination guide contains all the essential information you need to have a rich and authentic experience on your trip, including:

  • In-depth ways to save money
  • Suggested budgets
  • Suggested itineraries
  • Suggested day trips
  • More budget, offbeat, and off-the-beaten-path activities and attractions
  • Nightlife options
  • My favorite places to eat on a budget
  • My favorite places to sleep, including family-friendly hostels
  • Practicalities (business hours, transportation, emergency information, visa guidelines, best times to go, etc.)
  • Information on how to get a local phone or SIM card
  • An expanded history section
  • Related book and movie suggestions
  • And maps!

So pick up one of our bundles today – and plan your next trip better, cheaper, and smarter:

Our Travel Media Courses (Up to 66% off!!!)

Looking to start a career in travel? Our Superstar Blogging courses can help you do that!

Featuring industry experts and renowned writers, photographers, marketers, and YouTubers, our courses share with you the knowledge of some of the most successful online personalities in the world! We’re here to be your mentors — and help you become the superstar we know you are.

All our courses come with ongoing email support and feedback, lifetime updates, webinars, Q&As, and an active and supportive Facebook group — all to help you overcome your fears, master the technical aspects of these topics, and meet other people to help you grow your business. Plus there’s a 30-day money back guarantee — if you don’t like the course, we’ll refund your money!

And, from Friday through Monday, our courses are up to 66% off!

The Business of Blogging $297 $99 USD (66% off)
In this course, I take you behind the scenes of how I run my website and give you all my tips, tricks, and secrets to running a successful blog. I’ll show you how I create products, grow my email list, make money with affiliates, write sales pages, network with other bloggers, get media coverage, and so much more. I share metrics, screenshots, and all my numbers.

Plus, you get Q&A sessions where you can pick my brain, and we have a full-time tech team that will help you set up your blog or troubleshoot any problems.

Click to find out more and let me help you improve your blog today!

The Art of Travel Vlogging $297 $149 USD (50% off)
Want to succeed on YouTube? Travel vloggers Nadine Sykora from Hey Nadine and Kristen Sarah from Hopscotch the Globe share their tips on filming, editing, monetization, networking, working with brands, and growing your own brand on YouTube. They’ll teach you how to stand out from the crowd.

Go behind the scenes as they show you how they film their videos, set up shots, and record on camera, as well as exactly how they edit videos through step-by-step demonstrations!

Click here to learn more about the course and start today!

The A-to-Z Guide to Travel Writing $485 $199 USD (60% off)
Taught by David Farley, a professor of writing at NYU and Columbia University, this course gets into the nitty-gritty of becoming a better writer. You’ll learn how to improve your writing, self-edit, become more descriptive, draw your reader in, come up with story ideas, pitch editors, and even make a living as a writer.

Additionally, David and I will give you feedback and edits on your writing throughout the course. No one improves their writing alone — and no other writing course offers this kind of hands-on help.

Click here to learn more and get instant access today!

Capture the World: A Guide to Photography $99 $49 USD (50% off)
Expert travel photographer Laurence Norah will teach you how to get out of auto mode and master the art of photography. He’ll go in depth into how cameras work, photography concepts, lighting and composition, HDR, mobile photography, night photography, editing, and much more.

Laurence will even provide feedback on your shots and help you work through your editing and composition.

Click here to get out of auto mode and improve your photography!

***

That’s our sale this year!

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or send us an email!

– Matt

The post Black Friday: Get Our Stuff for 66% off! appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.



November 23, 2018 at 02:00PM

fom https://ift.tt/2AelW2H
by IHholiday Travel trip

martes, 20 de noviembre de 2018

Top Ten Places to Go for New Year’s Eve

fireworks in singapore on new years eve
Updated: 11/20/2018 | November 20th, 2018

New Year’s Eve is the biggest party of the year. It’s a celebration that brings people together to celebrate all the potential that a new year offers. It’s a day of hope and celebration.

And it’s not too far away either!

Soon, people from around the world will be ringing in the new year soon with fireworks, festivals, friends, parties, and songs. It’s a fun holiday that knows no nationality.

If you’re ready to stay up past your bedtime and indulge in the revelry, here are my top ten best places to go for New Year’s Eve in 2018:

1. New York City

New York times square on New Year's eve
Times Square has been a focal point of New Year’s activity for more than a hundred years. Around one million people will crowd into the square to watch the famous ball drop. On top of that, around a BILLION more people will watch from home, making this one of the biggest events of the year — every year!

If you want to watch the ball drop in person, be sure to arrive early (people start gathering in the afternoon to get a good spot) and dress warmly! However, there are lots of parties throughout the city and most New Yorkers try to aim for some of the downtown clubs and bars or a house party!

Check out my free travel guide to New York City for more information on how to get there, save money, and enjoy the city during your visit!

2. Sydney

https://www.flickr.com/photos/12333120@N00/3679125507
Australia is one of the first countries in the world to experience New Year’s Eve making Sydney the first major city in the world to greet a new year (sorry New Zealand, you aren’t as big!).  The city hosts one of the largest firework displays in the world. They last almost a full fifteen minutes and are best viewed from one of the boats in the harbor or surrounding hills. After the display, the celebrations usually last until dawn. Locals love enjoying this day as it’s also in the middle of their summer so the weather is always great! Unsurprisingly, accommodation disappears fast so be sure to book well in advance if you want to spend the New Year down under!

Check out my free travel guide to Sydney for more information on how to get there, save money, and enjoy the city when you visit!

3. London

London Eye in London at night
London rings in the new year with an astonishing fireworks display that’s launched from the London Eye. The fireworks can be seen from rooftops and balconies all across London, so you don’t need to leave your hotel to get a good view. If you want to get out there and really experience the display, the best views are from Westminster Bridge and the north embankment of the River Thames (opposite the London Eye).

Check out my free travel guide to London for more information on what to see and do in London when you visit during the holiday!

4. Paris

Champs-Elysees in Paris at night
Paris is the perfect destination for a romantic New Year’s Eve getaway. It has high class dining, clubbing, fantastic fireworks, and the chance to sip Champagne on the Champs-Elysees. Around midnight, you can watch the Eiffel Tower’s light show. Another great place to spend the evening is Montmartre, as it offers spectacular views of the entire Paris skyline.

While you won’t get the same level of epic fireworks as you would in Sydney, there are still great parties through the city and many people light off their own fireworks from the Champs-Elysees. The city stays open late!

Check out my travel guide to Paris for more information on spending New Year’s in Paris! It includes things to do, see, costs, and how to get around! 

5. Ko Phangan, Thailand

Sunset in Thailand
Over 20,000 young people cram on Haat Rin beach in Thailand to celebrate the New Year. Backpackers and travelers from around the world dance, paint themselves up, and drink buckets of alcohol from dusk until the first dawn of the new year. They fill the beach and it’s one of the wildest outdoor parties there is on New Year’s.

If you’re looking to start the new year on a beach and plan to be in Southeast Asia, this is one of the best and most fun places to be. I’ve spent three New Year’s here and loved every single one!

Check out my travel guide to Ko Phangan for more information including information on the famous Full Moon Party.

6. Kiribati

A view of Kiribati
What better way to ring in the New Year than to be the first person to do it? This spot in the Pacific is officially the first place in the world to see the New Year. It’s like going into the future! Tourism here has picked up in recent years as the locals have tried to capitalize on that interesting fact but the island remains mostly an untouched getaway. There’s not much to do here and accommodation isn’t by any means luxurious but what better way to spend the new year than on an island in the South Pacific? Be sure to plan this well in advance as few flights go here and limited accommodation makes its difficult to find spots.

7. Tokyo

tokyo at night
If a single night of partying isn’t enough for you, head to Tokyo. The capital city of Japan starts celebrating on the 29th of December, giving you a few extra days to let loose and give the year a proper send-off. Not only do they start early, but the party almost doesn’t stop. New Year’s celebrations here continue until January 4th. While most of the major tourist sites in the city are closed during this time, the streets of Tokyo (as well as all restaurants and clubs) are packed with locals and visitors alike. The city offers up numerous fireworks displays, dancing, and all the karaoke you can sing!

Check out my travel guide to Tokyo for more information on what to do, see, and ways to save money.

8. Las Vegas

Las Vegas during New Year's
The city that parties every night throughout the year certainly knows how to throw a New Year’s Eve bash to remember. There are so many clubs, hotels, bars, and casinos to choose from in Las Vegas, Nevada, that it’s almost impossible to not celebrate in style. Outdoors, “The Strip” is closed to traffic so everyone can watch the grand fireworks displays high above the city’s neon lights. If you want to wade through the crowds, make your way downtown to Fremont Street and join the massive block party, complete with confetti, a massive wine toast, concerts by big-name rockers, and a five-block-long illuminated canopy 90 feet overhead, on which state-of-the-art sound and light shows are shown.

Check out my travel guide to Las Vegas for more information on enjoying life in Sin City without spending a sinful amount of money.

9. San Juan Del Sur

A beach on San Juan Del Sur
This holiday hotspot in Central America is a surfing and beach mecca for travelers of all ages and styles. During New Years, the city is bursting with tourists and locals who come from the surrounding area to enjoy time on the beach, with their families, and party hard (Nicaraguans sure know how to have fun!). This is definitely a place to go if you’re looking to get bit crazy and then nurse your hangover on the beach the next day. There’s usually a giant beach party where locals and tourists mingle, dance, drink, and countdown a new year together!

10. Edinburgh

The torchlight procession led by vikings in Scotland
When it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, Edinburgh is one of those places that can’t be beat. Their Hogmanay is one of the most fun parties I’ve ever been too. Each year, over 100,000 people take part in the two-day celebration that involves a Viking procession, fireworks over the castle, bonfires, concerts, and a carnival. It’s out of this world fun. It gets super crowded and you’ll need tickets to the shows so be sure to book in advance. You can even walk the viking procession to the bonfire!

Check out my travel guide to Edinburgh for more information on taking a holiday there.

BONUS: 11. Anywhere your friends are!

New Years with Friends
No matter where you are in the world, this holiday is about celebrating with friends and family. Wherever they are will be the best place to celebrate. Who wants to spend such a great day with strangers? Paris, London, New York, a jungle, the beach, your home — it doesn’t matter. As long as you are with those you like and love, it will be the best New Year’s party in the world.

****

New Years is an incredibly fun holiday where you can cut loose, stay up late, wash away the old, and ring in the new. If you’re looking for the best places to celebrate new years eve in the world, look no further than this list. But remember, no matter where you are, so long as you are with people you enjoy, you’re in the best place to celebrate!

I’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve in Colombia so if you’re down there, say hi!

For other top travel lists and destination ideas, check out these posts:

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
To find the best budget accommodation, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. You can book your hostel – if you want that instead – with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Photo Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,

The post Top Ten Places to Go for New Year’s Eve appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.



November 20, 2018 at 04:11PM

fom https://ift.tt/2A6a5DG
by IHholiday Travel trip

lunes, 19 de noviembre de 2018

My Top 14 Hostels in Amsterdam

the canals of Amsterdam
Posted: 11/19/2018 | November 19th, 2018

Amsterdam will always have a special place in my heart. I spent a month there on my first trip around the world in 2006. I made local friends, wandered far and wide, and really got to know the city and its people.

I fell in love with Amsterdam that trip.

I’ve been back to visit Amsterdam every year since.

The city is one of the most visited and backpacked in Europe.

And it’s filled with hundreds of hostels, hotels, and guesthouses for travelers to stay in.

With so many places showing up in your search results, how do you know the best hostels in Amsterdam to choose? I mean dozens are top rated on Hostelworld, right?

To make choosing a hostel in Amsterdam easier, I distilled my years of experience in this list that features my favorite hostels in Amsterdam. These hostels have friendly staff, are social, clean, and fairly inexpensive. These are the places I always stay when I’m in town.

Without further ado, here are my…..

14 Best Hostels in Amsterdam

(In no particular order.)

1. Euphemia Old City Canal Zone

Euphemia Old City Canal Zone
Located in a former monastery, this hostel sits on a beautiful canal and is close to most of the city’s attractions, particularly the museums. Their beds are comfy and the rooms are kept clean. They also have bike rentals too. If you’re looking for a chill hostel with a view, stay here. Note: Guests must be 40 years of age or younger.

Beds from 15 EUR/17 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Euphemia Old City Canal Zone!

2. Meininger Amsterdam Hostels

Meininger Amsterdam Hostels
This European hostel chain has two Amsterdam locations. These hostels are fairly big and are not for the partying type. They are chill hostels mean for families, couples, groups, or anyone looking to escape the party scene in the city. The beds are soft and you’ll find lots of outlets to charge your things. Both hostels are clean, spacious, comfortable, and offer a fairly decent breakfast. When I’m looking for a quiet time, I stay here.

Beds from 15.50 EUR/17.62 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Meininger Amsterdam City West!

—-> Book your stay at Meininger Hotel Amsterdam Amstel!

3. Clink Noord

Clink Noord
Located in North Amsterdam, this former laboratory from the 1920s has been converted into a stylish, clean space for backpackers. It’s super awesome, fun, and social environment. They have a fantastic library, workspace, and atrium. There’s a café and in-hostel bar on site too. The beds are new and the pillows are quite soft. Each bunk bed has an individual light and USB socket to charge your phone. Stay here to get a sense of what Amsterdam outside the city center is like! It’s truly one of the best in Amsterdam! Fun fact: If you’re a musician, you can perform in the ZincBAR for a free one-night stay.

Beds from 17 EUR/19.30 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Clink Noord!

4. Hostel Van Gogh

Hotel Van Gogh
Located near the Van Gogh Museum (hence the name), this easily accessible hostel is clean with comfy beds. There’s free Wi-Fi, shampoo and shower gel, and they offer an all-you-can-eat luxury continental breakfast buffet for only €5. They also have bike rentals. There’s an age restriction (18–40) for the mixed dorms. I like staying here because their dorms are single beds, there’s art on the walls, and it’s easy to visit all the major attractions from here! (Also, it’s away from the chaos of the Red Light District!)

Beds from 18 EUR/20.50 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Hostel Van Gogh!

5. StayOkay Amsterdam Vondelpark

StayOkay Amsterdam Vondelpark
This hostel is part of the YHA association and is pretty standard for them. It’s sort of sterile. Everything is fairly clean and modern and the beds are kinda comfy. Like M hotels, this hostel is best for couples, groups, families, and non-partying travelers. There’s a good continental breakfast, everything here is quiet, there’s no partying, and there are bike rentals. If you’re a YHA member, you get 10% off when you check in.

Beds from 18 EUR/20.50 USD.

—-> Book your stay at StayOkay Amsterdam Vondelpark!

6. The Flying Pig Downtown

The Flying Pig Hostels
This is one of my favorite hostels in the world, and I almost always stay here when I’m in town. It’s popular with travelers looking to chill and smoke, and the bar area gets very busy at night. It may not be the cheapest hostel in the city, but the showers are good, the pillows and beds super comfy. There are charging points by each of the beds too. Because of its famous reputation, it’s almost always full, so it’s easy to make friends. Stay at the downtown location if you want more space and a bigger bar.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Book your stay at The Flying Pig Downtown!

There’s also an uptown location near Vondelpark that is a bit quiter and more relaxed but it’s a lot smaller of location.

7. Durty Nellys Inn

Durty Nellys Inn
Located in the center of Amsterdam by the Red Light District, this is your classic, fun backpacker hostel. It’s cozy, tiny, and inexpensive.  The beds are decent for a stay and each comes with its own reading light and outlight. But it creates a great community and it’s really easy to meet other travelers here. The staff is super knowledgeable and there’s a hearty breakfast too. Hostel guests also get a discount in the pub located downstairs. Given its location, it’s a party hostel.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Durty Nellys Inn!

8. Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam

Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam
Hans Brinker has been around nearly 50 years, and it hasn’t changed much since I’ve been visiting. It’s near all of Amsterdam’s best nightlife and only five minutes from the Museumplein. There’s a hip underground bar and a cheap restaurant on site. The rooms are pretty basic, but there’s free breakfast. It’s one of the most old school, popular hostels in the city. It’s a bit of an institution.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam!

9. The Bulldog Hotel

The Bulldog Hotel
While I thought the lack of a common area detracted from the overall social atmosphere of the hostel, it does have a pub that offers cheap and filling food and drinks. The dorm rooms are clean and modern, and each room has their own showers. It’s located right in the heart of the Red Light District, so it’s a bit wild on the weekends! It’s one of the best hostels in the city, even if it’s a bit pricey.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Book your stay at The Bulldog Hotel!

10. Shelter City Hostel

Shelter City Hostel
I don’t stay at this place often and I only include it on the list because not everyone wants to party. This is an alcohol-free, party-free, and drug-free hostel with separate rooms for men and women. The rooms are comfy, the showers well kept, and most of the guests here are pretty quiet.

Beds from 25 EUR/28.40 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Shelter City Hostel!

11. St. Christopher’s at The Winston

St. Christopher’s at The Winston
This is one of the all-around best hostels in Amsterdam. This old converted hotel is near the Red Light District. It has a beer garden, smoking area, and offers discounts on food and drink in the bar downstairs, which is also popular with locals because of its cheap happy hour. The hallways have cool art on them and comfy super beds. This is a great, great place to meet other travelers. Be sure to get a room on the inner courtyard to avoid the late-night street noise.

Beds from 25 EUR/28.40 USD.

—-> Book your stay at St. Christopher’s at The Winston!

12. CityHub Amsterdam

CityHub Amsterdam
This cool new offering has communal areas and shared bathrooms like a hostel, but private rooms like a hotel. The rooms look like space-age hubs (or capsules) from the outside. Inside you’ll find very little space but comfy beds and a quiet environment. It’s a modern, keyless experience. You’ll get a wristband that’ll let you do everything, including purchase beer. The bathrooms are excellent, with awesome showers, luxury toiletries, and even flat irons and curling irons for the girls. It’s one of the best new hostels in Amsterdam.

Rooms from 53 EUR/62.50 USD.

—-> Book your stay at CityHub Amsterdam!

13. Botel Zebra

Botel Zebra
This kid-friendly hostel is actually on a houseboat. Each cabin has bunk beds with linens and a bathroom with towels, plus Wi-Fi and breakfast are included in the price. Staying here is a very Dutch way to experience Amsterdam! It’s a fun experience. Note: This place is only available during fall and winter.

Double rooms from 85 EUR/97 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Botel Zebra!

14. Ecomama

Ecomama Amsterdam
Ecomama is a new, eco-friendly hostel located right in at the end of the Red Light District and around the corner from Waterlooplein. Everything here is environmentally sustainable, from the use of fair trade materials, natural stone heating, and waste recycling. The rooms are beautiful with art on the walls, lots of light, and uber comfy mattresses. The common room has a lot of spaces to hang out and the whole building is filled with a lot of natural light. It’s very much the poshiest hostel on the list!

Dorm beds from 32 EUR/36 USD per night, but with a minimum two-night booking. Private rooms start around 100 EUR/114 USD per night, but with double occupancy and minimum two nights.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Ecomama!

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This list of the tried-and-true best hostels in Amsterdam should make planning your trip to Amsterdam a breeze. If you want a great place to stay during your visit, you won’t go wrong with any of these hostels.

So stay in one of them on your next trip!

Want the real, most honest, straight to the point guide on Amsterdam?

Nomadic Matt's Guide to Amsterdam Want to plan the perfect trip to Amsterdam? Check out my comprehensive guide to Amsterdam written for budget travelers like yourself! This guide gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries tips budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, and my favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and download it instantly.

Book Your Trip to Amsterdam: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Get Your Guide
Check out my detailed guide to planning a visit to Amsterdam with suggested itineraries, places to stay, things to do, where to eat, and how to get around. Just click here to get the guide and continue planning today!

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

The post My Top 14 Hostels in Amsterdam appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.



November 19, 2018 at 01:00PM

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