Flying Pig Downtown
Amsterdam's original backpacker institution since 1994
Legendary Amsterdam hostel on Nieuwendijk, 2 minutes from Centraal Station. On-site bar with happy hour, smoking lounge, shared kitchen, live music nights, and bar crawls. Free Wi-Fi, personal lockers, and terrace overlooking the canal district.
Flying Pig Downtown has been the first stop for backpackers in Amsterdam since 1994, and it earns that reputation every single night. Nieuwendijk 100 puts you two minutes from Centraal Station, which means you drop your bags and you're already in the city center. The Red Light District is a five-minute walk south, Dam Square is around the corner, and the canal ring starts at your doorstep.
The bar is the engine of this hostel. Happy hour runs daily and the crowd spills from the basement bar to the terrace, which catches afternoon sun and canal views. The smoking lounge is one of the few legal spots in a hostel where you can light up, and it's a social hub in its own right. Bar crawls, live music nights, beer pong, and pub quizzes fill the weekly calendar. You will meet people here whether you want to or not.
The shared kitchen is well-stocked and saves you from Amsterdam's brutally expensive restaurant scene. Dorms range from 4-bed to 10-bed, all with personal lockers and reading lights. The building is a converted canal house, so expect steep Dutch stairs and compact rooms. There's an elevator, which is rare for Amsterdam hostels in century-old buildings.
Flying Pig Downtown is not a quiet hostel. It's not trying to be. If you want to sleep by 10pm, look at Stayokay Vondelpark instead. If you want to meet 20 people on your first night and stumble back from Leidseplein at 3am knowing exactly where you are, this is the one.
- 01The bar and terrace create a genuine social scene. Happy hour pulls in solo travelers, couples, and repeat visitors who come back specifically for this vibe.
- 02Two minutes from Centraal Station is not marketing. You can literally see the station from the front door.
- 03The smoking lounge is a unique Amsterdam touch. Legal, social, and the kind of thing that only works in the Netherlands.
- 04Shared kitchen saves real money in one of Europe's most expensive food cities.
- 05Thirty years of backpacker heritage means the staff know every trick, shortcut, and hidden bar in Amsterdam.
- On-site bar with nightly happy hour
- 2 min walk from Centraal Station
- Smoking lounge and canal terrace
- Bar crawls and live music events
“Excellent value for money, great location and good vibes! Loved coming back to chill here. Took my son for his 18th birthday and the staff made it special. The terrace is the best spot in Amsterdam.”
“Great location, elevator which is a big bonus since the stairs are steep and narrow. Smoking area and the terrace were excellent for meeting people.”
“Near the station, grocery stores nearby, my bed was comfortable, it was warm, clean, loved it!”
- Amsterdam Centraal Station2 min walk
- Dam Square5 min walk
- Red Light District5 min walk
- Anne Frank House12 min walk
- Albert Heijn supermarket3 min walk
- Jordaan neighborhood10 min walk
