I just booked this hostel from May 27th-31st. Is this good place to stay and near some of the hotspots in amsterdam?
its near the leidseplein which is a better area for beer drinking and dancing. The flying pig downtown is actually the one on the north end of town (how is that for misleading advertising) and is the one surrounded by more cannabis coffeeshops and the red light district. so it really depends on the type of evenings your looking for?
Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The downtown location is booked for when we are going to be there, May 27th - June 1st. Is there any other place to stay that you can recommend that is similar to the downtown atmosphere and location? Also, is the uptown location very far from the coffeeshops and red light district or is it within walking distance?
I'm not a hostel dweller (i rent apartments) so can't give you any other recommendations. But I have heard that Bobs Youth Hostel has the same vibe (but I have also heard they have a curfew so beware). The leidseplein (square you are near) is a SOLID 30 minute walk to the red light district. What you should do is research the "tram" system. Buy a multiday tram pass from the VVV tourist office outside of central station. It will get you unlimited use of trams, subways, and buses. The trams are super convenient and you can take them right from the leidseplein to the dam square. This tram ride will be about 5 minutes and will leave you within 5 minutes walking distance of the red light district. The leidseplein area has coffeeshops so don't get me wrong on that. There are just less of them here than in the red light district.
i stayed at the flying pig next to vondel park it was really cool another cheap place to stay is the stayokay hostel right across the park from the pig only problem with the stayokay is that they dont alow marijuana smoking in the hostel (that i avoided easly) have fun peace
the first time i went to A'dam i stayed at the 'flying pig' up town, i enjoyed it but i diddent like the fact that people were hoovering at 7 am !! not the nicest sound in the world still a nice place to stay and usually play some cool tunes around the bar area. a pool table is also a added plus ...
Yes its a god area. You will have to do some walking or I say use the trams, easy to use and cheap. Get a tram map some small money ( change, coins) and go for it. Trams #1-#2 or-#5 can take you from Leidsplein to Dam square Centraal Station, and more. Wife like the area, its kinda upscale and or hotel was expensive. . There are some good coffeshops and very good restaurants, and its a more laid back area compaed to Dam Square (to me) . There are more coffeeshops towards downtown than here, but you will find several here as well and one good Smart Shop "When nature Calls" on the Leidestraat near the square in Leidsplein. Vondelpark is close as well and it a cool place to enjoy your shrooms.
Bobs youth hostel is pretty cool but like koopa said their is a curfew. I think its about 1am but they also have some rooms round the corner above the Doors coffeeshop where they don't have any curfew. Downside to this place is you can't smoke in the rooms. Another place is Hotel Brian which is on the Singel. This place has a cool vibe and is owned by cool people. No curfew, smoke wherever you want and only costs 27 euro a night.
