Amsterdam is an exciting city, offering its visitors a vast history, world class art, and a lively nightlife. All this does come at a cost, but here are a few tips on how to enjoy a city break in Amsterdam on a budget.
Hire A Bicycle To Get Around
Save money on public transport by cycling the town to visit the sights by bike. As you can imagine there are many bike hire shops in the city, but to save time and money book in advance. Day hire rates are around €10 or €8 if you are hiring for multiple days. Locks are usually included and child seats and equipment, as well as other add-ons are also available.
Stay Between November And March
As Amsterdam is regarded as one of the best city breaks to take in Europe, staying here can be quite expensive. The quietest time of the year tends to be between the months of November and March. Hotel and accommodation prices are usually cheaper and you will have more opportunity to see uncrowded sights too. At Christmas time, you might see a little rise, but you will also have the added advantage of seeing the city decorated and lit up. You might find a few interesting pop up winter markets too.
Visit Free Attractions
Of course, wandering around the canals and taking pictures is a popular and free thing to do. However, what else can you do in Amsterdam for free?
- Vondelpark: A free scenic park in the center of the city.
- Floating Flower Market: Visit the famous market and take in the sights and smells on the Singel Canal.
- Free Walking Tour: At 11:15AM and 1:15PM from the National Monument at Dam Square you can join a free walking tour where guides work on a tip only basis.
- De Papegaai Gothic Church: A neo-gothic church on Kalverstraat just south of Dam Square.
Cheap Eats
There are so many places to eat in the city and you are sure to find some good cheap places whilst wandering. However, here are a few budget friendly ideas to keeps you going:
- Try the tasty and traditional pannenkoeken crepes at Pancakes Amsterdam and a classic will cost you around €6.
- Lunch at Instock, a cheap and innovative restaurant turning surplus supermarket food into delicious meals.
- For a hearty filling, but a budget meal try Hap Hmm. You will get a basic, although filling meal at a great price.
What To Spend Your Money On
If you enjoy art and history, you should save your funds to visit the spectacular museums and galleries in the city. Here are a few to put on your list:
- Van Gogh Museum: Explore the world’s largest collection of fantastic art by Van Gogh. Entrance costs are €17 per person and more if you want to skip the line.
- Anne Frank House: Learn the story of Anne Frank in this interesting museum. Tickets prices are €9 per adult.
- The Tulip Museum: A little known museum where you can learn the history of the tulip in Amsterdam. Entrance only costs €5.
- Rijksmuseum: There is plenty to see here with over 8,000 objects telling the story of 800 years of Dutch history. An Adults ticket price is € 17.50.
As you can see, if you save money on some elements of your trip you can visit some fantastic sights in the city. There are many reasons to visit Amsterdam and now you know you can come here even if you are on a tight budget!
